Legislature(2009 - 2010)CAPITOL 17
04/09/2009 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB165 | |
| SB25 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 165 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 25 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 25-RICHARD DEWEY DUVALL FERRY TERMINAL 1:28:56 PM VICE CHAIR JOHNSON announced that the final order of business would be SENATE BILL NO. 25, "An Act naming the South Mitkof Island ferry terminal the Richard 'Dewey' Duvall Ferry Terminal." 1:29:06 PM WESTON EILER, Staff, Senator Bert Stedman, Alaska State Legislature, speaking on behalf of the bill sponsor, Senator Bert Stedman, stated that SB 25 would honor Richard Duvall, a proponent of marine transportation in Southeast Alaska and a long term resident of Petersburg. MR. EILER explained that under AS 35.40.015, the state may name public works infrastructure through an act of the legislature. This authority has been exercised over 40 times in statute. This bill would name the South Mitkof Ferry Terminal in Petersburg in honor of Richard "Dewey" Duvall. Mr. Duvall was an engineer by trade, and promoted improved transportation in Southeast Alaska through his service to the community and as part of the Inter-Island Ferry Authority (IFA). Mr. Duvall served on the Petersburg City Council and was a founding board member of IFA. He was instrumental in the construction of the South Mitkof Island terminal. After the terminal's completion, he served as one of the ticket agents. He recently died and SB 25 would recognize Mr. Duvall's contribution and dedication by naming the terminal in his honor. He mentioned that the bill is supported by the City of Petersburg and the Inter-Island Ferry Authority. 1:31:14 PM MARY SIROKY, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Commissioner, Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF), explained that the fiscal note is for $1.2 thousand for a sign that would be placed on the building. She recalled that recently another bill was passed from the House Transportation Standing Committee with a fiscal note that was substantially larger for a sign to be placed on a bridge. She explained that signs for bridges must have four posts. Thus, the cost is more significant. However, this fiscal note is for a sign that is to be placed on an ATCO building. In the event that a permanent building is erected, any additional signs for the building would be incorporated as part of the cost for the project. 1:32:20 PM REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN asked for the size of the proposed sign. MS. SIROKY answered that the size has not yet been determined. 1:32:40 PM VICE CHAIR JOHNSON remarked that by his calculation the posts would cost $1,600 for the bridge sign. MS. SIROKY agreed that posts are expensive and explained that they must be "breakaway" posts. In further response to Vice Chair Johnson, Ms. Siroky explained that the sign for this building would not have any posts. She passed out photos of the building and the proposed sign. In response to Representative Gruenberg, Ms. Siroky related that she was not certain when a permanent building might be built. She offered her belief that the IFA was currently having problems with ridership. Thus, there are currently not any plans for constructing a building. 1:34:07 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked for clarification about the Inter-Island Ferry Authority (IFA). MS. SIROKY related that the IFA is a ferry authority that was created in statute as a result of significant Southeast community efforts. The IFA then purchased two ferries. One day ferry provides daily service from Prince of Wales Island to Ketchikan. The second day ferry runs from the north Price of Wales Island to the South Mitkof terminal and provides access to Petersburg and Wrangell. REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN concurred with Ms. Siroky. 1:35:33 PM MS. SIROKY offered her belief that the IFA ferry serves the communities of Coffman Cove, Petersburg, and Wrangell. She related her understanding that the IFA has cutback service on the northbound schedule due to local travel reductions. 1:36:03 PM VICE CHAIR JOHNSON asked if the ferry is a private ferry service. MS. SIROKY reiterated that the IFA was created through the statute. REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN elaborated that the IFA was created due to challenges facing the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) to provide adequate service to Southeast communities. He related his understanding that that the ferry schedules had been infrequent and often changed, so the communities served by the AMHS grew quite frustrated. The communities came to the legislature and requested to create an authority which is a quasi-state authority. He related that the IFA Authority is incorporated by the communities of Ketchikan, Hollis, and Coffman Cove. The state funded a day ferry vessel which runs daily. He related that the southern route ridership serves Ketchikan and Hollis. He opined that ridership has stabilized in that route. He related that in the past few years the legislature has appropriated some operating funds to the IFA for the northern route until its ridership is stabilized. He offered that the IFA day ferries take pressure off the AMHS and provide daily service. 1:38:47 PM REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN, in response to Vice Chair Johnson, explained the vessels are small day boats, with small crews, that carry cars and passengers. He offered to request that the IFA present to the committee next year. 1:39:15 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG suggested that the committee may wish to meet in the community or on the ferry to learn more about the AMHS and the IFA. REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN, in response to Vice Chair Johnson, explained that ridership is currently up. 1:40:08 PM MS. SIROKY pointed out that it is appropriate to recognize that the IFA has demonstrated how successful day ferry vessels can be when service is regularly provided. She opined that the IFA has also demonstrated how economical it can be to operate a new vessel. She explained that the AMHS has reviewed the model as it plans for future AMHS day vessels. VICE CHAIR JOHNSON encouraged the AMHS's to use an evaluation process for any new ferries. 1:40:47 PM MS. SIROKY, in response to Representative Gruenberg, explained that the Southeast Transportation Plan includes AMHS day ferries, potentially providing service between Juneau and Hoonah. Currently AMHS vessels run from Juneau to Haines and north to Skagway. She noted the M/V Fairweather also provides service from Juneau to Sitka several times per week. She reiterated the success of the IFA day vessels. 1:41:43 PM VICE CHAIR JOHNSON after first determining no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony on SB 25. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG moved to report SB 25 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. 1:43:19 PM
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