Legislature(2007 - 2008)SENATE FINANCE 532
02/25/2008 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB223 | |
| SB224 |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 223 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 224 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 236 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 223
"An Act providing for and relating to the issuance of
general obligation bonds for the purpose of paying the
cost of a scientific crime detection laboratory; and
providing for an effective date."
JOHN GLASS, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
SAFETY, related that the bill seeks funding through general
obligation bonds for a state crime lab. In 2004-5 the
legislature appropriated $4.8 million for the review design
and construction of a scientific crime lab. Based on that
legislation, the Department of Transportation and Public
Facilities (DOT) contracted with Livingston Sloan and
Associates, an architecture firm in Anchorage, who
subcontracted to a firm from Virginia, McClaren, Wilson, &
Lowrie, who put together a proposal for a crime lab into the
future. The plan came back as an 83,000 square foot
building to house current and future needs.
Mr. Glass reported that the 14,000 square foot current crime
lab was built in 1986 to house 14 people. It now houses 41
people. With the onset of DNA testing in 1994, the work
load increased exponentially. The crime lab is only able to
process 350 of 1,000 DNA samples each month, due to a lack
of space.
Mr. Glass noted that 34 properties in Anchorage were
evaluated resulting in 15 acres of land just west of the
current crime lab being selected.
9:11:28 AM
Senator Elton said he was convinced of the need for the
facility. He requested more information about how the
square footage and the price tag for the lab were decided.
Mr. Glass explained that McClaren, Wilson, & Lowrie made
those determinations. It would take 57,000 square feet to
meet today's needs; however, the plan is to build for the
future and for expected expansion. Senator Elton asked who
McClaren, Wilson, & Lowrie are. Mr. Glass reported that
they are an architectural firm specializing in the design of
crime labs. The forensic lab supervisor, Orin Dym, has
participated with Mr. Lowrie in two crime laboratories built
in Arizona. The staff at the crime lab has also contributed
to the design plan.
Co-Chair Stedman asked for more information about the $1,000
per square foot cost.
9:14:38 AM
MATT TANAKA, ENGINEER, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONS,
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES, replied
that the $1,000 figure is the project cost and excludes site
development and lab equipment costs. The cost per square
foot from $1,000 - $1,300 for laboratories is because they
are full of equipment and very dense.
Co-Chair Stedman asked if there were any overlap of services
from the Fairbanks Virology Lab. Mr. Glass explained that
anything that could be done in the virology lab is already
being done in the crime lab. The science criteria are
different in a virology lab.
Co-Chair Stedman asked about the possibility of a phased
construction plan with the current facility. Mr. Glass
pointed out the increased costs of $6 to $10 million a year
for delaying construction with a phased plan. The current
construction is a 3.5 year plan. He explained how a piece
of evidence moves between labs within the building. Moving
evidence from one building to another brings up cross
contamination and custody issues.
9:17:45 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman asked about the Division of Elections
fiscal note #1. He wondered if the only public information
for about the project would be contained in the election
pamphlet at the cost of $1,500. He asked if there were any
other efforts to convince the general public that the
facility is needed. Mr. Glass replied that there would be
additional presentations to the public. Co-Chair Hoffman
asked if those expenditures were within the Department of
Public Safety budget. Mr. Glass said yes. Co-Chair Hoffman
asked which communities would have presentations. Mr. Glass
offered to go to as many places as he could because he
strongly believes in the need for a new crime lab. Co-Chair
Hoffman thought there needed to be a broad base of support
for the project.
9:20:12 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman asked about operational costs to maintain
the facility. Mr. Glass reported that he only has a rough
estimate of those costs based on the two current state labs;
$1.3 million per year. Co-Chair Hoffman asked if there
would be a need for more than the current number of
positions. Mr. Glass noted that currently there were 41
positions, with the possible addition of only one more
maintenance position.
Co-Chair Stedman wondered why there was a need for more
square footage, but not for more employees. Mr. Glass
explained that 41 employees are working in a 14,000 square
foot building. They will move into a facility with 83,000
square feet. He described the currently crowded conditions.
He referred to a bill from last year which allocated five
new DNA analysts. Down the road more disciplines will be
added. Toxicology is currently being outsourced to
Washington.
Co-Chair Stedman concluded it was a six-time increase in
square footage. He wondered how to sell that concept to the
public. He asked about the need for such a large expansion
and requested more information about what would happen to
the old crime lab building. Mr. Glass reported that the
existing facility would be converted to office space,
preferably for the department. The current building does
not handle the large amount of heat generated well. He
described how cramped the current space is. The garage for
processing vehicles is very crowded and requires moving
items out of the way in order to examine a vehicle.
9:26:16 AM
Senator Olson wondered about locating the crime lab in a
less expensive area of the state, such as Kenai. Mr. Glass
reported that other areas had been considered; however,
Anchorage is the center of transportation. Mr. Glass shared
that 72 percent of the crime lab business is from Anchorage,
and involves custody issues. The department is working
through the Heritage Land Bank to purchase 15.3 acres of
land on a 40-year lease at no cost to the state.
Senator Olson asked what portion of the evidence is time
sensitive and needs to be close to the airport. Mr. Glass
said it is more a matter of convenience. He gave an example
of bringing evidence from Nome and the potential difficulty
of transporting it to places other than Anchorage. Senator
Olson thought it would be cheaper to fly to Kenai than to
drive there.
