HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05-07; Clean Energy Alliance JPA; MinutesClean Energy Alliance - Board of Directors
Meeting Minutes
May 7, 2020 — 2 p.m.
Carlsbad City Hall — City Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
CALL TO ORDER: 2 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Schumacher, Haviland, Becker
FLAG SALUTE
Chair Schumacher led the Pledge of Allegiance.
BOARD COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Vice Chair Haviland wished everyone well and expressed her appreciation for staff.
PRESENTATIONS: None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of the Meeting held Jan. 16, 2020
Minutes of the Meeting held Feb. 20, 2020
Minutes of the Meeting held April 16, 2020
Motion by Vice Chair Haviland, seconded by Board Member Becker, to approve the minutes as
presented. Motion carried unanimously, 3/0.
NEW BUSINESS
Item 1: Clean Energy Alliance Financial Pro-Forma Review; 5-year Goals & Vision
Discussion
Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) discussion of goals/vision for next 5 years to include
discussion on CCA programs, citizen advisory committee, strategic plan and
inclusive sustainable workforce policy.
RECOMMENDATION
Provide direction on CEA programs, economic revitilization opportunities, citizen
advisory committee, strategic plan and inclusive sustainable workforce policy.
Interim Chief Executive Officer Barbara Boswell and Consultants John Dalessi and Kirby Dusel of
Pacific Energy Advisors presented the staff report and reviewed the PowerPoint presentation
(on file in the Office of the Board Secretary).
In response to an inquiry from Board Member Becker, Mr. Dalessi explained that the goal is to
refinance the initial funding from member agencies so that the funds can be returned to its'
members.
In response to an inquiry from Vice Chair Haviland, Interim CEO Boswell explained that the
Board would select which option Portfolio Options to select 4-6 months prior to launch (fall of
2020).
Chair Schumacher confirmed with staff that the option profromas will have a more detailed
analysis when rate setting occurs.
Vice Chair Haviland commented that the following are the programs she would like to see move
forward sooner rather than later:
• Local solar retail service offering
• Solar rebates and incentives when CEA can affort to offer those
• Launch with a 100% renewable energy option
Board Member Becker stated that the following are the goals and programs she would like to
see moving forward:
• To be fiscally conservative and build up reserves
• Net energy metering and offer maybe 2 cent more incentive than SDG&E
• Launch with a 100% renewable energy option
• Electric vehicle incentive program
• Local solar retail service offering
Chair Schumacher spoke in support of the following goals and programs:
• Launch with a 100% renewable energy option
• Solar rebates and incentives
• Community investment partnership with residential and commercial customers to
advance the stoarge and local solar energy generation without capital outlays
• Net energy metering
Mr. Dusel commented that any programs that are customer funded or would result in costs
that would be incurred after project build-out occurs are programs that would typically launch
shortly before commencing service.
In response to Board Member Becker, Ms. Boswell stated that staff will monitor the grant
opportunities for microgrids.
Board Member Becker stated she would like to move the electric vehicle and charging
incentives above the focus of community grants.
Vice Chair Haviland commented that SDG&E has hot water heater and heat pump incentive
programs already and that CEA may not need to match every program that SDG&E administers.
Ms. Boswell summarized the following direction from the Board:
1. Work on bringing forward a Net Energy Metering Program
2. 100% renewable product offerings at launch
3. Interest in Local Solar Retail Program
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The Board concurred to request that Mr. Dusel provide additional information regarding the
Feed-In Tariff at a future meeting.
Ms. Boswell provided an overview of options to form a Citizen Advisory Committee.
Board Member discussion ensued regarding their preferences for the policy to govern the
formation of a Citizen Advisory Committee.
Ms. Boswell confirmed the following Board direction regarding the initial scope for the Citizen
Advisory Committee:
• Community Outreach and Public Information Strategy
• CEA 5-Year Goals
• Comment on the CEA Strategic Plan and complete an annual review of Strategic Plan
• Review CEA programs to ensure program meets CEA goals of social equity, perspective
of underrepresented community and innovation
• Monitor progress being made towards Member Agency Climate Action Plan goals by
CEA programs.
