Board Summary
The board of directors of Southeastern Electric Cooperative met on Thursday, March 20, 2008, with all directors present. Also present were Manager Brad Schardin, Attorney R. Alan Peterson and staff members Ron Globke, Tim Chance, John McDonald, Todd Nelson and Mark Neu.
Manager Schardin in his report reviewed with the board the following items:
1. Reported that the City of Parker filled with the PUC to revise the territorial boundaries associated with their annexation.
2. Noted upcoming neighboring co-op annual meetings.
3. Discussed plans to attend the Basin MAC/Manager’s meeting on April 21-23.
4. Reviewed a proposed revised agreement between East River and Southeastern regarding the service revisions to POET Chancellor.
5. Discussed a recent meeting with SRS to review options and procedures.
6. Noted requests for donations from Marion and Parker for Veteran Memorials.
7. Reported on an Energy Efficiency Workshop held in Freeman and discussed the need to provide similar educational opportunities.
8. Noted the proposed merger of H-D and Codington-Clark Electric and associated issues.
9. Reviewed the “Our Energy Our Future” communications campaign for employees and members.
10. Reported on the results of the Strategic Thinking session with CFC’s Steve Kettler.
11. Informed the board on the status of Mark Mengenhauser’s recovery after his heart transplant.
12. Discussed a tour of the new US Bio and T-M Rural Water facilities.
13. Reviewed member issues and the content of the circulation file.
CFO John McDonald reviewed the written report and the preliminary February 2008 financial report.
Operation Managers Chance and Globke reviewed the written report and outage report summary for February 2008, and reviewed the status of Turtle meter testing program, results for sale of surplus vehicles and new location numbers in the towns plus they also informed the board of a work order inspection by Ulteig Engineering.
Member Services Manager Neu reviewed his written report, and noted a record number of Scholarship applications this year. He also stated he had high expectations for retro-fit installations during the year and the status of the Cannon load control receiver change-outs.
Consumer Relations and IT Manager Nelson reviewed his written report and updated the board on the status of the GIS project, issues with the new Cannon AMR system and a detailed list of aged accounts receivable.
The cooperative’s expenditures for the month of December 2007 were reviewed by Schardin.
In his legal report, Attorney Peterson reviewed correspondence with the South Dakota Electrical Commission, discussed the information provided at the NRECA Legal Seminar regarding a financial policy, records retention and Form 990. He also reported on the recently released rules from the FTC regarding identity theft protection and provided the co-op with a copy of an ABA publication – Guidebook for Directors on Nonprofit Corporations.
Board members considered and/or acted upon the following matters:
• Accepted new members as presented.
• Approved estate refunds for settlement of patronage capital.
• Approved member loan requests as presented.
• A motion was made and seconded to select Holmberg and Olsen to attend the May 4-7, 2008 NRECA Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., as alternates since Mehlhaff and L. Hofer could not attend. Motion carried.
• A motion was made and seconded to approve the winning bid to Golden Rule Construction for the new Sioux Falls Area office and Warehouse. Motion carried.
• A motion was made and seconded to authorize the President to sign the Southeastern’s 2007 Form 990, “Returns for Organizations Exempt from Income Tax.” Motion carried.
• A motion was made and seconded to authorize participation in the Cooperative System Integrity Fund based on a participation level equal to 5 percent of Southeastern’s 2008 CFC patronage capital refund, up to $500, designated for electric purposes only. Motion carried.
• Due to the planned retirement of Director Olsen at the 2008 annual meeting, it was the consensus of the board to select a replacement at the April board meeting and authorize that director to attend one or two East River board meetings with Director Olsen prior to his retirement.
• A motion was made and seconded to schedule a special board meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2008, to discuss the proposed 2008 cost of service and retail rate study. If approved the rate will go into effect with the May 2008 billing period. Motion carried.
Next regular monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at the Marion office.