Legislature(2013 - 2014)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/03/2014 01:30 PM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB119 | |
| Public Testimony: Unalaska | |
| Public Testimony: Bethel | |
| Public Testimony: Kotzebue | |
| Public Testimony: Nome | |
| Public Testimony: Offnet | |
| Public Testimony: Tok | |
| Public Testimony: Delta Junction | |
| Public Testimony: Petersburg | |
| Public Testimony: Ketchikan | |
| Public Testimony: Sitka | |
| Public Testimony: Valdez | |
| Public Testimony: Cordova | |
| Public Testimony: Juneau | |
| Public Testimony: Kenai, Kodiak, Dillingham | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 119 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 119
"An Act making appropriations, including capital
appropriations and other appropriations; making
appropriations to capitalize funds."
1:38:21 PM
MIKE WOOD, PRESIDENT, SUSITNA RIVER COALITION, JUNEAU,
spoke in against funding the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric
Project. He relayed that the coalition was not against
hydro power and was aware of its benefits to the state. He
opined that the scale of the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric
Project was not acceptable and that hydroelectric
facilities were not recognized as renewable at the size of
the Susitna-Watana project. The coalition believed that the
Susitna dam would not solve Alaska's energy problems and
that the state could better spend its money elsewhere. He
stated that the dam would be built in the location where he
harvested his caribou and moose. He pointed out that he
fished the river year round and set-netted at its mouth in
the summers; he thought that it seemed crazy to spend
billions to kill fish when you were spending millions to
try and save them. He concluded that he and his family
relied on the Susitna River for their way of life and that
it was a healthy river that was abundant with Chinook,
Sockeye, and Coho salmon.
1:42:28 PM
Co-Chair Meyer requested that public testimony be limited
to around 2 minutes.
1:42:39 PM
WHITNEY WOLFE, SUSITNA RIVER COALITION, JUNEAU, spoke
against funding the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project.
She related that as a small business owner, she depended on
a thriving tourist recreation-based economy and related
that currently 200,000 visitors were coming through her
community every year, which created a lot of jobs. She
pointed out that the current plan for the dam would remove
large amounts of water from the river in the summer and
pointed out that this would have a huge impact on the
tourist and Alaskan visitors to the area. She relayed that
the coalition felt that the funds could be better spent on
other more deserving energy projects that helped with
heating issues. She concluded that the project would not
result in enough jobs to risk current economies of the
region. She hoped that decision makers would make some very
clear choices with the dwindling funds that the state had.
1:44:46 PM
Senator Dunleavy noted that often people were faced with
contentious issues, but that the previous testifiers had
always been very courteous and respectful in their
testimonies.
^Public Testimony: Unalaska
1:45:51 PM
SHIRLY MARQUARDT, MAYOR, CITY OF UNALASKA (via
teleconference), spoke in support of the City of Unalaska's
$4.5 million request for funding the final installation
costs of the fourth engine for the city's new powerhouse;
additionally, she spoke in support of the city's $27.5
million request to expand and modernize the Port of Dutch
Harbor's existing marine center. She related that in the
past 5 years, the City of Unalaska had borne 95 percent of
the costs of the new, more efficient powerhouse; the city
would match the request with another $4 million of its own.
She stated that the request was responsible, justifiable,
and supported the fishing and shipping industry. She
pointed out that expansion and modernization of the Port of
Dutch Harbor was in direct response to formal discussions
with current users, new discussions with Eastern European
shipping interests, and oil and gas support vessel needs.
She pointed out that the Unalaska's 2 top projects were
critical infrastructure projects that had proven track
records of success.
^Public Testimony: Bethel
1:48:03 PM
MICHAEL WILLIAMS, PARTNERS FOR PROGRESS, ADAK, BETHEL (via
teleconference), spoke in support to add $600,000 to the
second year of the grant for Partners for Progress for
recidivism reduction at the re-entry center in Anchorage.
He stated that as soon as the first year funds of the grant
had become available, Partners for Progress, the Alaska
Native Justice Center, and Nine Star Education and
Employment Services had been working around the clock on
the re-entry center; the group had been joined by numerous
other community partners that provided re-entry services.
He pointed out that the project had been proposed as a 3-
year grant and that the achievements of last year's grant
warranted continuation. He reported that in the 7 months
that it had been opened, the re-entry center had served
over 580 re-entrants with an evidenced based program that
assisted them with becoming lawful, self-sustaining members
of the community. He stated that on a typical day, the
center assisted between 45 and 50 people. He observed that
probation officers referred prisoners to Partners for
Progress' re-entry center upon release and stated that the
center offered the basics of successful re-entry, which
were housing, employment, and sobriety support. He offered
that the appropriation would save the state money and that
reducing recidivism increased public safety because of a
reduction in new crime and victimization. He concluded that
the re-entry center had a solid, well tested system for
reducing crime and that he advocated for sobriety in all of
Alaska.
^Public Testimony: Kotzebue
1:50:46 PM
CLEMENT RICHARDS, MAYOR, CITY OF KOTZEBUE, KOTZEBUE (via
teleconference), appreciated the $2.5 million that was
already in the budget, but spoke in support of additional
funding to finish the Swan Lake Small Boat Harbor Project.
He related that the project was really needed to address
displaced boats in the community and expressed appreciation
for the time to testify.
^Public Testimony: Nome
1:53:00 PM
JOSIE BAHNKE, CITY MANAGER AND PORT DIRECTOR, CITY OF NOME,
NOME (via teleconference), testified in support of $3
million in funding for the construction of the Port of
Nome's Causeway Middle Dock Project. She stated that the
dock was critically needed to meet the rising demand for
dock space and alleviate an escalating congestion problem
that was occurring at the port. She stated that the
significant rise in vessel traffic forced vessels to wait
for dock space and reported that the prior year, 149
vessels had to wait to enter the port. She stated that the
majority of the increased vessel traffic was driven by
regional economic development that utilized the port for
shipping throughout the region; the movement of fuel,
cargo, and gravel supported all the Bering Strait villages,
as well as points north of barrow and south of Bristol Bay.
She stated that there were significant drawbacks to
postponing the construction of the project, including
increased shipping costs and pointed out that the project
was a critical piece of infrastructure.
1:55:03 PM
CYNTHIA BARRAND, BERING SEA WOMEN'S GROUP, NOME (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for
renovations to the Bering Sea Women's Group's shelter. She
stated that safe shelter was the only one in the Bering
Strait region and that the two story facility currently
provided 14 beds for immediate safety. She stated that the
shelter had been in the same location since 1990 and that
it was in a single family residence that was built in 1959.
She stated that 2 renovations had been conducted to the
shelter in recent years in order to create a suitable
shelter, but that there were still needs that had to be
addressed. She reported that the floor tiles, carpeting,
bunk beds, curtains, and kitchen counters needed to be
replaced and that the wiring needed to be checked and
updated. She stated that the Bering Sea Women's group did
what it could on its own and had the assistance of other
local organizations; however, the shelter was very
expensive to keep the building running. She reported that
the heating bill and utilities for the facility cost as
much as a full time position in her agency. She reported
that the last heating bill for the month of February was
$2,134 and that the utility bill for that month was $1,500;
furthermore, a one-way airfare from Gambell to Nome was as
much as $305. She was thankful for the $1 million that the
governor had put forward and pointed out that if the
legislature committed to another $1 million, the Rasmussen
Foundation would match the entire $2 million amount.
1:57:35 PM
PRESTON ROOKOK, NATIVE VILLAGE OF SAVOONGA, NORTON SOUND
HEALTH CORPORATION, SAVOONGA, NOME (via teleconference),
testified in support of $5 million in funding for the
construction of a new health clinic in Savoonga. He stated
that the current clinic was built over 20 years ago and had
only 2 exam rooms and 1 emergency room. He stated that
Savoonga was one of the larger villages in the region and
that the unpredictable weather conditions on St. Lawrence
Island sometimes resulted in airplanes being unable to land
for a week; getting a new clinic was critical on the island
for seeing more patients. He reported that currently, the
clinic saw about 250 to 310 patients per month, but that a
5,266 square foot clinic would result in a 1200 patient
count per month. He related that the current facility was
so small that some of the equipment was kept in the hallway
and opined that the facility did not provide adequate
healthcare service. He pointed out that the current
facility was old was using 100 gallons of heating fuel per
week and that a better clinic would help the community of
Savoonga.
