HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-02 Utilities Advisory Commission Summary MinutesUtilities Advisory Commission Minutes Approved on: March 02, 2022 Page 1 of 9
UTILITIES ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 2, 2022 SPECIAL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Forssell called the meeting of the Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC) to order at 5:01 p.m.
Present: Chair Forssell, Vice Chair Segal, Commissioners Bowie, Johnston, Metz, Scharff and Smith
Absent:
AGENDA REVIEW AND REVISIONS
Chair Forssell announced Item No 2 would be pulled from the agenda and rescheduled on a special meeting
to be set for a later date.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Lawrence Garwin stated that the City must implement and incentivize the use of electric vehicle (EV) bi-
directional charging and demand response load shedding to eliminate fossil fuels from the electricity supply.
EV-based grid storage was the best choice to decarbonize the electricity supply. He recommended that the
Utilities Department and City Council review the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s (IREC) paper titled
“Paving the Way Vehicle to Grid Standards for Electric Vehicles”.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Commissioner Johnston noted the following edits: on the 1st pg toward the bottom Commissioner Bowie
Was misspelled, on pg 4, 3rd paragraph “Mr. Lait shared at the suggested” should be “suggestion”.
Council Liaison Cormack noted on pg 3 the final paragraph Mr. Dullitz stated “Palo Alto is wildly known”
should be “widely”.
Commissioner Johnston moved to approve the draft minutes of the January 5, 2022 meeting as amended.
Commissioner Scharff seconded the motion.
The motion carried 7-0 with Chair Forssell, Vice Chair Segal, and Commissioners Bowie, Johnston, Metz,
Scharff, and Smith voting yes.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
UTILITIES DIRECTOR REPORT
Dean Batchelor, Utilities Director, delivered the Director's Report.
Water Supply Update: The latest California Drought Monitor shows the Bay Area and neighboring counties
in severe drought (we were in “exceptional” then “extreme”). SFPUC Regional Water System storage is only
Utilities Advisory Commission Minutes Approved on: March 02, 2022 Page 2 of 9
slightly below normal for this time of year, but the SFPUC is continuing to monitor precipitation and snowpack
conditions, and concerns about the state’s order curtailing diversion from the Tuolumne River are a concern
for water supply availability. The SFPUC continues to ask for a 10% systemwide water use reduction; Palo
Alto’s specific reduction request is 8%, and based on water usage patterns since July 2021, Palo Alto is on
track to meet the 8% target.
On January 4th the State Water Resources Control Board adopted drought-related emergency regulations to
reduce California’s urban water waste. Palo Alto already includes most of these water waste provisions in its
permanent water waste restrictions. Staff is preparing a recommendation for Council consideration to modify
Palo Alto’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan to incorporate three new Stage I drought actions as required by
the emergency regulations: no irrigation within 48 hours of a measurable rain, no washing of hardscapes with
potable water except for health and safety and no irrigation of ornamental turf on publicly owned and
maintained street medians. Staff will update the website and other customer outreach collateral to reflect
the first two restrictions. Staff is working interdepartmentally to address a few medians in Palo Alto that have
turf.
Hydroelectric Update: The 2021-2022 water year started off strong with large volumes of rain and snow.
January, however, has been dry, and a lot more precipitation is needed to recover from the past several years
of drought. Palo Alto’s hydroelectric projections for FY 2022 remain fairly low. Combined, these resources
are projected to produce around 310 GWh this fiscal year, which is about 38% of our total load and about
35% below the long-term average level of hydro output. This is a slightly worse forecast than was described
to the UAC last month.
Planned Power Outage this Weekend: On Saturday, February 5, Utilities will be performing maintenance on
power lines around the area of the Crescent Park, Duveneck and St Francis neighborhoods. Operations staff
will be repairing electric lines that have been damaged by weather and natural causes over time. The
maintenance work on the electric distribution lines will require power to be shut off from around 8:00 a.m.
until around noon on Saturday. This scheduled power shut off is necessary to protect the safety of utilities
employees working on the power lines and for electric customers in the area. We are notifying customers
directly.
The power outage will affect approximately 700 electric customers in the areas of Edgewood Drive, south to
Hopkins Avenue & Southwood Drive, and east to Greer Road. This includes Duveneck Elementary School,
some facilities at Walter Hays School, one of the City’s power substations and Fire Station 3. The City will
maintain critical emergency response staff and abilities during the planned power outage.