9:29:41 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman asked about page 2, section 3 of the bill
regarding the amount referred to in the fiscal note. It
says there will be a laboratory project fund of $100 million
and up to $6 million in anticipated investment earnings. He
wondered if it is the intent that the $100 million would be
set up in an investment account once the bonds were sold
and, before the construction commences, the department would
earn $6 million. He questioned if it is $6 million above
and beyond the $100 million. Mr. Glass replied that the $6
million would be in addition to the $100 million. Co-Chair
Hoffman said the fiscal note was not correct. Mr. Glass
explained that the fiscal note is correct in that $100
million is requested and $6 million is interest. Co-Chair
Hoffman clarified that the interest on $100 million would be
$6 million in investment earnings. Mr. Glass said that is
what is anticipated. Co-Chair Hoffman asked how long it
would take to earn the $6 million. The fiscal note states
that there would be approval by November 2008 and the debt
service would commence by 2010, which would allow
approximately two years to construct the funds. He
requested a time table as to how the money would be
invested.
9:32:37 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman asked if $100 million would include
necessary equipment. Mr. Glass said it would.
Senator Thomas asked if the building is a re-creation of the
other two previous designs with savings in mind. Mr. Tanaka
related that it is the third project he has managed in
Alaska. He explained that there are some commonalities
between the labs, but crime labs are very specific in their
needs and require custom design. He said reported on how
the crime lab was designed with the expertise of Bill
Lowrie.
Senator Thomas asked if a crime lab worked well in another
state, would it be possible to eliminate some of the design
work for an Alaskan model. He asked if the design cost is
about 10 percent of the total project. Mr. Tanaka agreed
that it was about 10 percent. He explained what the design
work entails. He assured the committee of the design team's
credentials.
Senator Thomas asked where DNA is handled now and how much
it costs.
ORIN DYM, FORENSIC LAB MANAGER, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY,
explained that all DNA criminal casework is done in the
crime lab. The database samples have been outsourced;
however, with the HB 90, those will be moving in house. The
staff is currently 41 people with the need for one more
custodial position. Over twenty years the staff would
increase to 62 employees.
9:38:46 AM
Senator Olson asked about the $4.8 million allocated for
design money. Mr. Tanaka replied that money was part of
project costs. The money requested in the current bill is
for completion of the design and construction of the
building.
Senator Elton asked how the cost per square foot compares to
the DEC lab cost. He wondered if the people involved in the
design of the crime lab are involved in the design of the
DEC lab. He mentioned several problems with the DEC lab
design. Mr. Tanaka said he was the project manager of the
DEC lab and the virology lab. The same architect,
Livingston Sloan was used for both of those labs as well as
for the Public Health Lab Medical Examiners facility. He
reported on the risks and problems in designing complex
labs. He described a high rate of confidence in his team.
Senator Elton requested the cost per square foot of the DEC
lab. Mr. Tanaka reported that the DEC lab cost about $950
per square foot, the virology lab cost $1,140 per square
foot, and the crime lab will cost about $1000 per square
foot. The differences in cost are not that significant.
The DEC and virology lab costs were based on market prices
and based on real construction dollars. He further
explained how the figures were determined for the crime lab.
9:43:47 AM
Co-Chair Stedman requested a written response to Senator
Elton's question regarding financial comparisons of the
projects, including beyond square footage costs and
contingency numbers.
Senator Thomas asked if the project was out to bid and how
contractors were selected. Mr. Tanaka replied that they are
using a project delivery system called the construction
management general contractor approach which involves
competitive solicitation nationally. Contractors are
brought on as an advisor during the design phase. They are
currently in the schematic design phase - about 25 percent
complete. The contractors, architect, and engineers base
costs on a partially completed design. The contractor is
retained as a part of the team through completion.
Co-Chair Stedman asked what has been appropriated so far.
Mr. Tanaka replied that a $4.8 million appropriation was
made for the planning phase with the intent to apply for a
supplemental request. Co-Chair Stedman summarized that $4.8
million was appropriated in 2006. He asked what the balance
was. Mr. Tanaka reported that there was about $3 million
left. Co-Chair Stedman thought the appropriation was
charitable. Mr. Tanaka emphasized that it all would be
needed. Co-Chair Stedman asked about the supplemental
appropriation request. He corrected that it was just an
appropriation. Mr. Tanaka said that was correct; it is an
appropriation to finish the project.
9:48:39 AM
Co-Chair Hoffman asked about plans for the existing
facility. Mr. Glass explained plans to move the department
into the space for several purposes: a sexual offender
registration office, Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Board,
and an investigative unit. He explained the amount of foot
traffic associated with the ABC Board. A university lab has
also been considered. The building belongs to the
Department of Public Safety. Co-Chair Hoffman asked if
there would be costs for renovation for the use described.
Mr. Glass said there would be, but he could not provide
specific details about costs.
Co-Chair Hoffman asked about the possibility of a long-term
lease rather than purchasing the land. Mr. Glass replied
that the Bureau of Land Management has given the land to
Anchorage and there are federal requirements.
9:51:40 AM
Co-Chair Stedman asked about the 40-year lease contingency
plan. Mr. Glass said that there are several contingency
plans. One is a 10-year reopener. Currently, there are no
charges for laboratory services. Nationwide no agencies
charge for state services. Mr. Glass maintained that he
does not want the state to be stuck with charging for lab
services. A 10-year reopener would address that. The 40-
year lease is a long term lease with options after that,
such as two 10-year options or two 20-year options. This is
still being negotiated with the Department of
Administration.
Senator Thomas asked how big the property is. Mr. Glass
said 15.3 acres. Senator Thomas asked about any plans for
intervention to prevent crime. Mr. Glass agreed that there
needs to be more prevention. He pointed out that DNA
testing also releases innocent people.
9:55:28 AM
JERRY BURNETT, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, in response to a question
from Co-Chair Stedman, explained that the $1,000 request is
for paperwork and analysis.
SB 223 was heard and HELD in Committee for further
consideration.
9:56:53 AM
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