1:59:47 PM
JUNE WALUNGA, NORTON SOUND HEALTH CORPORATION, GAMBELL (via
teleconference), testified in support of $5 million in
funding for a new health clinic in Gambell. She discussed
the bad weather conditions on St. Lawrence Island as well
as it isolated location. She stated that a new clinic in in
Gambell was on the North Sound Health Corporation's
priority list and that the current clinic was very old and
was falling apart. She stated that two years prior, the
clinic had to be closed and that a triage center had to be
temporarily setup at the high school; since then, there had
been temporary renovations to the clinic. She related that
Gamble was desperately in need of a replacement clinic and
that during the winter, a frozen sewer line sometimes
caused the clinic to close. She noted that there was
already a lot of land designated for the larger clinic and
that a 3 phase transformer had been installed on it 10
years prior. She stated that a design phase was scheduled
in the upcoming summer, but that $5 million was needed to
construct the clinic.
2:02:50 PM
MATILDA HARDY, NORTON SOUND HEALTH CORPORATION, SHAKTOOLIK
(via teleconference), spoke in support of $2 million in
funding for a new health clinic in Shaktoolik. She stated
that Shaktoolik's clinic was close to the ocean tide and
the fall storms that hit the area; furthermore, the
region's population was growing, the clinic used too much
fuel for electricity, and the sewer lines were freezing in
the winter. She pointed out that the clinic only had 1 exam
room and 1 emergency room.
2:03:53 PM
BRYANT HAMMOND, PORT COMMISSION, CITY OF NOME, NOME (via
teleconference), spoke in support of $3 million in funding
for the City of Nome's Causeway Middle Dock Project. He
stated that the project was important to Nome and the
entire region. He stated that Nome was experiencing a mini
gold rush and an increased interest in the Arctic; the
commission saw all of the increased activity coming through
the Port of Nome. He related that the city was working to
keep pace with the demand and was conducting minor project
to improve the port facilities; additionally, it had
recently increased tariffs in an effort to raise finances.
2:05:19 PM
ANGIE GORN, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NORTON
SOUND HEALTH CORPORATION, NOME (via teleconference), spoke
in support of funding for new health clinics in Savoonga,
Gambell, Shaktoolik, and one other unspecified village. She
relayed that 75 percent of the patients that Norton Sound
Health Corporation saw on an annual basis took place in the
villages and that it was the corporation's goal to give
those communities the same quality healthcare experience
that could be provided in Nome. She was noted that the $14
million needed to complete all 4 village clinics was a
large amount, but hoped that the legislature could at least
fund 1 of those clinics. She stated that the village
clinics had been underfunded for years and that money for
the clinics had been flat funded by Indian Health Services
for the past 15 years; she stated that there was barely
enough funding to maintain the clinics, let alone to build
a new one.
2:07:23 PM
SYLVIA PENETAC, SELF, NOME (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funding for a new library in Nome. She reported
that the current library in Nome was very old and small and
offered that a library was essential to the city's
wellbeing, as well as the wellbeing of posterity. .
2:08:16 PM
RAYMOND PENETAC, SELF, NOME (via teleconference), testified
in support of additional funding for the library in Nome.
He related that he utilized the library in Nome and that it
was important to the local community.
2:08:42 PM
ROBERT LEWIS, SELF, NOME (via teleconference), spoke in
support of $1.9 million in grant funding for the Nome
library. He related that the current library was too small
to house the children's books that it owned or provide
adequate space for students to study. He pointed out that
Nome was a hub for regional travelers, tourists, and summer
workers and that these people came to the library to use
the facility; however, space was simply not available for
people to use.
2:11:02 PM
MARY DAVID, EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT, KAWERAK INC., NOME
(via teleconference), spoke in support $12.2 million in
matching construction funding for the public libraries in
the communities of Nome, Coffman Cove, Wasilla, and Thorne
Bay. She stated that the public library project was a high
priority in the region and that many positive and enriching
programs that benefited the area were offered at the public
libraries. He noted that all 4 of the communities had
applied through the Public Library and Major Expansion
Grant Program and had satisfied the highest ranked public
library construction projects that had been identified by
the Alaska Library Association and received by the
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development.
She noted that since FY11, $52.567 million of the 50
percent matching construction funds for the FY14 public
library projects had been awarded; she hoped that this
would continue and that funding for those proposed projects
would continue to be a priority in the budget.
2:12:52 PM
MARGUERITE LARIVIERE, LIBRARY DIRECTOR, KEGOAYAH KOZGA
LIBRARY, NOME (via teleconference), spoke in support of
funding for the Library in Nome. She reported that the
previous year, the Kegoayah Kozga Library had distributed
over 17,000 library materials and had over 10,000 library
computer sessions. She stated that the library also had new
video conference equipment and had been able to provide
many educational opportunities, as well as opportunities to
conduct long distance meetings. She pointed out that one of
the library's big focuses was on education and literacy and
that the prior year, it had provided over 120 programs to
the community; over 300 people had actually visited those
programs. She thought that the library in Nome was too
small.
^Public Testimony: Offnet
2:14:58 PM
CHRISTINE KLEIN, CALISTA REGIONAL CORPORATION, ANCHORAGE
(via teleconference), spoke in support of $10 million in
funding for the Emmonak port project at the mouth of the
Yukon River. She stated that the project was shovel ready
and that the corporation had supported the project every
year since 2011; furthermore, there was not a truly
engineered and constructed port currently in the location.
She stated that the project had a cost of $16.3 million and
that $3 million had already been previously appropriated;
the request was for $10 million to complete the public
private partnership project. She referenced a report
recently released a report by the Department of Commerce,
Community and Economic Development regarding the positive
impacts that could occur as a result of a Lower Yukon
regional port project and noted that it also discussed the
need for the project; the report also documented the
increases in cargo shipping on the river. She pointed out
that the project had been identified by the Army Corps of
Engineers of 1 of the 35 priority barge landing and small
port projects in Western Alaska and was in an ideal
location for sub-regional distribution. She stated that the
project was planned, engineered, was permitted and approved
by the Army Corps of Engineers, and was bid ready. She
concluded that many entities in and around Emmonak
supported the project.
2:18:55 PM
MARTIN B. MOORE, CITY MANAGER, CITY OF EMMONAK, EMMONAK
(via teleconference), spoke in support of $10 million in
funding for the Emmonak port project at the mouth of the
Yukon River. He reported that Emmonak was the largest
community at the mouth of the Yukon River and the Lower
Yukon Delta was in need of port infrastructure. He stated
that nearly 5,000 people resided on the delta and that the
total regional population was closer to 9,500; this
included 703 Commercial Fishing Entry Commission permit
holders. He stated that the construction of a modern port
facility in Emmonak would help alleviate the very high cost
of living in the region. He pointed out that, currently,
the nearest port facilities were in Bethel and Nome, both
of which were more than 100 miles away from the Yukon Delta
region. He pointed out the project was fully engineered,
designed, and permitted and that in 2012, $3 million had
been appropriated to the project; the total project cost
was estimated at $16 million. He reported that the City of
Emmonak's request was for $10 million and that the city was
confident it could raise the additional $3 million through
other funding sources. He concluded that the project would
benefit the entire region and its support businesses; he
referenced the different letters of support for the project
(copies on file). He pointed out that an Army Corps of
Engineer's report recognized the need for a barge loading
facility in Emmonak and had ranked the project as a high
priory site. He also referenced a report that stated that
investing in the Yukon barge dock in Emmonak was likely the
best investment that could be made in the Yukon Delta.
