265053. WNI7E - CITY CLERK 265053
PINK� - FINANCE GITY OF SAINT PAIIL Council
CAN�@ RV-��ARTMENT
. 6LlY� � -MAYOR File NO.
+ uncil Resolution
Presented By
Referred To Committee: Date
Out of Committee By Date
WHEREAS, the initiation of the supervision of rate regulation
of gas and electric public utilities has been placed into the hands
of the Minnesota Public Service Commission as of January l, 1975; and
WHEREAS, there have been instances where public utilities
seeking to have an increase in their rates granted by the Minn�sota
Public Service Commission have, coincident with filing of an
application for such increase, sought to influence public opinion
on the outcome of the proceeding by advertising a proposed justi-
fication for the request for additional revenue and for changes in
the rates affecting customers in the service area; and
WHEREAS, such advertising material is unfair and prejudicial
to an open presentation of the issues involved in the hearing before
the Minr�esota Public Service Commission which must make a final
determination on the merits, and which determination should be based
on testimony and evidence properly presented to the Public Service
Commission;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Council of the City of
• Saint Paul that it recommends to the Minnesota Public Service
Commission that it consider adopting as a �.le and regulation
relative to the rules of practice wlzich ma�i be numbered PSC 503
Party Conduct (e) , a rule directing public utilities which have
filed an application for revenue increases with the Commission �
and other parties, to desist from presenting, through advertising
COUNCILMEIV Requested by Department of:
Yeas . Nays
Christensen
Hozza In Favor �
Levine '
Rcedler B
Sylvester Against Y
Tedesco
President Hunt
Form Appro� ity Att rney
Adopted by Council: Date
Certified Passed by Council Secretary '` By
By
Approved by Mayor: Date Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council
By By
WHITE —SITY CLERK �65053
P�NK -sINANCE GITY OF SAINT PAZTL Council
CAOiIaRY�— DEloARTMENT
BLUE —MAYOR File NO.
� Council Resolution
Presented By
Referred To Committee: Date
Out of Committee By Date
or other means, arguments and purported justification for their
positions outside of the statutory forum provided for such
presentation of testimony and evidence bearing on the request.
A copy of a proposed rule and regulation is attached hereto, and
submitted to the M innesota Public Service Commission for its
consideration and inclusion in the amended rules to be adopted
in connection with its regulation procedure.
COUNCILMEN Requested by Department of:
Yeas Nays
Christensen
Hozza In Favor
Levine /�
Rcedler �U Against BY
Sylvester
�edeaeb
M€ y�,�,�A�,a.r'tbo�t3�° FE8 �;�j � Form Approved b ney
Adop ed-b- ouncil Date
Certified sed Council Secretary BY �
.
Y �
Approv by Mayo : ate � �'6 � Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council
By By
� MAR � i975
� _ , ,
• ! + ����.PVr�
PROPOSED MINNESOTA RULES
AND REGULATIONS RELATIVE
TO
RULES OF PRACTICE
MINNESOTA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSTON
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE
The City of Saint Paul suggests that the rules and regulations
be amended to include the following :
PSC 503 Party Conduct
" (e) Upon the filing of an application by a public
utility for a change in its rates, parties to the
proceedings should desist from circulating or funding
advertising material which bears upon the issues pending
before the Minnesota Public Service Commission, including
those pertinent to the justification for the increased
or decreased revenues, for the increased or decreased
costs, or for the changes in investment, or for the
need for any type of corporate financing that may be
part of the issues pending before the Public Service
Commission. "
REASON: Once a filing has been completed by the utility
company, the issues that are to be decided by the Minnesota
Public Service Commission should not be, in any manner, argued
through advertising or other media as a method of cultivating
public opinion or bringing some sort of pressure to bear upon
the Commissioners who are to make the final determination in
the hearing. It is commonly accepted as a proper practice
� • ,
+ r �� � � � - 2�5�5�
that matter to be decided in judicial or quasi-judicial bodies
should not be a subject of argument, discussion or contention
through outside presentations to the members of the public.
Common sense dictates that whatever evidence or testimony is
to be adduced in support of a filing, or in contravention of
it, should be presented in the proper atmosphere and directly
to the body presiding over the proceeding.
. /',�,� ��.-� �° ���
- -� '�; CITY OF SAIN� PAUL y -
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`� (� OFFICE OF THE CITY COIINCIL �!`���
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Do t e ; February 14, 1975
9,
. .-_..:.:�+✓ .
COMMITTEE RE PORT
T0 : Saint Paul City Council
FROM � Committee on ut;��t;es
Ruby Hunt;ZT�airman, makes the following .
report on C. F. � Ordinance
�( Resolution
[� Other
TITLE :
1 . The Committee took action on February 13, 1975 recommending for approval
the attached resolution requesting the Minnesota Public Service Commission
0
., to include as part of its regulation procedure PSC 503 Party Conduct (e)
pertaining to advertising by public utilities as a means to justify their �
request for an increase in rates.
2• The Committee further took action approving the attached resolution
requesting the Minnesota Public Service Commission to require full justi-
fication for any increase in revenues permitted Northern States Power
Company, that rate differences within and without St. Paul be retained,
and aspects of declining bloc[c rates be examined.
CITY HALL SEVENTH FLOOR SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102
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