Monthly Board Meeting Summary
Clay-Union Electric Corporation
Regular Board Meeting - Vermillion, South Dakota
July 2010
On July 23, 2010, at 8:30 A.M., the monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of Clay-Union Electric was called to order by Board President James Ryken. The following directors were also present: Tom Larsen, Gordon Andersen and Terry Munter. Also in attendance were General Manager John Gors, Operations Manager Leo Powell and Member Service/Marketing Director Mike Kjose.
Agenda – A motion was made, seconded and carried to approve the agenda.
Visitors to be Heard – New employee Quinn Springer was introduced to and welcomed by the board. Clay-Union Electric’s representative on the Washington, D.C. Youth Tour, Andrea McManus provided the board with a report of the trip and her thoughts.
Minutes – Motion was made, seconded and carried to approve the Regular Board Meeting Minutes from June 25, 2010.
Check List & Electronic Funds Transfer – The checklist, EFT and ACH payments were reviewed. Discussion followed.
New Members and Refunds – (action item) After a brief discussion, a motion was made, seconded and carried to approve the new members and refunds for the month.
Early Retirement of Capital Credits to Estates – (action item) Four estate retirements were reviewed. After a brief discussion, a motion was made, seconded and carried to approve retirement of capital credits to those estates.
Contracts / Agreements – (action item) A motion was made, seconded and carried to approve one (1) line extension agreement with a member.
Other Action Items to be approved – A motion was made, seconded and carried to approve and authorize attendance to the NRECA Regional Meeting.
- A motion was made, seconded and carried to approve and authorize attendance to B-Y Electric Annual Meeting.
- A motion was made, seconded and carried to approve and authorize attendance to the East River Electric Annual Meeting.
Policy Review – (action Item) Policy 320, Interconnection of Distributed Resources. This is a new policy which is required by RUS. After explanation, a motion was made, seconded and carried to adopt Policy 320, and approve revisions to the following; Policy 501- Community Watch, Policy 601- Load Control, Policy 701- Employment Opportunity and Nondiscrimination, Policy 702- Equal Employment Opportunity and Nondiscrimination, Policy 704- Personnel Information and Employee Records.
Manager’s Report – Manager Gors provided an update and/or reported on the following items:
• Member Contacts: Manager Gors reported on the various member contacts which occurred during the preceding month.
Discussion followed.
• Interest Rates/Loan Rewrites
- The new CoBank representative stopped in to review interest rate on existing loans. A lengthy discussion that developed into a detailed review of interest rates ensued.
• Federated Board Seat Position
- Brad Schardin from Southeastern Electric has announced his intent to run for that position. Board expressed their support for Schardin in his efforts to obtain the position.
• Smarter Grid Road Map
- This has been an ongoing process established by East River. It has now developed into five groups divided between the managers group and Manager Gors reported he will be serving on the rate group.
• SD Wind Partnership
- Discussed notification of membership of SD Wind Partnership meeting dates.
• SD Health Partnership
- Additional information is becoming more available and decision process will be held next month.
• NRECA Safety Program
- Web conferences will be held to discuss the new direction of the program.
• South East Managers Group
- This is a group of the southeast South Dakota managers and provides a good opportunity to talk over cooperative issues.
• Basin Electric End Use Survey
- Clay-Union Electric Cooperative scored 85 out of 100 in satisfaction by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ASCI). National satisfaction average was 72 out of 100.
• Because of new FCC regulations Clay-Union Electric is reviewing some different options regarding our two-way radio system.
Departmental – Business Manager Beth Bottolfson provided a written administrative report for the board to review and Manager Gors took any questions.
Operations Manager Leo Powell provided the operations report that included Department Activity:
• Annual Aerial Truck Inspection
- DUECO preformed the annual die-electric inspection for this year.
• Lewis and Clark Regional Water System Update
- The underground is ready to be energized to all the well sites when they are ready.
• AMI Update; After we get the Centerville, Vermillion and Irene substations up and running we will be able to read around 1200 meters remotely.
Kjose provided the Member Services and Marketing report that included:
• Power Supply Tour, Clay County Fair, Ag Appreciation Day.
Financials – Business Manager Beth Bottolfson provided a written financial report for the board to review and Manager Gors took any questions.
SDREA Board Report – Tom Larsen provided a verbal report on the June SDREA meeting.
Safety Meeting Minutes – Safety Meeting Minutes were not available at this time.
Video and Meeting Reports – The video report from East River Electric and Basin Electric were viewed by the Board.
Board then reviewed calendar of events and supplemental information.
Adjournment – Adjournment – At 3:00 P.M. a motion was made, seconded and carried to adjourn.