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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
August 06, 2008, at 9:30 A.M.
State Capitol Building, Room 464
Pierre, South Dakota

MINUTES OF THE AD HOC COMMISSION MEETING

Chairman Gary Hanson called the meeting to order.  Present were:  Commissioners  Steve Kolbeck and Dusty Johnson; Executive Director Patty Van Gerpen; Deputy Executive Director Heather Forney; Commission Attorneys Rolayne Wiest and John Smith; Staff Attorneys Karen Cremer and Kara Semmler; Staff Analyst Terri LaBrie Baker and Administrative Secretary Demaris Axthelm.

Also present were: Darla Pollman Rogers, Riter, Rogers, Wattier, & Northrup, LLP, representing LNP Petitioners.

Joining the meeting by telephone were: Talbot Wieczorek, Gunderson, Palmer, Goodsell & Nelson, representing Sprint Communications Company L.P.; Mary Sisak, Blooston, Mordkofsky, Dickens, Duffy & Pendergast, representing Brookings Municipal Utilities d/b/a Swiftel Communications; and Denny Duncan, Zimmer Duncan and Cole, representing Verizon Wireless LLC.

Chairman Hanson announced that the following Ad Hoc Agenda items will be taken in this order: Item No. 4 will be heard first, item No. 3 second, and items No. 1 and 2 will be taken together.

Telecommunications

4.      In the Matter of the Petitions for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended in Dockets TC08-006, TC08-007, TC08-008, TC08-009, TC08-010, TC08-011, TC08-012, TC08-013, TC08-014, TC08-015, TC08-016, TC08-017, TC08-018, TC08-019, TC08-020, TC08-021, TC08-022, TC08-023, TC08-024, TC08-025, TC08-026, and TC08-027.

         TC08-006        In the Matter of the Petition of Alliance Communications Cooperative, Inc., Splitrock Properties, Inc. and Hills Telephone Company, Inc. for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best, Staff Attorney: Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

         TC08-007        In the Matter of the Petition of Kennebec Telephone Company for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best, Staff Attorney: Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

         TC08-008        In the Matter of the Petition of Faith Municipal Telephone Company for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best, Staff Attorney: Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

         TC08-009        In the Matter of the Petition of Western Telephone Company for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best, Staff Attorney: Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

         TC08-010        In the Matter of the Petition of Sioux Valley Telephone Company for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best, Staff Attorney:  Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

         TC08-011        In the Matter of the Petition of Venture Communications Cooperative, Inc., for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b) (2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended.  (Staff Analyst:  Harlan Best, Staff Attorney: Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

         TC08-012        In the Matter of the Petition of RC Communications, Inc., and Roberts County Telephone Cooperative Association for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b) (2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended.  (Staff Analyst:  Harlan Best, Staff Attorney:  Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

         TC08-013        In the Matter of the Petition of Beresford Municipal Telephone Company for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended.  (Staff Analyst:  Harlan Best, Staff Attorney:  Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

         TC08-014        In the Matter of the Petition of Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc., for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b) (2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best, Staff Attorney:  Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

         TC08-015        In the Matter of the Petition of Vivian Telephone Company for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best, Staff Attorney: Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

         TC08-016        In the Matter of the Petition of Kadoka Telephone Company for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best, Staff Attorney: Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

         TC08-017        In the Matter of the Petition of Brookings Municipal Utilities d/b/a Swiftel Communications for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best, Staff Attorney: Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

         TC08-018        In the Matter of the Petition of Union Telephone Company for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best, Staff Attorney: Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

       
         TC08-019        In the Matter of the Petition of Armour Independent Telephone Company for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best, Staff Attorney: Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

         TC08-020        In the Matter of the Petition of McCook Cooperative Telephone Company and Tri-County Telcom for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best, Staff Attorney: Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

         TC08-021        In the Matter of the Petition of Bridgewater-Canistota Independent Telephone Company for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best, Staff Attorney: Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

         TC08-022        In the Matter of the Petition of Valley Telecommunications Cooperative Association, Inc., for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b) (2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best, Staff Attorney: Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

         TC08-023        In the Matter of the Petition of Midstate Communications, Inc., for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b) (2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best, Staff Attorney: Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

         TC08-024        In the Matter of the Petition of Interstate Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc., for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b) (2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best, Staff Attorney: Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

         TC08-025        In the Matter of the Petition of West River Cooperative Telephone Company for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b) (2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best, Staff Attorney: Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

         TC08-026        In the Matter of the Petition of Stockholm Strandburg Telephone Company for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b)(2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best, Staff Attorney: Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

         TC08-027        In the Matter of the Petition of Santel Communications Cooperative, Inc., for Suspension or Modification of 47 U.S.C. Section 251(b) (2) of the Communications Act of 1934 as Amended. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best, Staff Attorney: Rolayne Ailts Wiest)

         Ms. Pollman Rogers, representing the petitioners, stated the LECs are engaging in settlement negotiations with the wireless carriers, but have not settled.  Therefore, the LECs are requesting the Commission grant a temporary suspension until November 8, 2008.  Mr. Wieczorek, representing Verizon Wireless and Alltel, requested that the Commission deny the request for further temporary suspension.  Ms. Sisak, representing Swiftel, and Mr. Coit, representing SDTA, both spoke in favor of the Commission granting approval of the temporary suspension.

