WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.280 Unknown: And I'm gonna start this video Docker 00:00:07.280 --> 00:00:29.240 Unknown: on Stan 00:02:29.240 --> 00:02:40.520 Unknown: Good evening. I'll call to order the SMUD Board of Directors meeting of July 16, 2026. 00:02:40.520 --> 00:02:49.600 SPEAKER_17: Please join me in the Pledge of the Flag. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United 00:02:49.600 --> 00:02:58.600 SPEAKER_20: States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, 00:02:58.599 --> 00:03:08.439 SPEAKER_20: with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. This meeting of the SMUD Board 00:03:08.439 --> 00:03:14.199 SPEAKER_17: of Directors is recorded with closed captioning. The recording will be cable cast on Metro 00:03:14.199 --> 00:03:22.039 SPEAKER_17: Cable Channel 14, the local government affairs channel on the Comcast and DirecTV U-verse 00:03:22.039 --> 00:03:30.680 SPEAKER_17: Cable Systems. The recording will also be streamed at Metro14live.sackcounty.gov. Today's 00:03:30.680 --> 00:03:39.399 SPEAKER_17: meeting replays Sunday, July 19th at 2 p.m. and on Saturday, July 20th at 9 a.m. on Metro 00:03:39.399 --> 00:03:45.959 SPEAKER_17: Cable Channel 14. Once posted, the recording of this meeting can be viewed on demand at 00:03:45.960 --> 00:03:52.520 SPEAKER_17: youtube.com Metro Cable 14. Please remember to unmute your microphone when speaking in 00:03:52.520 --> 00:03:59.120 SPEAKER_17: order that our virtual attendees may hear. The microphone will display a green indicator 00:03:59.120 --> 00:04:06.439 SPEAKER_17: light when the mic is on. Please put all electronic devices in the silent mode while in the auditorium. 00:04:06.439 --> 00:04:11.760 SPEAKER_17: For members of the public attending in person who wish to speak at this meeting, please 00:04:11.759 --> 00:04:16.599 SPEAKER_17: fill out a speaker's request form located on the table outside this room and hand it 00:04:16.599 --> 00:04:22.120 SPEAKER_17: to SMUD security. Members of the public attending this meeting virtually who wish to provide 00:04:22.120 --> 00:04:27.599 SPEAKER_17: verbal comments during the board meeting may do so by using the raise hand feature in Zoom 00:04:27.599 --> 00:04:33.759 SPEAKER_17: or pressing star 9 while dialed into the telephone toll-free number. At the time, public comment 00:04:33.759 --> 00:04:39.879 SPEAKER_17: is called. Technical support staff will enable the audio for you when your name is announced 00:04:39.879 --> 00:04:45.199 SPEAKER_17: during the public comment period. You may also submit written comments by emailing them 00:04:45.199 --> 00:04:51.680 SPEAKER_17: to publiccomment at smud.org. Written comments will not be read into the record but will 00:04:51.680 --> 00:04:58.519 SPEAKER_17: be provided to the board electronically and placed into the record of the meeting if received 00:04:58.519 --> 00:05:04.879 SPEAKER_17: within two hours after the meeting ends. Members may speak to items on the agenda on which 00:05:04.879 --> 00:05:11.439 SPEAKER_17: the board will take action and may also address the board on other agenda items and items not on 00:05:11.439 --> 00:05:17.399 SPEAKER_17: the agenda but within our jurisdiction during the general comment period. The auditorium is 00:05:17.399 --> 00:05:23.360 SPEAKER_17: equipped with a safety alarm. If the alarm sounds, please leave in an orderly manner via the exits 00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:29.159 SPEAKER_17: to the lobby behind the dais. Assemble in front of the building and wait for the all-clear 00:05:29.159 --> 00:05:34.439 SPEAKER_17: announcement from security before re-entering. Would the Chief Legal Officer please conduct 00:05:34.439 --> 00:05:41.040 SPEAKER_17: the roll call? Director Rose? I am here. Director Buie-Thompson? Present. Director Fishman? Here. 00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:49.600 SPEAKER_14: Director Herber? Here. Vice President Kurth? Here. Director Sanborn? Here. President Tamayo? Here. 00:05:49.600 --> 00:05:57.040 SPEAKER_17: All members are present. Thank you. Now, Director Fishman will share our 2030 climate action tip. 00:05:57.040 --> 00:06:03.319 SPEAKER_17: SMUD is working hard towards 100% zero carbon by 2030 and there's a lot you can do to help us lead 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:09.680 SPEAKER_20: the global Clean Power City movement. SMUD offers many rebates to help you go electric and save. Did 00:06:09.680 --> 00:06:14.319 SPEAKER_20: you know that households that switch from gas to electric can save an average of more than $500 per 00:06:14.319 --> 00:06:19.920 SPEAKER_20: year on utility bills? Our rebates help you upgrade to energy efficient, all-electric heat pump systems, 00:06:19.920 --> 00:06:26.439 SPEAKER_20: appliances, and even induction cooktops. Have one of those myself and absolutely love it. Learn more 00:06:26.439 --> 00:06:32.439 SPEAKER_20: at smud.org slash go electric or you can join the charge and visit clean power city dot org. 00:06:34.319 --> 00:06:40.279 Unknown: Thank you, Director Fishman. If there are no corrections, changes, or additions, 00:06:40.279 --> 00:06:47.519 SPEAKER_17: I'll entertain a motion to approve the agenda. So moved. Second. Okay. Moved by Director Herber, 00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:56.120 SPEAKER_17: seconded by Vice President Kurth. Directors, please vote. The agenda is approved. It's all 00:06:56.120 --> 00:07:06.519 SPEAKER_14: directors voting yes. All right. At this time, the board would like to present Paul Lau with 00:07:06.519 --> 00:07:12.680 SPEAKER_17: accommodation resolution. But before we get to that, we have a number of guests in attendance 00:07:12.680 --> 00:07:18.920 SPEAKER_17: that have requested to speak and we'd like to invite Senator Angelique Ashby up to the podium 00:07:18.920 --> 00:07:41.759 SPEAKER_17: to say a few words. Are you here, Senator Ashby? Hi, everyone. Wow. What an honor to be here. Look 00:07:41.759 --> 00:07:48.120 SPEAKER_10: at this full house. That's great. How extraordinary and also not at all surprising for the smud 00:07:48.120 --> 00:07:53.439 SPEAKER_10: board. Thank you for allowing me to interrupt your meeting just a little bit today. Brought a couple 00:07:53.439 --> 00:08:01.439 SPEAKER_10: members of my team with me, Michael Benjamin and Bob Vinchema. We wanted to come and I wanted to 00:08:01.439 --> 00:08:08.240 SPEAKER_10: present this in person. So I know there's parties and all kinds of things happening, but this felt 00:08:08.240 --> 00:08:13.399 SPEAKER_10: more appropriate. So thank you for allowing me to crash this meeting today and bring this to you, 00:08:13.399 --> 00:08:21.359 SPEAKER_10: Paul. And I know you know this. I talk about this all the time. I am not shy about how I feel about 00:08:21.359 --> 00:08:28.599 SPEAKER_10: smud. And I get to serve on the energy committee in the California State Senate, which is a real 00:08:28.599 --> 00:08:34.519 SPEAKER_10: honor and privilege. But my favorite thing about being on the energy committee is that most of the 00:08:34.519 --> 00:08:42.159 SPEAKER_10: time they're arguing about things that don't pertain to us because we have smud. And therefore, 00:08:42.159 --> 00:08:46.719 SPEAKER_10: I smugly remind them all the time that, you know, I have smuds so these aren't really my problems. 00:08:46.719 --> 00:08:52.679 SPEAKER_10: You guys work it out amongst yourselves. And then I usually text most of you and say, 00:08:52.679 --> 00:09:00.120 SPEAKER_10: good work. You're making us look amazing. And Paul, you've spent almost four and a half decades 00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:08.839 SPEAKER_10: about here serving this region. There are over, you know, about 1.5 million people that rely on 00:09:08.840 --> 00:09:15.560 SPEAKER_10: all of you. And you've done everything from build them a grid to lead this entire organization. And 00:09:15.560 --> 00:09:23.920 Unknown: we're really, truly so fortunate that you made Sacramento your home and that a young Paul Lau 00:09:23.920 --> 00:09:29.399 SPEAKER_10: decided to take a job at a municipal utility district. I have no doubt you could have been 00:09:29.399 --> 00:09:34.960 SPEAKER_10: hired anywhere that you would have applied. And not only did you come here, no doubt to get 00:09:34.960 --> 00:09:41.000 SPEAKER_10: experience, but then you stayed because you bought onto the mission. And I don't think I've 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:47.759 SPEAKER_10: met anyone who's bought onto the mission more than you. And that is to say that the energy belongs to 00:09:47.759 --> 00:09:54.560 SPEAKER_10: the people and that a municipal utility district gives it back to you at the best price that they 00:09:54.560 --> 00:10:01.440 SPEAKER_10: can in the most convenient way that they can, that they listen to you and that they show up for you. 00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:07.960 SPEAKER_10: And believe me, this doesn't happen everywhere around the state of California. And it doesn't 00:10:07.960 --> 00:10:13.680 SPEAKER_10: happen anywhere in the state of California the same way that it happens here, which is a true 00:10:13.680 --> 00:10:18.760 SPEAKER_10: point of pride. And I know this organization is strong and that we have amazing leaders, 00:10:18.760 --> 00:10:25.120 SPEAKER_10: both up there at the dice, literally every one of them, incredible leaders, and that the staff 00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:31.440 SPEAKER_10: at SMUD are second to none. So I know that they will continue on without you, but they are 00:10:31.440 --> 00:10:39.320 SPEAKER_10: positioned for success because of your entire lifetime of career and dedication to this region, 00:10:39.320 --> 00:10:45.759 SPEAKER_10: to this topic. You have advanced the energy discussion nationally. This is one of the largest 00:10:45.759 --> 00:10:51.399 SPEAKER_10: utility districts in the entire country, not just in the state. And that is, I hope you and your 00:10:51.439 --> 00:10:58.480 SPEAKER_10: family understand the magnitude of the gift that you have given generations to come for the 00:10:58.480 --> 00:11:01.240 SPEAKER_10: Sacramento region. And on that note, I'd love to give you this. 00:11:51.399 --> 00:12:02.919 Unknown: Thank you. 00:12:21.399 --> 00:12:42.079 Unknown: Well, thank you, Senator Ashby. That was terrific. At this point, we also want to invite Chief of 00:12:42.079 --> 00:12:48.919 SPEAKER_17: Staff Matthew Ciccato to say a few words on behalf of Congressman Ami Berra. Come on up, Matt. 00:12:48.919 --> 00:12:58.839 SPEAKER_17: I love the pre-speech applause. But no, thank you so much for having me here, President Tamayo, 00:12:58.839 --> 00:13:02.919 SPEAKER_16: Vice President Kurth, and the rest of the board. It's good to be here on behalf of Congressman 00:13:02.919 --> 00:13:08.599 SPEAKER_16: Ami Berra. We're here at SMUD. I know SMUD. I know SMUD when I turn my lights on, and my thermostat 00:13:08.599 --> 00:13:12.719 SPEAKER_16: is at a reasonable degree right now, and it's keeping my house cool for my family and my 00:13:12.719 --> 00:13:18.480 SPEAKER_16: children. I know SMUD, as the Senator said, we're a city that's dedicated to be clean power. I know 00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:23.000 SPEAKER_16: SMUD as we go around this region. Folks are talking about SMUD, just as the Senator hears. 00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:27.039 SPEAKER_16: We're hearing about it as well, because they're jealous about SMUD. I know SMUD because your 00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:32.240 SPEAKER_16: employees are everywhere from helping run Chambers of Commerce, neighborhood associations. Your 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:36.120 SPEAKER_16: employees are working with little leagues. They are completely everywhere in this community. I know 00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:40.920 SPEAKER_16: SMUD because of all of you up there, all of you and incredible board of directors that our office 00:13:40.920 --> 00:13:45.639 SPEAKER_16: has a chance to work with. I know SMUD because the federal government recognized you and brought the 00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:50.600 SPEAKER_16: Cabinet Secretary, Department of the Energy, Jennifer Granholm, all the way out here just to 00:13:50.600 --> 00:13:56.159 SPEAKER_16: see the battery storage capabilities, and then she was blown away by the linemen school that is 00:13:56.159 --> 00:14:01.319 SPEAKER_16: teaching world-class education and going to change everything we're doing here. I also know SMUD 00:14:01.319 --> 00:14:05.960 SPEAKER_16: because of Paul. I know SMUD because of Paul, and I've had the chance through the congressional office 00:14:05.960 --> 00:14:11.559 SPEAKER_16: to get to know Paul, and I will close with a small story. We were leaving cap to cap. Wednesday night, 00:14:11.559 --> 00:14:17.279 SPEAKER_16: an exhaustive, incredible, informative trip. I knew I had a middle seat, which I was not looking 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:21.759 SPEAKER_16: forward to this direct flight, and I'm working myself through the airport, keeping my hoodie up 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:27.799 SPEAKER_16: high and my head down low to minimize conversations. No offense to anyone if I skip past you. And sure 00:14:27.799 --> 00:14:33.159 SPEAKER_16: enough, there at the aisle seat that I was walking to was Paul, right there, and we both kind of looked 00:14:33.159 --> 00:14:38.159 SPEAKER_16: at each other. I settled into my seat, brought everything out, put on my AirPods or get ready 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:42.799 SPEAKER_16: to put them back on, and Paul looks at me and goes, great time, huh? I was like, yeah, how about you? 00:14:42.799 --> 00:14:46.959 SPEAKER_16: And he goes, oh, great time. There's like lots to do, lots to follow up. How about we both have a 00:14:46.959 --> 00:14:51.360 SPEAKER_16: great flight? And so we sat there, he moved over a little bed, and we sat there, and we both did our 00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:55.319 SPEAKER_16: own work and a little bit of complete silence, a little bit of chatter, and that's exactly who he is. 00:14:55.319 --> 00:15:00.159 SPEAKER_16: It's a man who leaves with humility, integrity. It's because he cares about the people that he 00:15:00.159 --> 00:15:04.360 SPEAKER_16: serves. He cares about the people that work with him, and we appreciate that. So I've got this 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:08.960 SPEAKER_16: Congressional record that the Congressman put. I've got this Congressional resolution that 00:15:08.960 --> 00:15:13.600 SPEAKER_16: Congressman put in the Congressional record. Try that a few times. It states a lot of different 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:17.840 SPEAKER_16: things, but I'll really sum it up, that it allows the incredible things you have done in your career 00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:23.519 SPEAKER_16: and as CEO. It wishes you the best in your retirement, and we look forward to everything 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:25.159 SPEAKER_16: you're going to do next. Congratulations, Paul. 00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:36.360 Unknown: Thank you. 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:23.080 Unknown: So I think it's actually really remarkable that Senator Ashby and Matt Cikado came here to talk 00:16:23.080 --> 00:16:27.120 SPEAKER_17: about you and all the things that you've done for the community, what you mean for the community. 