19970603_1.docx

MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
June 3, 1997 - 1:30 p.m.
In attendance at this meeting were Commissioners Dennis Hansen, Ralph Nelson and Marsha H. Smith and staff members Don Howell, Brad Purdy, Stephanie Miller, Birdelle Brown, Carolee Hall, Scott Woodbury, Don Oliason, Tonya Clark, Wayne Hart, David Scott and Myrna Walters.
Commission President Dennis Hansen called the meeting to order.
Items from the published June 3, 1997 Agenda were discussed and acted upon as follows.
1. Approval of Minutes from Previous Meetings - May 27, 1997 Decision Meeting Minutes.
Commissioner Nelson said if the Minutes had been corrected as he had requested, he would make a motion to approve them. Corrections had been made by the Commission Secretary. Motion was then seconded and it carried unanimously.
2. Regulated Carrier Matters - 2. Regulated Carrier Division Agenda dated June 3, 1997 Application for temporary authority - Northfork Trucking, Inc., Case No. M-8308-1.
Ron Law, Regulated Carrier Division Administrator, reviewed the matter.
Commissioner Hansen made a motion to approve the application; seconded by Commissioner Smith, passed unanimously.
3. Brad Purdy’s May 22, 1997 Decision Memorandum re: Case No. GNR-T-97-2 - Application of Max-Tel Communications for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to Operate as a Reseller of Telecommunications Services. (Held from May 27, 1997 Decision Meeting)
Commissioner Hansen pointed out that the reason this matter was held, was the question of whether or not the Commission can require bonding.
Brad Purdy said he looked at the code - didn’t find any case law that limited the Commission’s ability to impose some type of bonding or escrow in this situation. His advise was to go ahead and conduct a hearing in this matter to get financial information and to see if bonding would be necessary or Max-Tel could be told to come up with their own proposal.
Commissioner Smith said she would offer an alternative. If anyone from staff has been talking to Max-Tel, let them know that the commission is going to schedule a hearing or would they like to offer up some type of security agreement. Give them the opportunity to come up with something on their own. She made that a motion. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Hansen; passed unanimously.
4. Carolee Hall’s May 27, 1997 Decision Memorandum re: U S West Advice 97-07-S to Revise U S West Communications Basic Local Exchange Tariff to reflect the Sale and Transfer of the Driggs Exchange to Silver Star Telephone Company effective June 16, 1997.
Carolee reviewed the filing. Staff recommends approval.
Commissioner Smith made a motion to approve the tariff advice; seconded by Commissioner Nelson, passed unanimously.
5. Carolee Hall’s May 27, 1997 Decision Memorandum re: U S West Communications (North) Advice 97-05-N Requesting Approval to Reword the Description of the Idaho Telephone Assistance Program (ITAP) Surcharge, effective June 26, 1997.
Carolee reviewed the filing. Revision would allow the surcharge to be changed as needed without having to make tariff filings each year to reflect the changes in the amount.
Commissioner Nelson made a motion to accept the filing; seconded by Commissioner Smith; passed unanimously.
6. Weldon Stutzman’s May 28, 1997 Decision Memorandum re: Case No. PFI-T-96-1 - Notice of Withdrawal of Application for Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity by Brooks Fiber.
Matter was held until next week’s decision meeting, in Weldon’s absence.
7. Scott Woodbury’s May 30, 1997 Decision Memorandum re: Case No. WWP-E-97-2 - Reconnection Charges (Seasonal/Temporary Disconnects).
Scott Woodbury went over the particulars set out in the Decision Memorandum.
Commissioner Nelson said he was curious why staff thinks a rate case would be necessary for this rate change when last year we allowed Idaho Power to change for irrigators, by tariff.
Scott responded that the analysis of staff indicated the company may not be losing money on this. They will put that in the staff comments.
Commissioner Smith said it seemed to her that the problem was that the reconnect fee is too low in light of the monthly minimum. $8.50 is a high minimum. Idaho Power’s minimum is $2.50.
Stephanie Miller explained that WWP’s includes some usage.
Commissioner Smith said she thought it should look more like a customer charge. She made a motion to put it out on modified procedure but also allow time for the company to respond to any comments received. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Hansen; carried unanimously.  
Meeting was adjourned.
Dated at Boise, Idaho, this 4th day of June, 1997.
Myrna J Walters
Commission Secretary