20211116Public Hearing Transcript Vol I.pdf

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLlC UTILlTIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE JOINT
APPLICATION OE SUEZ VIATER
TDAHO, ItitrC. , TO ACQUTRE
EAGLE WATER COMPANY
CASE NOS.
suz-w-l_8-02
EAG-W-18-01
CUSTOMER HEARING
BE FORE
*4
i::
-{qlfir{-N"C;
I.-t().y
:&a. u-#HI
(,tu*so1b
r-,
5:
&fi,*rn
(trr rfitre-rE$s
aCOMMISSIONER PAUL KJELLANDER
COMMISSIONER KRISTINE RAPER
COMMTSSIONER ERIC ANDERSON (Presiding)
PLACE:Commission Hearing Room
11331- V{est Chinden B1vd.Building 8, Suite 201-A
Boj-se, Idaho
DATE:November l, 202L
VOLUMEI-Pagesl 60
ORIGINAL CSB REPORTING
Certfud Shorthand Reporters
Fost Office Box9774
Boise,Idalro 83707
c sbrePortin g@)'ahoo. com
Ph: 208-890-5198 Fa;r: l-888-623-6899
Reporter:
Maureen lYelch,
CSR
1
2
3
4
5
5
7
B
9
10
11
t2
13
L4
15
L6
1,7
18
19
20
2t
22
23
24
CSB REPORT]NG
208 . 890.5198
For Staff:Dayn Hardie
Deputy Attorney General-
11331 West Chinden BIvd.Building B, Suite 20L-ABoise, Idaho 83120-0074
For SUEZ Water
Idaho, Inc.:
Marshall Thonpson
8248 W. Victory RoadBoise, Idaho 83709
Michae]. CrearnerPreston Carter
601 W. Bannock St.
Boise, Idaho 83102
For Eagle l[ater
Company:
Mol1y O'teary
L'715 W. StateBoise, Idaho
St., Suite 150
B3'7 02
Robert
l_88 W.
Eagle,
Deshazo
State St.
ldaho 83616
For City of Eag1e:Neral. Squyres
Murray Fe1dmanHoIland & Hart, LLP
800 W. Main St. Suite 1750
Boise, Idaho 83702
For Citizens
AJ.ive for Xntegrity
And AccountabiJ.iy:
James Piotrorski
Marty Durand
L020 W. Main St., Suite 440
Boise, fdaho 83702
For EagJ.e lfater
Customers Groups:
Norman SemankoParsons Behle & Latimer
800 W. Main St., Suite 1300Boise, Idaho 83702
For City of Boise:Mary GrantScott Muir150 N. Capitol Blvd.
Boise, ldaho 8370125
APPEARANCES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
!2
13
t4
15
16
77
18
19
2A
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
INDEX
WITNESS EXAMINATION BY PAGE
Jonathan Seel
( Public)
Statement 6
,leff Stucker
( Public)
Statement 10
Jeff Haas
( PubIic)
Statement L2
Patricia .Tordan
( Public)
Statement 20
Cindy Tvinnereim
( Public)
Statement 22
Christopher Hadden
( Public)
Statement 24
Jane Rohling
( Public)
Statement 30
Susan Wendt
( Public)
Statement 36
Stan Ridgeway
( Public)
Statement 38
Elizabeth Roberts
( Public )
Statement 44
Dean Tvinnereim
( Public )
Statement 46
She11y Brock
( Public)
Statement 48
Nancy Viano
( PubIic)
Statement 56
25
INDEX
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
11
1,2
13
L4
15
T6
L7
1B
19
20
27
22
23
24
CSB REPORT]NG
208.8 90.5198
BOlSE, IDAHO, MONDAY, IIOVEMBER T,202L, 7: 00 P. M
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: We11, good
evening, ladies and gentl-emen. It is 7:00 p.m.
and it is time to begin our customer hearing in
the Case No. SUZ-W-18-02 and EAG-W-18-01, also
referred to dsr In the Matter of the Joint
Application of Suez Water Idaho and Eagle Water
Company for the Acquisition of Eagle Vflater
Company.
The purpose of
testlmony and
t.he public in
that was filed
2021- .
this hearing is to take
comments from members of
to the company's request
Commission on November 15,
re I evant
re fe rence
with the
My name is Eric Anderson. f'm the Chair
of tonlght's proceedings. And I'm joined by
Commissj-oner Paul Kjellander and Commissioner
Kristine Raper.
To this point, the partj-es have met for
settl-ement. And again, toni-ght's ob j ective is to
give live public testimony on the official record
for the case.
We do use a court reporter for these
hearings. Tonight we have Maureen Welch creating
1
25
COLLOQUY
1
2
3
4
5
6
'7
B
9
10
11
72
13
t4
15
16
71
1B
19
20
2t
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208 .890.5198
an official transcript for our record.
And I wiII remind you now, and perhaps
Iater again, that if we do go too fastr you talk
too fast or not clear enough, I will have to stop
you and allow Maureen to catch up.
Upon closing the official record, the
Commissioners will review facts and evidence i.n
the record and issue its final decisions in this
case.
As an
purposes of the
their counsel.
And we
initial matter, fet's document for
wiIl begin I wilI introduce
these tonight: Vfle will begin with representation
of staff, and that will- be our Deputy Attorney
General, Mr. Dayn Hardie.
We have SUEZ Water, represented by
Marshall Thompson and Michael- Creamer.
Eagle Water is represented by MoJ-1y
OrLeary and Robert Deshazo and N.L. Bangle.
The City of Eag1e, Newal Squyres
excuse rTr€r I am probably pronouncing that
lmproperly and Murray Fel-dman.
And el-ectronically would be Jason Pierce,
the mayor, Mayor Pierce.
record the parties present and
2
25
COLLOQUY
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
B
9
Citizens A1lied for Integrity and
Accountability, James Piotrowski and Marty Durand.
EagIe Water Customers Groups, Norman
Semanko.
City of Boise City, Mary Grant and Scott
Muir.
Have I missed any counsel out there on
record? Are there any parties that I've missed?
Hearing none interrupt later if I
have, but I don't bel-ieve I have.
WhiIe it's customary to aIlow 1egaI
counsel and intervenors to cross-examine public
witnesses, it's very rare for cross-examination to
occur.
Tonight, three Iawyers have identified
representing clients that they may have questions
to cross witnesses with. And for those members
that may wish to do that, please speak up quickly.
If you have something to ask one of the witnesses,
so that we don't move onto the next witness, it
will be up to you to do that. I'm not going to
stop proceedings and ask each intervenor whether
they have quest j-ons to ask.
Tonight is a telephonic hearingr ds you
know. Ilttre have two separate telephone lines f or
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
10
11
L2
13
1,4
15
76
11
18
1,9
20
2t
22
23
24
3
25
COLLOQUY
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
B
9
participants. For those who want to be sworn in
to testify, the number is 1-800-920-'1481. And
you'1I be asked to enter a participant code to
testify, and that code is 6614832#.
And for those who simply want to listen
in and do not intend to be sworn in to testify,
the number to call is 1-800-920-7487. The
partj-cipant code is 98'77 951#.
Please make sure you enter the correct
code to help avoid unnecessary delays. And if you
do not intend to testify, please use code, once
again, 9811957#.
Let me explain the procedures and
parameters for today's hearing: V[hen we calI your
namer we wiII un-mute your fine to allow you to
testif y. You wiII be sworn in, as you woul-d be in
any other court , official court proceeding. I
wilI ask you to identify yourself for the record,
which will include your name, Spelling of your
last name, your address, and whether you are a
customer of Eagle Water Company or SUEZ Water
Company.
With the attendants tonight, looking at
the board, I'm going to use the prerogative to
l-imit the testimony to f ive minutes. That's
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
10
11
12
13
1,4
15
1,6
l1
1B
1,9
20
2t
22
23
24
4
25
COLLOQUY
1
2
3
4
5
5
7
B
9
10
11
72
13
t4
15
1,6
1,'7
18
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
usual1y plenty of time to testify. I may give a
1ittle bit more time if it's necessary, but I
think f ive minutes wil-l- be the Iimit f or, f or this
evening's proceedings. Okay.
Commissioners, have I missed anything on
this order? Thank you very much.