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:34.320 SPEAKER_17: Really, that's just the very tip of the iceberg. There's so many great things that we can do. 00:16:35.280 --> 00:16:42.280 SPEAKER_17: I think that's something that you can say about the service that you provided, not just to SMUD, 00:16:42.280 --> 00:16:51.280 SPEAKER_17: but to the Sacramento community, and really the entire country because of the leadership that you've 00:16:51.280 --> 00:16:59.280 SPEAKER_17: put SMUD in a position. And a lot of it is because of you, because of your vision, because of your 00:16:59.279 --> 00:17:06.279 SPEAKER_17: vision, and just everything that you've done to make this a really effective organization. So I 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:14.279 SPEAKER_17: know that you didn't do it by yourself, but the culture of this organization would not be at the 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:21.279 SPEAKER_17: really high point that it is right now without your leadership. I mean, you've just done an amazing 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:30.279 SPEAKER_17: job over the last five and a half years as our CEO at getting us up to the next level, making sure 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:38.279 SPEAKER_17: that we're well positioned to keep going and keep rising even after you ride into the sunset with 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:48.279 SPEAKER_17: your beautiful wife Rosalind and do something else really cool. So we do have an agenda item here 00:17:48.279 --> 00:18:00.279 SPEAKER_17: that we'll pass, we'll vote on anyway. So if there are no corrections, changes or additions, I'll 00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:06.279 SPEAKER_17: entertain a motion to approve the commendation resolution. So moved. Second. 00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:13.279 SPEAKER_11: Okay, so moved by Director Sanborn, seconded by Director Bowie-Thompson. Directors, please vote. 00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:23.279 SPEAKER_17: And so would directors care to say something or you want to wait to the end with your director's 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:32.279 SPEAKER_17: report? I think we should wait. We might cry. Yeah. So let's go ahead and wait. So we do have, we've 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:43.279 SPEAKER_17: got this actual resolution right here. And I'm going to read every single one of these warehouses. 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:51.279 SPEAKER_17: There's like 20 or 30. But I'll read the first one and the last one. I mean, I could cherry pick, but 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:58.279 SPEAKER_17: there's so many great things in here. But Paul Laut, whereas Paul Laut joined in 1982 as an intern and 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:05.279 SPEAKER_17: was serving as a chief grid strategy and operations officer when the SMUD Board selected him to serve as 00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:13.279 SPEAKER_17: chief executive officer and general manager effective October 3rd, 2020, in which capacity he has served 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:23.279 SPEAKER_17: with dedication for almost six years. And let's see, let's do the last one, or second to last one. 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:29.279 SPEAKER_17: Whereas Paul's commitment to the Sacramento community and state of California extends far beyond 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:36.279 SPEAKER_17: his activities as chief executive officer and general manager, as demonstrated by his service as a 00:19:36.279 --> 00:19:42.279 SPEAKER_17: board member on the boards of several Sacramento area community organizations, including the Greater 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:48.279 SPEAKER_17: Sacramento Economic Council and Valley Vision. He also serves as director at large and is past chair of 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:57.279 SPEAKER_17: the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce. And whereas this board, SMUD, its employees, customers 00:19:58.279 --> 00:20:04.279 SPEAKER_17: in the Sacramento community have greatly benefited from Paul Laut's visionary leadership and outstanding 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:10.279 SPEAKER_17: public service, now therefore be it resolved by the County Board of Directors of the Sacramento 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:18.279 SPEAKER_17: Municipal Utility District that this board commends Paul for his outstanding service, and I can't read it 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:26.279 SPEAKER_17: because it's hidden by a ribbon. So, but, and we wish him the very best of luck in his future endeavors. 00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:35.279 SPEAKER_17: So let's come on up here and we'll get some pictures with you and the board. And congratulations, Paul. 00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:41.279 SPEAKER_17: And, you know, we're going to be saying all sorts of great stuff to you all night, so I can't go on and on 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:44.279 SPEAKER_17: right now, but let's get this picture right now. 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:31.279 Unknown: And would you care to say a few words in your daily three minutes? 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:45.279 Unknown: It's Steve that you and Jonathan won't be able to boss all around anymore. But he's the only, they're the only 00:21:45.279 --> 00:22:07.279 SPEAKER_17: boys that get to boss the board and the board all around. 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:16.279 Unknown: And, you know, I also want to mention that Paul's family, Rosalind, you're here and the rest of the family is here. 00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:32.279 SPEAKER_17: So please stand up and wave to the crowd. You don't want to do that. 00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:45.279 Unknown: So, but it's great to have you here. I know that like this is, you've waited all this time to go visit Paul's office and now you see the kind of grim condition that he has to work under the last few years. 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:56.279 SPEAKER_17: So anyway, thank you very much for coming. It's just a great thing to honor Paul and to thank him for just decades of service and accomplishment. 00:22:56.279 --> 00:23:15.279 SPEAKER_17: And we really love Paul and, you know, the board and I know the vast majority of staff in the community love Paul for just who he is and all he's accomplished and just his place. 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:25.279 SPEAKER_17: He's just got a great place in the heart of many people and the community in general. So I'm just really happy that we're able to do this. 00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:36.279 SPEAKER_17: I'm not happy that you're leaving, but I am happy for you for everything you've done. And so thank you. So, but I could go on and on, but I shouldn't. 00:23:36.279 --> 00:23:44.279 SPEAKER_17: So at this time, we'll take comments from the public on the consent calendar. 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:51.279 Unknown: Have we, do we have statements from visitors, public comments? 00:23:51.279 --> 00:24:00.279 Unknown: Do we have any comments on the consent calendar? No, we do not. Okay. Thank you. So we will move on from that. 00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:14.279 SPEAKER_17: So our consent calendar item number two is to approve board member compensation for service rendered at the request of the board for the period of June 16, 2026 through June 30, 2026. 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:26.279 SPEAKER_17: Item number three is to approve board member compensation for service rendered at the request of the board for the period of July 1, 2026 through July 15, 2026. 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:39.279 SPEAKER_17: Item number four is the approval of the minutes of the meeting of June 18, 2026. If there are no corrections, changes or additions, I will entertain a motion to approve the consent calendar. 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:52.279 SPEAKER_17: Moved. Second. Moved by Director Fishman, seconded by Vice President Kurt. Directors, please vote. 00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:58.279 Unknown: The consent calendar is approved with all directors voting yes. 00:24:58.279 --> 00:25:15.279 Unknown: All right. Thank you. So moving on to our discussion calendar, item number five is to approve the employment agreement between SMUD and Laura Ongwai, CEO and general manager. 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:32.279 SPEAKER_17: This item number five includes this oral report to summarize and seek final determination and action on the proposed written employment contract establishing the salary and fringe benefits between SMUD and Laura Ongwai, CEO and general manager. 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:47.279 SPEAKER_17: The contract would provide an initial annual base salary of $825,000. So do we have any discussion? 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:58.279 SPEAKER_06: Okay. Well, I can just say we discussed this at length in a closed session. So this is what we agreed to and welcome. 00:25:58.279 --> 00:26:10.279 Unknown: All right. Well, this is definitely an important step here. Have we received any cards or requests to comment on this? 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:24.279 SPEAKER_17: No, we have not. Okay. All right. So if there's no further discussion, I'll entertain a motion to approve discussion calendar, item number five. 00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:36.279 Unknown: So moved. Second. Okay. Moved by Director Herber, seconded by Director Fishman. Directors, please vote. 00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:42.279 Unknown: The discussion calendar is approved with all directors voting yes. Congratulations. 00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:50.279 Unknown: All right. Thank you. At this time, we allow the public to comment on items not on the agenda but within our jurisdiction. 00:26:50.279 --> 00:27:05.279 SPEAKER_17: And I have received three cards at this point. I have Cynthia Peterson, Edward Pearson and Scott Slatterbeck. 00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:17.279 Unknown: So Ms. Pearson, if you'd care to come up to the microphone. Oh, and I've got a couple things to say. 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:29.279 SPEAKER_17: So just please state your name for the record and don't move the microphone because it'll pick up your voice wherever you are near the podium. 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:36.279 SPEAKER_17: And if you have written materials you wish to provide to the Board, please hand them to the SMUD Security to distribute. 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:50.279 Unknown: Also, since your matter has not been placed on the agenda, the Board may not engage in an active discussion of the matter and is limited to briefly responding to statements, asking clarifying questions and directing staff to follow up on the matter. 00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:54.279 SPEAKER_17: So go ahead. You have three minutes. 00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:59.279 SPEAKER_13: You've probably heard about Apple Hill, and that's where we live. 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:12.279 SPEAKER_13: And we bought property in, let's see, 1986, and built our house. 00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:21.279 SPEAKER_13: We have a live stream that goes back in our backyard. It's a beautiful place. It was. 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:32.279 Unknown: But it isn't any longer because of SMUD's, what would you say? 00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:44.279 Unknown: Desires to remove all the trees in the creek area. The creek area is a, it is a wetland, designated wetlands area. 00:28:44.279 --> 00:28:51.279 Unknown: The trees growing in the creek area had been pruned twice, the trees behind our house. 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:59.279 Unknown: With the new veg management group, they decided pruning was not good enough. They needed to take them to the ground. 00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:10.279 Unknown: So they sent a biologist out there to the house, and I talked to the man, and he said, I said, isn't this going to kill everything in the creek? 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:17.279 Unknown: And he said, no, it's not going to bother anything. I said, I'll tell you what we'll do then. 00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:27.279 Unknown: Let's put a thermometer in the creek right now, and then we'll come back in August and we'll check it after it's been 100 degrees for three or four days in a row, 00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:31.279 SPEAKER_18: with no shade canopy over that and see what it looks like. 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:35.279 Unknown: No, they didn't want to do that. They absolutely didn't want to do that. 00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:43.279 Unknown: So they did. Clear cut the creek to the grass. It was the only thing left in the creek, was the only thing when they left. 00:29:43.279 --> 00:30:01.279 Unknown: They got a permit. It was through Fish and Wildlife, and when they came in, according to the permit, they were supposed to be using chainsaws and hand equipment to cut the trees in the creek. 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:14.279 SPEAKER_18: They came in with power equipment, drove down into the creek bed, did not go into the water, but they drove down into the creek bed and cut it down with power equipment, logging equipment, big logging equipment. 00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:20.279 Unknown: They would reach across the creek and grab a tree, cut it, and take it back on the other side. 00:30:21.279 --> 00:30:41.279 Unknown: That was totally against the permit. On the permit, it stated that the work had to be done according to the boxes checked on the permit, and the permit was only good for the work that was being done in their easement area. 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:57.279 Unknown: No, neither one worked. They went in, they used this power equipment against the permit. They also took trees outside the permit that they had no permit for. 00:30:57.279 --> 00:31:01.279 SPEAKER_18: The permit was valid for only the creek area. 00:31:02.279 --> 00:31:10.279 Unknown: What they did was, instead of trimming the trees, they cut them to the ground, like I said, and used the power equipment. 00:31:10.279 --> 00:31:21.279 SPEAKER_18: After they were through doing that, they sent a crew up onto the hillside of our property to cut every berry vine to the ground. 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:33.279 SPEAKER_18: Now, to tell you the truth, I've never seen a berry vine grow 41 feet high to a power line, but apparently they have, because that's what they did. 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:38.279 Unknown: And I said, isn't that going to cause the hillside to slide? 00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:45.279 Unknown: Well, sir, could you maybe take another... 00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:49.279 Unknown: And then we'll have staff... 00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:58.279 SPEAKER_17: I had three minutes for three different items. I do have other items. You're only hearing part of this. 00:31:58.279 --> 00:32:11.279 SPEAKER_18: So the item that you're commenting on is items that are not on our agenda, and you're allotted three minutes, but you can have another minute to wrap it up. 00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:17.279 SPEAKER_17: But we will have... Paul, can we have appropriate staff? 00:32:17.279 --> 00:32:19.279 SPEAKER_17: Yeah, President Tamayo, we actually have staff look into this. 00:32:19.279 --> 00:32:28.279 SPEAKER_25: Okay. All right. But I'll give you another minute to wrap up your comments. I understand the gist of it, and we'll get... 00:32:28.279 --> 00:32:32.279 SPEAKER_17: Okay, they took trees that were 15 foot 8 inches from my house. 