Safety is our top priority and we work hard to maintain and ensure the integrity and reliability of our
infrastructure. We apologize for any inconvenience this power shut off may cause customers and thank all in
advance for understanding and patience. If there are questions or concerns about this planned power outage,
you may contact us at plannedpowershutdown@cityofpaloalto.org or (650) 496-6992.
SFPUC Blend Change: In early January, the SFPUC changed the water blend coming through the San Francisco
Regional Water System to accommodate maintenance work on the system. Water that is normally supplied
from Hetch Hetchy to customers along the Peninsula will come from local reservoirs through early March.
Some customers may notice a slight change in color, taste, or hardness in the water due to this blend change.
These water quality parameters can vary between water sources based on factors like type of rock, soil,
plants, organic and inorganic matter that is in or around a body of water or distribution system. Your water
is absolutely safe to drink, cook, and bathe with. SFPUC regularly collects and tests water samples from
reservoirs and designated sampling points throughout the water system to ensure the water delivered to you
meets or exceeds federal and State drinking water standards. Current water quality info, including a copy of
our annual water quality report, is posted on our website at cityofpaloalto.org/water.
2022 Bay Area SunShares solar and storage group-buy program
Utilities Advisory Commission Minutes Approved on: March 02, 2022 Page 3 of 9
The 2021 Bay Area SunShares solar and battery storage group-buy-discount program administered by
Building Council for Climate Change ended on January 14, 2022. SunShares had a record-setting year with
the most residents served and most solar capacity contracted in the program’s six-year history. Palo Alto
ranked in first place among outreach partners for the number of SunShares signups (154 signups), number
of contracts signed (32 contracts), number of kilowatts (kW) of solar capacity (178.92 kW), and number of
kilowatt-hours (kWh) of storage capacity (211 kWh) that will be installed in Palo Alto through the program.
CPAU utilized SunShares as a launch-point from which to inform customers about programs such as the Home
Efficiency Genie and heat pump water heater rebates. Eight participants continued with the Home Efficiency
Genie’s in- home assessments and one participant applied for a Heat Pump Water Heater rebate. Staff will
continue to engage SunShares participants in coming weeks to increase uptake of CPAU programs.
Clean Fuel Rewards Program
Since the launch of the California Clean Fuel Rewards program in November 2020, Palo Alto residents have
earned 1,034 rebates valued at $1.4M. This translates to 4.1% of Palo Alto households that have purchased
an EV as part of this program, compared to 1.4% of customers in PG&E territory and 2.5% of Silicon Valley
Power customers. To date, Palo Alto has contributed $894,000 towards this state program and in February
2022, the City will make an additional annual contribution of ~$400,000. In November 2021, due to higher
than expected participation levels statewide, rebates were reduced from $1,500 to $750. To date, the most
popular battery EVs (BEVs) continue to be the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 and the most popular plug-in hybrid
continues to be the Toyota Prius Prime.
EV Education
We have launched the first of a series of EV education and outreach events for 2022. On Thursday January
27, our partner Acterra hosted a class on New EV Models and Insider Tips for the EV Buyer. There is definitely
a big appetite for classes like this as there were over 250 registrations for the class and 143 attendees. The
good news is, we have plans to host 25 more online and hopefully in-person events and classes throughout
the year, including the City’s first eBike workshop, a series of EV 101 classes, EV expos with new models,
EV102 classes for new EV owners, EV financial workshops including one-on-one case management for income
qualified customers and EV expos in neighborhoods – like fireside chats but in front yards with friends and
neighbors and an EV expert accompanied by their EV. Of course some of this will be dependent on COVID,
but our plan is to offer a variety of EV awareness events throughout 2022 combined with an aggressive EV
marketing campaign with our Communications team.
In answer to Chair Forssell’s inquiry regarding additional drought regulations and implementation of the
hydro rate adjuster, Batchelor confirmed that the additional drought restrictions are new restrictions.
Regarding the hydro rate adjuster, Batchelor answered that it will take 2-weeks for the hydro rate adjuster
to come online after Council adoption. In reply to Chair Forssell’s query regarding the power outages and the
neighborhood school, Batchelor concurred that the school, the library, and the fire station have been notified
of the scheduled power outage.
Batchelor apologized for having to remove Item No 2 from the agenda. The agenda title for the item was very
broad and did not disclose the topic was about fiber. Staff will be hosting workshops on fiber on February
24, 2022, and February 28, 2022.
