19980518_1.docx

MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
May 18, 1998 - 1:30 p.m.
In attendance were Commissioners Dennis Hansen, Ralph Nelson and Marsha H. Smith and staff members Don Howell, Carolee Hall, Joe Cusick, David Scott, Alan Killian, Birdelle Brown, and Myrna Walters. Also in attendance was Aloa Stevens of Citizens Telecom.
Commission President Dennis Hansen called the meeting to order.
Items from the published May 18, 1998 agenda were discussed and acted upon as follows.
1. Minutes of May 6, 1998 and May 11, 1998 Decision Meetings. (Minutes have previously been reviewed by Commissioners and corrections made).
Commissioner Hansen made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected. Motion passed unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA
Items 2, 3 and 4 as published on the consent agenda were considered at this time.
Commissioner Nelson made a motion to approve the items on the consent agenda; motion passed unanimously.
MATTERS IN PROGRESS
Since no one sponsoring Item 5 was in attendance at this time, the matter was held.
6. Carolee Hall’s May 14, 1998 Decision Memorandum re: Fremont Telcom Requesting Approval to Change Its Suspension Service and Have it Become Effective June 1, 1998.
Carolee reviewed the decision memorandum. Staff’s recommendation was to suspend the filing and allow Fremont the time to incorporate a notification and refund policy into this filing.
Commissioner Hansen asked if there were questions or comments regarding this matter.
Commissioner Nelson asked Carolee what she has heard back from Fremont about her concerns on this filing?
Carolee said Fremont informed staff that they have a $1,000,000 construction program and they still can’t guarantee service. That is why staff recommends suspension and finalization of the construction tariff if they do have the facilities up there.
Commissioner Smith said she wanted to share her thoughts. Thought suspension was appropriate, but this needs to be nailed down no later than August 1. It will come up again then. Some of her thoughts are if telephone lines are scarce maybe the customers’ choice should be to pay full price year-round or if they want to disconnect, they can take their chances but don’t think someone willing to sign up for year-round service should be told we don’t have service for you we are holding for someone who may hook up in the future. Like the idea of a number surcharge but don’t know what that 50% figure would be. Thought she would rather have a policy for reserving numbers. In the meantime, facilities should be used for people ready to pay the rate for basic service. Think the filing should be suspended but it should be out of suspension by August. Made a motion to suspend the filing for not more than 3 months to see if company and staff can get a tariff they both agree on filed in that time frame.
Commissioner Hansen asked if there was any discussion. Hearing none, called for vote on the motion; carried unanimously.
Decision Meeting was then adjourned.
Terri Carlock was not in attendance to speak to Item 5, so Commissioner Hansen called the decision meeting back into a second session.
5. Terri Carlock’s May 15, 1998 Decision Memorandum re: Joint Application of Midvale Telephone and Sawtooth Telephone for Authority to Borrow Up To $378,947 in Debt; Case No. MID-T-98-2/SAW-T-98-1.  
Terri reviewed the decision memo. Said companies are going to borrow the money and will show offset for rate making purposes. Wanted that specified in the order.  Staff recommends approval with specific language in the Order related to the USF covenant and rate making treatment for the switching replacement contribution provided at the time of the sale.
Commissioner Nelson asked what the advantage was for showing full price on the books?
Terri responded.
Commissioner Nelson then made a motion to approve the filing per staff recommendation.
Motion carried unanimously.
Second session was then adjourned.
Dated at Boise, Idaho, this 21st day of May, 1998.
Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary