Legislature(1999 - 2000)
03/28/2000 01:35 PM House TRA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 28, 2000
1:35 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Andrew Halcro, Chairman
Representative Beverly Masek
Representative Bill Hudson
Representative John Cowdery
Representative Allen Kemplen
Representative Albert Kookesh
Representative Vic Kohring
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 434
"An Act naming the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport."
- MOVED CSHB 434(TRA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 320
"An Act approving the application for and acceptance of a grant of
certain federal land by the Alaska Railroad Corporation; approving
the conveyance of the entire interest in the Whittier DeLong Dock
and associated uplands, tidelands, and submerged lands by the
Alaska Railroad Corporation; relating to use and disposition of the
Whittier DeLong Dock and associated land; and providing for an
effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 320(TRA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HB 434
SHORT TITLE: TED STEVENS ANCHORAGE INT'L AIRPORT
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
3/17/00 2593 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
3/17/00 2593 (H) TRA
3/17/00 2593 (H) REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
3/28/00 (H) TRA AT 1:30 PM CAPITOL 17
3/28/00 (H) -- Time Change --
BILL: HB 320
SHORT TITLE: APPROVE ALASKA RAILROAD GETTING WHITTIER DOCK
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
1/26/00 2009 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
1/26/00 2009 (H) TRA, CRA, FIN
1/26/00 2009 (H) REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
3/28/00 (H) TRA AT 1:30 PM CAPITOL 17
3/28/00 (H) -- Time Change --
WITNESS REGISTER
JOEL LOUNSBURY, Staff
to Representative Brian Porter
Alaska State Legislature
Capitol Building, Room 208
Juneau, Alaska 99801
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 434.
DUANE HEYMAN, Executive Director
Commonwealth North Inc.
810 "N" Street, Suite 202
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 434.
JAMIE LINXLIEER, President
Commonwealth North Inc.
810 "N" Street, Suite 202
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 434.
LEE GORSUCH, Member
Commonwealth North Inc.
5274 East 147th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99516
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 434.
MICHAEL KEAN, Transportation Director
Anchorage Economic Development Corporation
900 West 5th Avenue, Suite 300
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 434.
GERALD HOOD
520 East 34th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 434.
PAMELA LaBOLLE, President
Alaska State Chamber of Commerce
217 Second Street, Suite 201
Juneau, Alaska 99801
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 434.
JOHN MANLY, Staff
to Representative John Harris
Alaska State Legislature
Capitol Building, Room 110
Juneau, Alaska 99801
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 320.
CARRIE L. WILLIAMS, City Manager
City of Whittier
PO Box 608
Whittier, Alaska 99693
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 320.
SHERRY BARRETA, Chairman
of the Board
Chugach Alaska Corporation
560 East 34th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 320.
WENDY LINDSKOOG, Director
of External Affairs
Alaska Railroad Corporation
Department of Community & Economic Development
PO Box 107500
Anchorage, Alaska 99510-7500
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HB 320.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 00-24, SIDE A
Number 0001
CHAIRMAN ANDREW HALCRO called the House Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. Members present at the
call to order were Representatives Halcro, Masek, Hudson and
Kemplen. Representatives Cowdery, Kookesh and Kohring arrived as
the meeting was in progress.
HB 434 - TED STEVENS ANCHORAGE INT'L AIRPORT
CHAIRMAN HALCRO announced the first order of business as House Bill
434, "An Act naming the Ted Stevens Anchorage International
Airport."
Number 0051
JOEL LOUNSBURY, Staff to Representative Brian Porter, Alaska State
Legislature, came before the committee to present the bill. He
noted that HB 434 was introduced on behalf of Commonwealth North
Inc. He referred the committee members to sponsor statement
contained in the bill packet, and stated that most everyone is
aware of U.S. Senator Stevens' many accomplishments over the years.
He deferred any further comments to representatives of Commonwealth
North Inc.
CHAIRMAN HALCRO opened the meeting to public testimony.
Number 0103
DUANE HEYMAN, Executive Director, Commonwealth North Inc.,
testified via teleconference from Anchorage. Commonwealth North
Inc. is a non-profit, non-partisan public policy organization
dedicated to educating Alaskans about key public policy issues
relevant to the state. They encourage leadership in addressing key
issues through an annual award, in which, Senator Stevens has been
chosen this year; the event is scheduled for July 8, 2000.
