REGULAR BOARD MEETING
October 30, 2023
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, October 30, 2023.
Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert called the meeting to order 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:
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 Executive Secretary Deirdre Murphy.
The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the September 2023 Regular Board Meeting. A motion was made by Trustee Hipp to accept the minutes as emailed with the needed correction of the amount of write offs for August to $1,239.01. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
Committee Chairman John W. Nichols reported that the Finance Committee held its regular meeting on Monday, October 23, 2023 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 September 2023. 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.
Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III stated that he did not need an Executive Session, but President Avery requested one. Trustee Hipp made a motion to go into an Executive Session. The motion was seconded and passed without objection. Chairman Dickert convened the meeting into Executive Session. After some discussions, Trustee Hipp made a motion to come out of Executive Session. The motion was seconded and passed without objection. Chairman Dickert reconvened the meeting into Regular Session. No voting or actions were taken during the Executive Session.
President Avery reviewed the functions and activities he attended or participated in during the month of October. He met with a potential business coming to Newberry. He met with Samsung, KRA, Daeyoung, and Kiswire management teams.
President and CEO Avery reviewed in detail the operational data for September 2023. The amount of write offs for September is $3,012.05. A motion was made by Trustee Hipp to accept this amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Line construction is continuing to replace aging primary underground cable. They are scheduled to replace 13 lines in 2024. They are working with Artic Chill on two expansions and have completed West Fraser Kiln expansion. Nick Shealy and Benji Morris attended the Utility Expo and were able to secure a replacement truck.
President Avery reminded the trustees of the luncheon for Congressman Ralph Norman to take place on November 6. Two trustees are planning to attend with President Avery.
President Avery reviewed information for the ECSC Winter Conference to be held in December. Seven trustees expressed an interest in attending.
President Avery referenced a request from Jason and Tia Devette requesting a donation for Main Street Lights 2023 to be a part of the Newberry CommUNITY Christmas. Trustee Kesler made a motion to continue to be a Donner sponsor. The motion was seconded and passed without any opposition.
The ECSC Board Meeting Highlights for October 5, 2023 was accepted as information.
The Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. October 9, 2023 Executive Committee Meeting, the Central Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. October 10, 2023 Special Called Power Committee Meeting, and the Central Electric Power Cooperative Inc. October 10, 2023 Special Called Board Meeting summaries were all accepted as information.
President Avery informed the trustees of the South Carolina Power Team Holiday Drop-In on December 7, 2023. Seven trustees expressed an interest in attending.
President Avery referenced information on the 2024 NRECA PowerXchange to be held in March 2024. Several trustees expressed an interest to attend the conference.
The Central Electric Power Cooperative October 17, 2023 G-20 Meeting summary was accepted as information.
President and CEO Avery reviewed information on a proposed Long Duration Energy Storage Project. The Battery Storage System Grant Opportunity is for the Blair Substation. President Avery asked if the trustees were in favor of purchasing land nearby to be used for data mining, the battery storage, and future use. Trustee Hipp made a motion to conduct a survey and an environmental study first. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the October Regular Board Meeting at 8:15 p.m.
______________________
SECRETARY ______________
APPROVED
_______________________
CHAIRMAN