Board Spotlight: Board Reviews Safety Inspection Results
A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of SEMO Electric Cooperative, Inc., (hereinafter referred to as “Cooperative”) was held on Friday, June 24, 2022, at the offices of the Cooperative in Bloomfield, Missouri. The meeting was called to order by President Richard Faulkner. The following Directors were present: Faulkner, Carl Eftink, Dennis Fowler, Myron Hawes, James Deneke, Carla Moore, Dicky Hanor, Tim Coppage, John Bledsoe and Von Priggel. Directors absent: Keith Haynes and Field LaPlant. Also present were Sean Vanslyke, CEO/General Manager; Angie Byford, Manager of Administration and HR; Joshua Friel, Attorney for the Cooperative; and staff members Becky Ivester, Dannett Cooper, Loyd Rice, Marty Vineyard, Amanda Burnett, Chris Freed, Brad Milam, Ron Montgomery and interns Luke Becker, Rosa Hester and Ann Marie Long. A prayer of invocation was offered by Byford. The chair asked for approval of the agenda. On motion made, seconded and passed, the agenda was approved. The Board considered its consent agenda consisting of: the minutes of organizational meeting following the May 12 Annual Meeting; the minutes of the regular meeting of May 13, 2022; new membership applications; membership cancellations; initial review of Policy 203 – Sexual Harassment; and initial review of Policy 204 - Safety. On motion made, seconded and passed, the actions required for each were approved by consent.
Montgomery presented the monthly safety report. He discussed an unannounced worksite and fleet inspection by the Missouri Electric Cooperatives Insurance Plan (MECIP), which provides the Cooperative’s workers' compensation insurance. Montgomery reported that the inspector said “The Cooperative’s vehicles, equipment and facilities were found in good condition. The Cooperative’s main warehouse was very neat and clean. Crews working in the field were working safely overall and were very easy to have discussions with about their daily work and when answering questions.” On motion made, second and passed, the Board resolved to accept the monthly safety report.
Amanda Burnett reviewed the financial summary for the month of May 2022 with revenue and expense analysis and budget comparisons. Compared to budget, year-to-date electric revenue is up 2.59%, expenses are up 0.97% and cost of power is up 6.22%. Burnett also reviewed the CARES Act Employee Retention Credit application. On motion made, seconded, and passed, the financial report was accepted.
Eftink reported on business from M&A Electric Power Cooperative’s (transmission) May and June board meetings. Items of interest included: finances, construction and reliability. Bledsoe reported on business from the board meeting of Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. (generation). Items of interest included finances, power plant downtime, and power reliability for summer season. Vanslyke delivered the report on behalf of Haynes concerning the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives’ (statewide network) board meeting. Items of interest included: the new legislation passed this year.
Under old business the Board: reviewed its schedule of meetings and confirmed registrations for attendance; Policy 201 – Alcohol and Drug-Free Workplace was affirmed; and Policy 202 – Salary for Non-Union Employees was affirmed. Under new business the Board: reviewed and discussed district updates; and Vanslyke presented information on NRECA International’s request for donations and resolved to donate $1,000 to NRECA International. The Board reviewed written staff reports. Department leaders were present to supplement their reports and to answer questions. The Board also heard two-minute introductions from summer interns, a cybersecurity presentation from Team SEMO’s Brad Kern and a fiber marketing update from Team SEMO’s Charla Carrier.
The remaining staff members were excused from the meeting. Thereafter, the Board entered into Executive Session to discuss legal and personnel matters. The Board discussed the notice from Megan McCord, Attorney for the Cooperative, that she is leaving her current firm to start a new firm - Friel, McCord & Smiley, LLC. After discussion, on motion made, seconded and passed, the Board resolved to retain Megan McCord of Friel, McCord & Smiley, LLC, as Attorney for the Cooperative.
There being no further business to come before the Board, on motion made, seconded and passed, the meeting was adjourned.