MR. HARDIE: Customers can also file
written comments.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Yes.Thank you
to give thatvery much. In my
information.
But j ust
wilI be available
closing I was going
so you
after
do know, written comments
thi s Ihearing too for
of me but thankdon't have the date
you very much.
Okay. Irm
phone numbers out.
in front
to go ahead and call
all we have in front of
us. So as I do that, please un-mute your phone,
and once you come onli-ne, I wiII swear you in.
The first number we have is 861-2642.
Are you there? Thank you. And you wj-sh to
testify?
AUDIENCE: Yes, I do.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you very
much. Let me swear you in.
go rng
That I s
trJ
25
COLLOQUY
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
B
9
10
11
72
13
1,4
15
T6
1,7
1B
l9
20
21
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
JONATHAN SEEL,
appearing as a public witness, having been duly
swornr wds examined and testified as follows:
and speII
My
SeeIJonathan. The l-ast name is That's S, like
in Sam, E-E-L. My address is 2906 North Haven
Drive, Eag1e, Idaho.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: And are you a
customer of Eagle Vf,ater or Suez Vilater?
THE IIIITNESS : No, I rm not .
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you. You
may give your statement, your testimony.
THE WITNESS: Okay. My concern is as
I mentioned, I am not a customer of either SUEZ
Water or Water Eagle at this time.
COMMISSIONER
please state your name
THE WITNESS:
Thank you. And
your last name.
first name is
applicatj-on, it.
current SUEZ
ANDERSON
Yes
But the thing that
letter from SUEZ Vilater, in
said, "Are there
customers ?tt
And the
critical to the
proposed, EagIe
concerns me is, in the
their
any benefits to
answer is, "Redundancy is
operation of any water system
Water Company assets would be
As
6 SEEL
PUBLTC
25
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
11
L2
13
L4
15
76
71
18
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
interconnected with SUEZ facilities in the 1oca1
area to
from my
water in
kind of
could, that
the rest of
where, all
we're faced
deeper.
could lmpact mer ds
us out here 1n the
benef it al-l- customers. "
My concern is: fs that
standpoint, implies that
EagIe, the aquifer, at
community, any Iocation
And as someone who has
almost, at least
SUEZ can use the
their wiI1, in any
they want.
a we1l,
well as
that
area of
many of
impact,
Iower andl-sof a sudden,
with having
the aquifer
to drill our wells even
So it doesn't give me a great deaf of
comfort to know that they could take the water
from Eagle and
other location,
divert it to
and use it
maybe South Boi-se, any
there, and I end up
of that.
mention, just
planning on
if f 'm
PUC to go back
and some of the,
been generated.
Indianapolis, Veolia
suffering the consequences
I also would just Iike to
very quickly, that f know SUEZ is
merging with, f think j-t's Veolia,
pronouncing that right.
And I would encourage the
and look at the history of Veol-ia
some of the concerns that have
For example, back in
1 SEEL
PUBLIC
25
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
11
L2
13
74
15
16
17
1B
19
20
2t
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
8 SEEL
PUBLIC
lost the largest water contract in the U.S. when
the clty terminated due to a1Ie9ed, alleged unfair
billing practices, overcharging residents, and
more than $50 million in benefit cuts.
There's quite a few of these here, and I
Ietter.would encourage you
I think the
I will- send a
other one that we
about is Elint. Veo1ia was hired by
Elintrs drinking water quality. VeoIia
Flint's water safe , failed to warn the
alI know
to study
decl ared
public of
lead contamination.
They acknowledged, months earlier,
internal e-mai1s, and even recommended a chemical
change that aIIegedly worsened the crisis.
Ongoing lawsuits assert that Veolia abuse
amounted to professional neglect and fraud.
There's many others, and I'II keep this
short: But I think the citlzens in this area,
including us as people who have we11s, enjoy the
water that's here. And we have a great concern
that SUEZ coul-d impact that quality of water.
So I hope that you will spend some time
and go back and look at some of the stuff, some of
the violati.ons that Veolia which will become
part of SUEZ has, has caused.25
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
And IrII just, in just quick note and
I find it somewhat ironic I think it was either
last year or the year before, the state
legislature was very concerned when Powerball was
going to be, t j-ckets were going to be sold in
Australia and other countries. And they felt it
might have a negative influence on this state and
what we stand for.
And yet, we're talking about allowing a
foreign, multinatj-onal, for-profit company to take
over our water, which is a precious resource.
So I will close with that. Thank you
very much.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank your
Mr. See1. Any questions from the Commissioners?
Okay. Thank you again.
Move on to our next statement. The phone
number is 724-8995. Remember to un-mute your
phone.
AUDIENCE: He11o. This is Jeff Stucker,
in Eag1e. And I just wanted to
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Let ffier let me go
ahead and
AUDIENCE: -- talk about
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Let me go ahead
CSB REPORTING
208 . 890.5198
SEEL
PUBLIC
10
11
72
13
1,4
15
L6
T1
t-8
1,9
20
2L
22
23
24
9
25
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
11
1,2
13
1,4
15
t6
1_7
l_B
19
20
21
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
STUCKER
PUBLIC
and swear you in first.
AUDIENCE: Yes . Yes, please .
JEFF STUCKER,
appearing as a public witness, having been duly
swornr wds examined and testified as folLows:
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you. And
now, now give me your name and spell your last
name.
THE WITNESS: Yes. Jeff Stucker,
S-T-U-C-K-E-R.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: And your address?
THE I'IITNESS : 2255 East Halsey Drive, in
Eag1e, Idaho.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: And are you a
customer of Eagle or
THE WITNESS:
COMMISSIONER
ahead.
SUEZ Water?
Eagle Water Company.
ANDERSON: Thank you. Go
THE [t]ITNESS: Yes. I'd like to register
my opposition to
In Eagle
very good quality
the sale to SUEZ.
Water Company,
water and very
we have enj oyed
low rates.
are necessaryAnd we know that there25
10
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
B
9
10
1l_
1,2
13
\4
15
1,6
t7
1B
19
20
27
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
STUCKER
PUBLlC
infrastructure improvements to improve, that our
rates wil-l- eventually increase.
But our concerns with SUEZ are twofold:
One, is that
Iarge, gLobal-
profits than
constituents.
company
they are
it's a foreiqn-owned entity and a
that is concerned more about
taking care of local
And sor we know
controf was kept locaffy,
option to seII to a local
that Lf, if the water
and there would be an
company l-ike City of
decl-ined, that that wouldwasEagle Water, if this
be a much better and more accountable resource for
caring for such an important resource such as
water.
The second concern is realIy the track
record of SUEZ and Veolia. And their track record
of water quality is not that great.
We have some of the best water in the
Treasure Va11ey in Eagle, and we'd like to keep it
that way. And so, we don't see a lot of value in
having a foreign company take over our water.
We'd much rather keep it local. And that is a
viable option wlth the City of Eagle Water nearby.
So just for those two reasons, that the
quality and the foreign ownership, which leads to25
11
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
1l_
t2
13
14
15
16
1,7
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
STUCKER
PUBLIC
lack of accountability, we'd much
l-oca1 control of this water which
option. Thank you.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON :
Mr. Stucker. Questions from the
rather have
is a viable
Hearing none. Thank you for
line we
Hel-1o.
your
have
Thank your
Commissioners?
testimony.
949- 9514.Next on the
AUDIENCE:I woul-d ask the
Commission if I could delay my testimony until
later.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: That. would be
fine.
Next number we have is 715-0110.
AUDIENCE: Thatrs rTl€r I
was just un-muted. Jeff Haas is
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON :
swear you in.
guess. My line
my name.
Okay. Let me
AUDIENCE: H-A-A-S. Oh, sorry.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: IrIl swear you in
first. Thank you.
JEEF HAAS,
appearJ-ng as a public witness, having been duly
swornr wds examined and testified as follows:
25
L2
L
2
3
4
5
6
7
I
9
l-0
11
1,2
13
t4
15
76
1,7
18
19
20
2l
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208 .890.5198
HAAS
PUBLIC
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you. Now
let's get your name and spell your last name.
Thank you.
THE WITNESS: Jeff Haas, H-A-A-S.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Are you a
customer of Eagle or SUEZ Vrlater?
