Indiana Statewide Regulatory Compliance
Annual Meeting
Held via Internet Webinar
April 23, 2013
Members Present:
Brian Sparks
Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC
Present via conference call:
See attendance sheet
Non-Members Present:
Tim Crouch
Indiana Statewide
Tony Graber
Indiana Statewide
Dan Hoch
Indiana Statewide
Marty Jones
Indiana Statewide
Kodi Swafford
Indiana Statewide
Deirdre Tiernan
Indiana Statewide
Andrea Carr
Indiana Statewide
Tim Crouch began the meeting with introductions and Chairman Brian Sparks called the
meeting to order and presented the draft minutes from the Annual Meeting that was held
on March 22, 2012 for approval. A motion was made and seconded to approve the
minutes as presented. With the majority in favor, the motion carried.
Mr. Crouch provided the program financial update, and highlighted a number of items
affecting revenue and expenses and noted significant variances. He stated they were
slightly over on the income statement for the period ended December 31, 2012 due to
salary adjustments; addition of two staff members to the medical health insurance; travel
related costs due to wider expansion and travel patterns with an increase in fuel costs;
increase in meals and lodging, and there was an increase in consulting fees due to the
needs associated with the IT expansion at ISA.
Mr. Crouch presented the income statement for the period ended March 31, 2013 which
is currently running at budget as they continue to monitor travel costs, stating during the
first of the year a couple staff members were involved with the REAP program which
caused a slight increase in the travel costs. The actual net income year-to-date is
($17,784).
Deirdre Tiernan reviewed the analysis of equity. The allocation of the 2012 net margins
to each existing participating member system in the amount of ($353.92), totaling
($9,909.77), which resulted in an equity member balance of $7,421.55 for all
participating members. With this allocation, the resulting overall equity balance for all
28 members rests at $207,803.43.
Tim Crouch distributed and presented an overview of the 2013 budget. Regulatory
Compliance is running within budget and the 2013 budget has already been approved by
the Executive Committee based upon the current 28 members and associated costs. The
2013 proposed budget expenses totals $768,294.
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Regulatory Compliance Annual Meeting
March 23, 2013
Highlighted areas of discussion in association to the $84,021 2013 budget increase
included adjustment of salaries and related costs; two new staff members taking the
medical insurance; increase in travel related costs; and an overhead allocation increase
adjustment.
Mr. Crouch then began a slide presentation on the general program strategic work plan
for Indiana Statewide Regulatory Compliance program (RCP) for 2013 and the
importance for continued growth and refinement of the RCP; online, web-based training
and database improvements; RCP member progression; continue specialized training and
advance development of professional staff; advancement of internalized auditing of
program activity; and will target the work plan efforts on the member issues presented by
the RCP staff while also continuing the development of tools to improve training and
efficiency. Staff discussed 2012 projects that have been completed, a status report on
current projects, and a summary of upcoming issues for the 2013 calendar.
At this time each staff member outlined project objectives and status results from the
2012 work plan:
Tim provided an overview and status of the objective to research health/safety,
environmental and general regulatory applications associated with vehicle maintenance
operations and development of garage facility guidance and evaluative tools to use in
helping to ensure compliance with applicable hazards and regulatory standards.
Marty Jones provided an overview and status of the objective to research and develop
improved training program(s) and guidance for cooperative member Tree Trimming
Supervisors. Staff will attempt to target the training objectives that are most important to
safety and compliance oversight. The development of educational tools to improve the
overall training level and safety skills of tree trimmer’s supervisors and thereby decrease
employer liability.
Kodi Swafford provided an overview and status of the objective to research and develop
guidance targeting facility security measures in relation to recent cooperative break-ins
and theft. Staff researched the best practices and procedures that will increase facility
security and personnel safety.
Dan Hoch provided an overview and status of the objective to enhance and improve
member document retention guidance to assist member co-ops with internal document
management.
Tony Graber provided an overview and status of the objective to research and develop
educational approaches to assist key staff at member cooperatives understand differing
legal liabilities with regard to compliance with regulatory issues.
At this time each staff member outlined project objectives for the 2013 work plan:
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Regulatory Compliance Annual Meeting
March 23, 2013
Tony reported on the targeted objective to create improved member training and
reference resources regarding US DOT, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and
Indiana rules for proper load securement; with specific detail to utility applications for
bucket and digger trucks, pole trailers, reel trailers, and other equipment trailers (i.e.:
trencher trailers, etc.) As part of an overall strategy to increase awareness and training for
specific types of material handling activities involving member cooperative line crews,
staff will research and develop a comprehensive training approach directed within this
area.
Marty reported on the targeted objective to develop a member training program further
enhancing the proper materials handling/rigging procedures for routine large/heavy
materials including such items as utility poles, regulators and transformers. The strategy
for successful completion of this training, in combination with additional training, will
assist in meeting the OSHA/ASME qualified rigger definition.
Kodi reported on the targeted objective to research and develop written member guidance
which can be incorporated into our member’s facility Emergency Action Plan procedures
to improve the efficiency of medical response to high pressure injective injuries. The
strategy will be for staff to research best practices and procedures that will increase the
safety factor involving high pressure injection injuries.
Dan reported on the targeted objective and strategy to advance the program approach to
meeting the requirements of the revised standards covering in-house chemical regulation
under OSHA’s Chemical Hazard Communication Standard and its formal incorporation
of the international standards under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
Tim reported on the targeted objective and strategy to advance and finalize the
development of an enhanced member on-line database and learning management system
in context with on-going program regulatory base personnel training.
Along with these targeted 2013 projects, staff continues to finalize certain final aspects of
their 2012 work activity and all work plan projects are completed in addition to member
assigned activity and needs.
In summary as proposed, the RCP activity outlined for 2013 should result in further
promotion of member targeted program and issues, and improvement of regulatory based
member training options through the ISA enhanced on-line, learning management
system.
Chairman Sparks announced that the Executive Committee positions that need to be
elected are one CEO/General Manager and one Operations position. Rob Pearson, CEO,
announced he would step down from his CEO/General Manager position on the
Executive Committee. Following the vote, Randy Price was elected to serve as the
CEO/General Manager position and Keith Fischer was re-elected to serve as the
Operations position. The officer positions will be elected at a future meeting.
Without any further business to discuss, Chairman Sparks adjourned the meeting.