Legislature(2001 - 2002)
04/26/2001 03:40 PM Senate STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SJR 27-NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY IN JUNEAU
JESSIE KIEHL, staff for Senator Elton, extended the Senator's
regrets for missing the meeting. The resolution expresses the
legislature's support to the federal government for the new
National Guard Armory facility in Juneau. The current armory must
move because it sits on Alaska Mental Health Trust land and they
plan to redevelop the property. The guard proposes working with the
University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) on a joint facility that will
meet many recreational needs for the university and the guard's
needs for a mustering and training facility. It would be cost
efficient to have a joint facility.
The federal reviewing and scoring process for this and other
similar projects begins soon. Although this project stands an
excellent chance for approval, an expression of legislative support
would improve its chances.
CHAIRMAN THERRIAULT said the last paragraph of the sponsor
statement talks about a 1998 legislative appropriation. He asked
whether any federal funds have been received.
MR. KEIHL was not sure whether any federal funds had been received
but there was a state appropriation of about $1.6 million, a
portion of which was spent and another portion allocated upon
initial site design and preparation.
CHAIRMAN THERRIAULT asked when the state appropriation occurred and
whether the 1998 appropriation was from the general fund.
MR. KEIHL said he discussed the $1.6 million appropriation with
Carol Carroll from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
and Department of Natural Resources and Niko Bus from the
Department of Natural Resources.
CHAIRMAN THERRIAULT questioned the need for the resolution since
monetary support had already been given: Was it needed before the
federal process could begin? He also wanted to know what type of
expense could be expected, what the blending of funds would be for
a joint project and whether this project would obligate the next
year's capital budget for future appropriations.
MR. KEIHL said a representative of the university was present and
could add to his answer. In response to the first question, he said
the resolution is not a precursor to or essential for the federal
review of the request for a new armory in Juneau. It does however,
provide an expression of the state's interest and support and would
be helpful in ranking the project.
KEITH GERKIN, Director of Facilities for the University of Alaska
Southeast, emphasized their support of the resolution and project.
Both agencies have been looking for solutions to their independent
facility needs. In the last year, they have talked about a joint
project and have completed 35 percent of the design work for a
facility that would be situated on university property. This is an
efficient use of resources because the buildings are very expensive
to build and operate and they will get more building by combining
resources than by building individual facilities. The university's
share to build the facility will be $5.3 million and that amount is
in its statewide capital multiyear plan. Previously there have been
both federal and state general fund appropriations for design work
for the Alaska National Guard's portion. This resolution is an
effort to get the priority for the construction money from the
federal government.
CHAIRMAN THERRIAULT asked if this would then obligate the state to
produce the $5.3 million general fund money.
MR. GERKIN said it would and he thought there was additional match
of federal dollars for the National Guard portion. Someone from
Military and Veteran's Affairs would be in a better position to
talk about the federal monies.
CHAIRMAN THERRIAULT asked what specific facilities the university
was looking at.
MR. GERKIN responded they are lacking indoor intramural or
organized sporting facilities. Recreational facilities are expected
as a part of normal student life and UAS has been trying to fulfill
the need for the last 15 years. The current plan is to expand the
National Guard's drill hall to the size of a gymnasium. There would
be lockers, showers and exercise rooms and a running track that
would be used by both user groups. Several classrooms in the
facility are in the National Guard plan. Student service areas are
planned that would be used to assemble for activities and dances.
In the event of a disaster or National Guard priority, the
university would suspend its use temporarily. Both agencies know it
takes accommodation to share the facility but they believe they
will be getting more than if they build individually so the
inconveniences are workable.
SENATOR PHILLIPS asked whether it would include an ice rink.
MR. GERKIN said it would not. In the early 1980s that was in the
plan but they have scaled back their proposed recreational facility
considerably over the years.
CHAIRMAN THERRIAULT asked for specifics of the cost and source of
funds if the project is 35 percent designed.
MR. GERKIN replied the National Guard had a total design in hand
when they approached the university about a joint facility. The
university and the National Guard made a few modifications to the
design to include specific university needs. Costs associated with
planning for the modifications were shared. The university paid
one-third of the design modifications and that came to about
$55,000.
CHAIRMAN THERRIAULT apologized for not having had the opportunity
to express his questions directly to Senator Elton so the
information would be available for the hearing. Nonetheless, he was
not ready to act on the resolution until he had a full accounting
and clearly understood past appropriations and the potential for
future obligations.
SENATOR DAVIS said she could understand wanting more information
but since this was just a resolution and didn't obligate any money,
she asked why couldn't the information be given later. After all,
the legislative session was about to end.
CHAIRMAN THERRIAULT asked whether this was time sensitive due to
the process going on with the federal government.
MR. KEIHL replied it would need to pass this year to have an impact
on the ranking process.
CHAIRMAN THERRIAULT said he was willing to move it from committee
but he would like to see the accounting before he, Senator Pearce
and Senator Phillips saw it as members of the rules committee.
MR. KEIHL said they would be happy to provide the information.
Senator Pearce joined the meeting and Chairman Therriault gave her
a recap.
CHAIRMAN THERRIAULT asked for amendments. There were none.
He asked for the pleasure of the committee.
SENATOR DAVIS moved SJR 27 and zero fiscal note from committee with
individual recommendations and a request that the information be
provided to the next committee. There were no objections.
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