WEBVTT 00:00:00.009 --> 00:00:02.579 This streaming event brought to you by adminmonitor 00:00:02.589 --> 00:00:05.570 .com will begin momentarily. Thank you for your 00:00:05.578 --> 00:00:16.449 patience. 00:00:16.449 --> 00:00:19.839 Welcome to the Public Participation Hearing. Where we 00:00:19.850 --> 00:00:23.219 will take public input on the Foresthill Telephone 00:00:23.228 --> 00:00:27.519 and Kerman Telephone General Rate Case Applications. 00:00:27.530 --> 00:00:45.969 On this day, Monday, April 17, 2023. 00:00:45.969 --> 00:00:52.209 Your Honor, you may begin. 00:00:52.209 --> 00:00:56.279 Okay, thank you very much. Um, can the court reporters, uh 00:00:56.289 --> 00:01:00.548 please confirm, if they are ready to begin? Ready, Your Honor. 00:01:01.310 --> 00:01:03.359 All right, thank you. We will now be on the record. 00:01:04.457 --> 00:01:07.789 The Commission will come to order. Today is April 17, 00:01:07.799 --> 00:01:11.987 2023. And this is the Remote Public Participation Hearing 00:01:12.049 --> 00:01:15.968 for the General Rate Case Application of 2 companies. 00:01:16.388 --> 00:01:19.248 Foresthill Telephone Company, whose application number 00:01:19.259 --> 00:01:26.299 is A-22-11-001. And Kerman Telephone Company, whose 00:01:26.308 --> 00:01:33.528 application number is A-22-11-002. My name is David 00:01:33.540 --> 00:01:37.290 Van Dyken and I am 1 of 2 Administrative Law Judges 00:01:37.299 --> 00:01:40.980 assigned to these proceedings. Along with my partner 00:01:40.989 --> 00:01:45.159 Administrative Law Judge, Patricia Miles. The assigned 00:01:45.168 --> 00:01:47.969 Commissioner for these proceedings is Commissioner 00:01:47.980 --> 00:01:52.510 Darcie Houck. You will hear from Commissioner Houck and 00:01:53.250 --> 00:01:57.109 Judge Miles later during this Public Participation 00:01:57.120 --> 00:02:01.359 Hearing. We're holding these hearings online and by 00:02:01.370 --> 00:02:05.829 phone. Because of ongoing concerns regarding the pandemic. 00:02:05.838 --> 00:02:09.750 And during the pandemic, the Commission has found that 00:02:09.758 --> 00:02:13.710 remote hearings provide a convenient way for many to 00:02:13.719 --> 00:02:16.990 participate. While also promoting greater understanding 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:21.349 of the impact of rate changes. Public engagement remains 00:02:21.360 --> 00:02:26.250 critical to the Commission. I and all of the Commissioners 00:02:26.258 --> 00:02:29.838 will be paying careful attention to the comments provided 00:02:29.849 --> 00:02:38.149 today. As well as, as well as Judge Miles. Um, and we 00:02:38.159 --> 00:02:40.808 all have the ability to review written transcript of 00:02:40.819 --> 00:02:44.288 this public hearing being created by the court reporters. 00:02:44.389 --> 00:02:47.008 Who will be working behind the scenes throughout today's 00:02:47.020 --> 00:02:50.909 hearing. A court reporter will be transcribing everything 00:02:50.919 --> 00:02:55.569 that is said today into a written document. 00:02:55.569 --> 00:02:58.929 As you can see, I am joined today by several panelists 00:02:58.939 --> 00:03:02.288 important to this proceeding. Each of them will have 00:03:02.300 --> 00:03:05.110 the opportunity, the opportunity to speak with you today. 00:03:05.308 --> 00:03:08.689 But for now, I would like each of them to simply wave 00:03:08.699 --> 00:03:17.300 as I call their names. Uh Decker Smith, Advisor to 00:03:17.300 --> 00:03:19.599 Commissioner Houck. 00:03:19.599 --> 00:03:25.508 Present. Thank you. uh Hannah Steiner from the 00:03:25.508 --> 00:03:30.729 Communications Division at the Commission. 00:03:30.729 --> 00:03:33.969 Rhonda Armstrong from Foresthill and Kerman Telephone 00:03:33.990 --> 00:03:40.020 Company. Yes, I'm here. Thank you. And 00:03:40.020 --> 00:03:42.719 Joshua Tey and Bixia Ye. 00:03:42.719 --> 00:03:47.719 for the Public Advocate's Office. 00:03:47.719 --> 00:03:50.639 A court reporter will be transcribing everything that 00:03:50.649 --> 00:03:54.770 is said here today. Therefore, as we all speak, we 00:03:54.778 --> 00:03:58.419 all need to speak slowly and clearly. So that the reporter 00:03:58.429 --> 00:04:02.819 can capture everything that is said. When comments begin, 00:04:02.830 --> 00:04:05.909 I will ask you to 00:04:05.909 --> 00:04:09.308 remember to please spell your first and last name, and 00:04:09.319 --> 00:04:13.610 to provide your location. The written transcript of 00:04:13.618 --> 00:04:16.088 today's hearing will be posted publicly on the docket 00:04:16.100 --> 00:04:20.298 card for this proceeding. Which is found on the Commission's 00:04:20.307 --> 00:04:24.838 website, in due course. The audio and visual feed for 00:04:24.980 --> 00:04:28.019 the public hearing is being recorded, and it's also 00:04:28.028 --> 00:04:32.048 accessible on the CPUC website. If you do not 00:04:32.059 --> 00:04:35.230 wish to be recorded, please do not provide public comments. 00:04:36.920 --> 00:04:39.988 Okay. It is now my pleasure to introduce individuals 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:43.660 from the Commission who are with us today. First, Commissioner 00:04:44.559 --> 00:04:48.079 Darcie Houck. Commissioner Houck, would you like to make any 00:04:48.088 --> 00:04:53.209 opening remarks? Yes thank you, Judge. Good evening. 00:04:53.220 --> 00:04:56.290 My name is Darcie Houck, as Judge Van Dyken indicated. And 00:04:56.298 --> 00:04:58.778 I am the assigned Commissioner for the Foresthill 00:04:58.790 --> 00:05:01.769 Telephone Company and Kerman Telephone Company General 00:05:01.778 --> 00:05:05.079 Rate Cases. I'd like to thank all of you for taking 00:05:05.088 --> 00:05:08.040 time to provide your comments on this important matter. 00:05:08.119 --> 00:05:10.809 I appreciate the opportunity to hear from you, before 00:05:10.819 --> 00:05:13.949 we make any decisions in this proceeding. This proceeding 00:05:13.959 --> 00:05:16.769 will set telephone service rates for customers of Foresthill 00:05:16.778 --> 00:05:20.369 and Kerman Telephone Companies, in the consolidated 00:05:20.379 --> 00:05:23.649 proceeding. And I will keep my comments short this meeting, 00:05:23.660 --> 00:05:27.399 this evening. As the purpose of tonight's hearing is 00:05:27.410 --> 00:05:30.540 to hear from you the public. So in closing, I just 00:05:30.548 --> 00:05:33.639 want to thank Judge Miles, Judge Van Dyken, the Public 00:05:33.649 --> 00:05:37.588 Advisor's Office, for facilitating the hearing tonight. 00:05:37.759 --> 00:05:43.750 I especially want to call out Joyce Wong, Alice Brown, 00:05:43.759 --> 00:05:49.869 uh Alison Brown, um Ann Kim, Mona Devota, um Dzvova and 00:05:49.879 --> 00:05:52.988 Claudia Sanchez. I want to thank our court reporters 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:55.910 Andrea Ross and Ashley Button. And our IT Staff, 00:05:55.920 --> 00:05:58.858 Robert Stanford and Joseph Haga. We wouldn't be able 00:05:58.869 --> 00:06:01.790 to hold these hearings virtually, without their support. 00:06:01.798 --> 00:06:05.119 And again, thank everyone for being here this evening 00:06:05.129 --> 00:06:08.639 and we'll turn it back over to Judge Van Dyken. And we'll 00:06:08.649 --> 00:06:11.879 be here listening to your comments this evening. Okay, 00:06:11.889 --> 00:06:16.449 thank you very much Commissioner Houck. 00:06:16.449 --> 00:06:20.100 Hannah Steiner of the Communications Division. Would 00:06:20.108 --> 00:06:23.350 you like to introduce yourself and explain a bit about 00:06:23.358 --> 00:06:27.949 the Communications Division's role in this proceeding? 00:06:28.980 --> 00:06:32.170 Hello, everyone. I'm Hannah Steiner and I'm here representing 00:06:32.178 --> 00:06:35.709 the Communications Division. And the role of my team 00:06:35.720 --> 00:06:39.250 is to, in the proceeding. Is to provide advice and technical, 00:06:39.259 --> 00:06:42.480 personal policy advice to the Judges and to the Commissioner. 