19970728_1.docx

MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
July 28, 1997 - 1:30 p.m.
In attendance were Commissioners Dennis Hansen, Ralph Nelson and Marsha H. Smith and staff members Weldon Stutzman, Susan Hamlin, Terri Carlock, Stephanie Miller, Syd Lansing, Ron Law, Tonya Clark, Don Oliason, Bob Smith and Myrna Walters.
Commissioner Hansen called the meeting to order.
Items from the Published July 28, 1997 Agenda were considered and acted upon as follows.
Commissioner Hansen asked that the July 16, 1997 Decision Meeting Minutes be added to Item 1 on the agenda.
Commissioner Hansen then made a motion to approve the July 16, 1997 Minutes as corrected and the June 23 and July 2, 1997 Minutes as listed on the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Smith made a motion that Items 2, 3 and 4 on the Consent Agenda be approved as proposed. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Susan Hamlin’s July 25, 1997 Decision Memorandum re: Valley View Subdivision, Inc. Request for continuance of Hearing and Prefile Deadlines.
Susan reviewed the decision memorandum. Explained staff recommendation.  
Commissioner Nelson commented that staff had already filed their testimony. The company has not filed. The Water District is a party and one customer is a party. Commissioner Nelson said he wouldn’t think the Commission would want to slip the hearing date more than a month - first part of October would be the latest to go to Kamiah.
Commissioner Hansen asked if going ahead with the August hearing would hamper the negotiations? Why would it change things?
Susan Hamlin replied that the Water District has 30 days to respond to the counter offer. The 30 days would be after the hearing date, that is why they asked for the extension.
Commissioner Nelson asked if staff had seen the counter offer?
Response was no.
Commissioner Smith made a motion to move the hearing 6 weeks out, set new filing date and tell the company to come to the hearing or come up with proposal.
Motion carried unanimously.
6. Susan Hamlin/Terri Carlock Decision Memorandum re: Case No. GTE-T-97-5 In the Matter of the Application of GTE Northwest, Inc. to Determine and Fix Proper and Adequate Rates of Depreciation for Several Classes of its Depreciable Property.
Terri Carlock reviewed the matter. What is different is that any rates approved now be used in the next proceeding, no matter what that proceeding is. They indicate to Terri that they are firm on those. Staff proposal is to decide the rates now because a rate case filing is anticipated.   Staff has looked at historical and what staff expects forward looking rates would be. Don’t have any information at this time on forward-looking rates. Staff is recommending modified procedure.
Commissioner Nelson said he thought it would be good if we got proposals comparing them to what we have gotten lately.
Terri Carlock said the company didn’t request hearing but company is ready if Commission wants hearing.
Commissioner Hansen said he thought processing it under modified procedure would be adequate and he would so move that. Called for the question.
Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned.
Dated at Boise, Idaho, this 31st day of July, 1997.
Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary