HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Services November 22 19942
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Public Services & Solid Waste Committee
November 22, 1994
The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. by Committee Chair Barbara
Brenner in the Committee Room of the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue.
Also Present: Absent:
Ken Henderson None
Alvin Starkenburg
Other Council Members Present:
Ken Henderson
COMMITTEE DISCUSSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL
1. EXTENDED AREA PHONE SERVICES, WASHINGTON STATE UTILITIES
AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (AB94 -571)
Among those present were representatives from the Washington State Utilities &
Transportation Commission, GTE, U.S. West, MCI and AT &T, as well as from local
small cities.
Tim Sweeney, a telecommunication analyst from the Washington State Utilities
and Transportation Commission, addressed the Committee. He gave a history of
extended area service (EAS) and the Washington State Utilities and Transportation
Commission (WSUTC) as well as several future options.
Joan Gage, GTE, spoke to the $4.25 charge (flat rate).
George Chad ( ?), U.S. West, commented his company follows the UTC rules.
Ron Gayman (sp ?), AT &T, reiterated Mr. Sweeney's comment that the nature of
the telecommunication industry is changing very dramatically. Washington is one of the
five leading states in the nation to introduce competition, which means choices, which
means downsizing prices, new services offered and the marketplace becomes the
regulator of the industry (not the government).
Rebecca Bennett, MCI, was thinking of the people who do not want the EAS; for
example, the senior citizen. She also mentioned the intrastate intraladder long distance
call using someone other than one's local carrier can be confusing, as there are
Public Services Minutes, 11/22/94, Page 1
additional numbers that need to be dialed. MCI believes competition will benefit
consumers. Without competition, there is no incentive to increase services and thereby
decrease costs.
The meeting was opened to the small cities' representatives and then the public.
Those speaking included:
Jim Kaemingk, Mayor of Lynden
Matt Lagerway, Mayor of Everson
Barbara Schultz (sp ?), Kendall
Robert Bumford, Sumas
Cleo Callen, Sumas
Linda Hughly (sp ?), Sumas
Sue Schriper (sp ?), Lynden
Jim Dickinson, Lummi Island
Brenner stated she wanted to see some positive solutions, either from the
telephone companies or the communities.
I� I :�i1
The meeting was adjourned about 3 p.m.
a" �
Chris Hatch, Recording Secretary
ATTEST: WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Ramona Reeves, Clerk of the Council Barbara Brenner, Council Member
Public Services Minutes, 11/22/94, Page 2