Legislature(2003 - 2004)
02/25/2003 01:37 PM Senate TRA
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ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
February 25, 2003
1:37 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator John Cowdery, Chair
Senator Thomas Wagoner, Vice Chair
Senator Gene Therriault
Senator Georgianna Lincoln
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Donny Olson
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
SENATE BILL NO. 31
"An Act relating to a railroad utility corridor for extension of
the Alaska Railroad to Canada and to extension of the Alaska
Railroad to connect with the North American railroad system."
BILL POSTPONED TO MARCH 11, 2003
Confirmation Hearing:
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities -
Commissioner Mike Barton;
CONFIRMATION ADVANCED
PREVIOUS ACTION
No previous action to record.
WITNESS REGISTER
Confirmation nominee:
Mike Barton
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
3132 Channel Drive
Juneau, AK 99801-7898
ACTION NARRATIVE
TAPE 03-04, SIDE A
CHAIR JOHN COWDERY called the Senate Transportation Standing
Committee meeting to order at 1:37 p.m. Present were Senators
Wagoner, Lincoln and Chair Cowdery. Senator Olson was excused.
Senator Therriault arrived at 1:40 p.m. The confirmation hearing
for Commissioner-designee Mike Barton of the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF) was the business
before the committee. Chair Cowdery invited Commissioner-
designee Barton to come forward and speak on the direction of
DOTPF under his tenure.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE MIKE BARTON informed committee members
that DOTPF's direction [will vary] depending on the mode of
transportation. DOTPF needs to optimize and build a
transportation system that fits the needs of Alaskans. He
explained:
Specifically with the Marine Highways for example, I
think that we need to improve communications with the
user groups and the communities that it serves. We
need to strive to reduce the amount of general funding
that gets devoted to the Marine Highway System and
that will take some doing. I think that we need to get
on with implementing the fast ferry concept. I think
that's a means of achieving a reduction in the general
fund demands.
And I think one of the first tasks that I would ask
the new Marine Advisory Board to undertake is the
examination and clarification of the mission of the
Marine Highway System. I believe that there's not a
clear understanding on what we really wanted to do.
On the one hand, we wanted to provide basic service to
Alaskans, on the other hand we wanted to provide sort
of a cruise ship, a pseudo-cruise ship. And I think
it's important that we look at those things and decide
specifically what we want to emphasize.
In the long term I think that - I see a system of
short ferry links as we develop the road system, as
the road system matures so that we don't have these
long hauls. I think there will still always be a
Bellingham - Skagway, the Prince Rupert - Skagway but
some of the like, Juneau to Haines and Skagway, I
think we'll get the road links developed and we'll be
able to work with more of the short ferry links and a
completely different style of boat, ship. That will
all help, I think, provide better service for Alaskans
and at the same time reduce the need for general
funds.
CHAIR COWDERY interjected that he has received requests from
many of the tourism companies to provide a two-year schedule.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON replied a two-year summer schedule
has been discussed. It is more problematic during the rest of
the year because ships are in lay-up and lay-up time depends on
the amount of funding available for the repair work. The Marine
Highway staff believes two-year summer schedules can be
provided.
CHAIR COWDERY said that would be helpful. The tourism companies
were having difficulty making bookings for tourists.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON said he did not think it was a
problem but there would have to be recognition of unforeseen
events. He continued.
In terms of air transportation, I think we need to
continue to improve our airports. You know we've got
a program where we're trying to get all the runways to
3300 feet. Some would like to get up to 3500 and
depending on the bypass mail changes, we may have to
get to 4000 at some of the airports. Many of our
airports still need lights and there are a lot of
airports where we need to pave the runways. We need
to finish the Anchorage terminal project.
CHAIR COWDERY added he thought the committee was going to have a
hearing on the Anchorage Airport.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON said the department has been
looking at ways to address the Anchorage Airport and would
provide information at the time of the hearing. He told members:
In terms of the road system, I think that we need to
get some traces on the ground. Historically DOT has
been very heavy into the reconstruction phase rather
than construction and we need to get into more
construction. The Governor talked about industrial
access roads, community access roads. We need to get
on with that in order to help grow the economy of this
state. And in many cases, we don't need a typical
highway. You know, in some cases a much smaller low
volume road will get the job done.
