REGULAR BOARD MEETING
August 26, 2019
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. was held at the Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. located in Newberry County, State of South Carolina on Monday, August 26, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert, with the determination of a quorum present.
The secretary reported that the following Board Members were present:
C.J. Bishop Leon Fulmer, Jr. Craig Kesler
Blake Brigman Melanie B. Hawkins William Lominick
Johnnie L. Dickert Douglas Hipp John W. Nichols
Also present were President and CEO G. Keith Avery and Executive Secretary Deirdre Murphy. Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III was absent.
READING AND APPROVAL OF REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES
The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the July 2019 Board Meeting. The consensus of the board was to accept the minutes as emailed.
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
Committee Chairman John W. Nichols reported that the Finance Committee held its regular meeting on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. Trustee Nichols stated that all members were present. President and CEO Avery was also present.
Chairman Nichols reported that the Finance Committee reviewed cash disbursements for July 2019. All expenditures were found to be in order. The consensus of the board was to accept this as information.
ATTORNEY REPORT
Since Mr. Pope was absent, President and CEO Avery requested that the meeting adjourn into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a business matter. A motion was made to adjourn into Executive Session. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition. Chairman Dickert adjourned into Executive Session.
After President and CEO Avery updated the Trustees, a motion was made to reconvene into Regular Session. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition. Chairman Dickert reconvened the meeting into Regular Session. There were no actions and no voting acted upon during the Executive Session.
PRESIDENT AND CEO REPORT
President and CEO Avery reviewed the functions and activities he attended or participated in during the month of July. He attended two meetings with Samsung and two community meetings with the Bush River Young Farmers and the Macedonia Church Men’s Group. He also attended an annual transmission planning meeting with Central. President Avery, along with Chairman Dickert, attended the monthly CarolinaConnect board meeting.
FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
President and CEO Avery reviewed in detail the operational data for July 2019. The amount of write offs for July 2019 is $4,688.15. A motion was made to accept this amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
DEPARTMENT 600-Engineering and Operations
- DGA oil testing at all substations.
- Prosperity Ckt 2 and 3 have line construction for new installations to supply power to the Commerce Park.
- Davey Tree crews are continuing work on the right of way clearing in Blair.
- CPR Certifications were done July 30 and 31.
- EJ Altman attended the Distribution Engineering I School July 29-August 1.
- Dakota Smith attended the Apparatus & Voltage School August 7-9.
- Kayla Setzler attended a class at Statewide, Presenting with Confidence August 7.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
HEAD COUNT FOR FAMILY DAY
President Avery reminded the trustees of the Employees Family Fun Day on Saturday, September 21 from 10:00 am-2:00 pm at Do-Si-Jo’s Corn Maze. This will be the kickoff for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Debra Shaw needs a head count to prepare for the food. All trustees are invited.
CONSIDER PROPOSED POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHANGES
President and CEO Avery reminded the trustees at last month’s meeting Attorney Pope had not reviewed the changes presented by the PAC on Policy 300-205. Mr. Pope has reviewed the changes, and after some discussion, a motion was made to accept the changes presented by PAC to Policy 300-205, Insurance, Retirement, and Savings Plan. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
NEW BUSINESS
CONSIDER A DATE FOR MEMBERSHIP & PUBLIC RELATIONS MEETING
President and CEO Avery directed attention to the attached calendar reminded the trustees that it is time to start preparing for the 2020 Annual Meeting. Debra Shaw needs a date to conduct the Membership & Public Relations Committee Meeting to discuss the door prize for registered consumers. After some discussion, the committee will meet on Wednesday, September 18 at 3:00 pm in the Board Room.
CONSIDER CONTRIBUTIONS TO CHRISTIAN ATHLETES GOLF TOURNAMENT President and CEO Avery referenced information on the 13th Annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes Golf Tournament to he held on Monday, October 7 at the Mid-Carolina Country Club. After some discussion, a motion was made for Newberry Electric to contribute to be a Gold Sponsor. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
CONSIDER CONTRIBUTION TO RALPH NORMAN FOR CONGRESS
President Avery reviewed a letter from Mike Couick, President and CEO of ECSC, requesting a contribution to Ralph Norman for Congress. Only personal checks can be accepted, and they are to be made payable to Ralph Norman for Congress. This was accepted as information.
VOTE FOR COBANK DIRECTOR ELECTION AND 2020-2021 NOMINATION COMMITTEE ELECTION
President and CEO Avery directed attention to the information regarding the CoBank 2019 Director Election and the CoBank 2020-2021 Nominating Committee Candidate Slate. After some discussion, a motion was made to vote for Gary A. Miller for the South Region, and to approve the entire slate of candidates for the Nominating Committee. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
CFC DISTRICT 2 MEETING IN LOUISVILLE, KY
President Avery reviewed notification of the CFC District 2 Meeting on Wednesday, October 9 at Louisville, KY. Also enclosed were minutes from the 2018 meeting, proposed 2020 Nominating Committee, and the Delegate Registration Card. After some discussion, a motion was made to vote in favor of the proposed Nominating Committee. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. A motion was also made for President and CEO Avery to be the voting delegate and Trustee Nichols to be the alternate voting delegate. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
ECSC BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS FROM AUGUST 1, 2019
President Avery directed attention to the ECSC Board Meeting Report from August 1, 2019. This was accepted as information.
CENTRAL ELECTRIC POWER COOPERATIVE AUGUST EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT
President and CEO Avery reviewed the Central Electric Power Cooperative August Executive Committee Meeting Report. This was accepted as information.
CONSIDER CONTRIBUTION TO LOGAN’S DASH 5K RUN/WALK
President Avery referenced information requesting a contribution to Logan’s Dash, a 5K run/walk fundraiser for Logan Mrozinski, a 5-year-old Type 1 diabetic. After some discussion, a motion was made for contributions to be given by individuals as they wish. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the August 2019 Regular Board Meeting at 8:10 pm.
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SECRETARY
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CHAIRMAN