00:06:42.649 --> 00:06:47.199 Thank you. All right. Thank you very much, Miss Steiner. 00:06:48.338 --> 00:06:51.250 Judge Miles will now provide a brief background about 00:06:51.259 --> 00:06:55.838 this proceeding. Uh, Judge Miles. Thank you, Judge 00:06:55.850 --> 00:06:59.850 Van Dyken. Thank you, Commissioner Houck for being with 00:06:59.858 --> 00:07:04.100 us this evening. The California Public Utilities Commission 00:07:04.480 --> 00:07:07.850 is a state agency that decides how much money telephone 00:07:07.858 --> 00:07:12.920 corporations, such as Foresthill Telephone or Kerman Telephone. 00:07:13.178 --> 00:07:16.540 They earn and the rates that will be included in consumer 00:07:16.548 --> 00:07:20.420 bills for telephone service. The Commission is headed 00:07:20.428 --> 00:07:23.850 by 5 Commissioners. They are appointed by the Governor 00:07:24.160 --> 00:07:28.548 and confirmed by the California State Senate. The purpose 00:07:28.559 --> 00:07:32.139 of today's hearing is for the Commission to receive 00:07:32.149 --> 00:07:35.088 comments from customers of Foresthill and Kerman. 00:07:35.879 --> 00:07:39.829 And from members of the public about 2 separate applications 00:07:39.838 --> 00:07:44.480 that the companies filed in November 2022. To a press 00:07:44.488 --> 00:07:48.660 review of its interstate rates and charges, to take 00:07:48.670 --> 00:07:54.329 effect in 2024. For regulated interstate telecommunication 00:07:54.338 --> 00:07:58.178 services. Those applications have been consolidated. 00:08:00.290 --> 00:08:06.238 Foresthill operates a single exchange with 1,659 access 00:08:06.250 --> 00:08:09.869 lines. Over which it provides basic voice service, in 00:08:09.879 --> 00:08:15.040 Placer County. Foresthill's system consists mainly 00:08:15.048 --> 00:08:18.819 of cables and wires connecting customer locations. And 00:08:18.829 --> 00:08:22.298 facilitating interconnection with the public switched 00:08:22.309 --> 00:08:27.369 telephone network. Its infrastructure includes underground 00:08:27.379 --> 00:08:31.798 and aerial cable and lines, radio equipment, central 00:08:31.809 --> 00:08:36.229 office equipment, land buildings and other miscellaneous 00:08:36.239 --> 00:08:40.938 equipment. Foresthill also provides interstate wholesale 00:08:40.947 --> 00:08:45.450 digital subscriber line transmission service. To 94, 00:08:45.460 --> 00:08:52.580 to 943 broadband only lines through Audeamus. An affiliate which 00:08:52.590 --> 00:08:56.678 operates as an internet service provider for ISP, in 00:08:56.690 --> 00:09:01.580 Foresthill service territory. Kerman Telephone Company 00:09:01.590 --> 00:09:05.070 provides basic, local exchange telephone service with 00:09:05.080 --> 00:09:12.308 2,789 access lines in Fresno County. Common system consists 00:09:12.320 --> 00:09:16.099 mainly of cables and wires connecting customer locations. 00:09:16.428 --> 00:09:20.029 And facilitating interconnection with the public switched 00:09:20.038 --> 00:09:25.090 telephone network. Its infrastructure includes underground 00:09:25.340 --> 00:09:30.759 and aerial cable, 00:09:30.759 --> 00:09:35.450 radio equipment, central office equipment, land, buildings 00:09:35.460 --> 00:09:38.759 and other miscellaneous equipment. To provide these 00:09:38.769 --> 00:09:42.428 customers with access to an increased level of broadband 00:09:42.440 --> 00:09:45.808 speed and bandwidth, consistent with the growing customer 00:09:45.820 --> 00:09:49.529 demand for advanced services. The companies are prepared 00:09:49.538 --> 00:09:52.570 to make additional investments in network upgrades 00:09:52.580 --> 00:09:56.129 through the end of 2023. With the goal of extending 00:09:56.139 --> 00:09:59.058 fiber to as many residential and business locations 00:09:59.070 --> 00:10:03.788 as reasonably possible. The annual threat of wildfires 00:10:03.798 --> 00:10:07.899 provides a continued reminder of the central role. That 00:10:07.908 --> 00:10:11.479 access to reliable voice and advanced broadband service 00:10:11.489 --> 00:10:16.950 plays in public safety. The COVID-19 pandemic also 00:10:16.960 --> 00:10:20.639 highlighted the importance of enhancing broadband deployment 00:10:20.649 --> 00:10:25.739 in rural areas. As many essential services, social necessities 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:29.379 and economic opportunities were not available in-person 00:10:29.639 --> 00:10:34.609 during the pandemic. As Judge Van Dyken mentioned, we are 00:10:34.619 --> 00:10:37.269 Judges with the California Public Utilities Commission, 00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:40.928 who are assigned to these proceedings. As the assigned 00:10:40.940 --> 00:10:44.048 Judges, we will manage the day-to-day activities of 00:10:44.058 --> 00:10:47.580 the cases. Our role is to evaluate the evidence in 00:10:47.590 --> 00:10:50.989 the proceeding and to write a proposed decision, based 00:10:51.000 --> 00:10:55.649 on that evidence. The 5 Commissioners including 00:10:55.710 --> 00:10:58.918 assigned Commissioner Darcie Houck, who is with us today. 00:10:59.639 --> 00:11:02.729 Are the ones who will ultimately decide with the vote, 00:11:03.038 --> 00:11:06.168 on whether to approve the telephone company's application. 00:11:07.129 --> 00:11:10.500 They will evaluate our proposed decision and will decide 00:11:10.509 --> 00:11:13.259 whether to adopt the proposed decision from the Judges. 00:11:13.580 --> 00:11:16.940 Or to adopt their own Alternate Decision, based on the 00:11:16.950 --> 00:11:20.418 evidence in the proceedings. 00:11:20.418 --> 00:11:23.149 The current schedule for the proceeding anticipates 00:11:23.389 --> 00:11:26.678 that the Commission will vote on the decision, in the 00:11:26.690 --> 00:11:30.558 4th Quarter of 2023. 00:11:30.558 --> 00:11:34.000 I will now turn this back to Judge Van Dyken, to continue 00:11:34.009 --> 00:11:38.168 the hearing. Thank you. All right. Thank you very much 00:11:38.178 --> 00:11:41.700 Judge Miles. The purpose of today's hearing is to hear 00:11:41.710 --> 00:11:44.908 directly from Foresthill Telephone and Kerman Telephone 00:11:44.918 --> 00:11:48.048 customers, and members of the public about these particular 00:11:48.058 --> 00:11:52.349 applications. We will now hear from the participants 00:11:52.359 --> 00:11:54.369 in this 00:11:54.369 --> 00:11:58.158 proceeding. Beginning with the representatives from 00:11:58.168 --> 00:12:02.058 Foresthill and Kerman Telephone, 00:12:02.058 --> 00:12:05.408 Rhonda Armstrong. Ms. Armstrong, uh please proceed. 00:12:11.440 --> 00:12:14.158 Ms. Armstrong, you're on mute. 00:12:14.158 --> 00:12:18.450 Thank you. Good evening. My name is Rhonda Armstrong 00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:21.399 and I'm the Vice President of Administrative Services 00:12:21.408 --> 00:12:25.759 here at Sebastian. A big part of my job is to ensure 00:12:25.769 --> 00:12:28.710 that Sebastian is meeting the needs of our customers 00:12:28.840 --> 00:12:32.739 and offering a high quality communications experience. 