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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-12-05 Utilities Advisory Commission Summary MinutesUtilities Advisory Commission Minutes Approved on: January 9, 2019 Page 1 of 8 UTILITIES ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING FINAL MINUTES OF DECEMBER 5, 2018 REGULAR MEETING CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Segal called the meeting of the Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC) to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners Forssell, Johnston, Segal, and Trumbull Absent: Chair Danaher, Vice Chair Schwartz, Commissioner Ballantine ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Commissioner Trumbull moved to approve the minutes from the October 3, 2018 meeting as presented. Commissioner Forssell seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioners Forssell, Johnston, Segal, and Trumbull voting yes, and Chair Danaher, Vice Chair Schwartz, and Commissioner Ballantine absent. AGENDA REVIEW AND REVISIONS None. REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONER MEETINGS/EVENTS Commissioner Trumbull hoped Council member Filseth continued as Council liaison to the UAC in 2019. UTILITIES GENERAL MANAGER REPORT Ed Shikada, Utilities General Manager, delivered the General Manager’s Report. Council Actions on AMI and Electric Supply Planning. On November 19, after a short discussion, the Council approved the Finance Committee’s recommendation to accept the Utilities Smart Grid Assessment and Utilities Technology Implementation Plan. This provides staff confidence in its tentative roadmap for an Advanced Metering Infrastructure, or AMI, rollout. Staff will move forward in coordinating the timeline with other major software projects currently in progress, such as the Utility’s customer information system replacement. Also on December 3, Council approved the Electric Integrated Resource Plan as recommended by the Finance Committee and Utilities Advisory Commission. VMware and Palo Alto Explore Microgrid Partnership. VMware and Palo Alto made a joint announcement on November 1 about potentially developing a microgrid at the VMware headquarters in the Stanford Research Park. The campus-level microgrid could serve as a charging site for the City’s emergency command vehicles during major emergencies and power outages. As the Commissioners are likely aware, a microgrid is made up of generators, batteries and electric loads that can connect to the main power grid or power critical electric loads when off-grid. This community microgrid could operate cooperatively with the City’s own Utilities infrastructure to provide a level of backup and will serve as a testbed for the company and City to explore the potential of microgrids to advance resiliency at the corporate and community level. Mayor Utilities Advisory Commission Minutes Approved on: January 9, 2019 Page 2 of 8 Kniss joined VMware CEO Pat Gelsinger and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo at this special event announcing the public-private partnership. Thanks also to Commissioners Schwartz, Segal, and Vice Mayor Filseth for joining us there. Upcoming Events: • On Saturday, December 8, Utilities hosts a free landscape workshop focused on maintaining native plant gardens and leak detection. Feel free to join us at the Mitchell Park Community Center for this event from 9 am to noon. Details and registration are at www.cityofpaloalto.org/workshops. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS None. NEW BUSINESS ITEM 1: ACTION: Staff Recommendation that the Utilities Advisory Commission Recommend that the City Council Approve the Continuation of the 2018 Utilities Legislative Guidelines into 2019. Heather Dauler, Senior Resource Planner, reported the Legislature has begun introducing bills for 2019. A bill for regionalization, the joining of the California grid with the western states grid, failed in 2018. The 2018 bill concerned the governance structure of a regional body and included heavy involvement of the California Independent System Operator (CAISO). With respect to a 2019 regionalization bill, rumors suggest CAISO no longer wishes to be involved in regionalization in any form. Staff anticipates quite a few bills concerning wildfires will be introduced in 2019. Press reports indicate Senator Hill wants to break up investor-owned utilities (IOU) and abolish the investor-owned model for utilities. At the current time, Senator Hill has not introduced such a bill. Assemblyman Holden will introduce a bill that will allow rate recovery for IOUs. At the end of the 2018 legislative session, Governor Brown supported inverse condemnation and strict liability, which is the legal concept of a utility being responsible for a wildfire even though it was not negligent. The issue could arise again in 2019. In response to Commissioner Trumbull's inquiry regarding an alternative entity to an IOU, Dauler advised that Senator Hill has some thoughts about contorting the IOU model into a publicly owned utility (POU) model. Senator Hill has not proposed that the State take control of IOUs. Dauler continued with the presentation, stating that 2019 will be the first year of the two-year legislative cycle. Any bills that are not passed in 2019 can be continued into 2020. Bills were introduced in 2018 that would have mandated source-specific procurement, i.e., the