Legislature(2007 - 2008)BARNES 124
05/11/2007 08:00 AM House COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB72 | |
| SB131 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 72 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 131 | TELECONFERENCED | |
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
May 11, 2007
8:04 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Anna Fairclough, Co-Chair
Representative Gabrielle LeDoux, Co-Chair
Representative Nancy Dahlstrom
Representative Mark Neuman
Representative Sharon Cissna
Representative Woodie Salmon
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Kurt Olson
OTHER LEGISLATORS PRESENT
Representative Bryce Edgmon
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 72(FIN)
"An Act relating to the community revenue sharing program; and
providing for an effective date."
- MOVED HCS CSSB 72(CRA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 131(STA)
"An Act naming the state parking garage being constructed in
Anchorage north of the Robert B. Atwood Building as the Linny
Pacillo Parking Garage."
- MOVED CSSB 131(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
BILL: SB 72
SHORT TITLE: COMMUNITY REVENUE SHARING
SPONSOR(s): COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
02/02/07 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
02/02/07 (S) CRA, FIN
02/13/07 (S) CRA AT 3:30 PM BELTZ 211
02/13/07 (S) Heard & Held
02/13/07 (S) MINUTE(CRA)
02/22/07 (H) CRA AT 3:30 PM BUTROVICH 205
02/22/07 (S) Moved CSSB 72(CRA) Out of Committee
02/22/07 (S) MINUTE(CRA)
02/26/07 (S) CRA RPT CS 2DP 1NR SAME TITLE
02/26/07 (S) DP: OLSON, THOMAS
02/26/07 (S) NR: WAGONER
05/03/07 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519
05/03/07 (S) Heard & Held
05/03/07 (S) MINUTE(FIN)
05/05/07 (S) FIN AT 1:30 PM SENATE FINANCE 532
05/05/07 (S) Scheduled But Not Heard
05/07/07 (H) FIN AT 1:30 PM HOUSE FINANCE 519
05/07/07 (S) Moved CSSB 72(FIN) Out of Committee
05/07/07 (S) MINUTE(FIN)
05/08/07 (S) FIN RPT CS 7DP SAME TITLE
05/08/07 (S) DP: HOFFMAN, STEDMAN, ELTON, THOMAS,
DYSON, HUGGINS, OLSON
05/09/07 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
05/09/07 (S) VERSION: CSSB 72(FIN)
05/10/07 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/10/07 (H) CRA, FIN
05/11/07 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
BILL: SB 131
SHORT TITLE: NAMING PACILLO PARKING GARAGE
SPONSOR(s): SENATOR(s) ELLIS BY REQUEST
03/21/07 (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
03/21/07 (S) STA
04/26/07 (S) STA AT 9:00 AM BELTZ 211
04/26/07 (S) Moved CSSB 131(STA) Out of Committee
04/26/07 (S) MINUTE(STA)
04/27/07 (S) STA RPT CS 5DP NEW TITLE
04/27/07 (S) DP: MCGUIRE, FRENCH, STEVENS, GREEN,
BUNDE
05/08/07 (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H)
05/08/07 (S) VERSION: CSSB 131(STA)
05/09/07 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS
05/09/07 (H) CRA
05/11/07 (H) CRA AT 8:00 AM BARNES 124
WITNESS REGISTER
REPRESENTATIVE PAUL SEATON
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Explained the differences between CSSB
72(FIN) and proposed HCS CSSB 72, Version V.
JEROME SELBY, Mayor
Kodiak Island Borough
Kodiak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of HCS CSSB 72,
Version V.
JOHN STEIN, Municipal Administrator
City and Borough of Sitka
Sitka, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Encouraged passage of [HCS CSSB 72, Version
V].
JEFF JABUSCH, Finance Director
City of Wrangell
Wrangell, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Urged passage of HCS CSSB 72, Version V.
TAMMIE WILSON
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Encouraged passage of SB 72
JEFF CURRIER, Manager
Lake and Peninsula Borough
King Salmon, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in strong support of SB 72.
KATHY WASSERMAN
Alaska Municipal League
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Urged passage of SB 72.
