Summary of board’s meeting in June
- Chairman Steve AmRhein called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., and Michael Brelage kept minutes of the meeting.
- All members of the board were present. Also present was DCREMC CEO Brett Abplanalp and DCREMC staff members Eric Busch and Jeanne Loechle.
- Upon motion by Jason Barnhorst, seconded by Brian Scheidler, and carried, the agenda of the meeting was approved by unanimous vote.
- Upon motion by Jason Barnhorst, seconded by Dale Wernke, and carried, the minutes for the May 28, 2020, board meeting were approved.
- Upon motion by Brian Scheidler, seconded by Dale Wernke, and carried, the minutes for the June 9, 2020, special board meeting were approved.
- Patty Fischer spoke on behalf of the Farm Bureau about the future of broadband internet in the county and asked for the support of the REMC. A larger committee has been formed to discuss how to move forward.
- Micah Lohrum discussed issues he and his customers have had with DCREMC and gave suggestions on how we can all work together more efficiently.
- Jeff Whitaker, along with his attorney Greg Schmith, requested a territory swap to Duke if the REMC wouldn’t install and connect his power at zero cost.
- Election of officers was held.
- Jason Barnhorst nominated Michael Brelage for chairman. No other candidate was nominated. Michael Brelage was elected chairman.
- Dale Wernke nominated Steve AmRhein for vice chairman. No other candidate was nominated. Steve AmRhein was elected vice chairman.
- Upon motion by Michael Brelage, seconded by Jason Barnhorst, and carried, CEO will have a resource present at all future board meetings to help keep notes of the minutes.
- Brian Scheidler nominated himself for secretary. No other candidate was nominated. Brian Scheidler was elected secretary.
- Brian Scheidler nominated himself for treasurer. No other candidate was nominated. Brian Scheidler was elected treasurer.
- Jason Barnhorst nominated himself for Assistant secretary treasurer. No other candidate was nominated. Jason Barnhorst was elected assistant secretary treasurer.
- The RUS loan package documents were presented to the meeting. Upon motion by Dale Wernke, seconded by Steve AmRhein, the resolution was passed with a vote of 5 to 3 with Jeff Lawrence dissenting. The resolution is attached to these minutes.
- Policy 1-10: Director Code of Conduct, policy 1-14: Conflict of Interest, and policy 1-16: Director Conduct were all reviewed.
- Brett Abplanalp gave the annual meeting wrap up. There were 6,588 eligible voters with 1,786 total votes. Quorum was 27.1% compared to 24.6% in 2019. There were 961 people who attended the virtual meeting either live or watched it after.
- Eric Busch gave the financial update. Operating margins were above budget by $31,279 in May 2020. We have a YTD operating margin of $299,635 compared to a plan of $348,698, resulting in a YTD budget deficit of $49,063. Overall YTD total margin is behind budget $74,670.
- Brett Abplanalp gave the CEO report. Starting July 6 the lobby will reopen following all safety guidelines and social distancing. Abplanalp and his staff are working on a plan for creating a vision, reviewing the mission statement, and strategic planning.
- Plans are to start work later this year and through Q2 2021. Brett Abplanalp and Eric Busch are interviewing facilitators for this project.
- Upon motion by Dale Wernke, seconded by Steve AmRhein, and carried, the 2018-2038 power requirement study was approved by unanimous vote.
- Community trust nominations were Cindy Wilkerson for district 4, Linda Wilson for district 5, and Ray Vonn for district 6. Upon motion by Steve AmRhein, seconded by Dale Wernke, and carried, they were approved by unanimous vote.
- Upon motion by Steve AmRhein, seconded by Carl Riedeman, and carried, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35pm to executive session.
