19990914_1.docx

MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
September 14, 1999 - 1:30 p.m.
In attendance were Commissioners Dennis Hansen, Marsha H. Smith and Paul Kjellander. Also in attendance were staff members Scott Woodbury, Don Howell, Marge Maxwell, Ron Law, Weldon Stutzman, Tonya Clark, Bev Barker, Joe Cusick, Birdelle Brown, Stephanie Miller, Bob Smith, Bill Eastlake, Randy Lobb and Myrna Walters. Jeannette Bowman of Idaho Power Company also attended.
Items from the Published September 14, 1999 Agenda were discussed and acted upon as recorded herein.
Commissioner Hansen called the meeting to order.  
Approval of Minutes from the August 16 and 26, 1999 and September 7, 1999 Decision Meetings were held as they had not circulated to all the Commissioners for review.
CONSENT AGENDA
Commissioner Hansen called for questions or comments on any of the four items listed on the Consent Agenda. Hearing none, he made a motion to approve all items. Motion was seconded and it carried unanimously.
MATTERS IN PROGRESS
5. Marge Maxwell’s September 8, 1999 Decision Memorandum re: Request by Dale Sorbel, Owner of Mountain Mart Exxon, for Formal Consideration of His Complaint.
Marge reviewed the matter. Mr. Sorbel objects to even the three-years back billing, as the rule allows. The back-billing is substantial. Mr. Sorbel was advised that he did have the option of having his complaint go formal. He requested formal action.  
Commissioner Hansen called for questions or discussion. He commented that the Commission hasn’t had the opportunity to hear from the utility and the customer and wondered if the best route wouldn’t be to issue a summons to Avista, to comment on this matter. Said he would so move that the Commission issue a summons to Avista requesting a response to the formal complaint. Motion seconded; vote taken; carried.
6. Don Howell’s September 8, 1999 Decision Memorandum re: Implementation of Electronic Filing for Tariffs/Price Lists, Case No. GNR-U-99-1.
Don Howell reviewed the matter. Pages 2 and 3 set out the comments from Pacificorp and U S West. In addition companies asked questions and staff’s responses were set out. Many of the technical questions staff feels were answered by the proposed User Manual. Current our rules require an original and 3 copies of tariffs. They would now be relieved of filing the 3 copies. Asked of the Commissioners has questions.
Commissioner Kjellander thanked the staff members responsible for putting this together. Said one point brought up by Pacificorp was the need for a working group. Would suggest that the original group be kept together to (1) make sure this process works and (2) identify the next step and when and if rule changes are required, do that. Said on all four questions, the answer should be yes and that the Commission move forward on a voluntary basis and hopefully see it being successful and see this as a way to streamline the process for the utilities’ customers for more access. Would move approval of the four points. No discussion. Motion carried.
7. Bob Smith’s September 10, 1999 Decision Memorandum re: Sale of Happy Valley Water; Case No. HVW-W-99-1.
Scott Woodbury reviewed the matter. Staff recommends it be handled under Modified Procedure, with a fourteen day comment period and mailing of the notice directly to each customer.
Commissioner Smith had one question. Asked about the decision memo saying Hayden rather that Bonners Ferry. Scott clarified. Commissioner Smith then made a motion to approve staff recommendation and see if the Commission can get the Dunnicks out of the water business. Motion seconded and carried.  
FULLY SUBMITTED MATTERS
8. Case No. GNR-T-99-1 Fremont Telcom Co. Joint Motion for Approval of Stipulation.
Commissioner Hansen announced that this case was fully submitted and it would be privately deliberated.
Meeting adjourned.
Dated at Boise, Idaho, this  22nd day of September, 1999.
Myrna J. Walters
Commission Secretary
19990914.min