Legislature(2013 - 2014)SENATE FINANCE 532
02/18/2014 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB119 | |
| Fy 15 Governor's Budget Overview: University of Alaska | |
| Fy 15 Governor's Budget Overview: Department of Health and Social Services | |
| Fy 15 Governor's Budget Overview: Department of Transportation and Public Facilities | |
| Fy15 Governor's Budget Overview: Court System | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 119 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SENATE BILL NO. 119
"An Act making appropriations, including capital
appropriations and other appropriations; making
appropriations to capitalize funds."
9:03:59 AM
^FY 15 GOVERNOR'S BUDGET OVERVIEW: UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA
9:03:59 AM
PATRICK GAMBLE, PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA, introduced
himself. He presented the PowerPoint, "FY 15 Capital Budget
Overview" (copy on file).
President Gamble looked at slide 2, "FY 15 BOR Capital
Request."
Deferred Maintenance
-No. 1 overall priority
-Governor's $37.5M (last year of 5)
-UAF Heat and Power Plant Upgrade
-No. 1 deferred maintenance project
Engineering Buildings Completion
-No. 1 academic demand project
Research for Alaska
-UAF's Alaska Earthquake Center
-Arctic Oil Spill Response
-Statewide Digital Mapping Initiative
9:10:37 AM
President Gamble highlighted slide 3, "FY 15 Governor's
Capital Request."
Deferred Maintenance
-No. 1 overall priority
UAF Heat and Power Plant Upgrade . . . None
Engineering Buildings Completion . . . Partial Funding
Research for Alaska . . . None
Equipment . . . None
President Gamble addressed slide 4, "University of Alaska
FY 15 Governor's Proposed Capital Budget." He stated that
the chart showed the governor's proposal of $37.5 million,
which was the fifth year of that budget proposal level. He
stated that the beneficial value that was a result from
those five years was of such consequence that he strongly
advocated for five more years dealing with the deferred
maintenance issue. He announced that the governor had
prioritized deferred maintenance, and the majority of the
deferred maintenance appropriation was allotted five years
prior. The program was effective, and he was in strong
support of its continuation. He stated that the heat and
power plant was not contained in the governor's proposal,
but stressed that it was an important issue that must be
immediately addressed.
Co-Chair Meyer queried what was expected from the receipt
authority.
MICHELLE RIZK, ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT, STATEWIDE PLANNING
AND BUDGET, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA, explained that the
governor included the request in the budget, for potential
receipt authority.
Co-Chair Meyer wondered if there were other sources of
receiving $10 million. President Gamble replied in the
negative. He explained that hollow receipts must be
fulfilled, or they would be moved to the following year.
Co-Chair Meyer noted that the deferred maintenance in FY 14
had been reduced by $7.5 million. He queried the impact of
that reduction, and wondered if that reduction would be
acceptable in the current budget. President Gamble
responded that the previous year's budget was agreed upon
at the last minute in order to move forward on funding that
was too intense. He stressed that UA would be willing to
participate at any level in order to pursue the proposed
budget. He furthered that the five years of deferred
maintenance funding had resulted in dozens of current
construction projects. He felt that there should be a
balance, and did not feel that any project was of higher
priority than the other.
9:16:55 AM
President Gamble displayed slide 5, "FY 15 Capital
Reality." The slide represented the two projects that he
felt that the legislature would prioritize: $37.5 million
for deferred maintenance; and the engineering versus heat
and power plant upgrade.
Senator Dunleavy queried the total estimated cost of the
power plant. President Gamble responded that the total
estimated cost was $245 million.
Senator Dunleavy asked the total cost for each of the
engineering buildings. President Gamble replied that the
total cost for the engineering buildings was a little over
$78 million.
Co-Chair Meyer wondered if the governor's request of $5
million request for the new engineering buildings was
intended for any specific project. President Gamble replied
that the request was more of a demonstration than a
specific aspect of the project.
Co-Chair Meyer remarked that the total capital budget would
be reduced from the year prior. He wanted to ensure that
the minimum request from the governor would be sufficient.
President Gamble responded that the two engineering
buildings would not be identical. The UAA building was
closer to completion than the UAF building. He stressed
that the UAA total amount also included a parking garage
and the renovation of the old engineering building, and was
totaled into the sum of the request. He felt that there
could be some adjustments to the request, in terms of how
the funding would be allotted. Assigning $5 million for
each building was not the desired approach.