00:12:33.019 --> 00:12:37.418 I want to briefly explain what this event is all about 00:12:37.428 --> 00:12:41.269 and try to put some context. To the proposal that Sebastian 00:12:41.279 --> 00:12:45.750 has made to the Public Utilities Commission. Sebastian 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:49.190 has two telephone companies, Kerman Telephone Company 00:12:49.200 --> 00:12:52.940 and Foresthill Telephone Company. Both companies do 00:12:52.950 --> 00:12:56.830 business under the name of Sebastian, and both of these 00:12:56.840 --> 00:13:00.340 companies are regulated by the California Public Utilities 00:13:00.349 --> 00:13:04.320 Commission. We cannot make changes to our rate structure, 00:13:04.548 --> 00:13:08.379 without filing proceedings called rate cases before 00:13:08.389 --> 00:13:11.399 the Commission. That's what we are in the midst of 00:13:11.408 --> 00:13:15.759 right now. We are required to file these cases periodically, 00:13:15.769 --> 00:13:19.320 in order to preserve the flow of millions of dollars 00:13:19.330 --> 00:13:23.099 of state funding. Towards the areas that we serve, which 00:13:23.109 --> 00:13:26.989 are extremely high cost. This funding helps ensure 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:31.048 that we continue to upgrade our networks, and keep customer 00:13:31.058 --> 00:13:35.629 rates low and affordable. So, with that background. 00:13:35.668 --> 00:13:40.168 The key elements of Sebastian's proposal are that we 00:13:40.178 --> 00:13:44.109 would preserve access to more than $3 million in state 00:13:44.119 --> 00:13:47.759 support. From the California High Cost Fund-A, in the 00:13:47.769 --> 00:13:52.428 Kerman area. And approximately $2 million of support 00:13:52.440 --> 00:13:56.859 in the Foresthill area. Our proposal involves only 00:13:56.869 --> 00:14:00.700 minimal residential rate increases in each area. Less 00:14:00.710 --> 00:14:04.259 than a dollar in Kerman and about a dollar in Foresthill. 00:14:04.269 --> 00:14:08.538 Business rates would be similarly limited in terms 00:14:08.548 --> 00:14:13.879 of increase. In exchange for the increases in residential 00:14:13.889 --> 00:14:17.899 services. We are also proposing that customers have 00:14:17.908 --> 00:14:21.739 access to the full range of customer features as part 00:14:21.750 --> 00:14:24.989 of their basic service rates. That would include call 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:29.109 waiting, caller id, call forwarding and voicemail. 00:14:30.190 --> 00:14:33.889 Most important is that approval of our proposal would 00:14:33.899 --> 00:14:37.869 allow Sebastian to continuing, continue. Excuse me. Offering 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:43.519 excellent, excellent call quality, reliable 911 connectivity, 00:14:43.739 --> 00:14:47.889 and responsive customer service. If this proposal is 00:14:47.899 --> 00:14:52.440 adopted, Sebastian is prepared to invest $5 million 00:14:52.450 --> 00:14:56.259 in additional network infrastructure in each service 00:14:56.269 --> 00:15:00.308 area. Which will improve broadband capabilities and 00:15:00.320 --> 00:15:05.658 provide additional resiliency in our network. The opposing 00:15:05.668 --> 00:15:09.369 party in this proceeding is the Commission's Public 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:13.489 Advocate's Office. Which has a different vision for our 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:17.519 service territories. We have recently reviewed their 00:15:17.529 --> 00:15:21.788 testimony in this rate case, and they propose to cut 00:15:21.798 --> 00:15:26.190 our funding by more than a million dollars. They also 00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:29.729 propose to raise rates on our customers, by more than 00:15:29.739 --> 00:15:35.538 20% in Kerman and 10% in Forest Hill. We support our 00:15:35.548 --> 00:15:40.558 communities and believe that the Public Advocate's proposal. 00:15:40.570 --> 00:15:44.460 Is not in the best interest of the people that we serve. 00:15:45.070 --> 00:15:48.058 I appreciate the opportunity to address the public 00:15:48.070 --> 00:15:50.989 and the Commission this evening. And look forward to 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:55.639 hearing the input from our customers. Thank you. Okay, 00:15:55.649 --> 00:15:59.558 thank you, Miss Armstrong. We will now hear from the 00:15:59.570 --> 00:16:05.369 Public Advocate's office, Joshua Tey. And 00:16:05.369 --> 00:16:08.668 um, I would appreciate it. If you could first explain 00:16:08.678 --> 00:16:15.099 the role of the Public Advocate's Office. 00:16:15.099 --> 00:16:17.558 Thank you, Your Honor. 00:16:17.558 --> 00:16:20.729 Good evening. My name is Joshua Tey. I'm an attorney 00:16:20.739 --> 00:16:23.580 representing the Public Advocate's Office in this proceeding. 00:16:25.048 --> 00:16:27.700 Bixia Ye, the lead analyst from the Public Advocate's Office. 00:16:27.710 --> 00:16:30.788 Will be making the presentation on behalf of the Public 00:16:30.798 --> 00:16:38.509 Advocate's Office. Thank you, Ms. Ye. 00:16:38.509 --> 00:16:45.359 Hello. Um, hello. Uh I have a PowerPoint slide. Can you 00:16:45.369 --> 00:16:50.408 share the, the slide? 00:16:50.408 --> 00:16:54.719 Okay, thank you. Hello. Uh, good evening everyone. My 00:16:54.729 --> 00:17:00.690 name is Bixia Ye. An analyst from the Public Advocate's Office 00:17:00.700 --> 00:17:04.750 at the California Public Utilities Commission, also 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:12.318 known as Cal Advocates. Next slide, please. 00:17:12.318 --> 00:17:16.170 Cal Advocates is an independent customer advocate group 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:19.868 within the California Public Utilities Commission. 00:17:20.269 --> 00:17:25.358 We advocate on behalf of California retailers statewide. 00:17:25.729 --> 00:17:30.500 Our statutory mission is to obtain the lowest possible 00:17:30.509 --> 00:17:35.358 rate for service consistent with safe and reliable 00:17:35.368 --> 00:17:40.348 service levels, and the state environmental goals. We 00:17:40.358 --> 00:17:45.199 strive to ensure that no one is left behind. And all 00:17:45.209 --> 00:17:50.568 communities have access to reliable and affordable 00:17:50.578 --> 00:17:55.910 electric, gas, water and communication services including 00:17:55.920 --> 00:18:00.969 broadband service. We use the general case as one way 00:18:00.979 --> 00:18:07.568 to advance our mission. Next slide, please. 00:18:07.568 --> 00:18:10.818 The purpose that Foresthill and Kerman Telephone 00:18:10.828 --> 00:18:16.410 Company submit the General Rate Case Application is to receive 00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:20.959 a subsidy from the Commission. The Commission provides 00:18:20.969 --> 00:18:26.500 a monetary support to small, rural telephone companies 00:18:26.588 --> 00:18:30.150 including Foresthill and Kerman Telephone Companies. 00:18:30.449 --> 00:18:34.779 Through a program called the California High Cost Fund-A 00:18:34.789 --> 00:18:41.439 program in short, CHCF-A or A-Fund program. The A- 00:18:41.568 --> 00:18:45.750 Fund program provides subsidies to small telephone companies. 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:49.920 To meet their reasonable expense that cannot be met 00:18:49.930 --> 00:18:54.259 by the rate revenues received from their customers. 00:18:55.358 --> 00:19:00.809 The A-Fund Subsidy is paid by every California ratepayer through 00:19:00.818 --> 00:19:05.789 their telephone bill. So the Commission has an obligation 00:19:05.868 --> 00:19:11.338 to ensure the A-Fund Subsidy are not excessive, and the company 00:19:11.348 --> 00:19:16.680 claimed expense are reasonable. Both Foresthill and 00:19:16.689 --> 00:19:20.509 Kerman Telephone Companies are relying on the A-Fund 00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:25.818 Subsidy to meet their revenue need every year. This 00:19:25.828 --> 00:19:31.729 table shows that in 2023 both Foresthill and Kerman 00:19:31.739 --> 00:19:37.170 Telephone Companies are expect to receive the A-Fund Subsidy 00:19:37.328 --> 00:19:44.259 that over 50% of their total revenue. With a small number 00:19:44.269 --> 00:19:50.318 of their telephone customers 1,749 customers for Foresthill, 00:19:51.390 --> 00:19:58.939 3,040 customer for Kerman. Both Foresthill and Kerman receive about 00:19:58.949 --> 00:20:05.088 $3 million of A-Fund Subsidy. Through come out to an average 00:20:05.098 --> 00:20:14.500 of $1,678 per customer to subside for Foresthill, and 00:20:14.509 --> 00:20:26.309 $1,201 per customer subside to Kerman. Next slide, please. 