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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
Wednesday, February 17, 1999; 3:00 P.M.
State Capitol Building, Room 468
Pierre, South Dakota

MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION MEETING

Chairman Jim Burg called the meeting to order. Present were Commissioner Pam Nelson, Executive Director Bill Bullard, Deputy Director Sue Cichos, Commission Advisor Greg Rislov, General Counsel Rolayne Ailts Wiest, Staff Attorney Camron Hoseck, Utility Analysts Harlan Best, Dave Jacobson, Michele Farris and Keith Senger, Engineer Martin Bettmann, Consumer Representative Leni Healy and Administrative Secretary Shirleen Fugitt. Commissioner Laska Schoenfelder was absent and not voting.
Also present were Darla Pollman Rogers, CommChoice; Dan Muck and Chris Paustian, Mitchell Technical Institute; Colleen Sevold, U S WEST; Richard Coit, SDITC; and Jennifer Stalley, SDREA.

Joining the meeting by phone were Dan Eich, DTG; Mary Lohnes and Tom Simmons, Midco Communications; and Tony Mau, CommChoice.

Administration

1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The Commission Meetings Held On January 26, and January 29, 1999. (Staff: Shirleen Fugitt.)

Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the minutes of the Commission meetings held on January 26 and January 29, 1999. Chairman Burg seconded. Motion passed 2-0.

Consumer Issues

1. Status Report On Consumer Utility Inquiries And Complaints Recently Received By The Commission. (Consumer Affairs: Leni Healy.)

Ms. Leni Healy presented an update on consumer inquiries and complaints received since the last Commission meeting.

2. TC98-189 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPLAINT FILED BY SUZANNE HANSON, MCCOOK LAKE, SOUTH DAKOTA, AGAINST COMMCHOICE, LLC REGARDING POOR QUALITY OF SERVICE AND A REQUEST TO BE SERVED BY U S WEST. (Consumer Representative: Leni Healy. Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer.)

Ms. Healy reported that the complainant is satisfied and wishes to have the complaint dismissed.

Chairman Burg moved to dismiss the complaint and close the docket. Commissioner Nelson seconded. Motion passed 2-0.

Electricity

1. EL99-002 IN THE MATTER OF THE FILING BY BIG STONE CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA AND WHETSTONE VALLEY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. FOR APPROVAL OF ELECTRICAL SERVICE AREA BOUNDARIES. (Staff Engineer: Martin Bettmann. Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer.)

Mr. Bettmann explained the filing and recommended approval.

Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the filing. Chairman Burg seconded. Motion passed 2-0.

Natural Gas

1. NG98-012 IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF MONTANA-DAKOTA UTILITIES CO. FOR APPROVAL OF REVISIONS TO ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, RATE 64. (Staff Analyst: Dave Jacobson. Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer.)

Mr. Jacobson requested deferral. Action was deferred.

Telecommunications

1. TC98-198 IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF CTC CORP. FOR A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN SOUTH DAKOTA. (Staff Analyst: Kylie Tracy. Staff Attorney: Camron Hoseck.)

Mr. Hoseck explained the application and recommended approval with restrictions on prepaid calling cards, advance payments and deposits.

Chairman Burg moved to approve the application with restrictions on prepaid calling cards, deposits and advance payments. Commissioner Nelson seconded. Motion passed 2-0.

2. TC98-202 IN THE MATTER OF THE FILING BY U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. FOR APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT FOR SERVICE RESALE BETWEEN PREFERRED CARRIER SERVICES, INC. AND U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (Staff Attorney: Camron Hoseck.)

Mr. Hoseck recommended denial of the filing since the companies have not responded to Staff's recommendations and Preferred Carrier Services, Inc., does not have a Certificate of Authority to provide local exchange services in South Dakota.

Chairman Burg moved to deny the filing. Commissioner Nelson seconded. Motion passed 2-0.

3. TC98-204 IN THE MATTER OF THE FILING BY U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. FOR APPROVAL OF WIRELESS INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND BROOKINGS MUNICIPAL UTILITIES TELEPHONE DEPARTMENT D.B.A. SWIFTEL COMMUNICATIONS. (Staff Attorney: Camron Hoseck.)

Mr. Hoseck recommended approval of the filing.

Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the filing. Chairman Burg seconded. Motion passed 2-0.

4. TC98-213 IN THE MATTER OF THE FILING BY U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. FOR APPROVAL OF AN INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN MIDCO COMMUNICATIONS, INC. D.B.A. MIDCONTINENT COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (Staff Attorney: Camron Hoseck.)

Mr. Hoseck noted that U S WEST, with concurrence of Midco, has requested withdrawal of this filing.

Chairman Burg moved to allow the withdrawal of the filing and to close the docket. Commissioner Nelson seconded. Motion passed 2-0.

5. TC99-006 IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF ONESTAR LONG DISTANCE, INC. FOR A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN SOUTH DAKOTA. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best. Staff Attorney: Camron Hoseck.)

Mr. Best explained the application and recommended approval.

Chairman Burg moved to approve the application. Commissioner Nelson seconded. Motion passed 2-0.

Miscellaneous

1. MS98-001 IN THE MATTER OF THE REQUEST FOR A SURVEY ON UTILITIES' YEAR 2000 READINESS. (Staff Analyst: Kylie Tracy. Staff Engineer: Martin Bettmann.)

Mr. Bettmann presented an update on the Y2K project.

The meeting was adjourned.

________________________________
Shirleen Fugitt
Administrative Secretary