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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
Wednesday, August 25, 1999; 2:30 P.M.
State Capitol Building, Room 412
Pierre, South Dakota

MINUTES OF THE AD HOC MEETING

Chairman Jim Burg called the meeting to order. Present were Commissioner Laska Schoenfelder, Commissioner Pam Nelson, Executive Director Bill Bullard, Deputy Executive Director Sue Cichos, Commission Advisor Greg Rislov, Acting General Counsel Mike Myers, Staff Attorneys Karen Cremer and Camron Hoseck, Utility Analysts Harlan Best, Keith Senger, Heather Forney, Consumer Representative Leni Healy and Administrative Secretary Shirleen Fugitt.

Also present were Tom Harmon representing Sprint Communications and Harry Putnam, Rapid City, South Dakota.

Joining the meeting by phone were Andrew Jones, Sprint Communications; Mary Lohnes, Midco Communications; and complainants Rosella Lee and Renee Coley.

Consumer Issues

1. CT99-028 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPLAINT FILED BY HAMPTON INN/SUPER 8 MOTEL, NORTH SIOUX CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA, AGAINST U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. REGARDING DELAY OF SERVICE AND BILLING PROBLEMS. (Consumer Representative: Leni Healy. Staff Attorney: Camron Hoseck.)

Ms. Healy requested deferral. Action was deferred.

2. CT99-029 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPLAINT FILED BY MARIA R. BAUS, VOLIN, SOUTH DAKOTA, AGAINST EXCEL TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC., REGARDING UNAUTHORIZED SWITCHING OF SERVICES. (Consumer Representative: Leni Healy. Staff Attorney: Camron Hoseck.)

Ms. Healy requested deferral. Action was deferred.

3. CT99-030 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPLAINT FILED BY HARRY AND MARGARET PUTNAM, RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA, AGAINST TOUCHTONE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. REGARDING UNAUTHORIZED BILLING FOR SERVICES. (Consumer Representative: Leni Healy. Staff Attorney: Camron Hoseck.)

Harry Putnam appeared in person and explained his complaint. Ms. Healy recommended finding probable cause.

Chairman Burg moved to find probable cause. Commissioner Nelson seconded and Commissioner Schoenfelder concurred. Motion passed 3-0.

4. CT99-031 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPLAINT FILED BY DOUGLAS HOLLER, PIERPONT, SOUTH DAKOTA, AGAINST MCI WORLDCOM REGARDING BILLING ERRORS. (Consumer Representative: Leni Healy. Staff Attorney: Camron Hoseck.)

Mr. Hoseck requested deferral. Action was deferred.

5. CT99-032 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPLAINT FILED BY WILLIAM AND EILEEN REIDY, SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA, AGAINST SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P. REGARDING UNAUTHORIZED SWITCHING OF SERVICES. (Consumer Representative: Leni Healy. Staff Attorney: Camron Hoseck.)

Mr. Hoseck noted that his attempts to reach the Reidy's by phone have been unsuccessful. Andrew Jones, Sprint Communications, addressed the complaint and further suggested that U S WEST has some responsibility in this matter. Staff recommended that U S WEST be a party in the complaint. Mr. Hoseck recommended finding probable cause against both companies.

Commissioner Nelson moved to find probable cause against both Sprint Communications and U S WEST. Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.

6. CT99-033 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPLAINT FILED BY SUSAN TRUDEL, WEBSTER, SOUTH DAKOTA, AGAINST MCI WORLDCOM REGARDING THE UNAUTHORIZED SWITCHING OF SERVICES. (Consumer Representative: Leni Healy. Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer.)

Ms. Healy requested deferral. Action was deferred.

7. CT99-034 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPLAINT FILED BY ROSELLA LEE, ARLINGTON, SOUTH DAKOTA, AGAINST WESTERN TELECOM REGARDING UNAUTHORIZED BILLING FOR SERVICES. (Consumer Representative: Leni Healy. Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer.)

Rosella Lee explained her complaint against Western Telecom. Ms. Healy recommended finding probable cause.

Commissioner Nelson moved to find probable cause. Chairman Burg seconded and Commissioner Schoenfelder concurred. Motion passed 3-0.

8. CT99-035 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPLAINT FILED BY GREG AND KAREN MUELLERLEILE, DBA DAKOTA WOODWORKING, WATERTOWN, SOUTH DAKOTA, AGAINST U S REPUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING UNAUTHORIZED SWITCHING OF SERVICES. (Consumer Representative: Leni Healy. Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer.)

Ms. Cremer requested deferral. Action was deferred.

9. CT99-036 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPLAINT FILED BY BRIAN AND RENEE COLEY, DBA CAMBRIDGE GALLERY/SIOUX GLASS AND DOOR, SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA, AGAINST PREFERRED BILLING REGARDING UNAUTHORIZED SWITCHING OF SERVICES. (Consumer Representative: Leni Healy. Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer.)

Renee Coley explained her complaint against Preferred Billing for unauthorized switching. Ms. Healy addressed the complaint and recommended finding probable cause.

Chairman Burg moved to find probable cause. Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Commissioner Nelson concurred. Motion passed 3-0.

The meeting was adjourned.

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Shirleen Fugitt
Administrative Secretary