01/27/2000 03:33 PM Senate STA

                                                                                                                                
               SB 196-MUNICIPAL PLANNING COMMISSION                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Number 085                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MR.  DALE BAGLEY,  Kenai  Peninsula  Borough Mayor,  explained  that                                                            
sometimes the  planning commission  tends to be an extension  of the                                                            
mayor.   SB 196 allows  a municipality to  choose to elect  planning                                                            
commission members rather  than have them be appointed by the mayor.                                                            
The  commission members  would  then  become responsible  for  their                                                            
actions.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN  WARD asked if  giving this option  to municipalities  will                                                            
make for better government.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MR. BAGLEY stated that is correct.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELTON  asked why legislation was chosen as  a solution since                                                            
the appointment process can be changed by ordinance.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MR. BAGLEY  said Title 29 allows for  appointed commissioners  only,                                                            
therefore it needs  to be amended to allow for elected  or appointed                                                            
positions.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  ELTON stated  that commissioners  can be  appointed by  the                                                            
assembly without any changes to State law.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MR. BAGLEY  said currently, the mayor's  appointments are  confirmed                                                            
by the assembly, usually without any controversy.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Number 285                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELTON  asked if any  analysis or research  has been  done on                                                            
the additional  cost  to a municipality  or borough.   He  expressed                                                            
concern that  very few people may  want to campaign for that  office                                                            
which will  make the  elective process  a more  expensive way  for a                                                            
municipality to fill those seats.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
MR. BAGLEY  stated that  he had not  done a cost  analysis,  but the                                                            
election   should  be   part  of   a  normal   municipal   election.                                                            
Municipalities  have  service  area boards,  hospital  service  area                                                            
boards,  senior service  area boards,  and so on.   He expects  more                                                            
interest  in the planning  commission board  and the advisory  board                                                            
seats.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN   WARD  asked  if   elected  positions   are  optional   or                                                            
mandatory.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MR. BAGLEY said it will  be within the rights of the municipality to                                                            
choose.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  GREEN   moved  SB  196  from   committee  with   individual                                                            
recommendations.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELTON  objected and explained that the legislature  needs to                                                            
expand  the ability  of local  governments  to make  these kinds  of                                                            
choices themselves.   He said he needs to hear the  desires of other                                                            
municipal  officials.   He  noted  he spoke  with  Alaska  Municipal                                                            
League and was told that this has never been a problem before.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR ELTON  maintained  his objection.   The motion carried  with                                                            
Senators Green,  Phillips, and Ward voting "Yea,"  and Senator Elton                                                            
voting "Nay."