2:24:03 PM
FRANKLIN MURPHY, CITY OF EMMONAK, EMMONAK (via
teleconference), spoke in support of $16 million in funding
for the Emmonak port project at the mouth of the Yukon
River. He stated that Emmonak was considered a hub for many
of the villages along the Yukon River. He stated that other
villages used Emmonak's health clinic and airport, but that
that the current offloading area for barges was not a
suitable size. He discussed the commercial fisheries around
Emmonak and its importance to the other surrounding
villages. He discussed the infrastructure that Emmonak had
that supported the region around it.
2:26:41 PM
WILBUR HOOTCH, CITY OF EMMONAK, EMMONAK (via
teleconference), testified in support of $10 million in
funding for the Emmonak port project at the mouth of the
Yukon River. He related that Emmonak infrastructure served
the Yukon Delta area and villages in the region. He relayed
that the region was in dire need of a new dock and port and
that the state had already appropriated $3 million for the
project. He stated that the community of Emmonak and its
businesses were in need of lower rates of liquid natural
gas and observed that the project would allow importing and
exporting as needed in the future.
^Public Testimony: Tok
2:29:28 PM
KATHY MORGAN, TOK COMMUNITY LIBRARY, TOK (via
teleconference), spoke in support of funding for the
library construction matching grant requests in the capital
budget for the current year. She noted that libraries were
an important part of education and research, but also
served as the centers of communities in many parts of
Alaska. She pointed out that in many communities in Alaska,
libraries were the access point for the internet in order
to file income tax returns, look for jobs, find owner's
manuals, make airline reservations, file for permanent
fund dividend applications, and interact with the
government in many other ways. She pointed out that all of
the requests had demonstrated that the libraries had
tremendous local support, including financial support for
the 50 percent matching portion. She stated that like
education, funding for libraries was an investment in the
state's future.
^Public Testimony: Delta Junction
2:30:51 PM
DAWN GROSSMAN, INTERIOR OF ALASKA HOSPITAL FOUNDATION,
DELTA JUNCTION (via teleconference), spoke in support of
funding the Interior of Alaska Hospital Foundation's
request. She stated that Delta Junction had the only
medical facility between Fairbanks and the Canadian border.
She reported that the foundation had recently opened a new
clinic and already had 100 clients since the 1st of March;
however, the clinic did not have emergency services, after-
hours urgent care, or a pharmacy. She pointed out that
Delta Junction received a lot of tourism and hunting
activity, had military residents, and had about 3,500 to
4,000 residents in the entire area; furthermore, the
medical services were needed, but would not happen without
additional financial help. She stated that if the
foundation received its funding request, it hoped to put in
a pharmacy, as a well as urgent care services by the
summer.
2:32:42 PM
MARY KASPARI, PRESIDENT, INTERIOR OF ALASKA HOSPITAL
FOUNDATION, DELTA JUNCTION (via teleconference), spoke in
support of the Interior of Alaska Hospital foundation's
funding request for $1.89 million. She stated that the
foundation's service area covered 70,000 square miles and
pointed out that there was no sustainable health care on
the Alaska Highway between Fairbanks and the Canadian
border; Delta Junction's clinic was 100 miles from the
hospital and did not currently have any after hour or
emergency services. She added that currently after hour or
emergency needs had to be transported by ambulance to
Fairbanks. She stated that over the last 2.5 years, the
foundation had secured over $100,000 in financial and land
donations and noted that through a recent grant, Delta
Junction had recently constructed its community health
center; however, without additional funding, work on the
center would be unable to move forward any further. She
concluded that the foundation still had to pay for the
expansion of the clinic, open the pharmacy, and bring
emergency and urgent services to the community of Delta
Junction
2:34:45 PM
AUDREY HUDSON, MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER, METLAKATLA INDIAN
COMMUNITY, METLAKATLA (via teleconference), spoke in
support of Metlakatla's requests for $1.4 million to
complete phase two of the drainage system upgrade project,
$29,682 for the new air compressor station, $95,390 for
phase 2 of the restoration of the community's longhouse,
$27,500 for a feasibility study for the community's justice
complex, and $353,102 in funding for upgrades to the
community's Head Start building. She stated that the
drainage system upgrades would modify, enhance, and improve
the existing residential storm drain system for 64 families
that resided in the proposed upgrade area. She stated that
the new air compressor station for the commercial diving
fleet would also be used by the volunteer fire department;
currently, the tanks were being filled by the local school
district. She pointed out that Metlakatla had been able to
secure local funding to complete phase 1 of the restoration
of the long house, which was directly connected to the
economic growth of the community through the tourism
program; the long house also housed many events for the
community's Native culture. She reported that Metlakatla's
current justice complex was over 4 years old and did not
meet current work and safety standards. She discussed
safety and structural concerns with Metlakatla's Head Start
building.
^Public Testimony: Petersburg
2:37:55 PM
KELLY SWIHART, CHIEF OF POLICE, PETERSBURG BOROUGH,
PETERSBURG (via teleconference), spoke in support of
funding for the renovation of Petersburg's municipal
building. He spoke to the deficiencies of the current
municipal building as an adequate police and jail facility.
He reported that the existing building was constructed in
1958 and had originally housed the public works maintenance
garage; it had later been renovated into a police station,
but the process had not been completed adequately. He
reported that during the renovation, the foundation had not
been properly tied in to the existing structure and that a
second story was added to the poorly conceived foundation;
as a result, the foundation was sinking in the middle from
the weight of the second floor. He stated that the current
jail facilities did not have adequate visiting room and
required inmates to be moved out of secure areas for
showering, visiting, and to receive medical and other
treatment; the lack of security routinely put the public
and employees in less than safe conditions. He discussed
structural problems with the current municipal building and
noted that when inmates showered, backed up water from the
drain ran down the hallway towards the front door; as a
result, employees and visitors had to walk past the
contaminated water that was traversing a sloped floor to
access other parts of the building. He stated that the
building was not weatherproof in certain places, which
potentially endangered critical public safety systems such
as the internal radio system, the enhanced 911 equipment,
and the connectivity to the Alaska Public Safety
Information Network. He explained that the building had
interior walls that were buckling and that as a result,
multiple doors could not be closed. He continued to discuss
the deficiencies in the building and noted that the project
would assist in keeping public, inmates, and employees
safe.
MARK JENSEN, MAYOR, PETERSBURG BOROUGH (via
teleconference), spoke in support of $5.7 million in
funding for the Petersburg police station and jail
facility, as well as Ketchikan's request for $12.3 million
in funding for the Swan Lake Reservoir Expansion Project.
He related that the police station and jail facility had
been Petersburg's number one priory capital project for the
last 2 years and that it had been vetted through the public
process and approved by the assembly 2 years in a row. He
thanked the legislature for its previous appropriations and
reappropriations to the project and noted that the total
project cost was $9.7 million, which left a $5.7 million
shortfall. He noted that the City of Ketchikan's $12.3
million request to raise the Swan Lake Dam would help the 3
intertied communities of Ketchikan, Wrangell, and
Petersburg by offsetting the diesel fuel costs; raising the
dam 12 feet would offset $1.9 million in annual diesel fuel
costs.
^Public Testimony: Ketchikan
2:42:51 PM
TREY ACTESON, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SOUTHEAST ALASKA
POWER AGENCY (SEAPA), KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), spoke
in support of the funding request for $12.3 million for the
Swan Lake Reservoir Expansion Project. He stated that the
existing reservoir had volatile inflows and that it had
spilled water almost every year since its construction in
the early 80s; additionally, spill water over the dam was
energy that was lost forever. He stated that raising the
dam would allow SEAPA to capture the clean renewable energy
and use it to displace expensive diesel generation. He
observed that one of the key findings in the Southeast
Integrated Resource Plan was the lack of energy storage and
noted that the Swan Lake project would address that need by
providing an additional 25 percent in active storage to the
reservoir; the storage increase would be achieved by
raising the crest of the dam by 6 feet. He reported that
the project would effectively raise the overall reservoir
height by 15 feet and that it was an easy choice for his
region because the power house, transmission lines, and
other expensive infrastructure were already in place. He
noted that the excess hydro in the SEAPA system had been
rapidly consumed by space heating conversions that resulted
from high fuel prices and stated that the Swan Lake project
was a quick enhancement that would provide immediate relief
by reducing the need for supplemental diesel generation; if
funded, the project would be constructed and in service by
the end of 2016 and would provide significant benefit by
adding up to 12,000 megawatt hours of annual energy, which
was the equivalent of approximately 800,000 gallons of
diesel. He concluded that the Swan Lake Reservoir Expansion
Project had brought regional support from the SEAPA's 3
member utilities in Petersburg, Wrangell, and Ketchikan and
was designated as Ketchikan's number one community
priority; additionally, the project would have an immediate
and long lasting positive financial impact on SEAPA's
consumers by reduction the financial burden of diesel
generation.