THE WITNESS: Customer of Eag1e Water
Company. 537 Mango Drive, in Eagle.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you. Go
ahead and share your testimony.
THE WITNESS : Okay. Thanks . Itr s
emotional, you know. I have to say that to start
with.
I think we have fantastic water here in
Eagle, and it's one of the best natural- resources
that we have around, and I've been enjoying it
s j-nce f 've been here in the 1ast, I don' t know, I
guess, seven years or so.
The okay. So what do I want to
with? I wrote notes.
We're down to the f inal- comments
regarding the sale of EagIe l,ttrater Company.
remember the shock of the sal-e when it came
start
I
apart
be fore
about in the first place. And that was
anybody knew about it25
13
1
2
3
4
5
5
7
B
9
10
11
L2
13
L4
15
16
1,'1
18
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
HAAS
PUBL]C
And I'm not quite
to SUEZ without putting it
anybody else to purchase.
And so it went
sure why we t re
on the market
selling
for
and there was an
application with the IPUC before EagIe City even
knew about it.
I was part of the group that came to
Eagle City and said, hey, this is going oni what
can we do? And they said, heyr w€ have first
right of refusal.
So they went in there and created this
case that you paused your request for them to
review it. And it went into a Iegal suit.
I read the documents andthey
they
did
everyth j-ng
refusal.
deflnitely had first right of
And
But why is it that it's
is the sale completely hidden?
all hidden? Why
I donrt understand
that. I mean, I know my community woufd
def ini-te1y buy it up and say, hey, letrs keep it
here. But that was never an option to anybody.
Anyway, I'm getting emotional again, and
I apol ogize f or that . The l-et I s see, where am
f at now?
My challenge at this tj-me is everyone25
14
1
2
3
4
5
A
7
B
9
10
11
1,2
13
t4
15
16
11
18
79
20
27
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
HAAS
PUBLIC
mayor has accepted $1.75
lawsuit would be settled. And I
involved seems to be out for money. The
million so that
this company
wouldn't the
EagIe
the
don't know why he
purchasing the
at aII, being a
didn't say
company. I
resident or
We
around here
the City of
care of us?
So
no to that and accept
don't understand that
a citizen.
are, ha1f,
are part of
EagIe. Why
half of the customers
part of
City take
I feel very powerless in that entire
concern. It just
therers no one to
behind the doors.
it's a very shocking kind
SUEZ took over a
doesn't make sense to me. But
talk to about it. Itrs aI1
And I flnd out afterwards. And
of thing to
this is
be led on.
my
andunderstanding
ge t -t o gethe rs
the paperwork,
SUEZ
Nampa area.
to 1et the
in part of
and doing
but I did
our meetings
this before.T donit have
Iook it up in the
out a water company
the city of they
IN
past.
thebought
And then re fus ed
city develop
was forced to
where they
buy back the
wanted to. So
waterthe city
from SUEZ
over the
at a premium.
barrel- with the
And they really
money that they
company
got taken
were25
15
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
11
t2
13
74
15
L5
1,7
18
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208 .890.5198
HAAS
PUBL]C
charged for it.
And I'm not sure how that happened, but
it concerns me with that happened. In other
words, you are powerless.
And you're the only people that
anything about it. f love I read your
and I think they are great; however, some
l-ike SUEZ have a Iot of force, whereas the
guy doesn't.
And sor in this same thing, there
rate increasesr Do infrastructure changes,
with Eagle Water Company in the past. And
can do
bylaws
peop I e
smaIl
were no
nothing
they've
come to you before and said, hey, I need more
money, I need to be able to do this, and they've
been refused many, many times.
SUEZ comes to you guys and j-trs a 300
percent increaser EIS a you know, werre going to
go 300 percent morer Do matter what. Vile're going
to take your water and give it to Boise. They
have a $30 million contract to supply Boise with
money they donrt have a way to do it wlth. They
are taking our company at $10 million and saving
$20 million on the other side to supply Boise with
water.
You know, it makes financial sense, but25
76
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
9
the way they do things doesnrt make sense. They
are paying $1.75 -- I heard the commission they
are paying for this sale is huge. Itrs like doing
a legal -- a lawyer and that's secondhand, and
that I s friends that I have in the area and I
haven't looked it up, but the commission is
supposed to be pretty sizable.
Now that, those fees, that lawsuit, they
are putting $500,000 onto the cost of the company
right off the bat.
They are taking what, what the SUEZ
you know what, the Eagle Water Company did and the
penalty they are paying, wel1, it's coming back to
us to bear. I have to pay that increase. That
300 percent is not just going to, h.y, I need to
increase my, my water company's supply and make it
better, or help other people out. None of that.
Therers no it's aII for profit. And who pays
these penalties thatrs going along? I do. ft's
coming out of my pocket, but, you know, I have no
power to do anything about it. So f feel-
frustrated with that. Okay. Stop that.
So the commission, I think, is far too
Iarge for a sale of a public water company.
Because when you have that commission, fPC was
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
HAAS
PUBLIC
10
11
t2
13
1,4
15
16
L7
1B
19
20
2l
22
23
24
25
1_7
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
B
9
10
11
1,2
13
L4
15
L6
L7
18
19
20
27
22
23
24
CSB REPORT]NG
208.890.5198
HAAS
PUBLlC
saying, hey, that I s an okay amount
the customers.
of money. It I s
No matter what
going to have
passed straight
you think, it's
to pay for that
millions range.
commissi-on that
ground
water.
to
for profit
commission
So very,
I t ve ever
Vf,e I re
area that are on the Eagle
a ton of older homes that gray pipes in
in the system
So let's see, they are
water, so they are adding
So in a lot of these old
. And it's in the
very too high for any
heard of before.
also going to mix
chlorine to the
homes in this
Vf,ater Company, there's
have these
there, and there's
whatsoever.
As soon as
been no chlorine
prpes are gor-ng
cracks and leaks
to
chlorine goes into them, those
harden and there I s going to be
throughout this entire area
because we've sold this company and they are
changing their policy on how they are dealing and
processing water because they are trying to mix it
with their other, other systems that are going on.
In order to mix it with the other
systems, they have a higher bacteria count and
they have to add chl-orine to the water. I don't
think that's a good thing.
There's a ton of excess here in Eagle and25
1B
1
2
3
4
5
6
'7
B
9
10
11
L2
13
74
15
l_6
L]
1B
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
HAAS
PUBLIC
I think we could handle it in
think the way we're doing it
has badover to somebody who
history is not the way to do
And I don't want to
it, so I apologize for that.
I think the
a certain wdy, but I
and just handing it
credentials and a bad
it.
keep going on about
the man that owned it.doing a great
It's time for
that you just need
Iot of local people
EagIe
f know
ma ke
Water Company has been
a transition. I think
to open it up because there t s a
that would come and take that
j ob.
him to
opportunity.
And I
SUEZ. So this
the people that
research we did
purchaser is no
at the
also agree: SUEZ Ls no
contract that started is
it. And
I onge r
no longer
whateverwanted to buy
on saying are
longer va1id.
they a good
hle have to re-l-ook
be fore
they donrt
the bottom
company.
Because
they
do
buyout s f I ve seen them
are harsh and they are critical and
well on the person that's re ce ivi ng
to be cut.line because they
is
are go]-ng
Anyway, my time
you for listening to me.I
probably up. Thank
appreciate it.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: That's no25
19
1
2
3
4
5
6
'7
B
9
l-0
11
72
13
1,4
15
16
t1
18
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
,JORDAN
PUBLIC
problem. Thank you very much for your testimony.
Any questj-ons from the Commissioners?
Thank you again.
The next on the call list is No.
551-0166. Is the ca.Iler there?
AUDIENCE: Hello?
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Yes, thank you.
Let me swear you in.
PATRICIA .JORDAN,
appearJ-ng as a public witness, having been duly
swornr wds examined and testified as follows:
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Please give me
your name and spell your last name.
THE WITNESS: Patricia Jordan,
J-O-R-D-A-N.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: And your address?
THE WITNESS: 24Bl East Bancroft Court,
in Eag1e, Idaho.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: And are you a
customer of Eagle or SUEZ Water?
THE WITNESS: EagIe.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Go ahead and give
your testimony.25
20
1
2
3
4
5
5
l
B
9
10
11
12
13
L4
15
t6
!7
1B
19
20
2t
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208 -8 90.5198
JORDAN
PUBLIC
THE WITNESS: Yes. Thank you so much.