MR. HEYMAN continued. Commonwealth North whole heartedly supports
the renaming of the Anchorage International Airport to, "Ted
Stevens Anchorage International Airport," in recognition of his
many accomplishments for and on behalf of Alaska. He cited
statehood, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, the Alaska
National Interest Lands Conservation Act, the Trans-Alaska
Pipeline, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act, the Denali Commission, and the deregulation of the airline
industry as examples of his many accomplishments. He further
stated that the renaming of the airport is an unprecedented
opportunity for publicity and marketing, for Senator Stevens has
indicated that he is interested in bringing a wide range of
military and business dignitaries to Alaska at that time. Senator
Stevens has also indicated that the renaming of the airport to
include his name would not inhibit his ability to raise money for
the airport, contrary to expressed concerns. Senator Stevens
indicated that it might in fact be easier to raise money in the
interest of helping a fellow esteemed congressman. Commonwealth
North urges the committee members to pass HB 434 out of committee
today.
Number 0360
JAMIE LINXLIEER, President, Commonwealth North Inc., testified via
teleconference from Anchorage. The board of directors unanimously
support HB 434, for over the years Senator Stevens has been
advocating for Alaska before Congress and defending the state
against the incursion of the federal government. Senator Stevens
has also been an effective national leader, for he has served as
majority whip, chairman of the Defense Appropriations Committee,
and most recently as chairman of the Senate Appropriations
Committee. Senator Stevens has been responsible for delivering
funding to the state for many valuable federal programs, including
maintaining the presence of the military in the state. He cited
the anti-ballistic missile program in Delta Junction as an example.
Senator Stevens has also been instrumental in furthering the
interests of Alaska Natives. He cited the Aleut Reparations Act,
the Alaska Native Arts and Cultural Development Act, the Alaska
Native Education Equity Act, and the Higher Education Act as
examples of efforts that have benefited not only Alaska Natives but
the rest of Alaskans, for they have improved the quality of
education and the social fabric of the state. He also noted that
Senator Stevens was instrumental in the enactment of the Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act and its many amendments over the
years. He urged the committee members to pass HB 434 out of
committee today.
Number 0596
LEE GORSUCH, Member, Commonwealth North Inc., testified via
teleconference from Anchorage. He is also the chancellor of the
University of Alaska Anchorage. He is not here to testify today as
a representative of the university, even though it would be
appropriate, for Senator Stevens is a friend of the aviation
program at the university and of creating educational opportunities
for those who want to study aviation. He is here today to testify
on behalf of Commonwealth North, an organization founded on the
mission of fostering sound public policies in order to strengthen
the development and future prosperity of Alaska. In that regard,
Senator Stevens' many contributions have been legendary, and the
recent designation as "Alaskan of the Century" reflects those
efforts as well. He further stated that the naming of a public
facility is to memorialize those who have made significant
contributions to Alaska's history. Naming the former Hill Building
after Bob Atwood, a champion of statehood, is a good example.
Similarly, it seems appropriate, he said, to name the Anchorage
International Airport after the state's distinguished senior
senator. The Anchorage International Airport is particularly
important for the following reasons:
1) It is the transportation hub for all Alaskans. Most who
travel in and out of the state go through Anchorage.
2) It is the gateway for well over a million visitors who
come to the state each year.
3) It is rapidly becoming the world's premiere air cargo
airport and expanding into a logistics center.
4) It is the sister airport to Elmendorf Air Force Base.
Senator Stevens has made enormous contributions in support of
the United States Armed Forces and particularly the military
presence in the state.
MR. GORSUCH continued. He hopes that those four reasons are sound
enough for the House and Senate to unanimously support the passage
of HB 434.
Number 0889
MICHAEL KEAN, Transportation Director, Anchorage Economic
Development Corporation [AEDC], testified via teleconference from
Anchorage. The AEDC conducts marketing work for the Anchorage
International Airport and the Municipality of Anchorage. The
airport is an important economic engine for the state, he said, as
well as strategically located as a global logistics center for the
Northern Hemisphere. The AEDC feels that the renaming of the
airport is a wonderful tribute to the state's senior senator, for
he is well respected throughout the country. The AEDC respectfully
urges the committee members to pass HB 434 out of committee.