Co-Chair Meyer stressed that each engineering building
should be funded simultaneously. He wanted to know the
minimum amount that would allow for each building's
construction. He wanted the committee to work under the
assumption that there was no additional money for capital
projects, because there was already a request to use some
of the savings. He wanted to preserve as much savings as
possible until there was more oil production.
Co-Chair Kelly requested some information from Chancellor
Rogers. Co-Chair Meyer replied that Chancellor Rogers would
address the committee following President Gamble's
presentation.
9:24:27 AM
President Gamble discussed slide 6, "Alaska Sovereign
Education Fund."
Alaska's Land-Grant University Equivalency
Fraction of State Earning in Oil/Gas/Mining
Legislative-controlled account
Appropriated annually only to:
-University Building Fund (UBF)
-System-wide capital, capital maintenance,
equipment
Initial Seed Money for UBF
-Applied to UBF upon being signed into law
Apportionment Limits (Annual)
-Higher education receives first $50M
-Legislature determines appropriation or savings
of excess
Long Term Goal
-Modernize university technology, equipment
-Materially reduce facilities falling into DM
status
Co-Chair Meyer appreciated President Gamble's ideas and
suggestions.
9:30:53 AM
Senator Dunleavy surmised that the land had not been
designated from the state to the university. President
Gamble responded that there was approximately 130,000
acres, and most of it was campus. The rest of the land was
divided into small pieces across the state. He stated that
the university was the second lowest land grant university
of all the land grant universities with regard to its own
land grant.
Senator Dunleavy wondered if there was a specific amount of
land that the university would receive. President Gamble
responded that the federal government looked up to 10
million acres; and the state had looked at between 500,000
and 2 million acres.
Senator Dunleavy queried the number of acres that the
university had received, of the 2 million acres in state
land. President Gamble responded that the land allotted was
merely what was necessary for the construction of all of
the various facilities across the state. There were other
pieces of land that had been assigned to the university
through endowments, etc. The 130,000 acres included the
total land that the university had received from every
aspect.
Senator Dunleavy wondered if there was a specific figure
articulated from the state that the university would
receive. President Gamble replied in the negative. He
explained that there was a number agreed upon in the 1990s
that was sent to the governor, but the governor had vetoed
that bill because of the statement in the constitution that
stated that there could not be money allotted for a
specific purpose. The language in the bill was not clear,
so the governor vetoed the bill based on a technicality.
Senator Dunleavy surmised that the state had not conceded
the land to generate income for the university, and there
was no expectation of that actually occurring. Therefore,
there was a proposed new concept to trade out that land
idea for the wealth that the land would generate. President
Gamble replied in the affirmative.
9:34:44 AM
Co-Chair Kelly remarked that the issue was not about
whether UA received land, but rather it was never allotted
to the university in the first place. He explained that the
land grant for universities to a small state like Delaware
was substantial larger than the land grant to UA. He
recalled that the federal government had taken so much land
that there was not much left for UA. He felt that UA was a
land grant college in name only, because the land had never
materialized. He stressed that this debate dated back to
1913, and Judge Wickersham had put forward a bill in
Alaska's original legislature for the federal government to
cede land to the university. The discussion for Alaska's
statehood eventually overshadowed that legislation, and the
land grant for university issued continued to present day.
President Gamble replied that in 1959, there was a veto for
a million acres of land that was presented to Governor
Egan. Governor Hickel then tried to deal with the issue,
but was overshadowed by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement
Act, Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS), the Alaska
National Interest Lands Conservation Act, so all of that
land was removed from consideration.
President Gamble displayed slide 7, "FY 14 Sustainment
Funding Plan for UA facilities With No Additional DM and R
& R funding." He explained that the chart was a running
tally of the deferred maintenance. He stated that the green
bar at the bottom of the five most recent years represented
the governor's $37.5 million. He explained that the chart
showed the comparison between the governor's request and
the total needs to maintain all of the university's square
footage.
Senator Bishop wondered if UA had received any funding for
from private corporations for oil or gas line related
research projects. President Gamble deferred to Chancellor
Rogers.
9:39:15 AM
BRIAN ROGERS, CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS,
agreed to provide the information requested by Senator
Bishop.
Co-Chair Kelly felt that there was no legislation to
designate a petroleum research fund.