00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:43.279 SPEAKER_18: 120 foot trees down to the ground. They gave me an offer. You can cut the trees. We'll take the top 40 feet out of a tree. 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:56.279 SPEAKER_18: Well, I looked at that, and I said, okay, let me find out about that. So I went online and I found out, you cut a 120 foot tree 40 feet out of the top, and you're going to kill the tree. 00:32:57.279 --> 00:33:04.279 SPEAKER_18: You're going to either have it through bug infestation, or you're going to have root rot, and you're going to have the tree falling. 00:33:04.279 --> 00:33:23.279 Unknown: And this was offered by an arborist, an award-winning arborist. They did not have a permit when they took those trees, so obviously that goes against tree trespassing, timber trespassing laws of California, which is up to a felony. 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:39.279 Unknown: We tried to mitigate with them. We tried to tell them that we would dissolve this thing if they would just take care of their responsibilities. 00:33:39.279 --> 00:33:49.279 SPEAKER_18: But instead, no, they didn't want to do that. So last winter, when it rained, the hillside started to slide. 00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:56.279 Unknown: I had told them I thought the hillside was going to slide because there were bare spots up on the hillside where the berries had been cut. 00:33:56.279 --> 00:34:05.279 Unknown: It started to slide into the creek. The creek that flows through our property flows into Slab Creek. 00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:19.279 Unknown: Slab Creek, you people know about because you have a reservoir on there. And they stopped the whitewater rafting industry from having a whitewater season on Slab Creek because of the yellow-legged frog. 00:34:19.279 --> 00:34:28.279 Unknown: So now you have soil that's flowing into the creek, which is going to go into Slab Creek and destroy the yellow-legged frog. 00:34:28.279 --> 00:34:34.279 SPEAKER_18: I get what you're saying. So I'm going to have to stop you there because you're well-passed. 00:34:34.280 --> 00:34:37.280 SPEAKER_17: That's the only reason that I came here to talk to this. 00:34:37.280 --> 00:34:42.280 SPEAKER_17: Sir, we have staff that you can talk to and give more details to. You can contact me. 00:34:42.280 --> 00:34:45.280 SPEAKER_17: But I wanted you people to hear it because I'll tell you what. 00:34:45.280 --> 00:34:46.280 SPEAKER_18: Right. And you have three minutes. 00:34:46.280 --> 00:34:49.280 SPEAKER_18: I tried to get you people to hear it, but you wouldn't listen. 00:34:49.280 --> 00:34:52.280 SPEAKER_18: Sir, I'm telling you right now. 00:34:52.280 --> 00:34:59.280 SPEAKER_18: You had an attorney take me to court over lies. He told you that I built a gate across the east. 00:34:59.280 --> 00:35:00.280 SPEAKER_18: I said I did not. 00:35:00.280 --> 00:35:09.280 SPEAKER_17: Sir, I understand your concerns, but there's an order to this meeting and you've exceeded. 00:35:09.280 --> 00:35:14.280 SPEAKER_17: I understand the order. I was supposed to get nine minutes because I had three on one subject. 00:35:14.280 --> 00:35:17.280 SPEAKER_18: I had six more that I could use. Could nine? 00:35:17.280 --> 00:35:27.280 SPEAKER_18: No, that's not how this works, sir. So I'm sorry for the misunderstanding, but you had three minutes to comment on items not on the agenda. 00:35:28.280 --> 00:35:30.280 SPEAKER_17: My wife didn't use her for three minutes. 00:35:30.280 --> 00:35:39.280 Unknown: Well, in general, we don't allow for the compiling of those, but I understand that. 00:35:39.280 --> 00:35:45.280 SPEAKER_17: But you've clearly used both your wife's and your allotment. 00:35:45.280 --> 00:35:48.280 SPEAKER_17: So I'm going to have to ask you to stop right now, sir. 00:35:48.280 --> 00:35:52.280 SPEAKER_19: My wife is using their about one husband and wife using each other's minutes. 00:35:52.280 --> 00:35:57.280 SPEAKER_19: I looked at the board meetings before to see if there was. 00:35:57.280 --> 00:36:03.280 SPEAKER_19: All right. Could we turn the mic off and, sir, you can talk to our staff or? 00:36:03.280 --> 00:36:05.280 Unknown: I've talked to your staff. 00:36:05.280 --> 00:36:08.280 Unknown: All right. Well, we've got the staff here. All right. 00:36:08.280 --> 00:36:12.280 SPEAKER_17: Now you're not obeying the rules of this meeting. 00:36:12.280 --> 00:36:18.280 SPEAKER_17: I'm going to have to ask you to step away from the microphone and the podium. 00:36:18.280 --> 00:36:21.280 Unknown: If you can do that on your own, that's fine. 00:36:21.280 --> 00:36:26.280 SPEAKER_17: If you need assistance, we can find you assistance that will not make you any happier. 00:36:26.280 --> 00:36:29.280 SPEAKER_17: But please step away from the podium. 00:36:29.280 --> 00:36:32.280 Unknown: Please step away from the podium. 00:36:32.280 --> 00:36:36.280 SPEAKER_17: Would you please remove Mr. Pearson? 00:36:36.280 --> 00:36:43.280 Unknown: I did not know that this was going to be your retirement night, and I'm sorry about this. 00:36:43.280 --> 00:36:46.280 Unknown: So please don't hold that against me. 00:36:46.280 --> 00:36:49.280 SPEAKER_17: I'm not holding this against you. I understand your point. 00:36:49.280 --> 00:37:05.280 Unknown: Just be quiet. 00:37:05.280 --> 00:37:11.280 SPEAKER_17: Scott Sliderback, you've got three minutes. 00:37:11.280 --> 00:37:22.280 SPEAKER_17: Come on up. 00:37:22.280 --> 00:37:24.280 Unknown: I'm a governmental agency. 00:37:24.280 --> 00:37:30.280 SPEAKER_05: In California, for many, many years, transparency has been an important factor. 00:37:30.280 --> 00:37:38.280 Unknown: As some of you know, and I've attended several of these board meetings and several meetings ago, 00:37:38.280 --> 00:37:45.280 SPEAKER_05: one of your staff people said that somebody from your organization will contact me 00:37:45.280 --> 00:37:55.280 SPEAKER_05: regarding the various issues that I brought up, and I returned the call and, sadly, never heard back. 00:37:55.280 --> 00:38:04.280 SPEAKER_05: I wanted some information about SMUD and what's going on with the energy mix 00:38:04.280 --> 00:38:10.280 SPEAKER_05: and some of the past actions that have transpired with the board. 00:38:10.280 --> 00:38:17.280 SPEAKER_05: So I contacted your media division because if you call the main SMUD office, 00:38:17.280 --> 00:38:24.280 SPEAKER_05: you're very helpful, friendly people have zero idea about anything and don't offer any help 00:38:24.280 --> 00:38:27.280 SPEAKER_05: on giving me a phone number where I can call. 00:38:27.280 --> 00:38:35.280 SPEAKER_05: So I called your media office, left my name and phone number, and I think you can understand what didn't happen. 00:38:35.280 --> 00:38:40.280 SPEAKER_05: I never received any response, never any call back. 00:38:40.280 --> 00:38:52.280 Unknown: And as I mentioned, several years ago, I was interested in various questions I had about SMUD, 00:38:52.280 --> 00:39:01.280 SPEAKER_05: and so I called and I was just very, very frustrated that no one seems to be at all interested 00:39:01.280 --> 00:39:11.280 SPEAKER_05: in explaining things to me or offering any sort of information or people to talk to 00:39:11.280 --> 00:39:14.280 SPEAKER_05: or people to ask questions of. 00:39:14.280 --> 00:39:22.280 SPEAKER_05: What I get from SMUD is a big fat silence, and I don't think that's appropriate at all. 00:39:22.280 --> 00:39:27.280 SPEAKER_05: I think the SMUD board and SMUD itself should be much more transparent. 00:39:27.280 --> 00:39:37.280 SPEAKER_05: I happen to be a rate payer, I happen to be a citizen, I happen to be a long time resident of Ward 3. 00:39:37.280 --> 00:39:40.280 Unknown: I've lived in Sacramento almost my entire life. 00:39:40.280 --> 00:39:48.280 SPEAKER_05: My family's been a SMUD customer almost their entire life, and yet I'm treated with indifference, 00:39:48.280 --> 00:39:58.280 SPEAKER_05: active resistance, collective shrug, and I don't think that's appropriate at all, to be honest with you. 00:39:58.280 --> 00:40:03.280 Unknown: Laura, would you care to answer something? 00:40:03.280 --> 00:40:06.280 SPEAKER_17: Yeah, Laura Lewis, Chief Legal and Government Affairs Officer. 00:40:06.280 --> 00:40:09.280 SPEAKER_14: I met with Mr. Slaughterback after the last meeting. 00:40:09.280 --> 00:40:15.280 SPEAKER_14: I got his mobile phone number, I passed it on to our staff. 00:40:15.280 --> 00:40:20.280 Unknown: A few days later, the staff followed up with me and said, we've been trying to call Mr. Slaughterback, 00:40:20.280 --> 00:40:24.280 Unknown: but his voicemail is full and we can't leave a message. 00:40:24.280 --> 00:40:31.280 Unknown: So perhaps we can meet again after this meeting, we can confirm we have the correct number, 00:40:31.280 --> 00:40:36.280 SPEAKER_14: but we've been trying to reach and get ahold of you so that the resource planning group can talk to you. 00:40:36.280 --> 00:40:43.280 Unknown: I want to assure the board that we take seriously our obligation to return phone calls to customers, 00:40:43.280 --> 00:40:49.280 Unknown: customer service is what we do, so I'm happy to meet with Mr. Slaughterback and make sure we have the right number. 00:40:49.280 --> 00:40:53.280 SPEAKER_14: I'm confident we do because he, I believe, called me on my cell phone, so I do have it. 00:40:53.280 --> 00:41:00.280 SPEAKER_14: Maybe there's another number we can use. 00:41:00.280 --> 00:41:01.280 SPEAKER_17: Thank you. 00:41:01.280 --> 00:41:03.280 SPEAKER_17: All right. 00:41:03.280 --> 00:41:04.280 SPEAKER_17: So we're moving on. 00:41:04.280 --> 00:41:09.280 SPEAKER_17: Do we have any other requests for comment? 00:41:09.280 --> 00:41:11.280 SPEAKER_14: I don't see any hands, no. 00:41:12.280 --> 00:41:18.280 SPEAKER_17: So at this point in the agenda, we provide the directors an opportunity to report on SMUD activity, 00:41:18.280 --> 00:41:27.280 SPEAKER_17: and we will begin the report with Director Rose in Ward 1 and continue in ward order with the President's report as the final item. 00:41:32.280 --> 00:41:37.280 SPEAKER_15: Should we praise Paul at this point or should we wait until after our reports? 00:41:38.280 --> 00:41:39.280 SPEAKER_17: You know, I got all night. 00:41:39.280 --> 00:41:41.280 SPEAKER_17: Just keep, just praise Paul. 00:41:41.280 --> 00:41:45.280 SPEAKER_17: I'm not totally prepared, but I wouldn't say this, at least, right? 00:41:45.280 --> 00:41:54.280 SPEAKER_15: We've had a couple of angry ones, like us, for one summer of New York transmission line, for people who may be listening. 00:41:54.280 --> 00:42:00.280 SPEAKER_15: If you're having an issue, please just email, like us, my email is on the front of the SMUD website. 00:42:00.280 --> 00:42:04.280 SPEAKER_15: Please email me and ask for assistance if you're having trouble. 00:42:04.280 --> 00:42:06.280 SPEAKER_15: You don't need to drive down to the SMUD board meeting. 00:42:06.280 --> 00:42:09.280 SPEAKER_15: I'm happy to help do that. 00:42:09.280 --> 00:42:20.280 SPEAKER_15: And I just feel like I need to remind people a lot that we're very easy to access and we're happy to help people who may be having trouble outside our regular customer service lines. 00:42:20.280 --> 00:42:27.280 SPEAKER_15: So with that, let me switch over to a couple of pretty quiet months, I would say. 00:42:28.280 --> 00:42:41.280 Unknown: The one thing I do want to do is I, you know, we just voted for the new CEO employment contract, and congratulations to Laura Angway on the promotion. 00:42:41.280 --> 00:42:48.280 SPEAKER_15: But I wanted to just take a moment to thank all of our staff who worked on that nationwide CEO search. 00:42:48.280 --> 00:42:52.280 SPEAKER_15: It was a tremendous amount of work, and I think they did a really fabulous job. 00:42:53.280 --> 00:42:57.280 SPEAKER_15: I also want to, of course, thank the candidates who participated in that search. 00:42:57.280 --> 00:43:07.280 SPEAKER_15: It was an A-list suite of candidates who all did a fabulous job, and I appreciate the time and effort it takes to go through that process. 00:43:07.280 --> 00:43:12.280 SPEAKER_15: And frustration, it must feel when the opportunity doesn't come your way. 00:43:12.280 --> 00:43:16.280 SPEAKER_15: And I know at some point in the future there will be more opportunities out there. 00:43:16.280 --> 00:43:19.280 SPEAKER_15: So just thank you for all of them from me. 00:43:19.280 --> 00:43:25.280 SPEAKER_15: I don't have a ton of lovely things to say about Paul, but it's always very easy, too. 00:43:25.280 --> 00:43:30.280 SPEAKER_15: It's been a joy to work with you this last five or six years. 00:43:30.280 --> 00:43:37.280 SPEAKER_15: I would say I think one of the things that's impressed me is, you know, the board had our climate emergency declaration, 00:43:37.280 --> 00:43:40.280 SPEAKER_15: and we wanted to see at least carbon neutrality. 00:43:40.280 --> 00:43:46.280 SPEAKER_15: And you had this vision to come in and let's shoot for the stars and do zero carbon. 00:43:46.280 --> 00:43:54.280 SPEAKER_15: And I think that really has set you apart in terms of leadership in the energy electric utility industry. 00:43:54.280 --> 00:43:59.280 SPEAKER_15: And I think that's something that we should applaud and is wonderful. 00:43:59.280 --> 00:44:02.280 SPEAKER_15: In terms of we spent a lot of time traveling over the years. 00:44:02.280 --> 00:44:05.280 SPEAKER_15: I have learned a tremendous amount of things about you. 00:44:05.280 --> 00:44:11.280 SPEAKER_15: But one of the things I know is that willingness to work hard when we were in Dubai for COPA 28. 00:44:11.280 --> 00:44:13.280 SPEAKER_15: And we were literally walked all day long. 00:44:13.280 --> 00:44:14.280 SPEAKER_15: We walked all through. 00:44:14.280 --> 00:44:15.280 SPEAKER_15: We worked all day. 00:44:15.280 --> 00:44:19.280 SPEAKER_15: And I get up the next morning, early in the morning, and run across town and people ask, 00:44:19.280 --> 00:44:23.280 SPEAKER_15: Paul was up at 3 in the morning e-mailing the staff back at home. 00:44:23.280 --> 00:44:24.280 SPEAKER_15: Right? 00:44:24.280 --> 00:44:26.280 SPEAKER_15: And that's the work ethic you get. 00:44:26.280 --> 00:44:27.280 SPEAKER_15: Right? 00:44:27.280 --> 00:44:28.280 SPEAKER_15: He won't stop running. 00:44:28.280 --> 00:44:29.280 SPEAKER_15: There's something to be done. 00:44:29.280 --> 00:44:30.280 SPEAKER_15: He wants to fix it. 00:44:30.280 --> 00:44:35.280 SPEAKER_15: And I think that's just really it's pretty amazing. 00:44:35.280 --> 00:44:41.280 SPEAKER_15: And then the one other thing that really reminds me is when I became SMUD president, 00:44:41.280 --> 00:44:47.280 Unknown: and we spent about five hours sort of running through what I wanted to accomplish that year. 00:44:47.280 --> 00:44:50.280 SPEAKER_15: And we stayed until late into the night. 00:44:50.280 --> 00:44:51.280 SPEAKER_15: No rush. 00:44:51.280 --> 00:44:52.280 SPEAKER_15: Just doing the work. 00:44:52.280 --> 00:44:57.280 SPEAKER_15: But then everything we had talked about and agreed to, everything happened throughout that year. 00:44:57.280 --> 00:44:59.280 SPEAKER_15: And I did not have to ask for follow-up. 00:44:59.280 --> 00:45:00.280 SPEAKER_15: I did occasionally. 00:45:00.280 --> 00:45:01.280 SPEAKER_15: I didn't have to ask for follow-up. 00:45:01.280 --> 00:45:06.280 SPEAKER_15: And I think that's also just a sign of this fabulous management and fabulous leadership 00:45:06.280 --> 00:45:11.280 SPEAKER_15: to take these visions and turn them into reality, for sure. 00:45:11.280 --> 00:45:14.280 SPEAKER_15: So I'm sure there's lots of other comments with these two little parables from me. 00:45:14.280 --> 00:45:16.280 SPEAKER_15: Thank you so much. 00:45:22.280 --> 00:45:23.280 Unknown: Okay. 00:45:23.280 --> 00:45:26.280 SPEAKER_09: I will first report on district activities. 00:45:26.280 --> 00:45:29.280 SPEAKER_09: I attended the summer soul system. 