REGULAR BOARD MEETING
November 20, 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 Wednesday, November 20, 2019.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert at 6:30 pm with the determination of a quorum present.
The secretary reported that the following Board Members were present:
C.J. Bishop Melanie Hawkins William Lominick
Johnnie L. Dickert Douglas Hipp John Nichols
Leon Fulmer, Jr. Craig Kesler
Also present were President and CEO G. Keith Avery and Executive Secretary Deirdre Murphy. Trustee Blake Brigman and Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III were absent.
President Avery informed the trustees of some Dominion territory near the lake that is close to the NEC lines that NEC is negotiating to serve.
President Avery also said that Kevin Mauer from Highline Engineering will come and talk to some chicken house owners about problems they are having with variable speed motors and harmonic issues.
ATTORNEY REPORT
Due to Mr. Pope being absent, there was no Attorney Report.
READING AND APPROVAL OF REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES
The Board dispensed with the reading of the minutes of the October 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, November 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 October 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.
PRESIDENT AND CEO REPORT
President and CEO Avery reviewed the functions and activities he attended or participated in during the month of November. He attended a Managers Association Meeting in Asheville, NC. President Avery and Mr. Dickert also attended the monthly CarolinaConnect Board Meeting.
FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
President and CEO Avery reviewed in detail the operational data for October 2019. The amount of write offs for October is $1,687.05. A motion was made to accept this amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
DEPARTMENT 600-Engineering and Operations
- Nick Shealy, EJ Altman, Stephanie Sullivan, Michael Livingston, Wanda Johnson, and Kayla Setzer all attended various conferences and training classes.
- Davey Tree is continuing to clear Right of Way.
- A safety meeting was held on Self Defense by Earwoods Karate.
- Ezekiel Kates was hired as a Fiber Tech.
OLD BUSINESS
CHRISTMAS PARTIES
President Avery reminded the trustees of the Children’s and the Adult’s Christmas parties. Please turn in your sheets so that the committees can plan for an adequate amount.
NEW BUSINESS
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF EMPLOYEE’S BONUS
President Avery referenced a memo from Arthur Guy requesting approval of the budgeted bonus for employees. A motion was made to accept the request. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
INTEGRITY FUND UPDATE
President Avery reviewed a letter from CFC thanking NEC for the contribution to the Integrity Fund. NEC has used these funds in the past to pay legal fees, and this is a benefit of being a member of CFC. This was accepted as information.
DIRECTORS YEARS OF SERVICE FOR SC ELECTRIC COOPS
INVITE FROM CEE-US AND LINE EQUIPMENT
President Avery referenced the invitation from CEE-US to play golf in Asheville, NC at the ECSC Annual Meeting. No trustee expressed an interest.
CONSIDER ATTENDING THE 2020 ANNUAL MEETING FEBRUARY 27-MARCH 4, 2020-NEW ORLEANS, LA
President Avery directed attention to the information for the NRECA Annual Meeting to be held in New Orleans, LA February 27-March 4, 2020. Any interested trustee is asked to turn in their sheets so that reservations can be made.
CONSIDER ATTENDING THE 2020 DIRECTORS CONFERENCE APRIL 4-7, 2020-KANSAS CITY, MO
President Avery directed attention to the 2020 Directors Conference April 4-7, 2020 in Kansas City, Mo. Any interested trustee is asked to turn in their sheets so that reservations can be made.
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHANGES
President Avery referenced a memo from Policy Advisory Committee on changes to some policies. The following policies were review:
300-107 Employment and Placement of Employees
300-109 Employee Status
300-204 Meals
300-303 Disciplinary Action for Preventable Accidents
A motion was made to accepted the changes as presented. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
CONSIDER ATTENDING SC POWER TEAM OPEN HOUSE DECEMBER 5, 2019
President Avery reviewed the invitation for the SC Power Team Open House on December 5, 2019 in Columbia, SC. Any interested trustees who would like transportation, should be at the Coop to leave at 3:00 pm.
THANK YOU CARD FROM THE FAMILY OF FRED KESLER
President Avery passed around a Thank You card from the family of Mr. Fred Kesler, who recently passed away. Mr. Kesler served on the Election and Credentials Committee of the Newberry Electric Annual Meeting for several years.
APPOINT CAROLINACONNECT TRUSTEE
President Avery referenced information from CarolinaConnect in Lexington, SC requesting a Trustee to serve on the Board of CarolinaConnect. A motion was made to appoint Chairman Dickert. The motion was seconded and passed without opposition.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the November 2019 Regular Board Meeting at 8:55 p.m.
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SECRETARY
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CHAIRMAN