20040913min.doc

IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING

September 13, 2004 – 1:30 P.M.

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

Commissioner Kjellander called the meeting to order. The first order of business was APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS on August 16th and August 30th, 2004. Commissioner Kjellander made a motion to approve the minutes. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.

The second order of business was approval of the CONSENT AGENDA, item 2. 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:

Carol Cooper’s September 9, 2004 Decision Memorandum re: Charlotte Taylor’s Complaint Regarding Idaho Power Company’s Transfer of $999.01.

Nancy Hylton reviewed the Decision Memo for Ms. Cooper. She noted that Ms. Taylor’s attorney, Michael McCarthy, had faxed a response to the Decision Memo disputing some statements in the memo and requesting documentation from Idaho Power. She stated that Staff believes a 12-month payment is unreasonable based on Mrs. Taylor’s income, and the heart of the issue is Mrs. Taylor’s inability to pay the bill in question rather than a question of whether she is obligated to pay. Ms. Hylton noted that Idaho Power had received a payment from Mrs. Taylor that morning that covered service to her primary residence, so Idaho Power was now willing to discuss payment arrangements over an extended period. Ms. Hylton recommended that the decision to accept Mrs. Taylor’s formal complaint be delayed until the next Decision Meeting on September 20th in order to allow further negotiation on payment arrangements.

Commissioner Kjellander made a motion that the Commission delay action until September 20th in hopes the matter can be resolved.

Commissioner Smith stated she supported the motion and agreed with Staff that the question is not whether she owes the money but her ability to pay, and she agreed Mrs. Taylor and her attorney are entitled to the records Idaho Power has so they understand what has gone on. She stated she would also be willing to issue a Summons and treat the response as a Production Request.

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

There were no further items before the Commission and Commissioner Kjellander adjourned the meeting.

DATED this ______ day of September, 2004.

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COMMISSION SECRETARY