Legislature(2003 - 2004)
04/02/2004 01:02 PM House TRA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
April 2, 2004
1:02 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Jim Holm, Chair
Representative Beverly Masek
Representative Nick Stepovich
Representative Vic Kohring
Representative Dan Ogg
Representative Mary Kapsner
Representative Albert Kookesh
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Paul Seaton
Representative Bruce Weyhrauch
Representative Beth Kerttula
Senator Kim Elton
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
^OVERVIEW OF AMHS CENTRAL OFFICE RELOCATION FROM JUNEAU TO
KETCHIKAN
TAPES
04-12, SIDE(S) A & B
04-13, SIDE(S) A
CHAIR JIM HOLM convened the meeting of the House Transportation
Standing Committee at 1:02 p.m. Representatives Holm, Masek,
Stepovich, Kohring, Ogg, Kapsner, and Kookesh were present at
the call to order. Also in attendance were Representatives
Kerttula and Weyhrauch, and Senator Elton.
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION
CHAIR HOLM emphasized that to him it's imperative that when
decisions are made, they are based on the memorandums that are
given to staff and the information that is supplied by the
staff. He then referred to a memorandum dated January 6, 2004,
which he didn't believe the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS)
had addressed. The aforementioned memorandum discussed the
processes AMHS would follow to improve marine operations. He
requested that the memorandum be addressed.
MIKE BARTON, Commissioner, Department of Transportation & Public
Facilities (DOT&PF), related that the most important benefit of
relocating AMHS headquarters to Ketchikan is derived from the
co-location of the fleet and shoreside management. He explained
that to more effectively operate AMHS, the ship systems and
operations must be better connected with the managers on the
shore. He highlighted that AMHS already has a number of AMHS
facilities located in Ketchikan, including the ferry terminal,
three berths, the system warehouse, the port engineer's office,
and a shore maintenance facility. Furthermore, much of the
maintenance on the system vessels is performed at that Alaska
Ship & Dry Dock facility in Ketchikan. Moreover, Ketchikan has
a long-established marine industrial base. Commissioner Barton
acknowledged that AMHS works well, but opined that it could work
better. Also, the arrival of the fast ferry Fairweather is a
sign that AMHS is entering a new phase. Commissioner Barton
acknowledged that the relocation of AMHS Central Office has
meant that some AMHS employees have had to make tough decisions
and whatever an employee's decision, the department is prepared
to aide them. Commissioner Barton turned attention to a
briefing from the Department of Environmental Conservation
(DEC), which details the cleanup of the mill site from 1997 to
the final record of decision in 2000.
COMMISSIONER BARTON responded to questions with the following
information. Commissioner Barton specified that the service to
those in Western Alaska won't be impacted by this relocation.
With regard to the public input on the matter of this
relocation, he said that although the concept has been under
consideration for a number of years, there wasn't widespread
public [dissemination of] information or involvement. He
addressed the staff that will remain in Juneau and those who
will relocate to Ketchikan, specifying that those positions
being relocated to Ketchikan deal with the fleet primarily.
With regard to any impact to ticket sales and reservations,
Commissioner Barton said that this relocation would have no
impact on those functions. He noted that a Move Implementation
Team has been established and is charged with determining the
most efficient location for the following functions:
reservations; dispatch; telecommunications; and marketing.
Commissioner Barton specified that the goal is to not disrupt
any service to the public and the team has been asked to make
recommendations to that end.
TOM BRIGGS, Deputy Commissioner/Director, Marine Highway System,
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities, in response to
questions, noted that the Marine Transportation Advisory Board
was not asked to make a recommendation on the AMHS Central
Office relocation. In regard to how the Incident Command System
relates to AMHS and its ability to communicate, Mr. Briggs
explained what a command center consists of and related that the
US Coast Guard District 17 Marine Safety Officer has said the
[US Coast Guard] would have no problem working with a command
center in Ketchikan. In fact, the US Coast Guard already works
with several other centers throughout the state. Furthermore,
the M/V Kennicott is the most sophisticated incident command
center there is and it's mobile. Mr. Briggs highlighted that
the US Coast Guard has an integrated support command in
Ketchikan as well as an extensive presence with search and
rescue, law enforcement, environmental protection, and aides to
navigation. The US Coast Guard also has three cutters stationed
in Ketchikan. Mr. Briggs further highlighted that Ketchikan
also has the Southeast Alaska Petroleum Resource Organization
(SEAPRO). Mr. Briggs reviewed the Marine Transportation
Advisory Board, which is charged with improving service at a
reduced general fund subsidy. Mr. Briggs answered questions,
including where maintenance and overhaul work would take place.
VERN JONES, Chief Procurement Officer, Division of General
Services, Department of Administration, discussed the lease and
some of the aspects of the building in Ketchikan. He clarified
that the Ketchikan Gateway Borough would be the owner of the
building. He noted that DOT&PF staff have surveyed the building
and specified a number of deficiencies and problems with the
building that are expected to be repaired prior to occupancy.
The lease will include a requirement that licensed, qualified,
and independent third parties, both structural and hazardous
materials experts, survey the building and identify any
problems. The independent third party, once any necessary work
is completed, will certify that the building is safe for
occupancy. The Department of Law and the director of the
Division of Risk Management within DOT&PF is reviewing the
proposed lease in order to ensure that the state's interests are
protected. Mr. Jones stated that the lease for the building in
Juneau is a binding and ongoing lease that can't be broken if
only a portion of the space is vacated. However, there is some
cost reduction in the Ketchikan lease that would allow the costs
of the building in Juneau to be offset until a new tenant is
found. There was an indication that the lease of the building
in Juneau goes through 2014.
Testimony was also given by the following: Roy Eckert, Manager,
Ketchikan Gateway Borough; Al Johnson, Stop the Move Committee;
and Patrick Wickens.
KURT FREDRIKSSON, Deputy Commissioner, Department of
Environmental Conservation (DEC), discussed the site and the
hazardous material activities that have occurred at Ward Cove.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no announcements.
COMMITTEE ACTION
The committee took no action.
ADJOURNMENT
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 State Capitol, Room 3,
Juneau, Alaska 99801 (mailing address), (907) 465-2214, and
after adjournment of the second session of the Twenty-Third
Alaska State Legislature this information may be obtained by
contacting the Legislative Reference Library at (907) 465-3808.
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