00:20:26.309 --> 00:20:31.430 So to receive the A-Fund Subsidy Foresthill and Kerman Telephone 00:20:31.439 --> 00:20:35.338 Companies must submit a General Rate Case Application to the 00:20:35.348 --> 00:20:38.759 Commission. The Commission should review the reasonableness 00:20:38.868 --> 00:20:43.439 of the company's expense. And to ensure that the 00:20:43.449 --> 00:20:48.219 company is delivering safe, reliable, high quality 00:20:48.229 --> 00:20:53.279 and affordable communication service. On April 7, 00:20:53.289 --> 00:20:58.699 our team has submit the testimony on Foresthill and Kerman 00:20:58.709 --> 00:21:04.000 Companies General Rate Case Application. Our review include, 00:21:04.009 --> 00:21:08.390 uh is not limit to service quality. The reasonableness 00:21:08.400 --> 00:21:12.598 of expense including the network investment. And 00:21:12.608 --> 00:21:16.199 also the affordability of communication service that 00:21:16.209 --> 00:21:25.549 the communities relies on today. Next slide, please. 00:21:25.549 --> 00:21:31.078 One focus of our review is the service quality. Customers 00:21:31.088 --> 00:21:35.118 should receive safe and reliable telephone and broadband 00:21:35.130 --> 00:21:39.900 service from the companies. We review customers complaints 00:21:39.910 --> 00:21:44.529 via submit to various entities regarding the company's 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:48.910 service. We review how long it take the company to 00:21:48.920 --> 00:21:53.729 restore service after a service outage. We review the 00:21:53.739 --> 00:21:57.650 how long it take the company to install service for 00:21:57.660 --> 00:22:02.858 voice and broadband, upon customer's request. Lastly, 00:22:02.868 --> 00:22:08.140 we examine companies trouble report or ticket. 00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:12.640 For voice service in general, both Foresthill and 00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:17.828 Kerman have met the minimum standard set by the Commission. 00:22:18.598 --> 00:22:22.618 Regarding the broadband service quality, unfortunately 00:22:22.630 --> 00:22:26.939 we do not have an analysis available to share with 00:22:26.949 --> 00:22:32.910 you at this time. Next slide, please. 00:22:32.910 --> 00:22:36.828 The second focus of our review is the reasonableness 00:22:36.838 --> 00:22:41.789 of company's expense. Since the company are using ratepayers 00:22:41.799 --> 00:22:46.469 money for their business operation. The company's expense 00:22:46.479 --> 00:22:50.729 must be just and reasonable. So you will not overly 00:22:50.739 --> 00:22:56.489 burdensome to ratepayers. Regarding the new investment, 00:22:56.660 --> 00:23:01.088 we want to ensure company proposed new investment will 00:23:01.098 --> 00:23:05.088 be feasible, attainable and providing services that 00:23:05.098 --> 00:23:10.779 benefit the customers. In their application, Foresthill 00:23:10.789 --> 00:23:16.809 and Kerman Telephone Company each requested about $2 00:23:16.818 --> 00:23:22.719 million of new investment. Upon our teams review, we 00:23:22.729 --> 00:23:28.180 found that over half of Foresthill request $2 million 00:23:28.479 --> 00:23:34.680 and over about 47% of Kerman request. Two million 00:23:34.689 --> 00:23:39.088 new investment are not reasonable. Because those projects 00:23:39.098 --> 00:23:45.049 are premature, having no detailed information, lacking 00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:50.259 a specific timeline or milestone, or unreasonable estimate 00:23:50.269 --> 00:23:57.459 cost. Next slide, please. 00:23:57.459 --> 00:24:01.430 We also assess the affordability of the service that 00:24:01.439 --> 00:24:06.088 the company provide. For telephone service, the Commission 00:24:06.098 --> 00:24:10.529 requires that company's residential basic rate must 00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:16.789 be in an all inclusive rate of $30 to $40. Including 00:24:16.799 --> 00:24:22.559 federal and state fees and surcharges. For both Foresthill 00:24:22.568 --> 00:24:27.420 and Kerman Telephone Companies, we propose the telephone 00:24:27.430 --> 00:24:34.568 residential basic rate of $27.50, with the all-inclusive 00:24:34.578 --> 00:24:41.489 rate of $37.57. For the business we, we propose the 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:47.239 same percentage increase for each company. We also 00:24:47.250 --> 00:24:52.598 propose services such as call forwarding, three way 00:24:52.608 --> 00:24:58.259 calling, etcetera be at no-cost to customers subscribing 00:24:58.269 --> 00:25:03.390 to business and residential phone service. Our proposal 00:25:03.400 --> 00:25:07.578 rate are comparable to urban rate required by the Commission. 00:25:07.868 --> 00:25:12.759 Adjust for inflation and within the Commission's required 00:25:12.769 --> 00:25:18.598 all-inclusive rate. For broadband service, the Commission 00:25:18.608 --> 00:25:22.578 has determined that broadband is an essential service. 00:25:23.199 --> 00:25:26.959 We examine the price of different broadband speed plans, 00:25:26.969 --> 00:25:30.979 the company provides and the subscription rate. Which 00:25:30.989 --> 00:25:35.098 is the number of subscribers out of all households 00:25:35.108 --> 00:25:39.759 within the company's serving territory. Our review 00:25:39.769 --> 00:25:45.039 disclosed that both Foresthill and Kerman charge high price 00:25:45.049 --> 00:25:49.529 for the broadband service. If you subscribe to their 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:53.598 broadband service for download speed of 30 megabyte 00:25:53.608 --> 00:26:00.400 per second, the total monthly price will be $120. For 00:26:00.410 --> 00:26:05.380 broadband speed of 100 megabyte per second, the price 00:26:05.390 --> 00:26:12.088 is even higher $150 per month. We found that very few 00:26:12.098 --> 00:26:15.969 customers have subscribed to their broadband service. 00:26:17.380 --> 00:26:21.039 The high price contribute to this low subscription 00:26:21.049 --> 00:26:25.868 rate. If the services are there and no customers sign 00:26:25.880 --> 00:26:29.719 up to the high speed internet service, because it is 00:26:29.729 --> 00:26:33.519 not affordable. When the company's network investment 00:26:33.529 --> 00:26:38.098 will not be reasonable. To ensure the broadband network 00:26:38.108 --> 00:26:41.689 investment results in affordable broadband service. 00:26:42.358 --> 00:26:46.750 We propose that the Commission require Foresthill and Kerman 00:26:46.818 --> 00:26:51.818 Company. To develop and implement a broadband adoption 00:26:51.828 --> 00:26:56.608 plan, to increase broadband subscription rate. If you 00:26:56.618 --> 00:26:59.719 need more information regarding our proposed broadband 00:26:59.729 --> 00:27:03.430 adoption plan, feel free to contact our team. We will 00:27:03.439 --> 00:27:07.809 be happy to provide more information. Next slide, please. 00:27:10.549 --> 00:27:14.039 We want to hear from you regarding your experience 00:27:14.049 --> 00:27:17.779 with Foresthill and Kerman Telephone Companies service. 