Senator Hoffman noted that the state had provided funding
for UA in the lower $200 million over the last five years
in deferred maintenance. He remarked that the deferred
maintenance would continue to increase to $1.4 billion by
2028. He felt that the future governors would present
additional requests, even though there was a five-year
commitment of $37.5 million. He added that the recent
requests of $200 million still did not cover the bulk of
the deferred maintenance costs. President Gamble expressed
confidence in the presented numbers. He explained that
there was a specific analysis that was conducted in order
to determine the requests.
Senator Hoffman looked at the red and blue bars on the
slide, and wondered if there was anticipation for
additional expenditures for deferred maintenance by 2018.
President Gamble responded that there would be additional
deferred maintenance requests.
Co-Chair Meyer asked to have a private meeting with the
university.
9:45:20 AM
Chancellor Rogers explained that UA had been examining a
range of public-private partnership options for the UAF
Heat and Power Plant. Of the total $245 million capital
cost, UA was able to bond internally for $50 million using
the fuel cost savings. The request to the state was $195
million, and $50 million from the savings in fuel. Shifting
to one of four public-private options would shift from a
capital support to an operating support. A lease hold
interest or operator would be paid, depending on the model.
The challenge would be whether to pay now with capital
funds or later with operating funds.
Co-Chair Meyer wondered how $50 million would be reached
through bonding. Chancellor Rogers replied that the $50
million was reached by looking at the current fuel costs.
He explained that UA paid $9.8 million per year currently
for coal, oil, gas, and electricity for its heat and power
needs. The new plant was estimated at $5.3 million per year
for power costs, therefore saving UA $4.5 million per year.
He stated that the funds would be used to secure a 20 to 25
year bond from the university revenue in order to make the
new facility cost-neutral for UAF.
Co-Chair Meyer queried the minimum request for the
engineering buildings' construction. Chancellor Rogers
responded in the negative. He furthered that the request
for $5 million would not be sufficient to cover the cost,
would slow down or stop the project.
^FY 15 GOVERNOR'S BUDGET OVERVIEW: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH and
SOCIAL SERVICES
9:48:51 AM
WILLIAM STREUR, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
SOCIAL SERVICES, (DHSS) looked at the PowerPoint
presentation, "FY2015 Capital Budget" (copy on file).
Commissioner Streur looked at slide 2, "FY 2015 Capital
Request." He explained that the capital fund request for
DHSS was $9.626 million. The year prior was $26 million,
and the year before that was $33 million. He stated that
DHSS continued to examine what could be done within the
existing budget and the commissioner's discretionary
authority to continue to reduce the budget. He stated that
there were six items that DHSS would present. Four of the
items were contained in the capital budget bill HB 119:
Office of Children's Services (OCS) Safety; Emergency
Medical Services match for Code Blue; non-Pioneer Home
deferred maintenance; and Pioneer Home deferred
maintenance. The other two requests were contained in the
Mental Health Budget HB 267: mental health essential
program equipment; and mental health home modifications and
upgrades.
Commissioner Streur highlighted slide 3, "Office of
Children's Services Safety Enhancements - $557.7 ($462.9
GF, $94.8 Fed)."
Office and Building Safety:
-Expand safety improvements to buildings and
offices as determined through ongoing safety
assessment
Safety in the Field:
-Provide statewide training to current and new
employees
-Provide Mobile Personal Safety devices
-Incident Tracker
Commissioner Streur explained that some Office of
Children's Services (OCS) employees had some significant
safety concerns. He stated that there had been some recent
incidents that required the addition of enhanced safety
precautions.
9:53:14 AM
Commissioner Streur looked at slide 4, "Emergency Medical
Services Match for Code Blue Projects - $500.0 GF Match."
Matches federal, local and private funds to purchase
critical EMS equipment and ambulances
Serves all seven EMS Regions
Regions submit requests; projects approved by Code
Blue Steering Committee
Since program inception in FY2002, over $20,500.0 has
been leveraged
Commissioner Streur highlighted slide 5, "Mental Health
Essential Program Equipment - $500.0 ($250.0 GF/MH, $250.0
MMHTAAR)."
Competitive capital grants
For agencies that provide services to Mental Health
Trust beneficiaries
Purchases that are essential to the core services and
programs offered to clients
Limited to $25,000 per agency per beneficiary group
Commissioner Streur discussed slide 6, "Mental Health Home
Modification and Upgrades to Retain Housing - $1,050.0
($750.0 GF/MH, $300.0 MHTAAR)."