Number 0968
GERALD HOOD came before the committee to testify. He is the chief
executive officer for the Teamsters Union Local 959, and a member
of Commonwealth North Inc. He is testifying today, however, as a
private citizen. A person doesn't have to look far, he said, in
any direction of the state to see the handiwork of Senator Stevens.
It's just and fitting to bestow this honor on him. He urged the
committee members to pass HB 434, for any further testimony would
be redundant.
Number 1020
PAMELA LaBOLLE, President, Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, came
before the committee to testify. The Alaska State Chamber of
Commerce strongly supports and urges the committee members to pass
HB 434 out of committee. It's hard to image, she said, another
single individual who has put a lifetime of work into benefitting
the state and the people of the state as Senator Stevens.
CHAIRMAN HALCRO closed the meeting to public testimony.
Number 1072
CHAIRMAN HALCRO offered a conceptual amendment to insert the
language, "and providing for an effective date", after the word,
"Airport", on line 1; to renumber the lines accordingly; and to
insert an effective date of "July 8, 2000" on the new line 7.
Number 1109
REPRESENTATIVE BILL HUDSON made a motion to adopt the conceptual
amendment as indicated by Chairman Halcro. There being no
objection, it was so adopted.
Number 1119
REPRESENTATIVE BEVERLY MASEK made a motion to move HB 434, as
amended, out of committee with individual recommendations and
attached zero fiscal note; she asked unanimous consent. There
being no objection, CSHB 434(TRA) so moved from the House
Transportation Standing Committee.
CHAIRMAN HALCRO called for a brief at-ease then called the meeting
back to order.
HB 320 - APPROVE ALASKA RAILROAD GETTING WHITTIER DOCK
CHAIRMAN HALCRO announced the next order of business as House Bill
320, "An Act approving the application for and acceptance of a
grant of certain federal land by the Alaska Railroad Corporation;
approving the conveyance of the entire interest in the Whittier
DeLong Dock and associated uplands, tidelands, and submerged lands
by the Alaska Railroad Corporation; relating to use and disposition
of the Whittier DeLong Dock and associated land; and providing for
an effective date." There is a proposed committee substitute.
Number 1155
JOHN MANLY, Staff to Representative John Harris, Alaska State
Legisalture, came before the committee to present the bill.
Representative Harris and his staff have been working on this issue
ever since the United States Army decided to surplus the DeLong
Dock. He noted that SB 171, passed in 1999, provided for the
approval of the legislature for any transfer of land to the
railroad from the federal government. This legislation approves
and facilitates the transfer of the real estate under the dock to
the City of Whittier. The proposed committee substitute includes
language referring to the management terms of the dock between the
City of Whittier and the Alaska Railroad Corporation. He noted
that the city manger of Whittier is present today to testify and
that representatives of the railroad are online to testify as well.
Number 1238
REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON made a motion to adopt the propsed committee
substitute for HB 320, version 1-LS1165\I, Utermohle, 3/28/00, as
a work draft. There being no objection, Version I was before the
committee.
Number 1283
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN COWDERY stated he's glad to see the bill before
the committee. It has been a while in the making, and the parties
involved have indicated their acceptance of it.
MR. MANLY agreed that it has been a long haul.
CHAIRMAN HALCRO opened the meeting to public testimony.
Number 1345
CARRIE L. WILLIAMS, City Manager, City of Whittier, came before the
committee to testify. She thanked Representative John Harris for
bringing the bill forward. She referred to a handout entited,
"Management Terms for DeLong Dock," dated March 20, 2000, which
gives an outline and listing of the main points that are to be
addressed under the management terms. She noted that the dock is
small in comparison to many federal assets and it is being split
down the middle to make sure that all those involved retain the
maximum economic advantage for the development of Prince William
Sound. The City of Whittier, she said, is very focused on
retaining its timber, fish, freight, and diversifying its economy,
and the city sees this dock as one of the few areas that they have
readily available to facilitate that focus. It's very important,
she said, to Prince William Sound as a whole. She pointed out that
the management terms involve the Chugach Alaska Corporation, which
has land-holdings within Prince William Sound; they have a future
outside the strict development of tourism.
Number 1438
REPRESENTATIVE COWDERY asked Ms. Williams how she sees the dock as
a source of revenue. Is the cruise ship industry going to return
to Whittier?
