Legislature(1997 - 1998)
04/02/1997 09:12 AM Senate FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SENATE BILL NO. 107
"An Act making and amending capital and other
appropriations and to capitalize funds; and providing
for an effective date."
Co-chair Sharp convened the meeting and noted the only bill
to be heard today was SB 107.
Janet Clarke, Director, Division of Administrative Services,
Department of Health and Social Services was invited to join
the committee. She said that the Johnson Youth Center was
top priority for the Department. An aerial view of the
Johnson Center was provided for the committee to follow
along as explained by Ms. Clarke. It was built in 1980 near
Bartlett Memorial Hospital. Senator Phillips asked why the
Johnson Youth Center was a priority and not McLaughlin. Ms.
Clarke responded by saying there was severe overcrowding in
all facilities, including McLaughlin. However, the Johnson
Youth Center was top priority for several reasons,
including: 1. for all Southeast Alaska the Department only
had an 8-bed facility; 2. children who need long-term bed
space from Southeast Alaska must go to other facilities
which exacerbates the overcrowding; 3. the closer to home
a child is detained the family is more able to be involved
and this reduces recidivism; 4. all necessary support
capabilities are in place at the Johnson Youth Center. She
continued to explain the lay-out of the Center. The support
facility was built in anticipation of having a 20-bed
addition built. It was built based on the McLaughlin Youth
Center design. Even though the bed space at the Johnson
Youth Center was only 8 beds, it has been operating at
double capacity for a couple of years. In January 1997 they
hit an all time high of twenty-six at the Center. She said
the Department would be happy to arrange a tour for the
committee to observe the very small living space and how
awful it was to have to crowd over twenty children into a
space built for eight. Management capabilities are almost
impossible. The situation is occurring at all facilities.
She referred to a ten-year plan of how the department saw
growth being accommodated in youth facilities around the
State. It also included additional beds at McLauglin, a new
facility in Mat-Su, Ketchikan and Kenai. She further
explained the design of the facility based on the design for
McLaughlin. Expanding the Johnson Youth Center would
alleviate overcrowding at other facilities. Something
definitely needs to be done about this crisis.
Co-chair Sharp commented briefly, noting the hearing was on
teleconference. He asked if the facilities were being
hardened up due to the hardened up nature of the juvenile
criminals. Ms. Clarke indicated that a security study had
been done on the Johnson Youth Center. There are existing
funds that would be used for gates or other barriers. The
main concern was of others coming too close to the facility.
There had never been a break-out from the Johnson Youth
Center. She continued on to the next project being Deferred
Maintenance, Renewal, Replacement and Equipment. She noted
the department has its' own problems for deferred
maintenance, same as other departments. Roof repairs need
to be undertaken on six facilities. The main areas of
concern for deferred maintenance were youth facilities and
the public health facilities. Co-chair Sharp asked if there
was required match for federal funds. Ms. Clarke indicated
there was a required match. She said there was no match
specifically for juvenile detention youth facilities but
there was for public health facilities and nurse centers.
The next component was Welfare Reform System Modifications.
It was a $2.9 million general fund project and $1 million
federal participation. The Department was in the middle of
changing eligibility determination on mainframe system and
they need PC based systems. A more user friendly, flexible
system would be available for case managers. This system
would allow the caseworkers to develope more individualized
self-sufficiency plans. Senator Adams asked about the
recommendations from the technology subcommittee chaired by
Senator Parnell. Senator Parnell said there subcommittee
was still working out recommendations.
Ms. Clarke continued on to the next issue of $200,000
(technology issue) to enable the Division of Family and
Youth Services to be able to link to APSIN (Alaska Public
Safety Information Network). This was a recommendation at
the Governor's Conference on Youth and Justice that the link
be developed so information could be shared. This amount
would go to purchase limited software to accomplish that.
Co-chair Sharp indicated that next on the list was Mental
Health and noted that Jeff Jessee, Alaska Mental Health
Trust Authority was available via teleconference in
Anchorage. Ms. Clarke introduced the projects under the
mental health bill and gave a brief description of each.