00:45:29.280 --> 00:45:32.280 SPEAKER_09: So thank you to our staff that support that. 00:45:32.280 --> 00:45:35.280 Unknown: Great event for the American River Parkway Foundation. 00:45:35.280 --> 00:45:38.280 Unknown: Our fellow board member Greg is on the board. 00:45:38.280 --> 00:45:40.280 Unknown: I attended customer contact week. 00:45:40.280 --> 00:45:41.280 SPEAKER_09: I attend every year. 00:45:41.280 --> 00:45:47.280 SPEAKER_09: AI is a big focus, as always, with technology and contact centers. 00:45:47.280 --> 00:45:52.280 SPEAKER_09: From my experience there, it's still I think a lot of people selling a lot of things. 00:45:52.280 --> 00:45:57.280 SPEAKER_09: Other than the day, people don't want to talk to a chat bot, I feel, 00:45:57.280 --> 00:46:01.280 SPEAKER_09: since they're still not as sophisticated as they need to be. 00:46:01.280 --> 00:46:02.280 SPEAKER_09: They want to talk to a real human. 00:46:02.280 --> 00:46:11.280 SPEAKER_09: But what I see the differences of technologies is how we can help our customer contact center agents be more efficient 00:46:11.280 --> 00:46:16.280 SPEAKER_09: rather than having our customers talk to bots, because I still think that's a big frustration. 00:46:16.280 --> 00:46:21.280 SPEAKER_09: I know myself, the last thing I want to do is talk to a bot that doesn't really help me. 00:46:21.280 --> 00:46:27.280 SPEAKER_09: So it'll be interesting to see how the technology trends move forward and advance over time. 00:46:28.280 --> 00:46:33.280 SPEAKER_09: I also had the opportunity to attend the SMUD Cares bowling tournament. 00:46:33.280 --> 00:46:39.280 SPEAKER_09: I want to thank our executive sponsor for SMUD Cares, Jose, who's there. 00:46:39.280 --> 00:46:45.280 SPEAKER_09: Picked up and bowled with us for a little bit and showed us all the fun bowling skills. 00:46:45.280 --> 00:46:48.280 SPEAKER_09: But it was great to see all of our employees. 00:46:49.280 --> 00:46:57.280 SPEAKER_09: I believe the Fire and Burn Institute, again, were big recipients from the bowlers who killed the rest of us. 00:46:57.280 --> 00:46:59.280 SPEAKER_09: I was just happy to break over 100 once. 00:46:59.280 --> 00:47:09.280 SPEAKER_09: But I appreciate all of our SMUD staff who personally spend their time and money to raise money for all these great charities within the region. 00:47:09.280 --> 00:47:13.280 SPEAKER_09: So I want to thank our employees who do that with their own funds. 00:47:14.280 --> 00:47:17.280 SPEAKER_09: I also wanted to thank Paul. 00:47:17.280 --> 00:47:21.280 SPEAKER_09: Rob and I are the longest serving board members. 00:47:21.280 --> 00:47:28.280 SPEAKER_09: It's funny to say we've seen you grow, because you've seen us also grow as directors. 00:47:28.280 --> 00:47:33.280 SPEAKER_09: But from when I met you, it's now 19 years ago, which is crazy. 00:47:33.280 --> 00:47:34.280 SPEAKER_09: Who would have thanked us? 00:47:34.280 --> 00:47:35.280 SPEAKER_09: I would be around this lab. 00:47:35.280 --> 00:47:37.280 SPEAKER_09: I knew you would be around. 00:47:37.280 --> 00:47:41.280 SPEAKER_09: But to see you grow into the leader that you are. 00:47:41.280 --> 00:47:45.280 SPEAKER_09: And I remember talking to you just over the years. 00:47:45.280 --> 00:47:47.280 SPEAKER_09: There's one thing being a very technical person. 00:47:47.280 --> 00:47:53.280 SPEAKER_09: It's another thing parlaying that into being an inspirational leader. 00:47:53.280 --> 00:47:55.280 SPEAKER_09: I'm a tech nerd, too. 00:47:55.280 --> 00:47:57.280 SPEAKER_09: And sometimes we just talk really fast. 00:47:57.280 --> 00:48:02.280 SPEAKER_09: And we don't understand why other people don't understand us and just don't come along. 00:48:02.280 --> 00:48:10.280 SPEAKER_09: And I think people with such big brains, Paul, it's sometimes difficult. 00:48:10.280 --> 00:48:15.280 SPEAKER_09: It's difficult to slow down and go, how can I parse this? 00:48:15.280 --> 00:48:16.280 SPEAKER_09: How can I connect? 00:48:16.280 --> 00:48:18.280 SPEAKER_09: How can I get people to understand? 00:48:18.280 --> 00:48:24.280 SPEAKER_09: And Paul has done an exceptional job over those 45 years of growing that technical skill 00:48:24.280 --> 00:48:31.280 SPEAKER_09: into being just an amazing leader who has empathy and can humanize things, 00:48:31.280 --> 00:48:37.280 SPEAKER_09: but also see it from all the sides, see it from a technical side, see it from the human side. 00:48:37.280 --> 00:48:39.280 Unknown: And I love that you are retiring on top. 00:48:39.280 --> 00:48:41.280 SPEAKER_09: I love that you're retiring healthy. 00:48:41.280 --> 00:48:44.280 SPEAKER_09: I love your time with your family. 00:48:44.280 --> 00:48:47.280 SPEAKER_09: Happy to have you home, Laura, and seeing you around. 00:48:47.280 --> 00:48:52.280 SPEAKER_09: Because I think sometimes people stay to just stay that extra year and do more. 00:48:52.280 --> 00:48:55.280 SPEAKER_09: But you have done all the things. 00:48:55.280 --> 00:48:58.280 SPEAKER_09: You have left SMUD in such an amazing place. 00:48:58.280 --> 00:49:02.280 SPEAKER_09: Lay a great foundation for Laura to take over. 00:49:02.280 --> 00:49:08.280 SPEAKER_09: But I know that people, you've been at SMUD longer than you've not been at SMUD. 00:49:08.280 --> 00:49:09.280 SPEAKER_09: In your life. 00:49:09.280 --> 00:49:12.280 SPEAKER_09: Which is an amazing fact. 00:49:12.280 --> 00:49:14.280 SPEAKER_09: Who can say that? 00:49:14.280 --> 00:49:17.280 SPEAKER_09: This has been your family. 00:49:17.280 --> 00:49:18.280 SPEAKER_09: We'll miss you. 00:49:18.280 --> 00:49:25.280 SPEAKER_09: But your 45 years of impact will be felt for generations to come. 00:49:25.280 --> 00:49:27.280 SPEAKER_09: So thank you for being my friend. 00:49:27.280 --> 00:49:29.280 SPEAKER_09: Thank you for your leadership. 00:49:29.280 --> 00:49:30.280 SPEAKER_09: And I'm excited. 00:49:30.280 --> 00:49:33.280 SPEAKER_09: I know you're still young and still have things to do. 00:49:33.280 --> 00:49:39.280 SPEAKER_09: I'll be very excited to see what your next chapter and know you're not going to be far from us. 00:49:39.280 --> 00:49:41.280 SPEAKER_09: And you'll get your three minutes. 00:49:41.280 --> 00:49:44.280 SPEAKER_09: I guess I'm up. 00:49:44.280 --> 00:49:47.280 SPEAKER_20: Let me start by echoing something Director Rose said. 00:49:47.280 --> 00:49:49.280 SPEAKER_20: We are accessible. 00:49:49.280 --> 00:49:55.280 SPEAKER_20: And if people have questions specifically for Mr. Slaughterback, my email address is, I represent Ward 3. 00:49:55.280 --> 00:49:56.280 SPEAKER_20: You said you live there. 00:49:56.280 --> 00:49:59.280 SPEAKER_20: My email address is GBFishman at gmail.com. 00:49:59.280 --> 00:50:02.280 SPEAKER_20: I'll do anything I can to help you understand what we do. 00:50:02.280 --> 00:50:05.280 SPEAKER_20: And if I don't know or can't answer, I'll find somebody who can. 00:50:05.280 --> 00:50:08.280 SPEAKER_20: So please reach out in that way if you need to. 00:50:08.280 --> 00:50:14.280 SPEAKER_20: A couple of quick events and then I'll get to the pop. 00:50:14.280 --> 00:50:16.280 SPEAKER_20: The pop is the praise of Paul. 00:50:16.280 --> 00:50:29.280 SPEAKER_20: Had the great opportunity to represent SMUD at the American River Parkway Foundation Summer Solstice Dinner. 00:50:29.280 --> 00:50:31.280 SPEAKER_20: It was on the committee that put that together. 00:50:31.280 --> 00:50:37.280 SPEAKER_20: I was grateful for SMUD's sponsorship and for the work that the Parkway Foundation does in our community. 00:50:37.280 --> 00:50:41.280 SPEAKER_20: Protecting and preserving the Parkway, the gem of our region. 00:50:41.280 --> 00:50:47.280 SPEAKER_20: I attended the College Glen Neighborhood Association Foundation Family Night Out Block Party and Fireworks Show. 00:50:47.280 --> 00:50:51.280 SPEAKER_20: Didn't stay for the fireworks, but that is always a wonderful event. 00:50:51.280 --> 00:50:58.280 SPEAKER_20: Annette Degloe and her husband John have been there probably longer than Paul has been here. 00:50:58.280 --> 00:51:01.280 Unknown: And when they throw a party, people show up. 00:51:01.280 --> 00:51:02.280 SPEAKER_20: So that was fun. 00:51:02.280 --> 00:51:06.280 SPEAKER_20: I also attended the Friends of Fulton El Camino Park and Rec District, GALA, in the park. 00:51:06.280 --> 00:51:14.280 SPEAKER_20: A fundraiser for some of their programs to help disadvantaged children access the programs that they offer if they can't afford it otherwise. 00:51:14.280 --> 00:51:23.280 SPEAKER_20: And then also I was asked to speak about SMUD's zero carbon plan to a group known as AOF, atheists and other free thinkers. 00:51:23.280 --> 00:51:25.280 Unknown: And an interesting group of folks. 00:51:25.280 --> 00:51:31.280 Unknown: And it just goes to show you that zero carbon is not political and it's not religious and it's non-denominational. 00:51:31.280 --> 00:51:36.280 SPEAKER_20: So we're here to help everybody understand what it is we're doing and why. 00:51:36.280 --> 00:51:40.280 SPEAKER_20: And then a few words for Paul. 00:51:40.280 --> 00:51:49.280 Unknown: You know, everybody's talking about what you've done for this organization and that's, you know, there's no superlatives that can be enough, Paul. 00:51:49.280 --> 00:51:55.280 SPEAKER_20: Same for our greater community and the impact because you've embodied what SMUD does in our community. 00:51:55.280 --> 00:52:07.280 Unknown: But I want to talk about your personal story a little bit and how important that is in this day and age as an immigrant to this country when you were a teenager, I believe. 00:52:07.280 --> 00:52:12.280 Unknown: And it's not an easy time to be an immigrant here right now for some reasons. 00:52:12.280 --> 00:52:33.280 SPEAKER_20: And for you to be in the role that you are in, to have played the role you've played in our community, shows what's possible when we value people for what they bring to the table, not for where they come from, the color of their skin, how they believe, who they love, any of those other reasons. 00:52:33.280 --> 00:52:38.280 Unknown: We are a merit-based country when we are at our best. 00:52:38.280 --> 00:52:51.280 SPEAKER_20: And you have shown what you can do as an immigrant who works hard from busing tables and waiting tables to leading the most progressive, best-damned utility in the country. 00:52:51.280 --> 00:52:53.280 Unknown: And that means something, Paul. 00:52:53.280 --> 00:52:57.280 SPEAKER_20: It means something to this community. 00:52:57.280 --> 00:52:59.280 Unknown: It means something to this organization. 00:52:59.280 --> 00:53:00.280 SPEAKER_20: It means something to this nation, Paul. 00:53:00.280 --> 00:53:02.280 SPEAKER_20: And it means something to me. 00:53:02.280 --> 00:53:05.280 SPEAKER_20: My grandparents were immigrants, and it wasn't easy. 00:53:05.280 --> 00:53:21.280 Unknown: And we are all the beneficiaries of their bravery as your family, as of yours, courage, tenacity, hard work, education, and always believing in what's possible. 00:53:21.280 --> 00:53:24.280 Unknown: And that is your legacy as much as anything else. 00:53:24.280 --> 00:53:28.280 Unknown: Thank you. 00:53:28.280 --> 00:53:34.280 Unknown: Well, like I said, it's always terrible to have to go after Greg. 00:53:34.280 --> 00:53:38.280 Unknown: So I'm going to say it's been a really, really busy month. 00:53:38.280 --> 00:53:44.280 SPEAKER_23: I've gone to lots of different events and done different stuff. 00:53:44.280 --> 00:53:47.280 SPEAKER_23: But I just want to focus in on two things. 00:53:47.280 --> 00:53:57.280 SPEAKER_23: One is I got to join Paul at the Sacramento Asian Sports Foundation, their new kitchen ribbon-cutting event. 00:53:57.280 --> 00:54:07.280 SPEAKER_23: And what I think is so wonderful is that I toured the kitchen, and they have, you know, the electric walks. 00:54:07.280 --> 00:54:11.280 SPEAKER_23: They have everything imaginable. 00:54:11.280 --> 00:54:20.280 SPEAKER_23: And every year they put on the best crab-feeding event in the city. 00:54:20.280 --> 00:54:33.280 SPEAKER_23: And this year they're going to be able, or whenever they have their next one, they're going to be able to cook the crab with electricity instead of gas. 00:54:33.280 --> 00:54:41.280 SPEAKER_23: So it was really neat to be there and to see how many people are excited about this. 00:54:42.280 --> 00:54:57.280 SPEAKER_23: And then the second thing I wanted to talk about was the American Public Power Association Policy Management Committee, or Policymakers Committee. 00:54:57.280 --> 00:55:09.280 SPEAKER_23: I've been going to the APPA, the American Public Power Associations Policymakers Committee, for a couple of years. 00:55:10.280 --> 00:55:13.280 SPEAKER_23: And this year it was amazing. 00:55:13.280 --> 00:55:25.280 SPEAKER_23: The idea is that you invite elected officials and staff from the wide variety of public power entities. 00:55:25.280 --> 00:55:30.280 SPEAKER_23: These are community-owned utilities all throughout the country. 00:55:30.280 --> 00:55:38.280 SPEAKER_23: Come together, sit down, and talk about the biggest issues facing their communities. 00:55:38.280 --> 00:55:46.280 SPEAKER_23: And of course the discussion is always about reliability, keeping costs low. 00:55:47.280 --> 00:56:06.280 SPEAKER_23: But this year it was really interesting to see how the data centers, the AI, artificial intelligence data centers, really took the focus of the conversation. 00:56:06.280 --> 00:56:29.280 SPEAKER_23: There is all kinds of development going on throughout the country, and some places that are courting large businesses who are 500 megawatts, and others who don't really want to have those large loads in their community and they're not sure what to do about it. 00:56:29.280 --> 00:56:54.280 Unknown: So it was really insightful, and it made me think of our own experience, where SMUD, we haven't had any of the huge AI companies come to us, but we do have about 30 data centers already here in Sacramento. 00:56:54.280 --> 00:57:09.280 Unknown: The difference is that these data centers are about 30 megawatts and less, not like the high-end entities or companies that are coming. 00:57:09.280 --> 00:57:15.280 Unknown: But we know it's happening, it's only going to continue to grow. 00:57:15.280 --> 00:57:37.280 SPEAKER_23: And I shared with the committee that SMUD will be adopting our own policy in the matter of another month for how we can allow data centers to bring business but also protect our customers. 00:57:37.280 --> 00:57:41.280 SPEAKER_23: We don't want our customers to pay for stranded costs. 00:57:41.280 --> 00:57:51.280 SPEAKER_23: We don't want our customers to have to pick up the pieces when companies close down two to three years later because they didn't make it. 00:57:51.280 --> 00:57:59.280 SPEAKER_23: And so I shared with the committee, and they want a copy of our policy as soon as we pass it. 00:57:59.280 --> 00:58:11.280 Unknown: But I just want folks to know that when different directors say that SMUD is leading the way, it is true. 00:58:11.280 --> 00:58:20.280 Unknown: We are looking at the issues, and then we come up with a solution that is best for our customers. 00:58:20.280 --> 00:58:30.280 SPEAKER_23: And so I was just really proud to be there and to hear the acknowledgment that, yes, it is possible to balance things. 00:58:30.280 --> 00:58:55.280 SPEAKER_23: And even one public utility said that they're actually helping to lower the cost for their existing customers by getting their large AI users to do demand-side management and shed load during critical times. 00:58:55.280 --> 00:59:01.280 SPEAKER_23: So that's the thing from the APPA. 00:59:01.280 --> 00:59:05.280 SPEAKER_23: And I want you to know, Paul, that all those people love you. 00:59:05.280 --> 00:59:07.280 SPEAKER_23: They know you, and they love you. 00:59:07.280 --> 00:59:12.280 SPEAKER_23: And some of them were surprised that you were leaving. 00:59:12.280 --> 00:59:15.280 SPEAKER_23: I was a little worried about those. 00:59:16.280 --> 00:59:31.280 SPEAKER_23: But it was just really nice to be at that table and to know that SMUD is still leading the way, and we will continue to lead the way with Laura Angue. 00:59:31.280 --> 00:59:38.280 SPEAKER_23: And my personal comments to you, boy, we have had a long ride, buddy. 