REGULAR BOARD MEETING

December 30, 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, December 30, 2019.

         The meeting was called to order by Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert at 6:34 p.m. with the determination of a quorum present. 

         The secretary reported that the following Board Members were present:

                        C.J. Bishop                  Leon Fulmer                Craig Kesler

                        Blake Brigman            Melanie Hawkins        William Lominick

                        Johnnie Dickert           Doug Hipp                  John 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 SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES

         The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the November 2019 Special Board Meeting.  A motion was made to accept the minutes as emailed.  The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.

        

READING AND APPROVAL OF REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES

         The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the November 2019 Regular Board Meeting.  A motion was made to accept the minutes as emailed.  The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT

         Committee Chairman John W. Nichols reported that the Finance Committee held its regular meeting on Monday, December 23, 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 November 2019.  All expenditures were found to be in order, and the committee is presenting this report as information.  The consensus of the board was to accept the report.

 

ATTORNEY REPORT

            Due to Mr. Pope being absent, there was no Attorney Report.

 

PRESIDENT AND CEO REPORT

President and CEO Avery informed the trustees that Jo Anne Bradstreet’s retirement dinner was held on December 30, and Sherry Shealy will retire on January 10, 2020.  Michael Martin is working on getting the auto attendant set up to answer phone calls from the switchboard.  The consensus of the board is to use the auto attendant and its features for one month.  If the trustees are not happy with the system, then management will reconsider replacing the Receptionist position. 

President Avery and Mr. Dickert attended the monthly CarolinaConnect Board Meeting.

President Avery also attended the G 20 Meeting on the Santee Cooper transformation.

 

FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

         President and CEO Avery reviewed in detail the operational data for November 2019.  The amount of write offs for November is $1,668.63.  A motion was made to accept this amount.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

 

 

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

 

DEPARTMENT 600-Engineering and Operations

  • Crews assisted with several projects associated with Mid Carolina Commerce Park and the spec building.
  • Crews continued to clear right of way using the Fecon cutter.
  • Nick Shealy and Stephanie Sullivan are attending Leadership Newberry.
  • Nick Shealy passed the CLCP program.
  • There have been 1550 fiber installs for Newberry Electric and CarolinaConnect.

     

    OLD BUSINESS

     

    CONSIDER ATTENDING THE 2020 ANNUAL MEETING FEBRUARY 27-MARCH 4, 2020-NEW ORLEANS, LA

             President Avery directed attention to the information for the NRECA Annual Meeting to be held in New Orleans, LA February 27-March 4, 2020.  Any interested trustees, who have not turned in their information sheets, are asked to do so.

 

CONSIDER ATTENDING THE 2020 DIRECTORS CONFERENCE APRIL 4-7, 2020-KANSAS CITY, MO

         President Avery directed attention to the 2020 Directors Conference April 4-7, 2020 in Kansas City, Mo.  Any interested trustees, who have not turned in their information sheets, are asked to do so.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

SC LEGISLATIVE APPRECIATION RECEPTION-WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

         President Avery referenced a memo from Betsy Hix about the SC Legislative Appreciation Reception to be held in Columbia, SC on Wednesday, January 29.  Any trustee who would like to attend and needs a ride is asked to be at the Coop by 4:00 p.m. on January 29.

APPOINT NRECA REGION 2 VOTING DELEGATE AND ALTERNATE

         President Avery reviewed information on the NRECA Annual and Regional Meeting Voting Delegate Certification and Credentialing Process.  A motion was made to appoint President Avery as the delegate and Trustee Nichols as the alternate.  The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.

 

APPOINT NRTC DELEGATE AND ALTERNATE

         President Avery reviewed information on the NRTC’s 2020 Annual Meeting.  A motion was made to appoint President Avery as the delegate and Trustee Nichols as the alternate.  The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.

 

YOUTH TOUR

         President Avery referenced the information from Debra Shaw concerning the 2020 Youth Tour and Cooperative Youth Summit to be held this summer.  Any trustee who has a child or grandchild, whose parents are members of the coop and will be a 10th grader this summer, is asked to apply for the Cooperative Youth Summit which will take place July 7-10, 2020.  Any trustee who has a child or grandchild, whose parents are members of the coop and will be a 11th grader this summer, is asked to apply for the Washington Youth Tour which will take place June 20-25, 2020.  The deadline to apply for each is Friday, January 31, 2020.

 

 

APPOINT THE NOMINATING AND CREDENTIAL AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEES FOR THE 2020 NEC ANNUAL MEETING

         President and CEO Avery reminded the trustees that the 2020 NEC Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 8.  A Nominating Committee needs to be appointed to make nominations for the election.  Trustees Bishop, Brigman, and Hawkins recused themselves from the voting process since they intend to run for re-election.  A motion was made to use the same committee members from 2019. The motion was seconded and passed without any opposition. 

         President and CEO Avery also reminded the trustees that a Credentials and Elections Committee needs to be appointed for the 2020 NEC Annual Meeting.  Again, Trustees Bishop, Brigman, and Hawkins recused themselves from the voting process since they intend to run for re-election.  Chairman Dickert reminded everyone that Mr. Fred Kesler passed away and needs to be replaced on the committee.  Mr. Larry Dehart was submitted as a replacement.  If there is any opposition for the trustee seats, President Avery will get four people who are not members of Newberry Electric to count the votes.  A motion was made to use the same committee members from 2019 and include Mr. Larry Dehart.  The motion was seconded and passed without any opposition.  Executive Secretary Deirdre Murphy will check with the members of the committees to see if they are able to serve.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE

         President Avery directed attention to the information from the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina’s Government Relations Committee.  This is to inform the trustees of the topics the committee is reviewing.  This was accepted as information.

 

CONSIDER APPROVAL OF CENTRAL’S VALUE OF SOLAR

         President Avery directed attention to an email from Cole Price of Central Electric Cooperative concerning the wholesale value of solar.  Any new solar consumers will be placed on the new solar rider using 0.03209/kWh for credit of energy placed back on the system.  Members already on solar will continue to receive the one for one credit at wholesale value.

 

APPOINT DELEGATES FOR CENTRAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE’S ANNUAL MEETING

         President Avery referenced a memo from Central Electric Cooperative requesting certification of delegates for their Annual Meeting on March 11, 2020.  A motion was made to appoint President Avery and Chairman Dickert as delegates.  The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.

 

 

 

SERVICE RULES AND REGULATIONS

         President Avery reminded the trustees of the updated rules and regulations.  They will be posted on the NEC website and in the Directorpoint file.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

         There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the December 2019 Regular Board Meeting at 8:45 p.m.

 

                                                                                    ____________________________

                                                                                    SECRETARY

____________________________________

CHAIRMAN