bills would have mandated all electric utilities procure a specific number of megawatts of power from specific sources of renewable energy, but the bills failed. Bills mandating source procurement could be introduced in 2019. A 2019 bill would require the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to report to the Legislature in 2020 a joint assessment of options for establishing a central statewide entity to procure electricity for all end-use retail customers in California. San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has stated that it wants to stop participating in commodities. Senator Hueso with SDG&E's support has drafted legislation calling for a state energy procurement task force and requesting the State's help in relieving SDG&E of its contracts to buy and sell electricity. A 2018 bill would have required development of rebate programs for energy storage, but it died. The issue could return in 2019. Two 2018 bills would have allowed large hydroelectric power to count toward the Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS), but the bills died early in the session. The application of large hydroelectric power to the RPS could arise again in 2019. In addition, buildings and transportation electrification and telecommunications small cell facilities could return in 2019. Governor-elect Newsom's support for issues is unknown. He has publicly stated he will focus on healthcare and preschool for all, cradle-to-college education, a new middle-class workforce strategy, ending childhood poverty, and a plan for aging with dignity. The Electric Utility complies with SB 100's mandate to increase renewable energy from 50 percent to 60 percent and to reach zero carbon energy by 2045. SB 901 mandates utilities to have a wildfire mitigation plan and an annual assessment of the plan. Staff has been working with the California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA) to implement SB 901 and prepare a plan template. The Utilities Advisory Commission Minutes Approved on: January 9, 2019 Page 3 of 8 question is whether the Legislature will change the requirements contained in SB 901 before reports are due in 2020. In answer to Commissioner Trumbull's question regarding individuals capable of assessing wildfire mitigation plans, Dauler explained that CAL FIRE will develop a list of individuals whom IOUs may utilize to assess plans. The Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) has contracted with a third-party entity that will assist member POUs with preparing a list of independent evaluators. SB 901 states the evaluators must have experience in fire safety and electrical utilities. In reply to Commissioner Segal's query regarding the amount of funding needed to develop a wildfire mitigation plan, Dauler indicated staff has not considered a budget at the current time. Debra Lloyd, Acting Assistant Director of Utilities Engineering, added that staff has taken additional measures regarding wildfire mitigation, but there could be some budget impact. In response to Commissioner Forssell's inquiry regarding 2019 legislation that could adversely impact CPAU, Dauler related that the few bills introduced thus far are not concerning, but the deadline to introduce legislation is February 22, 2019. By the end of March, staff will have more information to share. Dauler further reported the Utilities Legislative Policy Guidelines approved in 2018 have been effective in allowing staff to work with outside entities, to advocate for utility lines, and to seek guidance in grant funding. Staff asks the UAC to continue the 2018 Guidelines into 2019. ACTION: Commissioner Forssell moved that the Utilities Advisory Commission recommend the City Council approve the continuation of the 2018 Utilities Legislative Policy Guidelines into 2019. Commissioner Trumbull seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0 with Commissioners Forssell, Johnston, Segal, and Trumbull voting yes, and Chair Danaher, Vice Chair Schwartz, and Commissioner Ballantine absent. ITEM 2: DISCUSSION: Discussion of CPAU's Role in Community Resilience Including Workshop Summary and Draft Vision and Goals. Debra Lloyd, Acting Assistant Director of Utilities Engineering, reported the goal of the discussion is to review the draft vision and goals that were developed during the August 28 workshop and next steps. The original plan was to hold two workshops, one to learn the direction and priorities of the UAC and the community and a second to develop actionable items. Common themes from the August workshop are development of a roadmap to Smart grid/Smart utility; management of critical utility facilities; providing community support and identifying key locations for community hubs following a disaster; development of a technical utility volunteer group; and communication. The draft vision is to support community resilience by advancing CPAU to become "Smart" utilities that are able to assist the City in preparing, responding, supporting, and rebounding from manmade and natural disasters. The three major goals are to assist the City in ensuring that residents can stay in place or return as soon as possible in the event of a disaster or emergency; to support community resilience by prioritizing utility services and infrastructure support to critical facilities and retail establishments; and to enhance the City's utilities to ensure their overall resilience. The