Legislature(1993 - 1994)
04/14/1994 08:30 AM House FIN
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HOUSE BILL NO. 447
"An Act establishing the Afognak Island State Park."
CRAIG TILLERY, ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF LAW
testified in support of HB 447. He explained that the land,
proposed for inclusion in the Afognak Island State Park, was
originally acquired by the Exxon Valdez Trustee Council for
restoration purposes. The Department of Interior
subsequently sought the land for inclusion in a nearby
national wildlife refuge. At the objection of the state
trustees, the Council agreed to give the state of Alaska the
first opportunity to acquire the land, on the condition that
the land be placed in a state park within one year. The
purchase was completed on November 23, 1993. He emphasized
that the land must become a state park during this
legislative session. He noted that the legislation has wide
support.
Representative Hanley provided members with AMENDMENT 1
(copy on file). He explained that Amendment 1 would provide
that the land use agreement in place, and recognized in the
sale agreement, be recognized by the Commissioner of the
Department of Natural Resources.
In response to a question by Representative Navarre, Mr.
Tillery clarified that the road use agreement is between
parties on Afognak Island that harvest the timber. The
state will be a member of the road use agreement.
Representative Hanley MOVED to ADOPT AMENDMENT 1. There
being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
Representative Hanley MOVED to report CSHB 447 (FIN) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and with the
accompanying fiscal note. Co-Chair Larson referred to the
$17.0 thousand dollar accompanying fiscal note by the
Department of Natural Resources. Mr. Tillery felt that the
fiscal note was unnecessary. He suggested that interim
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operations could be funded through the Exxon Valdez Trustee
Council.
Representative Hanley AMENDED the MOTION to adopt a zero
fiscal note for the Department of Natural Resources. There
being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. There being NO
OBJECTION, CSHB 447 (FIN) was reported from Committee.
Mr. Tillery assured, Representative Grussendorf, that the
park would be passively managed.
CSHB 447 (FIN) was reported out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with three zero fiscal notes, one
by the Department of Public Safety, dated 2/4/94, one by the
Department of Law, dated 2/4/94, and one by the House
Finance Committee for the Department of Natural Resources.
HOUSE BILL NO. 535
"An Act making appropriations for capital project
matching grant funds and for capital projects; and
providing for an effective date."
Co-Chair noted that the Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities would not be presenting their overview.
She further commented that there was no allocation in the
capital budget for the Department of Education for school
construction and major maintenance priorities.
GOVERNORS'S OFFICE
NANCY SLAGLE, DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF BUDGET REVIEW
explained the capital project requests for the Governor's
office.
* This budget request of $2,000.0 million dollars is
directed towards the continued removal of architectural
barriers within buildings occupied by state agencies.
Recent federal legislation in the form of the "Americans
with Disabilities Act" has imposed a mandate upon all public
(governmental) agencies to eliminate those physical and
procedural conditions which effectively discriminate against
the disabled by January 26, 1995.
This allocation would assist in bringing the state into
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION
COMMISSIONER NANCY USERA, DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION,
explained capital project requests for the department.
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* Statewide Administrative Manuals/Training
This project request of $380.0 thousand dollars would allow
the department to buy professional services to: develope
video training programs; write and/or update all section of
the Administrative Manual, the AKSAS User Manual; for the
development of AKSAS and AKPAY training materials to use in
conjunction with the manuals; and a technical and cost
benefit analysis to determine the most cost effective
format.
* Applicant Tracking System - Final Phase
This project request of $120.0 thousand dollars is to
rewrite the nightly batch system in order to save data
conversion costs. It will result in programs converted from
COBOL to Natural utilizing of the new file structures.
There was general discussion between Rep. Martin and
Commissioner Usera regarding leasing practices.
Commissioner Usera noted passage of SB 129 enabled the
department to save money as a result of its ability to
renegotiate costs.
DEPARTMENT OF LAW
CHERI JACOBUS, ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF LAW
explained the capital project requests of the department.
* This project request of $1,032.0 million dollars is to
reauthorize CIP funding for federal litigation. This
funding is needed to continue the services of three
attorneys and one legal secretary currently funded by the FY
93 federal litigation CIP appropriation. It would also
provide for the addition of two attorneys, two senior-level
paraprofessionals, and two legal secretaries who will be
needed in the litigation progresses.
Cheri Jacobus listed the pending cases involving the federal
government.
Rep. Brown and Co-Chair MacLean questioned why this was a
capital request and not in the operating budget. Ms.
Jacobus explained that the need for request was not an
ongoing operating cost to the department but had a limited
use.
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
BOB BARATKO, DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIVISION,
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE explained the capital project request
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and noted those on teleconference who could address specific
areas of the request.
WILL GAY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ALASKA HOUSING FINANCE
CORPORATION (AHFC) addressed the funding requests for AHFC.
* Bethel Heights Reconstruction
This project request of $5,200.0 million dollars in federal
receipts would reconstruct 31 single family houses as one
phase of a multi-year program to completely reconstruct a
total of 117 single family homes in Bethel in order to bring
them into compliance with applicable codes and energy
considerations.