The Board also directed that the make-up and membership criteria would be as follows:
• Each Director would have two committee appointees and the full Board would select
one Board Alternate to serve on the Committee for a total of seven members
• Members would serve at the pleasure of the Board
• The Committee would be subject to the Ralph M. Brown Act
• Applicants must be residents or business owners within the service area of CEA with
priority given to applicants with relevant background or experience in the energy field,
energy development, public education/outreach and/or assistance with social equity or
disadvantage communities.
• Applicants will submit an application to the Board member representing the community
where the applicant resides or owns a business. Selected applicants shall be considered
for appointment by the full Board.
Ms. Boswell gave an overview of options for developing a Strategic Plan.
Vice Chair Haviland spoke in favor of developing a Strategic Action Plan as soon as possible but
to be realistic about what resources the Board has available to commit to the process of
developing the Plan.
Chair Schumacher stated that she has looked through some plans that are available and that
she would be sharing the 2018 East Bay Community Energy Local Development Business Plan
(on file in the Office of the Board Secretary) to the Board Members for their review. She
further explained that she was impressed by the East Bay plan.
Ms. Boswell gave an overview of the development of an Inclusive Sustainable Workforce Policy.
Board Member Becker spoke in favor of developing a Sustainable Workforce Policy; however,
since CEA is so new did not want to limit the fair and open competition for projects.
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Vice Chair Haviland also spoke in favor of establishing a Sustainable Workforce Policy as long as
the policy is consistent with the JPA agreement.
In response to an inquiry from Chair Schumacher, Attorney Stepanicich confirmed that there is
potential conflict between the proposed policy and Recital 6 (f) of the JPA agreement.
Interim Board Secretary Sheila Cobian read comments from the following individuals into the
record (on file in the Office of the Board Secretary):
• City of Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall — expressing concerns regarding the conflict between
the Clean Energy Alliance Joint Powers Agreement effective Nov. 4, 2019 Recital 6 (f)
and what is now stated within the Peninsula Clean Energy Sustainable Workforce Policy,
as currently defined under PCE Owned Generation Projects, PCE Feed-In Tariff Price
Projects and PCE Energy Efficiency Projects. He suggested that any language different
than what is stated in Recital 6(f) be eliminated.
• Gregg Ferry - Requesting information on how to participate on Committees.
• Mike McMahon on behalf of the Carlsbad Sierra Club — encouraged the Board to
consider ways to benefit the local communities and work toward social equity.
• Paige DeCino —Suggested that the CEA Board consider community solar.
The Board concurred to direct staff to return with the Policy in July 2020, following review and
legal analysis regarding Recital 6(f).
Item 2: Clean Energy Alliance Board Policy Regarding Handling Unsolicited Proposals
RECOMMENDATION
Clean Energy Alliance Board provide direction on policy regarding handling of
unsolicited proposals.
Interim CEO Boswell gave the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the
Office of the Board Secretary).
Board discussion ensued regarding support for the development of a policy regarding handling
of Unsolicited Proposals.
Ms. Boswell explained it would be beneficial if the policy required a one-page executive
summary of proposed projects.
Motion by Board Member Becker, seconded by Vice Chair Haviland, directing staff to develop a
policy regarding the handling of unsolicited proposals and return to the Board in July 2020, for
consideration of the Policy. Motion carried unanimously, 3/0.
BOARD MEMBER REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Motion by Chair Schumacher to direct staff to return to with an agenda item to develop a Bid
Evaluation Criteria and Scoring System. Motion carried unanimously, 3/0.
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ADJOURNMENT:
Chair Schumacher adjourned the duly noticed Meeting at 4:18 p.m.
Sheila R. Cobian, MMC
Interim Board Secretary
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