Competitive capital grants
Provides housing modifications
Allows persons with a disability to remain in their
homes
Approximately 125 families served each grant cycle
Grantees coordinate efforts
Commissioner Streur highlighted slide 7, "Non-Pioneer Home
Deferred Maintenance - $3,018.9 ($3,000.0 GF, $18.9 Fed)."
Deferred maintenance projects
DHSS's 35 facilities statewide
Youth facilities, public health centers, laboratories,
Alaska Psychiatric Institute
Replacement value of $387,000.0
Commissioner Streur displayed slide 8, "Fairbanks Public
Health Siding Repair." The slide displayed the before and
after photos of the Fairbanks Public Health Building siding
repair project.
Commissioner Streur looked at slide 9, "Pioneer Home
Deferred Maintenance - $4,000.0 GF."
Deferred maintenance projects
Six Pioneer Homes - Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau,
Anchorage, Palmer, and Fairbanks
Replacement value of $344,000.0
Commissioner Streur highlighted slide 10, "Juneau Pioneer
Home Refrigeration Upgrade." The slide showed the before
and after photos of the Juneau Pioneer Home refrigeration
upgrade project.
9:58:20 AM
Co-Chair Meyer looked at the Pioneer Home's deferred
maintenance. He noted that DHSS had received $16 million
under the governor's deferred maintenance plan. He wondered
if there was any money from that allocation that could be
used for current projects. Commissioner Streur replied that
there were incremental amounts that were left over from
year to year. He stated that the $4 million request barely
covered the cost of the necessary deferred maintenance. He
stated that the Juneau Pioneer Home was facing a large
increment, and there was still a question as to whether or
not that increment was considered deferred maintenance.
Co-Chair Meyer wondered how it was determined which areas
of the state would receive the ambulances. Commissioner
Streur replied that the need, the age of the units, and how
well the specific request was written and supported.
Senator Bishop asked if there was a federal match for the
Code Blue request. Commissioner Streur replied that there
was an 80/20 federal match. He stated that the Code Blue
was a general fund (GF) request.
SANA EFIRD, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, FINANCE MANAGEMENT
SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
explained that the federal money did not go directly to the
state. The federal money went directly to the regions of
the state that applied for the money. The money was used to
match the federal money that those regions received.
^FY 15 GOVERNOR'S BUDGET OVERVIEW: DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION and PUBLIC FACILITIES
10:02:49 AM
PAT KEMP, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND
PUBLIC FACILITIES, (DOT/PF) displayed the PowerPoint
presentation, "Alaska Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities, FFY 2015 Proposed Capital Budget
Presentation" (copy on file). He stated that the last
highway bill significantly changed the federal allocations,
so there was more emphasis on the national highway system
(NHS) roads and major corridors. There was currently less
funding available for the secondary and community roads. He
stressed that the change had a significant effect on
DOT/PF. He remarked that the department had looked at a
broader picture of a ten-year plan, and they found that the
NHS projects fit nicely into that plan. He furthered that
the non-NHS projects were over-prescribed, so they must be
reexamined. The department was working with communities,
and he was confident that the non-NHS projects would be
fulfilled. The final step would be to re-scope the
projects.
Co-Chair Meyer expressed that the commissioner had done an
excellent job of maximizing the dollars that had been
allocated. He saw many positive effects on many of the
roads in his district.
JEFF OTTESEN, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT,
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES,
discussed slide 2, "Outline."
-FFY 15 Request Versus Historical Funding Levels
-Big issues we now face
-Review of more prominent projects
Mr. Otteson highlighted slide 3, "Federal Highway Program."
He stated that the chart represented all federal funds
received over the past ten years. He remarked that the
funding was fairly level, except in 2009, when the federal
stimulus package was delivered.
Mr. Otteson discussed slide 4, "State GF Capital
Transportation Program." The funds that were formerly known
as "earmarked funds" were now delivered as "formula funds."
Mr. Otteson looked at slide 5, "State Deferred
Maintenance." He remarked that DOT/PF was in the fifth year
of a five year plan, and the money was divided into five
categories: marine highways, harbors, airports, highways,
and facilities.
10:07:44 AM
Mr. Otteson highlighted slide 6, "Bigger Issues We Face."