Commissioner Johnson moved that the Commission approve the request for temporary suspension to November 8, 2008 for all the companies.  Motion passed 3-0.

3.      TC07-007        In the Matter of the Petition of Brookings Municipal Utilities d/b/a Swiftel Communications for Suspension or Modification of Dialing Parity, Number Portability and Reciprocal Compensation Obligations.  (Staff Analyst:  Harlan Best, Staff Attorney:  Karen Cremer) 

        View link to transcript:  http://puc.sd.gov/commission/minutes/2008/transcripts/0808tc07-007.pdf

        The following motions relate to Swiftel's motion to compel against Alltel:
Vice Chairman Kolbeck moved to grant Swiftel's Interrogatories 5, 55, 56 and 57 but narrow it to the Swiftel area.  Motion passed 3-0.

         Chairman Hanson moved to grant Interrogatory 11, to the extent that the information exists. Motion passed 3-0.

         Chairman Hanson moved to grant Interrogatory 12, limited to Sprint providing information to Swiftel for business and residential breakdown for the years 2006 and 2007.  Motion passed 3-0.

            Vice Chairman Kolbeck moved to deny Interrogatories 63 and 66.  Motion passed 3-0.

            Vice Chairman Kolbeck moved to reconsider the motion of 63 and 66 and moved the Commission amend the motion to deny Interrogatory 63.  Motion passed 3-0.

            Commissioner Johnson moved to deny the motion to compel for Interrogatory 34.  Motion passed 3-0.        

            Vice Chairman Kolbeck moved to deny the motion to compel for Interrogatory 35.  Motion passed 3-0.

            Vice Chairman Kolbeck moved in Interrogatory 43, that the Commission ask Sprint for confirmation that it has attempted to enter into agreements with the IXCs.  Motion passed 3-0.

            Commissioner Johnson moved to deny the motion to compel for Interrogatory 49.  Motion passed 3-0.

            Chairman Hanson moved that the request for Production 2 be denied.   Motion passed 3-0.

The following motions relate to Alltel's motion to compel against Sprint:

            Vice Chairman Kolbeck moved the Commission grant the motion to compel for Interrogatory 3.  Motion passed 3-0.

            Commissioner Johnson moved that the Commission compel interrogatory 8 (a) and shield the identity of those carriers with the information provided.  Motion passed 3-0.

            Chairman Hanson moved for Interrogatory 43, that Swiftel provide the additional information to clarify that exhibit 3.  Motion passed 3-0.

            Commissioner Johnson moved to compel request for Production 14, limited to any contracts or business arrangements that are currently in effect.  Motion passed 3-0. 

1.      TC06-178        In the Matter of the Application of Sprint Communications Company L.P. for Authority to Provide Local Exchange Services in Certain Rural Areas Served by Brookings Municipal Utilities d/b/a Swiftel Communications. (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best, Staff Attorney: Kara Semmler)

        See link to view Transcript of August 12, 2008, Commission Meeting; http://puc.sd.gov/commission/minutes/2008/transcripts/080608.pdf  

2.      TC06-188        In the Matter of the Application of MCC Telephony of the Midwest, Inc. d/b/a Mediacom for a Certificate of Authority to Provide Interexchange and Local Exchange Services in the Brookings Exchange (Staff Analyst: Harlan Best, Staff Attorney: Kara Semmler)

        See link to view Transcript of August 12, 2008, Commission Meeting; http://puc.sd.gov/commission/minutes/2008/transcripts/080608.pdf

         Chairman Hanson moved to go into closed session to ask questions regarding confidential information in Dockets TC06-178 and TC06-188.

         The Commission deferred action in Dockets TC06-178 and TC06-188.

         Vice Chairman moved that the meeting be adjourned.  Motion passed 3-0.        

There being no further business, at the hour of 2:30 pm the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting adjourned. 

_/S/ Demaris Axthelm_____
Demaris Axthelm
Administrative Secretary
November 12, 2008