03/18/1998 01:10 PM House TRA
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HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
March 18, 1998
1:10 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative William K. (Bill) Williams, Chairman
Representative John Cowdery
Representative Bill Hudson
Representative Jerry Sanders
Representative Kim Elton
Representative Albert Kookesh
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Beverly Masek, Vice Chair
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 63
Relating to support for Mitchell Field Adak airport.
- MOVED HJR 63 OUT OF COMMITTEE
SENATE BILL NO. 211
"An Act renaming the Gravina Veterans' Memorial Bridge as the Ralph
M. Bartholomew Veterans' Memorial Bridge."
- MOVED SB 211 OUT OF COMMITTEE
HOUSE BILL NO. 412
"An Act providing for the transfer of certain land to the City of
Whittier; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED HB 412 OUT OF COMMITTEE
(* First public hearing)
PREVIOUS ACTION
BILL: HJR 63
SHORT TITLE: ADAK AIRPORT
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVES(S) MOSES
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
02/18/98 2351 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
02/18/98 2352 (H) MLV, TRANSPORTATION
03/10/98 (H) MLV AT 4:30 PM CAPITOL ROOM 124
03/10/98 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
03/11/98 2598 (H) MLV RPT 6DP
03/11/98 2598 (H) DP: JOULE, RYAN, MULDER, MASEK,
FOSTER
03/11/98 2598 (H) NICHOLIA
03/11/98 2598 (H) ZERO FISCAL NOTE (MLV)
03/18/98 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 17
03/19/98 2658 (H) TRA RPT 6DP
03/19/98 2658 (H) DP: HUDSON, ELTON, KOOKESH, SANDERS,
03/19/98 2658 (H) COWDERY, WILLIAMS
03/19/98 2658 (H) ZERO FISCAL NOTE (H.MVA) 3/11/98
03/19/98 2658 (H) REFERRED TO RULES
BILL: SB 211
SHORT TITLE: RENAMING VET MEM BRIDGE IN KETCHIKAN
SPONSOR(S): SENATOR(S) TAYLOR, Mackie, Leman, Duncan;
REPRESENTATIVE(S) Williams
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
01/12/98 2165 (S) PREFILE RELEASED 1/2/98
01/12/98 2165 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
01/12/98 2165 (S) TRANSPORTATION
01/29/98 (S) TRA AT 1:30 PM BUTROVICH ROOM 205
01/29/98 (S) MINUTE(TRA)
01/30/98 (S) MINUTE(RLS)
01/30/98 2356 (S) TRA RPT 4DP
01/30/98 2356 (S) DP: WARD, WILKEN, GREEN, LINCOLN
01/30/98 2356 (S) ZERO FISCAL NOTE (DOT)
02/04/98 2391 (S) RULES TO CALENDAR 2/4/98
02/04/98 2393 (S) READ THE SECOND TIME
02/04/98 2393 (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UNAN
CONSENT
02/04/98 2393 (S) READ THE THIRD TIME SB 211
02/04/98 2393 (S) COSPONSOR(S): LEMAN, DUNCAN
02/04/98 2394 (S) PASSED Y18 N- E2
02/04/98 2396 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
02/06/98 2230 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
02/06/98 2230 (H) MLV, TRANSPORTATION
02/06/98 2249 (H) CROSS SPONSOR(S): WILLIAMS
03/10/98 (H) MLV AT 4:30 PM CAPITOL ROOM 124
03/10/98 (H) MINUTE(MLV)
03/11/98 2598 (H) MLV RPT 5DP
03/11/98 2598 (H) DP: JOULE, MULDER, MASEK, FOSTER,
03/11/98 2598 (H) NICHOLIA
03/11/98 2598 (H) SENATE ZERO FISCAL NOTE (DOT) 1/30/98
03/18/98 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 17
03/19/98 2661 (H) TRA RPT 6DP
03/19/98 2662 (H) DP: HUDSON, ELTON, KOOKESH, SANDERS,
03/19/98 2662 (H) COWDERY, WILLIAMS
03/19/98 2662 (H) SENATE ZERO FISCAL NOTE (DOT) 1/30/98
03/19/98 2662 (H) REFERRED TO RULES
BILL: HB 412
SHORT TITLE: TRANSFER RAILROAD LAND TO WHITTIER
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVES(S) COWDERY, Sanders, Ryan, Ivan,
Hudson, Foster, Martin, Kohring
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
02/16/98 2331 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRAL(S)
02/16/98 2331 (H) TRANSPORTATION, FINANCE
02/20/98 2391 (H) COSPONSOR(S): SANDERS, RYAN, IVAN,
02/20/98 2391 (H) HUDSON
02/23/98 2409 (H) COSPONSOR(S): FOSTER, MARTIN
03/04/98 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 17
03/04/98 2523 (H) COSPONSOR(S): KOHRING
03/09/98 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 17
03/09/98 (H) MINUTE(TRA)
03/18/98 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 17
03/19/98 2660 (H) TRA RPT 3DP 2NR
03/19/98 2660 (H) DP: SANDERS, COWDERY, WILLIAMS;
03/19/98 2660 (H) NR: HUDSON, ELTON
03/19/98 2660 (H) FISCAL NOTE (DNR)
03/19/98 2660 (H) ZERO FISCAL NOTE (DOT)
03/19/98 2660 (H) REFERRED TO FINANCE
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE CARL MOSES
Alaska State Legislature
Capitol Building, Room 521
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Telephone: (907) 465-4451
POSITION STATEMENT: Sponsor of HJR 63.
