Legislature(2001 - 2002)
07/11/2001 09:10 AM House LEC
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
July 11, 2001
1. ROLL CALL
The Legislative Council meeting was called to order at 9:10 a.m. by
nd
Representative Green, Legislative Council Chair, in the Anchorage 2 Floor
Conference Room & via teleconference.
The roll was taken. In attendance were Council members Green, Berkowitz, Kott
(via teleconference), Murkowski, Ogan (via teleconference), Porter, Rokeberg,
Cowdery (via teleconference), Donley, Elton, P. Kelly, and Torgerson. Members
absent were Halford. Staff present were Varni, Cook, Bill Ellis, Logan, Ibesate,
McCauley, Price, Schofield and Wyatt.
2. APPROVAL OF May 4, 2001 MINUTES
Representative Porter moved the minutes of the May 4, 2001 meeting be
approved.
YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Torgerson, and
Elton
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Berkowitz, Cowdery, Donley, Halford, and Pete Kelly
The minutes were approved unanimously.
3. NCSL MEMBERSHIP
Representative Green reminded the Council members that the NCSL
membership was voted on at the last meeting; however, there weren't enough
votes to continue membership.
Representative Porter moved that Legislative Council approve the 2001-2002
NCSL membership dues.
YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Berkowitz,
Cowdery, Pete Kelly and Elton
NAYS: Torgerson
ABSENT: Halford and Donley
The motion to approve the 2001-2001 NCSL membership dues was approved by
10 to 1.
4. DHL CONTRACT RENEWAL APPROVAL
Pam Varni, Executive Director of the Legislative Affairs Agency, explained that
this is the one-year renewal option that pays for parcel delivery and pick-up
services to various locations such as the Legislative Information Offices
throughout the State. This is budgeted under the Administrative Services Budget
component.
Representative Porter moved that Legislative Council approve a one-year
renewal option for the DHL contract, not to exceed $35,000.
YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Berkowitz,
Cowdery, Pete Kelly, Torgerson and Elton
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Halford and Donley
The motion was approved unanimously.
5. MAT-SU LEASE APPROVAL
Pam Varni explained that currently the Mat-Su office space accommodates four
members, but she believes it could accommodate five. Pam Varni explained that
previously this did go out to bid. It was sent to 20 offerors from which there was
one proposal. She acknowledged that this space could be leased month-by-
month and the proposal could be put out to bid again. She remarked that there
aren't many options and the price per foot is in the middle range for the area.
Representative Ogan said that the Mat-Su office space is adequate, but
redistricting brings the possibility of another member being in the space.
Representative Green pointed out that it's almost a 38 percent increase and thus
he asked if that is a reasonable increase.
Representative Ogan related his belief that the status quo for a year would be
appropriate and then, after redistricting, the space could be reviewed.
Senator Elton moved that Legislative Council approve the Mat-Su Lease.
YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Cowdery, Kelly,
Torgerson and Elton
NAYS: Berkowitz
ABSENT: Halford and Donley
The motion was approved by 10 to 1.
6. ANCHORAGE VAN APPROVAL
Representative Kott moved that Legislative Council move the Anchorage Van
approval to the bottom of the agenda. There being no objection, it was so
ordered.
7. LEXIS ON-LINE SERVICE PASSWORD ASSIGNMENTS
Pam Varni explained that Lexus provides some on-line services for which there
are passwords. Six passwords would have access to National Primary Law with
SHEPHARD'S Citations Service Menu, 15 passwords would have access to the
on-line menu for Alaska Law and Shepherds. She noted that she has proposed
a list of assignments in order to continue to update the passwords. However,
she welcomed any other recommendations.
Lee Tripp, Lexus On-Line Services, affirmed that although a password would be
assigned to say the Speaker of the House, the Speaker could allow someone
else to use the password. However, the password is limited to one person using
it at a time.
Representative Berkowitz pointed out that there is no Minority access listed for
Alaska MVP. Therefore, he moved that the Minority have at least one password
for each body in order to access Alaska MVP. Perhaps, two of the extra
Legislative Council members could be used for that purpose.
Representative Porter moved that Legislative Council approve the recommended
assignments for the National Primary Law as well as the Alaska MVP with
amendments to change assignments 14 and 15 to House Minority Leader and
Senate Minority Leader and change assignments 12 and 13 to Legislative
Council Member/Co-Chair House Finance and Legislative Council Member/Co-
Chair Senate Finance.
YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Berkowitz,
Cowdery, Donley, Pete Kelly, Torgerson and Elton
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Halford
The motion was approved unanimously.
8. KTOO/VIDEO STREAMING WIRING APPROVAL IN CAPITOL
Representative Porter moved that Legislative Council approve KTOO video
streaming wiring approval in the Capitol.
Discussion followed about security and other concerns.
The question was called and the Executive Director was asked to restate the
motion.
Pam Varni stated that the motion would be to provide KTOO permission to install
updated wiring in the Capitol.
YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Porter, Rokeberg, Berkowitz and Elton
NAYS: Ogan, Cowdery, Donley, Pete Kelly and Torgerson
ABSENT: Halford
The motion failed 7 to 5.
KTOO was asked to come back at a future meeting to have the item discussed
again after they submit a detailed proposal.
9. ALASKA MOVING IMAGES PICTURE ASSOCIATION REQUEST
Francine Lastufka Taylor, Executive Director from Alaska Moving Images
Preservation Association (AMIPA), informed the committee that AMIPA is
requesting $85,000 for the Legislative Media Preservation Project. She clarified
that the request for funding for the operations of AMIPA is separate and in the
capital budget. In response to Senator Donley, she explained that the media
center would be built in existing space in Anchorage and thus the audio tapes
would be transferred to Anchorage from Juneau.
There was discussion regarding whether this would be more appropriate as a
budget item taken up by the Finance Committees and not Legislative Council.
Senator Donley expressed the need for more information about this proposal.
Representative Green concluded that there is confusion regarding what has been
allocated, spent and received from what was spent, the future request, and
whether this should be done in the capital budget process. Therefore,
Representative Green announced that this request would be held.
10. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Senator Donley moved that the Legislative Council approve the placement
of a directory of names and office locations in the elevator of the Anchorage
Legislative Information Office for public use.
YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Berkowitz,
Cowdery, Donley, Pete Kelly and Elton
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Halford, Torgerson
The motion was approved unanimously.
B. Representative Halcro informed the Council that he has requested that a
bill in the amount of $750 for the rental of the Wilda Marston Theater for
meetings of the Fiscal Policy Council for three days in July, August and
September be paid by the Legislative Council.
Council members discussed the possibility of holding the hearings at the
Anchorage Legislative Information Office or the Anchorage Assembly Chambers.
Representative Porter offered to find out if the Anchorage Assembly Chamber is
available.
The subject was discussed further and no action was taken.
C. Representative Berkowitz moved to open the Anchorage Legislative Office
space parking lot to the public during non-business hours.
Chairman Green suggested that a subcommittee be formed to study the pros and
cons of this issue.
It was moved to table the motion.
YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Cowdery, Donley
and Pete Kelly
NAYS: Berkowitz and Elton
ABSENT: Halford and Torgerson
The motion to table this item was approved 9 to 2.
11. ANCHORAGE VAN APPROVAL
Pam Varni informed the Council that a smaller nine-passenger van would cost
around $30,000 to $32,000. Jan Price, Supply Officer, is in the process of
getting a firm price from the State Fleet Equipment Office. She informed the
Council that occasionally the Legislature needs a larger van but one can be
rented for those occasions.
The Council discussed the option of leasing vans and the use patterns of the
vans in Anchorage and Fairbanks.
Pam Varni informed the Council that one of the Juneau vans could be
transported to Anchorage during the interim.
Representative Ogan moved to approve the transfer of an existing van from
Juneau to Anchorage during the interim, rather than purchasing a new van.
Senator Elton moved to amend Representative Ogan's amendment by
requesting that the Executive Director prepare and present to the Legislative
Council a policy for use of the legislative vans.
Representative Green moved to transfer a van from Juneau to Anchorage and
that the Executive Director establish a set of rules for van use.
YEAS: Green, Kott, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Berkowitz, Cowdery, Pete
Kelly and Elton.
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Murkowski, Donley, Halford and Torgerson
The motion passed unanimously.
Representative Kott asked whether the investigation of the Anchorage legislative
van accident has been completed and whether an assignment of blame has been
placed on any member of the Legislature and, if so, whether reimbursement
should be required of that party.
Representative Porter explained that the Presiding Officers of the House and
Senate are responsible for actions of legislative employees as they are the hiring
authority during the interim. He is in the process of bringing the investigation to a
close and he does not plan to request a reimbursement from any Legislators or
legislative employees. He and the Senate President have decided that some
disciplinary action is appropriate. He offered to discuss the matter further in an
executive session of the Legislative Council.
Representative Ogan moved to hold an executive session for the purpose of
discussing the personnel issues surrounding the van accident.
Council members discussed whether this matter is within the purview of the
Legislative Council. A roll call vote on the motion to go into executive session
was taken.
YEAS: Kott, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Cowdery, Pete Kelly and Berkowitz
NAYS: Green, Elton
ABSENT: Murkowski, Donley, Halford, Torgerson
The motion failed 7 - 2.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 a.m.
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