Council Member Cormack recommended that staff communicate with the emergency service volunteers
regarding upcoming power outages.
Lawrence Garwin mentioned that there is no notification on the Palo Alto Utility’s website about the
upcoming power outage. Catherine Elvert, Manager of Utilities Communications, explained that customers
who will be impacted by the outage have been directly notified. The information is not posted on the website
due to cybersecurity concerns.
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NEW BUSINESS
ITEM 1: ACTION: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the use of Teleconference for Utilities Advisory
Commission Meetings During Covid-19 State of Emergency
Commissioner Smith asked when the UAC meetings would return to a later start time.
In reply to Commissioner Smith’s inquiry regarding the start time for virtual meetings, Chair Forssell recalled
that the UAC voted that virtual meetings would begin at 5:00 p.m. and in-person meetings would begin at
6:00 p.m. Dean Batchelor, Director of Utilities, confirmed that was his recollection as well.
ACTION: Commissioner Scharff moved Staff recommendation that the Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC)
Adopt a Resolution (Attachment A) authorizing the use of teleconferencing under Government Code Section
54953(e) for meetings of the Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC) and its committees due to the Covid-19
declared state of emergency.
Seconded by Commissioner Smith.
Motion carries 7-0 with Chair Forssell, Vice Chair Segal and Commissioners Bowie, Johnston, Metz, Scharff
and Smith voting yes.
ITEM 2: DISCUSSION: Discussion of the Fiber Network Expansion Project by the Vendor, Magellan Advisors.
This item was removed and will be heard at a special meeting to be set for a later date.
ACTION: None
ITEM 3: DISCUSSION: Discussion and Presentation on the Electric Distribution Infrastructure Modernization
for S/CAP
Lawrence Garwin commented that having smart meters and/or sensors along the line was important to
understand the current flow. This would facilitate better capacity for transformers and distribution lines and
still be able to pick up unpredictable inputs.
David Coale appreciated Mr. Garwin’s comments. He inquired if the Utilities Department has considered the
advantages that Rule 21 has as it applied to all interconnected devices in the State of California. Rule 21
allowed for correction of reactive power and he predicted that would solve the problem without modification
of the existing grid.
Tomm Marshall, Assistant Director of Utilities, explained that the current grid and distribution system was
built in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, and it was designed for the operational needs of those times. The
existing grid was reaching the end of its useful life. It had insufficient capacity for electrification, was designed
for one-way power flow, and it limited the energy from rooftop solar, battery storage, and other local
generation. The grid must be upgraded to allow two-way power flow as well as meet capacity, voltage
regulation, and system protection requirements. Also, it must incorporate local generation sources, and
provide higher levels of reliability. Also, the City should change funding for the grid away from an energy
consumption model. The current grid could not handle a large influx of folks installing heat pumps and the
grid was maxed out on capacity for EV charging.
In answer to Chair Forssell’s question regarding how much power does a typical heat pump draw, Marshall
answered 4 to 6 kilowatts (kW) and a level two EV charger draws 14 kW.
Marshall continued the presentation and shared what options the City has available. The first option was to
allow for electrification and fix any problems as they arise. The cons for that option was that there were
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insufficient staff to review, design and construct system upgrades. Also, it was inefficient for construction
upgrades, it was unable to support market efforts, it would result in long delays for customers, and delay the
City is reaching its climate goal. The other option was to upgrade the system in advance. This would allow for
a more creative and organized planned upgrade for the grid, allow for more staff to be hired to manage the
grid upgrades, strengthen the system to accept electrification, improve reliability, and other benefits. This
option would take roughly 3- to 4-years before promotional activities could begin and customers may
experience near-term delays with their upgrades. To modernize the system, staff proposed to prepare a
general study to determine what universal changes are needed, analyze and prioritize feeders and
substations that require upgrades, establish contracts to design and build improvements for circuits and
substations, and establish a marketing plan for electrification that was targeted towards modernized circuits.
This plan would be rolled out either by neighborhood or by circuit and the marketing plans would be included
in the rollout for each area. The engineering and operation department for the Utilities Department was very
understaffed and there needed to be a plan in place to recruit and retain more staff. Other needs for grid
modernization included a process for streamlined contracting and how to handle governance to promote
streamlining.