DAVE JENSEN, Vice President
Reeve Aleutian Airways; Vice Chairman
Adak Reuse Corporation
1835M Mineria Way
Anchorage, Alaska
Telephone: (907) 522-6098
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 63.
VINCE TUTIAKOFF, SR., Manager
Adak Reuse Corporation; Chairman
Aleut Corporation; Member
Adak Community Council
FPO AP 96506
PSC 486 Adak
Adak, Alaska 99685
Telephone: (907) 592-4243
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 63.
AGAFON KRUKOFF, JR., Chairman
Adak Community Council
PSC 486 P.O. Box 1933
Intra Alaska Zone 1
PFP AP 96506
Adak, Alaska 99695
Telephone: (Not provided)
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HJR 63.
PETE ECKLUND, Legislative Assistant
to Representative Bill Williams
Alaska State Legislature
Capitol Building, Room 424
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Telephone: (907) 465-3424
POSITION STATEMENT: Read the sponsor statement on SB 211 on behalf
of Senator Robin Taylor.
JOHN "JACK" SHAY, Mayor
Ketchikan Gateway Borough
344 Front Street
Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
Telephone: (907) 225-7529
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 211.
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 98-14, SIDE A
Number 0001
CHAIRMAN WILLIAM K. (BILL) WILLIAMS called the House Transportation
Standing Committee meeting to order at 1:10 p.m. Members present
at the call to order were Representatives Williams, Cowdery,
Hudson, and Elton. Representatives Kookesh joined the meeting at
1:13 p.m. and Representative Sanders joined the meeting at 1:21
p.m.
HJR 63 - ADAK AIRPORT
Number 0056
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS announced the first order of business would be
HJR 63, "Relating to support for Mitchell Field Adak airport."
Number 0127
REPRESENTATIVE CARL MOSES, sponsor of HJR 63, came before the
committee. He explained that he submitted the resolution to try
and get some federal money to keep the Adak Airport operational.
He pointed that the Navy will be moving out in September, 1998. He
informed that there are a number of different federal agencies that
have a need for the airport. The different federal agencies don't
want to affect their budgets so they're not prepared to commit
monies for it, so he believes the resolution is the route to go.
Representative Moses stated that it is imperative that the airport
is kept open. It is very essential to most of the international
flights going to the Orient in case of an emergency. He stated it
is his understanding that without the airport, twin engine
airplanes can't make that route. The airport is very important for
service in Atka, which is about 90 miles from the airport.
Representative Moses urged the committee to move the legislation
Number 0245
REPRESENTATIVE JOHN COWDERY asked what the length of the runway is.
REPRESENTATIVE MOSES responded 7,800 feet.
REPRESENTATIVE COWDERY asked if they have fuel facilities there.
REPRESENTATIVE MOSES stated he believes there is 20 million gallons
of fuel.
REPRESENTATIVE COWDERY asked if a lot of foreign fishing fleets are
using the facility for fuel and products.