00:59:38.280 --> 00:59:43.280 SPEAKER_23: You know, I worked at SMUD for 20 years before I retired. 00:59:43.280 --> 00:59:51.280 SPEAKER_23: And there were some times when Paul was my supervisor or our director. 00:59:51.280 --> 01:00:06.280 Unknown: And what I can tell you is that Paul has really grown over the years, because when I first had him as my supervisor, 01:00:06.280 --> 01:00:09.280 SPEAKER_23: he was much different than he is now. 01:00:09.280 --> 01:00:26.280 SPEAKER_23: And I tell you, the age has helped him become more understanding, more able to see that different things happen that cause different things to happen. 01:00:26.280 --> 01:00:31.280 SPEAKER_23: And it's been wonderful to be part of that. 01:00:31.280 --> 01:00:34.280 SPEAKER_23: And I'm sure I've grown, too. 01:00:34.280 --> 01:00:48.280 SPEAKER_23: I hope I've gotten easier to work with, and I hope that you know that I trust staff a whole lot more. 01:00:48.280 --> 01:00:57.280 SPEAKER_23: But what I'll never forget about you is that you were always willing to give me a chance. 01:00:57.280 --> 01:01:01.280 SPEAKER_23: You were always willing to listen to my ideas. 01:01:01.280 --> 01:01:05.280 SPEAKER_23: There would be times when we would have to say, well, let's think about it. 01:01:05.280 --> 01:01:07.280 SPEAKER_23: Let's just think about it. 01:01:07.280 --> 01:01:11.280 SPEAKER_23: And we'll talk later. 01:01:11.280 --> 01:01:20.280 Unknown: But it made a big difference to me how supportive you were of the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. 01:01:21.280 --> 01:01:35.280 SPEAKER_23: It was really important to me that you saw how people will give more of their heart and soul when they're seen and when they're listened to. 01:01:35.280 --> 01:01:45.280 SPEAKER_23: So it's been a lot of fun, and I hate to see you go, but you deserve a break after 45 years. 01:01:45.280 --> 01:01:48.280 SPEAKER_23: The thing is, will he take that break? 01:01:49.280 --> 01:01:52.280 SPEAKER_23: Rosalind, you might have some work to do. 01:01:52.280 --> 01:01:54.280 SPEAKER_23: But thank you, Paul. 01:01:54.280 --> 01:01:57.280 SPEAKER_23: Thank you for being part of my SMUD career. 01:01:57.280 --> 01:02:01.280 SPEAKER_23: Thank you for helping me be a good board member. 01:02:01.280 --> 01:02:04.280 SPEAKER_23: And thank you for being a good friend. 01:02:04.280 --> 01:02:06.280 SPEAKER_23: You're the best. 01:02:08.280 --> 01:02:11.280 Unknown: Well, I guess it's my turn, Ward 5. 01:02:11.280 --> 01:02:15.280 SPEAKER_07: So just a couple of community events real quick. 01:02:15.280 --> 01:02:25.280 SPEAKER_07: I had the real pleasure of speaking to the new Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program graduates from this year. 01:02:25.280 --> 01:02:34.280 Unknown: And I felt like I was looking at all the future SMUD staff there in the audience because we have so many great SMUD staff people who went through that program, 01:02:34.280 --> 01:02:38.280 SPEAKER_07: learning how to be leaders in today's world and in the future. 01:02:39.280 --> 01:02:41.280 Unknown: So number one. 01:02:41.280 --> 01:02:49.280 SPEAKER_07: Number two, I got to fill in for President Tamayo on the SACOG trip, Twin City Tour, 01:02:49.280 --> 01:02:58.280 SPEAKER_07: where we studied what they have done with bus rapid transit in Minneapolis. 01:02:58.280 --> 01:03:02.280 SPEAKER_07: And it was really pretty interesting the way they had, you know, they have a light rail system there, 01:03:02.280 --> 01:03:09.280 SPEAKER_07: but they've really stopped expanding that and are now focusing really entirely on bus rapid transit, 01:03:09.280 --> 01:03:12.280 Unknown: which is dedicated rights away for buses. 01:03:12.280 --> 01:03:15.280 SPEAKER_07: And of course, they're doing some electric buses. 01:03:15.280 --> 01:03:16.280 SPEAKER_07: That's all coming. 01:03:16.280 --> 01:03:17.280 SPEAKER_07: We're pretty happy about that. 01:03:17.280 --> 01:03:20.280 SPEAKER_07: But it's definitely an option for us in the future. 01:03:20.280 --> 01:03:21.280 SPEAKER_07: So it was interesting to be there. 01:03:21.280 --> 01:03:29.280 SPEAKER_07: SACOG is mostly a transportation planning organization, but it does have some electric overlap there. 01:03:30.280 --> 01:03:38.280 SPEAKER_07: Last, the one I want to mention is attended the site selection announcement for Peak Energy. 01:03:38.280 --> 01:03:43.280 SPEAKER_07: They're a sodium battery manufacturer that is moving into the Sacramento area 01:03:43.280 --> 01:03:46.280 Unknown: and use a tremendous amount of power. 01:03:46.280 --> 01:03:48.280 SPEAKER_07: They're going to have a lot of employees. 01:03:48.280 --> 01:03:52.280 SPEAKER_07: There are very many good-paying jobs involved in this. 01:03:52.280 --> 01:03:58.280 SPEAKER_07: And so I'm sitting there, and I wanted just to thank the staff for pulling this off. 01:03:58.280 --> 01:04:02.280 SPEAKER_07: And it didn't just start when they came snooping around looking for a site. 01:04:02.280 --> 01:04:08.280 SPEAKER_07: It started years ago when you all put in place the areas in the Tomis where there would be enough power 01:04:08.280 --> 01:04:15.280 SPEAKER_07: to accept these large manufacturers and ordering the transformers that today are years away, 01:04:15.280 --> 01:04:22.280 SPEAKER_07: but somehow we managed to have already, and that we could welcome this major manufacturer into the Sacramento area. 01:04:22.280 --> 01:04:23.280 SPEAKER_07: And you all pulled that off. 01:04:23.280 --> 01:04:24.280 SPEAKER_07: So thank you. 01:04:24.280 --> 01:04:25.280 SPEAKER_07: Thank you for doing that. 01:04:25.280 --> 01:04:28.280 SPEAKER_07: That's a lot of great jobs there. 01:04:28.280 --> 01:04:34.280 Unknown: Paul, there's one thing I agree with everything everyone else has said. 01:04:34.280 --> 01:04:39.280 SPEAKER_07: There's one thing I really have to say has meant so much to me, 01:04:39.280 --> 01:04:45.280 Unknown: and that is that you never forgot the people who have a hard time paying their bills. 01:04:45.280 --> 01:04:47.280 Unknown: And that is just so key. 01:04:47.280 --> 01:04:50.280 SPEAKER_07: And I think all the board members agree with that. 01:04:50.280 --> 01:05:00.280 SPEAKER_07: But in an industry where throughout the country double digit rate increases are common every year, 01:05:00.280 --> 01:05:07.280 SPEAKER_07: where so many people struggle to pay their bills, where they just can't make ends meet 01:05:07.280 --> 01:05:10.280 SPEAKER_07: because of these enormous power bills that are coming out, 01:05:10.280 --> 01:05:14.280 SPEAKER_07: in some ways it would be easy to say, well, it kind of takes the pressure off us. 01:05:14.280 --> 01:05:16.280 SPEAKER_07: We can ratchet the bills up a little. 01:05:16.280 --> 01:05:17.280 SPEAKER_07: It'll be fine. 01:05:17.280 --> 01:05:18.280 SPEAKER_07: Everybody else is. 01:05:19.280 --> 01:05:20.280 SPEAKER_07: But the answer was always no. 01:05:20.280 --> 01:05:23.280 SPEAKER_07: We're going to keep this thing below inflation. 01:05:23.280 --> 01:05:29.280 Unknown: Probably the only CEO in the country that has said that and managed to do it. 01:05:29.280 --> 01:05:33.280 Unknown: And so to that end, thank you. 01:05:33.280 --> 01:05:37.280 Unknown: And it didn't stop at just keeping the rates low. 01:05:37.280 --> 01:05:43.280 Unknown: It went on to finding all that grant money to go through the older neighborhoods 01:05:44.280 --> 01:05:50.280 SPEAKER_07: and to retrofit them electrically, whether it's Meadowview, whether it's the North Gate Garden Land area, 01:05:50.280 --> 01:05:55.280 SPEAKER_07: all the different programs that we found to help people live better in their homes 01:05:55.280 --> 01:05:58.280 SPEAKER_07: with electricity that they can afford. 01:05:58.280 --> 01:06:01.280 SPEAKER_07: And that's way beyond. 01:06:04.280 --> 01:06:07.280 Unknown: It's the kind of thing we don't put in a job description, right? 01:06:07.280 --> 01:06:12.280 SPEAKER_07: We'd say, hey, why don't you go find a couple of grants and maybe we can make things a little better. 01:06:13.280 --> 01:06:16.280 SPEAKER_07: No, instead it's like this is going to be a major focus. 01:06:16.280 --> 01:06:18.280 SPEAKER_07: We're going to set up an effort to land these grants. 01:06:18.280 --> 01:06:23.280 SPEAKER_07: We're going to bring them in here that's just so far beyond what is really reasonable to expect from a CEO. 01:06:23.280 --> 01:06:24.280 SPEAKER_07: But you did it. 01:06:24.280 --> 01:06:25.280 Unknown: So thank you. 01:06:25.280 --> 01:06:26.280 SPEAKER_07: Thank you very much. 01:06:26.280 --> 01:06:32.280 SPEAKER_07: And I guess I'd like to pass on the one last thing. 01:06:32.280 --> 01:06:36.280 SPEAKER_07: I think I've known Paul longer than anyone in the room. 01:06:36.280 --> 01:06:38.280 SPEAKER_07: Even you, Rosalind. 01:06:38.280 --> 01:06:40.280 Unknown: Because we went to high school together. 01:06:43.280 --> 01:06:46.280 SPEAKER_07: And I remember Paul. 01:06:46.280 --> 01:06:49.280 SPEAKER_07: I was a senior, but I remember Paul as a sophomore. 01:06:49.280 --> 01:06:54.280 SPEAKER_07: And I actually thought that he had a ping pong paddle growing for a hand. 01:06:54.280 --> 01:06:56.280 SPEAKER_07: Because everywhere he went was ping pong. 01:06:56.280 --> 01:06:58.280 SPEAKER_07: Ping pong an hour before school. 01:06:58.280 --> 01:06:59.280 SPEAKER_07: Ping pong lunch. 01:06:59.280 --> 01:07:00.280 SPEAKER_07: Ping pong after school. 01:07:00.280 --> 01:07:02.280 SPEAKER_07: I'm sorry, table tennis. 01:07:02.280 --> 01:07:07.280 SPEAKER_07: But no, I do remember Paul from being in high school together. 01:07:08.280 --> 01:07:13.280 Unknown: And we actually grew up kind of in the same neighborhood in North Sac. 01:07:13.280 --> 01:07:16.280 SPEAKER_07: And memory serves. 01:07:16.280 --> 01:07:22.280 SPEAKER_07: One of Paul's first jobs was at Sammy's Restaurant on Del Paso. 01:07:22.280 --> 01:07:23.280 Unknown: What's that? 01:07:23.280 --> 01:07:25.280 SPEAKER_07: Wiener Schnitzel. 01:07:25.280 --> 01:07:26.280 SPEAKER_07: That's right. 01:07:29.280 --> 01:07:31.280 Unknown: So you know, you roll a clock forward. 01:07:31.280 --> 01:07:33.280 SPEAKER_07: They just landed a pretty good sized grant from us. 01:07:33.280 --> 01:07:36.280 SPEAKER_07: I'll bet they have no recollection of that. 01:07:36.280 --> 01:07:40.280 Unknown: Anyway, thank you for just going above and beyond and keeping your eye on the ball. 01:07:40.280 --> 01:07:42.280 SPEAKER_07: And remembering what all of us here. 01:07:42.280 --> 01:07:45.280 SPEAKER_07: We all say, but we were able to actually do. 01:07:45.280 --> 01:07:46.280 SPEAKER_07: Thank you. 01:07:51.280 --> 01:07:53.280 Unknown: I'll just start with a couple of community events. 01:07:53.280 --> 01:07:56.280 SPEAKER_11: I just want to thank again, Director Fishman. 01:07:56.280 --> 01:07:59.280 SPEAKER_11: You're on the American River Parkway Foundation board. 01:07:59.280 --> 01:08:00.280 SPEAKER_11: And it was a fantastic event. 01:08:00.280 --> 01:08:03.280 SPEAKER_11: And it's such a jewel of our community. 01:08:03.280 --> 01:08:08.280 SPEAKER_11: And the Parkway Foundation does so much to bolster the park that we all cherish 01:08:08.280 --> 01:08:11.280 SPEAKER_11: and go exercise on and enjoy quiet time out there. 01:08:11.280 --> 01:08:14.280 SPEAKER_11: So that was a beautiful event. 01:08:14.280 --> 01:08:20.280 Unknown: I want to thank the staff who took us out to see the Twin Cities Solar Project site in Harold. 01:08:20.280 --> 01:08:22.280 SPEAKER_11: That was very helpful. 01:08:22.280 --> 01:08:25.280 SPEAKER_11: And so thank you so much to the staff who did that. 01:08:25.280 --> 01:08:28.280 Unknown: Very helpful to see things yourself. 01:08:28.280 --> 01:08:32.280 SPEAKER_11: And then went to the Sacramento Business Journal Women Who Mean Business Awards. 01:08:33.279 --> 01:08:35.279 Unknown: I'd won it a few years ago. 01:08:35.279 --> 01:08:37.279 SPEAKER_11: I know Dr. Brud Thompson has. 01:08:37.279 --> 01:08:40.279 SPEAKER_11: And there's so many incredible women in this town. 01:08:41.279 --> 01:08:46.279 Unknown: We had Donna Lucas, my friend Anne Fong. 01:08:46.279 --> 01:08:47.279 SPEAKER_11: She won. 01:08:47.279 --> 01:08:51.279 SPEAKER_11: But there was just so many impressive women up there doing such wonderful things in our community. 01:08:51.279 --> 01:08:56.279 SPEAKER_11: And I really want to thank David Lichtman from the Sacramento Business Journal for doing that event 01:08:56.279 --> 01:08:59.279 SPEAKER_11: and uplifting women who mean business. 01:08:59.279 --> 01:09:04.279 SPEAKER_11: Because they run amazing businesses in this community and they deserve that kind of attention. 01:09:06.279 --> 01:09:11.279 Unknown: So, Paul, first of all, it's easy following all of them because they said a lot of things. 01:09:11.279 --> 01:09:13.279 SPEAKER_11: So I get to add on to that. 01:09:13.279 --> 01:09:17.279 Unknown: So I just want to say, you know, there's two things. 01:09:17.279 --> 01:09:19.279 SPEAKER_11: It's your work, but it's also who you are. 01:09:19.279 --> 01:09:26.279 Unknown: And who you are is just a person of high integrity who cares about people deeply in this community. 01:09:27.279 --> 01:09:31.279 SPEAKER_11: I don't know if people can fully understand, because we see him up close, 01:09:31.279 --> 01:09:39.279 SPEAKER_11: how deeply he cares about this community and how much effort and time he put into making sure it's the best community it can be. 01:09:40.279 --> 01:09:43.279 SPEAKER_11: We are not just your electricity provider. 01:09:43.279 --> 01:09:48.279 SPEAKER_11: By keeping our rates low, reliable, and safe, we attract business to this community. 01:09:48.279 --> 01:09:51.279 SPEAKER_11: We are a major reason businesses cite here. 01:09:51.279 --> 01:09:55.279 SPEAKER_11: Many times we've been told it is the major reason they cited here. 01:09:56.279 --> 01:10:02.279 SPEAKER_11: So that's due to all of our staff, but Paul, there's leadership that comes. 01:10:02.279 --> 01:10:05.279 SPEAKER_11: And we've had a line of really good leaders. 01:10:05.279 --> 01:10:09.279 SPEAKER_11: And you've still done their shoulders and you took it to a whole new level. 01:10:09.279 --> 01:10:14.279 SPEAKER_11: And so when I was president in 2023, that was the first year we went and I said, 01:10:14.279 --> 01:10:21.279 SPEAKER_11: look, if we're going to do this 2030 thing and shoot for the moon, then we should be telling the whole world how we do it. 01:10:22.279 --> 01:10:29.279 SPEAKER_11: Because we're keeping the rates low, the power on, going green, going renewable, and providing great customer service. 01:10:29.279 --> 01:10:31.279 SPEAKER_11: That is so unusual. 01:10:31.279 --> 01:10:36.279 SPEAKER_11: And when we went, and Brandon was there, Director Rose, we saw it. 01:10:36.279 --> 01:10:39.279 SPEAKER_11: I mean, we always hear in conferences, we have SMUD NV. 01:10:39.279 --> 01:10:40.279 SPEAKER_11: Oh, you're with SMUD. 01:10:40.279 --> 01:10:41.279 SPEAKER_11: We have SMUD NV. 01:10:41.279 --> 01:10:42.279 SPEAKER_11: And I'm like, really? 01:10:42.279 --> 01:10:43.279 SPEAKER_11: That's really a thing. 01:10:43.279 --> 01:10:50.279 SPEAKER_11: But internationally, we were in this room, absolutely huge, biggest old table I've ever seen. 01:10:50.279 --> 01:10:58.279 Unknown: When Paul was talking, the entire room of CEOs of the world's biggest utilities could have heard a pin drop in that room. 01:10:58.279 --> 01:11:05.279 Unknown: Because what Paul was saying was about our 2030 goal, how we were getting there, how we were not going over cost of living rate increases. 01:11:05.279 --> 01:11:10.279 SPEAKER_11: And we were doing it by uplifting the whole of the community and not leaving anybody behind. 01:11:10.279 --> 01:11:13.279 SPEAKER_11: It absolutely blew their socks off. 01:11:13.279 --> 01:11:18.279 SPEAKER_11: And I remember that we had a beer later with the gentleman who ran the utility of Ireland. 01:11:19.279 --> 01:11:21.279 SPEAKER_11: And the whole country. 01:11:21.279 --> 01:11:23.279 SPEAKER_11: And he was just like, how did you do that? 01:11:23.279 --> 01:11:24.279 SPEAKER_11: You know? 01:11:24.279 --> 01:11:34.279 SPEAKER_11: And we were, it was just fascinating to watch people just soak up what this group and this team has done with your leadership. 