19960212_1.docx

MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
February 12, 1996 - 1:30 p.m.
In attendance were Commissioners Ralph Nelson, Marsha H. Smith and Dennis Hansen. Also in attendance were staff members Don Howell, Scott Woodbury, Susan Hamlin, Bev Barker, Ron Law, Randy Lobb, Bev Barker, Birdelle Brown, Stephanie Miller, Terri Carlock, Joe Cusick, Jim Long, Eileen Benner, Don Oliason, Bob Smith and Myrna Walters. Also in attendance was Jeannette Bowman of Idaho Power Company.
Commission President Ralph Nelson called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
Items from the February 12, 1996 Decision Meeting Agenda were discussed as follows.
1. Birdelle Brown’s February 2, 1996 Decision memorandum re: GTE Advice 96-02 to Clarify Toll Restriction tariff, effective February 20, 1996 (Held from 2-5-96 Decision Meeting) and her February 12, 1996 Decision Memorandum regarding this same advice.
Commissioner Smith moved approval of the advice; Commissioner Hansen seconded the motion and Commissioner Nelson concurred.
2. Letter from Ted S. Sorenson, Lemhi Hydropower, requesting opportunity to speak by phone at prehearing conference in IPC-E-95-17 scheduled for February 20, 1996, at 9:30 a.m. (Arkoosh and Faulkner Bros. Hydro Complaint v. Idaho Power Co., IPC-E-95-17).
Scott Woodbury explained who the notice of prehearing conference went to. Mr. Sorenson wants fixed rates to also be on the table at the prehearing. Scott called Bart Kline. Kline has no problem if Sorenson intervenes. Could treat his letter as an intervention. Staff also has no problem with him intervening.  
Commissioner Nelson suggested he be allowed to participate in the prehearing conference.    Scott will notify the other participants that Mr. Sorenson will be on the line at the prehearing conference February 20.
3. Jim Long’s February 6, 1996 Decision Memorandum re: Disconnect of Ring on Incoming Calls from a Coin Telephone Located in a Community Work Release Center.
Jim said this would take care of the needs of the work release center.  
Commissioner Smith asked if instituting this at other work release centers had been a problem?
Jim said he had not heard of any.
Approved.
4. Susan Hamlin’s and Joe Cusick’s February 9, 1996 Decision Memorandum re: Adoption of State Telecommunication Modernization Plan (STMP) - GNR-T-96-1. Request for approval and submittal of plan.
Commissioner Smith said she hadn’t seen a copy after she made changes.
Joe Cusick assured her the changes had been made.
Plan was approved; will be submitted.
5. Robert Smith’s February 9, 1996 Decision Memorandum re: Bitterroot Water - GNR-W-95-2.
Commissioner Smith asked what the intent was of the flat rate, since there are meters in place.
Bob Smith explained
Commissioner Smith asked why we were allowing a hook-up fee?
Bob Smith explained what the connecting fee was. Everything has been done by the developer on this system. Company has asked and is charging a hook-up fee. Staff is recommending that this continue and be rebated back to the builder.
Staff recommendations were approved.
6. Bev Barker’s February 9, 1996 Decision Memorandum re: Idaho Power company’s proposed tariff revision concerning the franchise fee for the City of Richfield.
Commissioner Smith reminded her that the tariff should be stamped - accepted for filing, rather than approved.
Bev then asked about her recommendation of having the tariff say - 3% for 10 years then it would revert back to 1%.
After discussion, was decided to accept the tariff, as filed.
7. Bev Barker’s February 9, 1996 Decision Memorandum re: Petition protesting the closure of Utah Power & Light’s Malad office.
Commissioner Hansen said he didn’t think we had gotten enough information on this matter. Think we should issue notice of inquiry to see if we get more on this.
Commissioner Smith said she didn’t want to give the people the impression that we get into management and unless we can find they aren’t giving adequate service, it is hard to intervene.
**Decision was made to issue a notice of inquiry, but Commissioners want to look at it before it goes out - Shoshone office closure is to be used as a model. Make sure customers understand Commission does not get into management decisions.
8. Terri Carlock’s February 9, 1996 Decision Memorandum re: Silver Star Telephone Company’s borrowing of $2,225, 050 - SIL-T-96-1.
Commissioner Smith made a motion to approve the application.
Commissioner Hansen seconded the motion - Commissioner Nelson concurred.
Meeting was then adjourned.
Dated at Boise, Idaho, this 13th day of February 1996.
Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
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