And so I see challenges coming on the financing of
those roads and we're gona have to look for a variety
of ways I think to finance those roads. The federal
highway aid system brings with it a lot of standards
that perhaps aren't - not what we need for many of
these roads. But there's a number of them out there
and we're getting more suggestions all the time but we
need to figure out which ones we can get on with,
which ones have the highest payoff and what's the best
way to finance them. You know there's a variety of
mechanisms...federal highway aid, perhaps Denali
Commission money, general funds, bond program, perhaps
private. Some of these may be very suitable for
private development. In some cases the developers may
prefer development privately.
So that's kind of it in a nutshell. I think we need
to continue to put more money in the capital
investment on roads in order to decrease the amount of
money we need later in maintenance and the
department's been doing that and we need to continue
to emphasize that. If you look at life cycle costs,
it's cost effective to do that plus it's a different
source of money.
1:47 p.m.
SENATOR LINCOLN said it was good to have Commissioner-designee
Barton in front of the committee. She said it was encouraging
and nice to see on his resume he is a long time Alaskan and
familiar with Alaska.
SENATOR LINCOLN described her concerns as follows. The Governor
has indicated he wants to have resources developed. Resource
development requires infrastructure, meaning roads, a railroad
or air access in and out of the development sites. She stated:
When we hear talk about the 10 percent cuts that are
possibly coming down from the departments or more, or
even if you hold the line, and we hear the talk about
the development, how do you match those two things up?
How are you going to get the funding to do some of
these projects? I hear you talk about the bonding and
private dollars but for GF [general funds] how will we
possibly go forward with developing resources with our
limited GF dollars we've got and the limited federal
dollars coming down quite frankly?
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON said intense discussions have taken
place during the budget development with OMB (Office of
Management and Budget). It is too soon to tell how DOTPF will
fair but he is optimistic because the Governor has made
transportation one of his priority issues. He said that was
about as much as he could say at this point.
SENATOR LINCOLN stated, "Which doesn't answer my question but I
appreciate your honesty in that." She said her other area of
concern is construction versus reconstruction. The piece of
legislation in the "hopper" is the proposed new Circle Hot
Springs to Chena Hot Springs Loop Road. The real problem is the
Central to Circle road, a horrible almost impassable road.
People have to use this road to reach the longer runway to get
out for medical reasons and other services. She asked how he
balances reconstruction versus construction when there is a real
reconstruction need out there.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON said that is a difficult situation
and he had not meant to imply DOTPF was going to stop
reconstruction. The bulk of the money will probably still be
spent on reconstruction. He said he is concerned that some new
roads are built. Picking which roads to build will be a
balancing act that will have to reflect people's needs. He
added:
You know there's very possibly a road that serves a
very few people, on the other hand it may be just
extremely important to them, whereas a road that your
reconstructing may be more a matter of reducing
commute time or making traffic flow a little faster
when there are alternatives. I think it's really a
judgment call that has to be made on that sort of
thing and it's not an easy one because there's so many
requests for both types, the reconstruction as well as
the new construction. We have $8 billion dollars, $8
billion dollars in identified needs in this state.
That's how much is on the needs list.
SENATOR LINCOLN asked if that was for new construction and
reconstruction.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON answered yes. He thought mostly
reconstruction.
SENATOR THERRIAULT stated:
I was contacted the other day by a member, a trucker,
who talked about some seasonal late restriction
bottlenecks in the system and I'm wondering what
you've got planned to switch around the decision
making process on that effort to maybe relieve some of
the bottlenecks from being seasonally imposed causing
problems all the way down to when the containers are
loaded in Seattle.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON said he had been working with Frank
Dillon, Alaska Truckers Association, as well as Dick Katno,
Associated General Contractors, on this question. The need for
weight restrictions decreases as the major highways are
upgraded. The highway has an upgraded section, followed by a
non-upgraded section, and then another upgraded section. The
weight restrictions are dictated by the weakest link in the
chain. He informed committee members he agreed to use the same
weight restrictions this year that were used last year and will
work with the truckers to examine other things that might help,
such as lower tire pressures and lower speeds. DOTPF would like
to get to the point where it does not have to impose weight
restrictions but is not there yet.