second workshop will refine the framework and guiding principles and be oriented toward solutions. Staff requests the UAC's opinion as to whether the second workshop should be a standalone meeting or part of a UAC meeting. Ed Shikada, Utilities General Manager, advised that Vice Chair Schwartz has ideas for the structure of a second workshop. In particular, Vice Chair Schwartz suggested the workshop focus on investing in proactive measures for reasonably foreseeable challenges. Staff can target that as a key takeaway of a second workshop if the UAC wishes. Commissioner Johnston concurred with Vice Chair Schwartz's comments regarding specific priorities and projects that CPAU can begin to implement. The second workshop should develop a list of priority projects. Utilities Advisory Commission Minutes Approved on: January 9, 2019 Page 4 of 8 Commissioner Forssell suggested solutions do not have to lie solely in infrastructure investments. The initial resilience goals largely respond to comments made during the workshop. She did not hear workshop participants talk about Smart grid/Smart utility, but that features prominently in the common themes and draft vision. She heard participant comments about the ability to stay in place, to form community groups, to obtain critical services, and to educate the community. Commissioner Forssell preferred a workshop format, fewer consultant presentations, and more opportunities for the community to speak. The draft vision and goals should be available online with the invitation or notice of the workshop so that the community can prepare for the workshop. Utilities, Public Works, and Emergency Services staff should be present during the second workshop to answer questions about current procedures and practices and could offer brief presentations. Commissioner Segal concurred with Commissioner Forssell's preference for a workshop format and less outside input. Based on comments from the first workshop, the community understands and is willing to participate and provide support in the event of an emergency, but there was no discussion of ways for the community to act. If CPAU wants community support, then it should understand what the community is willing to do and to learn and obtain feedback from the broad community. As part of the workshop, perhaps the participants can comment regarding the ways they inform themselves and recommendations for informing the broad community. Esther Nigenda remarked that Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers could participate in the technical utility volunteer group because of their training. She expressed concern regarding the statements that well water can be pumped indefinitely and that the City can provide 9 million gallons of water per day. According to the draft groundwater use assessment report, Palo Alto's sustainable groundwater yield is approximately 2,500 acre feet per year, which is approximately 2.2 million gallons of water per day or 20 percent of Palo Alto's daily water usage. She requested the UAC consider a plan to provide power during and after a disaster to people who depend on electricity for medical equipment. ACTION: No action UNFINISHED BUSINESS ITEM 3. DISCUSSION: Staff Update on the Green Acres Rebuild and Request for Feedback on Preparation of a Utilities Rule and Regulation Governing Community Requests for Fully Undergrounded Systems, Including a Procedure for Assessment Funding. Debra Lloyd, Acting Assistant Director of Utilities Engineering, reported the residents of Green Acres petitioned the City for underground utilities and agreed to contribute 25 percent of the cost for the original project. Currently, residents would have to contribute 50 percent of the cost for undergrounding utilities. The original equipment remains in use today. In 2018, staff proposed updating the equipment with switch boxes and pad-mounted transformers, but the community generally opposed the proposal. In August 2018, the UAC tasked staff with finding a compromise. Staff now proposes six pad-mounted transformers be placed in discrete locations. In a meeting with three Green Acres Homeowners Association (HOA) board members, staff offered to place sample cabinets in the community so that residents could understand their visual impact and to attend a community meeting. Over the previous month, staff received community feedback that only a complete subsurface rebuild would suffice. Pad-mounted equipment is the industry standard because of safety, reliability, purchase and maintenance costs, and capacity and system flexibility. Systems are designed to operate below their capacity, and in a subsurface environment systems would operate at an even lower capacity. Rule and Regulation 3 requires all new equipment in underground areas be pad- mounted. However, the Utilities Director, General Manager, or his designated representative can determine that subsurface equipment can be installed in locations where pad-mounted equipment would be impractical or infeasible. Generally, subsurface equipment is installed in locations where the City does not have a right- of-way or where the right-of-way would disrupt traffic or pedestrian flow. Rule and Regulation 20 specifies that the additional costs of special facilities will be allocated to the customer requesting the special facilities. Rule and Regulation 20 applies to a customer request that exceeds CPAU standards. CPAU does