Number 0293
REPRESENTATIVE MOSES responded that they are starting to transfer
products and they are transferring crews there. He noted it is
also in very close proximity to the Russian fishing industry. He
referred to Sakhalin and said it is very important internationally
in that respect. He stated that it is going to be ideal for a
fresh fish market in the Orient.
Number 0358
DAVE JENSEN, Vice President, Reeve Aleutian Airways; Vice Chairman
Adak Reuse Corporation, came before the committee to testify in
support of HJR 63. He noted he has been with Reeve Aleutian
Airways for 18 years. Reeve Aleutian Airways has been flying to
Adak since World War II. Mr. Jensen informed the committee that he
has been involved with the Adak Reuse Corporation for the last two
years on the evolution of how to get Adak from a military base to
a commercial reuse. He stated that Reeve Aleutian Airways needs
the airfield as they fly to Russia once a week. The airfield at
Adak will have a commercial reuse. There are lots of jobs at Adak
in fisheries. There are fuel and food sales. There are also other
types of sales to Russia, particularly, Petro Pavilosk (ph) and
Alaska. Mr. Jensen stated the airfield is important from a federal
standpoint and there is state interest in the Aleutians. To close
that airfield would preclude access to the Aleutians.
MR. JENSEN stated that Adak Reuse Corporation's standpoint is that
there are a lot of good things on the horizon. He said transient
aircrafts use the airport. He said large airplanes can land there
in an emergency situation. He pointed out that the airfield needs
to be open for search and rescue operations. Mr. Jensen urged that
the resolution be passed.
REPRESENTATIVE COWDERY questioned who supplies the fuel.
MR. JENSEN stated that the fuel that is currently in storage
belongs to Defense Fuel Procurement Agency, Department of Defense.
He said he hopes it evolves over to a private fueller.
Number 0620
VINCE TUTIAKOFF, SR., Manager, Adak Reuse Corporation; Chairman,
Aleut Corporation; Member, Adak Community Council, testified via
teleconference from Adak. He said it is important that the
resolution passes. Mr. Tutiakoff stated that he has participated
in rescues at sea in the Adak area. He said there is a critical
need for a continued operation of the airport. Mr. Tutiakoff
indicated Atka is reliant on Adak as there have been four medical
evacuations from Atka to Adak.
Number 0907
REPRESENTATIVE BILL HUDSON questioned what the annual estimated
costs to the federal government would be for maintenance of the
airstrip.
MR. TUTIAKOFF stated he would estimate $600,000 to $650,000 a year.
There are two runways that are 7,000 feet; one running north to
south and one running northeast to southwest.
Number 0818
AGAFON KRUKOFF, JR., Chairman, Adak Community Council, testified
via teleconference from Adak. He informed the committee that last
week he witnessed a lot of activity at the harbor where some
factory trawlers came in to do a transshipment and dealt with
foreign trappers. It was a nice feeling to watch things begin to
happen in Adak. He said that Adak is currently in the process of
submitting a petition for incorporation as a second class city
which has been signed by at least 60 percent of the local voters.
Mr. Krukoff urged the committee to pass the resolution.
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS indicated there were no further witnesses to
testify.
Number 0739
REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON moved and asked unanimous consent to move HJR
63 out of committee with individual recommendations and with the
attached zero fiscal note. There being no objection, HJR 63 moved
out of the House Transportation Standing Committee.
SB 211 - RENAMING VET MEM BRIDGE IN KETCHIKAN
Number 0953
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS announced the committee would hear SB 211, "An
Act renaming the Gravina Veterans' Memorial Bridge as the Ralph M.
Bartholomew Veterans' Memorial Bridge," sponsored by Senator
Taylor.
Number 0981
PETE ECKLUND, Legislative Assistant to Representative Bill
Williams, Alaska State Legislature, read the following statement
into the record on behalf of Senator Taylor:
"In 1989, as Senate Bill 37 was moving through the Alaska State
House of Representatives, an amendment was added designating the
bridge to be built across the Tongass Narrows at Ketchikan as the
Gravina Veterans' Memorial Bridge.
"This amendment was offered at the suggestion of Ralph Bartholomew,
a life-long resident of Ketchikan, a noted civic leader, and a
veteran of Wold War II. Ralph was also the leading proponent of
the construction of a bridge connecting Ketchikan with its airport.