00:27:18.289 --> 00:27:22.959 Here is my contact information. If you have any questions 00:27:22.969 --> 00:27:26.680 after today, I will be happy to answer them for you. 00:27:26.910 --> 00:27:31.039 Your presence here is greatly appreciated and we look 00:27:31.049 --> 00:27:35.348 forward to listening to your comment and concern. Thank 00:27:35.358 --> 00:27:38.838 you. 00:27:38.838 --> 00:27:43.469 Okay. Thank you very much, Ms. Ye and having Ms. Ye 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:47.199 and Mr. Tey. 00:27:47.199 --> 00:27:53.420 For the public, as you reminder. If you are participating 00:27:53.430 --> 00:27:57.338 today and would like to provide public comments. You 00:27:57.348 --> 00:28:05.199 may do so by calling 1-800-857-1917, entering passcode 00:28:05.209 --> 00:28:14.529 1767567#. You must then press *1 on your phone. 00:28:15.549 --> 00:28:18.328 (speaking in Spanish) 00:28:18.328 --> 00:28:21.400 and 00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:32.489 (speaking in Spanish) 00:28:32.489 --> 00:28:48.868 (speaking in Spanish) 00:28:48.868 --> 00:28:57.719 (speaking in Spanish) 00:28:57.719 --> 00:29:01.269 (speaking in Spanish) 00:29:01.269 --> 00:29:04.318 This will alert the operator who will begin to line 00:29:04.328 --> 00:29:08.309 up public speakers. Please provide your name. If you 00:29:08.318 --> 00:29:11.930 are a public official, please notify the operator of 00:29:11.939 --> 00:29:14.088 your title and position, in addition to your name. 00:29:14.969 --> 00:29:19.509 Please refer to the slide on the screen. 00:29:19.509 --> 00:29:22.989 It is important to mention that this is not the time 00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:27.049 or place to ask personal questions. Such as a question 00:29:27.059 --> 00:29:30.729 about your bills or service. We do not want to disclose 00:29:30.739 --> 00:29:34.269 your individual phone number or residence address. Since 00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:37.680 this proceeding is open to the public, and is also being 00:29:37.689 --> 00:29:42.989 recorded. For personal questions, we have a representative 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:46.250 from Foresthill and Kerman Telephone Companies present. 00:29:47.598 --> 00:29:50.130 If you do have a question about your personal account 00:29:50.140 --> 00:29:53.789 or service with Foresthill or Kerman. Please contact 00:29:54.588 --> 00:29:59.650 Robyn Husmann, Customer Operations Manager. She is standing 00:29:59.660 --> 00:30:08.858 by and can be reached at area code 530-367-3300. 00:30:08.858 --> 00:30:13.618 We will also not be answering questions about the application 00:30:13.630 --> 00:30:16.969 at today's hearing. We are here to listen to your comments. 00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:23.838 As remained, as a reminder again. Please press *1 00:30:23.848 --> 00:30:27.209 one on your phone now, so the operator can begin to 00:30:27.219 --> 00:30:32.059 form the speaking queue. Please speak slowly and clearly, 00:30:32.459 --> 00:30:35.809 so that our court reporters may accurately transcribe 00:30:35.818 --> 00:30:39.979 your comments. When the operator lets you know it is 00:30:39.989 --> 00:30:43.578 your turn to speak. Please start your comments by speaking 00:30:43.588 --> 00:30:46.880 your full, your full name, spelling your last name 00:30:46.890 --> 00:30:51.140 and your location. We will be able to hear you best, 00:30:51.150 --> 00:30:55.449 if you speak directly into your phone or headset. Please 00:30:55.459 --> 00:31:00.799 avoid having your phone on speaker, when you are providing 00:31:00.809 --> 00:31:05.539 comment. Keep comments, comments as brief and concise to ensure 00:31:05.549 --> 00:31:10.880 that we hear from everyone. The comments will be recorded, 00:31:10.930 --> 00:31:14.209 and a reporter is making a written transcript of today's 00:31:14.219 --> 00:31:17.420 hearing. These will be posted publicly on the docket 00:31:17.430 --> 00:31:21.449 card for this proceeding, in due course. 00:31:21.449 --> 00:31:24.479 In addition to submitting oral comments today, written 00:31:24.489 --> 00:31:28.519 comments on Foresthill and Kerman Telephone's applications 00:31:28.680 --> 00:31:32.979 may be submitted on the docket card to this 00:31:32.979 --> 00:31:40.180 proceeding. For Foresthill, you can go to 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:46.078 the following site: apps.cpuc. 00:31:46.098 --> 00:32:00.039 ca.gov/c/A2211001. And for Kerman 00:32:00.459 --> 00:32:05.910 you can go to: apps.cpuc 00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:20.828 .ca.gov/c/a2211002 00:32:20.828 --> 00:32:24.118 To ensure that everyone has a chance to provide comment. 00:32:24.469 --> 00:32:29.400 Each speaker will have a time limit of 90 seconds or 00:32:29.459 --> 00:32:35.279 1 1/2 minutes. A chime will be sounded when the time 00:32:35.289 --> 00:32:37.650 is up. 00:32:37.650 --> 00:32:42.489 Um Operator, are there any public officials on the 00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:46.699 line? Your Honor, there are no public officials on 00:32:46.709 --> 00:32:51.059 the line at this time? All right. Thank you, Operator. 00:32:51.588 --> 00:32:55.729 Uh, please call the first person in the queue. 00:32:55.729 --> 00:32:59.818 Our first uh commenter is uh, John Jansen. Your line 00:32:59.828 --> 00:33:03.269 is open. 00:33:03.269 --> 00:33:06.029 Thank you, Your Honor. Uh, Members of the Hearing this 00:33:06.039 --> 00:33:09.160 evening. John Jansen, City Manager in the City of Kerman. 00:33:09.608 --> 00:33:14.500 I'm calling to uh, voice my support for the um, request 00:33:14.509 --> 00:33:18.170 by Kerman Telephone Company. Um, the City of Kerman 00:33:18.180 --> 00:33:25.118 is moving toward 1,000 acre sphere of influence expansion. 00:33:25.390 --> 00:33:29.130 That the state is requiring us to deliver approximately 00:33:29.160 --> 00:33:32.509 1,000 new housing units in the next 5 years, as a 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:35.920 state mandate. And those homes need to be served with 00:33:35.930 --> 00:33:39.689 both telephone and broadband infrastructure. We can't 00:33:39.699 --> 00:33:43.979 understand why a disadvantaged community would be left 00:33:43.989 --> 00:33:47.630 behind under this proposal. And um, it's important that 00:33:47.640 --> 00:33:53.189 we work to install a modern infrastructure in our community. 00:33:53.199 --> 00:33:57.309 Broadband has many benefits to our community, including 00:33:57.318 --> 00:34:00.868 our students that we saw during the COVID pandemic. 00:34:00.880 --> 00:34:04.630 As well as encouraging business location in our community. 00:34:04.640 --> 00:34:07.729 To provide high paying jobs where the companies need 00:34:07.739 --> 00:34:11.769 that type of telecommunications infrastructure backbone. 00:34:11.949 --> 00:34:15.789 So we would, um I'm calling to voice my support for 00:34:15.800 --> 00:34:21.338 the proposal. In order to encourage our healthy growth 00:34:21.349 --> 00:34:24.318 and job creation, and prosperity in Kerman. Thank you 00:34:24.329 --> 00:34:27.250 very much. 00:34:27.250 --> 00:34:32.340 Okay. Thank you Mr. Jansen. Um Operator, can we hear from 00:34:32.349 --> 00:34:36.260 the next caller on the line? Our next caller is uh, Tammy 00:34:36.269 --> 00:34:40.110 Romero. Your line is open. 00:34:40.110 --> 00:34:42.708 Good evening. Thank you for allowing me the time to 00:34:42.719 --> 00:34:49.728 speak. My name is Tammy Romero, R. O. M. E. R. O. I've 00:34:49.739 --> 00:34:53.088 been a customer of Foresthill Telephone Company for 00:34:53.099 --> 00:34:57.617 almost 26 years. I own and operate a small business 00:34:57.628 --> 00:35:01.898 in Foresthill. A rural area in which people work hard 00:35:01.907 --> 00:35:05.568 and every dollar counts. My business operates on a 00:35:05.579 --> 00:35:09.018 tight margin and my dollars count equally, as much as 00:35:09.028 --> 00:35:12.860 my customers hard earned dollars. If my phone service 00:35:12.869 --> 00:35:16.648 rates increase, it doesn't only impact me. I will have 00:35:16.659 --> 00:35:19.800 to pass those costs to my customers, who have had their 00:35:19.809 --> 00:35:23.128 personal phone rates increase. And we all deal with 00:35:23.139 --> 00:35:26.969 the consequences. Possibly even forcing me out of business. 