USPS Board Of Governors To Meet In Closed Session Jan. 10 and Jan. 11
TIMES AND DATES: 4 p.m., Monday, January 10, 2011; and 9 a.m., Tuesday, January 11, 2011.
PLACE: Long Beach, California, at the Renaissance Hotel, 111 East Ocean Boulevard.
STATUS: (Closed).
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED:
Monday, January 10, at 4 p.m. (Closed)
1. Financial Matters.
2. Pricing.
3. Strategic Issues.
4. Personnel Matters and Compensation Issues.
5. Governors’ Executive Session–Discussion of prior agenda items and Board Governance.
Tuesday, January 11, at 9 a.m. (Closed)
1. Continuation of Monday’s agenda.
CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Julie S. Moore, Secretary of the Board, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington, DC
20260-1000. Telephone (202) 268-4800.
USPS Updates Its Regulations For Conduct On Postal Property
The U.S. Postal Service is updating its regulations concerning Conduct on Postal Property (COPP) to correct or eliminate outdated citations, obviate the need for continuous updates of such citations by harmonizing the regulations with federal law, and make certain other minor, editorial revisions.
The current rules governing Conduct on Postal Property contain a number of outdated or confusing references to nonpostal statutes, and in some cases do not appear to harmonize clearly with Federal law. As discussed in more detail below, this final rule is intended to remedy those shortcomings, as well as make certain minor editorial revisions to the COPP regulations set forth in 39 CFR 232.1.
1. Paragraph (f) Gambling: The prohibition of lottery ticket sales contains an exception for RandolphSheppard vendors. This exception is amended to replace obsolete citations to Postal Service regulations with the statutory basis for the exception contained in the Randolph Sheppard Act Amendments of 1974. Subsection (a)(5) of 20 U.S.C. 107a requires that blind vendors licensed to conduct vending operations on federal property be permitted to sell tickets “for any lottery authorized by State law and conducted by an agency of a State”. This amendment harmonizes Postal Service regulations with the Randolph Sheppard Act by citing 20 U.S.C. 107a (a)(5) as the statutory basis for the exception.
2. Paragraph (m) Nondiscrimination: The nondiscrimination provision is amended to remove inappropriate references to employment policy. The Postal Service has determined that facilities regulations governing public access to and use of Postal Service property are not the appropriate venue for articulating employment policy. This amendment is necessary to eliminate potential conflict or redundancy with regard to employment regulations, and to correct the scope of the nondiscrimination provision of the COPP regulations, which governs the use of Postal Service facilities “of a public nature”.
3. Paragraph (o) Depositing Literature: The exception to the prohibition against depositing literature for posting of notices by U.S. Governmentrelated organizations is amended to correct an outdated citation to title 36 of the United States Code. This amendment is necessary for consistency with title 36, which was revised in 1998 without substantive change (Pub. L. 105225, section 501, 112 Stat. 1253). The amended regulation updates the statutory definition for U.S. Governmentrelated organizations such as the Inaugural Committee, which is currently defined in 36 U.S.C. 501.
4. Paragraph (p) Penalties and other law: The penalty provision is amended to incorporate the procedures for a sentence of a fine under title 18 of the United States Code. This amendment is necessary for consistency with title 18, which authorizes the Postal Service to promulgate regulations for the administration and protection of property under its charge and control and of any persons on such property. 18 U.S.C. 3061. The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (Pub. L. 109435, section 1001, 120 Stat. 3198) contains a penalty provision for violations of such regulations, codified at 18 U.S.C. 3061(c). This penalty provision provides that “a person violating a regulation prescribed under this subsection [authorizing Postal Service promulgation of regulations for the protection of its property and persons on such property] shall be fined under [title 18].” 18 U.S.C. 3061(c)(4)(B). Title 18 sets forth procedures for sentences of a fine for defendants found guilty of a criminal offense. 18 U.S.C. 3571. This amendment harmonizes Postal Service regulations with the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act by citing 18 U.S.C. 3571 as the statutory basis for the penalty provision of the regulations. List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 232
Authority designations (Government agencies), Crime, Federal buildings and facilities, Government property, Law enforcement officers, Postal Service, Security measures.
