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 28, 2024.
Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., followed by Trustee John W. Nichols' 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 H. Pope, III, Chief Financial Officer Arthur Guy, Executive Secretary Deirdre Murphy, and Operational Support Technician Tara Chapman.
Mr. Guy presented the FEMA consulting proposals from Del Sol Consulting, Emergent Risk Solutions LLC, Royal Engineering and Consultants, and Bernquist Recovery Consulting LLC to the board. The Board had been sent the proposals for their review. After further discussion, Trustee Nichols motioned to accept Emergent Risk Solutions LLC’s proposal and use it as NEC’s FEMA consultant. The motion was seconded and approved without opposition.
Mr. Guy requested the board's permission for a CFC loan to support the restoration efforts following Hurricane Helene. The loan would be used to repair the electrical and fiber optic lines. Mr. Guy informed the board that Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III would provide further details about the loan later in the meeting.
The Board continued with the reading of the minutes of the September 2024 Regular Board Meeting. Trustee Hipp made a motion 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, October 21, 2024 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 the President and CEO Avery.
Chairman Nichols reported that the Finance Committee reviewed the cash disbursements for September 2024. All Expenditures were in order, and the committee is presenting this report as general information. The Board's consensus was to accept the report.
Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III, requested a motion and explained a certificate of resolution and Incumbency to the Board to enter into an Emergency Revolving Line of Credit Agreement with National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (“CFC”) for up to $15,000,000.00 to fund expenditures for the repair and replacement of facilities following an emergency or disaster situation, whether natural or man-made. This motion by Trustee Hipp and seconded by Trustee Brigman passed unanimously. On motion by Trustee Hipp and seconded by Trustee Brigman, the Board then adopted by unanimous vote a Resolution directing the President, Chairman, and/or officers of Newberry Electric Cooperative, Inc. to execute the Line of Credit Agreement with CFC on behalf of NEC and to do all such acts which are appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Agreement.
Attorney Thomas H. Pope, III, did not request an Executive Session.
President and CEO Avery requested an Executive Session. Trustee Hipp made a motion for an Executive Session, which was seconded and passed without opposition. After some discussion, Trustee Brigman made a motion to return to the Regular Session, which was seconded and passed without opposition. No voting or actions took place during the Executive Session.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the functions and activities he attended in October. President Avery attended a meeting with Central Electric Cooperative, Inc., to discuss the Cook Case resolution of exceptions and a meeting discussing net metering.
President and CEO Avery provided an update to the Board regarding the costs associated with Hurricane Helene. He mentioned that the restoration efforts were still ongoing and that outside contractors had been brought in to assist with this process. Currently, twenty construction crews, comprising one hundred nineteen linemen, are working to restore NEC’s electrical lines. Additionally, the fiber restoration team is made up of eleven construction crews and eight splicer crews, all of whom are working twelve hour shifts, seven days a week, as of October 12, 2024.
President and CEO Avery informed the Board that NEC received two thank you letters for the commitment made during the Hurricane Helene storm restoration.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the operational data for September 2024 in detail. The amount of write offs for September 2024 is $2,298.31. Trustee Hipp made a motion to accept this amount. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Lisa Wicker has completed her training and received a certificate in RUS Borrower Accounting.
President and CEO Avery reviewed the Engineering/ Operations and Operational Support reports for September 2024. He noted that the results of the power transformer oil samples were questionable and have been resampled.
During Hurricane Helene, the Samsung and Kiswire Substations remained energized, and the automatic switch at the Cannon Creek Substation operated correctly.
Normal operations projects are anticipated to be completed within a time frame of approximately two weeks. He mentioned ongoing discussions with EZ Block regarding the expansion at the Belfast Substation, with EZ Block negotiating land acquisition. The pole attachment for the skid steer has arrived at Wilson’s and is ready to be picked up.
Nick Woodruff, Trent Swygert, and Dawson Crowell attended the Apprentice I at ECSC. Leann Hutto attended Envoy Training at Santee Cooperative, and Stephanie Sullivan and Daniel Hesson attended the Fiber Conference.
No accidents occurred during the restoration efforts following Hurricane Helene. As of October 18, 2024, the storm estimates reported two hundred thirty six broken poles and five damaged reclosers, three of which were deemed total losses. Electrical materials from CEEUS were purchased for the storm restoration.
CarolinaConnect billed six thousand four hundred seventy nine fiber accounts for the month, and there are thirty two pending orders for CarolinaConnect installations.
President and CEO Avery informed the trustees of the upcoming NRECA Directors Conference, which will be held in person on January 25-28, 2025, and online on January 26-28, 2025. Three trustees said they would attend in person, and six would attend online classes.
President and CEO Avery notified the Board that the grand opening event for CEEUS SC Headquarters will be held on November 13, 2024. Four Board members expressed interest in attending.
President and CEO Avery informed the trustees that the 2024 Winter Conference would be held from December 8-11, 2024. Eight Trustees confirmed that they would attend the conference.
The Trustees reviewed the information on Capital Credit Payout for 2005. Trustee Nichols motioned to pay out 100% of the total $263,888.13. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
The ECSC Board Meeting Highlights for October 7, 2024 were accepted as information.
President and CEO Avery informed the Board that the January 2025 Regular Board Meeting date conflicted with the NRECA Directors Conference. After some discussion, the Board agreed to change the meeting date from January 27, 2025, to January 23, 2025.
President and CEO Avery discussed the 2025 NRECA PowerXchange, which will be held in March 2025. Several of the Trustees expressed interest in attending the conference.
President and CEO Avery discussed with the trustees requesting permission to request a contribution from America’s Electric Cooperatives PAC for Sheri Biggs for Congress. Trustee Fulmer motioned to accept this request, and the motion was seconded and passed with a vote of eight to one.
The next Regular Board Meeting will be held on Monday, November 25, 2024.
There being no further business and without objections, Chairman Johnnie L. Dickert adjourned the October Regular Board Meeting at 8:28 p.m.
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SECRETARY APPROVED
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CHAIRMAN