REGULAR BOARD MEETING

August 26, 2024

 

         The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. was held at Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. located in Newberry County, State of South Carolina on Monday, August 26, 2024.

         The meeting was called to order by Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert at 6:28 pm followed by the invocation with the determination of a quorum present. 

         The secretary reported that the following Board Members were present:

                        Barbara C. 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 Operations Support Tech Tara Chapman.  Executive Secretary Deirdre Murphy attended by WebEx.

            The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the July 2024 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 Wednesday, August 21 at 6:30 p.m.  The committee members are Trustees Johnnie L. Dickert, J. Craig Kesler, 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 July 2024.  All expenditures were in order, and the committee is presenting this report as general information.  The consensus of the board was to accept the report as information.

Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III stated that he has an Attorney Report and requested an Executive Session.  Trustee Kesler made a motion for the meeting to go into Executive Session.  The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.  Chairman Dickert convened the meeting into Executive Session.  After some discussion, a motion was made by Trustee Hipp to return to Regular Session.  The motion was seconded and passed without opposition, and Chairman Dickert reconvened the Regular Session.  No actions or voting took place during the Executive Session. 

             President Avery reviewed the functions and activities he attended or participated in during the month of August.  He attended the Managers Meeting with other SC Cooperative managers.  He also conducted a strategic meeting with Staff and Trustees Hipp and Kesler.

  President and CEO Avery reviewed in detail the operational data for July 2024.  The amount of write offs for July is $2,407.81.  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.  He stated that Engineering has completed the install of the Survalent SCADA system on the server.  They are replacing arrestors that have been hit by lightning or are sized too small for the land.  The RESAP was completed and NEC passed the inspection.

Engineering also helped with the students from the Youth Tour when they came to the office for one of their projects.  A thank you letter was received from a summer intern for the opportunity of helping for the summer. 

President Avery provided information from neighboring cooperatives on how they structured their Advisory Committee.  After much discussion, Trustee Kesler made a motion to form the Advisory Committee and for them to meet twice a year starting in 2025.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. 

President Avery informed the trustees of the SC Association for Community Economic Development dynamics.  After much discussion, Attorney Pope suggested that an amendment be made to the Bylaws and they create a Bylaw to cover this issue.  The trustees agreed to Mr. Pope’s suggestion.

 President Avery reminded the trustees of the Special Called Board Meeting to be held on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at the office.

President and CEO Avery informed the board that it is time to decide on the South Carolina Living 2025 magazine subscriptions.  Trustee Nichols made a motion to continue sending the Living for 11 months a year.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. 

President Avery reminded the trustees of the 2025 NRECA Directors conference to be held January 25-28. 2025 in Florida.  A virtual option is available.  This was accepted as information. 

The Central Electric Power Cooperative August 2, 2024 Rates Task Force and the Central Electric Power Cooperative August 6, 2024 G-20 meeting summaries were accepted as information.

President Avery referenced a certificate from the America’s Electric Cooperative PAC for enrolling 100% of the Board & Management into the Century Club.

President and CEO Avery reviewed a letter from Mr. Carlton Kinard, the President of the Newberry County Branch of the NAACP, requesting a contribution to their 80th Anniversary Celebration Gala to be held in October.  The contributions are used to offer scholarships to graduating seniors from local Newberry County High Schools.  Trustee Brigman made a motion to contribute as a Silver Sponsor.  The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.

New telephone extensions to the office were given as information.

            President and CEO Avery reminded the trustees that it is time to start preparing for the 2025 Annual Meeting.  A meeting of the Membership and Public Relations Committee needs to take place in September.  The Committee members, Trustees Bishop, Brigman, Dickert, and Hawkins, agreed to meet on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 4:00 pm.

 The Central Electric Power Cooperative Inc. August 15, 2024 Executive Committee Meeting Summary was accepted as information.

 President Avery reference a request for contributions to the Kiswire Pro-Am at Mid Carolina Tournament.  The funds are used to provide scholarships to local dependents of First Responders in Newberry County and members of Mid Carolina Club.  Trustee Nichols made a motion to be an Ace Sponsor.  The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. 

The Central Electric Power Cooperative Inc. August 2024 Finance Audit Risk Committee Meeting Summary was accepted as information.

The Central Electric Power Cooperative Inc. August 20, 2024 Member & Energy Services Committee Meeting Summary was accepted as information.

President Avery stated that SC House Representative Russell Ott is asking for Cooperative’s support in his Senate election campaign this year.  Trustee Kesler made a motion to donate to his campaign.  The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.

 President and CEO Avery reminded the trustees of the Special Called Board Meeting on Tuesday, August 27 at 4:00 pm

             The next regular Board Meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 30, 2024.

            There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the August Regular Board Meeting at 7:55 pm.

___________________________________                                      ___________________

SECRETARY                                                                                    APPROVED

____________________________________

Chair