SENATOR THERRIAULT said if the container does not meet the
weight restriction and the driver gets stopped and ticketed, he
still drives over the weak portion of pavement. He asked if
reconstruction was scheduled for that stretch of road so the
weight limits would not have to be imposed.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON said DOTPF has a schedule to
upgrade roads to the point where weight restrictions can be
eliminated.
SENATOR THERRIAULT asked, "But not until the road is actually
reconstructed?"
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON said they had to harden those weak
links. Perhaps, by working with the truckers, alternative means
can be found that allow weight restrictions to be raised or
eliminated. At this point, DOTPF does not have the alternative
means.
SENATOR THERRIAULT asked if federal funds might be reallocated
or shifted in the STIP (State Transportation Improvement
Program) fund allocation process. He explained the northern
region has the majority of lane miles but it is said the region
is not getting its fair share of funds. He said he tries to be
sensitive to the fact that the lane miles in the Anchorage area
are fewer but receive a lot of wear and tear. He asked if
Commissioner-designee Barton anticipates any direction from the
Governor on reevaluating the way the money is distributed.
1:55 p.m.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON clarified the STIP process is a
federally dictated process. He explained:
I can tell you I'm very frustrated with it and I think
the public is very frustrated with it. Part of my
frustration is inherent in the process and part of my
frustration relates to the way we use it and I'm
wanting to change the way we use it. The public is
frustrated because a project shows up in a '03 STIP
and the next thing you know, it's in the '04 STIP and
the '05 STIP. And there [are] some very good reasons
for that sometimes and sometimes they may not be so
good.
But I think we have to really look at the way that
we're estimating these projects because that's what
happens when these shift a lot of times is they were
in the STIP at a certain level and then when you
actually build them they've mushroomed so that that
has to displace something else yet to be built.
Now the reason that cost has gone up sometimes is very
legitimate and one of the big things that drives up
the cost is increased right-of-way costs. And that's
just a function of escalating land values from the
time when the project was conceived to the time when
you actually go out there to buy it. We've got one
project... in the Mat-Su Valley where the right-of-way
costs have tripled and that then bumps things out. So
if we can do a better job at anticipating that sort of
thing, then I think we can have a more reliable, more
dependable STIP process. But the process is labor
intensive for the public and I'm sure they get tired
of it.
SENATOR THERRIAULT described a concern in Fairbanks. Without
the federal float dollars being spread around the state,
contractors go out of business. The contractors cannot hold out
until the money comes around again. When the next project comes
up, competitive bidding is not there to the extent desired so
the cost goes up. He said he was looking for some kind of spread
of projects to make sure the bidders remain healthy and viable.
The need is higher in all locations than funding is available
for.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON said DOTPF recognizes and tries to
deal with that situation. DOTPF knows it is not in the state's
best interest to have no contractors and then a lot of
contractors and then no contractors. He offered to provide a
list of contracts to be awarded this year and said those
projects are pretty well spread around the state.
SENATOR THERRIAULT said he would like to see the list.
SENATOR LINCOLN requested the list be provided to all committee
members.
SENATOR WAGONER asked the carrying capacity of the fast ferries.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON said a fast ferry carries
approximately 35 vehicles and 200 passengers.
SENATOR WAGONER pointed out he has been in Alaska for about 30
years and has been bothered by Alaska's road construction. He
noted he had always wanted to ask the Commissioner of
Transportation the following question:
Where I come from, they generally put a lift of 6 to 8
inches of good, clean, crushed rock as a cap on every
road they build before they pave it. And I've driven
over a 30-mile stretch of road between my hometown and
Carson, Washington, and we get a lot of freezing and
thawing there too. And that road today, it was rebuilt
in - approximately 35 years ago and there's a few
patches on it, but basically the road bed and the road
is still just about as good as it was the day it was
built. Have we ever thought about trying to put better
material on our roads or is it a fact that we don't?