"Ralph Bartholomew passed away last fall at age 74, without seeing
his dream of a bridge become reality. It is only appropriate that
the bridge be named for its greatest supporter and become known as
the Ralph Bartholomew Veterans' Memorial Bridge.
"Ralph was born in Ketchikan in 1923 and graduated from Ketchikan
High School in 1941. That fall his studies at the University of
Texas were interrupted by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He
tried to enlist in the Army Air Corps, but needed parental consent.
He returned to Ketchikan to enlist and spent nearly three of the
next four years in the Aleutians.
"In 1946, he joined his father in the family business and remained
with Ireland Transfer and Storage until its sale in 1996. He was
elected chief of the Ketchikan Volunteer Fire Department in 1958
and served for six years. It was during that period that
disastrous arson fires plagued downtown Ketchikan changing the face
of the community. Working with city police and the state fire
marshall, Bartholomew was able to bring the fire bug to justice in
1961.
"Ralph served on the school board and planning commission and then
on the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly. He was elected borough
mayor in 1990. Ralph Bartholomew served in most every volunteer
organization in his community and as president of the Eleventh Air
Force Association. For more than the last decade, he championed
the construction of a bridge to Gravina Island linking the
community with its airport. His advocacy inspired many in his
community and the bridge project comes closer to reality with time.
When it is completed, this span should serve as a legacy of a true
community leader and be named in his honor and the honor of all
veterans."
Number 1127
JOHN "JACK" SHAY, Mayor, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, testified via
teleconference from Ketchikan. He said Ralph's history in the
Ketchikan community is extensive and his support of many civic
projects is almost legendary. Mr. Shay stated Ralph enjoyed a
great deal of respect and admiration from all of the populous. He
was a military advocate and veteran. Ralph was active in many
local events and was a father and grandfather.
MR. SHAY said he was not always a believer in the bridge. He
recollected teaching a class at the university a few years ago and
he asked Ralph to come in and address the class to talk about some
of the issues he had been involved in as well as the airport
location and bridge. When Ralph got through explaining the fine
location of the local airport and the need for a hard link to that
facility, Mr. Shay became one of his followers. There is great
community support for renaming the bridge. He urged the
legislation be passed.
Number 1308
REPRESENTATIVE HUDSON moved and asked unanimous consent to move SB
211 out of committee with individual recommendations and with the
attached zero fiscal note. There being no objection, SB 211 moved
out of the House Transportation Standing Committee.
Number 1334
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS called for an at-ease which was taken at 1:24
p.m. He called the meeting back to order at 1:31 p.m.
HB 412 - TRANSFER RAILROAD LAND TO WHITTIER
Number 1335
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS announced the committee would hear HB 412, "An
Act providing for the transfer of certain land to the City of
Whittier; and providing for an effective date," sponsored by
Representative Cowdery.
REPRESENTATIVE COWDERY said, "After the last hearing we had we
agreed -- I contacted Governor Hickel and asked him to mediate this
thing to see if we could get some agreements to the.... And he
agreed to do that and we agreed -- I kind of agreed to delay this
thing for a week. After that week was up for more good faith, we
extended it until today. And in the memorandum -- providing they
could come to agreements, I phoned -- I got a memorandum of
understanding of what they signed and then I talked to Governor
Hickel's office this morning and also talked to the city of
Whittier. And what they agreed to is not totally in this
memorandum of understanding. In agreement with Governor Hickel, I
agreed until they -- that we would delay this until they could come
to an agreement, but we would hold it in Rules until that happened.
I further asked Governor Hickel if that was his recollection and it
was this morning. So I would like just to move this on to Rules
and I'm going to hold it in Rules until they can get further
clarification of what their mediation process said, and it has to
do primarily with the percentage of revenue that would be derived
by the city of Whittier and the railroad. And it's not clearly
stated in here what that would be and that's a concern with all the
parties, especially Whittier and myself. So we're going to hold it
in Rules."
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS asked what the wish of the committee was
regarding the bill.
Number 1493
REPRESENTATIVE COWDERY made a motion to move HB 412 out of
committee with individual recommendations and with the attached
fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 412 moved out of the
House Transportation Standing Committee.
ADJOURNMENT
Number 1529
CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS adjourned the House Transportation Standing
Committee meeting at 1:40 p.m.
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