not have Utilities Advisory Commission Minutes Approved on: January 9, 2019 Page 5 of 8 rules and regulations that address a community request that exceeds CPAU standards. Questions for UAC consideration are whether to allow a group of property owners located in an existing underground district to request that the existing design be maintained in a rebuild; if such a request is allowed, whether the Utility, ratepayers, or requesting parties should pay the additional costs; how the additional costs should be calculated; and how additional costs should be collected. CPAU has an obligation to provide safe and reliable service, and CPAU's goal is to replace equipment before it fails. An additional concern is developing a process and timeline for the community to reach agreement on the project and to collect funds to pay for the project. To avoid burdening ratepayers or diverting funds from other projects, CPAU could require the requesting property owners to pay the additional costs of the project. The levy to be charged the requesting property owners could be based on the Special Facilities fee. The community's cost could be based on costs for equipment, installation, maintenance, losses, and a property owner election if needed. Staff does not recommend the community's cost include the cost of replacement. Staff proposes the levy be imposed through a real property assessment; a requirement for 75 percent of homeowners formally petition for a property owner election; and a time limit for submitting a petition and holding an election be imposed. Staff requests direction on whether the additional costs should be collected as a lump-sum payment or as annual payments. Based on an engineering estimate, the cost difference between a pad-mounted and a subsurface project is $413,101. Gregory McKernan, Senior Engineer, explained that loop-feed transformers require less equipment and, thus, cost less than a load-breaker transformer. Commissioner Trumbull related that he had provided the project information to his energy policy students, and they all opposed subsurface installation. In reply to his inquiry regarding staff's willingness to accept subsurface transformers, Lloyd advised that operations crews opposed undergrounding transformers. OSHA requirements do not prohibit subsurface installations, but OSHA does require confined-space training and operations. In answer to Commissioner Trumbull's query regarding additional incremental costs for handling problems in an underground system, Lloyd explained that the calculation of the additional cost is based on the Special Facilities fee. The additional cost estimate is not specific to subsurface transformers. The maintenance cost for a subsurface transformer is probably higher than estimated. Commissioner Trumbull commented that many residents likely will not be interested in the project once they learn the actual cost. He questioned the wisdom of holding an election without knowing the cost to residents. Lloyd stated that, depending on the application of a Special Facilities fee, the cost could range between $3,500 and $5,000. Ed Shikada, Utilities General Manager, added that the cost would be finalized prior to an election. An engineer's report will determine the actual cost per property. In reply to Commissioner Johnston's query regarding the number of undergrounding districts, Lloyd reported two districts have been converted from all subsurface to pad-mounted transformers. With the exception of the Green Acres district, other undergrounding districts will convert to pad-mounted transformers as the districts come up for rebuild projects. Approximately 1,200 residential properties are located in districts scheduled for rebuild projects. The current five-year infrastructure plan contains rebuild projects for five districts. In response to Commissioner Johnston's inquiry about different figures for the cost differential between the report and Attachment A, Lloyd explained that the cost differential contained in Attachment A includes a replacement cost, which staff decided to remove when preparing the report. Nina Bell questioned the installation of subsurface infrastructure along Arastradero-Charleston when staff stated subsurface infrastructure is not safe. There appears to be a conflict with the definition of underground because CPAU uses underground to mean underground wiring and pad-mounted transformers. The Green Acres district is unique in that the infrastructure is entirely underground. Residents are concerned about their safety should an explosion occur. Jenning Chee characterized the residents' request as the maintenance and replacement of the existing underground infrastructure. Over the years, budgets should have included projects for the maintenance of underground facilities and replacement in-kind. The City should pay for replacement of the infrastructure. Utilities Advisory Commission Minutes Approved on: January 9, 2019 Page 6 of 8 Alice Sklar, Green Acres HOA President, related that the HOA Board attempted to survey the neighborhood twice but did not receive sufficient responses to provide significant results. From both surveys, two responses indicated the property owner was willing to accept the second design. The vast majority of respondents indicated a wish for additional discussions with staff rather than a preference for underground or pad- mounted transformers. Once staff provides verifiable