01:11:34.279 --> 01:11:36.279 Unknown: We got the green bonds done. 01:11:36.279 --> 01:11:41.279 SPEAKER_11: We got, when we were there in Dubai, we got the certificate, the first in the world climate bond. 01:11:42.279 --> 01:11:47.279 SPEAKER_11: We did the first signing of an international agreement with Edison International. 01:11:47.279 --> 01:11:56.279 SPEAKER_11: So we had the private sector and SMUD representing public sector signing with other utilities of the world saying we will all share information. 01:11:56.279 --> 01:12:02.279 SPEAKER_11: Because as we're all trying to get to more renewable energy, we really want to make sure that we're not reinventing the wheel. 01:12:02.279 --> 01:12:06.279 SPEAKER_11: That we're not all testing the same thing at the same time and wasting our time. 01:12:06.279 --> 01:12:08.279 SPEAKER_11: You test this, we'll test that, and we'll share data. 01:12:09.279 --> 01:12:11.279 SPEAKER_11: And that's how we'll all move further faster. 01:12:11.279 --> 01:12:16.279 SPEAKER_11: That kind of international cooperation is needed now more than ever. 01:12:16.279 --> 01:12:18.279 SPEAKER_11: And we are the tip of the spear. 01:12:18.279 --> 01:12:22.279 SPEAKER_11: And I really hope the community understands what leadership we do bring. 01:12:22.279 --> 01:12:25.279 SPEAKER_11: But Paul, you really led us there. 01:12:25.279 --> 01:12:27.279 Unknown: And we cannot thank you enough the world. 01:12:27.279 --> 01:12:30.279 SPEAKER_11: Well, someday I understand what you did. 01:12:30.279 --> 01:12:32.279 SPEAKER_11: But really, it's incredible. 01:12:32.279 --> 01:12:42.279 SPEAKER_11: And I know, Laura, being our zero carbon officer, you are going to take this to the next level and stand on his shoulders as he stood on our lens and all those before him. 01:12:42.279 --> 01:12:44.279 SPEAKER_11: So thank you for everything. 01:12:44.279 --> 01:12:47.279 SPEAKER_11: You're a dear friend and a wonderful human. 01:12:47.279 --> 01:12:49.279 SPEAKER_11: And it's my honor to know you. 01:12:49.279 --> 01:12:50.279 SPEAKER_11: Thank you for your service. 01:12:54.279 --> 01:12:55.279 Unknown: All right. 01:12:55.279 --> 01:12:56.279 SPEAKER_17: So I get a turn now. 01:12:56.279 --> 01:13:01.279 SPEAKER_17: So first, the activities I had out in the community. 01:13:01.279 --> 01:13:07.279 SPEAKER_17: I had the pleasure of attending a Los Rios community college district board meeting. 01:13:07.279 --> 01:13:25.279 SPEAKER_17: And I just very briefly wanted to represent SMUD in welcoming their new chancellor and just talking about how much we value our partnership with them in improving the region on workforce and STEM education. 01:13:26.279 --> 01:13:31.279 SPEAKER_17: I just felt that it was important that, you know, just to sort of underline that relationship. 01:13:31.279 --> 01:13:33.279 SPEAKER_17: It wasn't a big ceremony or anything. 01:13:33.279 --> 01:13:37.279 SPEAKER_17: I just went there to say welcome to Sacramento or welcome back to Sacramento. 01:13:37.279 --> 01:13:47.279 SPEAKER_17: Chancellor Torrance Powell, he had worked for Los Rios previously, went away, I think, to Santa Rosa. 01:13:47.279 --> 01:13:49.279 SPEAKER_17: And then we got him back. 01:13:49.279 --> 01:13:51.279 SPEAKER_17: And so happy to have him here. 01:13:52.279 --> 01:14:07.279 SPEAKER_17: Participated in a number of the Morelia delegation events and went to City Hall where the City Hall passed the resolution to do their part in establishing the sister city relationship. 01:14:08.279 --> 01:14:20.279 SPEAKER_17: Jose Badipa-Memba and I attended a workshop or presentations on economic development. 01:14:20.279 --> 01:14:33.279 SPEAKER_17: And Jose did a great job of representing SMUD, doing a presentation, talking about, you know, how we work in the community and support economic development. 01:14:33.279 --> 01:14:36.279 SPEAKER_17: And I think people were very impressed with that. 01:14:36.279 --> 01:14:44.279 SPEAKER_17: And all of that just sort of helped strengthen the relationship that we hope to continue to build between our region. 01:14:44.279 --> 01:14:58.279 SPEAKER_17: Because, you know, it is the city of Sacramento, but really we're a more regional organization and thinking in those terms of developing the relationship between the regions. 01:15:00.279 --> 01:15:01.279 Unknown: It was great. 01:15:01.279 --> 01:15:04.279 SPEAKER_17: I attended the peak energy event as well. 01:15:04.279 --> 01:15:13.279 SPEAKER_17: I had a chance to speak and really talk about, you know, how important that particular project is for our region. 01:15:13.279 --> 01:15:16.279 SPEAKER_17: It's a $70 million investment. 01:15:16.279 --> 01:15:19.279 SPEAKER_17: They moved here instead of Houston. 01:15:19.279 --> 01:15:22.279 SPEAKER_17: I think you're probably going to talk about it in your thing. 01:15:22.279 --> 01:15:24.279 SPEAKER_17: So I don't want to steal too much thunder. 01:15:24.279 --> 01:15:33.279 SPEAKER_17: But SMUD was a key reason that they decided to pick Sacramento. 01:15:33.279 --> 01:15:45.279 SPEAKER_17: And so, you know, Blue Diamond employees that are getting laid off are going to get retrained, work in this factory, and make more than twice as much money as they were making before. 01:15:45.279 --> 01:15:47.279 SPEAKER_17: So it's an incredible win for our region. 01:15:47.279 --> 01:16:08.279 SPEAKER_17: It's a great, you know, great start to our efforts and the whole region's efforts to build this ecosystem of advanced manufacturing, especially things that are related to energy and what we need to have in place to make this clean energy transition. 01:16:09.279 --> 01:16:13.279 SPEAKER_17: So, and thank you for your leadership. 01:16:13.279 --> 01:16:19.279 SPEAKER_17: Thank you to our Laura Angwai and James Frasier for leading the effort. 01:16:19.279 --> 01:16:28.279 SPEAKER_17: But, you know, that was all part of, you know, getting them to come here and them understanding our commitment to working with them. 01:16:28.279 --> 01:16:40.279 SPEAKER_17: But it's really, that's just another example of your leadership in the vision that you have supporting things like G-Sec and what started out as a mobility center. 01:16:40.279 --> 01:16:42.279 SPEAKER_17: And oh, yeah, I was going to mention that as well. 01:16:42.279 --> 01:16:48.279 SPEAKER_17: So I went to a workshop that they had at what is now called Cal-Epic. 01:16:48.279 --> 01:16:55.279 SPEAKER_17: And there are folks, a lot of folks from the state, both agencies and then representatives of legislature. 01:16:56.279 --> 01:16:58.279 SPEAKER_17: And we did a nice little tour of their facility. 01:16:58.279 --> 01:17:05.279 SPEAKER_17: And they had all these high school students who were really enthusiastic about learning how to be Rivian technicians. 01:17:05.279 --> 01:17:07.279 SPEAKER_17: And it was hands-on. 01:17:07.279 --> 01:17:17.279 SPEAKER_17: They have these, they built a site that's exactly set up the way Rivian has its service centers, which is apparently standardized throughout the country. 01:17:17.279 --> 01:17:19.279 SPEAKER_17: So they've set it up that way. 01:17:19.279 --> 01:17:24.279 SPEAKER_17: And then these young people work there, learn how it works. 01:17:24.279 --> 01:17:30.279 SPEAKER_17: They go to a real service center, shadow people, come back, go to the next level. 01:17:30.279 --> 01:17:36.279 SPEAKER_17: And then by the time they're done, they know whether that's something that they want to pursue. 01:17:36.279 --> 01:17:44.279 SPEAKER_17: And then also Rivian knows, oh, yeah, this person worked here several times and they were great. 01:17:44.279 --> 01:17:46.279 SPEAKER_17: They're going to get a job. 01:17:46.279 --> 01:17:51.279 SPEAKER_17: So that's something that we've been very supportive of with Cal-Epic. 01:17:51.279 --> 01:17:52.279 SPEAKER_17: And it's great. 01:17:52.279 --> 01:17:53.279 SPEAKER_17: That's another part of that. 01:17:53.279 --> 01:17:56.279 SPEAKER_17: Ecosystem that we're creating. 01:17:56.279 --> 01:18:02.279 SPEAKER_17: So that was yet another fruit of your vision and your leadership. 01:18:02.279 --> 01:18:06.279 SPEAKER_17: And then finally, I'll talk about the SAC Asian Sports Foundation. 01:18:06.279 --> 01:18:08.279 SPEAKER_17: That was just so joyful. 01:18:08.279 --> 01:18:11.279 SPEAKER_17: And the personal connection that you had to it. 01:18:11.279 --> 01:18:18.279 SPEAKER_17: And I know that we support a lot of great things where we may not have that long-term personal connection. 01:18:19.279 --> 01:18:26.279 SPEAKER_17: But it was great to hear from you your really long-term personal connection and your family's connection to that. 01:18:26.279 --> 01:18:36.279 SPEAKER_17: And what that very important institution is doing to help us advance electrification, help people understand, 01:18:36.279 --> 01:18:42.279 SPEAKER_17: yes, you can cook Chinese food in an electric walk and it'll be good. 01:18:43.279 --> 01:18:51.279 SPEAKER_17: And it's important that it's in a very well-respected and visible institution in our community. 01:18:51.279 --> 01:18:54.279 SPEAKER_17: So it's just a great thing. 01:18:54.279 --> 01:19:03.279 SPEAKER_17: So moving on to, and I know I've been spouting pop, praise of Paul, and stealing that from us. 01:19:03.279 --> 01:19:11.279 SPEAKER_17: And I also got the idea of when I set up the shrine in my house for the POP, 01:19:11.279 --> 01:19:15.279 SPEAKER_17: it's going to have something to do with Wiener Schnitzel. 01:19:15.279 --> 01:19:20.279 SPEAKER_17: But there's so many things that you've done. 01:19:20.279 --> 01:19:29.279 SPEAKER_17: And the 2030 carbon plan, which you brought to us, or at least the idea of it, you didn't bring the plan, 01:19:29.279 --> 01:19:31.279 SPEAKER_17: but you brought the outlines of it. 01:19:31.279 --> 01:19:32.279 SPEAKER_17: This is what we're going to do. 01:19:32.279 --> 01:19:35.279 SPEAKER_17: It's like, oh my God, this guy is amazing. 01:19:35.279 --> 01:19:41.279 SPEAKER_17: So we're going to hire him and we're going to hold him to this 2030 zero carbon plan. 01:19:41.279 --> 01:19:48.279 SPEAKER_17: And it's far exceeded what I ever expected. 01:19:48.279 --> 01:19:50.279 SPEAKER_17: It's so great. 01:19:50.279 --> 01:19:55.279 SPEAKER_17: And even though we have all these headwinds, we've still made so much progress. 01:19:55.279 --> 01:20:01.279 SPEAKER_17: We've advanced really the industry and what people expect out of their utility. 01:20:02.279 --> 01:20:11.279 SPEAKER_17: And doing it all with, and actually I'm really proud of that, but I'm even more proud of all the investment 01:20:11.279 --> 01:20:20.279 SPEAKER_17: and all the intention and resources and energy of this organization that's put into helping the community 01:20:20.279 --> 01:20:25.279 SPEAKER_17: in so many different ways with workforce development, helping people lower their bills, 01:20:25.279 --> 01:20:29.279 SPEAKER_17: helping people just be able to pay their bills. 01:20:29.279 --> 01:20:35.279 SPEAKER_17: All the different things that we've done to improve the community under your leadership, 01:20:35.279 --> 01:20:44.279 SPEAKER_17: just like when people ask me what do we do at SMUD and why am I there? 01:20:44.279 --> 01:20:51.279 SPEAKER_17: It's like, because I want to make sure that we keep doing this stuff and make sure they understand. 01:20:51.279 --> 01:20:56.279 SPEAKER_17: As board members, we don't do the work, but we say, yeah, keep doing that. 01:20:56.279 --> 01:20:59.279 SPEAKER_17: And you have really made it happen. 01:20:59.279 --> 01:21:09.279 SPEAKER_17: You're the reason that, or you're a key part of the reason that people say, I love SMUD so often. 01:21:09.279 --> 01:21:10.279 SPEAKER_17: You hear it all the time. 01:21:10.279 --> 01:21:12.279 SPEAKER_17: I'm sure you hear it. 01:21:12.279 --> 01:21:18.279 SPEAKER_17: I'm sure most of our staff out in the community hear it when people find out that they work at SMUD. 01:21:18.279 --> 01:21:27.279 SPEAKER_17: So it's under your leadership that we have this culture where our staff, we're all going in the same direction, 01:21:27.279 --> 01:21:30.279 SPEAKER_17: and that's why people love us. 01:21:30.279 --> 01:21:35.279 SPEAKER_17: And by extension, because you're there, people love you. 01:21:35.279 --> 01:21:39.279 Unknown: And I know that, you know, I've heard people say that they love you. 01:21:39.279 --> 01:21:45.279 SPEAKER_17: Probably not the people, just most people don't even know that SMUD is a public agency. 01:21:45.279 --> 01:21:52.279 SPEAKER_17: But that love for SMUD, a lot of it is because of you, because of your leadership. 01:21:52.279 --> 01:22:01.279 Unknown: You're such a great person, and that's really resulted way beyond just your technical abilities and leadership. 01:22:01.279 --> 01:22:09.279 SPEAKER_17: But just that heart that you have, I think that's what's led us to these incredible results. 01:22:09.279 --> 01:22:18.279 SPEAKER_17: So I'm going to, before I get too verklempt, I'm going to stop there, and I'm going to pass it on to you. 01:22:18.279 --> 01:22:26.279 SPEAKER_17: And thank you so much for everything that you've done for the last, well, your whole life, I'm sure. 01:22:26.279 --> 01:22:27.279 SPEAKER_17: It's your whole life. 01:22:27.279 --> 01:22:28.279 SPEAKER_17: You've done wonderful things. 01:22:28.279 --> 01:22:33.279 Unknown: Although Rob probably has some things to share about your high school career. 01:22:33.279 --> 01:22:34.279 SPEAKER_17: All right. 01:22:34.279 --> 01:22:35.279 SPEAKER_25: Go ahead, Paul. 01:22:35.279 --> 01:22:37.279 SPEAKER_25: Well, thank you so much, President Tamayo. 01:22:38.279 --> 01:22:43.279 SPEAKER_25: First of all, thank you so much, President Tamayo and the board, for the kind words. 01:22:43.279 --> 01:22:45.279 SPEAKER_25: A lot of retirement. 01:22:45.279 --> 01:22:52.279 SPEAKER_25: Also, I want to thank, obviously, Senator Ashby, and also Matt from Hummee Bear's office for coming down, 01:22:52.279 --> 01:22:55.279 SPEAKER_25: for presenting the resolution. 01:22:55.279 --> 01:22:58.279 SPEAKER_25: But I really want to say a big thanks to everyone in the room today. 01:22:58.279 --> 01:23:02.279 SPEAKER_25: So all of my good friends that I've worked with for the past four decades. 01:23:02.279 --> 01:23:07.279 SPEAKER_25: A lot of you have not been here for the past four decades, but some of you have, some of you have not. 01:23:07.279 --> 01:23:15.279 SPEAKER_25: So it's so great to see Steve, Hoyt from PSO, Frug, all those folks that you'll hear from, Sarah, James over there, 01:23:15.279 --> 01:23:18.279 SPEAKER_25: and I see Andrew back at the legal that we spent all the time together. 01:23:18.279 --> 01:23:25.279 SPEAKER_25: So I think what it is is that when I look back, I'm avoiding my family for a second right now. 01:23:27.279 --> 01:23:28.279 Unknown: I'll get to that a little bit later. 01:23:28.279 --> 01:23:35.279 SPEAKER_25: But I just really want to say that, you know, I want to thank the board for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, you know, 01:23:35.279 --> 01:23:39.279 Unknown: to serve an organization that I absolutely love. 01:23:39.279 --> 01:23:40.279 SPEAKER_25: I think Nancy, you said it right. 01:23:40.279 --> 01:23:42.279 SPEAKER_25: We've been together for a long time. 01:23:42.279 --> 01:23:43.279 SPEAKER_25: And you're absolutely right. 01:23:43.279 --> 01:23:44.279 SPEAKER_25: I just did the math today. 01:23:44.279 --> 01:23:47.279 SPEAKER_25: I have spent 70% of my life as SMUD. 01:23:48.279 --> 01:23:52.279 Unknown: Almost my whole entire adult life actually have spent on SMUD. 01:23:52.279 --> 01:23:55.279 SPEAKER_25: And I'm an engineer kind of guy, right? 01:23:55.279 --> 01:24:06.279 SPEAKER_25: So I calculated that I have done over 1,500 board meetings and committee meetings with 90,000 hours. 01:24:06.279 --> 01:24:08.279 SPEAKER_25: That alone is a good reason to retire. 01:24:12.279 --> 01:24:20.279 Unknown: So when I look back and say, you know what, it's really that, you know, people always ask me, it's like, you know, what's the SMUD's secret of success? 