ESC Workplan for OCPA Assessment (Task Item Version)
Phase 1: Authorization and Framework (March)
Objective: Secure City Council direction and establish the evaluation framework.
Tasks
• Present the proposed scope, timeline, and workplan to City Council • Request authorization to proceed with the assessment of Orange County Power Authority • Establish evaluation criteria to guide ESC and staff analysis, including:
o Cost competitiveness
o Rate stability
o Renewable energy and sustainability value
o Governance and local control
o Financial and legal risk
o Community benefit and alignment with City values
• Confirm the roles of the Environmental Sustainability Committee and City staff in carrying out the work
Deliverable
• City Council approved workplan and evaluation criteria Phase 2: Data Collection, Baseline Analysis, and Community Outreach (April – June) Objective: Build the factual record, begin comparative analysis, and engage the community early in the process.
Tasks
• Ask OCPA to coordinate with Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric, as applicable, to obtain load data
• Work with OCPA and City staff to develop a preliminary bill impact analysis for residential and commercial customers
• Revisit and refine the City’s 2023 questionnaire used to evaluate potential Joint Powers Authorities
• Complete those portions of the questionnaire that can be answered through publicly available information and online research
• Develop and implement a community outreach plan to:
o Educate the public on what OCPA is and what membership would mean o Provide neutral background information on options and tradeoffs o Solicit public input from residents, businesses, and stakeholders • Gather and organize public feedback for later incorporation into the analysis Deliverables
• Preliminary financial and customer impact analysis
• Updated evaluation questionnaire
Attachment 2
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• Community outreach summary and input log
Phase 3: Due Diligence and Validation (July – August)
Objective: Validate assumptions, fill information gaps, and assess legal, operational, and governance issues.
Tasks
• Schedule and conduct interviews with:
o Joe Mosca
o Tiffany Law
• Obtain answers to questions requiring direct agency response or verification • Schedule and conduct internal discussions with:
o City Attorney
o City Manager
• Evaluate:
o Governance structure
o JPA membership terms
o Financial oversight and transparency
o Potential legal and operational risks
• Assess reliability of assumptions used in the preliminary bill and risk analyses Deliverable
• Governance, legal, and risk assessment memorandum
Phase 4: Synthesis and Draft Recommendation (September) Objective: Bring together the technical analysis, risk assessment, and community input into a clear recommendation.
Tasks
• Consolidate findings from:
o Financial analysis
o Questionnaire responses
o Governance and legal review
o Community outreach
• Evaluate OCPA against the Council approved criteria
• Develop a draft recommendation on whether the City should join OCPA • If appropriate, identify conditions, safeguards, or follow up steps that should accompany any recommendation
Deliverable
• Draft ESC recommendation report to City Council
Phase 5: Council Review and Direction (October)
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Objective: Present the completed assessment and recommendation for City Council consideration.
Tasks
• Present ESC findings and recommendation to City Council • Summarize:
o Financial impacts
o Risks and opportunities
o Governance considerations
o Community feedback
o Overall recommendation
• Request Council direction on whether to proceed with or decline OCPA membership consideration
Deliverable
• City Council presentation and requested direction
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