00:35:27.309 --> 00:35:30.070 I understand that the Public Advocate's Office has 00:35:30.079 --> 00:35:34.168 proposed an increase to basic phone service rates. Including 00:35:34.179 --> 00:35:39.889 increasing business rates from $35 to $39.60 a month. 00:35:40.409 --> 00:35:43.599 While Foresthill Telephone, the ones who operate and live 00:35:43.610 --> 00:35:46.909 in this community. Have requested no increase to business 00:35:46.918 --> 00:35:50.619 rates. The increases that the Public Advocate's Office 00:35:50.628 --> 00:35:55.000 is proposing will harm me, my business and my customers. 00:35:55.280 --> 00:35:58.809 I also understand that the Public Advocate's Office 00:35:58.820 --> 00:36:02.320 is opposing fiber installations that Sebastian wants 00:36:02.329 --> 00:36:05.489 to pursue. To upgrade the broadband for Foresthill, 00:36:05.628 --> 00:36:09.639 our rural area should not be left behind. Why would 00:36:09.648 --> 00:36:12.820 the Commission oppose Foresthill's proposal to install 00:36:12.965 --> 00:36:16.144 modern infrastructure. That would benefit our community 00:36:16.155 --> 00:36:19.753 in far reaching ways. The Commission should be in favor 00:36:19.764 --> 00:36:23.094 of more fiber installs, not restricting companies from 00:36:23.103 --> 00:36:26.764 pursuing plans. That will put their customers and community 00:36:26.773 --> 00:36:30.523 on par with those in urban areas. Thank you very much. 00:36:32.369 --> 00:36:36.458 Okay, thank you much, much uh Ms. Romero. 00:36:36.458 --> 00:36:40.110 Um, um Operator. Can we have the next caller, please? 00:36:41.300 --> 00:36:44.639 Our next call is uh, Sarah Aldrich. Your line is open. 00:36:46.628 --> 00:36:49.539 Hello, thank you for allowing me time to speak. Uh, 00:36:49.550 --> 00:36:54.510 my name is Sarah Aldrich, A. L. D. R. I. C. H. And 00:36:54.519 --> 00:36:57.090 I'm from Foresthill. I've been a customer of Foresthill 00:36:57.110 --> 00:37:00.878 Telephone Company for 17 years. I'm speaking today 00:37:00.889 --> 00:37:04.199 on behalf of my small rural community. I'm the President 00:37:04.208 --> 00:37:06.789 of our High School Boosters club, and sit on our site 00:37:06.800 --> 00:37:09.610 council. I have two kids who have graduated from Foresthill 00:37:09.619 --> 00:37:11.860 High School and one that is currently still there. 00:37:12.239 --> 00:37:14.789 Our school is a Title 1 school, which means we have 00:37:14.800 --> 00:37:19.099 a high number, about 50%, of low socioeconomic students. 00:37:19.708 --> 00:37:23.179 As we all know, having high speed internet is essential 00:37:23.188 --> 00:37:25.929 to students these days. This school year, I believe 00:37:25.938 --> 00:37:28.599 we had 9 days of school canceled, due to a local 00:37:28.610 --> 00:37:32.500 fire evacuation and several snow days. After COVID, 00:37:32.510 --> 00:37:34.789 I was under the impression that it would be no longer 00:37:34.800 --> 00:37:38.898 necessary for kids to miss school days, under any circumstances. 00:37:38.909 --> 00:37:42.079 As they would be able to log on to their laptop and 00:37:42.090 --> 00:37:45.469 Zoom the school day from home, when necessary. I asked 00:37:45.478 --> 00:37:48.260 about this situation at our school site council meeting. 00:37:49.668 --> 00:37:52.639 And was informed that all families still don't have 00:37:52.648 --> 00:37:56.559 access to internet and/or Wi-Fi. On top of that, I 00:37:56.570 --> 00:38:00.110 understand that the Public Advocate's Office is opposing 00:38:00.119 --> 00:38:03.389 future fiber installations. That were planned to upgrade 00:38:03.398 --> 00:38:06.989 broadband in the community. This would allow more customers 00:38:07.000 --> 00:38:10.280 to receive the benefits of high speed, higher speeds. 00:38:10.938 --> 00:38:14.458 Many of our local students will be put at a disadvantage 00:38:14.469 --> 00:38:17.719 without this upgrade. And I believe these kids should 00:38:17.728 --> 00:38:22.449 be a priority. Thank you. 00:38:22.449 --> 00:38:27.889 Okay. Thank you very much, Ms. Aldrich. Um Operator, 00:38:27.898 --> 00:38:31.840 can we have the next caller, please? Our next caller is 00:38:32.398 --> 00:38:37.619 uh Suzanne Lanfranco, your line is open. 00:38:37.619 --> 00:38:41.050 Thank you. This is Suzanne Lanfranco. Last name L. A. 00:38:41.059 --> 00:38:46.869 N. F. R. A. N. C. O. Calling from Kerman Telephone area. 00:38:47.148 --> 00:38:51.139 We are family and businesses run for the last 80 years. 00:38:51.148 --> 00:38:54.679 And the local economy here in Kerman watching it grow. 00:38:54.978 --> 00:38:58.019 And watching the struggles after COVID and surviving 00:38:58.030 --> 00:39:04.449 through COVID. We are supporting Kerman Telephone, in their 00:39:04.458 --> 00:39:08.369 proposal and securing funds so that we can continue 00:39:08.378 --> 00:39:11.769 to do our broadband. It is crucial and imperative to 00:39:11.780 --> 00:39:17.418 our community. Which is really based off of, I guess. 00:39:17.429 --> 00:39:20.648 Well, for me to say I've watched children suffer through 00:39:20.659 --> 00:39:23.809 COVID, and the number one thing is connection. And if 00:39:23.820 --> 00:39:28.519 we don't have that connection, they will not have education. 00:39:29.228 --> 00:39:32.840 Be able to study, have the opportunities. You're limiting 00:39:32.849 --> 00:39:36.639 their opportunities, if you take that away. We do have 00:39:36.760 --> 00:39:41.340 our um transportation gear which does not take our 00:39:41.349 --> 00:39:45.469 kids to college. So we are very, very much 00:39:45.478 --> 00:39:49.719 in agreement. With spending the funds to make sure we 00:39:49.728 --> 00:39:54.199 have these lines of communication, education and opportunities 00:39:54.208 --> 00:39:57.039 for jobs. In our small community, that our kids cannot 00:39:57.050 --> 00:40:00.599 get out of. So we would ask that you please accept 00:40:00.610 --> 00:40:04.389 the proposal. So we can move forward and grow our community, 00:40:04.398 --> 00:40:08.090 and grow jobs for our children to stay in this area. 00:40:08.139 --> 00:40:11.110 Thank you for your time. 00:40:11.110 --> 00:40:16.030 Okay. Thank you very much, Ms. uh Lanfranco. Um Operator, can we hear 00:40:16.039 --> 00:40:30.949 from the next caller, please? 00:40:30.949 --> 00:40:40.438 Operator? 00:40:40.438 --> 00:40:45.458 I do apologize. Uh, our next caller is Gina Gina Burdine Slaven. 00:40:45.599 --> 00:40:49.728 Your line is open. Thank you. Good evening. My name 00:40:49.739 --> 00:40:53.829 is Gina Burdine Slaven. It's B. U. R. D. I. N. E. 00:40:53.840 --> 00:40:57.800 S. L. A. V. E. N. And I'm here to speak on 00:40:57.809 --> 00:41:00.989 behalf of the seniors in the Kerman community. I work 00:41:01.000 --> 00:41:03.929 for the City of Kerman as a Senior Services Coordinator 00:41:03.938 --> 00:41:06.789 at our local senior center. And every day I speak to 00:41:06.800 --> 00:41:09.599 my seniors and hear the difficulties that they face. 00:41:09.898 --> 00:41:12.188 While many seniors are already living on a low fixed 00:41:12.199 --> 00:41:15.619 income. Struggling to cover the ever increasing cost 00:41:15.628 --> 00:41:19.250 of basic expenses. And any income that can be saved 00:41:19.260 --> 00:41:22.849 has a tendency to go towards unexpected costs. Such 00:41:22.860 --> 00:41:26.320 as medical emergencies, vehicle troubles and household 00:41:26.329 --> 00:41:30.030 repairs. What we would consider inconvenient costs 00:41:30.039 --> 00:41:33.128 can lead to financial disasters for seniors, that are 00:41:33.139 --> 00:41:36.769 hard to recover from. The increase that is being presented 00:41:36.780 --> 00:41:40.489 by the PAO will be a hardship for our local seniors. 