costs, the HOA Board can survey neighbors again. Given the overwhelming interest in fully underground utilities, developing alternatives is a waste of time. She hoped the UAC would direct staff to amend rules and regulations so that Green Acres could have fully underground infrastructure. Nancy Steinbach noted CPAU's rules and regulations regarding underground facilities changed after utilities were fully undergrounded in Green Acres. She did not understand why pad-mounted transformers are being pushed onto Green Acres residents when transformers are being placed underground along Arastradero. Residents should not have to pay for undergrounding facilities. CPAU budget surpluses should be sufficient to pay for upgrades. Debbie Tasso [phonetic] did not understand how the few subsurface transformers in Green Acres would appreciably affect employee safety when many more transformers would be placed underground in commercial areas. Employee exposure to risks from underground transformers is considerably less than the constant exposure of Green Acres residents. She wanted to see the invoices for transformers and bills for labor in order to determine the cost to residents. The City has spent much more than $20,000 in responding to residents' concerns. Weidong Chen remarked regarding the safety of his family with a pad-mount transformer located on his property. He hoped the infrastructure would remain fully underground. Eugene Lee commented on the long life and low maintenance of the existing infrastructure. Residents have been paying $11-$12 per month towards the replacement of the equipment, and those funds should be applied to an underground solution. Ada Banks felt all equipment should be located underground. Reliable and safe service can be achieved much better through underground equipment. Michael Maurier suggested three possible solutions: Green Acres residents could pay for a fully underground system; residents and staff could explore the feasibility of underground systems; or staff could leave the existing infrastructure as-is and make repairs as needed. In answer to Commissioner Forssell's question about the number of responses to the survey by the Green Acres HOA Board, Ms. Sklar reported receiving 19 responses to one survey and 15 to the other survey. In response to Commissioner Johnston's query of whether a survey asked residents if they were willing to pay the differential cost, Ms. Sklar responded yes. Residents had many questions regarding the differential cost provided by CPAU. At Commissioners' requests for staff to respond to questions from the public, Lloyd advised that five districts with all subsurface equipment are scheduled for conversion to pad-mounted equipment in the next five years. Staff learned that property owners in an underground district other than the Green Acres district petitioned and paid 25 percent of the cost for the undergrounding of utilities. Other districts were originally undergrounded with all subsurface equipment. In a small district along Arastradero, a right-of-way issue resulted in one new piece of equipment being installed underground. McKernan added that the Arastradero Corridor is an underground district, but the design of the rebuild is not complete. Infrastructure changes are occurring along Arastradero, but electric is not part of the work. Lloyd indicated District 46 was scheduled to have two pieces of pad-mounted equipment, but one was not feasible and the other was connected to existing infrastructure. McKernan related that District 6 was rebuilt with pad-mounted transformers in the Utilities Advisory Commission Minutes Approved on: January 9, 2019 Page 7 of 8 late 1990s. In earlier maps for District 6, transformers appeared to be subsurface. Transformers will be located on the City's right-of-way, not on private property. In reply to Commissioner Forssell's question regarding calculation of the cost estimate and providing residents with invoices and contracts, McKernan clarified that he utilized the most recent purchase price of equipment and obtained quotes from the City's contractor for substructure work in order to calculate the cost. That information can be provided to the public. In answer to Commissioner Forssell's question as to whether CPAU could defer a rebuild project for the Green Acres district, McKernan stated deferring a project is not in the best interests of residents or CPAU. In the long run, replacing equipment prior to its failure is less expensive. Lloyd advised that outages could negatively affect residents who rely on electricity to power medical equipment. CPAU could wait until failure begins, but that is not CPAU policy. Commissioner Trumbull did not believe the UAC has information that would prevent it from recommending the staff proposal from August 2018 with the reduction in the number of pads. However, recommending the staff proposal would be grossly irresponsible in that the UAC would be passing the decision to the Council. Subsurface transformers are a serious OSHA problem, and that could be an enormous financial liability for the City. Residents raised legitimate questions about the City installing subsurface transformers elsewhere. He preferred staff hold a community meeting to discuss technical issues with Green Acres residents and residents from the five districts scheduled for rebuild projects. Commissioner Forssell did not wish to repeat a process that has not