I mean I've never seen a road with a cap on it of
crushed rock in the State of Alaska. Is there such a
stretch of road?
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON answered he was sure there is.
DOTPF is trying to put better material on Alaska roads. Part of
what determines the life of a road is the material available.
Generally, the rock in Alaska is too soft for road construction
however, that is not true in a few places.
SENATOR WAGONER asked if the rock does not fracture right.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON pointed out it is too soft and
doesn't wear well. DOTPF is using a different oil mix with
polymers in it and that seems to be wearing better. A top
surface of hard rock is very expensive; in this area it comes
from Haines. DOTPF is also treating the sub-base underneath the
road and the fines are being captured, which makes it a more
wearable base and that is helping.
SENATOR WAGONER said the last lift on the road is generally 6 to
8 inches of good crushed rock that screens perfectly. He said
maybe that type of rock is not available in Alaska.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON replied the rock in Alaska is
variable but, in general, too soft.
CHAIR COWDERY interjected that base coats like those with a D-1
classification are crushed rock that include fines and work as a
reinforcement. It is compacted in layers and is now being used
with a fabric.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON said he would be delighted to have
DOTPF design people come to the Senate Transportation Committee
and brief them on construction techniques.
SENATOR WAGONER said he would like that. He noted the road
between Kenai and Anchorage was recently rebuilt. Several times
he looked at the materials being used. He stated, "I told my
wife several times that it just makes me sick because they were
going to have to rebuild that road before long." The blacktop
was crushed and the road was taken up. He said the materials
did not look good but maybe good materials are not available.
SENATOR WAGONER said he usually drives 4-wheel drive vehicles
and does not use studs or believe studs give better traction.
Millions of dollars are spent in Alaska rebuilding roads due to
wear of the pavement by studded tires. He asked if anything is
being done to get away from studded tires.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON said that earlier efforts to ban
heavy steel studs and only allow aluminum studs were
unsuccessful. A plastic stud is available but it does not seem
to be very popular. Some states have banned the use of studs
because they are expensive when it comes to road wear.
SENATOR WAGONER said, "Maybe the three letter word needs to be
looked at. If you want to put a studded tire on your car you pay
a tax that would go into a maintenance program for highways."
CHAIR COWDERY inserted, "A user fee."
SENATOR WAGONER replied, "Oh, Heaven forbid, a Republican said
the three letter word." He added the state is paying a
horrendous bill because of the damage done by stud use when
there is no snow or ice on the roads.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON responded that is one way to pay
for road maintenance and looking at some sort of user fee or
surcharge is worthwhile.
2:07 p.m.
SENATOR THERRIAULT said he thought an in-depth discussion took
place when [former] Representative Hanley introduced legislation
about studded tire use in the past. The research at that time
showed that a lot of the damage is caused when the casing
strikes the pavement, not from the stud. The aluminum or
plastic casing holds the stud in the tire. He asked if DOTPF
has continued to review research on the level of damage from an
aluminum casing with a steel stud. He suggested explaining to
constituents that researchers have identified the part of the
studded snow tire that causes most of the damage and that is
what the legislature wants to address.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON recalled that such an effort was
made in 1995. He said it is fairly well accepted that an
aluminum casing has less of an impact on the pavement than a
steel casing.
SENATOR THERRIAULT asked if 50 percent of the wear comes from
the casing and 50 percent from the stud.
CHAIR COWDERY explained the tungsten that hits the pavement does
the damage. The heavier steel imbedded to hold the stud in the
tire may come out and wear the pavement fast.
SENATOR LINCOLN said a lot of research was done on another piece
of legislation about this issue. She suggested that DOTPF staff
review that research. She noted the type of stud that would not
damage pavement could not be acquired in the United States at
that time.