1. Client Data Integration Project: A data integration
plan was developed by the Department in order to assist in
determining developmental and disabled clients receiving
help from medicaid. Their request was for $375,000 with
$187,500 coming from GF sources and would also be matched
dollar for dollar by the Alaska Mental Health Trust
Authority. They as a partner in the project also want to
know more about their beneficiaries and want integrated data
be pursued. As a result of mutual interest the data
integration plan, done internally, two main recommendations
were made: 1. establish data warehouse; 2. establish
council to set data standards to track individuals. There
were also further recommendations on confidentiality. Ms.
Clarke passed out a supplemental handout to committee
members regarding the operational data systems. The
department feels the system will be useful as budgets become
tight. Resources can be targeted, high cost individuals can
be assessed who are using all of the systems and it is
believed the Department, Mental Health Trust Authority and
the Legislature will have better access to information.
Co-chair Sharp asked how the various sources of data coming
into the warehouse would be directly connected or updated by
batch (weekly, monthly or quarterly basis). Or would it be
simultaneous updating from the various processor sites for
the clients. Ms. Clarke indicated that it would be done on
a once-a-month basis.
2. Hope Cottage Intermediate Care: This was another joint
project with the Mental Health Trust Authority. The request
was for $480,000; $240,000 from AHFC corporate receipts and
$240,000 from the Mental Health Trust Authority receipts.
The Harborview facility and the five units at Hope Cottage
were the State of Alaska Intermediate Care Facilities for
the Mentally Retarded (ICFMR). Hope Cottage believed that
they should complete the closure of their five large homes
in consistency with the closure of Harborview. Last summer
they agreed to decertify the five large group homes and move
the clients into smaller, local homes in local communities.
This is a large risk for Hope Cottage to take on, since
Alaska is the only state that does not have these particular
facilities any more. The facilities serve those individuals
with developmental disabilities. The project will fund
phase II and phase III of Hope Cottage's effort to complete
the whole decertification. In response to a question from
Co-chair Sharp, Ms. Clarke indicated that the homes were in
Southcentral Alaska. Co-chair Sharp continued and asked if
the monies were for closure purposes or would be used for
any enhancement projects. Ms. Clarke said perhaps there
would be some enhancement if a facility were to be purchased
and it would need improvement for sprinkler systems or ADA
alterations. The facilities are private, non-profit.
3. Mental Health Competitive Grants: This was a $300,000
request for mental health competitive grants for all mental
health beneficiaries the trust authority serves for facility
modifications. These would be awarded on a competitive
basis. $150,000 would be from AHFC receipts and $150,000
from the Mental Health Trust Authority. Co-chair Sharp
asked if AHFC ever made the funds available for the
particular purpose before. Ms. Clarke said she was not
aware and perhaps Mr. Jessee could respond.
4. American Disability Act Improvements: She noted when
the ADA came into fruition several years ago there was a lot
of work done to get the sense of what the need was for State
buildings. Department of Transportation and the Department
of Health and Social Services with Mental Health Trust
Authority monies conducted surveys. She noted there was a
report available if the committee was interested. Both
studies were similar and the one from the Department of
Transportation is currently in use. $250,000 is funded
totally from Mental Health Trust Authority receipts. The
projects will be competitively awarded.
5. Competitive Grants for Equipment Purchase: This was
another Mental Health Trust Authority project matched by
themselves. It was for competitive grants for equipment
purchases. $75,000 was from GF and $75,000 from the Mental
Health Trust Authority. It would also be competitively
awarded. It was noted there was a severe need for
specialized equipment.
