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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
Tuesday, October 3, 2000; 1:30 P.M.
State Capitol Building, Room 412
Pierre, South Dakota

MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION MEETING

Vice Chairman Nelson called the meeting to order. Present were Commissioner Laska Schoenfelder; Commission Advisor Greg Rislov; Commission Counsel Rolayne Ailts Wiest; Staff Attorney Karen Cremer; Deputy Executive Director Sue Cichos; Utility Analysts Charlene Lund, Dave Jacobson, Harlan Best, Keith Senger, Leni Healy, and Michele Farris; and Administrative Secretary Mary Giddings.

Also present were John Nooney and Roxann Basham, Black Hills Corporation.

Joining the meeting by telephone were Colleen Sevold and Alex Duarte, Qwest.

Consumer Issues

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

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

2. CT00-059 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPLAINT FILED BY TERRELL W. REETZ, CUSTER, SOUTH DAKOTA, AGAINST CRUSADE COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING UNAUTHORIZED SWITCHING OF SERVICES. (Staff Analyst: Leni Healy. Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer.)

Ms. Cremer noted that the matter had been settled and recommended dismissing the complaint and closing the docket.

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

Telecommunications

1. TC00-118 IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF UNI-TEL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC. FOR A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN SOUTH DAKOTA. (Staff Analyst: Keith Senger.)

Mr. Senger recommended that the certificate of authority be granted with restrictions from offering prepaid calling cards and from accepting customer deposits and advanced payments.

Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to grant a certificate of authority to Uni-Tel with restrictions as noted above. Vice Chairman Nelson seconded. Motion passed 2-0.

2. TC00-123 IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF WORKNET COMMUNICATIONS, INC. FOR A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN SOUTH DAKOTA. (Staff Analyst: Keith Senger.)

Mr. Senger recommended that the certificate of authority be granted with restrictions from offering prepaid calling cards and from accepting customer deposits and advanced payments and with an effective date of October 16, 2000.

Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to grant a certificate of authority to WorkNet with restrictions as noted above and with an effective date of October 16, 2000. Vice Chairman Nelson seconded. Motion passed 2-0.

3. TC00-136 IN THE MATTER OF THE FILING BY QWEST CORPORATION FOR APPROVAL OF REVISIONS TO ITS EXCHANGE AND NETWORK SERVICES TARIFF. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best. Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer.)

Colleen Sevold, representing Qwest, explained that the revisions had been carefully written to comply with the FCC's order and that Qwest had worked with the Bureau of Indian Affairs to determine the location of Indian allotments and had added the Sturgis exchange. Ms. Cremer recommended that the revisions be approved.

Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to approve the tariff revisions subject to future revisions. Vice Chairman Nelson seconded. Motion passed 2-0.

Electric

1. EL00-024 IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF BLACK HILLS CORPORATION TO EFFECT A SHARE EXCHANGE WITH BLACK HILLS HOLDING CORPORATION. (Staff Analyst: Dave Jacobson. Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer.)

John Nooney and Roxann Basham, representing Black Hills Corporation, explained the share exchange and answered questions. Mr. Jacobson recommended that the share exchange be approved.

Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to approve the share exchange. Vice Chairman Nelson seconded. Motion passed 2-0.

Meeting adjourned.

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Mary R. Giddings, Administrative Secretary