Thank you for this opportunity.
Yeah, I just want to say that the safe of
Eagle Water Company to
aII SUEZ
SUEZ wiII result in rate
increases to customers in Eagle, Boise
and Northwest Ada County.
As we aII know, water is essential to all
of us and should be considered a public resource
and not something to be sol-d for prof it.
As I'm sure you are awarer so many
current SUEZ customers report the terrible taste
and sme1l of their wat.er and the discoloration
yellow, yellow water coming out of
f'm here today because I
to plead with
resource and
the faucet.
want to protect
Pl-ease
do not
you:
please
our water and stand up
keep our water a public
sell- our water to SUEZ for profit. Thank you.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you,
Ms. Jordan. Any questions from the Commissioners?
Hearing none. Thank you
The next caller
caIIer there? Is the
number, once again, is
your testimony.
865-9199. Is the
there? The phone
for
l_s
caIIer
B 65- 9799 .
We'lf go on to the next one. The next
number is 867-3690. Is the caIIer there?25
21
1
2
3
4
5
6
't
B
9
10
11
12
13
74
15
75
77
1B
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
TV]NNEREIM
PUBLIC
AUDIENCE: My name oh, I guess you
have to swear me l-n.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Let me go ahead
and swear you in.
C]NDY TVINNEREIM,
appearing as a public witness, having been duly
sworn, wds examined and testified as follows:
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you. Your
name and spe11 your last name, pfease.
THE WfTNESS: Cindy, Tvinnereim, T, like
Tom, V like Victor, I-N-N-E-R-E-I-M. 10668 North
Halter Way. And I am an Eagle Water customer.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you.
Please share your testimony.
THE WITNESS: Like everyone eIse, I am
concerned about the rate increase. They are
saying it's going to be this gradual increase. I
guess we'11 see.
SUEZ has already, you know,
deal with I don't know ifgoing through
I'm saying the
from France.
And a ga in,
thi s
company right Veolia, Veolia
So again, like other people, we're25
'))
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
a
9
10
11
72
13
74
15
L6
77
1B
1-9
20
27
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
TV]NNEREIM
PUBLIC
dealing with
comj-ng j-nto
water.
another international water company
Idaho and going to have control of our
f am concerned about the qualj-ty of the
water, having chlorine in the water, what that
does to our bodies. And the quality of our water
has just been so excellent.
And how this whole thing was done by the
mayor
closed
of Eagle and city council members behind
doors and not letting the public in to have
comments
your
the,
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON :
testimony. Do we have any
from the Commissioners?
Thank you for
questions from
Thank you for your testimony, ma'am.
Next on our agenda is No. 685-9799. Is
the cal-ler there? Apparently we may have a wrong
number there.
We'll go to the next one. The next
number is 203- 6101. Is the caIler there? Is the
cafler there?
AUDIENCE: Sorry, I had myself on mute.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Let me go ahead
and swear you in.
25
23
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I
9
10
l_1
1,2
13
1,4
l-5
1,6
L7
18
19
20
21,
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
HADDEN
PUBLIC
CHRISTOPHER HADDEN
appearing as a public witness, having been duly
shrornr wds examined and testified as follows:
City of Eagle Water
provJ-der.
Company is my
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you. Go
ahead and give your testimony.
THE WITNESS: I want to start off by
COMMISSIONER
name and please spelI
THE W]TNESS:
909 North Morley Green
readlng campaign literature
of the City of Eagle, Jason
purchas e
f inanci- a l-
Mayor
Iltla te r
impacts to
ANDERSON: Thank you. Your
your last name.
H-A-D-D-E-N. And I live at
Pl-ace, in Eag1e. And frm a
service
from the current mayor
Pierce.
he has Eagle
Ridgeway, who is
had six years to
and has fai-led to
advocated as such.
In his campai-gn brochure
Water Company. "Ridgeway has"
the former mayor of Eagle "has
purchase the EagIe Water Company
act. tt
and have always
As the
EagIe
nI believe we should control our water
of Eagle, I will work to
while attempting to mitigate
the Eagle taxpayers. "25
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
B
9
"I need your help to preserve Eagle and
our quality of life."
I bring that up because a l-ot of people
have already said how the current mayor has not
given the opportunity to the citizens of Eagle to
purchase EagIe Water Company.
A deal was struck behind closed doors in
an executive session in January where they settl-ed
for $1.5 mi-llion.
Part of that settlement was actually back
payment that Eagle V{ater Company owed the City of
Eagle for their intertie agreement. The intertie
agreement went into effect about. ten years ago or
12 years ago. And they were supposed to be paying
the City of Eagle $10,000 per month.
Also with that intertie agreement, that's
where the first right of refusal came from. So
the City of Eagle does have the first right of
refusal and they were supposed to pay $10
million $10,000 per month. It came out to be
roughly $1.5 mil1ion, f guess, and then some legal
fees, to $1.75 million.
That also fixed a problem for Eagle Water
Company. The intertie agreementr a.S stated in a
number of lega1 documents, was so that they met
CSB REPORT]NG
208.890.5198
10
11
1,2
13
1,4
15
1,6
L1
18
79
20
2t
22
23
24
HADDEN
PUBLI C
25
ac,
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
B
9
l_0
11
L2
13
L4
15
t6
L7
1B
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
HADDEN
PUBLIC
the fire suppression requirement to having the
and so having that j-ntertle with Eagle, the City
of Eagle municipal water, they then met the IPUC
and DEQ regulations at that time.
Now, the City of Eagle has been
interested in Eagle Water Company for a very, very
long time. The current mayor, Jason Pierce, sat
on a number of dif ferent councils, going al-l- the
way back to two different 2008 and 20L0.
And I believe it was in 2008 that the
City was planning
to purchase Eagle
At that
a bond election togetherto put
Water Company.
the ownertime,of Eagle Water
went to a bondCompany backed out, so it never
election. So we never knew whether the citlzens
of Eagle would be interested in purchasing Eagle
Water Company.
Fast forward to 2012, Norm Bangle comes
into the picture. Norm Bangle is a water broker.
At that time in 2Ot2 he worked for a company
caIIed Pel-orit (sp), whlch what they do is they
buy up they go around the country, Iooking for
sma11 municipalities where they can come in and
swoop in and buy these smal1, Iittle water
companies up, private companies, and se11 them to25
zb
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
o
9
10
11
1_2
13
L4
15
L6
L7
18
L9
20
2t
22
23
24
CSB REPORT]NG
208.8 90.5198
HADDEN
PUBLIC
big corporations like SUEZ. And SUEZ is being
is the largest company in the world, from my
understanding, that holds the most water rights.
So anyway, in 2072, he started
Norm Bangle got involved with EWC and approached
Mayor Reynolds at the time. And those
conversations took place from 2012 to 20L6. And
thatrs all part of the tort documents in the
original lawsuit from Mayor Ridgeway that they
filed in 2019.
A11 those e-mai1s showed these
conversations and about deali-ngs-with between Norm
Bangle and EWC and former Mayor Reynolds.
That all those conversations fe11
apart when Mayor Ridgeway was elected. And
nothing was heard until May of 201,8.
In May of 20lB actually, this was all
done under the radar of the Idaho PubIic Utilities
Commission. And I brought this up in the last
meeting.
Now, f have both
the court documents from
court documents. I have
the most recent one. And
2019, and I have
them say the
Februa ry
both of
same thing: That
acquiring EWC for
Norm Bangle purchased or is
an unspecified amount.25
2'7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
So in May of 2018, he acquired or
struck a deal- with EWC unbeknownst to the City of
Eagle. And if Irm not if I'm incorrect I
believe this is against state law.
State law requires the sale of any
utiJ-ity company within the city Iimits, that the
city is notified. And thatrs not even mentioning
the first right of refusal.
So we had that agreement with EWC. They
were supposed to be paying us $10r000 a month up
to May 2018. Instead, in turn, they went
111egal1y, behind the scenes with Norm Bangle,
struck a deal with him. And Norm Bangle sti1I
didn't notif y the city, whj-ch is a requirement,
from my understanding, of state 1aw, bringing
US
Then that brings us to November of 201,8,
where SUEZ fits in the picture
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank your
Mr. Hadden.