6. Special Needs Housing Programs: This project has been
funded for the past three years. These were all AHFC
corporate receipts. This project has been very successful
in helping the State with de-institutionalization. In FY
'95 the funds were focused on helping individuals being
relocated into communities from API. In FY '96 and '97
Harborview has been focused on. Homes in Valdez and
Anchorage have been funded in order to move individuals from
API into their local communities. For the future the
department will continue to use this as a means to allow the
individuals with special needs, mental health beneficiaries,
achieve independence. Being able to live independently and
not in a large group institution saves a lot of money. She
noted the four beneficiary groups included; developmental
and disabled individuals, mentally ill, Alzheimer patients,
the elderly and chronic alcoholics with psychosis. Co-
chair Sharp asked who would administer the distribution to
the ultimate users of the $1.8 million. Ms. Clarke
indicated that the department would continue to work with
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation staff in developing a
joint request for proposals that would meet both their needs
and the department's needs. However, the department had
taken most of the lead in responsibility for administering
the request for proposals and grant management. There is a
joint RFP so that individuals only have to deal with one
administrative unit. The Harborview program up until now
has been very individualized. In response to continued
questions from Co-chair Sharp, Ms. Clarke indicated that in
some cases there were purchase of homes that had to be
modified and in other cases some homes were built with
special modifications. It has been a combination of
projects tailored to the specific individual. Co-chair
Sharp further asked what happened to the investments into
the modifications. Ms. Clarke said they have security
arrangements on the properties. Deeds of trust were
initiated on the properties for 20 - 25 years so the State
would continue their interest in the titles for the specific
properties. It would not just be turned over to an
individual. Ms. Clarke indicated that her testimony at this
point was completed.
Co-chair Sharp asked that Mr. Jeff Jessee, Executive
Director, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority offer his
comments on the foregoing.
Jeff Jessee, Executive Director, Alaska Mental Health Trust
Authority testified via teleconference from Anchorage. He
noted two specific components not with the Department of
Health and Social Services.
1. Competitive Grant for Beneficiary Transportation and
Vehicles: This was a $150,000 capital increment through
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities who is
the administering agency. He said the trustees were looking
at special needs transportation. Individual, non-profits or
local governments could purchase accessible vans, but the
use was restricted to the clientele of the particular
agency, creating cost inefficiencies. Vehicles are sitting
for large amounts of time, maintenance, operating and
insurance costs are maximized. The Trust Authority has
worked with the Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities, including leveraging some federal funds to
develope an integrated transportation plan for local
communities. The program assists communities in
inventorying the transportation resources they have for
individuals with special needs, look at how they can
develope centralized maintenance, dispatch, pool for
liability insurance purposes and a reduction of benchmarks.
Those they were looking at were the number of trips per
vehicle per day, trying to increase the utilization of the
vehicles that were purchased; and decreasing the cost per
trip for each individual served. They do recognize some
communities were not ready for such integration. There was
also expectation that some of the funds would be used to
purchase vans to replace aging vans or to meet existing
needs.
2. Completion or Renovation to the Sitka and Palmer Pioneer
Homes Dementia Units: This was under the Department of
Administration. It was a matching program to upgrade
treatments and facilities to deal with Alzheimer's disease.
The $105,000 was the amount needed to complete the
renovations.
(Tape #72 switched to side 2.)
Mr. Jessee further continued saying the trustees feel the
project is important because it insures public policy
development around the mental health program and the
expenditure of funds for the development of that specific
program, whether they be general funds, trust funds or AHFC
funds, are part of an overall public policy strategy
developed jointly between the entities. Rather than the
trust trying to fund some things, the Legislature funding
some other things, that may not be integrated or even
compatible, they feel that approaching these projects in a
matching way is very effective in keeping us all moving down
the same track.
He commented on the ownership of either the modifications
facilities or other things being done with the capital
money. This was an issue of significant interest to the
trustees. In FY '97 they funded the entire Chugiak Senior
Day Care Center, a capital project. The issue of who owns
the facilities is very important. because both the State
and the Trust Authority have invested very large sums of
money in the projects.
Mr. Jessee also responded to a very controversial component,
the Americans With Disabilities Act Modification. It is
entirely funded through Trust income even though many feel
that these modifications are a State responsibility since
they do grant funds to the providers. The reason the Trust
agreed to put the money forward was because the State had
not been doing anything to meet the vast majority of the
Americans With Disabilities Act issues that are pending.
Mostly these are very basic kinds of access modifications,
i.e.; a ramp to get into a building, doors that are
wheelchair accessible. The final controversial component he
commented on was the Special Needs Housing Program. They
were in the process of hiring a contractor to assist
trustees to make better use of Trust income with AHFC
funding capacity to access housing for low income
beneficiaries and their families. They want the
beneficiaries to be able to lead independent lives in the
community and not be dependent on governmental services or
expenditures from either the general fund or the Trust.