00:41:40.530 --> 00:41:43.168 And may lead to seniors questioning whether or not 00:41:43.179 --> 00:41:46.590 to keep a phone line in their home. Having a reliable 00:41:46.599 --> 00:41:49.570 home telephone is vital for a senior citizen, especially 00:41:49.579 --> 00:41:52.458 for those who are homebound with limited mobility. From 00:41:52.469 --> 00:41:55.030 either calling doctor visits, medication refills or 00:41:55.039 --> 00:41:59.090 an emergency. And should be kept as affordable as possible. 00:41:59.570 --> 00:42:01.668 We would like to show our support for the proposed 00:42:01.679 --> 00:42:04.398 dollar increase per month being offered by Sebastian. 00:42:04.938 --> 00:42:07.688 In addition, we believe that the offer to include with 00:42:07.699 --> 00:42:10.349 the service rate, a bundle of calling features would 00:42:10.360 --> 00:42:13.360 benefit our seniors. Especially with the addition of 00:42:13.369 --> 00:42:16.378 the Caller ID. That would greatly assist our seniors 00:42:16.389 --> 00:42:20.570 with recognizing unsafe spam calls. It is my job to 00:42:20.579 --> 00:42:23.199 concern myself with the quality of life for our local 00:42:23.208 --> 00:42:26.159 senior citizens. And I feel that seniors should not 00:42:26.168 --> 00:42:29.159 have to spend their golden years anxious about increases 00:42:29.168 --> 00:42:31.989 to essential services. I would like every senior to 00:42:32.000 --> 00:42:34.829 have that security to realize and focus on their full 00:42:34.840 --> 00:42:43.128 potential as an integral part of our community. 00:42:43.128 --> 00:42:47.860 Okay. Thank you very much. Um Operator, can we have 00:42:47.869 --> 00:42:51.639 the next caller, please? Our next call is Robert uh, 00:42:51.648 --> 00:42:55.769 Frausto, your line is open. Uh yes, it's uh my last name 00:42:55.780 --> 00:42:59.579 is Frausto, F. R. A. U. S. T. O. And I am 00:42:59.590 --> 00:43:02.079 the Superintendent of Kerman Unified School District. 00:43:02.418 --> 00:43:04.628 Uh thank you, Your Honors. For giving me this opportunity 00:43:04.639 --> 00:43:07.340 to address you today. Uh just to let you, I've been 00:43:07.349 --> 00:43:09.219 the Superintendent for Kerman Unified for the last 00:43:09.228 --> 00:43:13.978 15 years. Um, and I'm calling in support of Kerman Telephone. 00:43:14.239 --> 00:43:16.260 Just to give you an idea. I know Foresthill was 00:43:16.269 --> 00:43:19.648 on the phone, and was talking about their free and reduced 00:43:19.659 --> 00:43:22.159 lunch students. Just to give you an idea. Our students 00:43:22.168 --> 00:43:24.949 in Kerman Unified, our free and reduced lunch count is 00:43:24.958 --> 00:43:29.389 89%. So obviously, um this is very important when it 00:43:29.398 --> 00:43:32.469 comes to connectivity for Kerman Unified students. 00:43:32.728 --> 00:43:36.300 To give you an idea when COVID hit, we had um quite 00:43:36.309 --> 00:43:38.228 a quite a few of our students live out in the, in 00:43:38.239 --> 00:43:41.969 the country. And we had big issues with connectivity. 00:43:42.070 --> 00:43:45.429 And obviously working very closely with Kerman Telephone 00:43:45.438 --> 00:43:49.398 um and Miss Armstrong to address those issues. We really 00:43:49.409 --> 00:43:51.938 had no other opportunity or no other option than to 00:43:51.949 --> 00:43:54.449 bring those kids back to school. Even though we weren't 00:43:54.458 --> 00:43:57.199 supposed to do that with COVID. Because we had no way 00:43:57.208 --> 00:43:59.840 of, of having any connectivity with those students out 00:43:59.849 --> 00:44:03.500 in, out in the country. Um so again, um I'm calling 00:44:03.510 --> 00:44:06.228 in support of Kerman Telephone. And really again, 00:44:06.239 --> 00:44:08.989 looking at those students that are in the biggest need, 00:44:09.119 --> 00:44:16.250 that would affect them negatively. Thank you. 00:44:16.250 --> 00:44:20.409 Okay, thank you very much. Um, Mr. Frausto. Um Operator, 00:44:20.418 --> 00:44:23.659 can we have the next caller, please? Uh yes, our next 00:44:23.668 --> 00:44:28.728 call is Margarita Aguilar, your line is open. 00:44:28.728 --> 00:44:33.418 Good evening. My name is Margarita Aguilar, A. G. U. I. 00:44:33.429 --> 00:44:37.599 L. A. R. I am the Information Technology Director for 00:44:37.610 --> 00:44:41.559 Kerman Unified School District. In 2020, Kerman Unified 00:44:41.570 --> 00:44:44.849 was forced to shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 00:44:44.878 --> 00:44:48.010 As the IT Director, I was responsible for providing 00:44:48.019 --> 00:44:50.739 internet access to our students to support California's 00:44:50.750 --> 00:44:53.869 distance learning initiative. Kerman Unified, purchased 00:44:53.878 --> 00:44:56.688 hotspots for our students as a quick and easy solution 00:44:56.699 --> 00:45:00.378 for connectivity. We soon found that there were issues 00:45:00.389 --> 00:45:03.489 with internet speeds and connection stability in some 00:45:03.500 --> 00:45:07.469 areas. In several remote locations, the hotspots could 00:45:07.478 --> 00:45:12.010 not provide any connectivity. In 2021, Kerman Unified 00:45:12.019 --> 00:45:15.300 was approved for the FCC's Emergency Connectivity Fund. 00:45:15.309 --> 00:45:18.119 To help alleviate these issues and close the homework 00:45:18.128 --> 00:45:22.128 gap. The program prompted a partnership between KUSD 00:45:22.139 --> 00:45:26.050 and Sebastian, to provide internet to students. Through 00:45:26.059 --> 00:45:29.059 our partnership, we found that there were areas that 00:45:29.070 --> 00:45:31.610 did not have the infrastructure in place to provide 00:45:31.619 --> 00:45:34.889 connectivity. Many of those areas were the same locations 00:45:34.898 --> 00:45:37.769 where the hotspots did not work. Sebastian quickly 00:45:37.780 --> 00:45:40.179 worked on providing the infrastructure needed to connect 00:45:40.188 --> 00:45:43.639 our families. Since the start of the program, Sebastian 00:45:43.648 --> 00:45:47.320 has provided internet access for approximately 150 00:45:47.329 --> 00:45:51.168 students. As we continue to see growth at KUSD. The 00:45:51.179 --> 00:45:54.418 need for expanded infrastructure required for connectivity 00:45:54.429 --> 00:45:58.050 will rise. Eliminated, eliminating the infrastructure 00:45:58.059 --> 00:46:00.809 budget or raising rates will directly impact Kerman 00:46:00.820 --> 00:46:04.320 Unified students. We would like to show our support 00:46:04.329 --> 00:46:08.329 for Sebastian's proposal. 00:46:08.329 --> 00:46:10.760 Thank you. 00:46:10.760 --> 00:46:16.250 Okay, thank you very much. Uh, Ms. Aguilar. Operator, 00:46:16.260 --> 00:46:20.500 next call please. Our next caller is Linda Geringer, 00:46:21.050 --> 00:46:26.599 your line is open. Good evening. My name is Linda Geringer, 00:46:26.668 --> 00:46:32.119 G. E. R. I. N. G. E. R. Thank you for the opportunity to 00:46:32.128 --> 00:46:36.199 express my opinion. I am a resident of the Kerman area 00:46:36.208 --> 00:46:41.300 for nearly 58 years. My husband and I are in farming 00:46:41.360 --> 00:46:45.789 and we live in the rural area of Kerman. With the broadband 00:46:45.800 --> 00:46:49.938 internet service provided by Sebastian. We are equipped 00:46:49.949 --> 00:46:54.389 to complete forms and communicate by email. We have 00:46:54.398 --> 00:46:58.059 10 megabytes which is enough for our business. But 00:46:58.070 --> 00:47:02.128 Sebastian offers up to 40 megabytes. It is available, 00:47:02.139 --> 00:47:06.639 if needed. Today, most agencies require us to complete 00:47:06.648 --> 00:47:10.679 reports by internet and Sebastian is the only broadband 00:47:10.688 --> 00:47:14.369 provider. The only other solution would be satellite 00:47:14.378 --> 00:47:18.070 and we wouldn't get large megabytes if we needed it. 00:47:18.958 --> 00:47:22.228 Also, I'd like to speak as the former Executive Director 00:47:22.239 --> 00:47:25.418 of the Kerman Chamber of Commerce. I am against the 00:47:25.429 --> 00:47:29.208 increase in phone rates proposed by Cal PA Office, for 00:47:29.219 --> 00:47:32.860 business owners. Cal PA is supposed to be an advocate 00:47:32.869 --> 00:47:36.019 for the people. Business owners have been faced with 00:47:36.030 --> 00:47:40.139 supplies, employment and other price increases recently 00:47:40.179 --> 00:47:43.869 and struggle to make a profit. They don't need an additional 00:47:43.878 --> 00:47:48.340 increase in business expenses. I am in support of Sebastian's 00:47:48.349 --> 00:47:53.090 proposal. Thank you for your time. 00:47:53.090 --> 00:47:58.369 Okay, thank you very much. Uh, Ms. Geringer. 