South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
November 6, 2012, at 9:30 A.M. CST
Room 413, Capitol Building
Pierre, South Dakota
MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION MEETING
Chairman Chris Nelson called the meeting to order. Present were: Commissioner: Gary Hanson; Commission Counsel: John Smith and Rolayne Wiest; Commission Advisor: Greg Rislov; Staff Attorneys: Karen Cremer and Kristen Edwards; Staff Analysts: Chris Daugaard, Matthew Tysdal, and Patrick Steffensen; Deputy Executive Director, Leah Mohr; and Staff: Sherry Dickerson
Also present were:
Margo Northrup, Riter, Rogers, Wattier, and Northrup LLP, representing Local Exchange Carrier's Association and South Dakota Network; and Rich Coit, South Dakota Telecommunications Association
Joining the meeting by telephone were:
Commissioner: Kristie Fiegen; Phil Schenkenberg, Briggs and Morgan, P.A., representing Sprint Communications Company LP; Wendy Harper, Vantage Point Solutions, representing James Valley Telecommunications; Jessica Fyhrie, Otter Tail Power Company; Talbot Wieczorek, Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson & Ashmore, LLP, representing Sprint Communications Company LP; Jim Cremer, Bantz, Gosch, & Cremer, L.L.C., representing Northern Valley Communications, L.L.C.; Rod Bowar, Kennebec Telephone Company, Inc.; Scott Ringo, Cincinnati Bell Any Distance Inc.
Administration
1. Approval of the Minutes of the Commission Meeting held on October 23, 2012 (Staff: Joy Irving)
Commissioner Hanson moved to approve the minutes of the Commission Meeting on October 23, 2012. Motion carried 3-0.
Consumer Reports
1. Status Report on Consumer Utility Inquiries and Complaints Received by the Commission (Consumer Affairs: Deb Gregg)
The Commission received a total of 75 contacts since the last report was prepared for the October 23, 2012 Commission meeting.
16 of the contacts involved telecommunication services, 12 of the contacts involved electrical services, 7 contacts involved natural gas service, 1 contact involved gas and electric service, 6 contacts involved cell phone service, 18 contacts were related to the Do Not Call Registry and 15 contacts were related to issues not regulated by the PUC.
1,601 of the 1,652 complaints received in 2012 have been resolved.
Electric
1. EL12-055 In the Matter of the Filing by Otter Tail Power Company for Approval of Tariff Revisions (Staff Analyst: Matthew Tysdal, Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
Ms. Jessica Fyhrie, Otter Tail Power Company (Otter Tail), requested that the Commission grant approval of its tariff revisions. Ms. Fyhrie stated that the municipal service agreements, currently listed as contracts with deviations, between Otter Tail and the Town of Bushnell and the Town of Eden expired in October. Mr. Matthew Tysdal, staff analyst, recommended that the Commission grant approval of Otter Tail's tariff revisions.
Commissioner Hanson moved to approve the tariff revisions. Motion carried 3-0.
Telecommunications
1. TC09-098 In the Matter of the Complaint filed by South Dakota Network, LLC against Sprint Communications Company L.P. Regarding Failure to Pay Intrastate Centralized Equal Access Charges and to Immediately Pay Undisputed Portions of SDN's Invoices (Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer)
Mr. Phil Schenkenberg, representing Sprint Communications Company L.P. (Sprint), requested that the Commission grant the Stipulation for Dismissal of Sprint's Third-Party Complaint against Northern Valley Communications, L.L.C. (Northern Valley) and Northern Valley's Counterclaim against Sprint. Mr. Schenkenberg also requested that the Commission approve the Second Amendment to Confidentiality Agreement. Mr. Jim Cremer, representing Northern Valley, did not object to Sprint's request. Ms. Margo Northrup, representing South Dakota Network (SDN), did not object to Sprint's request. Ms. Karen Cremer, staff attorney, recommended that the Commission grant the Stipulation for Dismissal and approve the Second Amendment to Confidentiality Agreement.
Commissioner Hanson movedto grant the Stipulation for Dismissal of Sprint Communications Company LP's Third-Party Complaint against Northern Valley Communications, L.L.C. and Northern Valley's Counterclaim against Sprint with prejudice. Motion carried 3-0.
Commissioner Hanson moved to approve the Second Amendment to Confidentiality Agreement. Motion carried 3-0.