CHAIR COWDERY said the University of Alaska found that 50
percent of drivers do not use studs and that 98 percent of the
time the pavement is dry but studs are used year-round. He said
the trucking industry and the Anchorage Police do not use
studded tires and that other options are available.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON pointed out that the use of studded
tires is an emotional issue.
SENATOR WAGONER said so are dollars.
SENATOR LINCOLN said Commissioner-designee Barton's statement
about DOTPF's mission being a bit outdated and in need of review
interests her. She asked if he had some type of goal in mind to
complete the mission statement or to look at how the department
is going to operate under his administration.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON said he was referring specifically
to the Marine Highway mission. He believes the Governor's
reorganization of department headquarters along modal lines is
very good. The three modes are highways and facilities, aviation
and marine highway. The Governor also added two boards, an
Aviation Advisory Board and a Marine Transportation Advisory
Board. The Governor left the organization in the field
integrated. Commissioner-designee Barton said he thought the
department could still deliver services in an efficient manner
with the integrated field units and at the same time improve
management focus in each of the three modes because of the
change in the staffing at headquarters.
SENATOR LINCOLN said she would read a question on behalf of some
fisher people to make sure to say it correctly.
One of the biggest issues facing the salmon industry
is improved transportation.... No reliable dedicated
statewide air cargo service for moving salmon out of
state exists. Refrigerated cargo service aboard the
state ferries has been proposed but not moved forward.
What can DOT do, given the current fiscal situation,
to attract or assist cargo businesses to the state to
economically move salmon out of state?
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON said he thought the ferries had
refrigerated vans. He pointed out the issue of air
transportation gets back to providing the necessary
infrastructure for air cargo companies to be able to service
these communities. In some cases, a road link may be needed to
get the fish to the airport. He asserted he did not believe the
state should be in the business of operating air cargo flights,
which ought to be a function of the private sector. It is the
state's business to provide the infrastructure in terms of
airports and roads so the air cargo companies can provide the
service.
SENATOR LINCOLN clarified the question was about attracting or
assisting cargo businesses, not the state going into competition
with them. She said she would be interested in meeting with him
later to look at ways to get fish to market quickly. She added
she was interested to hear how Commissioner-designee Barton
would implement the very important role DOTPF plays.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON agreed DOTPF plays a very important
role and said he would be pleased to look at the issue in more
detail and get back to her.
2:16 p.m.
SENATOR LINCOLN asked, "As you know the Administrative Order 199
on forced accounting, could you talk a little bit about your
feeling about that and maybe your advice to the Administration
on implementing that?"
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON said that was a subject of some
discussion he has had with staff, the Associated General
Contractors and others. He added:
I would hate to see the department lose entirely its
ability to use force account. On the other hand, on
the face of it, the situation, and this is my personal
opinion, that created a lot of the controversy was the
Saint Mary's project. And on the face of it that was
not a good thing to use, that was too big a project
for force account. On the other hand, as I understand
it and I wasn't here, I understand that the motives
were designed to help with an extremely adverse
economic situation.
But it just seems to me that that flexibility is
important to have for the Governor, and again this is
me speaking, not the Administration, please understand
that. Force account provides an opportunity to get
some things done more cheaply. When we - there are
other things other times when it's cheaper to get it
done through these private contracts. Given the union
contract we have to demonstrate that it is cheaper to
get it done through private contracts before we can go
that route.
But I think the use of force accounts should be on
small things, things that are not economical to do
through private contracting. I believe that Saint
Mary's was too big if you just look at it on its face
and discount any other reasons for having done it. I
would like to see 199 operate for a while and see
whether it works. It's not, I believe we ought to use
the private sector to the extent we can but I also
believe we need to have some capability, some
flexibility within the department.
SENATOR LINCOLN said she was glad to hear him say that because
so often local hire becomes a real issue if there isn't force
accounting. From all indication, the Saint Mary's project was
very successful and came in under the bid amount. She opined,
"I don't know how you can argue with success and all local
hire."
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON said it depends on your objectives.