MAP-21 (moving Ahead for Progress in 21st Century)
Changes in emphasis:
-Safety and National Highway System increased
-Community roads and lesser state highways
substantially reduced
End of year rush to obligate
-Tremendous strain on staff and FHWA
Numerous big NHS projects now reaching construction
stage at once
Performance management influence
Funding adequacy
Mr. Otteson discussed slide 7, "MAP-21 Emphasis is to
National Highway System." The blue portion of the right
chart represented the NHS road miles, and the blue portion
of the left chart represented the amount of funding for
NHS. The same was true for the red portions of each chart:
number of miles was in the right chart, and money available
was in the left chart. He stressed that there was a great
disparity between the number of miles and money available.
Mr. Otteson looked at slide 8, "Late Funding Challenge."
In 2013, we obligated >$700 million though we received
<$500 million in annual federal funds
Most of the extra funding came known very late in
the fiscal year from these sources:
Project closeouts with little grace period
>$100 million
Prior year funds that would lapse >$100
million
End of year redistribution >$10 million
Only with pre-designed work, capital budget authority
and additional match funds could we successfully react
10:13:38 AM
Mr. Otteson highlighted slide 9, "MAP-21 Performance
Mandate."
FHWA to set National Highway System (NHS) Performance
Measures for:
-Safety
-Pavements and Bridges
-Freight Mobility
-Congestion
-System Performance
If National Highway System (NHS) system conditions
fail to meet targets:
-Must divert funding to better performance
-Later, penalized with higher match requirement
Mr. Otteson discussed slide 10, "Major Projects."
Projects over $100 million require annually updated
financial plans
Projects over $500 million require even greater
requirements (e.g., Knik Arm Bridge, Juneau Access)
Several of these projects now underway or soon will be
ready
Parks, Seward, several others now in queue
Mr. Otteson looked at slide 11, "Funding Adequacy."
NHS Program: adequate funding, but new performance
mandates and log-jamb of bigger projects now ready is
a double challenge
STP Program: under-funded, means too many projects to
finish within federal time-trap rules
Strategies:
-Prioritize needs over wants
-Reduce scope and expensive add-ons
-Focus on active projects; limit new starts
Mr. Otteson highlighted slide 12, "Selected Projects (1)."
Economic Development: Deadhorse airport, Juneau
Access, KABATA, Tanana road
Asset Management and Deferred Maintenance: AMHS
overhaul, Off-system bridges, GF funded too
Municipal Harbors: Seward and Whittier
Airports (AIP): AIAS, Ambler, Kodiak, Seward,
Kwigillingok
10:20:41 AM
Senator Hoffman looked at the projects for economic
development, which focused on the Juneau Access Project and
Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA). He stated that
the request for the Juneau Access Project in FY 15 was $5
million in GF, and $30 million in federal receipts. The out
years had $50 million per year through 2020. The total
construction cost for the Juneau Access Project was $285
million, with $255 paid for by the state. Mr. Otteson
responded that that Juneau Access Project had faced a
change in the financial plan. The majority would be spent
with federal funds.
Senator Hoffman queried the total construction cost of the
Juneau Access Project. Mr. Otteson replied that the total
construction cost would be approximately $500 million.
Senator Hoffman asked for a brief synopsis of the Knik Arm
Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) project. Mr. Otteson
responded that the intent was to fund the project with
resources. He explained that there were different types of
bonding that would fund the project. There would be a
state-backed bond that would use tolls as revenue for
approximately $300 million. The second aspect would be a
type of bonding called Transportation Infrastructure
Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA), which was a low
interest loan from the federal government. The third aspect
would come from federal aid at a rate of approximately $50
million per year.
Senator Hoffman queried the total cost of KABATA. Mr.
Otteson responded that the total cost would be
approximately $900 million.
Senator Olson wondered if the total cost for KABATA was
$900 million. Mr. Otteson replied $900 million was the
total cost including the risk adjustment and construction
engineering.
Senator Olson understood that the cost of KABATA was
significantly higher than $900 million. Mr. Otteson
responded that the finance officer of KABATA had estimated
the total cost at $900 million.
Senator Olson felt that KABATA was very controversial,
because of the issues on Government Hill in Anchorage. He
looked at the Juneau Access Project wondered if the state
would be required to provide $50 million for the project
until 2020. Mr. Otteson responded in the affirmative. He
explained that there had been some financial adjustments
since the financial budget page was delivered to the
legislature.