In view of the considerations discussed above, the Postal Service adopts the following amendments to 39 CFR Part 232:
PART 232[Amended]
1. The authority citation for Part 232 is revised to read as follows:
Authority: 18 U.S.C. 13, 3061, 3571; 21 U.S.C. 802, 844; 39 U.S.C. 401, 403(b)(3), 404(a)(7), 1201(2).
2. In Sec. 232.1, paragraphs (f), (m), (o)(3), and (p)(2) are revised to read as follows:
Sec. 232.1 Conduct on postal property.
* * * * *
(f) Gambling. Participating in games for money or other personal property, the operation of gambling devices, the conduct of a lottery or pool, or the selling or purchasing of lottery tickets, is prohibited on postal premises. In accordance with 20 U.S.C. 107a(a)(5), this prohibition does not apply to the vending or exchange of State Lottery tickets at vending facilities operated by licensed blind persons where such lotteries are authorized by state law.
* * * * *
(m) Nondiscrimination. There must be no discrimination by segregation or otherwise against any person or persons because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or disability, in furnishing, or by refusing to furnish to such person or persons the use of any facility of a public nature, including all services, privileges, accommodations, and activities provided on postal property. * * * * *
(o) * * *
(3) Posting of notices by U.S. Governmentrelated organizations, such as the Inaugural Committee as defined in 36 U.S.C. 501. (p) * * *
(2) Whoever shall be found guilty of violating the rules and regulations in this section while on property under the charge and control of the Postal Service is subject to a fine as provided in 18 U.S.C. 3571 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days, or both. Nothing contained in these rules and regulations shall be construed to abrogate any other Federal laws or regulations or any State and local laws and regulations applicable to any area in which the property is situated. * * * * *
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
DATES: Effective date: December 17, 2010.
source: Federal Register
New Restrictions on Free Post Office Box Service
The Postal Service is adding new restrictions for free Post Office Box Service that would eliminate almost everyone’s eligibility. #3 is why most recipients in rural areas don’t have carrier delivery to start with, eg. unimproved or poorly maintained roadways, unsafe conditions, or other conditions that preclude extension of carrier delivery. ”Other conditions” would encompass nearly everyone not excluded elsewhere.
Don Cheney
Auburn WA
SUMMARY: The Postal Service is revising the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) 508.4.6 to clarify eligibility, to simplify the standards, and to facilitate uniform administration for Group E (free) Post Office (PO) Box service.
DMM 508.4.6.3 Additional Standards for Free PO Box Service
b. Eligibility for Group E PO Boxes does not extend to:
1. Individual tenants, contractors, employees, or other individuals receiving or eligible to receive singlepoint delivery to a location such as a hotel, college, military installation, campground, or transient trailer park.
2. Locations served, or eligible to be served, by centralized delivery or grouped receptacles such as cluster box units, apartment style receptacles, mailrooms, or clusters of roadside receptacles.
3. Locations where town ordinances, private roads, gated communities, unimproved or poorly maintained roadways, unsafe conditions, or other conditions preclude extension of carrier delivery.
http://frwebgate2.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/TEXTgate.cgi?WAISdocID=rluufN/0/1/0&WAISaction=retrieve
USPS Board Of Governors to Meet Next Thursday and Friday
DATES AND TIMES: Thursday, November 11, 2010, at 10:30 a.m.; and Friday, November 12, at 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
PLACE: Washington, DC, at U.S. Postal Service Headquarters, 475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW., in the Benjamin Franklin Room.