THE WITNESS: Norm Bangle is then, he
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Mr. Hadden, could
you your f ive minutes is up. Coul-d you wrap
this up, please. Thank you.
THE WITNESS: Yes, Ir11 try to be as
CSB REPORTING
208 .890.5198
HADDEN
PUBLIC
10
11
L2
1_3
1,4
15
L6
77
18
79
20
2T
22
23
24
25
2B
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
11_
72
13
1,4
15
76
t7
1B
19
20
27
22
23
24
CSB REPORT]NG
208.890.5198
HADDEN
PUBLTC
quick as possible
In 2018,
deal was going to
in November, essentially the
be for $10 million to SUEZ.And
that's when the City of Eagle
In any caser wer ds
denied this right, our first
The new mayor took
filed a lawsuit.
c j-ti zens, have been
right of refusal.
over. He made these
deals behind made his decision behind closed
doors, never notifying the public until months
afterward that the deal was made.
In March of 2000 of this year, 202!,
he sends out an e-mai1 in hls monthly newsletter,
sayr-ng we
that's not
struck a deal for $1.75 miIlion. And
us. That's
begin with.
of refusal.
rea I 1y
what
We
they
sti11
a deal. That's what they owed
Eagle to
first right
owed the City of
should have that
And what Irm asking for at this point, is
for the IPUC to intervene and to do a ful-l-,
thorough j-nvestigation, going back through all
these years. Because I belj-eve illegaI things
have occurred here and ultimately our rights as
citizens have been violated.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you,
Mr. Hadden. And you can submit this in writing25
29
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I
9
10
11
1,2
13
t4
15
16
L'l
18
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
ROHLING
PUBLIC
too if you've got some other ideas that you'd like
to share.
I missed your first name.
THE WITNESS: Itrs Christopher.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you,
Christopher. And thank you for your testimony
this evening.
Next on our Iist we have 949- 6545. Is
the cal1er there?
AUDIENCE: Yes, I rm here.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you. Let
me swear you in.
JANE ROHLING,
Appearing as a public wj-tness, having been duly
swornr wds examined and testified as follows:
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: PIease give us
your name and spelJ- your last name.
THE WITNESS: My name is Jane Roh1i.g,
R-O-H-L-I-N-G.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: And your address?
THE WITNESS: 582 Palmetto Drive, Ea91e,
Idaho.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: And are you a
customer of Eagle or SUEZ Water?25
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
t-1
1,2
13
L4
15
1,6
t7
18
19
20
2T
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
ROHLING
PUBLIC
Water.
PIease share
THE
much to say.
your testimony.
WITNESS: We11, I've
Irve been following
THE WITNESS: I'm a customer of Eagle
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you.
there's so
since the news first broke in November
s rnce,
of 2078.
And f 've been extremely disappointed j-n
everything that's gone on since then, except for
the lawsuit that the City of Eagle, under Mayor
Ri-dgeway filed, which I thought was entirely
appropriaLe, and which I feel like we were very
likely to win.
So I was very disappointed when the new
mayor, without consulting anyone in the city, dny
of the citizens or any of the Eagle Water
customers kind of sold us out, even after all of
his campaign literature and promises said that he
was fu1Iy behind buying Eagle lltrater Company for
the City.
They claimed that there was new
information that came to 1ight, they claimed that
there was, you know, something different about how
many water rights were owned, something different
about repairs needed.
thi s
25
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
B
9
But f have read through the applications
to PUC, the original one, and the amended one, and
the Cooper testimony from SUEZ, and I don't see
anything that was different.
So I believe somehow the mayor, for
whatever reasons or because he just feII for
incorrect or invalid information from SUEZ and
Norm Bangle, likely.
I think he made the decision to change
go against his promise to buy the water company
for the City based on inaccurate and incompl-ete
information that was provided by people who have
an interest in giving false information.
So I think there was and the total
lack of transparency. Nobody in town knew
anything about the negotiations the mayor that was
involved in until after it was done. So we had no
opportunity to comment.
We had I understand that apparently he
dj,dnrt have to have our comments, but I know for
sure that he knew many people in town were
supportive of the City buying Eagle Water Company,
and he denied us that right of first refusal and
just threw us under the bus with false
information.
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
10
11
L2
13
t4
15
L6
L7
1B
19
20
21
22
23
24
ROHLING
PUBLIC
25
32
1
2
3
4
5
6,
7
B
9
10
11
1,2
13
L4
15
76
t7
1B
19
20
2!
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
ROHLING
PUBLIC
Hi 11s ,
And
Eagl e
of townpart s
l-ncomes or are
than the vast
I live in Eag1.e Hi11s, and Eagle
Ranch and downtown Eagle are ol-der
Many of us are retired or on fixed
just generally l-ower income people
majority of people in the newer
developments of Eagle.
So this rate increase
recognize the reason
we I ve been fortunate
although I
for it; I recognize now that
to have such low rates for so
long
hit the of townparts
1i ve
I stiIl think this
ol-der
increase is going to
where those of us with
Iower incomes harder than those in some of
the other parts
And I apprecj-ate PUC negotiating that
time period for the phase-in up to seven years.
I'm still disappointed that more than half of that
increase will occur the first year. And that will
hit us pretty hard.
There was no time because of the short
because of no noti-ce from the City that they were
and because of lackgoing to
sho r t age
been time
increase
sell- us out,
of time in the PUC process, there hasn't
for us to do things to prepare for this
Eor example, Irve been planting
of town.
in water.
25
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
11
12
13
74
15
L6
71
1B
19
20
2t
22
23
24
CSB REPORTTNG
208.890.5198
ROHL]NG
PUBLIC
water-wise, drought tol-erant plants in my yard for
severa.l- years and getting rid of grass every year.
And I'm very conservative about using water in my
yard.
However, I will stil-1 see the highest
thethe water use I have,part of my year,
irrigation I have
Itrs alI treated
is alI from Eagle Water Company.
household water. Itrs not water
out of an irrigation ditch. And I have no option
for anything but treated household water.
So my irrigation bill is going to
increase substantially. In order to adjust for
that, I want to get my irrigatj-on switched over to
completely to drip irrigation. We11, that takes
money. f don't have a l-ot of spare cash so f have
to allow for that.
In order to have the quality of water
that we've enjoyed for the 27 years I've lived
here, people who do not like the chlorine sme1I,
the bad taste of SUEZ Water, many of them won't
drink water from tap. They put in filters.
Now, I recognize that, that in your vi-ew,
you know, treated water from SUEZ meets all the
safety standards. But I hate that we were going
to be giving up excellent water quality and25
34
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
11
L2
13
L4
15
t6
1-7
1B
19
20
27
22
23
24
CSB REPORT]NG
208.8 90.5198
ROHLING
PUBLIC
excellent locaI
Mr. Deshazo aI1
water quality,
control of our
also
service that
these
likeIy
water to a foreign entity. I
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank YOU,
Just
years
worse
we t ve gotten from
in exchange for worse
service, and giving up
Ms. RohIing. Your
please wrap this up
submit your written
five minutes
if you can.
1s up.
And you can also
comments to the Commission.
I I 11 give you another few seconds to wrap this up,
if you could.
THE WITNESS: Okay. A11 right. We11, f
guess that's covers most of what f really
wanted to say because I know other people are
going to cover things that I've missed.
But I just would like to have PUC rea11y
look at all of the issues that have been raised
already tonight and take into consideration the
public and the many of us who are totally and
completely adamantly against the sale of this, of
Eagle Water Company to SUEZ, and even more against
the sale of Eagle Water Company to Veolia, and
totally against payi-ng some huge commission to
Norm Bangle for just brokering the deal which adds
nothing to the value of Eagle Water Company.25
35
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
1_2
13
74
15
t6
77
18
19
20
2t
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
WENDT
PUBLlC
COMMISSIONER
thank you for calling
additional comments,
writing.
ANDERSON: Thank you
if
for,
in. And please,
please submj-t those
you
in
have
Any questions?
Next on our Iist
Thank you again.
i-s No. 859-2127. Is the
calIer there?
AUDIENCE: Hell-o
COMMISS IONER ANDERSON : Hell-o . Let me
swear you l-n.