Co-Chair Meyer understood that there would be more
discussion on KABATA, and stressed that there was some
discussion about a private company building the bridge. He
stated that the state had since decided to finance and
build KABATA, which had reduced the total dollar amount.
Mr. Otteson agreed, and furthered that KABATA would be
funded two-thirds by tolls and one-third by federal funding
that came through the state.
10:26:32 AM
Co-Chair Meyer stressed that the project had been in the
works for ten years. Mr. Otteson replied that the Denali
road, which was obligated for construction was due in large
part to the recent infusion of funding.
Mr. Otteson discussed slide 13, "Selected Projects (2)."
Surface Transportation:
-Asset Management: numerous bridges, pavement and
ferry and terminal projects
-Funding allocated to FMATS and AMATS
-Highway safety: numerous named and program type
projects (e.g., passing lanes at 13 Parks Hwy
locations last year)
Senator Olson wondered how the number of projects compared
to the amount of funding for the Statewide Transportation
Improvement Program (STIP) projects. Mr. Otteson responded
that STIP was funding through the federal government, and
had been greatly impacted by the changing emphases that the
federal government had provided. The state was very
adequately funded on the NHS roads and bridges, but was
greatly underfunded on all other classes of road.
Senator Olson wondered why there were large proposed
projects like KABATA and the Juneau Access Project, if the
STIP money was not substantial. Mr. Otteson replied that
the large projects began almost 20 years ago, and had
incurred costs of over $10 million. He stated that it was
almost as expensive to shut down the projects as it was to
complete the projects.
Senator Olson wondered what DOT/PF was doing to manage the
declining STIP funds for state roads. Mr. Otteson replied
that he had met with some people from Kotzebue, and stated
that there was approximately $14 million, but the cost
estimate for the road there had increased substantially to
approximately $30 million to complete the project.
Senator Olson queried the status of Umiat Road. Mr. Otteson
replied that Linc Energy had asked DOT/PF to halt the work,
in order to assess the drilling on their leases. He stated
that Linc Energy would like the road built with a pipeline.
Senator Olson remarked that DOT/PF had proposed landing
fees at some of the airports. He understood that there were
difficult financial times. He stated that the people that
were most dependent on aviation transportation lived in
rural Alaska, who already had the highest cost of living in
the state. He wondered if there was also a consideration
for tolling the roads and port. Commissioner Kemp responded
that DOT/PF was not pursuing landing fees at airports.
10:33:22 AM
Co-Chair Meyer complimented the efforts of DOT/PF, and
their work with the communities. He wondered why the Alaska
Marine Highway was not a focus on the budget. Commissioner
Kemp replied that the culture around the Alaska Marine
Highway was in transition. He felt that the captain of the
marine highway had a nice vision. He furthered that the
system could be fine, as long as enough deferred
maintenance funds were utilized.
Mr. Otteson furthered that most of the marine highway
system requests were under the category, "Asset
Management."
Senator Hoffman queried the status of the transportation
route of the marine highway between Metlakatla and
Ketchikan. He wondered if the road would be used for a
shorter connection between the Metlakatla residents and
Ketchikan. Commissioner Kemp responded that the road and
terminal were currently operational, which resulted in
marine highway savings of approximately $300,000 per year.
Senator Hoffman announced that the community of Metlakatla
hoped that a shorter route would result in growing public
services. Commissioner Kemp replied that the extra hours
for running the ferry was not being pursued.
Senator Hoffman wondered if that was a result of problems
with negotiations. Mr. Otteson replied that operating three
terminals was too great a burden.
^FY15 GOVERNOR'S BUDGET OVERVIEW: COURT SYSTEM
10:40:10 AM
DOUG WOOLIVER, DEPUTY ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA COURT
SYSTEM, discussed the PowerPoint presentation, "Alaska
Court System, Senate Finance, Capital Projects Overview"
(copy on file). He stated that each year the governor
included some Court System requests as a courtesy.
Mr. Wooliver looked at slide 2, "SB 119 Court Projects -
$6,900,000."
Electronic Filing/Records Management System
Deferred Maintenance Projects
Mr. Wooliver highlighted slide 3, "Electronic
Filing/Records Management System - 52410."
$4.4 million for third phase of multi-year project
Electronic transmission of documents with goal of
moving to "paperless"
Electronic exchange of data between justice agencies
(Law, DPS, Munis, Cities)
Improved justice system efficiencies and potential
cost savings
Mr. Wooliver displayed slide 4, "Deferred Maintenance,
Renewal, Repair and Equipment - 54564."
