Hidden Valley Lake CSD unanimously approves $49,500 microgrid study, GM contract and 2.2% COLA

The Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District Board of Directors on April 15 unanimously approved three substantive items: a $49,500 consulting contract with TerraVerde to evaluate a proposed microgrid project, the employment contract for General Manager Paul Kelley (including an Amendment 1 whose contents were not specified in the minutes), and a 2.2% cost-of-living adjustment for fiscal year 2026–27.

Director Jim Freeman opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. and the board first approved the meeting agenda. The consent calendar, which included approval of meeting minutes and disbursements (Check #004412–#004476, drafts and payroll) totaling $403,583.75, was adopted on a 5–0 roll-call vote.

TerraVerde CEO Ali Chehrehsaz presented the company’s proposal for a microgrid feasibility study. The proposal, described in the minutes as an evaluation of whether the proposed microgrid is technically and mission‑aligned with the district, was approved on a motion by Director Gary Graves and a second by Director Sean Millerick. The contract amount recorded in the minutes is $49,500. The minutes state TerraVerde will assist the district in determining project viability but do not provide a project schedule or funding source for implementation.

The board then moved to personnel matters. Director Jim Lieberman brought a motion to approve the Personal Services/Employment Contract for Paul Kelley to serve as General Manager, including an Amendment 1; Director Sean Millerick seconded and the motion carried 5–0. The minutes do not list the terms of Amendment 1 or whether it changes compensation, term length, or other contract provisions.

Also on personnel, the board approved a 2.2% cost-of-living adjustment for FY 2026–27. Director Sean Millerick moved for the increase, Director Gary Graves seconded, and the measure passed unanimously. The General Manager is recorded as stressing the importance of maintaining the annual COLA schedule; the minutes do not show an estimated fiscal cost or a departmental breakdown of the increase.

Board and staff reports followed; staff provided updates on board priorities, ongoing projects, financial reports, administration and customer service matters, ACWA committee items, field operations and subcommittee activities. The Valley Oaks subcommittee intends to schedule a meeting and the FLASHES project committee is noted as having met. The minutes record that the board later "received public comments" but do not reconcile that note with an earlier line stating no public were present during the opening public comment period; no motions resulted from public comment.

Director Sean Millerick moved to adjourn at 7:25 p.m.; Director Gary Graves seconded and the meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Agenda approval — motion by Director Jim Lieberman; recorded second: Director Jim Lieberman; outcome: approved unanimously (5–0). - Consent calendar (minutes, disbursements $403,583.75) — outcome: approved unanimously (5–0). - TerraVerde consulting proposal ($49,500) — mover: Director Gary Graves; second: Director Sean Millerick; outcome: approved unanimously (5–0). - General Manager employment contract (Paul Kelley) including Amendment 1 — mover: Director Jim Lieberman; second: Director Sean Millerick; outcome: approved unanimously (5–0). - COLA 2.2% for FY 2026–27 — mover: Director Sean Millerick; second: Director Gary Graves; outcome: approved unanimously (5–0).

Next steps/what’s unresolved: minutes do not specify the terms of Amendment 1 to the GM contract, the funding source or timeline for the TerraVerde microgrid study, or the fiscal impact of the 2.2% COLA; these items would normally appear in staff reports or contract exhibits but are listed as “not specified” in the meeting minutes.