SUSAN WENDT,
appearing as a public witness, having been duly
swornr wds examined and testified as follows:
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Please give us
your name and spell your last name.
THE WfTNESS: My name is Susan Wendt,
W-E-N-D-T. Address is 734 North Caracaras Place,
in Eagle. And Eagle Water Company is my current
water suppJ- j-er.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you.
Please share your comments.
THE V'IITNESS: I'm sorry?
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Go ahead and25
36
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I
9
10
11
L2
13
1-4
15
L6
L1
18
19
20
27
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
WENDT
PUBLIC
share your comments.
THE WITNESS: Okay. So just real briefly
for me is primarily kind of the quality of our
waLer, I'm afraj-d, would be, would be jeopardized
if Veolia and SUEZ were allowed to purchase Eagle
Water Company. So that is basically that's my
largest concern, is the quality. We prefer to
retain the current quality that we have.
SUEZ and VeoIia have bad reputations.
There's gIobal evidence of their failures. They
have bad reputations and just kind of they are
notorious for cutting corners, withholding
critical safety information that led to the EIint,
Michigan water crj-sis. They were telling the
El-int, Michigan city officials that their water
was safe while they were privately discussing l-ead
contamination.
So in my opinion, Veolia and SUEZ cannot
be trusted with something as critical as our
I think our most baslc human need1Swater, which
and a human right.
So I encourage the PUC
And I appreciate the opportunity
testimony. Thank you.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON :
to deny the sa1e.
to give
Thank you for25
3'7
1
2
3
4
5
5
7
B
9
10
11
1,2
13
L4
15
L6
1,7
18
19
20
2t
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208 .890.5198
RIDGEWAY
PUBLIC
your testimony. Questions?
Our next number 1s 938-3794. Is the
cal1er there? 938-3794. Is the caIIer there?
WeII, I think what wer Il- do is we're
going to go back up to the later individual, which
was 949-95L4. Is the cal1er there?
AUDIENCE: HeIlo.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Yes. Thank you.
Let me swear you in.
STAN RIDGEWAY,
appearing as a public witness, having been duly
swornr wds examined and testified as follows:
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Please give us
your name and spell your last name.
THE WITNESS: My name is Stan Ridgeway,
R-I-D-G-E_!{-A-Y.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: And your address.
THE WITNESS : My address is 17 35 hlest
Rush Road, Eag1e, Idaho.
And I do not have Eagle Water or City of
Eagle Water. I currently get our domestic water
from a we1l.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you.25
3B
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
11
1,2
13
1,4
15
t6
t7
1B
79
20
2I
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
RIDGEWAY
PUBLlC
Please share your testimony.
THE WITNESS: So aS
name, I'm the former mayor of
this i-ssue about one
few years ago. And I was
gentleman by the name of Norm
tol-d me that he had been
the former Mayor Reynolds
of Eag1e, Eagle Vilater.
wasnrt selling the City of
Company. He was going to
you
the
can teII
City of
by my
Eag1e,
year intowho got j-nvolved
my mayoralship a
approached by a
Bangle, who had
negotiating with
selling the City
But he
1n
the Eagle
the we1ls
Water
over all
Eagle
so the
and
about
Eagl e
ret a in
buy
retail
of the accounts for
Water Company had to
City of EagIe could
wholesale water from
it to the residents
I told him
that. He told me he
his company and
of Eag1e.
that I had never
and the water rights but turn
city of that
City of Eag1e,
the customers
the
the
bir1
then
heard of
had been negotiating with the
former Mayor
And
Jim Reynolds.
I asked him to give me some time.
And I did research: We couldn't find
documents in the City of Eagle that he
any
had ever
had a meeting.
So I caIled him back and said, you know,25
39
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
B
9
1_0
11
I2
13
1,4
15
t6
L1
1B
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
RIDGEWAY
PUBLIC
I don't we cantt find anything. And he said,
you know, I think I can tell you why. Because
after the mayor lost the election to your he
contacted the owner of Eagle Water and wanted to
buy Eagle Water himself with some of his investor
friends.
So we gave him a cease and desist because
we had a nondiscfosure agreement with the City of
Eag1e.
So we dug deeper.
asked our IT people, and we
documents where Jim Reynolds
representing the City at that
negotiating off premises, at
restaurants, at other venues
City of Eagle water from Norm
or three different companies,
Vile went i-nto our we
found tons and tons of
and the law firm
time had been
the faw offices, at
about purchasing the
Bangle and his two
including a
by the name ofgent 1 eman
GoIardo.
that represented him
(sP )
So fast forward, we found aII those
documents. I found a document that I had written
that the mayor had written to me and said, I'd
like for you to have a meeting with me. I didnrt
know what it was about.
And what I learned was that it was about25
40
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
11
t2
13
L4
15
1,6
L1
18
19
20
2t
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
RIDGEWAY
PUBLIC
purchasing Eagle Water. And I was the council
president at that time, and I told them that I
would not meet with him unless the entire city
council- met with him.
So at that point r Do one in the clty
council knew that our mayor was negotiating on
buying Eagle Water Company from Norm Bangle.
So we I went to the city council as
mayor and said, Shou1d we negotiate with this guy?
And we said yes.
So we negotiated. We toured facillties.
We were promised escrow accounts of $1r000r000.
We were told that the system was great, that
everything would work. And we thought we were in
the position to take Eagle l,ttrater until we read in
the newspaper that j-t was going to be sold to
SUEZ.
At that point I went to our water
employees who a lot were new and
go back and research
talked about buying
And one of
every time
Eagle Water,
the billing
Look what I
refusal. And
said, Would you
the city has
and they did.
clerks walked in
found. And it was
the first right
my office and said,
the first right of
of refusal had been drafted by our City attorneys25
4t
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
11
72
13
14
15
t6
77
18
19
20
2t
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
RlDGEWAY
PUBLIC
and directed by Norm Semanko, who is an attorney
deal j-ng with this issue.
So we then filed a lawsuit. We asked the
attorneys to notify the Public Utility Commission
and to notify Eagle Water Company.
Later we had a meeting with our
attorneys. We asked them at that meeting could
they defend themselves and defend the City of
Eagle because
had drafted a
meeting with Norm BangIe, the
current mayor and city council
had not been truthful that
right of refusal and had
former mayor and
members about
they
first
they
been
purchasing EagIe Water.
Three days later or four days later they
resigned and we ended up hi-ring new city
attorneys.
So we Iearned that they owed us al-l of
this money, $10,000 a month, that with interest
and the escalation clause came up to about $1.7
million. We had the first right of refusal. And
so that's why we filed
And if you go
the everyone wanted
the City of Eag1e, but
changed that.
a l-awsuit.
back to the
Eagle Water
city elections,
to retain with
the new administration
25
42
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
11
L2
13
14
15
t6
17
18
19
20
21,
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
RIDGEWAY
PUBLIC
And the interesting thing that the new
administration from the start said things about
not buying Eagle lltrater was like l think
Mr. Bonn said that, WeI1, they have lead pipes, so
it would cost the City so much money to do this.
And then today I had a friend call
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Mr. Mayor,
Mr. Mayor
THE II]ITNESS : and Nicklaus, and
Nickl-aus I wiI1, I wil-l- quit.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: VileI1
THE VIITNESS: Nicklaus Drive said that
there were people putting meters in at their home.
And it was SUEZ saying, This is a done dea1.
We're putting in meters because we're going to
start metering your water.
So, you know, this is such a sellout of
EagIe citizens and unkept campaign promises from
the current mayor. And I just can't be1ieve that
we are settling this case and moving forward.
So thank you f or l-istenJ-ng, and I
appreciate what you guys are doing. Thank you.
MayorCOMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank YOU,
thisof anRidgeway. You
writJ-ng for us
certainly can
too if you've anything at
put all
missed25
43
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
L6
L1
1B
19
2A
21,
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
ROBERTS
PUBLlC
aI1. And thank you for your testimony.
We have another number here, 867-21,80.
AUDIENCE: HeIIo.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you. Let
me swear you in.
EL]ZABETH ROBERTS,
appearing as a public wi-tness, having been duly
sworn, wds examined and testif ied as fol-1ows:
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: PIease give your
name and spell your last name.