SB119 includes $2.5 million for court projects
Addition of $5.0 million needed to eliminate remaining
project backlog
Mr. Wooliver looked at slide 5, "Deferred Maintenance,
Renewal, Repair and Equipment - 54564."
Anchorage Boney Courthouse - 58746
Palmer Courthouse - 45582
Sitka Court and Office Building - 58745
Kotzebue Armory - 58749
Juneau Dimond Courthouse - 58744
Kodiak Court and Office Building - 58748
Mr. Wooliver discussed slide 6, "Court Projects not
included in SB 119."
Juneau Superior Court Remodel
Court Security Projects
Statewide Remodel Projects
Court Communications Equipment
Replace Worn Furnishings and Repair Specialized
Finishes in Public Use Spaces
Statewide Building Code and Energy Upgrade for Court
Buildings
Conversion of Audio Records to Digital Format - Phase
I
Mr. Wooliver highlighted slide 7, "Juneau Superior Court
Remodel - 61533(CAPSIS)."
$1,201,200 - Addition of courtroom and grand jury
hearing room
-Current hearing room too small to accommodate
grand jury
High number of superior court filings per superior
court judge
Increase operational efficiency and reduce delays in
cases and hearings
Court system's second highest priority capital project
Mr. Wooliver looked at slide 8, "Court Security Projects -
61536 (CAPSIS)."
Security projects total $8.6 million for a statewide,
multi-year project
Physical security for public, judges, staff, jurors,
and others court users
Integrate security operations and technology with the
architecture
Mr. Wooliver discussed slide 9, "Court Security Projects
(cont.) - 61536 (CAPSIS)."
Access control and physical barriers
-Badging systems, screening equipment, single
point of entry, cameras
-Segregated prisoner delivery paths and elevators
and security fencing around court perimeters
Ballistic shielding for judicial benches and clerks'
counters
Duress alarms, surveillance systems, and holding cells
Mr. Wooliver highlighted slide 10, "Statewide Remodeling
Projects."
Reconstruct judicial benches and clerical work areas
to accommodate new technology
Minor remodels to address specific needs in courts
throughout the state
10:45:53 AM
Mr. Wooliver discussed slide 11, "Court Communications
Equipment - 61539 (CAPSIS)."
Replacement of equipment used to capture audio
recordings of court proceedings
-The audio record is the official court record
and is critical to case processing
Replacement of telephone systems which are beyond
their useful lives and are no longer supported by
their manufacturers
-These systems are relied upon to conduct
telephonic proceedings, communicate with jurors,
and respond to public inquiries
Mr. Wooliver highlighted slide 12, "Replace Worn
Furnishings and Specialized Finishes in Public Use Spaces -
61541 (CAPSIS)."
Upgrades and repairs for jury rooms, customer service
areas, courtrooms, and libraries
Furnishings worn, damaged, and uncomfortable
Finishes unsafe, unsightly, and losing structural
integrity
Mr. Wooliver looked at slide 13, "Statewide Building Code
and Energy Upgrade for Court Buildings - 61542 (CAPSIS)."
Earthquake bracing
Energy efficient light fixtures
Americans with Disabilities (ADA) compliant doors
Other miscellaneous upgrades for code and ADA
compliance
Mr. Wooliver discussed slide 14, "Conversion of Audio
records to Digital Format - Phase 1 - 61543 (CAPSIS)."
Preserve original electronic court records
Degradation of media (cassette tapes)
Transfer media to server
Co-Chair Meyer remarked that he had some questions related
to some phase projects. He stressed that the committee was
trying to avoid "phased" projects.
Senator Bishop understood the concern regarding the
conversion of audio files to a more upgraded system.
SB 119 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| 021814 - SB 119 Alaska Court System Senate Finance Capital Projects - FY15 Final.pdf |
SFIN 2/18/2014 9:00:00 AM |
SB 119 |
| 021814 DHSS Capital Budget Presentation Final.pdf |
SFIN 2/18/2014 9:00:00 AM |
SB 119 |
| 021814 DOT Cap Budget for SEN FIN Feb 2014.pdf |
SFIN 2/18/2014 9:00:00 AM |
SB 119 |
| 021814 UofA FY15 Senate Finance-FINAL.pdf |
SFIN 2/18/2014 9:00:00 AM |
SB 119 |