Legislature(2001 - 2002)
06/24/2002 05:06 PM House LEC
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
June 24, 2002
1. ROLL CALL
The Legislative Council meeting was called to order at 5:06 p.m. by Representative Joe
Green, Legislative Council Chair, via-teleconference in the Terry Miller Legislative
Office Building Conference Room 104.
The roll was taken. In attendance were Council members Green (via-teleconference),
Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Cowdery, Donley, Halford, Stevens,
Torgerson and Elton. Members absent: Berkowitz and Kelly. Staff present were: Varni,
Cook, Clothier, Ford, Ibesate, Lobaugh, Price, and Schofield. Others present were: Greg
Erickson.
2. APPROVAL OF APRIL 29, 2002 MINUTES
Senator Cowdery moved the minutes of the April 29, 2002 meeting be approved.
YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Cowdery, Halford,
Stevens and Elton
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Berkowitz, Donley, Kelly and Torgerson
The motion passed 10 - 0.
3. DHL CONTRACT APPROVAL
Pam Varni, Executive Director, Legislative Affairs Agency informed Legislative Council
about the renewal of the DHL Airways Inc., contract. DHL provides parcel pickup and
delivery services for the Legislature. The Agency currently has a one-year contract with
three (3) additional one (1) year renewals. These services are budgeted in the
Administrative Services budget component. Ms. Varni is requesting approval for the
second one-year renewal starting July 1, 2002 and ending June 30, 2003 not to exceed
$35,000.
Senator Cowdery moved that Legislative Council approve the one-year renewal option
with DHL Airways, Inc., for parcel pickup and delivery services not to exceed $35,000.
Discussion followed.
YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Cowdery, Halford,
Stevens and Elton
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Berkowitz, Donley, Kelly and Torgerson
The motion passed 10 - 0.
4. OFFICE OF VICTIMS' RIGHTS OFFICE SPACE APPROVAL
Pam Varni, Executive Director, Legislative Affairs Agency informed Legislative Council
on the Office of Victims' Rights Office space. Ms. Varni, stated, Stephen Branchflower
has the option of several locations to choose from and will be selecting office space when
he returns to Anchorage from vacation. Mr. Branchflower will be placed on the payroll
effective July 8, 2002. Ms. Varni requested approval not to exceed $43,000 per year for
office space rental.
Discussion followed.
Senator Halford moved that Legislative Council approve the solicitation, award and
expenditure not to exceed $43,000 per year for office space rental for the Office of
Victims' Rights.
YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Cowdery, Halford,
Stevens and Elton
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Berkowitz, Donley, Kelly and Torgerson
The motion passed 10 - 0.
5. FY 03 LEGISLATURE UNALLOCATED REDUCTION OF $200,000
Pam Varni, Executive Director, Legislative Affairs Agency updated the Legislative
Council on the FY 03 operating budget for the Legislature which had a reduction of
$1,902,509 from FY 02 authorized. The monies were spread with the exception of the
$200,000 agency-wide general funds unallocated reduction. Ms. Varni requested
direction in determining where the reductions were to be taken.
Discussion followed.
Senator Halford made a motion to allocate the $200,000 reduction from the Council and
Subcommittees.
Representative Porter made an amendment to Senator Halford's motion for a reduction of
$145,000 from the Council and Subcommittees and $55,000 from the Immigrations
Assistance program.
YEAS: Green, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter and Rokeberg
NAYS: Kott, Cowdery, Donley, Halford, Stevens, Torgerson and Elton
ABSENT: Berkowitz and Kelly
Motion failed 7 to 5.
Senator Elton moved Item #5 be moved to the next Legislative Council meeting.
YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Cowdery, Donley,
Halford, Stevens, Torgerson and Elton
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Berkowitz and Kelly
Motion passed 12 to 0.
6. ANCHORAGE OFFICE SPACE APPROVAL - RFP #380
Senator Cowdery, Chair, Anchorage Office Space Subcommittee briefed the Council on
the subcommittee's activities.
Discussion followed. Speaker Porter requested prices of the offered space.
Representative Rokeberg stated for the public record that he participated with the
Subcommittee in determining the selection criteria. Representative Rokeberg further
stated that he excused/removed himself from those deliberations after the proposals were
received.
Senator Halford made a motion that Legislative Council go into Executive Session to
discuss Anchorage office space.
Senator Torgerson objected.
Discussion followed.
Senator Torgerson withdrew his objection.
Council Chair Green moved the Executive Session on Anchorage office space to a later
time in the Agenda.
7. REPRESENTATIVE CHENAULT LATE PER DIEM REQUEST
Senator Cowdery made a motion to approve the late per diem request for Representative
Chenault.
YEAS: Green, Kott, Porter, Rokeberg, Cowdery, Donley, Halford, Stevens,
Torgerson and Elton
NAYS: Murkowski
ABSENT: Kelly, Ogan and Berkowitz
Motion passed 10 - 1.
8. LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS AGENCY RECORDS POLICY REVISION
Pam Varni, Executive Director, Legislative Affairs Agency resubmitted two
Amendments to the Legislative Affairs Agency Records Policy. Ms. Varni informed
Legislative Council that if Amendment #1 passes it would afford the same level of
confidentiality that the employees and applicants of the Executive Branch have under AS
39.25.080. While Amendment #2 allows flexibility for the Selection Committee to
determine the appropriate level of confidentiality by exempting them from Section II,
2(a).
Representative Porter moved that Amendment #1 be approved.
Discussion followed.
YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Cowdery, Donley,
Halford and Stevens
NAYS: Torgerson and Elton
ABSENT: Kelly and Berkowitz
Motion passed 10 - 2.
Discussion followed.
Public testimony was heard from Greg Erickson, Editor of the Alaska Budget Report
regarding the adoption of Amendment #2.
Senator Cowdery requested that further discussion regarding Amendment #2 be heard
after Executive Session.
9. ANCHORAGE OFFICE SPACE - EXECUTIVE SESSION
Council Chair Green moved that Legislative Council go into Executive Session to
consider proposals concerning the Anchorage office space.
Legislative Council came out of Executive Session at 7:05 pm.
10. OTHER BUSINESS
Representative Ogan informed Legislative Council that the state parks did not follow the
regulations required for closure under 11 AAC 12.335. Representative Ogan further
stated the parks were hanging their hat on an Emergency Order. The parks printed two
sets of signs that read "Closed Due To Pending Budget Cuts" and "Closed Due To
Legislative Budget Cuts".
Representative Ogan would like Legislative Council to think about taking legal action
against the Administration to provide proper public notice with regards to the closure of
state parks.
11. LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS AGENCY RECORDS POLICY REVISION - Continued
Tam Cook, Director, Legal and Research Services, Legislative Affairs Agency provided
testimony on Amendment #2 regarding confidentiality of a Selection Committee with
regards to the Records Policy.
Representative Porter recommended that the Administrator, Pam Varni, Executive
Director, Legislative Affairs Agency rework Amendment #2 of the Records Policy and
resubmit at a future Legislative Council Meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:11 pm.
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