CHAIR COWDERY said DOTPF charges a monthly fee for truckers
hauling goods to Kenai in doubles. DOTPF does not charge the
fee to haul doubles to Fairbanks or any other part of the state.
He thought it penalizes commerce between Anchorage and Kenai and
endorses eliminating the fee or balancing it out.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON promised to look at the fee
structure and said it does sound like there is an inequity.
CHAIR COWDERY said he would ask about it again at a later time.
He continued by saying he talked to Commissioner-designee Barton
about using rural contractors or rural people on certain kinds
of jobs. Small jobs that do not require engineering would be
lumped together and a contractor would be required to be on
call. Chair Cowdery said he worked with the City of Anchorage
on that type of project and it proved to be very successful and
included Davis-Bacon wages.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON said DOTPF has some resourceful
people who have gotten hold of Chair Cowdery's contracts and are
looking at them.
CHAIR COWDERY said it seemed they could increase privatization
along that line and include winter maintenance. He added that
in rural Alaska, some airports are very close to each other but
no roads connect them and maintenance of those airports is
substantial. He wanted to address ways to acquire federal funds
for that type of road.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON explained that is exactly the sort
of thing he was referring to with community access roads. He
stated:
We need to get some Alcans on the ground and then we
can come along and build them up as the need develops
so that we don't have to put in something for 30 years
from now today. But we can put something [in] today
that will suffice and is a low enough cost that we can
build more of them.
TAPE 03-04, SIDE B
2:25 p.m.
SENATOR LINCOLN pointed out in recent years the elimination of
the capital matching funds for local municipally owned airports
was discussed and proposed. She asked the following.
· What are his intentions as a new commissioner on this
issue?
· Has there been any discussion of turning over the public
facility component of the department to the Department of
Administration?
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON addressed the first question:
Having served as the Chairman of the Juneau Airport
Board for the last several years I was on the other
end of the elimination of this local match so I find
myself in a bit of a pickle here. We've not looked at
that, by inclination I'm sympathetic to the local
communities. I mean it's not a lot of money but it's
pretty important to those communities but I need to
look at that. You know it all depends on how the
budget shapes out and what you all do. As I recall the
reason it now exists is because you legislated it. Is
that not correct?
SENATOR LINCOLN answered that is correct.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON responded to the second question:
We have not yet discussed with the Department of
Administration any further transfer of public
facilities. I get passionate about buildings but even
if we transferred all the office buildings to the
Department of Administration, DOT would still end up
with several hundred buildings - ferry terminals,
airports, and maintenance stations. I think that's the
efficient way to handle this - is DOT is the sole
tenant.
SENATOR LINCOLN pointed out Commissioner-designee Barton is a
member of the Alaska Railroad Corporation's Board of Directors.
Several pieces of legislation propose a railroad corridor and
expanding the railroad into various parts of Alaska. She asked
how he envisions dealing with his seat on the Alaska Railroad
Board because of a potential conflict of interest, whether a
railroad is built or whether DOT gets involved with a road
system or airport.
COMMISSIONER-DESIGNEE BARTON said he does not see any conflict
[between modes]. Alaska's transportation systems need to be
optimized: they need to be complementary, not competitive.
Alaska cannot afford to maximize every transportation system.
As roads are developed, ferries need to be reduced. Some
competition exists between roads and railroads but there are
also many areas where they are not competitive. He said he
enjoys his seat on the railroad board and does not see a
conflict or competition, he sees the opportunity to make the
various transportation systems complementary. Alaska cannot
afford to do anything else.
CHAIR COWDERY said before the Alcan Highway was built the first
choice was to build a railroad but because many believed a
railroad would take too long to build, the highway was built.
CHAIR COWDERY then pointed out that studded tires are prohibited
in Ontario, Canada and seven U.S. states.
SENATOR THERRIAULT moved that the committee forward
Commissioner-designee Barton's name to the full Senate for
consideration of confirmation.
CHAIR COWDERY announced that without objection, Commissioner-
designee Barton's name would be advanced to the full body for a
vote.
With no further business to come before the committee, Chair
Cowdery adjourned the meeting at 2:31 p.m.
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