REGULAR BOARD MEETING

June 24, 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, June 24, 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, Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III, Vice President of Public & Government Relations, Debra Shaw, and Executive Secretary Deirdre Murphy. 

 

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS PROJECT PRESENTATION-DEBRA SHAW

         Debra Shaw, Vice President of Public & Government Relations, presented information on a joint project with the Do-Si-Jo’s Corn Maze in Newberry, SC.  The project would consist of a Newberry Electric theme cut into the corn maze for the fall season.  Tickets would be sold to walk through the corn maze and participate in the games that will be set up.  Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Fund.  This project meets one of Newberry Electric’s core values of commitment to the community, and it brings more awareness to Breast Cancer. 

         After some discussion, a motion was made to collaborate with Do-Si-Jo’s for the Breast Cancer fundraiser.  The motion was seconded and passed without opposition if Do-Si-Joe’s will agree to donate at least 10% of the proceeds to Breast Cancer Research Fund.

 

        

READING AND APPROVAL OF REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES

         The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the May 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, June 17, 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 May 2019.  All expenditures were found to be in order.  The consensus of the board was to accept this as information.

 

ATTORNEY REPORT

         Mr. Pope 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 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 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 June.  He attended a Managers Association Meeting where they discussed Santee Cooper.  He, 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 May 2019.  The amount of write offs for May 2019 is $3,276.52.  A motion was made to accept this amount.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

 

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

 

DEPARTMENT 600-Engineering and Operations

  • Nick Shealy completed CLCP IV in Madison, Wisconsin
  • Lee Electric is working on Highway 773 Reconduct and the Mid-Carolina Loop.
  • Davey Tree crews are continuing work on the right of way clearing on Blair 2 and Bush River 4.
  • Hollands, Fairview, and Stoney Hill substations are completed for fiber.  Edgewater Shores is also complete.
  • The main line in the Prosperity substation is in progress for fiber.
  • Spyware is an ongoing issue, but we are still looking good with limited virus activity.

     

    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

     

    2019 NRECA REGIONAL MEETING-LOUISVILLE, KY

                President Avery reminded the trustees of the 2019 NRECA Regional Meeting to be held October 8-10, 2019 in Louisville, Ky.  All trustees interested in attending need to turn in their information sheet as soon as possible, so that reservations can be made.

     

    VETERANS’ PROJECT

                President and CEO Avery reminded the trustees of the SCWIRE “Honors our Veterans” project.  This project honors military personnel or a veteran, alive or deceased.  An honoree can be anyone associated with a coop employee or trustee.  Name plates and picture will be displayed at the ECSC office.  The cost is $10.00 per name plate.  If interested, please let Debra Shaw know.

               

    NEW BUSINESS

     

ACRE CERTIFICATE

         President and CEO Avery directed attention to the ACRE (Action Committee for Rural Electrification) certificate awarding Newberry Electric for enrolling 100% Board and Management and 100% Management Century Club.

 

CEE-US PATRONAGE CAPITAL CERTIFICATE

         President and CEO Avery referenced a certificate from CEE-US (Cooperative Electric Energy Utility Supply) for patronage capital for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018.

 

CONSIDER PROPOSED POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHANGES

         President Avery reviewed the following requested changes to each policy from the Policy Advisory Committee:

  • Policy 300-220 Uniforms.  A motion was made to accept the changes.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
  • Policy 300-219 Safety Incentive.  A motion was made to accept the changes.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
  • Policy 300-225 Personal Protective Equipment.  A motion was made to accept the changes.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
  • Policy 300-314 Tobacco/Tobacco Products.  A motion was made to accept the changes.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

 

NRECA ANNUAL AND REGIONAL MEETING VOTING DELEGATE CERTIFICATION AND CREDENTIALING PROCESS

         President and CEO Avery directed attention to the information regarding the NRECA Annual and Regional Meetings voting delegate and alternate delegate.  A motion was made to appoint CEO Avery as the delegate and Trustee Nichols as the alternate.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

 

NOTICE OF NRECA DIRECTOR ELECTION

         President Avery reviewed notification of the NRECA Director Election for South Carolina.  The election will take place on August 1 at Statewide.  A motion was made for President and CEO Avery to be the voting delegate and Chairman Dickert to be the alternate voting delegate.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

 

ECSC BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS FROM JUNE 4, 2019

            President Avery directed attention to the ECSC Board Meeting Report from June 4, 2019. This was accepted as information.

 

NOT ON AGENDA

         President Avery informed the trustees that bill stuffers and letters will be mailed to notify consumers of the rate changes to go into effect August 1.  Industrial facilities will also get a visit from a staff member to explain the changes. 

         All trustees received a copy of new By-Laws approved at the Annual Meeting in April.

         All trustees received a copy of the new employee directory.

 

ADJOURNMENT

         There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the June 2019 Regular Board Meeting at 8:05 pm.

 

                                                                                    ____________________________

                                                                                    SECRETARY

____________________________________

CHAIRMAN