19970220_1.docx

MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
February 20, 1997 - 1:30 p.m.
In attendance at this time were: Commissioners Ralph Nelson, Marsha H. Smith and Dennis Hansen and Staff members Don Howell, Weldon Stutzman, Brad Purdy, David Scott, Bob Smith, Birdelle Brown, Joe Cusick, Randy Lobb, Stephanie Miller, Syd Lansing, Scott Woodbury and Myrna Walters. Also in attendance were Peter Richardson, Attorney at Law; Skip Worthan of Intermountain Gas Company; Thayne Twiggs and Jeannette Bowman of Idaho Power Company.
Commission President Ralph Nelson called the meeting to order.
Items from the February 20, 1997 Decision Meeting Agenda were discussed and acted upon as follows.
1. Regulated Carrier Division Agenda dated February 20, 1997.
Commissioner Dennis Hansen made a motion to approved the RCD Agenda; Commissioner Smith seconded the motion; Commissioner Nelson concurred.
2. Brad Purdy’s February 18, 1997 Decision Memorandum re: Request of Mr. Arnold Gumm, dba Mobile Home Relocators, for Conditional Permit.
Commissioner Hansen made a motion to grant the additional 120 days extension to Mr. Gumm.  
Commissioner Nelson asked if he had complied with the insurance requirement?
Brad Purdy explained that all Mr. Gumm’s documents have been supplied but he has not received a satisfactory safety rating. If the Commissioners say okay to the 120 day extension, Mr. Gumm will receive a conditional permit.  
Commissioner Nelson said he would go along with the 120 days but he will expect that a satisfactory safety audit will be completed in that time frame.
Commissioner Smith sustained from voting.
3. Brad Purdy’s February 7, 1997 Decision Memorandum re: Case No. IPC-E-96-22 Petition of the Industrial Customers of Idaho Power for Reconsideration of Commission Order No. 26753 Terminating Idaho Power Company’s Partners in Industrial Efficiency Conservation Program. (Held from 2-10-97 Decision Meeting).
Commissioner Smith asked if there was anything the Commissioners needed to reconsider to make the record more adequate, to be legally sustainable?
Brad said no. What ICIP is suggesting is that termination of this project without safeguards is discriminatory. They contend the record isn’t adequate to terminate a program if you don’t speak to stranded costs. Suggested soliciting briefs from the parties.
Commissioner Hansen said he thought where there was a question, should grant an opportunity to reconsider to make sure the record is complete. Liked the idea of briefs rather than hearing.
Brad Purdy will work on a briefing schedule.
4. Birdelle Brown’s February 12, 1997 Decision Memorandum re: PTI Advice No. 96-2 on Behalf of Gem State Telephone Company to Increase Rates for Additional Engineering and Labor Services, effective February 20, 1997.
Commissioner Smith made a motion to approve the filing.
Commissioner Hansen said he did have a question - why the urgency to change this when they say there is no demand for this in Idaho? Why are we doing it? Why are we changing the rate in Idaho if there is no one in Idaho using this service?
Commissioner Smith responded that maybe they anticipate there will be activity.
Commissioner Nelson said he thought it looked reasonable and he would approve it.
Commissioner Hansen said he would go along with it then, also.
5. Weldon Stutzman’s February 18, 1997 Decision Memorandum re: Case Nos. GTE-T-97-3 and ATT-T-97-1 Arbitration for AT&T and GTE, GTE’s Claim to Rural Telephone Company Exemption.
GTE claims they are a rural company in Idaho.
Weldon quoted what the company is relying on for this claim - went over the timing on the request, etc.  
Commissioner Smith said if GTE claims they are exempt we have an obligation to determine if they are and if they are, it should be lifted. Don’t see any way around doing that first.
GTE says the Commission should dismiss the petition for arbitration.
Weldon Stutzman said he did think the initial question is whether the exemption should be limited or not. Should provide some way of resolving that. Not sure briefing is sufficient.  
Decision was made to set it for hearing - request for exemption.
6. Scott Woodbury’s February 18, 1997 Decision Memorandum re: IGC Tariff Advice 97-1.
Commissioner Smith made a motion to approve the filing; seconded by Commissioner Hansen and concurred to by Commissioner Nelson.
7. Scott Woodbury’s February 18, 1997 Decision Memorandum re: Case No. INT-G-96-7 Composite Depreciation Rate.
Approved. **Be sure order says Commission reserves right to look at any rate impact - also will say Commission will look at it within a 3-year time limit.
8. Scott Woodbury’s February 18, 1997 Decision Memorandum re: Firm Energy Sales Agreement-First Amendment IPCO/Lemoyne Hydro Project.
Commissioner Hansen asked about the time lapse in this matter?
Scott Woodbury replied apparently they reached an agreement and started working before any paperwork was prepared.
Approved.
9. Scott Woodbury’s February 18, 1997 Decision Memorandum re: Case No. UWI-W-96-6 Investigation--Service/Water Quality Motion for Extension of Time.
Approved granting of extension of time for filing.
Meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m.
Dated at Boise, Idaho, this 21st day of February, 1997.
Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary