Legislature(1997 - 1998)
08/05/1998 10:10 AM House ITT
| Audio | Topic |
|---|
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
JOINT MEETING
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE & TOURISM
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
August 5, 1998
10:10 a.m.
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
OVERSIGHT HEARING ON ANCHORAGE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CARGO ISSUES
TAPE(S)
98-9, SIDES A & B
98-10, SIDE A
CALL TO ORDER
Jerry Ward, Chairman, Senate Transportation Standing Committee,
convened the joint meeting at 10:10 a.m. He then turned the gavel
over to Representative Cowdery, Chairman, House Special Committee
on International Trade and Tourism, for the rest of the meeting.
PRESENT
House Special Committee on International Trade and Tourism members
present at the call to order were Representatives Cowdery and Ryan.
Representatives Joule and Elton were in attendance via
teleconference. Chairman Ward was the only Senate Transportation
Committee member present. Representative Rokeberg was also
present.
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION
MORT PLUMB, Director, Anchorage International Airport (AIA), gave
a very general briefing of the "Cargo Master Plan," how it is
updated and when it was last published. Mr. Plumb also gave an
explanation of the "Needs Assessment for Cargo," and how that went
out for RFP bids and the time line associated with that. Along
with Mr. Plumb was Tom Middendorf, Director of Planning at the AIA.
Mr. Plumb discussed the LOI funding and how they see themselves
positioned in the future for more federal money. The topic of
wetland issues and development of that was mentioned and somewhat
explained, although this seems to still be in the preliminary
stages according to the airport. The airport is active in pursuing
AFCO and ARIS and other developers as part of the cargo facilities
overall big picture. Mr. Plumb explained the bidding time line and
process where MAPCO-LYNXS acquired the latest bid for cargo
facilities. Kulis Air Guard property currently does not conflict
with any future development plans the airport has. The Airport
Capital Improvement Program was just approved by the airlines.
These will be the projects the airport will present to the
legislature next year for approval.
DENNIS BIRD, Managing Director, Federal Express, offered that the
current administration at the airport was very accommodating to
them. He explained that Anchorage is a major hub in connecting
routes. Federal Express will be opening their new 140,000 square
foot cargo facility on August 31. Federal Express is able to "add-
value" to the cargo industry in Anchorage as they take items
through the custom clearance process in Anchorage during the
plane's down time. Federal Express still does have room to expand
their current facility. The Asian crisis is not necessarily
affecting their business in a dramatic fashion. Federal Express
currently employs over 1,000 people throughout Alaska.
KEN LYTHGOE, General Manager, MAPCO-Lyns Project, was hired in
December, 1997, specifically for this project. He stated that
preliminary site construction is to begin soon. Their goal is to
have the facility finished in December, 1999, or January, 2000. To
date, they have interest but no signed leases for tenants.
JEFF COOK, MAPCO, touched on the fuel pipeline to the airport.
This is a project they should be able to move ahead with in
October, 1998. They will be using Texaco tank facilities at the
port.
Committee members and other legislators asked the presenters some
questions, most of which were answered; however, some were not and
will so be done in written form.
1. Chairman Ward requested that the individual names of property
owners, who may be affected by land sales in wetland
mitigation area, be supplied to him.
2. Representative Ryan requested a public comment period be held
regarding the Cargo Master Plan Final Draft. Mort Cook
confirmed that would be done.
3. Representative Ryan requested that the airport provide an
estimated time line regarding all projects that are currently
underway or will be getting underway.
4. Representative Rokeberg asked Ken Lythgoe to make a
presentation to the Turnagain Community Council on the new
MAPCO-LYNXS facility construction project. Mr. Lythgoe said
he would.
5. Chairman Cowdery requested that the airport circulate all
reports and studies done for the benefit of the airport to the
legislature in the future, at least to the House and Senate
Transportation Standing Committees, and the House Special
Committee on International Trade and Tourism.
6. Chairman Cowdery requested a written update on lease standings
with AFCO and ARIS.
Chairman Cowdery said the hearing record will remain open for 30
days, through September 4, 1998. All questions and concerns should
be addressed within this time.
COMMITTEE ACTION
The committees took no action.
ADJOURNMENT
CHAIRMAN COWDERY adjourned the joint meeting at 11:57 a.m.
NOTE:
The meeting was recorded and handwritten log notes were taken. A
copy of the tape(s) and log notes may be obtained by contacting the
House Records Office at 130 Seward Street, Suite 211, Juneau,
Alaska 99801-1182, (907) 465-2214, and after adjournment of the
second session of the Twentieth Alaska State Legislature, in the
Legislative Reference Library.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|