The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of Clay Electric Co-operative, Inc. (CECI) was held at the Clay Electric Co-operative Headquarters, Flora, Ill., beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025.

Trustees present were Bob Pierson, Neil Gould, Bill Croy, Frank Herman, Frank Czyzewski, Richard Rudolphi, Evan Smith and Josh Schnepper. Also present were Matt Conklin, CEO, and Attorney for the Board Tyra Cycholl. Kevin Logan was present via conference call. The meeting was opened by Bob Pierson, who presided, and Neil Gould acted as secretary thereof.

The invocation was given by Frank Czyzewski, and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

The following proceedings were had [all action being first duly moved and seconded and all action taken being upon the unanimous vote of the Board or without dissenting vote of abstention unless otherwise stated]:

APPROVED, the Suggested Agenda.

HEARD, the Manager’s Report on Safety.

REVIEWED, Monday Morning Safety meeting held Feb. 24, 2025.

APPROVED, the Consent Agenda including the following:

• APPROVED, the prior meeting minutes;
• APPROVED, (a) to admit to membership those applicants connected for service since the last such review by the board, and (b) cancel those former members shown on the Manager’s Report since the last such review by the Board, said members no longer taking service.

REVIEWED, the Consent Agenda including the following:

• REVIEWED, the Work Orders;
• REVIEWED, the Disbursements;
• REVIEWED, the Credit Card Statements;
• REVIEWED, the Attorney Retainer;
• REVIEWED, the Account Summary Report.

REVIEWED, Policy 100-1, 100-2, 100-4, 100-5, 100-6, 100-7, 100-8, 100-9, 100-10 and 100-11.

APPROVED, revisions to Policy 100-3 and 200-2 as presented.

APPROVED, closing the line of Credit Debt for 2024 into a 30-year loan. 

HEARD, an update on the Cost-of-Service Study and the CFC Quarterly Loan Payment.

REVIEWED, the Worker’s Compensation Retention Rebate from Federated.

REVIEWED, the CRC patronage Capital Credit check.

REVIEWED, an update from Jim Matheson regarding NRECA political issues.

HEARD, a report by Bob Pierson regarding SIPC as well as notice of the SIPC Loan Forecast and 2024 Patronage Capital.

HEARD, a report by Kevin Logan regarding the AIEC board meeting.

DISCUSSED, upcoming Board Training and Events including:

• The NRECA Annual Meeting;
• CRC Forum Registration;
• NRECA BLC 990 CCD Refresher;
• AIEC CRC Director Workshop;
• NRECA Legislative Conference.

HEARD and APPROVED, a financial report by Matt Conklin as to the following:

• Monthly Reconciliation;
• SIPC Power Delivered in January 2025;
• January 2025 Cash Flow;
• Line Loss;
• January 2025 Form 7;
• January 2025 Balance Sheet.

REVIEWED, the Cybersecurity Report.

HEARD and APPROVED, the Manager’s Report by Matt Conklin on the following topics:

• Director’s Gold Certificates for Robert Pierson, Neil Gould and Kevin Logan;
• WEC Solar Discussion;
• Chicken Farm Update and System upgrade map;
• Operations Report;
• Communications Report;
• Upcoming meetings.

CONGRATULATED, Bob Pierson, Neil Gould and Kevin Logan on becoming Gold Certificate Directors.

APPROVED, refunding Invenergy their deposit of $25,000 in lieu of WEC’s Guarantee to pay up to $25,000.

HEARD, an update on the Chicken Farm and System upgrades.

REVIEWED, the Operations Report.

REVIEWED, the Communications Report.

HEARD, five juniors were going to Youth Day in Springfield.

WERE REMINDED, of upcoming meetings on March 24, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. and April 28, 2025 at either 3:30 or 7 p.m., May 27, 2025 at 7 p.m. (moved to Tuesday due to the holiday) and June 23, 2025 at 7 p.m.

REVIEWED, a thank-you card from a member.

There being no further business to come before the Board, said meeting was declared adjourned at 5:15 p.m.