2:45:39 PM
DAN BOCKHORST, MANAGER, KETCHIKAN GATEWAY BOROUGH,
KETCHIKAN (via teleconference), testified in support of
$12.3 million for the Swan Lake Reservoir Expansion Project
and related that it was the Ketchikan Borough's number 1
priority. He stated that the project was essential to the
continuing recovery of Ketchikan's economy, which had taken
a huge blow from the loss of timber related jobs in the
1990s. He discussed the lingering impacts of the closure of
the Ketchikan pulp mill and pointed out that the current
school enrollment in Ketchikan was 25 percent below the
peak of when the borough suffered the loss of the mill. He
stated that it was important to Ketchikan that it helped
support its own projects and observed that the Ketchikan
Gateway Borough and the City of Ketchikan had levied and
collected more than $35 million on local taxes annually;
additionally they had incurred more than $190 million in
debt. He offered that Ketchikan residents were willing to
make significant investments in public facilities for
schools, hospitals, utilities, airports, fire stations,
libraries, harbors, recreation facilities, and
hydroelectric facilities. He pointed out that SEAPA had
also incurred significant debt for its public facilities
and urged the addition of funding for the project.
2:48:32 PM
LEW WILLIAMS III, MAYOR, CITY OF KETCHIKAN, KETCHIKAN (via
teleconference), testified in support of $12.3 million for
the Swan Lake Reservoir Expansion Project. He explained
that the project had undergone a vigorous public vetting
process and had emerged as the city's number one community
priority; furthermore, the city had also passed a separate
formal resolution that strongly supported the development
of the project. He reported that Ketchikan considered the
hydroelectric power enhancement to be critical
infrastructure that was vital to the city's economic growth
and prosperity; currently, the city was supplementing its
hydroelectric production with diesel-power generation to
meet its growing energy requirements. He stated that the
cost of diesel generation was approximately 24 cents per
kilowatt hour and was shouldered by the city's rate payers.
He noted that the Swan Lake Expansion Project would
alleviate Ketchikan's diesel dependence and provide rate
stability; the project would also increase storage that
would enhance the city's ability to maximize use of
existing hydroelectric facilities. He stated that it was
essential for Ketchikan's long-term stability to secure its
energy supply to compete with alternative northwest
locations and attract key anchor tenants industries such as
seafood processing, shipyard fabrication, and mining; the
project was critical to Ketchikan's long-term stability. He
spoke about the importance of abundant and affordable
energy and pointed out that that the Swan Lake Reservoir
Expansion Project was the best near-term solution to
ensuring that Ketchikan remained competitive.
2:50:47 PM
Co-Chair Meyer inquired what the request to the state was
for the Swan Lake Reservoir Expansion Project. Mr. Williams
replied that the request was for $12.3 million. Co-Chair
Meyer further inquired if that was the total cost or the
request from the state. Mr. Acteson responded that the
request of the state was $12.3 million and that whole
project construction would cost about $13.5 million.
^Public Testimony: Sitka
2:51:36 PM
MARY WEGNER, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, SITKA SCHOOL
DISTRICT, SITKA (via teleconference), testified in support
of the Sitka School Districts capital requests,
particularly for its top 2 requests related to the
implementation of new curriculum and $250,000 in funding to
support the implementation of the new Alaska teacher
evaluation system. She stated that the Sitka School
District had spent $105,000 since the new standards had
been adopted by the state school board and that the funds
had gone to support teachers as they learned about the new
standards and developed curriculum maps to implement them;
the funding also went towards helping teachers research new
instruction materials to support to the new standards and
beginning to look to at changing the reporting resources to
provide clear expectations for students, parents, and
teachers regarding how students were progressing in their
mastery of the new standards. She stated that the new
Alaska standards were about 1.5 grade levels higher than
the current ones and that the significant differences in
content not only required teachers to receive training in
the new content, but also required instructional materials
to support the new content. She pointed out that although
the new Alaska standards were in English and Math, it was
explicit that the standards would be implemented and
assessed in the additional content areas of science and
social studies. She stated that the district was willing to
do its part to implement high quality learning experiences
for its students; however, it was unreasonable to ask it to
shoulder the cost related to the purchase and
implementation of instructional materials in 4 content
areas within a limited time period. She added that students
would be assessed on the new Alaska standards in the next
school year and that the Sitka School District estimated
that the 4 content areas would cost a total of $1,648,800.
She stated that the Sitka School District supported
improvement, but that it was unreasonable to ask it to
fully assume the costs required by the mandate of the new
teacher evaluation requirements; if the district did not
get assistance with this, it would result in higher class
sizes as teaching staff was reduced. She pointed out that
higher class sizes would impede the process of increasing
student scores, which was a component of effective teachers
as identified in the new teacher evaluation standards.
2:55:08 PM
MARK GORMAN, MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATOR, CITY OF SITKA, SITKA
(via teleconference), spoke in support of Sitka's loan
application to the Alaska Energy Authority's (AEA) Power
Project Loan Fund for the city's Blue Lake Hydroelectric
Project. He related that Sitka understood that the state
had limited funds and was not asking for a grant; it was
requesting that $18.6 million be included in the AEA Power
Project Loan Fund to allow Sitka's loan request to be
funded. He stated that the city had met with the governor,
the Office of Management and Budget, AEA, as well as many
legislators, all of which were very supportive of Sitka's
efforts to go forward with the loan.
2:56:32 PM
CHRIS BREWTON, ELECTRIC UTILITY DIRECTOR, SITKA (via
teleconference), spoke in support of Sitka's loan
application to AEA's Power Project Loan Fund for the city's
Blue Lake Hydroelectric Project. He reported that to date,
Sitka had bonded over $82 million towards the $145 million
project and had a lot of skin in the game. He stated that
Sitka's power rates had increased 28.4 percent since
September and that there was a rate increase plan for July
1st of an additional 10 percent; if Sitka did not get the
loan, there would be an additional 10-18 percent rate
increase during the fall. He stated that the loan was
imperative and that it would really help the city's
constituents. He encouraged the funding of worthwhile
energy projects throughout the state.
2:58:07 PM
STEVE BRADSHAW, SUPERINTENDENT, SITKA SCHOOL DISTRICT,
SITKA (via teleconference), testified in support of the
Sitka School Districts' top 2 capital funding requests
related to the implementation of new curriculum and the
implementation of the new Alaska teacher evaluation system.
He thought that what the state had done the last 2 years
regarding teacher evaluations and the Alaska state
standards was putting education on the right path; however,
the critical issue facing school districts was in finding
ways to implement the changes, purchase the new curriculum,
and setup the evaluation system. He thought that teacher
evaluation and better curriculum were the foundation of a
great education and would get Alaskan students ready for
college. He noted that these types of requests might be
viewed as inappropriate in the capital budget, but offered
that Sitka's top 2 requests built more in school districts
than a lot of the other projects in the budget. He thought
that all of the school districts in the state were faced
with the same situation of having to find a way to provide
the professional development for teachers with the new
curriculum, as well as needing help to setup the new
evaluation system.
GARY WHITE, SITKA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (SEDA),
SITKA (via teleconference), testified in support of Sitka's
loan application to AEA's Power Project Loan Fund for the
city's Blue Lake Hydroelectric Project. He related that
SEDA felt that the loan was critical to the economic
development picture for Sitka and that it if the power
rates continued to increase, Sitka would not be able to
attract businesses and industry to the community. He stated
that the loan would help Sitka secure its energy future and
be able to provide power for economic development.