STATUS: Thursday, November 11 at 10:30 a.m.–Closed; Friday, November 12 at 8:30 a.m.–Open; and at 11:30 a.m.–Closed
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED:
Thursday, November 11 at 10:30 a.m. (Closed)1. Strategic Issues
2. Financial Matters
3. Pricing
4. Personnel Matters and Compensation Issues
5. Governors’ Executive Session–Discussion of prior agenda items and Board Governance
WASHINGTON — The Board of Governors of the U.S. Postal Service will meet in open session Nov.12 at Postal Service headquarters, 475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW. The public is welcome to observe the meeting beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Ben Franklin Room on the 11th floor. The Board is expected to discuss the following items:
Friday, November 12 at 8:30 a.m. (Open)1. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings
2. Remarks of the Chairman of the Board
3. Remarks of the Postmaster General and CEO
4. Committee Reports
5. Consideration of Fiscal Year 2010 10K, Financial Statements, and Postal Service Annual Report
6. Consideration of Fiscal Year 2011 Integrated Financial Plan
7. Consideration of Final Fiscal Year 2012 Appropriation Request
8. Consideration of Fiscal Year 2010 Comprehensive Statement and Annual Performance Plan
9. Quarterly Report on Service Performance
10. Tentative Agenda for the December 6-7, 2010, meeting in Washington, DC
11. Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors
Friday, November 12 at 11:30 a.m. (Closed–if needed)1. Continuation of Thursday’s closed session agenda
CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Julie S. Moore, Secretary of the Board, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington, DC 20260-1000. Telephone (202) 268-4800.
source: Federal Register
USPS Board Of Governors Agenda For Next Week’s Closed Session
DATES AND TIMES: Tuesday, September 21, 2010, at 10 a.m.; and Wednesday, September 22, 2010, at 8:30 a.m.
PLACE: Washington, DC, at U.S. Postal Service Headquarters, 475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW.
STATUS: Closed.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED:
Tuesday, September 21, at 10 a.m. (Closed)
1. Strategic Issues.
2. Pricing.
3. Financial Matters.
4. Personnel Matters and Compensation Issues.
5. Governors’ Executive Session–Discussion of prior agenda items and Board Governance.
Wednesday, September 22, at 8:30 a.m. (Closed)–if needed
Continuation of Tuesday’s agenda.
CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Julie S. Moore, Secretary of the Board, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L’Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington, DC 20260-1000. Telephone (202) 268-4800.
Julie S. Moore,
Secretary.
source: Federal Register
Postal Regulatory Commission reschedules monthly public session to tomorrow at 11 AM
POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
Sunshine Act Meeting, Public Invited
TIME AND DATE: Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at 11 a.m.
PLACE: Commission Hearing Room, 901 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20268-0001.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED IN PUBLIC SESSION:
1. Review of postal-related congressional activity.
2. Report on international activities.
3. Review of active cases.
4. Report on recent activities of the Joint Periodicals Task Force and status of the report to the Congress pursuant to section 708 of the PAEA.
5. Report on public comments and rate and service inquiries.
6. Report on vacancies and positions recently filled. Chairman’s Closing Remarks for Open Session
……………………
Matters for Consideration in Closed Session
7. Discussion of pending litigation.
8. Discussion of confidential personnel issues involving recruitment.
9. Discussion of contracts involving confidential commercial information
USPS Retracts Increase In Penalties For Violations of Conduct On Postal Property
POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 232
Conduct on Postal Property; Penalties and Other Law
AGENCY: Postal Service.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Postal Service is amending the Code of Federal Regulations to retract an increase in the maximum penalty for violations of the rules concerning conduct on Postal Service property.
DATES: Effective Date: May 20, 2010.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth P. Martin, General Counsel,
Office of Inspector General, (703) 248-2100.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 27, 2010, the Postal Service published an amendment to the Code of Federal Regulations concerning the maximum penalty for a violation of the rules governing conduct on Postal Service property (75 FR 4273). The former rules had established the maximum penalty for a violation as a fine of not more than $50 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days, or both. As revised by that notice, the maximum penalty for a violation was increased to a fine of not more than that allowed under title 18 of the United States Code or imprisonment of not more than 30 days, or both.
