Legislature(2007 - 2008)BUTROVICH 205

04/10/2007 01:30 PM Senate TRANSPORTATION


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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HB 8 J. KEVIN LAMM TRAINING FACILITY
Moved HB 8 Out of Committee
* SB 137 LAND TRANSFERS ALASKA RR & DOTPF
Moved SB 137 Out of Committee
            SB 137-LAND TRANSFERS ALASKA RR & DOTPF                                                                         
                                                                                                                              
CHAIR KOOKESH announced SB 137 to be under consideration.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
NANCY  BARNES,  aide  to  Chair   Kookesh,  sponsor  of  SB  137,                                                               
explained that the bill authorizes  two exchanges of land between                                                               
the   Alaska  Railroad   Corporation   and   the  Department   of                                                               
Transportation and  Public Facilities (DOTPF) to  accommodate two                                                               
DOTPF projects:  the widening  of the  Parks highway  in Wasilla,                                                               
and construction of a cargo  apron at the Fairbanks International                                                               
Airport.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:35:17 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR OLSON  asked if  anyone would  be testifying  besides the                                                               
bill's sponsor.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  KOOKESH  replied  that there  were  DOTPF  representatives                                                               
available for questions.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:35:58 PM                                                                                                                    
FRAN ZIMMERMAN, Right  of Way Agent for the DOTPF,  said that she                                                               
was available for questions.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
JOHN BENNETT, Right of Way Agent  for the DOTPF, said that he was                                                               
available for questions.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
PHYLLIS  JOHNSON,  Vice-President  and General  Counsel  for  the                                                               
Alaska  Railroad Corporation,  said  that she  was available  for                                                               
questions.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:36:26 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR OLSON  asked for clarification  on the  Fairbanks airport                                                               
project, including its size and location.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR.  BENNETT said  that he  didn't have  much information  in the                                                               
project, but that all aviators  were involved in the planning and                                                               
the project shouldn't cause any problems.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  OLSON  asked if  the  project  will  take place  near  a                                                               
specific runway.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MR. BENNETT replied that he didn't know.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR OLSON asked  if small aircraft operators  have a position                                                               
on the project.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MR. BENNETT  replied that  he didn't  know if  specific operators                                                               
did provide  comment, but there  was an extensive  public comment                                                               
period.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  OLSON said  that  his concern  is  for smaller  aircraft                                                               
which may be affected in their taxiing on the airstrip.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:38:26 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR KOOKESH clarified  that the project includes  a cargo apron                                                               
designed to address that issue.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR OLSON asked for comment from the DOTPF representatives.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MR.  BENNETT said  that he  was unsure  of the  description being                                                               
referenced.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  KOOKESH  explained  the  project  description  before  the                                                               
committee.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:39:33 PM                                                                                                                    
MARY  SIROKY,  Special  Assistant  to the  Commissioner  for  the                                                               
DOTPF,  said that  the  project does  account  for moving  larger                                                               
aircraft away from the taxiway.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR OLSON  asked if the addition  will be built on  the south                                                               
side of the terminal.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MR. BENNETT  replied that the  land exchange only relates  to the                                                               
cargo apron  portion of  the project, which  will be  built apart                                                               
from the south end of the terminal.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR OLSON asked where the terminal extension will be built.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MR. BENNETT replied that he didn't have that information.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MS. SIROKY said that she believes it  will be at the south end of                                                               
the existing terminal.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:41:10 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if public  notices of the project were                                                               
sent to local property owners.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MS. SIROKY replied that there was a public notice process.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MR. BENNETT concurred.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI  asked if there  were any objections  to the                                                               
land exchanges.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MR. BENNETT answered that there were none.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR OLSON said  that he thinks the addition is  a great idea,                                                               
and related a story about previous  issues with the lack of cargo                                                               
space.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:42:21 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  OLSON  moved  to  report  SB  137  from  committee  with                                                               
individual  recommendations and  attached  fiscal note(s).  There                                                               
being no objection, the motion carried.                                                                                         

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