REGULAR BOARD MEETING
May 23, 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, May 23, 2022.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert at 6:30 p.m. followed by the invocation 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, Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III, Vice President of Operational Support Stephanie Sullivan, Engineering Analyst Michael Martin, Safety and Training Coordinator Phillip Padgett, Vice President of Operations Nick Shealy, and Executive Secretary Deirdre Murphy. Ms. Murphy attended by Web Ex.
Trustee Kesler made a motion to adjourn into Executive Session. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition. Everyone who were not trustees were asked to leave the room with the exception of Attorney Pope. After some discussion, a motion was made by Trustee Hipp to reconvene into Regular Session. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Everyone who left the room were able to return. After coming out of the Executive Session, a motion was made to give President and CEO Avery a salary increase to go into effect on June 1, 2022. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
Vice President of Operational Support, Stephanie Sullivan, reviewed the current fiber numbers as of orders pending and the ones completed to date. She also discussed the Last Mile Grant. She stated that County Council has been asked to match 50%, and the Newberry School District is going to see if any funds are in their budget that can be contributed to getting fiber in the rural communities.
Engineering Analyst, Michael Martin, discussed cyber security at Newberry Electric. An installed software sends out phishing emails to help employees learn what not to open or click on if they do not know who the email is from. If someone does open a phishing email or link, Mr. Martin will get a report, and he then has a training session with that person, if needed, to show them what to look for. At the next board meeting, Mr. Martin will have quotes for a security audit.
Safety and Training Coordinator, Phillip Padgett, explained the advantages and disadvantages of the outside employees using Cintas Rentals versus Uniform Management Program. After some discussion, a motion was made by Trustee Hipp to use Uniform Management for the outside uniforms purchases and upkeep. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the April 2022 Regular Board Meeting. A motion was made by Trustee Hipp 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, May 16, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. The committee members are Trustees C.J. Bishop, Johnnie Dickert, William Lominick, and John Nichols. All were present along with President and CEO Avery.
Chairman Nichols reported that the Finance Committee reviewed cash disbursements for April 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 discussed his executive items during the Executive Session at the beginning of the meeting, therefore no Executive Session took place at this time. No actions or voting took place on what he presented during that Executive Session.
President Avery reviewed the functions and activities he attended or participated in during the month of May. He attended a meeting with the Town of Prosperity Council to discuss a proposed subdivision. He also attended a meeting with an EZ Block Chain rep along with Nick Shealy and Kevin Shull to review sites.
President and CEO Avery reviewed in detail the operational data for April 2022. The amount of write offs for April is $2598.43. A motion was made by Trustee Hipp to accept this amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
President and CEO G. Keith Avery reviewed the Engineering and Operations and Operational Support reports for the month. Engineering has continued to work on Prosperity Substation upgrades with Circuit 7 and 1 Jollystreet tie line. They are also continuing to work on getting power and fiber to Daeyoung. The RF meters have been ordered.
President Avery referenced the 2022-2023 Board Committee Appointments. No one objected to the committees as assigned by Chairman Dickert. (See Attached)
President Avery reviewed the key points of the Central Electric Cooperative April Special Called Board Meeting Summary and the Central Electric Power Cooperative May 10, 2022 G-20 Meeting Summary. Both were accepted as information.
President and CEO Avery referenced a letter from Mr. Gary M. Peters, Executive Director of the Freedom and Hope Foundation, requesting a donation to help buy Carolina Pig Cooker grills. These are used for their monthly fundraiser, which is smoked Boston Butt BBQ sales. After some discussion, a motion was made by Trustee Kesler to make a donation. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
President Avery reviewed the Central Electric Power Cooperative May Board Meeting Summary. This was accepted as information.
President and CEO Avery reminded the trustees of the NRECA Regional Meeting to be held in October 2022. Several trustees expressed an interest in attending.
There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the May 2022 Regular Board Meeting at 8:30 p.m.
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SECRETARY APPROVED
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CHAIRMAN
NEWBERRY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
2022-2023 COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chairman Johnnie Dickert
Vice Chairman William Lominick, Sr.
Secretary-Treasurer John Wayne Nichols
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Chairman John Wayne Nichols
C.J. Bishop
Johnnie Dickert
William B. Lominick, Sr.
MEMBERSHIP & PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Chairman Blake Brigman
C.J Bishop
Johnnie Dickert
Melanie Hawkins
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS & OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Chairman Craig Kesler
Leon Fulmer, Jr.
Doug Hipp
Johnnie Dickert
POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE
Chairman Johnnie Dickert
Blake Brigman
Doug Hipp
Craig Kesler
John Wayne Nichols