City and County of San Francisco
CCA Citizens Advisory Task Force

MINUTES

Thursday, December 1, 2005
5:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
City Hall, Room 421

Members

Ron Dicks, Interim Chair
Paul Fenn, Interim Vice Chair
Cal Broomhead
Lino Del Signore
Barbara Hale
Gino Lazzara

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

This meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m.  Present:  Mr. Ron Dicks, Interim Chair; Mr. Paul Fenn, Interim Vice Chair; Mr. Cal Broomhead; Ms. Barbara Hale (arrived 5:23 pm); Mr. Maurice Campbell.  Excused:  Mr. Lino Del Signore.  Absent:  Mr. Gino Lazarra.

2. Approval of Minutes for the September 8, 13 & 22, 2005 Meetings

Mr. Broomhead moved to approve the minutes of the September 8, 13 and 22, 2005 meetings.  Mr. Fenn seconded the motion.  The minutes were approved unanimously.

3. Public Comment

Chair Dicks called for public comment on items not on the Task Force’s agenda.  Mr. Charles Adams expressed his concerns about the potential effect of increasing bureaucracy on increased prices for renewables (solar) to the point where they would no longer be viable.  He also expressed concerned about the impacts of state rebates and federal tax credits.  He gave his opinion that no one he had talked to in City government seemed to have a handle on this situation.  Mr. Broomhead responded that tax credits would have no impact on CCA, except a positive one.  Mr. Adams stated that he’s concerned that he will have to deal with three bureaucracies:  PG&E, DBI and SFE, and that a third agency was discussed at a previous SFE meeting.  Mr. Broomhead determined that Mr. Adams’ concerns were not related to CCA and that Mr. Broomhead would speak to him offline about them.

4. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Election of Officers

After a brief discussion, it was agreed to table this agenda item until the next meeting of the CCA Task Force.  Mr. Broomhead moved and Mr. Fenn provided a second to table elections until the next meeting.  Motion to table the election of officers until the next meeting was approved unanimously.

5. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Workplan (Broomhead)

Mr. Broomhead expressed a desire to discuss the Request for Information (RFI).  Because this item had not been placed on the agenda prior to the meeting, no action could be taken on this request.  Mr. Dicks suggested putting this item on the agenda for the next meeting.

Mr. Broomhead stated that it appeared that the RFI would have to be distributed by January 20, 2006 according to the schedule.  Mr. Fenn noted that the question about the timing of the RFI had arisen in the September meetings and that he is of the opinion that the RFI should be scheduled to occur immediately after the adoption of the Draft Implementation Plan.  If the Plan is adopted in January or February, then the RFI could be issued at that time.

Ms. Hale stated that she would like stakeholder involvement to support the development of the Draft Implementation Plan.  She feels it would not be good to file a Plan (at the CPUC) without public input.  She would prefer that potential stakeholders and providers provide input prior to Board adoption of a Plan, however, if the SFPUC’s Commissioners and others were intent on getting the Plan adopted prior to circulation of the RFI, she would accept that decision.

Mr. Broomhead expressed specific concern about obtaining input from the business community and specifically the small number of businesses that a CCA would have to retain as customers, in order to be successful.  He suggested reaching out proactively to the business community.  For example, the Task Force could ask Building Owners & Managers Association (“BOMA”) to hold a meeting at which the Task Force could provide a presentation and get public input.

Ms. Hale asked whether the Work Plan should be modified to include public outreach.  Mr. Broomhead said “yes,” that he is concerned the Task Force might move too quickly to decisions without major stakeholders at the table.  Mr. Dicks stated that he would contact Mr. Lazzara to discuss setting up a meeting with BOMA.  Ms. Hale suggested that Ms. Theresa Burke of SFPUC staff could be helpful in doing this outreach.

Mr. Broomhead offered a motion to insert at least one outreach meeting to the business community into the work plan and stated that he felt that BOMA would be the appropriate entity to approach.  Ms. Hale seconded the motion and refined it to state that the Work Plan should reflect inclusion of public outreach between steps two and four.

Chair Dicks called for public comment on this item.  Mr. Adams reiterated his concern that added bureaucracy and paper work could increase cost of solar installation.  Mr. Fenn noted that he feels there is agreement among the members that they would want to avoid this situation.

Chair Dicks called for a vote on the motion as moved by Mr. Broomhead and seconded and amended by Ms. Hale.  The motion passed unanimously.

6. Update Regarding CCA Hearings at City Hall (SFPUC Staff)

Ms. Hale gave an update on the Budget Committee Hearings on CCA.  She noted that LAFCO had handed off CCA to the BOS.  She also stated that the Budget Analyst’s Report is a good reference document for Task Force members.  Mr. Broomhead noted that there was a copy of the Oct. 6, 2005 Budget Analyst Report available for distribution to the members and that there had been some revisions to the report since that date.  Mr. Dicks requested that the minutes reflect what revisions had occurred.

Ms. Hale noted that there are ongoing stakeholder meetings to address and resolve differences between the Local Power and SFPUC plans and numbers.

Mr. Fenn agreed that Ms. Hale’s summary of events was in accord with his understanding.

Mr. Dicks asked whether the Budget Committee would hold another meeting in December to deal with CCA.  Ms. Hale responded that their deliberations on this matter had been continued to December 15, 2005 and that the stakeholders involved in discussing differences hoped to have a plan for the Committee members to respond to.

7. Discussion and Possible Action to Schedule Next Meeting(s) and Agenda

Mr. Broomhead pointed out that the Task Force will have a full agenda at its next meeting and that it is behind in completing its work.  He suggested that the Task Force meet on December 15, 2005.  After a brief discussion, members agreed that this date would work for them.  Mr. Broomhead moved and Ms. Hale seconded a motion to meet again on Thursday, December 15, 2005 at 5:15 pm in City Hall.
 
Potential agenda items to be included in the December 15th meeting:

•  Call to Order and Roll Call
  
•  Approval of Minutes for December 1, 2005
  
•  Public Comment:  Members of the public may address the Task Force on matters within the Task Force’s jurisdiction and are not on today’s agenda
  
•  Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Election of Officers
  
•  Review and Discussion of the SFPUC’s Draft Request for Information (RFI)
  
•  Report by SFPUC Staff on Recent CPUC Decisions Affecting Community Choice Aggregation
  
•  Discussion and possible action regarding the Task Force Work Plan
  
•  Discussion and Planning for Outreach Meeting at BOMA
  
•  Discussion and Possible Action to Schedule Next Meeting(s) and Agenda
  
•  Adjournment

8. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.