REGULAR BOARD MEETING
July 25, 2022
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, July 25, 2022.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert at 6:34 p.m. followed by the invocation with the determination of a quorum present.
The secretary reported that the following Board Members were present:
Charles J. Bishop Leon Fulmer, Jr. J. Craig Kesler
M. Blake Brigman Melanie B. Hawkins William Lominick, Sr.
Johnnie L. Dickert Douglas E. Hipp John W. Nichols
Also present were President and CEO G. Keith Avery, Attorney Thomas Pope, III, and Executive Secretary Deirdre Murphy.
The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the June 2022 Regular Board Meeting. A motion was made by Trustee Kesler to accept the minutes as emailed. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the July 11, 2022 Special Called Board Meeting. A motion was made by Trustee Nichols to accept the minutes as emailed. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
Committee Chairman John W. Nichols reported that the Finance Committee held its regular meeting on Monday, July 18, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. The committee members are Trustees Charles J. Bishop, Johnnie L. Dickert, William Lominick, Sr., and John W. Nichols. All were present along with President and CEO Avery.
Chairman Nichols reported that the Finance Committee reviewed the cash disbursements for June 2022. All expenditures were found to be in order, and the committee is presenting this report as general information. The consensus of the board was to accept the report.
Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III stated that he did not have an Attorney Report.
President Avery reviewed the functions and activities he attended or participated in during the month of July. He met with the President and CEO of Laurens Electric Cooperative, J. David Wasson, to discuss extending fiber into Laurens County if grants are awarded for non-members at the end of the year. President Avery attended a meeting with officials from Midlands Tech to discuss a Pre-Apprentice Lineman School. He also met with a representative from Duke Power to discuss pole layouts for fiber in the Clara Brown Road area.
President and CEO Avery reviewed in detail the operational data for June 2022. The amount of write offs for June is $1014.24. A motion was made by Trustee Hipp to accept this amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Trustee Kesler requested the financial report on the fiber project. President Avery stated that the report is stated on the Form 7, but will be presented in more detail at the next board meeting.
President and CEO G. Keith Avery reviewed the Engineering and Operations and Operational Support reports for the month. He stated that Engineering has continued to work on the Fairview and Hollands relay upgrades. Prosperity Substation upgrades are an ongoing process and are waiting on supplies to come in to complete the work. Lee Electric is working on the Long Lane Circuit #3 upgrades. Newberry, Riley Road, and Belfast substations are ready for the EZ Block Chain data mining to connect. Engineering met with Artic Chill to create a preliminary design for their expansion. John Fulmer has obtained his CDL. Nick Adams from Statewide will be conducting a SPCC safety meeting.
President and CEO Avery stated that the SC Rural Broadband Grant is ongoing. This grant includes the Long Lane Substation. NEC has received a Last Mile Grant. Construction will begin in July for Key Island Road, Vinge Road, and Bedford Way. There are 4827 active CarolinaConnect accounts.
Trustee Hipp asked if there was any new information on the possible land purchase beside the Stoney Hill Substation that was discussed at the Special Board Meeting on July 11, 2022. President Avery stated that the landowner did not agree to the stipulations, so the land will not be purchased at this time.
The Central Electric Power Cooperative June 27, 2022 Special Called G-20 Meeting, the Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. July 11, 2022 Bylaw Review Committee: Simply vs. Supermajority Requirements Meeting, the Central Electric Power Cooperative July 12, 2022 G-20 Meeting, and the Central Electric Power Cooperative July Board Meeting summaries were all discussed and accepted as information.
President Avery referenced a letter from the President and CEO of the ECSC, Mike Couick, requesting a contribution to the Henry McMaster for Governor campaign. After much discussion, Trustee Bishop made a motion to contribute to the campaign. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
President Avery reviewed a memo from Newberry Electric’s ACRE/ECHO representative, Leann Hutto, asking the trustees and Attorney Pope to consider continuing their membership in ACRE and/or ECHO. The consensus was to continue with their current membership level.
There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the July 2022 Regular Board Meeting at 8:00 p.m.
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SECRETARY APPROVED
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CHAIRMAN