It has been learned that the provision of affordable, safe,
accessible housing is often very much the difference, along
with health coverage, in getting individuals with
disabilities to live a more independent life.
Co-chair Sharp asked Mr. Jessee's comments on the $460,000
contract with the Department of Natural Resources for mental
health capital trust land office. Mr. Jessee said they
contracted with the Department of Natural Resources to
basically provide our management of the trust lands. In
doing so, the land office periodically comes upon parcels of
trust land which need enhancement to become marketable.
That may include laying out a subdivision project, looking
at timber areas and developing strategic sale program,
perhaps additional funds to get trust assets in a posture
that revenue can be maximized through management by the land
office. The capital appropriation was designed to enable
the land office to seek professional services or otherwise
enhance the assets and develope them so revenue can be
maximized from them. It was also mentioned that committee
members could see in the supplemental budget $150,000 in
capital appropriation to the land office specifically for
API. This is to take a specific look at where the land and
building issues stand at the facility in order to develope
an implementation package by the time the trustees make
budget recommendations in August and September in order to
get the project underway once again.
Co-chair Sharp thanked Mr. Jessee and there being no
questions by committee members he introduced the Department
of Fish and Game.
Kevin Brooks, Director, Division of Administrative Services,
Department of Fish and Game was invited to join the
committee. He briefly explained the following ten
projects included in the Governor's Capital Budget; three
from the general fund totalling $785,000 and the ten
projects in total equal $4.125 million.
1. Statewide Facilities Repair, Maintenance & Replacement:
This was $400,000 general fund and is the department's
number one priority. There are over forty facilities around
the State, including bunkhouses, offices, laboratories,
cabins, workshops, warehouses coming under deferred
maintenance. He noted an alphabetical listing of the
projects that was attached to the request.
2. Fisheries Resource Assessment Vessels & Aircraft
Maintenance and Repair: He noted this was the department's
second priority and was for the commercial fisheries
management and development division in the amount of
$275,000 general fund. The division operates six research
vessels and four aircraft. The request was specifically
for the vessels to be maintained in a safe operating
condition.
3. Statehood Defense: This was $110,000 general funds for
a project in the Commissioner's office. The department
provides technical assistance to the Department of Law in
statehood defense litigations. We participate in Columbia
Basin Salmon Recovery projects which includes increasing
efforts towards potential and dangerous species listing of
salmon resulting from dams in the Pacific Northwest. He
further referred to several sub-projects within the request.
Co-chair Sharp asked if this was mainly personnel and Mr.
Brooks indicated that it was about three-fourths personnel
and the rest was related to the citizen's advisory council.
Both councils are supported by the department and have been
very effective in Washington, D.C. concerning changes in the
Magnuson Act and other federal legislation. Senator
Phillips asked why this was considered a capital project
versus an operating since three-fourths of it is personnel
and not structures and buildings. Mr. Brooks said the
department had attempted in the past to include this request
in the operating budget however it was not accepted. It was
not in the Governor's FY '98 request. Senator Phillips said
it seemed to not be a very high priority. Mr. Brooks said
it was not in the operating budget primarily because it was
a separate, specific project. Co-chair Sharp asked if there
was a capital component for this project funded last year.
Mr. Brooks said there was and last year, along with other
numerous projects the administration included this one in
the operating budget. On closing date of the session it was
deleted. It has, however, been in the budget since FY '93.
It has been stripped down to a bare bones effort at this
point. There is no new capital or operating for FY '97.
4. Maintain Research Survey and Support Aircraft: This is
for wildlife conservation. Seventy-five percent is federal
funds and twenty-five percent is Fish and Game funds. The
division operates six aircraft and he noted his comments to
coincide with the previous project. He did say there was
also a $2 million charter that was used during the year.
Co-chair Sharp asked if this was used only by Wildlife
Conservation and Mr. Brooks indicated that was correct.
