19960318_1.docx

Minutes of Decision Meeting
March 18, 1996 - 1:30 p.m.
In attendance at this time were Commissioners Ralph Nelson, Marsha H. Smith and Dennis Hansen and staff members Don Howell, Brad Purdy, Susan Hamlin, Terri Carlock, Ron Law, Gary Richardson, Bev Barker, Joe Cusick, Eileen Benner, Judy Stokes, Randy Lobb, Tonya Clark, Lynn Anderson, Keith Hessing, Wayne Hart and Myrna Walters. Also in attendance was Jeanette Bowman of Idaho Power Company.
Items from the March 18, 1996 Decision Meeting Agenda were discussed and acted upon as follows.
1. Regulated Carrier Division Agenda dated March 18, 1996.
Approved.
2. Joe Cusick’s March 12, 1996 Decision Memorandum re: Petition for Equal Access in Salmon, ID area.
Commissioners approved staff recommendation.
3. Brad Purdy’s March 13, 1996 Decision Memorandum re: Case No. GNR-W-94-1; Application of Goldan Water Company for a certificate of public convenience and necessity.
Commissioner Nelson asked who the notice would be served on if there are no “owners”?
Brad Purdy replied - we know who all the potential owners are.
Commission does have a duty to set rates and quality standards for the water system. Whoever sends the bills to the customers have obligation.
Commissioner Smith commented she wondered how long before the people who paid $95,000 realize what a big mistake it was? She made a motion that the matter be set for hearing and the Commissioner from northern Idaho do it and let the other two commissioners know how it went.
Commissioner Hansen seconded the motion.
Commissioner Nelson will conduct a hearing.
4. Brad Purdy’s March 14, 1996 Decision Memorandum re: Pacificorp’s Proposed Closure of the UP&L Malad Office.
Commissioner Smith had a question - didn’t understand the information will include the company’s 24-hour toll free calls originating outside Malad.
Judy Stokes clarified that the 24 hour toll-free number will not be available until the end of 1996.  It is now only 8 to 5.
Commissioner Nelson said it is a problem that there isn’t just one number all the time.
Brad Purdy asked - assuming there is a 24 hour number, does that take care of this?
**Should be one number that they can switch.
Commissioner Smith asked if the 813 people in Malad who signed the petition feel like they got enough process if we just say it doesn’t look so bad to us?
Commissioner Hansen commented - anytime there is an office closure in a small town, you will have quite a few people asking to keep it open. Think it was a good idea to put out a notice.
Commissioner Smith asked if he thought there should be a hearing?
Commissioner Hansen said no.
Gary Richardson said he wondered about putting out a news release relating to this?
Company is going to send out a separate mailer.
Gary Richardson will do a newsrelease.
Staff is to check on the 24-hour phone service.
5. Brad Purdy’s March 15, 1996 Decision Memorandum re: Case No IPC-E-96-2 Idaho Power’s Application for Implementation of a Year Round Connection Procedure for Irrigation Customers.
Commissioner Nelson said staff’s recommendation is to go modified procedure.
Commissioner Hansen asked it that would really provide irrigation customers an adequate way to respond? Think a person is going to read it and ask how they could be a participant? What would we accomplish with modified for the irrigators?
Brad Purdy said he didn’t know how involved Randy Budge would get in representing the irrigators.
Commissioner Hansen said the decision memo said staff had a problem with the filing. When you start talking hookups and shutoffs and they don’t realize it - worry about those people. They are busy this time of the year.
Wayne Hart said staff position was a news release wasn’t adequate. Don’t think there was enough evidence to say we definitely needed hearing but thought each individual should be provided with notice. Had three complaints from Blackfoot pilot program - primarily in the fact that they had $2.50 minimum and UPL doesn’t.
Commissioner Nelson suggested putting it out on modified and seeing if we get any requests for hearing.
Brad Purdy explained the modified procedure wording.
Randy Lobb said the Commission did pretty much this same thing for UPL. Randy Budget participated in that.  
Wayne Hart explained the timing.
Commissioner Smith said from her position, most of these people have met financial obligations for this year, think her preference would be to suspend it all and changes can be effective September 1. To have to change two weeks from now would not be advisable. Tariff filing would allow them to make seasonal advances.  
After discussion, decision was to suspend the filing - do not approve interim tariff.
6. Bill Eastlake’s March 14, 1996 Decision Memorandum re: GTE Tariff Advice No. 95-19 (Amended) to implement Local Calling Plan (LCP), effective April 10, 1996.
Staff recommendation approved.
7. Terri Carlock’s March 15, 1996 Decision Memorandum re: Pacificorp $750 Million Debt Authority Case No. PAC-S-96-1.
Approved the application if their rating doesn’t go 2 points below their A-.
Meeting adjourned.
Dated at Boise, Idaho, this 18th day of March, 1996.
Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary