DATE:	November 17, 2005
TO:	Director, Division of the Commission Clerk & Administrative Services (Bayó)
FROM:	Division of Competitive Markets & Enforcement (Moses, Casey) Office of the General Counsel (Rojas)
RE:	Docket No. 040763-TP – Request for submission of proposals for relay service, beginning in June 2005, for the hearing and speech impaired, and other implementation matters in compliance with the Florida Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991.
AGENDA:	11/29/05 – Regular Agenda – Proposed Agency Action - Interested Persons May Participate
COMMISSIONERS ASSIGNED:		All Commissioners
PREHEARING OFFICER:		Edgar
CRITICAL DATES:		None
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:		None
FILE NAME AND LOCATION:		S:\PSC\CMP\WP\040763.RCM.DOC

 

 Case Background

The Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991 (TASA), Section 427.701, Florida Statutes, established a statewide telecommunications relay system.  This system provides telecommunications service for hearing impaired persons functionally equivalent to the service provided to hearing persons.  

Section 427.706, Florida Statutes, provides for up to 10 members of an advisory committee that assists the Commission with the implementation of the relay system.  The purpose of this recommendation is to appoint a replacement for one of the committee members that resigned.

The Commission has vested authority under Chapter 427, Florida Statutes.

 

 

Discussion of Issues

Issue 1: 

 Should the Commission approve Ms. Julie Church as an Advisory Committee member to replace Mr. Rick Kottler effective October 20, 2005?

Recommendation: 

 Yes, the Commission should approve Ms. Julie Church as an Advisory Committee member to replace Mr. Rick Kottler effective October 20, 2005.  (Moses, Casey)

Staff Analysis: 

 

 Section 427.706(1)(f), Florida Statutes, requires that one person with experience in providing relay services and recommended by the Deaf Service Center Association (DSCA) be on the Advisory Committee.  Mr. Rick Kottler, President of the DSCA has served as that committee member.  However, Mr. Kottler is resigning as a committee member and recommends that Ms. Julie Church of DSCA take his place.  Ms. Church is the Vice President of DSCA, Executive Director of the Deaf and Hearing Connection for Tampa Bay and is on the Coordinating Council representing Parents of Deaf Children.  Her experience should be very beneficial as a member of the Advisory Committee.

Staff supports Mr. Kottler’s recommendation and recommends that the Commission should approve Ms. Julie Church as an Advisory Committee member to replace Mr. Rick Kottler effective October 20, 2005. 

 

 

 

Issue 2: 

 Should this docket be closed?

Recommendation: 

 No, this docket should not be closed.  (Rojas)

Staff Analysis:  This docket should remain open for the duration of the contract period with Sprint as the relay provider.  This docket is used to monitor relay and contract issues that arise during the contract term.