3:01:24 PM
THAD POULSON, SELF, SITKA (via teleconference), spoke in
support of Sitka's loan application to the AEA's Power
Project Loan Fund for the city's Blue Lake Hydroelectric
Project. He related that the citizens of Sitka had proved
that they would step up to meet community challenges. He
pointed out that Sitka was not asking for handout, but
simply a loan to help makes its electric rates more
affordable. He urged the committee to add an additional
$18.6 million to AEA's Power Project Loan Fund.
3:02:38 PM
ANDREW THOMS, DIRECTOR, SITKA CONSERVATION SOCIETY, SITKA
(via teleconference), spoke in support of the $18.6 million
request for Sitka's loan application to AEA's Power Project
Loan Fund for the city's Blue Lake Hydroelectric Project.
He stated that the community was behind the project for a
number of reasons and that Senator Lisa Murkowski had taken
a tour of the project of the project in 2013. He recalled
that Senator Murkowski had stated at the time that Alaska
needed to deal with energy needs in order to make its
communities sustainable. He recalled that the project had
been started about 6 years prior during a spike in oil
prices; furthermore, the project was being conducted for
economic and environmental reasons. He pointed out that
Sitka was not looking for a handout, but was asking for a
loan that had favorable rates.
^Public Testimony: Valdez
3:04:46 PM
ROWENA POLAMAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ADVOCATES FOR VICTIMS
OF VIOLENCE (AVV), VALDEZ (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funding for renovation and repairs to the
heating system and security system in the Advocates for
Victims of Violence's shelter; additionally, the flooring
and beds needed replacement. She related that AVV's
security system was so old that most of the time it did not
work well and that it represented a safety concern for the
women and children staying at the shelter. She stated that
7 months out of 12, most of the bedrooms, living rooms, and
staff offices were very cold due to the insufficient supply
of heat and pointed out that it had been over 15 years
since the flooring and beds had been replaced in the
shelter. She thanked the governor for the inclusion of $1
million in funding and noted that if the legislature
included an additional $1 million, the Rasmussen Foundation
would match the full $2 million amount; this would result
in total funding of $4 million and would be a rare
opportunity for AVV.
^Public Testimony: Cordova
3:06:57 PM
JAMES KACSH, MAYOR, CITY OF CORDOVA, CORDOVA (via
teleconference), spoke in support of $6.5 million in
funding for the Cordova Center. He discussed the slow
recovery of Cordova after the Exxon Valdez oil spill and
pointed out that the loss of herring and crab fisheries in
the area had left families and businesses struggling in the
winter months. She stated that the Cordova Center was at
the core of an economic development plan to include to
winter tourism, conventions, and meetings to Cordova's
economy. He stated that the Cordova Center could bring over
$500,000 in new money every winter to Cordova. He stated
that the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council had
committed $8.3 million to the project and that Cordova was
asking $6.5 million in matching funds. He concluded that
the project would help keep Cordova's residents employed
and businesses open during the long winter months.
3:08:00 PM
NANCY BIRD, SELF, CORDOVA (via teleconference), supported
the $6.5 million funding request for the Cordova Center.
She pointed out that the project exterior was complete and
that along with other funding, the request from the state
would finish the project. She pointed out that the City of
Cordova had paid its own way on the project and that it had
already contributed $1.5 million in construction dollars,
as well almost $500,000 of in-kind services. She related
that Cordova was ready to contribute more to the project,
but it could not reach completion without some assistance
from the state. She stated that the city government was
committed to the long-term operation and maintenance of the
project and pointed out that the facility would be LEED
certified; it would replace two old and very inefficient
municipal buildings, which would be critical for the city's
continued support of the services provided by the
buildings. She spoke about the leveraged funding for the
project and related that the project would bring new
seasons of increased economy to the Cordova and the region.
She stated that the completion of the center would provide
a place for educational meetings, as well as scientific
meetings to occur on a regular basis.
3:10:42 PM
JENNIFER GIBBINS, PRESIDENT, CORDOVA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
CORDOVA (via teleconference), testified in support of $6.5
million in funding for the Cordova Center. She stated that
a bump of 20 or 30 percent in sales that was associated
with a group coming to town meant that a shop owner was in
the black; this was vitally important to Rural Alaska and
indicated jobs, kids in school, and a vibrant company. She
related that the increased business that the Cordova Center
could provide meant that the local sales taxes could
continue to provide services and would help the small
businesses continue to exist. She stated that the Cordova
Center would add to the quality of life of Cordova's
residents; however, from the standpoint of the chamber of
commerce, the center was a vitally needed economic
development project. She relayed that the goal for the
center was to keep the fishing fleet in Cordova, as well as
to keep community's local small businesses strong and its
economy growing.
3:12:06 PM
BRET BRADFORD, COUNCIL MEMBER, CITY OF CORDOVA (via
teleconference), spoke in support of $6.5 million in
funding for Cordova's capital requests. He related that the
funding would address Cordova's needs for a new city hall,
a library and museum facility, and would help provide
economic diversity. He stated that Cordova's current city
hall was very inefficient and was located in the tsunami
zone. He pointed out that the existing library/museum
facility leaked and was also inefficient. He stated that
the Cordova Center would help with economic diversity by
bringing conventions and winter business to the city and
that the project was currently 50 percent complete.
3:13:20 PM
CLAY KOPLIN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CORDOVA ELECTRIC
COOPERATIVE, CORDOVA (via teleconference), testified in
support of $6.5 million in funding for the Cordova Center.
He recalled that when local ferry routes had been shortened
and were kept inside of Prince William sound between
Whittier, Valdez, and Cordova, much of Cordova's economy
had started running through anchorage, most of which had
previously gone through Seattle; this had hurt Cordova's
Main Street a little bit, but had been really good for
Alaska. He stated that Cordova needed some of that economy
to come back. He stated that the Prince William Sound route
had been the most successful route in the ferry system and
that Cordova wanted to keep the momentum going and have a
place where the multi-purpose Cordova Center could be
utilized.
3:15:17 PM
BARCLAY KOPCHAK, PRESIDENT, STAGE OF THE TIDE, CORDOVA (via
teleconference), expressed support for $6.5 million in
funding for the Cordova Center. She related that the center
would provide a real community space and offered that it
was a need and not a want; the city needed a place that
would not require excessive repairs and maintenance to
house a city hall. She stated that the facility would also
provide a museum and library space where employees would
not have to wear coats and boots indoors, have buckets on
their desks, or tarp off areas of their collection. She
stated that the multi-use Cordova Center would not only
allow access for residents, but would be a destination for
conferences, symposiums, and anyone who wanted to travel
the real off-road Alaska. She discussed the different uses
of the facility and related that was already interest for
the use of the facility; people had already scheduled
conferences that had to be put aside and divided into small
rooms due to delays in construction.
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: JUNEAU
3:18:08 PM
DOUG BRIDGES, SOUTHEAST SENIOR SERVICES, JUNEAU, testified
in support of $500,000 request for the Alaska Mobility
Commission state match for public and community
transportation. He appreciated the governor's efforts, and
stressed that the project was historically successful. He
explained that the funding helped to support local matches
for grant funds, and was not given directly. Transportation
throughout Southeast Alaska was important for communities.
He represented Southeast Senior Services, which was a
division of Catholic Community Services. Southeast Senior
Services operated in 12 communities in Southeast Alaska,
and stressed the importance of transportation in rural
Alaska and small cities. Transportation was important
support for economic development, and made helped to keep
the communities vital. Transportation supported the elders
and individuals with disabilities in the communities of
their choice.
