02/10/2009 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB100 | |
| Adjourn |
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | HB 100 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
February 10, 2009
1:04 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Peggy Wilson, Chair
Representative Craig Johnson, Vice Chair
Representative Kyle Johansen
Representative Cathy Engstrom Munoz
Representative Mike Doogan
Representative Max Gruenberg
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative John Harris
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
HOUSE BILL NO. 100
"An Act relating to the Joseph C. Williams, Sr., Coastal
Trail."
- MOVED OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: HB 100
SHORT TITLE: JOSEPH C WILLIAMS, SR., COASTAL TRAIL
SPONSOR(s): REPRESENTATIVE(s) JOHANSEN
01/30/09 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
01/30/09 (H) TRA
02/10/09 (H) TRA AT 1:00 PM CAPITOL 17
WITNESS REGISTER
SONIA CHRISTENSEN, Staff
to Representative Kyle Johansen
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented HB 100 on behalf of the prime
sponsor, Representative Kyle Johansen.
MARY SIROKY, Legislative Liaison
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF)
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified and answered questions during the
discussion of HB 100.
DAN WILLIAMS, Mayor
City of Saxman
Saxman, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified during the discussion of HB 100.
ACTION NARRATIVE
1:04:09 PM
CHAIR PEGGY WILSON called the House Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:04 p.m. Representatives
Johnson, Johansen, Munoz, and Wilson were present at the call to
order. Representative Gruenberg arrived as the meeting was in
progress.
HB 100-JOSEPH C WILLIAMS, SR., COASTAL TRAIL
1:04:59 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced that the only order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 100, "An Act relating to the Joseph C. Williams,
Sr., Coastal Trail."
1:05:23 PM
SONIA CHRISTENSEN, Staff, to Representative Kyle Johansen,
Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, began by explaining
that a beautiful trail runs along the coast of the South Tongass
Highway in Ketchikan. She offered that recent construction was
completed, along with an extension of the bike path. She stated
that the trail was named Joseph C. Williams, Sr. Coastal Trail.
However, under the current statute, AS 35.40.053, the bike path
is listed as being between Ketchikan and Saxman. She related
that HB 100 would delete that language and rename the entire
coastal trail after Joseph C. Williams, Sr. In response to
Chair Wilson, Ms. Christensen answered that she was not aware of
any objections to HB 100.
1:06:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN, in response to Chair Wilson, recalled
that the original bill that created the trail passed the
legislature several years ago with a zero fiscal note attached.
He further recalled that the Department of Transportation &
Public Facilities (DOT&PF) listed in the description portion of
its zero fiscal note that the cost of constructing a sign to
rename the trail would run between $2,000 and $2,500. He opined
that the DOT&PF could currently either absorb the cost or simply
not erect a sign at one end of the trail. He opined that if the
DOT&PF could put up a sign a few years ago without charge, that
it should be able to absorb the cost now.
1:09:03 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN, in response to Representative Johnson,
explained that HB 100 currently does not have a referral to the
House Finance Committee.
1:09:31 PM
MARY SIROKY, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Commissioner,
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF),
explained that the DOT&PF's policy in the past few years, with
respect to signage, is to attach a fiscal note when for the
installation of all new signs when they are required through
legislation. However, she related that the DOT&PF will absorb
the long-term maintenance of the signs. Thus, if any damage is
sustained, the DOT&PF will replace the sign without projecting
the cost in the fiscal note. She added that the DOT&PF is
frequently asked to add signs and the cost of the additional
signage is frequently from its maintenance and operations (M&O)
budget. She opined that the DOT&PF believes it is appropriate
to inform the legislature of the actual cost to erect a sign.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG responded and acknowledged that the
committee has been informed.
1:10:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN, in response to Representative Johnson,
answered that a sign is currently at the head of the trail, but
the trail could use an additional sign. He suggested that the
DOT&PF could decide whether to add the sign and absorb the cost.
In response to Representative Johnson, Representative Johansen
explained that the existing sign is relatively new and is in
good shape.