Commissioner Smith agreed that there was a lot of information to unpack in the presentation. In answer to
his query regarding a risk assessment for neighborhoods that were being impacted by electricity capacity
loads, Marshall answered that a risk assessment would not been conducted for individual neighborhoods. He
noted that the majority of the secondary systems and transformers are undersized City-wide for
electrification. Commissioner Smith summarized that staff has determined the shortfall based on a certain
number of EVs and loads per household. Marshall answered yes and explained that the current system was
designed for 2 kW per home. It was typical to see a 37 kW transformer serve 15 homes which were not
sufficient to handle those homes moving to electrification. In answer to Commissioner Smith’s understanding
that the risk assessment was based on the design of the current system, Marshall added that there was data
for all the transformers and how many homes were connected to each transformer. In response to
Commissioner Smith’s query regarding financial modeling for upgrades, Marshall confirmed that the first step
was to conduct a general study, then a risk assessment, and then do financial modeling. In reply to
Commissioner Smith’s request that staff explain the general study, Marshall explained that first staff must
identify what technology are available and then determine the number of system upgrades that are needed.
In answer to Commissioner Smith’s question regarding Advanced Metering Infrastructure’s (AMI) role,
Marshall confirmed it would be easier to assess if AMI was implemented because the City would know time
of use. Commissioner Smith remarked that the aging infrastructure was putting the City’s Sustainability and
Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) goals in jeopardy. Marshall concurred that the grid has to be upgraded but when
to upgrades was the question and that depended on how fast electrification rolled out. Commissioner Smith
acknowledged the Utilities Department’s concern regarding staff recruitment and felt that this problem
would require a new recruitment efforts. He noted this was his first-time hearing that the City was not
competitive with salary and compensation. Marshall agreed that the cost of living in Palo Alto outweighed
the salary levels and there was a huge demand for electrical engineers that have a focus on the power area.
In response to Commissioner Smith’s query regarding the Utilities Department having purview over
electrification, solar, battery storage, and microgrids, Marshall explained his concern was that the S/CAP was
moving forward but the City’s infrastructure problems were not being addressed.
Commissioner Scharff found the presentation very interesting and remarked that Option One did not seem
like a viable option. Marshall clarified that if the City does continue to move forward with Option One, there
will be consequences later. Commissioner Scharff agreed with Commissioner Smith that the S/CAP goals
cannot be met until the grid is modernized. He remarked that with Option One, there was no guarantee that
folks will electrify and this allowed the City not to spend funds upfront until there was interest. He supported
Option Two but wanted to understand the cost impacts. Marshall clarified that staff needed to do the studies
before they can present accurate funding figures for Option Two. Commissioner Scharff summarized that the
City may not be able to match the timeframe of what it will take to modernize the grid and identify funding
concurrently with the goals in the S/CAP. Dean Batchelor, Director of Utilities, acknowledged that costs will
remain high, but customers are ready to electrify. The Utilities Department will not be able to facilitate
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electrification instantly unless infrastructure in individual areas can accommodate it. Commissioner Scharff
supported upgrading the system if folks are ready to move to electrification but was concerned about one
home depleting the load for other homes. In answer to his inquiry regarding state law and streamlining,
Marshall clarified that there are more internal processes than state laws that hinder streamlining. In answer
to Commissioner Scharff’s request for further clarification about setting up a separate governing structure,
Marshall explained that the Utilities Department could set up a separate division to handle solely
modernization of the grid. He noted that it is fairly common for smaller utilities to have separate boards that
are devoted to one subject.
Vice Chair Segal appreciated the discussion, questions, and comments. She remarked that moving to fund
the grid away from an energy consumption model was a large topic that many Utilities Departments will be
discussing. She suggested that staff provide more information to the UAC regarding consumption models and
agendize a discussion on it. In answer to her queries regarding rooftop solar, Marshall noted that solar does
not provide benefits when there is no battery storage combined with it. Vice Chair Segal commented that
the City needs a bridge solution as well as a long-term solution. Encouraging battery storage could be a piece
of the bridge solution to help differed one-off transformer upgrades. Marshall commented that one system
design point that must be explored was how to handle an influx in load demand after the system comes
online after an outage. Vice Chair Segal wanted to better understand how staff compensation was reflected
on customers’ bills and if the City should begin to expand what unions it negotiates with. In answer to her
question about how many transformers were in Palo Alto, Tikan Singh, Manager of Electric Engineering,
answered there are 3,000 transformers in the City. Vice Chair Segal predicted it would take several years to
establish a plan and then another 2- to 3-years to upgrade all of the transformers. Marshall emphasized that
the issue was the acceleration of electrification and the need to install additional equipment to handle
electrification. Vice Chair Segal commented that additional staff should be hired because the department is
already understaffed for everyday maintenance. Marshall clarified that the staff that the department needed
was to handle consulting contracts and to review work for the contractors. Batchelor added that three
additional engineering positions have been requested through the mid-year budget process because of the
S/CAP. He agreed that the cost of living compared to living wages was the real driver as to why recruitment
was slow.