Since the publication of this amendment, the Postal Service has determined that it is necessary to revisit this matter, and to re-examine the text of the rule for clarity, specificity, and contractual compliance. For this reason, the Postal Service has determined that it is appropriate to amend the relevant provision once again to re-establish the maximum penalty in effect before the effective date of the previous notice, January 27, 2010.
OPM Proposes Changing FEHBP Open Season To Month of November
From the Federal Register
We are also proposing to change the annual FEHB Program Open Season from the Monday of the second full workweek in November through the Monday of the second full workweek in December, to November 1st through November 30th of each year. We are also adding a new opportunity for eligible employees to enroll in the FEHB Program or to change enrollment from self only to self and family under the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. Finally, we are proposing to allow FEHB plans to offer three options, without the requirement that one of the options be a high deductible health plan.
Change in Dates of Open Season
The current regulations provide for the FEHB Program Open Season to be held from the Monday of the second full workweek in November through the Monday of the second full workweek in December of each year. We are revising the regulations to change these dates to the month of November. Therefore, beginning in 2010, the Open Season dates will be November 1st through November 30th of each year. This will simplify the annual announcement of the time period for Open Season and allow agencies and employees to better plan for the enrollment opportunity since they will know well in advance when it will occur each year.
New Enrollment Opportunities
Public Law 111-3, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Act of 2009 (the Act), enacted on February 4, 2009, allows States to subsidize health insurance premium payments for certain low-income children who have access to qualified employer-sponsored health insurance coverage. FEHB-eligible enrollees who meet the criteria for child health assistance are eligible to receive State premium subsidy assistance payments to help them pay for their FEHB plan premiums. Current FEHB Program regulations already allow an eligible enrollee who loses coverage under the FEHB Program or another group health plan, including loss of eligibility or assistance under Medicaid or CHIP, to enroll or change enrollment from self only to self and family within the period beginning 31 days before and ending 60 days after the date of loss of coverage. The Act provides new opportunities for eligible employees to enroll in the FEHB Program or to change enrollment from self only to self and family when the employee or an eligible family member becomes eligible for premium assistance under CHIP. Employees must request the change in enrollment within 60 days after the date the employee or eligible family member is determined to be eligible for assistance. Employees may make these enrollment changes regardless of whether they are covered under premium conversion (pay premiums with pre-tax dollars).
DATES: OPM must receive comments on or before June 18, 2010.
PRC Notice:Nationwide Change in Frequency of Postal Delivery
“The Postal Service emphasizes that the proposed changes do not affect retail operations.” The change will not take place before October 1, 2010. Interventions are due April 26, 2010.
The Postal Regulatory Commission notice published in the Federal Register :
SUMMARY: The Postal Service has requested an advisory opinion from the Commission on a proposed nationwide change in its longstanding 6-day street delivery operating plan. Under the plan, Saturday street delivery day would be eliminated, except for Express Mail deliveries. Some corresponding changes would be made in related aspects of service and processing. This notice addresses related preliminary procedural steps and announces the Commission’s intention to hold some hearings outside of the Washington, DC area.
DATES: Interventions are due: April 26, 2010; prehearing conference: April 27, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Submit notices of intervention and other documents eletronically via the Commission’s Filing Online system. Commenters who cannot submit documents electronically should contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section for advice on alternatives to electronic filing.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, 202-789-6820 or stephen.sharfman@prc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 30, 2010, the United States Postal Service (Postal Service) filed a request with the Postal Regulatory Commission (Commission) for the Commission to issue an advisory opinion under 39 U.S.C. 3661(c) for the elimination of Saturday delivery.\1\ Section 3661(c) requires that such service changes conform to the policies reflected in title 39 of the United States Code.
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\1\ Request of the United States Postal Service for an Advisory Opinion on Changes in the Nature of Postal Services, March 30, 2010 (Request).