THE WITNESS: EL:_zabeth Roberts,
R-O-B-E-R-T_S.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Address?
THE VTIITNESS: 1351 North Mansf ield P1ace,
EagIe, Idaho.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you. And
are you a customer of Eagle or SUEZ?
THE WITNESS: No. I'm a customer of City
of Eagle Water.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you.
Please give your testimony.
THE WITNESS: Yes. Thank you for giving
me the chance to testify toniSht.25
44
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
11
1,2
13
1,4
15
1,6
1,7
1B
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
ROBERTS
PUBLIC
sale of Eagle
Veolia has a
rea1ly don't
here.
reput at i on
in charge
gIobally, and we
I ask you to please do not approve the
Vilater Company to SUEZ /Veolia.
poor
them of our water
Water is a crit.ical- resource that could
become limited in our area because of drought and
climate change.
A foreign, for-profit company shouldnrt
control our water, and I believe it is in the
it is not in the public interest to have them in
controf of our water. We need to maintain local
control of Idaho's water. And that's it.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you for
your testimony. Any questions from the
Commissioners?
THE WITNESS: You're welcome. Thanks.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you very
much.
Irm going to circle back around to the
No. 938-3194. Is the caIIer there?
AUDIENCE: Yes, I'm on the line.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you. Let
me swear you in.
very
want
25
45
1
2
3
4
5
6
'7
B
9
10
11
72
l_3
74
15
16
1,7
18
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
TVINNEREIM
PUBLlC
DEAN TVINNEREIM,
appearing as a public wj-tness, having been duly
swornr wds examined and testified as follows:
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank
Please give us your name and spelJ-
THE WITNESS : Okay. The
Dean. The last name j-s spelled T,
like Victor, I-N-N-E-R-E-I-M, like
And I live at 10668 North
for a period
quickly got
we were completely run
of approximately three
ahold of DEQ, told them
situation and the danger that it
neighborhood over the early days
2000 and this is all a public
your
first
you.
last name.
name 1s
unincorporated Ada County, zLp code
Iike Tom, v,
mother.
HaIter W.y,
83714. And I
am a customer of Eagle l,tlater Company.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you.
Please share your statement.
THE WITNESS: Wel-l, I, I moved j-nto a new
development over 21 years d9o, and at that time, I
was unaware of aII the private ownership of water
but ended up with Eagle htrater Company.
V[ithin 60 days of moving into this
ne i ghbo rhood,out of
days. I
of the
water
caused the
of July of
record.25
46
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
B
9
10
11
L2
13
74
15
76
l7
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208 . 890.5198
TVINNEREIM
PUBLlC
So they quickly called a hearing with the
developer of this neighborhood and Eagle Water
Company and the Commission.
They came to an agreement. They rebuilt
the system with some redundancy. And for over 20
years nowr we have enjoyed in this neighborhood
reliable, cJ-ean water. And the last time we had
public comments given which was about three weeks
ago t maybe four weeks ago.
But anyways, I brought this same subject
up. And f said the water is f ine, the del j-very
system is fine. I said I donrt know why they've
got to spend $S million to upgrade the system
that's working fine.
And they said, we11, you don't, you know,
you donrt know where the problems are.
And I would agree, I don't know where the
problems
it's in
or golf
on EagIe
are because everybody that I know whether
the neighborhood or in church communitles
associations, everybody f know of thatrs
Water has had no problems with de 1 ive ry
justof water, and
fine.
And
got to spend
the purity of the water is
yet, part of this purchase is theyrve
$5 milfion to upgrade the system, and25
41
1
2
3
4
5
6
'7
B
9
10
11
72
13
1,4
15
16
77
18
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
BROCK
PUBLIC
the system
about in 20
So
that Irve never heard anybody complain
years.
that I s the
COMMISSIONER
end of my
ANDERSON:
comments.
Thank you very
Thankmuch for your testimony. Any questions?
you again.
Next on the line, next number werlI
out is 559-6727. Is the cafler there?
AUDIENCE: Hello? Can you hear me?
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you.
me swear you in. Let me swear you in.
cal 1
Let
SHELLY BROCK,
appearing as a public witness, having been duly
sworn, was examined and testified as follows:
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you.
last name.Please give
THE
us your name and speJ- 1 your
V[]TNESS:
Brock, B-R-O-C-K. I
Sure. My name is SheJ-1y
live at 8110 Chaparral- Road,
in EagIe.
And although my home is not on SUEZ t SUEZ
supplies water to my place of employment, which is
Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. So I do
have experience with them through there.25
4B
t_
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
t6
17
1B
19
20
2t
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
BROCK
PUBL]C
I just have a few statements and
questions for you regarding the staff's comments
on this case.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: You can
THE WITNESS: First of a1I
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: You can give your
statements, but we aren't asking answering
questions this evening.
THE WITNESS: Oh, right, right. I just
want my questions to go on the record. Thank you.
First, I believe that the premium sale
price that includes payments to Norm Bangle should
be disclosed publicly and should not be paid by
the existing and future rate payers.
That premium price that is being paid to
the third party has not been evaluated by anyone
as to the merits and justification of the amount.
So why would SUEZ pay for the premj-um paid to a
third party?
The "avoided costs" should not include a
third-party premium paid to Norm Bangle either.
In fact, without this premlum, the "avoided costs"
will- increase due to decreased sale costs, and I
think thatrs notable.
The premium paid to Norm Bangle shoul-d25
49
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
B
9
10
11
72
13
1,4
15
L6
L7
18
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
BROCK
PUBLIC
not be allowed. And in fact, it was not allowed
in the first attempt to sell- water to his group.
So Itd like to know why staff and
Commissioners aIIow this to be part of the
agreement now.
Second, the sal-e price needs to be
evaluated on the existing rate base of Eagle Water
and PUC rules and regulations. The sales prj-ce
should be evaluated by staff as a standalone sale,
and it shoul-d not be evaluated based on avoided
costs to SUEZ.
seems reallyrt
has put all
strange to
one basket,
these ma j or
me that SUEZ
and now they
infrastructure
acquire Eagle
poor
so much
on the
eggs 1n
for al-1
its
claim the need
upgrades if they
Vilater. But this appears to
Iong-term planning by that
capital improvements would
were not al-l-owed to
be reaIly
company if
be resting
acquisitj-on of a littIe
Water. Avoided capital
water company Iike Eagle
costs associated with poor
Iong-term planning shoul-d not be rewarded by a
simple acquisition of Eagle Water.
So I would question why has SUEZ delayed
investment in their system serving Northwest Bolse
and Ada County for so Iong that they now are25
50
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
claiming that they need to spend over $40 million
to remedy the problem. It makes me wonder what
if this utility was not for sale, what would they
do?
Nextr regarding the benefits to Eagle
Water Company that were outlined by staff in their
comments, SUEZ states that they can provide fire
protection from existj-ng reservoirs. But has
there been a study completed and has PUC staff
reviewed the hydraulic analysis of that study?
The experts and engineers that I've
spoken to say Eagle filater Company could simply
build more water storage and pump in locally and
provide fire flow capacity.
They claim there's j-nsuf f icient peak
pumping capacity, and yet it's clear that the
EagIe Water Company weIIs are high-capacity wells
that could serve long-term growth in the region.
fn fact, SUEZ admits that they will use
this excess capacity to serve deficj-encies in
their existing system in Northwest Boise and Ada
County, which includes Avimor, Spring VaIley and
other Boise foothills developments.
And as an j-nteresting sidenote, the
current Eagle Mayor Pj-erce and Councilman Charl-ie
CSB REPORTING
208.8 90.5198
BROCK
PUBLIC
10
11
12
13
L4
15
1,6
1-'7
18
19
20
2L
22
23
24
25
51
1
2
3
4
5
5
7
I
9
10
11
1,2
13
14
15
1,6
1,7
18
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208 . 890.5198
BROCK
PUBLIC
Bonn I s campaigns
which f believe
were heavily funded by Avimor,
interest with some of
play into
the other things that you've
heard said tonight.
I believe that a water district could
provide better operatj-ona1
has not been
a conflict of
efficiencies. As we
doing
could
all know,
ope rat ing
Poor water
inadequate
and maintaining
quality, poor
Boise's
customer
a great j ob in
water system.
service and
SUE Z
maintenance has all been reported in
the news locally. I have a box with 11800 pages
of complaints in my office, in fact.
