Legislature(2023 - 2024)BUTROVICH 205
03/05/2024 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB244 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 244 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 244-MARVIN THURMOND GALENA MAINT. STATION
1:35:01 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 244
"An Act naming the Marvin Thurmond Galena Maintenance and
Operation Station."
He noted that this was the first hearing on SB 244.
1:35:27 PM
SENATOR CLICK BISHOP, District R, Alaska State Legislature,
Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of SB 244 thanked the committee for
their consideration of the bill. He said SB 244 would rename the
Galena Maintenance Station after Marvin Thurmond. He introduced
Alex Hanna to present SB 244.
1:36:42 PM
ALEXANDER HANNA, staff, Senator Click Bishop, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, gave an overview of SB 244 and
explained the sectional analysis.
He stated that SB 244 changes the name of the Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) maintenance and
operation station in Galena, Alaska to Marvin Thurmond Galena
Maintenance and Operation Station. He gave a brief overview of
Marvin's lifelong dedication to the DOT Services:
Marvin worked for DOT in Galena for more than 32
years. He worked endlessly to maintain the roads and
airport in Galena. Galena is a major hub for rural
communities and the airport is a crucial part in wild
land fire crews and emergency response for the
surrounding communities. During the spring of 2013,
Galena experienced extreme flooding due to an ice jam
on the Yukon River. Marvin and his crew worked
together in evacuating the community and to reinforce
the airport levee that would hold water from reaching
further back. Without this work it would have delayed
any emergency access throughout the region.
Prior to the flood in 2013, the road was constantly
being washed away by the Yukon River, for many years.
Marvin worked with his crew to move the road further
inland away from the river.
Marvin's relationship with the community, local
contractors, and adjacent tribal landowners allowed
the DOTPF to effectively realign this roadway within a
matter of days. Marvin was a model community member
who always strived to enhance DOT's services to
Alaska.
With the support of the community of Galena and the
DOT to rename the Galena Maintenance Station in honor
of Marvin Thurmond.
1:39:30 PM
MR. HANNA explained the sectional analysis for SB 244:
[Original punctuation provided.]
SB 244 - Sectional Analysis
Version: 33-LS1390\A
Section 1
Amends AS 35.40 by adding a new section naming the
Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
(DOTPF) Maintenance and Operation Station in Galena,
Alaska the Marvin Thurmond Galena Maintenance and
Operation Station.
Section 2
Provides uncodified law allowing DOT to implement
Section 1 at a time and method that does not impose
additional costs to the state.
1:40:16 PM
SENATOR TOBIN referred to Mr. Thurmond's obituary and commented
that he had a lovely life. She noted that he served as a heavy
equipment operator before he became the airport manager. She
wondered why not rename the airport after him, instead of the
maintenance and operation station.
1:41:02 PM
MR. HANNA replied that the DOT station worked on all of the
roads and because Mr. Thurmond worked at the DOTPF station and
ran it so long and so well, establishing a good system there,
they have struggled without him since he left. He said the City
of Galena proposed naming the DOTPF station after Mr. Thurmond.
1:42:15 PM
SENATOR WILSON referred to SB 244, Section 2 and asked how DOTPF
plans to do the renaming without additional costs to the state.
1:42:34 PM
SENATOR BISHOP deferred to Jason Sakalaskas.
1:42:42 PM
JASON SAKALASKAS, Chief, Northern Region Maintenance and
Operations, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
(DOTPF), Fairbanks, Alaska, replied that the department proposes
this as a zero-cost change. He explained that sign changes would
be incorporated into the facility with upcoming capital
projects, for airport, highway or facilities repair projects. He
offered special thanks to Senator Bishop and Representative
Cronk for supporting SB 244.
1:43:21 PM
SENATOR WILSON asked whether DOTPF has an anticipated timeline
for completion of the new sign.
1:43:37 PM
MR. SAKALASKAS said there is not a specific timeline, but he
estimated that within five years there would likely be a highway
or airport project that could absorb and support the new sign.
1:44:03 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN announced invited testimony.
1:44:58 PM
JENNAL ESMAILKA, Council Member, Galena City Council, Galena,
Alaska, presented a resolution by the City of Galena.
[Original punctuation provided.]