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The Postal Service proposes to eliminate Saturday delivery nationally, except for delivery of Express Mail and delivery to those post office boxes currently providing Saturday delivery. The change will not take place before October 1, 2010. Request at 1, 10. The Postal Service also proposes to eliminate Saturday initial processing of all mail but Express Mail and qualifying destination entry bulk mail. Id. at 1.
The Postal Service bases the Request on its deteriorating financial condition, precipitated by drastic volume decline. Id. at 3-4. If the Postal Service is authorized to make its proposed changes, it claims that its financial condition would be improved by a net of $3.1 billion annually. Id. at 4. The Postal Service summarizes all of its statutory service and financial obligations, and the need for operational flexibility to reduce delivery days to respond to the changing needs of the postal customer. Id. at 9-11.
The Postal Service’s Request is accompanied by 11 pieces of testimony and 12 library references.\2\ The Postal Service states that the service changes in the Request, and the basis thereof, are examined in detail in the Direct Testimony of Samuel Pulcrano on Behalf of the United States Postal Service, March 30, 2010 (USPS-T-1). That testimony indicates that collecting mail from blue street collection boxes will also be eliminated on Saturday, except to collect overflow on an as needed basis. USPS-T-1 at 4, 14. The Postal Service states it has taken stakeholder views into account in planning the Saturday elimination. Id. at 5-6. The Postal Service also claims that it may, on an as needed basis, resume the delivery of packages/parcels during the pre-Christmas rush on Saturdays in December. Id. at 13. The Postal Service emphasizes that the proposed changes do not affect retail operations, some bulk mail processing, and service standards (except for adding a non-delivery day). Id. at 15-16.
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\2\ Two of the library references are provided under seal.
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The Postal Service sets forth the financial context of the Request in the Direct Testimony of Joseph Corbett on Behalf of the United States Postal Service, March 30, 2010 (USPS-T-2). The Postal Service outlines its financial obligations in the face of declining volume and concludes that the current service model is unsustainable. USPS-T-2 at 2-4. The Postal Service also describes the significant cost cutting measures it has implemented in the last few years. Id. at 7-9. The Postal Service concludes that the negative trends in volume and revenue, coupled with a volume dependant network, result in a Postal Service network that is unsustainable. Id. at 17-18. The Postal Service outlines operational issues associated with the elimination of Saturday delivery in the Direct Testimony of Dean J. Granholm on Behalf of the United States Postal Service, March 30, 2010 (USPS-T-3). The Postal Service asserts it can reduce expenditures for carriers and clerks and increase efficiency on other delivery days. USPS-T-3 at 4-5. The Postal Service indicates that perhaps the biggest change for retail customers is that mail accepted on Saturday will not be processed until Monday. Id. at 7-8. The Postal Service states that although it will probably have to change rural routes to adjust to the workload, it intends to adhere to all of its negotiated labor agreement requirements. Id. at 9-10. It also indicates that field managers may have to develop plans to effectively deal with Monday holiday overflow.
Id. at 18.
The Postal Service describes the changes to mail processing in the Direct Testimony of Frank Neri on Behalf of the United States Postal Service, March 30, 2010 (USPS-T-4). The Postal Service describes, generally, how outgoing and destinating mail is processed at a facility. USPS-T-4 at 2-3. It identifies the elimination of all Saturday outgoing mail processing activities, with the exception of Express Mail operations, as the most significant mail processing change. Id. at 8. The Postal Service states that mail in transit between processing facilities will still continue to be processed. Id. at 10. The Postal Service also forecasts mail processing operations that may be reduced to cut costs, and operations that may increase costs on other days as a result of heavier volume. Id. at 17-18.
The Postal Service examines the effect of a reduction in delivery days on the transportation of mail in the Direct Testimony of Luke T. Grossmann on Behalf of the United States Postal Service, March 30, 2010 (USPS-T-5). The Postal Service states that it will realign transportation networks to support a 5-day delivery mail processing and operating environment. USPS-T-5 at 5. The Postal Service estimates cost reduction through a decreased need for surface transportation in a 5-day environment. Id. at 6-12.