3:20:59 PM
RON SOMERVILLE, CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION FOR FEDERAL
AREAS, JUNEAU, testified in support of funding for CAPFA
extension with the addition of $100,000. He stated that the
Citizens Advisory Commission for Federal Areas (CAPFA)
conducted a federal overreach project during the most
recent CAPFA summit. As a result of the summit, a
comprehensive report that outlined many of the major
problems with federal overreaches. He explained that CAPFA
received $100,000 to continue with the project. He stated
that the funding request for $100,000 that was not included
in the current operating budget, so he requested that it be
included in the capital budget. He explained that the money
would be used for additional CAPFA summits, which would
develop alternatives and educating the public regarding
federal overreach. He remarked that the Integrated Arctic
Management Plan was crucial to the state, and felt that
CAPFA was important to develop alternatives.
3:23:59 PM
JAMES SULLIVAN, SOUTHEAST ALASKA CONSERVATION COUNCIL,
JUNEAU, testified in opposition to funding the Juneau
Access Project. He requested that the proposed funding be
postponed until the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) is
completed. He felt that the project would not be useful to
the people of Juneau. He felt that the legislature was
being asked to fund a project that did not have a
legitimate plan about tunnels, bridges, and the overall
cost. He also pointed out that there was no management or
operational plan for the unmanned ferry terminal. He
stressed that there were many questions and problems with
the project, and felt that Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities (DOT) had not adequately addressed the
issues. He felt that Alaska could not afford this
"boondoggle" in its current fiscal situation. He hoped that
the committee would examine Alaska's other needs, because
the project had very little payback.
3:25:57 PM
GERRY HOPE, TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR, SITKA TRIBE OF ALASKA,
SITKA (via teleconference), testified in support of $1
million for public transportation. He encouraged the
addition of $500,000, which would help to leverage an
additional $1.5 million to $2 million in federal funds. He
explained that Sitka would combine the public transit
system funds from the state and the tribal transit funds.
He remarked that the current tribe organizations that
managed the tribal transit funds were experiencing budget
cuts. He stated that the additional funding would maintain
the current level of public transit service in Sitka.
3:28:21 PM
ALYSON COOPER, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of
funding the Alaska Development Corporation's Science,
Technology, and Engineering (STEM) programs. She
specifically spoke the capital request number 62349, Alaska
Development Corporation STEM Talent for Alaska's Economic
Competitiveness. She remarked that there was a tremendous
need for high school graduates, who were well-educated in
the science, technology, engineering, and math fields. She
pointed out that the education was important, even if those
students did not pursue careers in related fields. She felt
that life in the current century required comfort in
technology and problem solving. She felt that the STEM
programs in Alaska encouraged that technology education and
problem solving. She stated that her children were
beneficiaries of the STEM program: they designed robots,
tracked ocean currents, tested for paralytic shell fish
poisoning, experimented with electrical circuits, and built
underwater gliders. She stressed that the STEM program not
only educated, but inspired participants. Her children had
become problem solvers, and felt they could work with and
lead a team to solve complex problems and devise creative
solutions.
Senator Bishop thanked Ms. Cooper for her volunteer work.
3:32:43 PM
BONNE WOLDSTAD, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of
additional funds for the Public Vessel Woldstad. She
stressed that Alaska was experiencing anticipated pressures
on the Arctic coastal villages, so it was imperative that
Alaska maintain its two high endurance patrol vessels. She
remarked that fisheries were tied to the existence of the
state, and the Alaska's constitution was about maintaining
control of its natural resources. She felt that there
needed to be a clear vision for Alaska's future for the
marine section's high endurance vessels. Alaska needed to
be competitive and ready for Arctic exploration by being
proactive rather than reactive. The proposed replacement
for the Woldstad vessel was not a high endurance vessel.
The Woldstad was specifically designed and built to provide
public safety, and fishery patrol to all Alaskan waters.
The vessel was also capable to conduct inshore fishery
patrols; search and rescue; firefighting; and resource-user
contacts.
3:34:20 PM
TOM BRICE, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of the Juneau
Access Project. He felt that the project was a vital piece
of transportation infrastructure that would help connect
Juneau to the national highway system. Road access between
the Lynn Canal communities would be a substantial economic
multiplier for Juneau, Skagway, and Haines. He felt that it
would be nice to travel to Haines and Skagway in just a
couple of hours. He announced that he had been a supporter
of the project for over 20 years.
3:36:01 PM
COREY BAXTER, DISTRICT 8 REPRESENTATIVE, OPERATING
ENGINEERS LOCAL 302, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the $35
million for the Juneau Access Project. He felt that the
road would provide the region with short-term and long-term
economic benefits that would help sustain the communities
well into the future. The road would help the state and
travelers enough money to finance the entire project.
3:36:54 PM
MIKE MILLER, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in opposition to
Juneau Access Project. He stated that he had climbed and
explored the proposed area for the project, and announced
that there were many hazardous environmental issues with
the proposed project. He felt that the maintenance cost of
the road would exceed the maintenance of the ferry system.
He announced that in 22.2 miles of the proposed road there
were 112 geological hazards including 54 rock fall hazard
areas, 42 debris flows, 31 avalanches, and 2 landslides. He
felt that it may require the National Guard to keep the
road operating. He felt that the $35 million could be
better used to maintain the ferry system.
3:38:12 PM
MERRILL SANFORD, MAYOR, JUNEAU, expressed support for the
Juneau Access Project. He is a lifelong citizen of Juneau,
and had been a part of the debate regarding the Juneau
Access Road and the ferry system. He announced that he
wanted both the road and ferry system to be supported. He
stated that he spent 20 as chief of some of the fire
departments in Juneau, served on the borough assembly, and
was currently the mayor. He had experience working with
balancing various budgets regarding needs and
affordability. He announced that the official position of
the City and Borough of Juneau was firmly in support of the
Juneau Access Project. He also stressed the critical
importance of the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) to
all of Southeast Alaska. He understood that there were
places that were only accessible by boat, and those
locations needed better services.
Co-Chair Meyer thanked the mayor and Juneau for the
hospitality to the legislature.
Co-Chair Kelly echoed Co-Chair Meyer's gratitude.
3:40:50 PM
PAULETTE SIMPSON, SELF, DOUGLAS, testified in support of
the Juneau Access Project. She stated that the project
should be considered a "continuation", because the state
legislators had continued to show support to keep the
project on tract. She pointed out that materials were
purchased and work was ongoing to prepare for construction.
She stated that there was a joint meeting for the House and
Senate Transportation Committees, and Senator Egan had
opined that the Juneau Access Project should have been
built twenty years prior. She felt that looming deficits
required conservative spending decisions, and felt that the
most lopsided appropriation was the AMHS. The AMHS
operating subsidy was currently $120 million, so the status
quo must change by funding the Juneau Access Project. She
felt that the road could be maintained for a fraction of
the cost of ferries, because the projected operating costs
of the ferries were unsustainable. She understood that
island communities would always require ferry service, and
their future could be preserved if the roads were built and
ferry runs were shortened.
3:44:04 PM
MARK RORICK, SELF, JUNEAU, testified against the Juneau
Access Project{ testified against the Juneau Access
Project. He announced that he had migrated from California
in the 1980s, because he wanted to live in a location
without a road. He stated that he had been an active
opponent of the Juneau Access Project since its inception.
He felt that the money could be better used to maintain the
ferry system.
3:48:29 PM
CATHIE ROEMICH, MEMBER, JUNEAU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, JUNEAU,
spoke in support of the $35 million for the continued
funding for the Juneau Access Project. She stated that the
Juneau Chamber of Commerce represented 400 small and medium
sized Alaska businesses, and stated that the member
business overwhelmingly supported the project. She felt
that the road would benefit Juneau, Haines, Skagway and
other state businesses. The road would significantly
address the long-term operating costs of AMHS, by reducing
Juneau's reliance on the ferry system. Transportation was a
core function of government, and commerce depended on
transportation infrastructure that was cost effective,
reliable, and provided frequent travel options to move
people and products. She stated that the $35 million
appropriation would build the road to the Kensington Mine,
so over 200 workers could drive home every day. She
stressed that she wanted to keep the Kensington Mine
workers as residents of Juneau.
