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LAFCO reappoints Commissioner Schmelzer and names Leah Pimentel alternate amid strong community support
Summary
The San Francisco Local Agency Formation Commission reappointed Commissioner Schmelzer to the public-member seat and approved Leah Pimentel as the alternate; public commenters and several commissioners cited Pimentel’s community solar outreach and Bayview Hunters Point ties.
The Local Agency Formation Commission reappointed Commissioner Schmelzer to the public-member seat and appointed Leah Pimentel as the alternate public member (seat 7) by unanimous consent at its meeting.
Leah Pimentel, who described herself to the commission as a 28-year Bayview Hunters Point resident and a community organizer with GRID Alternatives, urged commissioners to include stronger community representation and local-hiring awareness in energy projects. "My name is Leah Pimentel. I've lived in San Francisco's Bayview Hunters Point for 28 years," Pimentel said during her remarks, recounting her work delivering free solar panels to low-income homeowners and organizing community education campaigns.
Multiple public speakers urged commissioners to appoint Pimentel. Espinosa Jackson said Pimentel's outreach had helped seniors reduce bills, and Eric Brooks and others highlighted the value of adding a woman of color from Bayview to the commission.
Commissioner Schmelzer, who sought reappointment, summarized his eight years on LAFCO and his background as an environmental and energy lawyer and current role as chief counsel at the California Coastal Commission. Commissioner Dufty moved to reappoint Schmelzer and add Pimentel as alternate; the motion was seconded and carried without recorded objection.
Why it matters: The appointment adds an alternate with roots in Bayview Hunters Point and experience in solar-outreach programs, which commissioners and community members said will help represent disadvantaged neighborhoods as San Francisco implements Clean Power SF procurement and local generation initiatives.
What happens next: Staff will update LAFCO records and notify applicants. Commissioners encouraged Ms. Pimentel to participate actively and noted the commission will rely on appointees to help shape local implementation work as the RFP process proceeds.
Quote: "She understands these issues, and I think she'd be a valuable asset," said Eric Smith, executive director of Green Depot, speaking in support of Pimentel.
Ending: The commission closed public comment on the appointment and continued other agenda items before adjourning.