2. TC12-162 In the Matter of the Application of Cincinnati Bell Any Distance Inc. for a Certificate of Authority to Provide Local Exchange Services in South Dakota (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen, Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
Mr. Scott Ringo, Cincinnati Bell Any Distance Inc. (CBAD), requested that the Commission grant CBAD a certificate of authority to provide resold local exchange telecommunications. Mr. Patrick Steffensen, staff analyst, stated that CBAD filed an application for a certificate of authority to provide local exchange service in accordance with the Commission's Administrative Rules. Mr. Steffensen stated CBAD has satisfactorily responded to all data requests, and staff recommended the Commission grant the Certificate of Authority to provide Local Exchange services to CBAD with the following conditions: 1) CBAD is not to offer any prepaid services to retail customers, including prepaid calling cards, 2) CBAD is not to accept or require deposits or advance payments from retail customers without prior approval from the Commission, and 3) the certificate is subject to the rural safeguards.
Commissioner Fiegen moved to grant the Certificate of Authority to provide Local Exchange Services to Cincinnati Bell Any Distance, Inc. with the conditions as stated by staff. Motion carried 3-0.
3. In the Matter of the Request for approval of Intercarrier Compensation Bill and Keep Amendments to an Interconnection Agreement in Dockets TC12-163, TC12-164, TC12-165, TC12-166, TC12-167, TC12-168, TC12-169, TC12-170, TC12-171, TC12-172, TC12-173, TC12-174, TC12-175, TC12-176, TC12-177 and TC12-178.
TC12-163 In the Matter of the Approval of an Intercarrier Compensation Bill and Keep Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular Inc. Network Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular, Inc. Financial Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Midwest Wireless Communications, LLC dba Verizon Wireless; Rural Cellular Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Verizon Wireless (VAW) LLC dba Verizon Wireless; WWC Holding Co., Inc. dba Verizon Wireless and Armour Independent Telephone Company (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen, Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
TC12-164 In the Matter of the Approval of an Intercarrier Compensation Bill and Keep Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular Inc. Network Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular, Inc. Financial Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Midwest Wireless Communications, LLC dba Verizon Wireless; Rural Cellular Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Verizon Wireless (VAW) LLC dba Verizon Wireless; WWC Holding Co., Inc. dba Verizon Wireless and Beresford Municipal Telephone Company (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen, Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
TC12-165 In the Matter of the Approval of an Intercarrier Compensation Bill and Keep Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular Inc. Network Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular, Inc. Financial Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Midwest Wireless Communications, LLC dba Verizon Wireless; Rural Cellular Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Verizon Wireless (VAW) LLC dba Verizon Wireless; WWC Holding Co., Inc. dba Verizon Wireless and Bridgewater-Canistota Independent Telephone (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen, Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
TC12-166 In the Matter of the Approval of an Intercarrier Compensation Bill and Keep Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular Inc. Network Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular, Inc. Financial Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Midwest Wireless Communications, LLC dba Verizon Wireless; Rural Cellular Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Verizon Wireless (VAW) LLC dba Verizon Wireless; WWC Holding Co., Inc. dba Verizon Wireless and Faith Municipal Telephone Company (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen, Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
TC12-167 In the Matter of the Approval of an Intercarrier Compensation Bill and Keep Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular Inc. Network Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular, Inc. Financial Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Midwest Wireless Communications, LLC dba Verizon Wireless; Rural Cellular Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Verizon Wireless (VAW) LLC dba Verizon Wireless; WWC Holding Co., Inc. dba Verizon Wireless and Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen, Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
TC12-168 In the Matter of the Approval of an Intercarrier Compensation Bill and Keep Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular Inc. Network Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular, Inc. Financial Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Midwest Wireless Communications, LLC dba Verizon Wireless; Rural Cellular Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Verizon Wireless (VAW) LLC dba Verizon Wireless; WWC Holding Co., Inc. dba Verizon Wireless and Interstate Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen, Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
TC12-169 In the Matter of the Approval of an Intercarrier Compensation Bill and Keep Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular Inc. Network Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular, Inc. Financial Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Midwest Wireless Communications, LLC dba Verizon Wireless; Rural Cellular Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Verizon Wireless (VAW) LLC dba Verizon Wireless; WWC Holding Co., Inc. dba Verizon Wireless and Kadoka Telephone Company (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen, Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