5. Survey and Catalog All Anadromous and High Value
Resident Fish Streams: Mr. Brooks said that under Title 15
the department was required to catalogue anadromous fish
streams. Currently there are fifteen thousand streams in
the catalogue, which is estimated to be fifty percent of the
total fish bearing streams. The department could basically
renew efforts to get remaining fish streams catalogued and
would primarily affect the Upper Cook Inlet area. It is
important to accomplish this because of the Department of
Transportation and certain road and logging concerns. Co-
chair Sharp asked if this was AIDEA monies and Mr. Brooks
indicated that it was.
6. Sikusuilaq Hatchery Contaminated Site Clean-Up: The
department operated a hatchery in North Kotzebue up until
two years ago. It was on a lease site and a diesel leakage
and soil contamination has been identified. The State is
responsible for the contamination and must clean up the site
and return it to it's original state. Senator Phillips
asked if this was a private hatchery and Mr. Brooks
indicated that the State constructed and owned the hatchery
but it was built on private land. They were involved in a
long-term land lease with the owner. Senator Phillips asked
if the State was responsible for this and Mr. Brooks said
the Sate was. Senator Phillips also asked if the State had
any other hatcheries and Mr. Brooks said there were three
other hatcheries under the Sport Fish division. In response
to further concerns of Senator Phillips, Mr. Brooks said
that at all of the sites above-ground tanks were being put
in, containment dikes around the tanks, and the technology
and planning on the projects has been improved.
7. Public Access Development (sport fish): This project
totals $2.2 million; seventy-five percent federal aid funds
and twenty-five percent Fish and Game funds. It is required
that twelve and half percent of the available federal funds
be used for public access development projects. These are
specifically for boat ramps and launch sites in order to
enhance access for sport fishing around the State. Senator
Torgerson asked if after the access was developed was it
transferred to the Division of Parks to operate. Mr. Brooks
said they often work with the local governments,
municipalities and boroughs and they will often run the
sites. They are not transferred to the Division of Parks
and the Department of Natural Resources is not running them.
There are concession agreements to cover operating costs.
In further response to Senator Torgerson, Mr. Brooks said he
would provide a list of enhancements. Senator Torgerson
said he was particularly interested because he mentioned at
the last committee meeting that the Division of Parks was
threatening to shut down ten campgrounds and eight accesses
to boat launches. He suggested the committee get together
with Department of Fish and Game and the Division of Parks
and decide what was going to be built and what was going to
be maintained. Mr. Brooks said he would provide a list as
requested. The Department of Fish and Game does work
closely with the Department of Natural Resources. Senator
Phillips concurred with the request of Senator Torgerson and
asked the list be provided to all committee members. Mr.
Brooks indicated that it was a federal requirement that each
site developed has access and all precautions are taken to
make sure they can be maintained in an ongoing basis.
Senator Torgerson suggested that some of that strategy be
transferred over to the Division of Parks. Mr. Brooks
continued.
8. Hunter Education Electronic Shooting System: This was a
request for $80,000; $40,000 federal funds and $40,000 Fish
and Game funds. It would purchase two portable electronic
firearm training systems. He said the system was also used
by the military. It fires a light beam rather than
ammunition and enables the hunter education instructors to
teach in a safe environment. In response to Senator
Phillips, the department would purchase two of these systems
to be located at Rabbit Creek Rifle Range and would be
available statewide.
Mr. Wayne Regelin, Director, Division of wildlife
Conservation was invited to join the committee. He
explained further the electronic shooting system. They are
encompassed in a trailer and can be moved around. Once the
facility is built in Fairbanks there will be one located
there.
9. Sport Fish Hatchery Repair, Renovation and Maintenance:
This was for $200,000; 75% federal funds and 25% Fish and
Game match. It was separated from the main repair and
maintenance requests because it was specifically related to
the sport fish hatcheries at Elmendorf and Ft. Rich. Co-
chair Sharp asked that it be confirmed the project was a
critical one, specifically the fish transport equipment. He
was concerned because the Clear hatchery was to be closed.
Mr. Brooks said he would provide the requested information.