00:47:58.369 --> 00:48:01.760 Um Operator, can we have the next caller, please. Yes, our 00:48:01.769 --> 00:48:05.610 next caller is Ortencia Escamilla, 00:48:05.610 --> 00:48:10.389 your line is open. Thank you. Thank you for this opportunity 00:48:10.398 --> 00:48:16.188 to um, speak. Uh, my name is Ortencia Escamilla. That is 00:48:16.199 --> 00:48:23.909 O. R. T. E. N. C. I. A. E. S. C. A. M. I. L. L. A. 00:48:23.918 --> 00:48:31.188 I have been a resident of Kerman for 50 years plus. 00:48:31.789 --> 00:48:38.639 And, um it now I am a retired citizen with a fixed 00:48:38.648 --> 00:48:43.728 income. And raising rates would really be a hardship 00:48:43.739 --> 00:48:50.168 for myself. And, um I speak for this, all the retired 00:48:50.340 --> 00:48:55.199 um I must say minorities. Because we cannot afford a 00:48:55.208 --> 00:48:59.250 lot of you to raise rates as it is. We just get 00:48:59.260 --> 00:49:06.398 by on what we can. And Sebastian offers so much for 00:49:06.409 --> 00:49:11.489 us. And I just want to say that their customer service. 00:49:11.760 --> 00:49:14.059 Whenever there's a problem, the technicians are on 00:49:14.070 --> 00:49:19.079 call 24/7. And that is very essential for us, because 00:49:19.090 --> 00:49:23.489 sometimes we cannot get out and find other ways to 00:49:23.500 --> 00:49:29.010 service our needs. Uh, personally I speak to them. But 00:49:29.019 --> 00:49:32.820 we um, raising the rates would be a very good, very 00:49:32.829 --> 00:49:36.599 much of a hardship for all of us. And we need the 00:49:36.610 --> 00:49:39.929 upgrade, because all the residential construction is 00:49:39.938 --> 00:49:45.369 going in. It's, it's just essential and so I appreciate 00:49:45.378 --> 00:49:49.239 your um, 00:49:49.239 --> 00:49:54.110 you. Thank you. 00:49:54.110 --> 00:49:58.978 All right. Thank you very much, Ms. Escamilla. 00:49:58.978 --> 00:50:02.570 Operator, can we have the next caller, please? Yes, 00:50:02.579 --> 00:50:06.668 our next caller is Felipa Flores, your line is open. 00:50:09.110 --> 00:50:13.500 Yes, hi good evening. My name is Felipa Flores. That's 00:50:13.510 --> 00:50:19.079 F. E. L. I. P. A. Flores, F. L. O. R. E. S. 00:50:20.878 --> 00:50:24.449 I wanted to thank you for giving me the opportunity 00:50:24.458 --> 00:50:30.628 and the privilege of addressing you. 00:50:30.628 --> 00:50:36.659 These phones are, are lifeline. I'm speaking on behalf 00:50:36.668 --> 00:50:40.840 of the senior community here in Kerman. For my husband, 00:50:40.849 --> 00:50:45.110 myself, and a lot of my friends. And a lot of the 00:50:45.239 --> 00:50:49.398 good citizens that live here. 00:50:49.398 --> 00:50:55.969 Uh, cost increased could really cause us to have, and 00:50:55.978 --> 00:51:00.458 to choose the uh very important things in our lives. 00:51:00.989 --> 00:51:04.628 Either we're going to have to decide whether we want 00:51:04.639 --> 00:51:09.800 to keep our phone or we wanna buy food or we want 00:51:09.929 --> 00:51:13.789 our medical needs to be taken care of. I mean, at this 00:51:13.800 --> 00:51:17.969 point because we're on fixed income. It is truly a 00:51:17.978 --> 00:51:22.030 hardship. Because it, it might not seem like a lot of 00:51:22.039 --> 00:51:26.349 money to you, but it's not just a telephone company. 00:51:26.360 --> 00:51:30.510 That's going to be raising constant. It's everybody 00:51:30.519 --> 00:51:35.679 else. It just seems like anywhere you turn. So having 00:51:35.688 --> 00:51:40.369 another person trying to squeeze out something from us 00:51:40.619 --> 00:51:45.070 is very, very difficult. 00:51:45.070 --> 00:51:51.780 We will, we will have struggles and we will be stressed. 00:51:51.789 --> 00:51:55.398 Which could cause illnesses, you know, just so many 00:51:55.409 --> 00:52:00.349 things. Uh, another thing is 00:52:00.349 --> 00:52:06.628 our phones are, are our life. And for example, have 00:52:06.639 --> 00:52:10.958 you called your grandparents? Have you called your 00:52:10.969 --> 00:52:16.208 elderly auntie? You know, they could be one of just 00:52:16.219 --> 00:52:21.079 like us and would have to possibly disconnect their 00:52:21.090 --> 00:52:24.708 phone. So if you don't call them now, you know what 00:52:24.719 --> 00:52:29.780 one day you might not be able to call them. 00:52:29.780 --> 00:52:35.039 Thank you so much. Have a good evening. 00:52:35.039 --> 00:52:38.099 Okay. Thank you very much, Ms. Flores. 00:52:38.099 --> 00:52:41.199 Operator, do we have um the next caller on the line, 00:52:41.208 --> 00:52:44.849 please? Uh Your Honor. There are no more speakers on 00:52:44.860 --> 00:52:48.360 the public comment telephone line. 00:52:48.360 --> 00:52:53.938 Okay, thank you very much. Um, I want to thank um every 00:52:53.949 --> 00:52:57.409 single caller that we've heard from today. Um, we will 00:52:57.418 --> 00:53:00.949 now take a 5 minute break. Uh, to provide some time 00:53:00.958 --> 00:53:08.059 um, for um any other callers who may want to uh, join 00:53:08.070 --> 00:53:17.110 in. We will reconvene in 5 minutes, thank you. 00:53:17.110 --> 00:53:20.889 Like to thank everybody who provided their oral comments 00:53:20.898 --> 00:53:25.119 here today. If you would like to provide any additional 00:53:25.159 --> 00:53:27.829 uh, 00:53:27.829 --> 00:53:30.989 written comments. You, you may submit those comments 00:53:31.000 --> 00:53:34.500 on the docket card for this 00:53:34.500 --> 00:53:37.750 proceeding. Which can be found at the Commission's 00:53:39.000 --> 00:53:43.489 website. For Foresthill, you can go to 00:53:43.500 --> 00:53:48.329 apps.cpuc.ca.gov 00:53:48.340 --> 00:54:01.208 /c/A2211001. And for Kerman, apps 00:54:01.458 --> 00:54:05.840 .cpuc.ca.gov 00:54:06.090 --> 00:54:14.699 /c/A2211002. 00:54:14.699 --> 00:54:18.219 For assistance with providing additional comments. Please 00:54:18.228 --> 00:54:21.898 contact the Commission's Public Advisors Office at 00:54:21.909 --> 00:54:27.840 public.advisor@cpuc.ca. 00:54:27.849 --> 00:54:31.349 gov 00:54:31.349 --> 00:54:35.389 Commissioner Houck, would you like to make any uh, additional 00:54:35.398 --> 00:54:40.228 comments today? Just want to thank everyone that participated 00:54:40.239 --> 00:54:43.039 and provided public comment this evening. We appreciate 00:54:43.050 --> 00:54:47.079 your time. And thank you to um, both of our Judges. Um, 00:54:47.090 --> 00:54:49.639 this evening court reporters, and all of the Staff that 00:54:49.648 --> 00:54:52.679 made this evening's uh Public Participation Hearing 00:54:52.688 --> 00:54:57.918 possible. Thank you. Okay. Thank you very much, Commissioner. 00:54:58.228 --> 00:55:00.619 This concludes this evening's Public Participation 00:55:00.628 --> 00:55:03.898 Hearing. We will be, we will now go off the record. 00:55:04.559 --> 00:55:05.769 Thank you and goodbye.