January 2020 Regular Board Meeting

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

January 27, 2020

 

         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, January 27, 2020.

         The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. 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, Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III, Vice President of Engineering & Operations Nick Shealy, Operational Support Manager Stephanie Sullivan, and Executive Secretary Deirdre Murphy.

 

PRESENTATIONS-Chairman Dickert

            Chairman Dickert presented Nick Shealy a plaque recognizing him as a Certified Lost Control Professional.  He also presented Trustees Fulmer, Hipp, Lominick, and Nichols their Director Gold certificates from NRECA.

 

READING AND APPROVAL OF REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES

         The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the December 2019 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, January 20, 2020 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 December 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

         Mr. Pope requested that the meeting adjourn into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing legal and personnel matters. A motion was made to adjourn into Executive Session.  The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.  Chairman Dickert adjourned into Executive Session.

         After Mr. Pope 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 votes taken 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 January.  On January 6, he met with Conexon to discuss getting fiber grants.  On January 23, President Avery gave an Economic Development presentation for Leadership Newberry.  He and Mr. Dickert attended a CarolinaConnect Board Meeting on January 28.

 

FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

         President and CEO Avery informed the trustees that Arthur Guy is still working on the financial report due to the year-end reports being completed.  A meeting will be held later to review in detail the report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

 

DEPARTMENT 600-Engineering and Operations

• Crews assisted with several projects associated with Mid-Carolina Commerce Park, KRA, and the Spec Building.
• Nick Shealy and Stephanie Sullivan attended Leadership Newberry.
• Alex Brandt attended Substation School December 2-5.

   

  OLD BUSINESS

   

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

         President and CEO Avery reminded the trustees that the Directors Conference this year is in Kansas City, MO, and it ends the before the Newberry Electric Cooperative’s Annual Meeting.  After some discussion, the trustees decided not to attend the Directors Conference this year.

 

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

         President and CEO reminded the trustees that the NRECA Annual Meeting is February 27-March 4 in New Orleans, LA.  Anyone who wants to attend needs to turn in their information sheet so that reservations can be made.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

SC LEGISLATIVE APPRECIATION RECEPTION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

         President and CEO Avery reminded the trustees of the SC Legislative Appreciation Reception on Wednesday, January 29 in Columbia, SC.  Any trustee interested in riding down needs to be at the coop by 4:00 pm.

CENTRAL ELECTRIC POWER COOPERATIVE JANUARY BOARD MEETING SUMMARY      

         President Avery directed attention to the Central Electric Cooperative January Board Meeting Summary.  This was accepted as information.

 

APPOINT CFC DELEGATE AND ALTERNATE FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING MARCH 2, 2020

         President and CEO Avery reviewed information from Brad Captain, the Senior Vice President, Corporate Relations at CFC, about the Annual Meeting to be held on March 2, 2020 in New Orleans, LA.  A delegate and alternate need to be appointed.  A motion was made that President Avery serves as the delegate, and Trustee Nichols serves as the alternate.  The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.

 

JOE WILSON FOR CONGRESS

         President Avery reviewed information from Mike Couick, President and CEO of the ECSC requesting contributions to the Joe Wilson for Congress Campaign.  All contributions must be personal checks.  All trustees interested in attending the fundraising breakfast on March 13 are asked to let President Avery know.  This was accepted as information.

 

CONSIDER POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHANGES

         President and CEO Avery referenced the information from the Policy Advisory Committee on changes to be considered for Policy No. 300-113, Use of Cooperative Vehicles.  A motion was made to accept the changes as written.  The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.

         President Avery also referenced Policy No. 300-213, Administrative excusal for Court Appearances. A motion was made to accept the changes as written.  The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.

 

 

 

 

CONSIDER ATTENDING THE SPRING 2020 TRUSTEE ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE APRIL 20-22, 2020, MYRTLE BEACH, SC

         President Avery referenced information for the Spring 2020 Trustee Association Conference to be held in Myrtle Beach, SC April 20-22, 2020.  Any trustee interested in attending is asked to turn in their information sheet so that reservations can be made.

 

NOT ON AGENDA

         Mr. Pope presented information on the 2020 Annual Campaign for the Newberry County Family YMCA’s fundraiser 20/20 Vision.  The Y serves over 3000 people a year and is in need of some repairs.  After some discussion, a motion was made to be a Gold Sponsor with a 3-year commitment.  The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.

         President Avery stated that the staff needs to meet with the trustees to present the numbers for the end of the year from 2018 to 2019.  The consensus of the trustees is to meet on Monday, February 10, 2020 at 6:30 pm.

         The automated phone system went live on Wednesday, January 22, 2020.

         There are some problems with the phone app.  ATS is working on the problem and hope to have it fixed very soon.

                       

ADJOURNMENT

         There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the January 2020 Regular Board Meeting at 8:34 p.m.

 

                                                                                    ____________________________

                                                                                    SECRETARY

____________________________________

CHAIRMAN