* Cedar Park Housing Construction
This request of $9,000.0 million dollars in state
corporation receipts would rebuild the Cedar Park Housing
structure. Inspections have revealed considerable evidence
of water damage and dry rot, among many other structural
problems.
* Environmental Cleanup/Abatement
This project request of $1,000.0 million dollars in state
corporation receipts would provide funding for the removal
of the old and deteriorating underground storage tanks
(USTs).
* Deferred Maintenance - Senior Citizens Housing
This project request of $2,000.0 million dollars in state
corporation receipts would provide funding for deferred
maintenance of AHFC housing units in Fairbanks, Cordova,
Seward, and Anchorage. The deferred maintenance would
include such items as alarm system upgrades, replacement
hardware for windows, deteriorated sidewalks, roof
replacement, replacement of window curtains, broken and
stained ceiling tile, carpet in community rooms, and
elevator overhauls.
In response to Rep. MacLean's concern regarding the Cedar
Park project Mr. Gay noted that AHFC has to use HUD
determined wages and use state procurement purchase
requirements which adds 10% to 15% of the total cost of the
project.
Rep. Martin aired a concern regarding the expansion of
Alaska Housing Finance Corp. and its potential interference
with private enterprise.
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* Beringvue Low Rent Housing
This project request of $5,700.0 million dollars in federal
receipts would place new foundations under the existing
structures, renovate the interiors, add floor space, repair
the underground utilities as well as meet Alaska Craftsman
Home Project energy standards.
* Etolin Heights Renovation and Remodeling
This project request of $4,000.0 million dollars in state
corporation receipts would renovate and upgrade the Etolin
Heights Facility. These renovations and upgrades include
making at least one unit handicap accessible, repairing of
underground utilities, channeling water drainage properly
and paving the parking area.
* Public Housing Support
This project request of $1,000.0 million dollars in state
corporate receipts would renovate maintenance facilities in
Nome and Juneau.
* Energy Conservation Retrofit
This project request of $1,000.0 million dollars in state
corporate receipts would be used to retrofit buildings and
utility systems in order to provide a more efficient
functioning of utilities and thereby bring down energy
costs.
* Statewide Renewal and Replacement
This project request of $220.0 thousand dollars would
provide funds for the replacement and renewal of fire alarm
systems, hearing and sight impaired alert system, and
elevator repairs. This is an annual supplement to the
operating budget of these projects and is based on a
nationally recognized formula.
Co Chair MacLean asked how the department established a
priority list.
The department responded by saying the priority list was
established by internal discretion with staff determining
greatest need. The items in the current request reflect
that priority.
JUDY DESPAIN, DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALASKA HOUSING
FINANCE CORPORATION explained the following projects
requests for the department:
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* Affordable Housing and Energy Efficiency
This project request of $1,700.0 million dollars in federal
receipts and $20,975.0 million dollars in state corporation
receipts would be used to finance the Alaska Housing Finance
Corporation to fund a
weatherization project, using current funds as well as
Department of Energy funds to provide these programs.
$8.2 million of the $20,975.0 million dollars in corporation
receipts would be used as matching dollars to the $41
million of federal funding received through the Regional
Housing Authority to complete housing projects in rural
Alaska.
* Comprehensive Grant Program
This project request of $9,500.0 million dollars in federal
receipts is received each fiscal year to complete tasks
planned for that year. The plan is a five year rolling base
with a grant amount that is formula determined by the total
number of AHFC units.
Projects have begun at Cedar Park Annex, Mountain View in
Juneau, Spruce Park in Fairbanks, Schoenbar in Ketchikan,
Eyak Manor in Cordova, and Loussac Manor in Anchorage. Work
is also anticipated in Wrangell.
* Federal Grants and Special Needs Housing Programs
This project request of $12,489.0 million dollars in federal
receipts and $5,690.0 million dollars in state corporation
receipts is to be used by the Alaska Housing Finance
Corporation to apply for the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development, other state and federal agencies, and the
private sector grants. The funds requested would be used as
matching dollars for those grants.
TOM WILLIAMS, DIRECTOR OF THE PERMANENT FUND DIVISION,
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE explained the capital project requests
for the department.
* Microfilm Equipment replacement and microfilming of all
1992 - 1990 auxiliary file records
This project request of $359.3 in Permanent Fund Dividend
Funds would replace microfilm equipment and fund the
microfilming of all the divisions 1982 - 1990 auxiliary
files.
* Child Support Enforcement Information Systems
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Enhancement
This project request of $1,780.9 in federal receipts and
$917.5 thousand dollars in general fund match would enable
the department to achieve an appropriate level of automated
functionality and most specifically, to make system
modifications required to meet federal certification
mandates by October, 1995.
In response to Co-Chair MacLean's comments the department
noted the General Fund match would be 90%.
In response to Rep. Martin's question, the department said
the project would need to be completed by October 1995.
Rep. MacLean asked the department to provide justification
for the match.
In response to Rep. Brown's question the department
explained that the wide area network system ties in CSED
with the Department of Revenue and allow the division and
the department to interface as well as cross check
information.
