Item 11
1 VALLEY CLEAN ENERGY ALLIANCE
Staff Report – Item 11
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Mitch Sears, Chief Executive Officer
Edward Burnham, Chief Financial Officer
Alisa Lembke, VCE Board Clerk/Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT: Consider Reappointment and Appointment to Jurisdiction seats on Community Advisory Committee
DATE: June 11, 2026
RECOMMENDATION
1. Consider reappointments/appointments to each jurisdiction seat for a three (3) year term to expire 2029 (Class 2).
BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS
The Board at their September 9, 2021 meeting, adopted a revised Community Advisory Committee (CAC) structure with eleven total members: eight jurisdictional members (two per jurisdiction) and three additional seats for At-large members intended to fill specific subject matter expertise/experience areas.
Class 2 appointments expire in June 2026 representing the jurisdiction seats: Davis, Woodland, Winters and Yolo County. Staff advertised on VCE’s website, through local newspapers and social media seeking applicants for all jurisdiction seats.
Mark Murray was recently appointed to represent Yolo County at the Board’s February 12, 2026 meeting. All three (3) incumbent CAC Members are seeking reappointment.
Jennifer Rindahl, past CAC Member, has resubmitted an application for consideration of appointment to represent the City of Winters. Ms. Rindahl served on the CAC from June 2020 - November 2025.
No other applications have been received.
The following CAC Members are seeking reappointment:
• Diccon Westworth - Woodland
• Ari Halberstadt - Davis
• Mark Murray – Yolo County
Item 11
2 CONCLUSION
Staff recommends the Board consider:
1. Reappointment of the following for a three (3) year term to expire 2028 (Class 2); • Woodland Rep. – Diccon Westworth
• Davis Rep. – Ari Halberstadt
• Yolo County Rep. – Mark Murray; and,
2. Appoint Jennifer Rindahl to represent the City of Winters for a three (3) year term to expire 2028 (Class 2).
Below is a listing of the other “classes” and their expiration terms:
CLASS 3 - term expires in June 2027:
At-Large - Lorenzo Kristov
At-Large - Keith Taylor
At-Large – Danielle Ballard
CLASS 1 - term expires in June 2028:
Winters Rep. – David Springer
Woodland Rep. – Mark Aulman
Davis Rep. – Rahul Athalye
Yolo County Rep. – Cynthia Rodriguez
Attachment: Jennifer Rindahl’s Application (Redacted)
What experience/perspective would you bring to the committee? Please reference the professional sector and related professional experience below for At-Large member applications in this section.
Please list your previous and present governmental and civic experience. Indicate when, position and duties:
List any special training or experience you have that you feel would benefit your committee service:
For over 20 years I have worked with local cities, counties, school and public transportation agencies to help them better communicate important issues about local services to their public.
My work with the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources expanded my knowledge of sustainability issues, which was further expanded during my time running Delaine Eastin’s campaign for governor. On Delaine’s Campaign, I was responsible for drafting all policy items, including those centering around California’s infrasture and sustainability needs.
Consultant (numerous cities, counties, school and districts - 2016- Present) Consultant, Los Rios Community College District (2025-Present) Consultant, San Juan Unified School District (2023-2024) Consultant, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Association (June 2021 - Present) Board Member, CA Democratic Party (2019 - Present) Yolo County DCCC (2019-2023), Consultant, Peralta Community College District (August 2018- March 2019), Director of Advocacy, UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, (2012-2015) Executive Consultant (numerous cities, counties, school and districts - 2002- 2012) I bring more than 20 years of experience in strategic communications, public policy, community outreach, and local government engagement, with a particular focus on helping public agencies communicate complex issues clearly and build public trust.
I previously served on the Valley Clean Energy Community Advisory Committee and understand the importance of community choice energy programs in advancing local clean energy goals, supporting climate action, and maintaining accountability to the communities they serve. I also bring experience working with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, where I supported statewide advocacy, legislative engagement, and communications related to agriculture, research, sustainability, and community resilience.
Do you have any interests or associations which might present a conflict of interest? If yes, please explain:
What do you feel are your most important qualifications? What do you see as some of the significant issues facing the community in the next few years that might pertain to Valley Clean Energy's Community Advisory Committee? My strongest qualifications are my prior service on the Valley Clean Energy Community Advisory Committee, my 20+ years of experience in public agency communications and community engagement, and my ability to help translate complex policy and technical issues into clear, accessible information for residents. I also bring a strong understanding of local government, agriculture, sustainability, and the needs of Yolo County communities, which would allow me to contribute thoughtfully to VCE’s clean energy, affordability, and public trust goals.
Some of the most significant issues facing the community over the next few years include wildfire risk, grid reliability, rising energy costs, and the need for greater local energy resilience. As PG&E rates and infrastructure costs continue to increase, affordability will remain a major concern for residents, businesses, farms, and local agencies. At the same time, extreme heat, fire danger, blackouts, brownouts, and public safety power shutoffs make it increasingly important to invest in clean, reliable, locally controlled energy solutions. Valley Clean Energy’s Community Advisory Committee can play an important role in helping the agency balance climate goals, affordability, energy independence, and community trust while ensuring that residents understand both the challenges and the opportunities ahead.
6/3/26