reached a resolution. Some of the residents' written correspondence indicated they did not want to attend a community meeting about pad- mounted designs because that would indicate they were willing to accept a pad-mounted design. The key issues appear to be whether CPAU will consider designs that are less safe than pad-mounted designs; who will pay for subsurface installation; and whether the property owners purchased the equipment used in the original project or the right in perpetuity for subsurface utilities. CPAU does not have funds to purchase additional equipment without it impacting all electric customers in Palo Alto. Perhaps the UAC should recommend to the Council the framework of a policy in the form of a procedure by which a neighborhood can petition for an exception to rules and regulations if the City is willing to accept the safety risk. Commissioner Johnston understood staff has not found any studies regarding the safety issue, which is the missing piece. Pad-mounted equipment makes complete sense, but residents have raised some safety issues about pad-mounted equipment. There must be a reason for pad-mounted equipment being the industry standard. CPAU is installing subsurface equipment in areas where pad-mounted is not feasible, which implies that safety concerns do not preclude subsurface equipment. If subsurface equipment is possible, if pad- mounted equipment is feasible in a residential neighborhood, and if the neighborhood wants subsurface equipment, CPAU should ask the neighborhood to pay the incremental cost of subsurface equipment. CPAU should have a policy so that each neighborhood is treated equally and fairly. Commissioner Segal concurred with the need for CPAU to have a policy. Having clear safety guidelines would make the decision easier. Commissioner Segal wanted to know if the original allocation to property owners of the cost for subsurface equipment was based on the lifespan or cost of the equipment so that the UAC would have some insight into property owners' expectations. Commissioner Trumbull commented that Commissioners seemed to agree that staff should draft a procedure for property owners to request subsurface equipment and to pay for the additional cost. Ed Shikada, Utilities General Manager, reported staff could prepare a procedure including costs, timeframes, the level of community support needed, and election requirements. A draft procedure could be shared with other neighborhoods in a situation similar to Green Acres' situation in order to obtain feedback. Once a procedure is finalized, staff will expect the Green Acres neighborhood to comply with the procedure. Utilities Advisory Commission Minutes Approved on: January 9, 2019 Page 8 of 8 Lloyd reiterated staff's proposal of the components that would comprise the cost to property owners and requested direction from the UAC. Commissioner Forssell suggested the City commit to a dollar amount for the homeowners' cost prior to an election being held. If the actual cost exceeds the estimate, the residents' incremental cost should not increase. If the actual cost is less than the estimate, the residents should pay a lower amount. The difference in equipment and installation costs and the cost of ownership should be components of the residents' cost. The cost of administering an election should not be included in the residents' cost. Commissioner Johnston agreed with Commissioner Forssell's comments. In reply to Commissioner Johnston's question regarding a shorter lifespan for underground equipment, Lloyd clarified that the expected lifespan of underground equipment is shorter than pad-mounted equipment. The annual cost of ownership is based on the current Special Facilities fee, which utilizes a factor of 6.7 percent. The annual cost of ownership includes the cost of an increased asset base, the average cost of maintenance, and additional losses calculated for underground equipment. Commissioner Johnston stated replacement costs should not be a component of the residents' cost. Shikada noted Green Acres residents are happy with the status quo. The urgency of the item is driven by CPAU's responsibility to ensure safe and reliable service. Staff will return to the UAC as quickly as possible. Commissioner Trumbull urged staff to meet soon with residents of underground districts. Commissioner Segal concurred especially as policies and procedures will be adopted. Election costs should not be allocated to neighborhoods. Councilmember Filseth felt knowing the number of subsurface transformers across the City could be useful. ACTION: No action. ITEM 4. ACTION: Selection of Potential Topic(s) for Discussion at Future UAC Meeting. Commissioner Segal requested an update regarding succession planning, vacant positions, and recruitment. Ed Shikada, Utilities General Manager, advised that the Council will consider the Utilities Management and Professional Association of Palo Alto's (UMPAPA) first negotiated Memorandum of Agreement on December 10. Staff is anticipating some retirements in the next year and preparing follow-up actions to ensure operations continue. Negotiations with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) are underway and expected to extend for several months. ACTION: No action NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING: January 9, 2019 Meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Rachel Chiu City of Palo Alto Utilities