3:50:32 PM
MARY BECKER, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of the Juneau
Access Project. She echoed the other supporters of the
project. She stated that she served on the Juneau Assembly,
and there was an assembly resolution that supported the
road. She served four years in the assembly, and in that
time it reaffirmed its goal to support the Juneau Access
Project. She shared that her husband was a fisherman, and
he felt that a road would enhance his business, because he
could get fresh fish to a broader market.
3:52:41 PM
JOAN O'KEEFE, DIRECTOR, SOUTHEAST ALASKA INDEPENDENT
LIVING, JUNEAU, testified in support of the public transit
match funding. She stressed that public transportation was
extremely important for the independence of more than 1300
elders and people with disabilities that the Southeast
Alaska Independent Living (SAIL) served. She shared that
the $1 million appropriation would help to leverage and
additional $3 million to $4 million in state, local, and
federal funds. She understood that the legislature was
facing difficult fiscal decisions, but encouraged the
addition of $500,000 to leverage another $1.5 million to $2
million to invest in state infrastructure. Transit match
dollars allowed local communities, tribal agencies, and
non-profit organizations to match the local investment in
public transportation with a state match. Transit match
dollars helped SAIL provide a variety of transportation
services in Southeast Alaska.
3:55:01 PM
NANCY DECHERNEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JUNEAU ARTS AND
HUMANITIES COUNCIL, JUNEAU, testified in support of the
additional funds for the Willoughby Arts Complex. She
explained that the project was collaboration between
Perseverance Theatre and the Juneau Arts and Humanities
Council. She stated that the project fits into the city's
Willoughby District plan. She remarked that the project was
gaining national interest, and would enhance Juneau's
already vibrant performing arts culture.
Co-Chair Meyer remarked that he had recently seen a
production at Perseverance Theatre. Ms. DeCherney commented
that it was a wonderful production. She furthered that,
given Perseverance Theatre's operating costs and
infrastructure, they produce an incredible product.
3:57:40 PM
ANNIE CALKINS, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of the
Willoughby Arts Complex. She stated that she was the former
assistant superintendent for the Juneau School District, an
employee of the Department of Education and Early
Development (DEED), a member of the state school board, and
the Governor's Commission on Children and Youth. She
stressed the importance of the education and training
component of the proposed complex. She stated that there
were many conversations regarding the availability of the
facility to host classes, workshops, and on the job
training for high school students as the arts and
communication career pathway; theatre training for
university students; and institutes for teachers to
incorporate, STEM, and the arts across the curriculum in
their core subjects.
3:59:58 PM
PETER FROEHLICH, MEMBER, ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR PARTNERS FOR
PROGRESS, JUNEAU, testified in support of second year
funding for recidivism reduction at the Partners for
Progress multi-agency reentry center in Anchorage. He
stated that he was a former judge, and he had sentence
thousands of people to serve jail time. He felt that the
motivation for an individual to change their life was what
occurred in their life after they were released from jail.
He stated that the Anchorage reentry center worked with the
individual within hours of their release from jail. The
center helped people to secure and monitor their
maintenance of housing, employment, substance abuse
treatment, and sober support. The people were held
accountable by ensuring that they had a job within a week
of release. He stated the center had only been operational
since the previous summer, and there was a data sheet that
reflected that the center was serving approximately 50
people per day.
4:02:26 PM
MARJORIE MENZI, SELF, JUNEAU, encouraged support of the
funding for the Willoughby Arts Complex. She felt that the
arts community in Juneau was world class, and needed a
place to foster that creativity. Two factors made Juneau
special: 1) Juneau was privileged to host the important
state work, because it was the capital of Alaska; and 2)
Juneau was a strong innovator in the arts, including drama,
music, dance, visual arts, and cultural opportunities.
Juneau's excellence in the arts was recognized nationally
and in Alaska by business donors and organizational
funders. The arts were also recognized as an economic force
in Juneau. She felt that a strong arts presence provided a
high quality of life. She pointed out that the two most
effective and dynamic arts organizations were the Juneau
Arts and Humanities Council and Perseverance Theatre, and
those two organizations had formed a partnership to build
the new arts complex.
4:05:47 PM
NANCY WATERMAN, SELF, JUNEAU, testified against the funding
for the Juneau Access Project. She felt that the proposed
funds should be used for other capital projects, and
specifically requested that $5 million be used for the
State Library Archives and Museum (SLAM) project.
Completing SLAM, fully funded, was a priority for Juneau
and the state. Juneau Access Project funding could wait,
because the EIS had not been released. It was difficult to
forecast from where an additional $400 million for
completion of the project would be taken. She felt that the
Juneau Access Project was not a high priority. Juneau had
reasonable transportation connections through the airport;
docks and harbors; and telecommunications. Those three
systems needed state capital dollars. In the long-term, the
state would need to improve, operate, and maintain an
efficient AMHS in the Lynn Canal.
4:08:10 PM
ROMAN MOTYKA, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke against the Juneau Access
Project. He felt that the term "Juneau Access" did not
accurately describe the project. The current DOT plan for
the project was two stages: 1) build the road to Comet,
which was the location of the Kensington Mine; and 2) build
the road along 22 miles of coast line across a gauntlet of
geo-hazards. He announced that DOT had hired a firm which
identified over 111 geo hazards, included 67 avalanche
shoots. He stressed that road would be geo-technically
challenging, and extremely expensive. He felt that the
ferry system should be improved, because it offered a safe
and effective system. He pointed out that the ferry system
would still need to be maintained, if the road were built.
He felt that there were going to be major incidents that
would close the road for a substantial period of time, so
the ferry system must be maintained. He pointed out that
the proposal built the road to another ferry terminal. He
felt that the project would only save one or two hours of
travel time.
4:10:58 PM
JANET KUSSART, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in opposition to the
Juneau Access Project. She moved to Juneau with the
understanding that there was no road connecting Juneau the
national highway system. She felt that the ferry system was
service to the public as Southeast Alaska's only "highway."
She felt that the ferry was the safest way to travel,
because there were many avalanche shoots along the proposed
road. She remarked that the road would be built to serve
Kensington Mine, which was a private entity, and took issue
with using public funds to serve a business. She urged the
committee to be used for current road repairs, complete
SLAM, be put toward education, and maintain the current
ferry system. She felt that the road was too dangerous, and
was 90 miles of road to nowhere.
4:13:00 PM
KIRK PERISICH, SELF, JUNEAU, urged support of continued
funding for the State Libraries and Archives Museum (SLAM).
He felt that funding would keep many Juneau residents and
carpenters employed. He was a lifelong resident of Juneau,
and would like to see the completion of the project.
Co-Chair Meyer stated that it was the legislature's
priority to complete SLAM.
4:13:53 PM
WAYNE JENSEN, CHAIR, ALASKA COMMITTEE, JUNEAU, testified in
support of the Juneau Access Project. He stated that the
Alaska Committee formed in 1995 to be a proactive group to
enhance Juneau as Alaska's capital city. He stated that the
committee was governed by a 22-member board, which
represented a cross-section of the Juneau community. He
stated that the focus of the Alaska Committee included
infrastructure improvements, communication improvements,
and access improvements. He pointed out that the Alaska
Committee supported the renovations of the Terry Miller and
Tom Stewart building; improvements to Main Street and
Seward Street; the development of the parking garage at the
bottom of Main Street; and the improvements to the
municipally owned and operated airport. He stated that he
was proud of the Alaska Committee's development of Gavel to
Gavel, and the continued support. He reminded the committed
that Gavel to Gavel was 50 percent paid for by Juneau. He
announced that the Alaska Committee supported both water
and road access to Juneau. He felt that the continuation of
the road would benefit all Alaskans.
4:15:48 PM
JOHN HUGHES, PRACTICE ADMINISTRATOR, JUNEAU URGENT CARE,
JUNEAU, spoke in support of the Juneau Access Project. He
remarked that Juneau had one of the highest transportation
costs and health care costs. He felt that the project would
lower transportation costs, and allow patients to access
other health facilities in the state. He remarked that the
road would enhance the economic development of Southeast
Alaska.