And also, I have to say that we
experience their yeIIow water so frequently at
Saint Alphonsus, that we have trouble casting
fracture repairs at times because the water
discolors the plaster so bad1y. So that's really
an issue.
So my question is: Why would we a1low
SUEZ to take on more service territory until they
are doing the job that they are already getting
paid to do.
There seem to be potential water supply
safety issues were mentioned by the staff
concerning Eagle Water Company. But it appears25
52
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
B
9
10
11
1,2
13
14
15
t6
l1
1B
79
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.8 90.5198
BROCK
PUBLIC
from the Cooper testimony that, without this
acquj-sition, SUEZ has water supply safety issues
concerning their own water supplied to Northwest
Boise and Ada County.
So why would we why would you allow
SUEZ to convey EagIe Vdater Company
areas within the SUEZ system that
provided long-term planning for?
water supply to
they have not
Also, staf f concl-uded that SUEZ
acquisition is a "least-cost option. " But I
a third-party waterwonder, has the PUC staff
rate expert completed an
conc lus i on?
or
analysis to make this
We belj-eve that only the SUEZ numbers
have been evaluated, and that, due to the l-ow rate
base of Eagle Water Company, they potentially
could invest in system upgrades that would keep
costs and water rates below SUEZ rates.
r think further investigation and
needed to confirm SUEZ as thearecomparr-sons
ttleast costtt
And
option.
finalfy, SUEZ talks of Iack of
the Eagle Water Company system. But
Cooper's testimony and staff
appears as if SUEZ has not adequately
investment in
in reviewing
comments, it25
53
1
2
3
4
5
6
'7
B
9
10
11
L2
13
L4
15
75
1,7
1B
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
BROCK
PUBLIC
planned for
the size of
or without
future facilities of
investment that wilI
the addition
their own, due to
be required with
Water Company.
on what several
hostile
impact
Va1 Iey.
And f just want
of Eagle
to touch
people have said, the fact that Veolia is t a king
as to
thi s
over aI1 of SUEZ operations. Irm curious
why there has not been a big issue made of
merger by the PUC when it is goi-ng to
the Boiseover 100r000 customers across
Staff has barely addressed this, and yet
in communities
Idaho and
Veolia has a rap sheet a mile long
across the U. S. , including here in
around the worId.
So in conclusion, I would just ask the
Commissioners to please postpone this sale and
f urther evaluate the need f or " avoi-ded cost "
justificatj-on; disclosure of the premium sales
price to Norm Bangle; address the merger with
Veolia.
In factr w€ bel-ieve that this needs to be
started all- over again once they take command,
which is supposed to happen later this year. And
they should be at the helm when a new application
is fi1ed. And we need to question why SUEZ has25
54
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
11
1,2
13
L4
15
1,5
1,7
1B
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
BROCK
PUBLIC
not pl-anned for better supply'requirements to
Northwest Boise.
I
engineering
believe a third-party expert
is needed aboveand financial review
the PUC staff expertise.
And we would ask for a more detail-ed
hearing in order to go over this, what is a realIy
extremely complicated case.
So thank you very much.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank your
Ms. Brock. Any questions from the Commission?
Thank you for your testimony this evening.
We have one number here that did not
respond earlier. I'm going to give it a try
again. 685-91,91,. Is the cal-ler there? Ts the
calIer there?
Hearing no answer, it looks l-ike we have
exhausted our list that we have. Let me take a
peek hear. Do we let me just pause for a
second here.
Couple more snuck in. Just one second.
Thank you. Sorry for the pause there.
!{e do have a couple more here. The
number is 305-5562. Is the caller there?
305-5562. Is the cal-1er there?25
55
1
2
3
4
q
6
7
B
9
10
11
L2
13
14
15
t6
77
1B
l9
20
2t
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
VTANO
PUBLIC
We'II try the next number, 861-1934. Is
the cal-Ier there?
AUDIENCE: Yes, f 'm here .
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you. Let
me swear you in.
NANCY VIANO,
appearing as a public witness, having been duly
sworn, was examined and testified as follows:
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you.
last.Please give
THE
us your name and spell your
Viano, V asVilITNESS: Nancy 1n
Victor, I-A-N-O
Lane, in Eag1e.
si-nce 19BB
I Iive at 104 North Nicklaus
And f am an Eagle Water customer
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Thank you.
Pl-ease share
THE V{ITNESS:
COMMISSIONER
testimony.
THE WITNESS:
tha t
ANDERSON: Please share your
that, for
had Eagle
service,
the 33 years
We11, I
that we
just want to say
have lived here and
Water, we have had excellent water, good
and with very l-imited times, no25
56
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
11
72
13
L4
15
1,6
17
1B
19
20
27
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
VlANO
PUBLTC
difficulty with water pressure.
[,]e find Eagle Water to be a
company.
good locaI
I understand when someone wants to sell
the company. But
said this should
I agree with the people that
be started over again and looked
may be out there,
first right of
that potentially
the city with the
want to add that we have had SUEZ
at other buyers
and especially
refusal.
I afso
They
Lane
may
and
trucks on our streets here in HilLs East
but on Nicklaus
working. And
what they were
preparing the
readings of our
know that sal-e
be other places, as
Lane, coming
eventually have
SUEZ. I said I
Eagle
weII,
by and
I asked
Harvey
one of the workers one day
And he said that they weredoing.
meters to
meters by
digital
didnrt
was complete and this is a worker, so this is
not coming from someone 1n administration or
higher up but he said, We were just told it's
goi-ng to happen.
So I find that, when we're in the midst
of all- of this discussion, and the PUC hasn't made
a decision, to be concerning. And I wanted to
make that known in this meeting tonight, which I25
5"7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
10
11
72
13
1,4
15
1,6
77
1B
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890. s198
COLLOQUY
PUBLIC
very much appreciate your taking
So thank you very much.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON :Thank you
much for your testlmony. Any questions?
public comments.
very
Thank
you aga1n.
I think what we I re going to do I've
a couple numbers thattried to get responses from
have not responded.
But I think at this time, I think we'11
recess for five minutes. And if there's some
other callers that if these two callers have
returned, we will make every effort to get their
ca1l.
So at this time we'11 reconvene at
9z20 8:20, excuse rer B:20. Not 9:20, B:20.
(Break. )
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON :Thank you.
to order. Wecall the meeting
numbers that have
We don't have any
back
We're
stil1going to
have two
that have come on. I'm going to
those numbers now and we'11 see
685-9L99. Is the call-er there?
not responded.
other additional caIIs
go ahead and read
what happens.
685-9199. Is the
calIer there?
AUDIENCE: Apologies. I called in on the25
5B
I
2
3
4
5
6
7
B
9
1_0
11
1,2
13
74
15
l6
t1
1B
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208.890.5198
COLLOQUY
PUBLTC
wrong line. No comment.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Okay. No comment
for you? Thank you very much.
The next number is 305-5562. Is the
caller there? 305-5562. Is the caIler
AUDIENCE: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Vfould you like to
testify?
AUDIENCE: I was listening in. No. I
was listening in, providing my support.
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON: Okay. Very good.
Thank you for listening in toniqht.
Wel-I, that does exhaust our list f or the
eveni-ng.
And just a reminder that we do have
November Bth as our comment deadline, and
to submit comments toencourage anyone that
please do so by then.
And without any further business before
wishes
usr we are adjourned.
(Concluded at
Thank you
B:21 p.m.)
very much.
25
59
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
I
9
l-0
1l-
1,2
13
14
15
16
1,'t
18
19
20
2L
22
23
24
CSB REPORTING
208 . 890.5198
AUTHENTICATION
This is to certify that the foregoing
proceedings held in the matter of the joint
application of SUEZ Water Idaho, Inc. to acquire
Eagle Water Company, commencing at 7:00 p.m.r on
Monday, November 7, 2027, dt the Commission
Hearing Room, 11331 West Chinden BIvd., Building
8, Suite 2O1,-A, Boise, Idaho, is a true and
correct transcript of said proceedings and the
original thereof for the file of the Commission.
Maureen R
Certified
Welch
Shorthand Reporter #511
a
R.
i-a-
No.
L
OF
25
60 AUTHENTICATION