Commissioner Metz agreed that it was essential to modernizing the grid to facilitate the advancement of the
S/CAP. He wanted to see a plan on how to address staffing constraints, what barriers can the UAC help
remove, what the high-level roadmap was for the next 10- to 15-years, and how the problem and the S/CAP
tie together. He predicted that UAC can add more value if those items are available. In answer to his request
for clarification regarding changing the funding model, Marshall explained that the rates were set up to
encourage energy conservation. That was accomplished by taking the cost of the grid and putting those
charges into cost per kW hour. One way to change the model was to charge residential customers a demand
charge. Commissioner Metz summarized that the City has to determine how to work out the financial math
as well as determine how to use the energy constructively. Jonathan Abendschein, Assistant Director of
Utilities, noted that several years ago the second iteration of Net Energy Metering addressed several issues
regarding solar making energy contribution to the grid. Other issues regarding solar storage were discussed
with the UAC during the policy objectives for the Electric Cost Service Study. Staff will be bringing more
information regarding the topic to the UAC soon.
Commissioner Johnston stated that the discussion was one of the most important discussions that the UAC
has had in a long time. He agreed that Option One would set the City up for failure and that the City should
have a plan in place. He seconded Commissioner Metz’s recommendation to see a more detailed plan. He
remarked that he was struck by the comment that folks may have to postpone their electrification efforts
because the City does not have adequate capacity. He encouraged staff and the UAC to move the discussion
forward so that the City does not come into a position where folks have to delay their projects.
Chair Forssell echoed the other Commissioner’s comments and questions. She agreed that the presentation
put into perspective what problems will arise if the City implements all of its S/CAP programs. In reply to her
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request for clarification regarding governance, Marshall restated that when the S/CAP goals were
established, they did not strongly consider what was needed for the infrastructure to support those goals.
Chair Forssell understood that Option One was the current path that the City was on and will remain on until
changes are made. In answer to her question regarding customer’s complaining about delays, Marshall
confirmed that customers will see delays in their ability to electrify their homes but also regular services will
be delayed as well.
In response to Commissioner Bowie’s suggestion to augment Option One with combined neighborhood
projects, Marshall agreed that was an option and staff was exploring additional options on how to aggregate
folks and find demonstration projects.
Chair Forssell supported the comment to draft a road map as well as explore a neighborhood plan. She noted
that nothing is free and that the City will have to provide competitive compensation to obtain and retain
qualified staff members.
In answer to Council Member Cormack’s query regarding when the presentation will be presented to the
S/CAP working group, Marshall confirmed that it will be coming to the S/CAP working group at their next
meeting. Abendschein noted that the item will be a separate public meeting workshop as well as be
presented to the working group. Council Member Cormack shared polling data that was related to the
Business License Tax and noted that 26 percent of participants indicated that they do not think climate
change is a problem. She concurred that it is frustrating for staff and applicants that the existing
infrastructure cannot handle electrification. She mentioned that a small-scaled pilot program may be one
way to collect more data.
ACTION: None
The UAC took a break at 6:47 p.m. and resumed at 6:55 p.m.
ITEM 4: ACTION: Staff Recommends the Utilities Advisory Commission Review and Approve the Utilities
Advisory Commission’s 2021-2022 Annual Work Plan, and Recommend the City Council Review the Work
Plan and Provide Feedback
Chair Forssell announced that Vice Chair Segal and herself reorganized the Work Plan and incorporated
additional topics.
Greg Hood wanted to understand the constraints that the utility infrastructure has for electrification and how
that will be impacted by Senate Bill 9 and accessory dwelling units (ADU). Dean Batchelor, Director of Utilities,
declared that he does not have an answer to that question. Staff will have to discuss it further and then will
be able to provide a more accurate answer soon.