4:17:01 PM
SARALYN TABACHNICK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AIDING WOMEN IN
ABUSE AND RAPE EMERGENCIES, JUNEAU, testified in support of
funding for domestic violence safe shelters across the
state, included the Aiding Women in Abuse and Rape
Emergencies (AWARE) shelter. She stated that AWARE was
built as a wonderful facility, but was facing
infrastructure issues, because it was over 20 years old.
The funds would help to improve the heating and pipe
system, to provide a comfortable haven for those
individuals who need it.
4:19:39 PM
SANDY WILLIAMS, SELF, JUNEAU, testified in support of the
Juneau Access Project. He stated that he had lived in
Juneau for 55 years, and had recently retired from DOT. He
was a member of Citizens Pro Road (CPR). He had worked on a
proposed road in the 1960s, but the earthquake happened and
forced the suspension of the project. He stated that the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) formed shortly
thereafter, which caused even greater issues with the
project. He felt that the project needed to be complete,
because it was never intended that Juneau be without a
road.
4:23:22 PM
SUE ANN RANDALL, SELF, JUNEAU, testified against the Juneau
Access Project. She stated that she lived in Juneau for 40
years, and part of the reason that she decided to move to
Juneau was because there was no road out of town. She
stated that her children chose to live in Juneau, because
they like that there is no road out of Juneau. She also
spoke in support of the Willoughby Arts Center. She felt
that there were world class artists who lived and visited
Juneau, and performed in high schools and gymnasiums. She
wanted to extend the educational opportunities by having a
world class performing arts complex.
4:25:14 PM
PEGGY ANN MCCONNOCHIE, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support of
the Juneau Access Project. She understood that the
legislature was facing a fiscal crisis, and new that
difficult decisions were in order. She felt that the
project was important, because the money that was used for
the ferry system was not fair to the rest of the state. She
remarked that the ferry system was not an economic driver,
and the ferries were currently misused. She pointed out
that one of the most difficult things for people moving to
Juneau was the cost of living due to the lack of road. She
felt that the road would be beneficial to the entire state.
4:27:11 PM
LANCE STEVENS, SELF, JUNEAU, spoke in support the Juneau
Access Project. He grew up in Eagle River and Homer, and he
spent many family vacations travelling the roads of Alaska.
He stated that five of those roads end at a ferry terminal:
Haines, Skagway, Homer, Valdez, and Seward. He felt that a
road out of Juneau to a ferry terminal would enhance access
to the rest of the state. He remarked that it was $600 for
his family to board the ferry in Juneau to Skagway to begin
their road trip south to Washington. He felt that the
access was critical to Juneau's economy and the mentality
of the rest of the state about the availability and
accessibility of Alaska's state capital.
4:29:28 PM
PAUL FUHS, FAIRVIEW BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, ANCHORAGE,
testified in support of requested $5 million for a three
year program for controlling the chronic inebriates in
Anchorage. He remarked that many of the chronic inebriates
began drinking in the morning, by the afternoon they were
vomiting anywhere they could find, exposing themselves,
passing out, and continuing with the same behavior the next
day. He stated that the Fairview Business Association hired
some of the best social service providers in Anchorage, who
agreed to divert people from prison. He stated that there
was current development of a case-managed coordinated
system to enhance accountability. He stressed that the
alcohol tax should be used to fund substance abuse
treatment.
^PUBLIC TESTIMONY: KENAI, KODIAK, DILLINGHAM
4:32:38 PM
GINGER BAIM, OUTGOING DIRECTOR, SAFE SHELTER, DILLINGHAM
(via teleconference), spoke in support of the funding for
domestic violence safe shelters. She specifically urged
support of the Rasmussen Foundation partnership with the
state. She explained that the Rasmussen Foundation offered
a match dollar for dollar capital improvement appropriation
to assist domestic violence and sexual assault safe shelter
facility improvements and repairs. She encouraged the
addition of another $1 million that the Rasmussen
Foundation could match. She stated that the facility in
Dillingham was better than most shelters in the state, in
part, because it was a new facility. She pointed out that
the facility was built in 1972, and some of the pipes had
pin holes. She stressed the importance of improving and
repairing the safe shelters across the state.
4:35:33 PM
NICK SZABO, TREASURER, KODIAK SEARCH AND RESCUE
ASSOCIATION, KODIAK (via teleconference), testified in
support of funding for the Alaska Search and Rescue
Association (ASRA). He stated that ASRA was a statewide 48-
volunteer organization. The volunteers answered emergency
calls. He explained that ASRA covered the entire state. He
noted that there were no paid employees in ASRA. From 2007
to 2012, there were 1800 volunteer search and rescue
missions, 3500 people were saved, at over 116,000 expended
volunteer hours. There was a certain amount of turnover
each year, consequently new and advanced training was
required. He stressed that the program training was
essential to the life of the program. He remarked that the
Alaska State Troopers would require 20 times more funding
that ASRA funding.
Vice-Chair Fairclough queried the amount of the request.
Mr. Szabo replied that the request was $200,000.
4:38:13 PM
ANJULI GRANTHAM, VICE-PRESIDENT, ALASKA HISTORICAL SOCIETY,
KODIAK (via teleconference), testified in support of SLAM.
The project required $37.215 million in the FY15 budget to
support completion. If the full funding was not allocated,
the project needed to go out for rebid. Mothballing and
demobilizing would cost the state over $9 million. She felt
that fully funding the current project was fiscally
prudent. She stressed that SLAM was important for
communities across the state. She explained that SLAM
preserves the treasures from all of Alaska's communities.
She also stated that the professional guidance of the SLAM
staff to SLAM professionals improved the quality and
capacity of Alaska's cultural institutions. Alaska's
cultural history was world-renowned, and the state deserved
a world class institution to showcase its history.
4:40:03 PM
CHERI SMITH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LEE SHORE CENTER, KENAI
(via teleconference), testified in support of funding for
domestic violence safe shelters. She echoed the remarks
from Ms. Tabachnick. She stated that the Kenai facility was
29-years-old and a 32 bed facility. She remarked that it
was difficult to get adequate maintenance and repair
through operational funds. Historically, funds were only
sought for emergencies. She stated that the facility
averaged 6000 to 8000 bed-nights per year for 150 to 250
women and children. She urged the addition of $1 million,
because it was a safety and security concern for the
domestic violence safe shelters.
4:42:22 PM
PAT BRANSON, MAYOR, KODIAK (via teleconference), spoke in
support of the $2.57 million for the Monashka pump house
replacement. She explained that her staff wrote and Alaska
municipal matching grants to fund part of the project. She
stated that local funds and a low interest drinking water
loan were going to be used. She stated that the pump house
supplied the entire water supply for the City of Kodiak's
public water system, averaging more than 4.7 million
gallons of water per day. During fishing season, the
canneries use up to 10 million gallons of water per day.
She also urged support for the Aleutian Homes water and
sewage replacement.
Co-Chair Meyer handed the gavel to Vice-Chair Fairclough.
4:44:24 PM
ALANA TOUSIGNANT, DIRECTOR, CHINIAK PUBLIC LIBRARY, CHINIAK
(via teleconference), spoke in support of funding that
could be used for playground repairs in the Chiniak School.
4:45:07 PM
THERESA BONNEY, EMPLOYEE, CHINIAK SCHOOL, CHINIAK (via
teleconference), testified in support of funding that could
be used for playground repairs in the Chiniak School. She
stated that the playground had a gravel base, and several
pieces of rusted older equipment. There was a leather post
that used to be a bench. The playground was built with
treated wood, and felt that the equipment was not
appropriate for children to use.
4:46:18 PM
ARWEN BOTZ, SELF, CHINIAK (via teleconference), spoke in
support of funding that could be used for playground
repairs in the Chiniak School. She stated that she
currently drove 45 miles to the closest, most decent
playground. She remarked that the roads were often not
passable, but wanted her children to understand the
importance of physical activity in the outdoors.
Vice-Chair Fairclough queried the cost of the playground.
Ms. Tousignant responded that the estimated cost would be
roughly $40,000.
Vice-Chair Fairclough handed the gavel to Co-Chair Meyer.