19970708_2.docx

MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
July 8, 1997 - 1:30 p.m.
In attendance were Commissioners Dennis Hansen, Ralph Nelson and Marsha H. Smith and staff members Don Howell, Weldon Stutzman, Susan Hamlin, David Scott, Stephanie Miller, Carolee Hall, Birdelle Brown, Wayne Hart, Joe Cusick, Bill Eastlake, Tonya Clark and Myrna Walters. Also in attendance were John Souba of U S West and Aloa Stevens of Citizens Telecommunications.
Commissioner President Dennis Hansen called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
Items from the July 8, 1997 Agenda were discussed and acted upon as follows.
Commissioner Hansen spoke to the items on the Consent Agenda - Items 1 - 5 all had recommendations by staff, for approval by the Commissioners.
Commissioner Hansen asked if there was a motion to approve the items. Commissioner Nelson so moved; unanimously approved by the Commissioners.
6. Susan Hamlin and Wayne Hart’s June 30, 1997 Decision Memorandum re: Citizens Telecommunications Company of Idaho Local Calling Plan for Homedale/Wilder/Parma; Case Nos. CTC-T-97-3 (EAS Cases GNR-T-97-3 and GNR-T-93-11.)   Held from July 2, 1997 Decision Meeting.  
Commissioner Hansen reviewed the matter - it was held from the July 2, 1997 Decision Meeting since the parties (US West and Citizens) were going to meet on this. Both parties were represented at the decision meeting and Commissioner Hansen asked if they would like to comment.
John Souba of U S West said that U S West now withdraws its opposition to the plan based on a stipulation between the parties,drafted but as yet not signed. What the stipulation will do is transfer the call responsibilities for the route Parma/Wilder into U S West to a Citizens route. Nothing would change for U S West. Access charges would be received.
Aloa Stevens of Citizens said U S West had covered it correctly.
Wayne Hart said there were a number of technical and jurisdictional issues that staff assumed could be worked out. Staff would then go with the recommendation to approve one-way temporary calling plans.
Commissioner Smith asked Mr. Souba if U S West has considered being a two-way EAS as opposed to one-way?
John responded that in U S West’s opinion it should be a two-way proposition. Don’t consider it EAS as it is an optional plan. Staff characterizes this as an interim solution and so does U S West. Believe the region (including Nampa, Caldwell) should be opened up to those customers.  Currently U S West has a variety of optional calling plans.
Commissioner Smith asked John Souba if in his view the calls into Nampa and Caldwell from Parma/Homedale/Wilder were tolls calls?
He agreed they were.
Commissioner Smith said this is an interim solution but think the permanent solution is at least a year away. There are a lot of things to be resolved before a final plan is presented. In her opinion it is a matter of deciding to go with this which will give the majority of the customers relief (in 90 days). That is nearly immediate as opposed to asking them to wait one more year. It is a half a loaf. But it does have the advantage of being optional and she thought it was good so she was in favor of it; if we let the people know we haven’t abandoned their request for two-way EAS.
Commissioner Nelson expressed his disappointment that the people in Homedale/Wilder were led to believe there would be a technical hearing in July when none of the parties are ready to go forward. They are expecting something from the Commission that we are not able to give. Said he was willing to go ahead with the interim but is disappointed with not having the technical hearing. He wouldn’t mind if that was mentioned in the order.
Commissioner Hansen indicated that he was also disappointed. A technical hearing was originally set for April, then it was decided that the it might be confusing and the parties weren’t ready but they would be ready in July. That misguided us at that hearing in letting the people think something else was on the horizon. He is convinced that the wheels are turning and that Citizens is committed to pursuing total EAS and US West’s attitude is good. Our audit will be completed and Citizens will be in, in early ‘98 with a rate case which will help to come up with solutions to this.  
Commissioner Smith said her comments were a motion; Commissioner Hansen said he supported that motion; passed unanimously.
That concluded the items on the agenda; Commissioner Hansen adjourned the meeting.
Dated at Boise, Idaho, this 8th day of July, 1997.
Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary