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PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
Thursday, March 26, 1998; 10:00 A.M.
State Capitol Building, Room 468
Pierre, South Dakota
MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION MEETING
Chairman Burg called the meeting to order. Present were Commissioner Laska Schoenfelder, Commissioner Pam Nelson, Executive Director Bill Bullard, General Counsel Rolayne Ailts Wiest, Staff Attorneys Karen Cremer and Camron Hoseck, Fixed Utilities Division Director Greg Rislov, Deputy Director Harlan Best, Utility Analysts Bob Knadle, Dave Jacobson and Tammi Stangohr, Engineer Martin Bettmann, Consumer Representative Leni Healy, Business Manager Sue Cichos and Administrative Secretary Shirleen Fugitt.
Also present were Tom Maher, attorney from Pierre, SD; Doug Eidahl, SDREA; Rich Coit, SDITC; and Geoff Simon, Todd Chambers, Bruce Pier and Jerry Wattier, representing the City of Pierre.
Joining the meeting by phone were Mary Lohnes and Tim Simmons, Midco Communications; Loren Hiatt, AT&T; Alan Dietrich and Rod Leyendecker, Northwestern Public Service; and David Urman, Journey Telecom International.
Administration
1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The Commission Meeting Held On March 10, 1998. (Staff: Shirleen Fugitt.)
Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the minutes of the March 10, 1998, Commission Meeting. Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Consumer Affairs
1. Status Report On Consumer Utility Inquiries And Complaints Recently Received By The Commission. (Consumer Representative: Leni Healy.)
Ms. Healy presented an update on consumer complaints and inquiries received since the last Commission meeting.
Electric
Jerry Wattier, City of Pierre, explained the application. Tom Maher, a local attorney, noted that all affected landowners have not been notified. Ms. Wiest recommended that a procedural schedule be set. The executive director will set a schedule.
Natural Gas/Electric
Rod Leyendecker, NWPS, explained the filing. Mr. Rislov explained further by saying that the central issue in this filing is whether NWPS should be allowed to combine fuel and tax clauses into one clause. Mr. Rislov recommended keeping fuel and tax clauses separate, subject to additional evidence demonstrating otherwise.
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to instruct Staff and NWPS to separate fuel and tax clauses. Commissioner Nelson seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Telecommunications
Ms. Stangohr noted that the company has requested the withdrawal of this application.
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to allow the withdrawal of the application and to close the docket. Commissioner Nelson seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
David Urman, Journey Telecom International, explained the application. Ms. Stangohr recommended approval.
Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the application. Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Ms. Stangohr explained the application and recommended approval subject to rural safeguards and with a waiver to ARSD 20:10:24:02 (8) and (12).
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to approve the application subject to rural safeguards and with a waiver to ARSD 20:10:24:02 (8) and (12). Commissioner Nelson seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Mr. Jacobson recommended approval of the application with restrictions on prepaid calling cards, advance payments and deposits.
Chairman Burg moved to approve the application with the restrictions noted above. Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Commissioner Nelson concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Ms. Stangohr recommended granting a Certificate of Authority with restrictions on prepaid calling cards, advance payments and deposits.
Commissioner Nelson moved to grant a Certificate of Authority with the restrictions noted above. Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Ms. Stangohr recommended approval with no restrictions.
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to approve the application. Chairman Burg seconded and Commissioner Nelson concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Ms. Stangohr reported that the company has requested withdrawal of this application.
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to allow withdrawal of the application and to close the docket. Commissioner Nelson seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
The meeting was adjourned.
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Shirleen Fugitt
Administrative Secretary
