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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
Tuesday, August 18, 1998; 10:00 A.M.
State Capitol Building, Room 412
Pierre, South Dakota
MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION MEETING
Chairman Jim Burg called the meeting to order. Present were Commissioner Laska Schoenfelder, Commissioner Pam Nelson, Executive Director Bill Bullard, Deputy Director Sue Cichos, Commission Counsel Rolayne Ailts Wiest, Commission Advisor Greg Rislov, Staff Attorneys Karen Cremer and Camron Hoseck, Utility Analysts Harlan Best, Bob Knadle, Dave Jacobson, and Steve Wegman, Engineer Martin Bettmann, Analyst Intern Kylie Tracy and Administrative Secretary Shirleen Fugitt.
Also present were Bob Miller, South Dakota Electric Utilities; Rich Coit, SDITC; Denny Nincehelser, Otto Doll and Jan Newman, Bureau of Information and Telecommunications; Chet Brokaw, Associated Press; Al Lundy, South Dakota Public Broadcasting; Bob Mercer, Rapid City Journal; Ron Holsteen, South Dakota Rural Electric Association; and Dean Wilson, Hill City, SD.
Joining the meeting by phone were Colleen Sevold and Jim Gallegos, U S WEST; Mary Lohnes and Tom Simmons, Midco Communications; Terry Sabers, Muth Electric; Bill Heaston, Dakota Telecommunications Group; Susan Bachman and Dave Monaghan, Northwestern Public Service; and Wilson Pipestem, Tel-Save.
Administration
1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The Commission Meeting Held On August 4, 1998. (Staff: Shirleen Fugitt.)
Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the minutes of the August 4, 1998, Commission meeting. Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Electric
1. EL93-009 IN THE MATTER OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECT OF ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS (EMF). (Staff Analyst: Steve Wegman.)
Mr. Wegman presented an update on the investigation.
Chairman Burg moved to close the docket. Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Commissioner Nelson concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Brief comments were heard from both parties.
Chairman Burg moved to find no probable cause and to close the docket. Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded. Commissioner Nelson dissented. Motion passed 2-1.
Mr. Knadle reported that the matter has been resolved.
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to find no probable cause and close the docket. Commissioner Nelson seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Telecommunications
1. TC95-044 IN THE MATTER OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAPABILITIES OF U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM SERVICE DISRUPTIONS. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best. Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer.)
Ms. Cremer recommended closing the docket. Ms. Wiest also recommended closing the docket.
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to close the docket. Chairman Burg seconded and Commissioner Nelson dissented. Motion passed 2-1.
Ms. Cremer reported numerous failed attempts to contact Mr. Jacobs by phone and mail. She recommended closing the docket. Colleen Sevold reported that U S WEST has completed their portion of the job and provided materials for Mr. Jacobs to use in completing the project.
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to close the docket. Chairman Burg seconded and Commissioner Nelson concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Mr. Jacobson explained the application and recommended approval.
Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the application. Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Mr. Hoseck reported that the matter has been resolved and recommended closing the docket.
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to close the docket. Commissioner Nelson seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Colleen Sevold, U S WEST, reported that this complaint is similar to others from customers in the Mina, South Dakota, area. She noted possible delays in completion of this project due to the strike in progress.
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to find probable cause and delay action until October 31, 1998. Chairman Burg seconded and Commissioner Nelson concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Colleen Sevold, U S WEST, reported that this line will be updated in the near future.
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to find probable cause and defer action until July 1, 1999. Chairman Burg seconded and Commissioner Nelson concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Miscellaneous
1. MS95-002 IN THE MATTER OF THE INVESTIGATION OF EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES OF SOUTH DAKOTA ELECTRIC, TELEPHONE, AND NATURAL GAS UTILITIES IN EVENT OF AN OUTAGE OR DISASTER. (Staff Engineer: Martin Bettmann. Staff Attorney: Camron Hoseck.)
Mr. Bettmann presented an update on this investigation. Chairman Burg recommended that the companies submit written copies of their emergency procedures. Action was deferred.
2. INVESTIGATION INTO THE YEAR 2000 COMPUTER PROBLEM AND THE POTENTIAL AFFECT ON THE PROVISIONING OF UTILITY SERVICE IN SOUTH DAKOTA. (Analyst Intern: Kylie Tracy. Staff Engineer: Martin Bettmann.)
Mr. Bettmann presented an update on the results of a survey sent out to the utility companies. Otto Dahl, Bureau of information and Telecommunications, presented a handout and discussed the goals for achieving state government Year 2000 compliance.
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to open a docket for this investigation. Commissioner Nelson seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Wilson Pipestem, Tel-Save, explained the complaint against U S WEST. Jim Gallegos of U S WEST requested deferral.
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to find no probable cause and dismiss the complaint since there is no intraLATA presubscription in U S WEST's local exchange areas at this time. Commissioner Nelson seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Mr. Wilson explained his complaint against U S WEST. Colleen Sevold reported that U S WEST will update the lines before July 1, 1999, and that the company will provide updates to the Commission.
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to find probable cause with a delay in the hearing until July 1, 1999. Commissioner Nelson seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Addendum
Tom Simmons, Midco Communications, explained the agreement. Mr. Hoseck recommended approval.
Chairman Burg moved to approve the agreement. Commissioner Nelson seconded and Commissioner Schoenfelder concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
The meeting was adjourned.
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Shirleen Fugitt
Administrative Secretary