The department said that failure to comply with improvement
could result in a $1.4 million dollar loss in funding from
the federal government.
* APFC Electronic Imaging and Document Retrieval
PETER BUSHRE, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, PERMANENT FUND
CORPORATION, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE addressed the departments
capital project request.
This project request of $251.5 would provide for the design,
acquisition and installation of electronic imaging software,
compatible with existing local area network and accounting
system.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
GEORGE SMITH, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF LIBRARIES,
ARCHIVES & MUSEUMS, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION explained the
capital project requests for the division.
* Library Materials and Equipment
This project request of $200.0 thousand dollars in general
fund dollars would purchase, update and maintain library
materials such as reference materials, books, and
periodicals.
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* Public Library Construction
This project request of $140.0 thousand dollars in federal
receipts is pass through money used for library
construction. This amount is appropriated to the library
every year by congress.
In response to Rep. Martin's comments regarding the
possibility of charging a users fee to cover costs, Mr.
Smith noted the fact that the primary users of the library
are other government agencies.
JOE McCORMICK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF POSTSECONDARY
EDUCATION, explained the project requests for the division.
* ACPE Intelligent Phone Dialing System
This project request of $185.0 thousand dollars in state
corporation receipts would purchase a Voicelink phone system
in order to increase efficiency of client contact.
* ACPE Expanded System Network and Enhancements
This project request of $150.0 thousand dollars in state
corporation receipts would provide for program expansion and
enhancement of the Student Financial Aid data processing
system. These enhancements would include the integration of
family education loans, half-time loans, and federal grant
assistance loans into the data processing system, refining
and automating the deferment, forgiveness and forbearance
processing and developing additional enhancements to adapt
the system for use with special fees, penalty interest, late
payments fees and origination fees.
* Microfiche Equipment Replacement
This project request of $130.0 thousand dollars in state
corporation receipts
would allow the Commission to purchase two fiche
duplicators, one copier, workstations and partitions for
records staff.
A recent performance audit cited the Commission for it's
failure to maintain and replace the microfiche equipment
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
JANET CLARK, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES,
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES explained the
project request of the department. She also noted that of
the seventeen projects the department requested, the
governor's budget supported two.
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* This project request of $88.9 thousand dollars in
federal receipts, and $800.0 thousand dollars in General
Fund Match would fund ongoing renovation, repair, and
equipment needs for the Department of Health and Social
Services statewide. Specifically, included are twenty five
DHSS owned facilities and eighty eight lease sites.
Rep. Brown questioned the proposed $1.7 million for the
Kenai Public Health Clinic.
Janet Clark clarified the situation by explaining that the
state currently has a lease with the city of Kenai for the
Public Health center building but that building is not in
compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act. Rather
than renovating and remodeling the old building, the
department is looking into purchasing the vacant court
building.
* Computer Systems Development
This project request of $3,617.3 million dollars in federal
receipts and $400.0 thousand dollars in general fund
matching monies would fund two major DHSS computer systems:
Family and Youth Services' MIS upgrade and Public
Assistance's Eligibility Information System enhancements.
* MIS Upgrade/Network Expansion
This project request would purchase approximately 125
additional or replacement PCs, two additional LANS,
peripheral equipment and software, software and hardware
upgrades and expansion of the QAN to at least one additional
DFYS site. This purchase will enable the department to come
into compliance with the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Administration for Children and Families, new
mandatory quarterly data reporting for adoption and methods
for data transmission.
By being in compliance with the federal requirements, the
department is able to receive 75% of federal match funding.
STEVE RICE, INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGER, DIVISION OF FAMILY
YOUTH SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
addressed the $50,000 in personnel/travel expenses.
One of the requirements for receiving the federal match is
the assessment of other state systems to see if it is
possible to transpose an existing system rather than
developing from scratch. Travel expenses are to review
systems in other states.
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The $750,000 would address a needs assessment and would also
include travel.
In response to Rep. Martin's concern regarding the outdated
computers and their use, Ms. Clark noted that the state has
a surplus property requirement program.
* Eligibility Information System Enhancement Project
This project request for $2,417,300 in federal receipts
would prolong the life of the Eligibility Information System
and integrate technology which will increase user
productivity and preserve accuracy in the delivery of public
assistance benefits and services.
These federal funds would not need to be matched with any
local funds.
* Public Health Lab Plan Implementation
This project would begin to implement the recommendation of
the 1994 Public Health Strategic Plan. Specifically, the
project begins the initial facility planning program
confirmation, and detailed financial feasibility analysis
portions of the project.
* Alaska Psychiatric (95) Stop Gap Repair
This project request of $1,032.5 million dollars in
GF/Mental Health Trust funds would fund ongoing stop gap
repairs to the existing Alaska Psychiatric Institute while
the replacement facility planning, design, and construction
are underway. Specifically, the project will fund:
priority interim fire/life safety; occupational safety and
health and minor Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades.
The project would also fund ongoing replacement of pipes,
finishes , fixtures, fittings, and furniture that are broken
or pose hazards to staff, public, and clients.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m.
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