20050923min.doc

IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING

SEPTEMBER 23, 2005 – 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 the CONSENT AGENDA, items 1 – 8. Regarding item 5, Commissioner Hansen suggested that after the workshop the Commission follow-up with a couple of public hearings in the service area in order to get public input. He noted that in the past PacifiCorp’s customers have showed an interest in DSM programs. Commissioner Smith asked about the comment deadline. Mr. Woodbury replied that staff had proposed a comment deadline of October 28th and the company had requested an effective date of November 15th or later. Commissioner Smith noted she had no objection to holding a public hearing. Commissioner Kjellander commented that based on the rules, comments shouldn’t be filed until after the workshop, and the public hearings shouldn’t occur before the workshops. Mr. Woodbury asked if the workshops and public hearings can occur on the same day. Commissioner Hansen said his preference would be to have the hearings at least a week after the workshops. He made a motion to conduct public hearings, preferably several days after the Commission conducts the workshops. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.

There was no further discussion. Commissioner Kjellander moved for approval of the remaining agenda items 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.

The next order of business was MATTERS IN PROGRESS:

Donovan Walker’s September 19, 2005 Decision Memorandum re: Application of Kootenai Heights Water for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, Case No. KHW-W-05-01.

Mr. Walker reviewed his Decision Memo. Commissioner Smith questioned the Commission’s jurisdiction over this company. She asked if setting rates is also an issue, or if the only issue is certification, in which case, she didn’t see the need for a public hearing. Mr. Walker stated that proposed rates were set out in the company’s application, and staff recommended a longer than normal comment period in order to have time to work with the company on some issues. There was no further discussion and Commissioner Kjellander moved to approve staff’s recommendations. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.

Donovan Walker’s September 20, 2005 Decision Memorandum re: Avista’s 2005 PGA, Case No. AVU-G-05-02.

Mr. Walker reviewed his Decision Memo. There was no discussion. Commissioner Smith made a motion to process Avista’s application by modified procedure, with a public workshop conducted by staff pursuant to Rule 125, and no public hearing. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.

The only other items on the agenda were under FULLY SUBMITTED MATTERS and Commissioner Kjellander stated the Commission would deliberate on those items privately. He then adjourned the meeting.

DATED this _______ day of September, 2005.

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COMMISSION SECRETARY

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