10. South Denali Wildlife Studies: This was for $160,000;
$80,000 Fish and Game funds and $80,000 AIDEA funds. He
said wildlife gathering activities would be studied near the
head waters of the Tok-Susitna River and the Denali National
Park. Denali was the proposed site for a visitors' center
and the department wanted to make sure of the least possible
impact to the wildlife population in the area. Co-chair
Sharp asked if this was all State Fish and Game funds and
Mr. Brooks indicated that it was license fees. Mr. Regelin
said federal aid funds were not included because these were
primarily impact-related studies. Since this was a short
term project there were adequate funds with the Department
of Fish and Game. No separate contract would be set up
through the federal aid project. It was required by law to
match 1 - 3. Presently it was at 50/50 which was
overmatched. Mr. Brooks said the department was drawing
down the maximum allowable federal dollars under the federal
aid contracts.
Co-chair Sharp thanked Mr. Brooks and Mr. Regelin. He then
introduced the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs.
Nico Bus, Budget Co-ordinator, Division of Administrative
Services, Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs was
invited to join the committee. He reviewed the following
projects.
1. Youth at Risk: This was a $1 million request project to
set up a like Anchorage program for the Bethel area to deal
with the Yukon-Kuskokwim youth. This project would be in
connection with the Youth Conservation Corps. They would
also request federal funding for this pilot project.
Senator Torgerson asked how many youth this would involve
and Mr. Bus said this would be on a smaller scale involving
about 40 - 50 youth. He indicated that it would be
approximately $20,000 - $25,000 start up costs. Senator
Torgerson asked how much federal funding was being
requested. Mr. Bus said that $500,000 was requested. They
would look at facilities available either to purchase or
lease. For $1 million a facility could not be built.
Senator Phillips asked why Bethel was chosen rather than
Southeast, Barrow or the Aleutian Chain. Mr. Bus said the
Bethel area was chosen in order to serve better the youth in
areas other than urban Alaska. They are trying to keep the
youth in the Bethel area, their familiar surroundings.
2. National Warning System Upgrade: This would convert the
Division of Emergency System communication capability with
twenty-seven communities. The overall project was for
$220,000 to convert nine projects and allow them to do data
communications and transfer files. It would provide
software for those nine communities.
3. Juneau Armory and Organizational Maintenance Sh op
Design and Construction: This was $120,000 for the Juneau
Armory. This was the last part of the site preparation and
design phase. The Juneau Armory presently consists of two
buildings which are on Mental Health land property. The
land exchange was just completed with the City and the
armory site would be moved to Mile 7.
4. Deferred Maintenance: This was $100,000 for emergency
repairs. There was a significant back-log in deferred
maintenance and this amount would be the bare minimum
needed.
5. Fairbanks Armory Expansion: This was basically the same
as the Juneau Armory. It was $100,000 for site preparation
and $600,000 for engineering.
6. Bethel Army Aviation Operating Facility, Phase II
Construction: This was for $125,000 for site preparation
and construction phase with corresponding increase of
federal funds of $4.6 million. Senator Torgerson asked
about the matching federal funds $600,000 for Fairbanks and
only $125,000 for Bethel. Mr. Bus said this was a different
facility and concerned also the kind of operation of the
facility. He further noted this project was in phase II.
$6.3 million was already on the books for this project.
They do not anticipate coming back next year and asking for
more GF funds on this project.
7. Emergency Wireless Communication: It would provide
emergency communication independent of commercial or state
networks. Presently commercial operators are depended upon
to provide telephone services. This project would spend
$157,300 to purchase four wireless repeater receivers and
would allow independence in case of emergency from
commercial operators. They would be centralized at one
headquarter to provide this independent service.
8. Ft. Rich Combined Support for Maintenance Shop and
Facilities: The facility currently located on Tudor Road
would be moved to Fort Richardson. This was $1.5 million
State funds and $11.4 million federal funds.
(Tape #72 changed to #73.)
9 & 10. Ft. Rich Army Storage Building Design and Wasilla:
The last two projects were 100% federal funded project to
replace the storage buildings. Ft. Rich was $835,000 for
three buildings and Wasilla was $275,000 for one building.
Co-chair Sharp thanked Mr. Bus. He reviewed the schedule
for tomorrow indicating that 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning HB
58 would be heard followed by SB 107.
ADJOURNMENT
Co-chair Sharp adjourned the meeting at 10:45 a.m. until
tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m.
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