The Postal Service presents the methodology that it used to calculate cost savings realized from moving to a 5-day delivery model in the Direct Testimony of Michael D. Bradley on Behalf of the United States Postal Service, March 30, 2010 (USPS-T-6). The Postal Service provides an overview of previous estimates employed by the Commission and the Postal Service to calculate savings from a 5-day delivery environment. USPS-T-6 at 2-3. The Postal Service also states that it discards the volume variability analysis, which generally has formed a basis for cost estimates, because the change to 5-day delivery is an operational change, not a volume change. Id. at 3. The Postal Service examines and quantifies the direct and indirect costs identified in previous witness testimonies, and cost savings resulting from moving to a 5-day environment. Id. at 7-53.
The Postal Service estimates the annualized cost savings, expressed in 2009 dollars, in the Direct Testimony of Jeff Colvin on Behalf of the United States Postal Service, March 30, 2010 (USPS-T-7). This testimony builds on the methods described in USPS-T-6 by applying them to the Postal Service’s costs. USPS-T-7 at 2-3. It develops the calculated net annual savings (after reduction of contribution from loss of volume) and reports the figure as $3.103 billion. Id. at Attachment 3. The Postal Service states that the estimate may be affected by future increases in hourly labor costs, input unit costs, delivery points, and reduced mail volumes. Id. at 17.
The Postal Service provides an overview of the market research activities it conducted to gauge consumer and business impact from a reduction in delivery in the Direct Testimony of Rebecca Elmore-Yalch on Behalf of United States Postal Service, March 30, 2010 (USPS-T-8). The Postal Service describes the qualitative methods it used to garner consumer and business opinion in the form of focus groups and interviews. USPS-T-8 at 4-11. The Postal Service also describes the quantitative research it employed utilizing surveys. Id. at 12-29. The Postal Service attempts to quantify the affect on use of postal products of moving from a 6-day to a 5-day environment. Id. at 30. The Postal Service provides an assessment of the reactions of customers and commercial organizations to the proposed 5-day change and
estimated volume and revenue impact in the Direct Testimony of Gregory M. Whiteman on Behalf of United States Postal Service, March 30, 2010 (USPS-T-9). The Postal Service states that most consumers and small commercial organizations thought that elimination of Saturday delivery would have little impact on their consumer or commercial requirements. USPS-T-9 at 1. The Postal Service also indicates that most respondents thought they would adapt and the adaptation would not be difficult. Id. Quantitatively, the Postal Service estimates the reduction of volume of 0.7 percent, producing a loss of $428 million in revenue. Id. at 2. The Postal Service describes the changes to “start-the-clock” and “stop-the-clock” events used for service performance measurements that would change as a result of 5-day delivery in the Direct Testimony of Thomas G. Day on Behalf of the United States Postal Service, March 30, 2010 (USPS-T-10). The Postal Serve explains that elimination of outbound mail processing on Saturday affects when the “clock starts to run” for service performance standards. USPS-T-10 at 3. Likewise, the elimination of Saturday delivery delays the “stop-the-clock” event for those mail pieces currently being delivered on Saturday. Id. The testimony presents various “start-the-clock” examples for different products the Postal Service offers, and suggests that each may require realignment as a result of moving to a 5-day environment. Id. at 6-9.
The Postal Service describes how it will inform and prepare customers for the implementation of 5-day delivery and related service changes in the Direct Testimony of Stephen M. Kearney on Behalf of the United States Postal Service, March 30, 2010 (USPS-T-11). The Postal Service recognizes that the ability of customers to adjust will depend on the Postal Service’s actions taken to clearly and effectively inform them. USPS-T-11 at 1. The Postal Service states that it will use multiple channels to reach stakeholders and garner feedback, including Customer Advisory Councils, the National Postal Forum, print and broadcast news media, a dedicated micro-Web site, and customer outreach. Id. at 2-7.