TC12-170 In the Matter of the Approval of an Intercarrier Compensation Bill and Keep Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular Inc. Network Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular, Inc. Financial Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Midwest Wireless Communications, LLC dba Verizon Wireless; Rural Cellular Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Verizon Wireless (VAW) LLC dba Verizon Wireless; WWC Holding Co., Inc. dba Verizon Wireless and Kennebec Telephone Company, Inc. (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen, Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
TC12-171 In the Matter of the Approval of an Intercarrier Compensation Bill and Keep Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular Inc. Network Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular, Inc. Financial Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Midwest Wireless Communications, LLC dba Verizon Wireless; Rural Cellular Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Verizon Wireless (VAW) LLC dba Verizon Wireless; WWC Holding Co., Inc. dba Verizon Wireless and RC Communications, Inc. (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen, Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
TC12-172 In the Matter of the Approval of an Intercarrier Compensation Bill and Keep Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular Inc. Network Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular, Inc. Financial Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Midwest Wireless Communications, LLC dba Verizon Wireless; Rural Cellular Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Verizon Wireless (VAW) LLC dba Verizon Wireless; WWC Holding Co., Inc. dba Verizon Wireless and Roberts County Telephone Cooperative Association (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen, Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
TC12-173 In the Matter of the Approval of an Intercarrier Compensation Bill and Keep Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular Inc. Network Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular, Inc. Financial Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Midwest Wireless Communications, LLC dba Verizon Wireless; Rural Cellular Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Verizon Wireless (VAW) LLC dba Verizon Wireless; WWC Holding Co., Inc. dba Verizon Wireless and Sioux Valley Telephone Company (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen, Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
TC12-174 In the Matter of the Approval of an Intercarrier Compensation Bill and Keep Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular Inc. Network Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular, Inc. Financial Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Midwest Wireless Communications, LLC dba Verizon Wireless; Rural Cellular Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Verizon Wireless (VAW) LLC dba Verizon Wireless; WWC Holding Co., Inc. dba Verizon Wireless and Stockholm-Strandburg Telephone Company (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen, Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
TC12-175 In the Matter of the Approval of an Intercarrier Compensation Bill and Keep Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular Inc. Network Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular, Inc. Financial Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Midwest Wireless Communications, LLC dba Verizon Wireless; Rural Cellular Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Verizon Wireless (VAW) LLC dba Verizon Wireless; WWC Holding Co., Inc. dba Verizon Wireless and Union Telephone Company (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen, Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
TC12-176 In the Matter of the Approval of an Intercarrier Compensation Bill and Keep Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular Inc. Network Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular, Inc. Financial Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Midwest Wireless Communications, LLC dba Verizon Wireless; Rural Cellular Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Verizon Wireless (VAW) LLC dba Verizon Wireless; WWC Holding Co., Inc. dba Verizon Wireless and Valley Telecommunications Cooperative Association, Inc. (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen, Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
TC12-177 In the Matter of the Approval of an Intercarrier Compensation Bill and Keep Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular Inc. Network Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular, Inc. Financial Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Midwest Wireless Communications, LLC dba Verizon Wireless; Rural Cellular Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Verizon Wireless (VAW) LLC dba Verizon Wireless; WWC Holding Co., Inc. dba Verizon Wireless and Vivian Telephone Company (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen, Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
TC12-178 In the Matter of the Approval of an Intercarrier Compensation Bill and Keep Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular Inc. Network Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Cellular, Inc. Financial Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Midwest Wireless Communications, LLC dba Verizon Wireless; Rural Cellular Corporation dba Verizon Wireless; Verizon Wireless (VAW) LLC dba Verizon Wireless; WWC Holding Co., Inc. dba Verizon Wireless and James Valley Cooperative Telephone Company (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen, Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
Ms. Kristen Edwards, staff attorney, stated that the amendment in dockets TC12-163, TC12-164, TC12-165, TC12-166, TC12-167, TC12-168, TC12-169, TC12-170, TC12-171, TC12-172, TC12-173, TC12-174, TC12-175, TC12-176, TC12-177 and TC12-178 were properly filed, properly executed, and do not appear to contain discriminatory provisions, and no comments were filed. Staff recommended that the Commission approve the amendments to the interconnection agreements.
Commissioner Hanson moved to approve the amendments to the interconnection agreements for the above dockets. Motion carried 3-0.
There being no further business, at the hour of 9:59 a.m. the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission meeting adjourned.
/S/Joy Irving
Joy Irving
Administrative Assistant
PUC Email
November 6, 2012
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