20031028Minute Entry.pdf

BEFORE THE IDAHO PLELIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE SIX MONTH )REVIEW OF QWEST PERFORMANCE )
ASSURANCE PLAN.)MINUTE ENTRY
______________________________________________________________________________
)
At the September 4,2003 decision meeting,the Commission Staff presented a
decision memorandum regarding the six-month review of Qwest’s Performance Assurance Plan.
Staff stated it has participated in discussions with other state commission staff members in the
Qwest region to discuss conducting all or part of the six-month review via a multi-state
collaboration.A single collaboration to address all the review issues was not acceptable because
there are enough differences between the QPAPs implemented in each of the states,and in the
manner in which the competitive market is developing in the different states,that led a number
of states to prefer their own proceedings.
PID Reviews
A clear consensus was reached by state commission staff to use a multi-state
collaboration to consider changes to the Perfonnance Indicator Definitions (PIDs)that are a key
element of the QPAP.Agreement on the scope and structure for the collaboration has also been
developed.
Staff from the participating states solicited proposals from parties interested in
facilitating this effort,and John Kern,who has performed the same role for two similar reviews
in the Ameritech states,was selected to lead this effort.
The cost of the PID collaboration is expected to be paid by the participating states,
using funds originally provided by Qwest in the form of Tier 2 penalty payments made by Qwest
to the states.The total cost of these services is expected to be no more than $50,000,with the
amount to be paid by each state dependent upon the number of states that participate.Some
Commissions have already indicated they will participate,and Staff expects that no fewer than
10 states will join in the effort.If so,Idaho’s share of the costs should be less than $5,000.
Idaho has already received approximately $29,000 in Tier 2 payments that are earmarked for
review costs.
MINUTE ENTRY I
Now that the scope and structure of the collaboration has been agreed upon,Staff
requested approval from the Commission for participation in this limited collaborative effort,and
for authorization to reimburse Qwest for the fimds to pay the facilitator.Staff recommended the
Commission authorize Staff to participate and also authorize the independent administrator of the
Tier 2 fund to reimburse Qwest for the payments to the facilitator.Staff anticipates
reimbursements will be made using the same procedures developed for disbursement from the
Universal Service fund,which require the signature ofboth Staff and the Fund Administrator.
We find that it is reasonable to authorize Staff to participate in the multi-state
collaboration to consider changes to the Performance Indicator Definitions.We also authorize
the independent administrator of the Tier 2 Fund to reimburse Qwest for the payments to the
facilitator.
DATED at Boise,Idaho this day of October 2003.
PAUL KJELL ER,PRESENT
LQL ilL&
MARSHA H.SMITH,COMMISSIONER
ATTEST:
Jl;
C ssion Secretary
bJs/O:QPAPws
MINUTE ENTRY 2