HomeMy WebLinkAbout20040816min.docIDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
August 16, 2004 – 1:30 P.M.
In attendance were Commissioners Paul Kjellander, Marsha Smith and Dennis Hansen.
The first order of business was approval of the CONSENT AGENDA, items 1—4. There were no questions or comments. Commissioner Kjellander made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.
The next order of business was MATTERS IN PROGRESS:
Don Howell’s August 13, 2004 Decision Memorandum re: Thomason Outfitters’ Common Carrier Application to Operate on Waters of the State of Idaho, Case No. THO-V-04-1.
Mr. Howell reviewed his Decision Memo. Commissioner Smith asked about fees, and Mr. Howell replied that the company will be charged an annual assessment of $50. Commissioner Kjellander moved for approval of Staff’s recommendation. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.
Doug Cooley’s August 11, 2004 Decision Memorandum re: Idaho Universal Service Fund, 2004 Annual Report.
Mr. Cooley reviewed his Decision Memo. Commissioner Hansen commented on the different proposals and stated that the goal is to keep three months worth of investment in the fund to avoid increasing costs mid-year. Commissioner Smith concurred with the goal stated by Commissioner Hansen and noted that the fund should be able to handle contingencies. She made a motion to set the business rate at 15 cents per month and the residential rate at 10 cents per month, and increase the surcharge on in-state toll calls to $0.003 per minute. There was no further discussion. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.
The final order of business was RULEMAKING:
Bev Barker’s August 13, 2004 Decision Memorandum re: Petition for Rulemaking Filed by Idaho Community Action Network.
Ms. Barker reviewed her Decision Memo. Commissioner Hansen stated he is very comfortable with the existing moratorium rules, and the changes proposed by the Idaho Community Action Network (ICAN) will be costly and won’t benefit very many people. He stated that spending more time on ICAN’s petition is a waste of time and resources, and the petition raises serious public policy questions. He said he can’t support it and will vote to deny the petition.
Commissioner Smith asked what the scope of the rulemaking would be if Staff’s recommendations were accepted. Ms. Barker replied that the scope would be limited as there are no other issues needing immediate attention. Commissioner Smith commented that the current program is good, but there is always room for improvement. She stated that she supports Staff’s recommendation to take the time necessary to gather data because the issues are important enough.
Commissioner Kjellander commented that he agreed with Commissioner Hansen that what we have today is adequate. He stated he was concerned about some significant pitfalls but thought we should go through the process. He made a motion to initiate negotiated rulemaking. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried two to one, with Commissioner Hansen dissenting.
There were no further items on the agenda and Commission Kjellander adjourned the meeting.
DATED this ______ day of August, 2004.
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COMMISSION SECRETARY
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