Batchelor explained that the Chair and Vice Chair discussed breaking down standard topics and projects in
order to be able to track what has been accomplished.
Commissioner Metz suggested under reliability and resiliency to incorporate energy preparedness and
response. Also, under Section B for Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), he suggested adding “explore replacing
RECs with actual renewable energy”.
Chair Forssell recommended that staff share the work plan on the screen and add bullet points at the bottom
of the document and then the UAC can discuss the proposed changes before incorporating them in to the
document.
Commissioner Bowie thanked the Chair and Vice Chair for breaking down the Work Plan.
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In answer to Commissioner Smith’s query regarding if Section B and Section C becomes Section A, Chair
Forssell explained that standing items are items that are within the UAC’s Charter. Section B were topics that
were to be discussed throughout year 2022. In answer to Commissioner Smith’s inquiry regarding if
modernizing the grid was included in electric supply, Chair Forssell understood modernizing the grid was
covered under many topics within the Work Plan. Commissioner Smith supported the Work Plan and thanked
the Chair and Vice Chair for their work.
Commissioner Scharff appreciated the draft Work Plan and found it to be comprehensive. He supported
adding emergency preparedness under the resiliency and reliability section. He remarked that the suggestion
to explore replacing RECs with actual renewable energy was already covered because the City’s goal is to buy
renewable energy when needed. He requested that the maker of the suggestion explain why that should be
called out separately. Commissioner Metz explained that the City should continually reassess whether more
local renewable energy can be incorporated into the system. Commissioner Scharff supported adding to
explore replacing RECs with actual local renewable energy.
Commissioner Johnston found the list to be very comprehensive and was a good combination of specific and
general topics. He had no objections to adding Commissioner Metz’s suggested topics but felt that the UAC
would not be precluded from covering those topics under the proposed Work Plan.
Vice Chair Segal suggested changing the language to read “discuss local renewable energy” to allow for a
broader discussion. She supported adding emergency preparedness to the Work Plan but wanted to
understand what items in emergency preparedness would be under the UAC’s purview.
Chair Forssell did not support adding explore replacing RECs into the Work Plan. The UAC has held very in-
depth discussions regarding the Electric Supply Portfolio and in-state and out-of-state renewables. She felt
that RECs were covered under the electric supply topic and should not be called out as a specific topic.
Regarding emergency preparedness, she could not see what the connection was to the UAC’s work but
supported adding it if it was the will of the UAC.
Commissioner Metz agreed that local renewable generation was just one aspect of the electricity supply.
Regarding emergency preparedness, the Office of Emergency Services (OES) highlighted there must be
emergency preparedness for the Water Utility.
Batchelor understood Commissioner Metz’s thoughts regarding emergency preparedness and acknowledged
that there have been many conversations between the Utilities Department and OES. He explained that utility
crews will be focused on restoring utilities within the community if there is an emergency and that is the goal
of the department. He noted that the City’s response will be different than OES’s.
Commissioner Scharff shared that after listening to the discussion, he agreed that both of Commissioner
Metz’s items were covered within the Work Plan as proposed.
ACTION: Commissioner Scharff moved Staff Recommendation as changed that the Utilities Advisory
Commission (UAC) Review and Approve the Utilities Advisory Commission’s 2021-2022 Annual Work Plan,
and Recommend the City Council Review the Work Plan and Provide Feedback.
Seconded by Commissioner Smith.
Motion carries 7-0 with Chair Forssell and Vice Chair Segal, Commissioners Bowie, Johnston, Metz, Scharff
and Smith voting yes.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS and REPORTS from MEETINGS/EVENTS
Commissioner Scharff reported that the conference that was to be put on by the Northern California Power
Agency (NCPA) was canceled due to Covid-19.
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FUTURE TOPICS FOR UPCOMING MEETINGS: March 02, 2022
Commissioner Scharff noted that he will be attending a speaker series called “The Potential Future for the
Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant”.
In answer to Vice Chair Segal’s query regarding if the series is open to the public, Commissioner Scharff
answered that it is not open to the public but predicted he could provide invitations to the UAC.
NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING: March 02, 2022
Vice Chair Segal moved to adjourn. Commissioner Johnston seconded the motion. The motion carried 7-0
with Chair Forssell, Vice Chair Segal, and Commissioners Bowie, Johnston, Metz, Scharff, and Smith voting
yes.
Meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Tabatha Boatwright
City of Palo Alto Utilities