The Request, according to the Postal Service, contains changes that will affect every stakeholder, internal and external, of the Postal Service. See id. at 1, 7. The Request and all supporting public materials are on file in the Commission’s docket room for inspection during regular business hours, and are available on the Commission’s Web site at http://www.prc.gov.
Further procedures. Section 3661(c) of title 39 requires that the Commission afford an opportunity for formal, on-the-record hearing of the Postal Service’s Request under the terms specified in sections 556 and 557 of title 5 of the United States Code before issuing its advisory opinion. All interested persons are hereby notified that notices of intervention in this proceeding shall be due on or before April 26, 2010. See 39 CFR 3001.20 and 3001.20a. It is the Commission’s intent to hold hearings for the receipt of evidence in this proceeding.
At this time, the Commission cannot anticipate the duration, or even the exact form, proceedings on this matter will take. Participants who wish to offer their views on these issues may do so in their interventions. Due to the nature of this Initiative, the Commission also will hold public hearings outside of Washington, D.C. Dates and locations of these public hearings will be announced subsequently. The Commission urges participants to carefully consider, prior to the prehearing conference, the justification for any proposed discovery period.
The Commission will hold a prehearing conference in this docket on April 27, 2010 at which these questions will be discussed.
Public Representative. Section 3661(c) of title 39 requires the participation of an “officer of the Commission who shall be required to represent the interests of the general public” in these proceedings. Patricia A. Gallagher, Kenneth Moeller, and Larry Fenster are designated to serve as Public Representatives to represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding. The foregoing Public Representatives shall direct the activities of Commission personnel assigned to assist them and, at an appropriate time, shall provide the names of these employees for the record. Neither the Public Representatives nor the assigned personnel shall participate in or advise as to any Commission decision in this proceeding, other than in their designated capacity.
It is ordered:
1. The Commission establishes Docket No. N2010-1 to consider the Postal Service Request referred to in the body of this order.
2. The Commission will sit en banc in this proceeding.
3. Notices of intervention are due no later than April 26, 2010.
4. A prehearing conference is scheduled for April 27, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., in the Commission’s hearing room.
5. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505 and 3661(c), the Commission appoints Patricia A. Gallagher, Kenneth Moeller, and Larry Fenster to represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding.
6. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this notice in the Federal Register.
By the Commission.
Shoshana M. Grove,
Secretary.
source: Federal Register
Postal Regulatory Commission’s Monthly Meeting
The POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION meets the first Wednesday of each month at 11:00 a.m. in the Commission’s Main Conference Room, 901 New York Ave., NW, Suite 200. The public is invited to attend
TIME AND DATE: Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 11 a.m.
PLACE: Commission hearing room, 901 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20268-0001.
STATUS: Parts of this meeting will be open to the public. The rest of the meeting will be closed to the public. The public session will be podcast.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED IN PUBLIC SESSION:
1. Review of Postal-related Congressional Activity
2. Report on International Activities
3. Review of Active Cases
4. Report on Public Communications regarding the Nature of Service Inquiry
5. Report on Status of a Special Study, pursuant to Section 802(c) of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA) of 2006, addressing the Postal Service’s estimated share of a certain Civil Service Retirement System-related retirement benefit liability
6. Report on Recent Activities of the Joint Periodicals Task Force and Status of the report to the Congress pursuant to Section 708 of the PAEA
7. Report on Status of Internal Evaluation of the Public Representative Function
8. Report on Status of Technical Conference Papers Authored by Staff Chairman’s Closing Remarks for Open Session
Matters for Consideration in Closed Session
9. Discussion of Pending Litigation
10. Discussion of Confidential Commercial Information relative to Potential Commission Contracts
11. Discussion of Confidential Personnel Issues involving Performance Management
source: Federal Register