MS. WILLIAMS replied,
Certainly, there's a lot of conversation as we know the
new harbor being developed by Clear Water is targeting
that. As far as, whether they'll be there, I know,
there's investments being made around it. Certainly, the
city is not ready to invest capital to attract tour
ships. We have plenty of impact as it stands right now.
CHAIRMAN HALCRO referred to page 3, paragraph (6), of Version I,
which reads as follows:
... the corporation and the City of Whittier shall agree
to diligently work together in good faith to resolve
disputes and to collaborate with each other in developing
a management agreement for operation of the DeLong Dock
facility with the goal of operating the facility as a
single entity for economic development purposes ...
CHAIRMAN HALCRO asked Ms. Williams what would happen in the event
a dispute cannot be resolved. What would be the recourse for each
party?
MS. WILLIAMS replied the good faith language, according to legal
counsel for both the city and the railroad, is binding and legally
enforceable. She noted that binding arbitration language was
discussed, but it was not acceptable to the railroad, and that
litigation would be the ultimate measure taken. As a realist, she
thinks, that the entities involved would come back to the
legislature to determine whether there had been good faith efforts,
which is why the city asked that the management points be included
in the legislation.
Number 1536
REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON asked Ms. Williams the status of the
management terms.
MS. WILLIAMS replied , currently, the city has a request for a use
permit until the transfer of the actual patent takes place. Time
is of the essence, she said, because the city is seeing more use
and demand of the current harbor. She noted that as soon as the
city receives a permit in support of the body they will enter into
sincere management negotiations of the terms.
REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON asked Ms. Williams whether it's correct to
say that there is no agreement, but that there is a framework for
an agreement.
MS. WILLIAMS replied, "Yes." The document entitled, "Management
Terms for the DeLong Dock," dated March 20, 2000, is the framework
to develop the full agreement.
REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON asked whether it's correct to say that there
would be no state general funds or fiscal implications to the
state.
MR. MANLY answered, to the best of his knowledge, that is correct.
CHAIRMAN HALCRO asked Ms. Williams whether there was an issue
dealing with access and the unions. He thought he remembered
seeing something about an issue relating to access in terms of who
could and who couldn't work on the dock.
MS. WILLIAMS replied the only issue that has been discussed in
relation to access is that of the physical access by rail and road
to the dock. She is not familiar with any issue in relation to
labor or unions.
Number 1667
SHERRY BARRETA, Chairman of the Board, Chugach Alaska Corporation,
testified via teleconference from Anchorage. The Chugach Alaska
Corporation looks forward to working with the Alaska Railroad
Corporation and the City of Whittier in the responsible development
of the waterfront. The Chugach Alaska Corporation has a keen
interest in providing and maintaining services and infrastructures
that have direct impact on economic opportunities. The DeLong Dock
and the surrounding tidelands are an important and critical aspect
of the waterfront, and proper utilization of the dock would be
beneficial to the public, the city, the railroad, and business
interests moving into the area. The Chugach Alaska Corporation has
proven capability in the management of marine facilities. She
noted that they currently have 32 contracts worldwide to manage
U.S. defense bases, of which, several require marine support
facilities. The Chugach Alaska Corporation looks forward to
providing their expertise in the development of Whittier,
particularly given the enormous changes the road will bring. The
full utilization of the DeLong Dock is necessary and critical to
the development of Whittier, especially when combined with the
development of other infrastructure such as road access to Shotgun
Cove which is situated on Chugach Alaska Corporation land. The
Chugach Alaska Corporation is glad to have the opportunity to be a
part of that progress.
Number 1772
WENDY LINDSKOOG, Director of External Affairs, Alaska Railroad
Corporation, Department of Community & Economic Development,
testified via teleconference from Anchorage. She announced, for
the record, that the Alaska Railroad Corporation is in support of
HB 320, and that she is available to answer any questions. Mike
Fretwell and Jim Blasingame were also online from the railroad to
answer any questions.
CHAIRMAN HALCRO closed the meeting to public testimony.
Number 1804
REPRESENTATIVE COWDERY made a motion to move CSHB 320, version
1-LS1165\I, Utermohle, 3/28/00, out of committee with individual
recommendations and attached zero fiscal note. There being no
objection, CSHB 320(TRA) so moved from the House Transportation
Standing Committee.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, Chairman
Halcro adjourned the House Transportation Standing Committee
meeting at 2:10 p.m.
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