GALENA,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2024-04
A RESOLUTION OF THE GALENA CITY COUNCIL SUPPORTING THE
RENAMING OF THE STATE OF ALASKA MAINTENANCE AND
OPERATIONS STATION IN GALENA, ALASKA
WHEREAS, Marvin Thurmond served for the State of
Alaska for more than 32 years as a heavy equipment
operator and the airport manager for Galena, for the
Department of Transpiration and Public Facilities; and
WHEREAS, His career of dedication and service to the
people of Alaska is a fine example for others to
follow; and
WHEREAS, his leadership to maintain and operate Galena
airport has benefit many communities and has
experienced the highest level of service from the
Department of DOT; and
WHEREAS, the naming of a facility is an appropriate
recognition for such a distinguished person; and
Now THEREFORE' be it resolved by the city Council of
the city of Galena that, in their capacity as City
Council Members for the City of Galena supports
renaming the building the Marvin Thurmond Galena
Maintenance and Operation Station.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED by the City Council of
the City of Galena, Alaska, this _____ day of March 4,
2024
MS. ESMAILKA further testified that, as a community member, she
found it hard to express the magnitude of Marvin's impact on
community members' lives. She said the things that spoke the
loudest were his actions. Marvin lived a life of dedication to
the community of Galena, and it was shown through his work: from
early mornings to late nights, the maintenance of the airport,
the roads, and emergency response when he was called on. She
said naming the DOTPF building after Marvin would be a great
legacy that would continue to shine through the community of
Galena, reminding the community of a great man and role model.
that loved Galena.
1:47:24 PM
KATHERINE THURMOND, Fairbanks, Alaska, gave invited testimony on
SB 244 and said Marvin was her brother-in-law for over forty
years. She read a letter that her husband, Ed wrote:
[Original punctuation provided.]
February 16,2024
To Whom it May Concern,
As a former employee for the State of Alaska, DOT,
Galena station I fully support the state shop being
named after Marvin J Thurmond. I have known Marvin my
whole life, I am his younger brother, Ed. Together we
worked many years at the Galena state shop. He was a
force to be reckoned with when it came to his duties!
In his early years, driving up and down the runway to
clear snow and ice for the Air Force and their jets.
He maintained the airport well. Keeping the runway in
top condition was his number one priority. He was
often at work at least half an hour early to begin his
day for the State of Alaska, DOT. In his later years
with the state Marvin became the Airport Manager along
with maintaining the runway, and state roads in the
Galena area. Since Marvin's retirement (February 2020)
and his death (July 2020) residents of Galena have
spoken highly of Marvins's skills when it came to
maintaining the Galena runway and roads. He has been
greatly missed as an exceptional operator for the
State of Alaska, DOT.
Please, consider naming the Galena DOT shop after
Marvin J Thurmond. Contact me at your earliest
convenience if more information is needed.
Edward J Thurmond, Sr
Retired DOT State Employee
MS. THURMOND said Marvin, Ed, and others worked for DOTPF for
over thirty years and ran a very well-maintained shop. She
recalled that, oftentimes, Elmendorf Air Force Base (AFB) and
Eielson AFB weren't open because of snow while the Galena base
airport was open for the Air Force to land jets because of the
dedicated DOT employees who were led by Marvin and kept the
runway cleared.
1:51:39 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN concluded invited testimony and opened public
testimony on SB 244.
1:51:55 PM
JENNY BRYANT, President, Galena School Board, Galena City School
District, Galena, Alaska, testified in support of SB 244. She
thanked Senator Bishop and Representative Cronk for bringing SB
244 forward. She said this is a great honor for Marvin. He was a
good guy who did a lot for the community and kept the airport
open. He went to school in Galena, raised his kids there and was
a huge part of the community. She thanked the committee for
considering SB 244.
1:53:14 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN closed public testimony on SB 244.
1:53:26 PM
CHAIR KAUFMAN held SB 244 in committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 244 Sponsor Statement 2.26.2024.pdf |
STRA 3/5/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 244 |
| SB 244 Sectional Analysis 2.26.2024.pdf |
STRA 3/5/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 244 |
| SB 244 Fiscal Note DOTP&F 3.1.2024.pdf |
STRA 3/5/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 244 |
| SB 244 Letters of Support Recieved as of 3.4.2024.pdf |
STRA 3/5/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 244 |
| SB 244 Resolution of Support Louden Tribal Council 2.22.2024.pdf |
STRA 3/5/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 244 |
| SB 244 Resolution of Support Galena City Council 3.4.2024.pdf |
STRA 3/5/2024 1:30:00 PM |
SB 244 |