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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
Monday, December 7, 1998; 1:30 P.M.
State Capitol Building, Room 464
Pierre, South Dakota
MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION MEETING
Chairman Jim Burg called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Present were Commissioner Pam Nelson, Commissioner Laska Schoenfelder, Executive Director Bill Bullard, Deputy Director Sue Cichos, Commission Advisor Greg Rislov, General Counsel Rolayne Ailts Wiest, Staff Attorneys Karen Cremer and Camron Hoseck, Utility Analysts Bob Knadle, Dave Jacobson, Steve Wegman, and Kylie Tracy, Engineer Martin Bettmann, Consumer Representative Leni Healy and Administrative Secretary Shirleen Fugitt.
Also present were Rich Coit, SDITC; Colleen Sevold, U S WEST Communications; Bob Miller, South Dakota Electric Utility Companies; and Joe Kafka, Associated Press.
Joining the meeting by phone were Susan Stewart and Marv Sorenson, MidAmerican Energy; Bill Heaston and Barbara Berkenpas, Dakota Telecommunications Group; Jim Keck, Black Hills Power and Light; Neil Schmid and Amy Ibis, FirsTel; Larry Hettinger, Martin & Associates; Michael Murray, MCI; Mary Lohnes and Tom Simmons, Midco Communications; Rusty Molstad, Northwestern Public Service; Donna Bult, Advanced Communications; Tim Dupic, Golden West; John Gubbrud and Brad Schardin, Lincoln-Union Electric; Jim Gallegos, U S WEST; Doug Kuper, complainant in EL98-005; Don Jiracek, complainant in TC98-196; and Bart Banks, Rapid City, SD.
Administration
1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The Commission Meeting Held On November 25, 1998. (Staff: Shirleen Fugitt.)
Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the minutes of November 25, 1998. 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 Affairs: Leni Healy.)
Ms. Healy presented an update on consumer inquiries and complaints received since the last Commission meeting.
Addendum
Mr. Kuper reported that his complaint has been resolved and can be dismissed. Mr. Wegman recommended that a monitoring system be implemented and the docket be closed.
Chairman Burg moved to dismiss the complaint and close the docket.
Commissioner Nelson made a substitute motion to dismiss the complaint without prejudice with reporting required by the company and to close the docket. Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Telecommunications
Michel Murray, MCI, reported that Mr. Steele's billing has been re-rated. Ms. Cremer recommended finding no probable cause.
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to find no probable cause and to close the docket. Commissioner Nelson seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Electric
Jim Keck, Black Hills Power & Light, explained the filing and the amendment.
Chairman Burg moved to approve the filing. Commissioner Nelson seconded and Commissioner Schoenfelder concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Natural Gas
Mr. Hoseck recommended suspending the imposition of the tariff for 90 days and setting an intervention deadline of 30 days from the date of the order. Ms. Cichos recommended assessing a filing fee for actual expenses not to exceed $100,000.
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to set an intervention deadline of 30 days from the date of the order, to suspend the tariff for 90 days and to assess a filing fee for actual expenses not to exceed $100,000. Commissioner Nelson seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Telecommunications
Colleen Sevold, U S WEST, reported that there is only one customer left in South Dakota with two- party status and that customer will be regraded to single party status by December 16. Ms. Cremer requested a copy, for the docket, of the letter sent out by U S WEST to affected customers.
Ms. Sevold reported that the upgraded system will be in place and all customers converted by the end of December.
Larry Hettinger representing McCook Cooperative explained the filing. Mr. Best recommended allowing McCook Cooperative to adjust the minutes of use for loss of minutes associated with loss of customers due to the Spencer tornado.
Chairman Burg moved to allow McCook Cooperative to adjust minutes of use for loss of minutes associated with the loss of customers due to the Spencer tornado. Commissioner Nelson seconded and Commissioner Schoenfelder concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Mr. Best explained the text changes in the LECA rates.
Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the LECA tariffs filed on December 1 and December 7, 1998. Chairman Burg seconded and Commissioner Schoenfelder concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Mr. Best explained the application and recommended approval. Mr. Hoseck noted that the company has removed limitations on liability from the tariff.
Chairman Burg moved to approve the application. Commissioner Nelson seconded and Commissioner Schoenfelder concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Bart Banks representing GSA, Inc., explained the complaint against McLeod USA. Ms. Healy noted that McLeod has not responded to the complaint and recommended finding probable cause.
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to find probable cause and set a procedural schedule. Chairman Burg seconded and Commissioner Nelson concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Mr. Banks noted that he will file an amended complaint.
The meeting was adjourned.
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Shirleen Fugitt
Administrative Secretary