1:11:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN, in response to Chair Wilson, explained
that the road continues to Mountain Point, approximately 5 or 6
miles. In further response to Chair Wilson, Representative
Johansen offered that the road is paved to Herring Cove, and
past that point the road is not paved. He stated that the
distance is probably 9 or 10 miles to Beaver Falls, which is at
the end of the road.
1:12:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN explained that the Chair prepared a
House Transportation Standing Committee zero fiscal note. He
offered that one option for the committee is to adopt the zero
fiscal note and not adopt the DOT&PF fiscal note.
1:13:05 PM
CHAIR WILSON stated for the record that the explanation
previously given to her was not quite the same.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON stated that he would move the House
Transportation Standing Committee's fiscal note at the time the
bill is reported from the committee.
1:13:34 PM
DAN WILLIAMS, Mayor, City of Saxman, began his testimony by
explaining that he is the godson of the late Joseph C. Williams,
who served as a leader and the Mayor of the City of Saxman for
over 35 years. He related that the senior Mr. Williams was a
fisherman, a provider for the community, and also served as
Grand President of the Alaska Native Brotherhood (ANB) Grand
Camp for many years. Mr. Williams, Sr. died in 1982, he noted.
He stated that naming the trail after Joseph C. Williams, Sr. is
a great honor for the City of Saxman and for his family. He
concluded his testimony by saying in Tlingit "Gunalcheesh,"
which translates as thank you.
1:16:03 PM
MR. WILLIAMS, in response to Representative Gruenberg, explained
that he recently returned as mayor of the City of Saxman after a
three-year break. Thus, while he appreciates Representative
Gruenberg's interest in knowing his transportation priorities,
that he will first need to study and review the current
transportation needs of his community. He thanked the committee
for its generosity in passing this bill. He commented that the
trail is frequently used by residents and tourists.
1:17:07 PM
CHAIR WILSON explained that the committee would like to move the
bill to the floor for action. Thus, the committee would like to
take action on a zero fiscal note. She explained that if the
coastal trail is expanded in the future, that the name of the
trail would remain the same as the "Joseph C. Williams, Sr.,
Coastal Trail."
MR. WILLIAMS, in response to Chair Wilson, stated that moving
one sign to the other end of the costal trail would be
acceptable to him. He stated that the coastal trail currently
has two signs, one near the U.S. Coast Guard base, and one in
the City of Saxman near the Ketchikan Gateway Borough bus stop.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN expressed his displeasure that DOT&PF
might not absorb the cost of relocating the sign on the coastal
trail from its M&O budget.
CHAIR WILSON commented that she thought the DOT&PF was willing
to move the sign.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHANSEN applauded the Williams family. He
offered that Mr. William's brother previously served in the
legislature, that their father was a great leader for the area.
Additionally another brother served as the mayor of the
Ketchikan Gateway Borough and currently serves on the city
council. His nephew was also on the city council, he stated.
He said, "The whole family is so engaged in our community. It's
just great, so thank you for your service."
MR. WILLIAMS, in response to Chair Wilson, explained that his
father has two daughters and two sons from his first marriage
and two sons and a daughter from his second marriage.
1:19:24 PM
CHAIR WILSON, after first determining that no one else wished to
testify, closed the public testimony on HB 100.
1:19:41 PM
REPRESENTATIVE Johnson moved to report HB 100, version 26-
LS0428\A, out of committee with individual recommendations and
the accompanying zero fiscal note prepared by the House
Transportation Standing Committee.
There being no objection, HB 100 was reported from the House
Transportation Standing Committee.
1:20:50 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Transportation Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 1:20
p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| hb100b~1.pdf |
HTRA 2/10/2009 1:00:00 PM |
|
| HB100-DOT-SMO-2-06-09.pdf |
HTRA 2/10/2009 1:00:00 PM |
HB 100 |
| hb100s~1.pdf |
HTRA 2/10/2009 1:00:00 PM |
|
| hb100w~1.pdf |
HTRA 2/10/2009 1:00:00 PM |