HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-20; Clean Energy Alliance JPA; ; Clean Energy Alliance Interim TreasurerClean Energy Alliance
JOINT POWERS AUTHORITY
Staff Report
DATE: August 20, 2020
TO: Clean Energy Alliance Board of Directors
FROM: Barbara Boswell, Interim Chief Executive Officer
ITEM 8: Clean Energy Alliance Interim Treasurer
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize Clean Energy Alliance Interim Chief Executive Officer to execute an agreement with Marie
Berkuti for Interim Treasurer services, through June 30, 2021, for an amount not to exceed $10,000,
subject to General Counsel approval.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
Section 5.4 of the Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) Joint Powers Agreement establishes the requirement for
the Board to appoint a Board Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer and Auditor (Treasurer). The Treasurer is
responsible for cash management, financial transactions and audits for CEA activity, including being the
depository and maintaining custody of all money of CEA, making disbursements as approved by the
Board, causing an independent audit of the finances of CEA, pursuant to Section 6505.5 of the California
Government Code.
At its Board meeting November 4, 2019 the CEA Board appointed Marie Berkuti, City of Solana Beach
Finance Director as Interim Treasurer of CEA. The services were provided through the Administrative
and Fiscal Services Agreement between CEA and City of Solana Beach. Ms. Berkuti has recently
announced her retirement from City of Solana Beach, effective September 9, 2020.
Upon learning of Ms. Berkuti's retirement, CEA reached out to the Member Agencies to determine
whether their Finance Directors could take on the responsibilities of the CEA Interim Treasurer. Through
the inquiry it was determined that their Finance Directors did not have the available bandwidth to take
on the additional duties.
In discussions with Ms. Berkuti she is interested in continuing to provide the Interim Treasurer services,
and Solana Beach has confirmed it can continue to provide the finance staff support for the day to day
accounting functions such as processing invoices for payment. The services for Ms. Berkuti can be
engaged through a professional services agreement. The arrangement would continue through the
current fiscal year, and the Board would determine how to fulfill the position through its Fiscal Year
21/22 budget process.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient funds are available in the approved FY 20/21 CEA budget.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Aug. 20, 2020 Item #8 Page 1 of 1