19990706_1.docx

MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
JULY 6, 1999 - 1:30 p.m.
In attendance were Commissioners Dennis Hansen, Marsha H. Smith and Paul Kjellander and staff members Tonya Clark, Joe Cusick, Ed Howell, David Scott, David Schunke, Stephanie Miller, Doug Cooley, Wayne Hart, Rick Sterling, Weldon Stutzman and Myrna Walters. Also in attendance was Jim Wozniak of U S West and a representative of Idaho Power Company.
Matters on the published agenda were discussed as recorded herein.
Commission President Dennis Hansen called the meeting to order.
First order of business was the Consent Agenda and the 7 items listed on that agenda.
Commissioner Hansen asked if there were comments or concerns on any of these matters. Hearing none, he made a motion to approve the recommendations of staff on all 7 items.
Vote taken on the motion; carried unanimously.
MATTERS IN PROGRESS
8. David Schunke’s Decision Memorandum re: Request from GTE, U S West and Avista Utilities - Washington Water Power Division, for a Freeze on any Actions that would Result in Tariff Changes Around January 1, 2000.
David reviewed the decision memo and spoke to the attached draft response to the companies.
Commissioner Kjellander commented he thought it was a good idea to not limit our options and he did think sending that notice to the utilities was appropriate when we okay the requested “freeze”, so when he moves approval its with that wording change.
Commissioner Hansen commented that he thought something of this magnitude should have the signatures of all three commissioners, not just the president.
Vote taken on the motion; carried unanimously.
9. Tonya Clark and Don Howell’s Decision Memorandum re: Implementation of Electronic Filing and Publishing Technologies; Case No. GNR-U-99-1.
Tonya Clark reviewed the decision memorandum and spoke to staff’s recommendations that the proposal attached to the decision memo be put out under modified procedure for comment and that the proposed rules come after that comment period. Said it was the intent that these be available on the commission’s website.
Commissioner Hansen asked for questions or comments? He asked Tonya if she was aware of any utility that was opposed to this?
Tonya Clark said Idaho Power had some statutory concerns but if the Commission continues to require at least one printed copy to be file, the statute would be satisfied.  
Commissioner Kjellander asked about Decision No. 2 - Does the Commission wish to propose an implementation date? Asked what the thinking was in putting the implementation date in the notice?
Tonya replied - (1) it would give notice to the commenters for a date to shoot for and (2) only other reason would be to set a goal for the Commission as to when we would like to achieve electronic filing capability.
Commissioner Kjellander asked Ed Howell and Tonya Clark what a reasonable date would be?
Ed replied he thought based on comments, he would anticipate once we got a timeframe from the consultant we would be up and running in 30 days.
Commissioner Kjellander asked about September 30?
Commissioner Hansen said setting a target date shouldn’t be a burden to the companies because
it is voluntary. It would be  the commission that would have to be ready at that time. That is the real reason for the date.
Commissioner Kjellander said on the first question, he would move that this be put out on modified and (2) to shoot for September 30, or at least include that in the filing so we can take comments on that also.
Vote was then taken on the motion; motion carried.
Meeting was then adjourned.
Dated at Boise, Idaho, this 8th day of July, 1999.
Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
19990706.min