REGULAR BOARD MEETING

March 25, 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, March 25, 2019.

         An Executive Session was held, and there were no actions and no voting acted upon during the Executive Session.  The Regular Meeting was called to order at 6:45 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, and Executive Secretary Deirdre Murphy.

READING AND APPROVAL OF REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES

         The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the February 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, March 18, 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 February 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 stated that no Executive Session was needed.

        

PRESIDENT AND CEO REPORT

President and CEO Avery reviewed the functions and activities he attended or participated in during the month of March.  He and Chairman Dickert attended the Central Electric Annual Meeting and Regular Board Meeting on March 6.  They also attended a CarolinaConnect Board Meeting on March 26. 

 

FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

         President and CEO Avery reviewed in detail the operational data for February 2019.  The amount of write offs for February is $2,494.14.  A motion was made to accept this amount.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

 

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

 

DEPARTMENT 600-Engineering and Operations

  • Several NEC employees participated in and attended the Lineman Rodeo on March 16 at Pee Dee Electric.  A trustee also attended.
  • The Samsung Relocation is completed.
  • Preparing Stoney Hill, Prosperity, New Hope and Edgewater Shores data for Fiber-ongoing.
  • Futura conversion start date has been set for April 29th- Training in June.
  • Over 872 customers have signed up for fiber to the home.

     

    OLD BUSINESS

     

    REMINDER

             President and CEO Avery reminded the trustees the April Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 24 at 6:30 pm.

     

    FEDERATED INSURANCE QUOTE

             President and CEO Avery referenced the information on quotes from Federated Rural on an increase of the coverage for the Commercial Umbrella Policy.  After reviewing the quotes, a motion was made to increase the umbrella policy to $10,000,000.00 (Ten Million) with an increase in the policy price of $3,825.00.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

     

    NEW BUSINESS

     

EMPLOYEE POLICY NO. 300-308 ANTI-DATING

         President Avery referenced the Employee Policy No. 300-308, Anti-Dating.  The Policy Advisory Committee is trying to make a proactive move in requesting the changes to this policy.  A motion was made to accept the changes.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

 

CONSIDER CONTRIBUTION TO LINDSEY GRAHAM FOR SENATE

         President Avery reviewed a request for contributions to Lindsey Graham for Senate from Caroline Robinson at ECSC.  All personal checks need to be payable to “Team Graham”.  President Avery will deliver the funds at the breakfast fund raiser in Clemson on May 13.  This was accepted as information.

 

CONSIDER CONTRIBUTION TO AG IN THE CLASSROOM

         President and CEO Avery reviewed information from Tracy Miskelly, SC Ag in the Classroom Director.  The Ag in the Classroom Summer Teacher Institute will be held in Columbia, SC June 10-14, 2019.  This will include three days of classroom instruction and two days of farm tours open to 50 Pre-K-8th grade certified classroom teachers.  A motion was made to contribute $1500.00 to be a Meal Sponsor.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

 

CONSIDER CONTRIBUTION TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA AG + ART TOUR

         President Avery reviewed information from South Carolina Ag + Art Tour.  This is a free, self-guided tour of farms and farmers markets across 10 counties in South Carolina.  It will be in Fairfield County June 15-16, 2019.  After some discussion, this was accepted as information.

ECSC SUMMER CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

         President Avery informed the trustees of the ECSC Summer Conference to be held June 3-5, 2019 at the Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, SC.  Each trustee was given an information sheet to be turned in, so that reservations can be made as soon as possible.

 

NOT ON AGENDA

         The Regular May Meeting date needs to be changed because the regular date is May 27, which is Memorial Day.  After some discussion, Wednesday, May 22 was selected as the meeting day for May.

                       

ADJOURNMENT

         There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the March Regular Board Meeting at 8:03 pm.

 

                                                                                    ____________________________

                                                                                    SECRETARY

____________________________________

CHAIRMAN