19990428_2.docx

MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
April 28, 1999 - 1:30 p.m.
In attendance were Commissioners Dennis Hansen, Marsha H. Smith and Paul Kjellander and staff members Scott Woodbury, Don Howell, Brad Purdy, Cheri Copsey, Jean Jewell, Ron Law, Bev Barker, Rick Sterling, George Fink, Wayne Hart, Doug Cooley, Birdelle Brown, Bill Eastlake and Myrna Walters.   Also in attendance was Jeannette Bowman of Idaho Power Company.
Commission President Dennis Hansen called the meeting to order.
First items to be considered were Nos. 1 through 7A on the CONSENT AGENDA portion of the Agenda.
Commissioner Hansen asked if there were questions or comments on any of the items?
There were none and Commissioner Kjellander made a motion to approve all items on the Consent Agenda; vote taken; motion carried unanimously.
MATTERS IN PROGRESS
8. Jean Jewell’s April 26, 1999 Decision Memorandum re: Idaho Power’s Commitments to Resolve Power Supply Problems in the Boise Basin.
Jean reviewed the matter. She pointed out the findings from an engineering study of the Boise Basin distribution system, conducted by Idaho Power. Said Idaho Power has detailed specific reconstruction plans to resolve the capacity issues. It has committed to accelerate projects that were planned for implementation in the next six years to a four-year completion stage. Staff agrees with the Company plan and recommends that the Commission accept it with the requirements that Idaho Power complete the projects as scheduled thru 2003 and require an annual progress report.
Commissioner Hansen asked if there were questions or comments?
Commissioner Kjellander asked if there was any indication of how much further growth they could handle after the future enhancements?
Jean replied - they are saying that there won’t be a lot of additional growth because of the terrain, although the county tells staff that only 20% of the lots approved have been built on. Those are the kind of things to be discussed in future meetings.  
Commissioner Kjellander asked if staff was fairly satisfied that these steps and schedules will start immediately?
Jean replied that staff was satisfied. The company has made a huge commitment financially, but with follow-up meetings thought that would be a good way to find out if we are doing enough.
Commissioner Smith said it sounded like what needed to be done has been done, an analysis and a plan. Said she would vote to approve company suggestion with the caveat that this is how it looks to them today. If in a year they take a look at it and they don’t think what is proposed will work and something else would work better, would support changing it along the way. Commission can approve  a schedule now and if it turns out that time frame is unworkable, that Company has the flexibility to change.
Jean said staff does understand the flexibility issue. Thought staff needs to remember that they have a commitment.
Commissioner Smith said they need to remember that they are obligated to provide and maintain adequate, efficient, safe  and reasonable service.   Made a motion to compliment the staff and company for their analysis of concerns expressed from this county and also moves to approve staff recommendation to have the company move forward with their plan and for the company to give the Commission updates and also would ask that the appropriate people be notified of the plan. Thought there were legislators in the area that had inquired.
Vote taken on the motion; motion carried.
Next item on the agenda was under EXECUTIVE SESSIONS - No. 9 - to discuss threatened litigation per Idaho Code Section 67-2345 (1)(f).
Commissioner Hansen said he would move that the Commission go into executive session to discuss this matter. Said motion was put to a vote: vote taken, motion carried unanimously.
Decision meeting was declared in recess while the Commissioners met in Executive Session.
Back on the record at 3:15 p.m.
Commissioner Hansen called the meeting back to order; said the Commissioners met as a Commission in Executive Session and discussed the threatened litigation but that no decision was made or action taken by the Commission in that Executive Session.
Commissioner Hansen asked if there were any other comments?
Hearing none, the decision meeting was adjourned.
Dated at Boise, Idaho, this 5th day of May, 1999.
Myrna Walters, Commission Secretary