20030408min.doc

MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
APRIL 8, 2003 – 2:30 P.M.

In attendance were Commissioners Paul Kjellander, Dennis Hansen, and Marsha Smith.

The first order of business was approval of the CONSENT AGENDA. Commissioner Kjellander made a motion to hold item 5 for another week. There was no discussion. A vote was taken and the motion carried unanimously. The next order of business was consideration of items 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 on the Consent Agenda. There were no questions or discussion. Commissioner Kjellander made a motion to approve the items. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.

The next order of business was MATTERS IN PROGRESS:

John Hammond’s April 4, 2003 Decision Memorandum re: In the Matter of the Application of Tel West Communications LLC to Obtain Its Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. Case No. GNR-T-01-18.

Mr. Hammond reviewed his Decision Memo. There was no discussion. Commissioner Smith made a motion to adopt Staff’s recommendation. A vote was taken and the motion carried unanimously.

Scott Woodbury’s April 4, 2003 Decision Memorandum re: Application for Certificate of PC&N and for Approval of Related Rates and Charges. Case No. GNR-W-02-3 (Diamond Bar Estates Water Company).

Mr. Woodbury reviewed his Decision Memo. Commissioner Hansen asked if all the customers have been notified of the recommendations Staff has made and if they have been given an opportunity to comment on Staff’s proposal. Mr. Woodbury replied that customers’ comments were due before Staff’s comments were due. He said Staff provided copies of its comments to officers of the homeowners association. He said the customers have not formally had an opportunity to respond, although we have received some comments.

Commissioner Kjellander said that Staff has some good recommendations but since this is a newly regulated company, he wanted to get off on the right foot with the customers and make sure they receive as much process as they feel is necessary. He stated he would like to take one of Staff’s recommendations, which was that the Commission express its intent to issue a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity, and then hold a public hearing in the service territory, using a hearing officer, in order to allow the customers an opportunity to provide some direct public comment for the Commission to review. He said at least we would then know for certain that we have given the customers a full opportunity to air their concerns regarding Staff’s comments. He said this process could perhaps also give some momentum to the homeowners’ association to consider its role in the water company. He stated he would like to put these comments into the form of a motion.

Commissioner Hansen stated he liked that idea and felt it is wise to give the customers an opportunity to respond.

There was no further discussion. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.

Commissioner Kjellander stated item 9 under FULLY SUBMITTED MATTERS would be taken up under private deliberation.

The last item on the agenda was the election of the PUC President. Commissioner Smith stated that because Commissioner Kjellander had not yet experienced the full measure of glory that comes to a person in the office he now holds, she moved that he serve another two years. Commissioner Hansen stated he would second that motion. A vote was taken and the motion carried. Commissioner Kjellander stated that he worked with some of the best commissioners in the country, we have a great staff, and he looked forward to the coming trials and tribulations.

DATED this _____ day of April, 2003.

_______________________________________
COMMISSION SECRETARY