01:24:20.279 --> 01:24:21.279 SPEAKER_25: And I said, there's two things. 01:24:22.279 --> 01:24:26.279 Unknown: The first thing is that I'm looking at all of you. 01:24:26.279 --> 01:24:40.279 SPEAKER_25: We have a board that is very innovative, very visionary, very courageous to set goals that other utilities and other boards is afraid to set because of the failure of failure. 01:24:41.279 --> 01:24:45.279 Unknown: But what's more amazing is that besides doing that, a lot of people don't know this. 01:24:45.279 --> 01:24:50.279 SPEAKER_25: You guys are one of the most committed board that I know in serving the Sacramento region. 01:24:50.279 --> 01:24:54.279 SPEAKER_25: People don't know that our board member has 800 committee meetings last year. 01:24:54.279 --> 01:24:59.279 SPEAKER_25: So on average, each one of you has attended at least 125 committee meetings. 01:24:59.279 --> 01:25:00.279 SPEAKER_25: And that's a lot. 01:25:00.279 --> 01:25:03.279 SPEAKER_25: But not that you just attend meetings. 01:25:03.279 --> 01:25:10.279 SPEAKER_25: You go to meet customers where they're at and you really take your time to listen about really what challenges they have. 01:25:10.279 --> 01:25:17.279 SPEAKER_25: And you come back and you challenge SMUD staff to see what we can do to help. 01:25:17.279 --> 01:25:25.279 SPEAKER_25: So you heard President Tamayo talk about how did we came up with the, you know, completely electrifying the whole middle area. 01:25:25.279 --> 01:25:29.279 SPEAKER_25: That's because our board members went out and did neighborhood walks. 01:25:29.279 --> 01:25:38.279 SPEAKER_25: And they hear how difficult it is, you know, living in those really poor conditions, you know, in the houses, poorly insulated, you know, equipment doesn't work. 01:25:38.279 --> 01:25:41.279 SPEAKER_25: And you trust staff. 01:25:41.279 --> 01:25:44.279 SPEAKER_25: And trust the staff to say, go find a solution. 01:25:44.279 --> 01:25:59.279 SPEAKER_25: And we did, you know, working with, obviously, with the city, the county, and also with the neighborhood associations and with the California Matsui that we were able to get $3 million from the federal government, $3 million from SMUD, and we completely revitalized the whole neighborhood. 01:25:59.279 --> 01:26:12.279 Unknown: And this is really from hearing from the board out in the community, listening to our community and our customers about what's important and what really should a utility do. 01:26:12.279 --> 01:26:17.279 Unknown: I still remember, you probably don't remember that we actually created the Zero Carbon Plan. 01:26:17.279 --> 01:26:25.279 SPEAKER_25: We spent six months on the community asking them, what do you expect from a community owned electric utility? 01:26:25.279 --> 01:26:41.279 Unknown: And we heard loud and clear, obviously, yeah, keep the rates affordable, keep the powers on, do everything you can to address climate change, but also be much bigger than that, making sure no community get left behind, making sure that, you know, people will understand that there's 100,000 of our customers can't pay the bill every single month. 01:26:42.279 --> 01:26:48.279 Unknown: We need to do everything we can to make, to improve the quality of life for the Sacramento area. 01:26:48.279 --> 01:26:53.279 SPEAKER_25: I still remember the board changing, you know, Vision 1A and 1B because we said, that is what's important. 01:26:53.279 --> 01:26:55.279 SPEAKER_25: That's what our customers told us. 01:26:55.279 --> 01:27:04.279 SPEAKER_25: And the board has the courage to actually set that forward, but also having the trust and trusting staff that we're going to execute. 01:27:05.279 --> 01:27:12.279 Unknown: A lot of times, when we know people always talk about, I always talk about this is that our board is a policy governance board, which most people don't understand what that is. 01:27:12.279 --> 01:27:18.279 SPEAKER_25: And thus, the board is set on looking to strategic vision, where do you want SMUT to go? 01:27:18.279 --> 01:27:20.279 SPEAKER_25: How do you measure our performance? 01:27:20.279 --> 01:27:24.279 SPEAKER_25: And then empower staff to go do the right thing. 01:27:24.279 --> 01:27:31.279 Unknown: And so for that, I'm actually forever grateful for giving me a chance to work with you, but also work with this amazing staff. 01:27:32.279 --> 01:27:38.279 Unknown: So for the last 40, you know, for the last half and half years, it's absolute an honor and a privilege working with you. 01:27:38.279 --> 01:27:47.279 SPEAKER_25: And a lot of you have known me for many years, and I'm really thankful for each one of you has helped me grow as a leader in one way or another. 01:27:47.279 --> 01:27:48.279 SPEAKER_25: So thank you. 01:27:48.279 --> 01:27:57.279 SPEAKER_25: You know, Brandon, when I look at you, I said, you always keep us honest in terms of how do you make the budget presentation better so the public can actually understand, right? 01:27:57.279 --> 01:27:58.279 Unknown: Because it's complex. 01:27:58.279 --> 01:27:59.279 SPEAKER_25: It's $2.3 billion. 01:27:59.279 --> 01:28:03.279 SPEAKER_25: You know, when you get up there and talk about it, how do you make sure that we're spending the money? 01:28:03.279 --> 01:28:05.279 SPEAKER_25: That's important to our customers. 01:28:05.279 --> 01:28:06.279 SPEAKER_25: And how do you hold us accountable? 01:28:06.279 --> 01:28:07.279 SPEAKER_25: So thank you. 01:28:07.279 --> 01:28:17.279 SPEAKER_25: And then, Nancy, you know, you've been, you know, sorry, Director Bowie-Thompson, you know, you've been, you know, you've been always been an advocate of solar about all the customer programs and always really about challenging us. 01:28:17.279 --> 01:28:21.279 SPEAKER_25: What do we need to do for our low-income customers? 01:28:21.279 --> 01:28:33.279 SPEAKER_25: The people who can't pay the bill, because you are those folks that lift first hands what is it like to having without the means to pay your bills or put food on the table from your family when you're growing up. 01:28:33.279 --> 01:28:35.279 SPEAKER_25: So thank you for always reminding us that. 01:28:35.279 --> 01:28:41.279 SPEAKER_25: And then, Director Kurz, I mean, I always said, you know, what, we, I know we went to school together, went to high school together. 01:28:41.279 --> 01:28:50.279 SPEAKER_25: And I was always never forget, you know, Director Kurz, when you actually came and talked to me about really, you know, when you are a leader, when you run, you know, 01:28:50.279 --> 01:28:55.279 SPEAKER_25: smart CEO, is more than just, you know, being a leader of a company. 01:28:55.279 --> 01:29:03.279 Unknown: You have to understand that we are a community-owned organization, and everything that we do, we have to keep the customer in mind. 01:29:03.279 --> 01:29:05.279 SPEAKER_25: I don't know if you remember this or not. 01:29:05.279 --> 01:29:11.279 SPEAKER_25: He told me that every dollar we take out from our rates, we take out from our customers. 01:29:11.279 --> 01:29:12.279 SPEAKER_25: Don't ever forget that. 01:29:12.279 --> 01:29:14.279 SPEAKER_25: So thank you. 01:29:14.279 --> 01:29:18.279 SPEAKER_25: And then, Director, you know, President DeBio, you're the one that's always inspired staff. 01:29:18.279 --> 01:29:24.279 SPEAKER_25: I know you're kidding when you say, hey, I, you know, we do all the wonderful things that smart staff does. 01:29:24.279 --> 01:29:26.279 SPEAKER_25: I want them to recognize. 01:29:26.279 --> 01:29:32.279 Unknown: I want you to get, make sure that people know what smart does, and I think we're well-entracted for your 52 awards per year. 01:29:32.279 --> 01:29:33.279 SPEAKER_25: So thank you for that. 01:29:33.279 --> 01:29:36.279 SPEAKER_25: Thank you for that inspirational. 01:29:36.279 --> 01:29:44.279 Unknown: And then for, you know, for, you know, Director Fisherman, you know, you've always been, you know, and for those of you who don't know, Director Fisherman actually has WorkforceMUT before, left. 01:29:44.279 --> 01:29:52.279 SPEAKER_25: And so, Director Fisherman is the one I usually talk to call about, hey, Director Fisherman, if we do this, what does the community think? 01:29:52.279 --> 01:29:55.279 SPEAKER_25: How does news media going to react to this? 01:29:55.279 --> 01:30:02.279 SPEAKER_25: And you've always been, you know, very, you've been kind of my sage in terms of putting balance into something that's a lot of times very complicated, if you wouldn't understand. 01:30:02.279 --> 01:30:06.279 SPEAKER_25: I always say, geez, Paul, I don't know. 01:30:06.279 --> 01:30:07.279 Unknown: So thank you so much. 01:30:07.279 --> 01:30:12.279 SPEAKER_25: And then, of course, you know, Director Herbert, you know, you've been a friend, a colleague for many years. 01:30:12.279 --> 01:30:20.279 SPEAKER_25: And I know how passionate you are about, you know, making sure you address the inequality that we actually, you know, that you see in the community that we live in. 01:30:20.279 --> 01:30:22.279 SPEAKER_25: And so I always always be grateful. 01:30:22.279 --> 01:30:27.279 SPEAKER_25: And then, of course, you know, Director Sanborn, you know, our environmental champion. 01:30:27.279 --> 01:30:37.279 SPEAKER_25: So one thing that I absolutely love, you know, and cherish our relationship together, our friendship together, is that you have always never let things get in the way of the principles. 01:30:37.279 --> 01:30:38.279 SPEAKER_25: You love the environment. 01:30:38.279 --> 01:30:39.279 SPEAKER_25: You do what's right. 01:30:39.279 --> 01:30:41.279 SPEAKER_25: It doesn't matter if things go tough. 01:30:41.279 --> 01:30:42.279 SPEAKER_25: You always stick to your guns. 01:30:42.279 --> 01:30:44.279 SPEAKER_25: I wanted to say thank you. 01:30:44.279 --> 01:30:54.279 SPEAKER_25: So when I look around the room, I want to make sure, you know, that, yes, being the CEO, I have the, I guess, the privilege of getting all the accolades. 01:30:54.279 --> 01:31:04.279 SPEAKER_25: But I've said, you know, I think a lot of board members have said, you know, now after being the CEO, I really don't do much except being the biggest cheerleader for SMUD. 01:31:05.279 --> 01:31:19.279 SPEAKER_25: It is really the amazing executive team that we have here and all the 2,500 employees that we have at SMUD that day in and day out make SMUD one of the best utilities in the U.S. 01:31:19.279 --> 01:31:23.279 Unknown: Not just because they work hard, because they care. 01:31:23.279 --> 01:31:25.279 SPEAKER_25: So people will ask me, is that, well, how do you get people that care? 01:31:25.279 --> 01:31:31.279 SPEAKER_25: It's because we really hire people that truly believe their purpose is to serve the people in Sacramento. 01:31:32.279 --> 01:31:35.279 SPEAKER_25: And they truly believe that in their DNA, and we hire people in the DNA. 01:31:35.279 --> 01:31:39.279 SPEAKER_25: And so if you actually look at our staff, you know, they do it. 01:31:39.279 --> 01:31:46.279 SPEAKER_25: Yes, I mean, SMUD is a great place to work, but it's really, they're passionate about serving the community, making life better. 01:31:46.279 --> 01:31:57.279 Unknown: As a lot of us actually in the room, you know, that works for SMUD talk about how cool it is that you have a job, that every day when you go to work, I know Nancy's laughing right now, but Director Thompson's laughing right now is because we talked about a lot. 01:31:58.279 --> 01:32:05.279 SPEAKER_25: How cool it is that you go to work every day and it's to make life better for your neighbors, for your friends, and for the business that you go to. 01:32:05.279 --> 01:32:20.279 SPEAKER_25: Such a cool job, and I truly, truly bless that I have been able to work for this amazing organization for the past 45 years, and given the opportunity and the privilege and the honor to lead it for the last five and a half. 01:32:20.279 --> 01:32:24.279 SPEAKER_25: So this is something that I'll always cherish for the rest of my life. 01:32:24.279 --> 01:32:30.279 SPEAKER_25: And then I'm going to go back to thanking the folks I need to thank the most, my family, who's here tonight. 01:32:30.279 --> 01:32:38.279 SPEAKER_25: So I consider tonight is one of the major accomplishments because it took me 45 years to convince my wife and her family to come visit me in my office. 01:32:40.279 --> 01:32:46.279 Unknown: I know it's hard to believe. This is the first time to have visited me in my office today. 01:32:47.279 --> 01:32:56.279 SPEAKER_25: And this is the first board meetings that they have attended. So I think without the support, I have my wife, before I have Rosalina over there. 01:32:56.279 --> 01:33:02.279 SPEAKER_25: We've been married for over 40 years, so I'm happy that she's still married to me. 01:33:02.279 --> 01:33:09.279 SPEAKER_25: And of course, my oldest daughter, Nicole, and then Kristin, my middle daughter, and her husband, Corey. 01:33:09.279 --> 01:33:12.279 SPEAKER_25: So without their love and support, I wouldn't be able to do the stuff that I do. 01:33:13.279 --> 01:33:17.279 SPEAKER_25: And I really want to say thank you, and I want to give them public knowledge, which I know they probably hate. 01:33:17.279 --> 01:33:23.279 SPEAKER_25: But I really want to say thank you, Rosalina, and the love of my life, and also my family. 01:33:23.279 --> 01:33:24.279 SPEAKER_25: So I just want to say thank you. 01:33:24.279 --> 01:33:30.279 SPEAKER_25: But overall, we've got such a great team here, and I don't want to continue on. 01:33:30.279 --> 01:33:36.279 SPEAKER_25: But in terms of saying praises for our employees, but our employees is the best of the best. 01:33:36.279 --> 01:33:41.279 SPEAKER_25: And you guys are the best board, I think, that any organization could have. 01:33:41.279 --> 01:33:45.279 SPEAKER_25: And I just really feel such a privileged honor to work for all of you, for all of this year. 01:33:45.279 --> 01:33:46.279 SPEAKER_25: Thank you. 01:33:51.279 --> 01:33:54.279 Unknown: Oh, I do actually forgot one thing, because I didn't look at any notes. 01:33:54.279 --> 01:34:04.279 SPEAKER_25: And so I do want to say huge congratulations before I sign off to Laura Angway, you know, one of my good friends for the past 20 years. 01:34:04.279 --> 01:34:10.279 SPEAKER_25: I think I knew Laura when she first actually came into distribution 18 years ago. 01:34:10.279 --> 01:34:14.279 Unknown: And we actually worked on SDIT together, worked on ADMS together. 01:34:14.279 --> 01:34:24.279 Unknown: And for those of you who don't know enough about Laura, it's that she is one of the most passionate, dedicated, and caring person that I ever know. 01:34:24.279 --> 01:34:34.279 SPEAKER_25: So I couldn't be more confident, more happy for Laura stepping in as the next CEO, because I know she is going to take Smut to the next level. 01:34:35.279 --> 01:34:40.279 SPEAKER_25: And I'm looking forward, you know, to reading all the accolades about her and seeing all the great things that she's doing. 01:34:40.279 --> 01:34:42.279 SPEAKER_25: And she's going to have a wonderful team. 01:34:42.279 --> 01:34:45.279 SPEAKER_25: I have Laura Lewis here that worked for over two decades. 01:34:45.279 --> 01:34:58.279 SPEAKER_25: Jose Mujiba Mamba, my chief operating officer, Frankie McDermott, Shrej Kota, my CIO, Randy Bowton, my chief customer officer, and Kara, and my chief communication, and Scott Martin. 01:34:58.279 --> 01:35:06.279 SPEAKER_25: You guys have been wonderful, not just as colleagues, but really as a friend, that we have went through many, many challenges together. 01:35:06.279 --> 01:35:25.279 Unknown: And it's because of your hard work we made it through all of them, from crazy substation fires to crazy large plus power plant going down during the heat wave, right before the heat wave, to heat wave during the summer, to gas prices 10 times as normal, to six storms in nine days knocking out 600,000 customers. 01:35:25.279 --> 01:35:27.279 SPEAKER_25: And we made it all through with all your help. 01:35:27.279 --> 01:35:29.279 SPEAKER_25: So, Jose, thank you so much. 01:35:29.279 --> 01:35:31.279 SPEAKER_25: And congratulations, Laura. 01:35:36.279 --> 01:35:38.279 Unknown: Now, back to you, President Tamayo. 01:35:45.279 --> 01:35:48.279 SPEAKER_17: Wow, 1,500 meetings, and this is the last one. 01:35:48.279 --> 01:35:50.279 SPEAKER_17: You're welcome to come back anytime. 01:35:52.279 --> 01:35:53.279 SPEAKER_17: They're public meetings. 01:35:53.279 --> 01:35:56.279 SPEAKER_17: I mean, come back as, you know, you'll get your three minutes. 01:35:57.279 --> 01:36:03.279 SPEAKER_17: But obviously, you are going to be missed. 01:36:03.279 --> 01:36:05.279 SPEAKER_17: I definitely will miss you. 01:36:05.279 --> 01:36:08.279 SPEAKER_17: But I have your phone number, and I know where you live. 01:36:08.279 --> 01:36:14.279 SPEAKER_17: So, and, you know, normally we have, we frequently have a video. 01:36:14.279 --> 01:36:19.279 SPEAKER_17: We weren't expecting a video, but we've been lying to you. 01:36:19.279 --> 01:36:21.279 SPEAKER_17: We do have a video for you. 01:36:21.279 --> 01:36:28.279 SPEAKER_17: So, it looks like you actually are surprised. 01:36:28.279 --> 01:36:34.279 SPEAKER_17: So, it's a look back on your incredible career and the impact you've made on SMUD 01:36:34.279 --> 01:36:37.279 SPEAKER_17: and this community and even the world. 01:36:37.279 --> 01:36:41.279 SPEAKER_17: And so, really looking forward to seeing it. 01:36:41.279 --> 01:36:46.279 SPEAKER_17: So, anyway, thank you so much for everything. 01:36:46.279 --> 01:36:48.279 SPEAKER_17: And we'll be seeing you. 01:36:48.279 --> 01:36:56.279 SPEAKER_17: It's been an absolute pleasure to be on the board with you as our CEO. 01:36:56.279 --> 01:36:57.279 SPEAKER_17: All right. Thank you, Paul. 01:36:57.279 --> 01:37:00.279 SPEAKER_17: So, let's fire up the video. Check it out. 01:37:06.279 --> 01:37:10.279 Unknown: I was actually shocked when he called me and said that he was retiring 01:37:10.279 --> 01:37:12.279 SPEAKER_17: because I thought, you know, how could he retire? 01:37:12.279 --> 01:37:14.279 SPEAKER_17: He's having such a good time. 01:37:15.279 --> 01:37:21.279 Unknown: What I love about Paul in his 44-plus years here is that he is an engineer by trade, 01:37:21.279 --> 01:37:25.279 SPEAKER_09: but he is led through his compassion and just deep caring for the utility. 01:37:25.279 --> 01:37:27.279 SPEAKER_09: And he started as an intern. 01:37:27.279 --> 01:37:33.279 SPEAKER_09: He grew up here at SMUD, and that in itself is a testament to who he is. 01:37:34.279 --> 01:37:38.279 Unknown: That longevity is so amazing that he's been here for that long, 01:37:38.279 --> 01:37:42.279 SPEAKER_20: and he's served in virtually every leadership position there is at SMUD. 01:37:43.279 --> 01:37:48.279 Unknown: Paul's journey is remarkable because he actually was in an engineering discipline 01:37:48.279 --> 01:37:54.279 SPEAKER_27: and then ended up in customer, ended up in many other roles along the way, 01:37:54.279 --> 01:37:56.279 SPEAKER_27: and ultimately CEO. 01:37:57.279 --> 01:38:01.279 Unknown: Out of that was born this intense sense of loyalty for the organization 01:38:01.279 --> 01:38:05.279 SPEAKER_08: and for its mission, and I think that's what the 45 years says. 01:38:06.279 --> 01:38:10.279 Unknown: To see him grow as a supervisor, even though he didn't want to do it, 01:38:10.279 --> 01:38:14.279 SPEAKER_27: I think was really something that I enjoyed watching. 01:38:15.279 --> 01:38:19.279 SPEAKER_27: He helped lead the transformation during the energy crisis. 01:38:19.279 --> 01:38:24.279 SPEAKER_27: He helped implement a significant organizational overhaul called re-engineering. 01:38:24.279 --> 01:38:28.279 SPEAKER_27: He was involved in the YOLO annexation effort, Smart Sacramento, 01:38:28.279 --> 01:38:32.279 SPEAKER_27: the largest grant that anybody ever got from the Department of Energy, 01:38:32.279 --> 01:38:36.279 SPEAKER_27: all of our smart grid installation, and now, of course, the Zero Carbon Plant. 01:38:37.279 --> 01:38:39.279 Unknown: And we said, we want to get to net zero. 01:38:39.279 --> 01:38:43.279 SPEAKER_07: Guy like Paul, he jumped on and said, no, we're getting to carbon zero. 01:38:43.279 --> 01:38:45.279 SPEAKER_07: That's unbelievable. 01:38:45.279 --> 01:38:50.279 Unknown: He was the most determined person I had ever seen, and still is. 01:38:51.279 --> 01:38:55.279 Unknown: Paul took the 2030 goal and turned it into a plan. 01:38:55.279 --> 01:38:59.279 SPEAKER_15: It has concrete vision, it has real goals, 01:38:59.279 --> 01:39:03.279 SPEAKER_15: and really is making what we thought was a moonshot into reality. 01:39:04.279 --> 01:39:10.279 Unknown: A really key part of our 2030 Zero Carbon Plant is that we stress the need 01:39:10.279 --> 01:39:16.279 SPEAKER_17: to make sure that everybody is brought along in our clean energy transformation, 01:39:16.279 --> 01:39:20.279 SPEAKER_17: and DEIB is a part of that. 01:39:20.279 --> 01:39:23.279 Unknown: That culture has really strengthened under Paul. 01:39:23.279 --> 01:39:27.279 SPEAKER_17: It was strong before. I think it's even stronger now. 01:39:28.279 --> 01:39:34.279 SPEAKER_23: Some people think that Paul is just a nice, sweet, gregarious guy, 01:39:34.279 --> 01:39:39.279 SPEAKER_23: and he is that, but he's also very strategic. 01:39:39.279 --> 01:39:46.279 SPEAKER_23: Paul is a rare soul that is driven to get results, 01:39:46.279 --> 01:39:53.279 SPEAKER_23: but also driven to have people feel good about themselves when they work at SMUD. 01:39:54.279 --> 01:39:59.279 Unknown: We worked on things like SMUD's first scholarship programs, grants to nonprofits, 01:39:59.279 --> 01:40:02.279 SPEAKER_08: expanding the internship program. 01:40:02.279 --> 01:40:08.279 SPEAKER_08: All of those things that help communities that have been left behind feel included, 01:40:08.279 --> 01:40:12.279 SPEAKER_08: but also can help give them paths to better lives for them. 01:40:12.279 --> 01:40:15.279 SPEAKER_08: What stands out for me is Paul's heart. 01:40:15.279 --> 01:40:20.279 SPEAKER_11: He has a very big heart. He cares about people first, 01:40:20.279 --> 01:40:23.279 SPEAKER_11: but he's so good at what he does technically. 01:40:23.279 --> 01:40:28.279 SPEAKER_11: It's just a very unusual combination to have both in one person. 01:40:28.279 --> 01:40:32.279 SPEAKER_11: I don't see many leaders that have the level of integrity and humanity 01:40:32.279 --> 01:40:38.279 SPEAKER_11: and technical skill all in one that we have been so blessed with with Paul. 01:40:38.279 --> 01:40:44.279 Unknown: A major impact that he has made is really strengthening that interface 01:40:44.279 --> 01:40:49.279 SPEAKER_26: between our customers and SMUD and climate change. 01:40:49.279 --> 01:40:55.279 Unknown: We should say Dr. Paul Lau received his honorary doctorate from Sacramento State 01:40:55.279 --> 01:40:59.279 SPEAKER_01: because of the incredible work that he has done as a leader in SMUD, 01:40:59.279 --> 01:41:03.279 SPEAKER_01: but also throughout the entire community, including his investment at Sacramento State. 01:41:03.279 --> 01:41:10.279 SPEAKER_01: It's the highest honor that we as a system can give to someone who is within our community. 01:41:10.279 --> 01:41:15.279 SPEAKER_01: There's a lot of people within our community who see him as a hero. 01:41:16.279 --> 01:41:20.279 SPEAKER_24: Paul has brought SMUD into a national leadership position 01:41:20.279 --> 01:41:24.279 SPEAKER_24: where we're recognizable as a leader of clean energy 01:41:24.279 --> 01:41:31.279 SPEAKER_24: and looking forward to the innovative policies that we are putting forward at the federal level. 01:41:31.279 --> 01:41:35.279 SPEAKER_24: What Paul has done was demonstrate that this is real. 01:41:35.279 --> 01:41:40.279 SPEAKER_24: It works, and we're going to push forward because of what Paul has done. 01:41:40.279 --> 01:41:47.279 SPEAKER_24: SMUD is on this track to be probably the most consequential utility in the nation. 01:41:47.279 --> 01:41:49.279 Unknown: He's changed the world. 01:41:49.279 --> 01:41:55.279 SPEAKER_11: I mean, I sat there while I watched Paul speak to a roundtable of sheikhs and leaders, 01:41:55.279 --> 01:42:00.279 SPEAKER_11: CEOs of utilities from around the world, and talk about what we were doing at SMUD. 01:42:00.279 --> 01:42:03.279 SPEAKER_11: And then all these leaders came up to Paul afterwards and said, 01:42:03.279 --> 01:42:06.279 SPEAKER_11: how are you doing this? I want to meet with you. I want to learn more. 01:42:06.279 --> 01:42:09.279 SPEAKER_11: I want to come see your utilities. I want to send my staff. 01:42:09.279 --> 01:42:14.279 SPEAKER_06: It's just such a nice guy just down to earth, very reasonable, very sensible. 01:42:14.279 --> 01:42:19.279 SPEAKER_06: And to have that personality in such a key position in the region, 01:42:19.279 --> 01:42:25.279 SPEAKER_06: Paul was instrumental in creating the opportunities to be on the global stage 01:42:25.279 --> 01:42:31.279 SPEAKER_06: and present the vision and the ideas that not only SMUD has for clean energy, 01:42:31.279 --> 01:42:33.279 SPEAKER_06: but also representing the region. 01:42:33.279 --> 01:42:36.279 SPEAKER_06: And we were very happy to be a part of those conversations. 01:42:36.279 --> 01:42:42.279 SPEAKER_06: The thing I appreciate about Paul is just being a steady hand at the wheel 01:42:42.279 --> 01:42:46.279 SPEAKER_04: and helping guide SMUD through many, many challenging moments 01:42:46.279 --> 01:42:53.279 SPEAKER_04: and really emerging where you have some of the lowest cost, most reliable clean electricity in the state 01:42:53.279 --> 01:42:58.279 SPEAKER_04: and to showcase the best of what public power can be. 01:42:58.279 --> 01:43:05.279 Unknown: He is one of the most confident and determined person I've ever met in my life. 01:43:05.279 --> 01:43:08.279 SPEAKER_21: Even when we first met, when he was just an engineering student 01:43:08.279 --> 01:43:13.279 SPEAKER_21: and working part-time in a Chinese restaurant, I already discovered the characteristic of him. 01:43:13.279 --> 01:43:19.279 SPEAKER_21: And I always have faith that whenever he determined to do something, he would get it done. 01:43:19.279 --> 01:43:25.279 SPEAKER_21: He definitely is a great father, great role model for my kids. 01:43:25.279 --> 01:43:29.279 Unknown: Ever since we were growing up, he was there for every sports game, graduation, 01:43:29.279 --> 01:43:31.279 SPEAKER_22: and he was from the smallest events at school. 01:43:31.279 --> 01:43:34.279 SPEAKER_22: He's always there rooting for us from day one. 01:43:34.279 --> 01:43:39.279 SPEAKER_22: So now it's our turn to pay it forward and be his biggest cheerleader in this next chapter for him 01:43:39.279 --> 01:43:42.279 SPEAKER_22: as he is going to retire and enjoy his best life. 01:43:42.279 --> 01:43:44.279 SPEAKER_22: So thank you, Dad. We love you. 01:43:44.279 --> 01:43:47.279 Unknown: My dad has taught me a lot of lessons growing up in life, 01:43:47.279 --> 01:43:51.279 SPEAKER_12: but I think the one that has really stuck with me is that perseverance and hard work 01:43:51.279 --> 01:43:57.279 SPEAKER_12: are two traits that matter a lot and are two things that I can do and you don't have to be born with. 01:43:57.279 --> 01:44:01.279 SPEAKER_12: Those are two lessons that I'm really grateful that my dad taught me and also showed me. 01:44:02.279 --> 01:44:05.279 SPEAKER_02: I think one lesson is probably hard work. 01:44:05.279 --> 01:44:08.279 SPEAKER_02: My dad, ever since we were young, has really instilled that into us 01:44:08.279 --> 01:44:14.279 SPEAKER_02: and always has been if you commit to something, put your whole heart into it and do it 100%. 01:44:14.279 --> 01:44:18.279 Unknown: From the first time I met him, what struck me was his generosity towards everybody, 01:44:18.279 --> 01:44:22.279 SPEAKER_03: making everybody feel welcomed and everybody important. 01:44:22.279 --> 01:44:25.279 SPEAKER_03: Sacramento is going to miss him dearly, especially Smud. 01:44:26.279 --> 01:44:32.279 SPEAKER_00: He is the same person throughout, and whether we're either at a barbecue or at the Smud Gala 01:44:32.279 --> 01:44:35.279 SPEAKER_00: or even on family vacation, he brings his authentic self every time. 01:44:35.279 --> 01:44:39.279 SPEAKER_00: And I really admire that about him as he's earnest to that 01:44:39.279 --> 01:44:43.279 SPEAKER_00: and is able to always bring that same energy, which I really appreciate. 01:44:46.279 --> 01:44:49.279 Unknown: I'm going to miss Paul terribly. 01:44:49.279 --> 01:44:54.279 SPEAKER_17: It's just been a great experience over the last five years with him as CEO. 01:44:55.279 --> 01:44:58.279 SPEAKER_17: It's just a really rewarding experience. 01:44:59.279 --> 01:45:05.279 Unknown: He looked at what was best for all of us, for the environment, for Smud, our employees and the community. 01:45:05.279 --> 01:45:08.279 SPEAKER_09: So he will be greatly missed for all those things. 01:45:08.279 --> 01:45:15.279 Unknown: He has devoted his career, his life to our community, to the Smud family, 01:45:15.279 --> 01:45:19.279 SPEAKER_26: and it is why we are shining here in this community. 01:45:19.279 --> 01:45:25.279 SPEAKER_26: Congratulations! We love you, Dad! 01:45:49.279 --> 01:46:07.279 Unknown: Can we say thank you to the staff to put that together? That was beautiful. Thank you. 01:46:07.279 --> 01:46:16.279 Unknown: Yeah, we hadn't seen it. That was amazing. I think it really captures a lot. 01:46:16.279 --> 01:46:19.279 SPEAKER_17: So thank you very much. Great job on putting that together. 01:46:19.279 --> 01:46:22.279 SPEAKER_17: I'm so glad we got to surprise you with that. 01:46:23.279 --> 01:46:27.279 Unknown: Do we have any summary of board direction? 01:46:27.279 --> 01:46:29.279 SPEAKER_17: No, we do not. 01:46:29.279 --> 01:46:34.279 Unknown: Okay. So before we are officially adjourned, 01:46:34.279 --> 01:46:39.279 SPEAKER_17: I think Director Sanborn wanted to say a few words about it. 01:46:40.279 --> 01:46:41.279 Unknown: Thank you. 01:46:42.279 --> 01:46:46.279 SPEAKER_11: So first I want to wish, I don't know if you all heard, 01:46:46.279 --> 01:46:52.279 SPEAKER_11: but Supervisor Rich Desmond unfortunately had a very serious accident on his motorcycle. 01:46:52.279 --> 01:46:57.279 SPEAKER_11: He was hit going down towards Slough House. 01:46:57.279 --> 01:47:01.279 SPEAKER_11: A person fell asleep at the wheel and ran into him while he was on his motorcycle. 01:47:01.279 --> 01:47:06.279 SPEAKER_11: And he was in the hospital for days. He's home. He's recovering. It's going to be long. 01:47:06.279 --> 01:47:11.279 SPEAKER_11: But I just wanted to put it out there that we could all wish him well and a fast healing. 01:47:11.279 --> 01:47:16.279 SPEAKER_11: He loves this community and that was a really close call. 01:47:16.279 --> 01:47:19.279 SPEAKER_11: And he's promised his wife he will not ride a motorcycle again. 01:47:19.279 --> 01:47:24.279 Unknown: So best wishes to Supervisor Desmond. We're so sorry to hear about that. 01:47:24.279 --> 01:47:30.279 SPEAKER_11: So I'm wearing this because I just came back midnight last night from Waikiki, 01:47:31.279 --> 01:47:38.279 SPEAKER_11: where we were living aloha. My husband's family goes back to the mid 1800s in Hawaii. 01:47:38.279 --> 01:47:44.279 SPEAKER_11: And his father passed and we put him to rest off of Diamond Head. 01:47:44.279 --> 01:47:49.279 SPEAKER_11: And his name was Peter Sanborn. And I'd like to adjourn in his honor tonight. 01:47:49.279 --> 01:47:54.279 SPEAKER_11: He was a great father-in-law. He asked me all the time about all the environmental things, 01:47:54.279 --> 01:47:57.279 SPEAKER_11: especially what was going on at SMUD and what we were doing. 01:47:57.279 --> 01:48:03.279 Unknown: He loved it and just thought that we were the greatest utility that he had ever heard of. 01:48:03.279 --> 01:48:13.279 SPEAKER_11: So I just want to say, rest in peace, Pete Sanborn. Mahalo nui aloha. Thank you. 01:48:16.279 --> 01:48:25.279 Unknown: Thank you for sharing that, Director Sanborn. And best wishes to you and Brad and the rest of your family. 01:48:26.279 --> 01:48:35.279 SPEAKER_17: So we concluded our business. I'm really going to miss you, Paul, but we'll be in touch. 01:48:35.279 --> 01:48:40.279 SPEAKER_17: And so this meeting is adjourned. Thank you.