DAN SALMON, Community Administrator
Igiugig Village Council;
Member, Lake and Peninsula Borough Assembly
King Salmon, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Related his strong support for the changes
[encompassed in HCS CSSB 72, Version V].
BILL ROLFZEN
Municipal Assistance, National Forest Receipts, Fish Tax, PILT
Division of Community Advocacy
Department of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During hearing of SB 72, answered
questions.
SENATOR JOHNNY ELLIS
Alaska State Legislature
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Spoke as the sponsor of SB 131.
SUSAN PACILLO
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During hearing of SB 131, spoke of her
sister Linny Pacillo.
ANDREE MCCLEOD
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of SB 131.
ACTION NARRATIVE
CO-CHAIR ANNA FAIRCLOUGH called the House Community and Regional
Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 8:04:54 AM.
Representatives Fairclough, LeDoux, Neuman, and Salmon were
present at the call to order. Representatives Dahlstrom and
Cissna arrived as the meeting was in progress. Also in
attendance was Representative Edgmon.
SB 72-COMMUNITY REVENUE SHARING
8:05:19 AM
CO-CHAIR FAIRCLOUGH announced that the first order of business
would be CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 72(FIN), "An Act relating to the
community revenue sharing program; and providing for an
effective date."
8:06:03 AM
REPRESENTATIVE PAUL SEATON, Alaska State Legislature, explained
that the difference between CSSB 72(FIN) and the proposed
committee substitute (CS), Version 25-LS0506\V, Cook, 5/9/07, is
that Version V incorporates HB 202 provisions in order to
include unincorporated communities within organized boroughs in
the formula. By including unincorporated communities within
organized boroughs in the formula, a disincentive that is built
into the program is eliminated. Currently, unincorporated
communities in an unorganized borough receive direct revenue
sharing. However, if those areas incorporate as a borough,
those areas would lose that direct revenue sharing. [Version V]
equalizes the amount unincorporated communities outside the
borough and municipalities receive. Version V also changes the
amount the unorganized community receives from 5 percent to 7
percent, which is necessary for the per capita allocation and
provides for the 30 communities that will be included. He
pointed out that it's also necessary to increase the amount from
$48.1 million to $49.1 million, which increases what all the
municipalities receive. For instance, Anchorage would gain a
little over $177,000.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON drew attention to page 2, lines 5 and 22,
which change the percent of revenue sharing. Version V
[maintains] the amount of [the community revenue sharing fund]
at $50 million or 3 percent from the state's resources,
whichever is less. On page 2, line 20, there's a technical
change in which the term "subsection" replaces the term
"paragraph" so that the cap is at $50,000 as proposed. On page
5, lines 4-6, language allowing unincorporated communities in
organized boroughs to qualify for the revenue sharing payment is
included. The change on page 5, line 2, merely adds the
following conforming language: "located in the unorganized
borough". The language on page 5, lines 16-31, inserts a
provision that requires that in order for a community in an
organized borough to be eligible for the payment, at least three
of the listed services must be provided. On page 6, line 6, the
term "unincorporated community" was added in order to ensure
that the populations of unincorporated communities in the
organized borough aren't counted double with the per capita for
the boroughs. Representative Seaton explained that the
population of the municipality is subtracted from the borough
population so that there's no double dipping. The [new
provision] ensures that the population of the unincorporated
communities wouldn't be included in the borough population and,
again avoid any double dipping. Page 6, lines 15-17, expand the
definition of unincorporated community. He also pointed out
that the fiscal note has increased from $48.1 million to $49.1
million.
8:12:56 AM
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX moved to adopt HCS CSSB 72, Version 25-LS0506\V,
Cook, 5/9/07, as the working document. There being no
objection, Version V was before the committee.
8:13:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN, referring to page 5, lines 1-4, inquired
as to the criteria used.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON answered that it's the same criteria the
Department of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development
(DCCED) has used in the past for revenue sharing.
REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN explained that he asks because he felt
that there would be a squabble over that, and therefore he
requested the definition of the criteria.
8:15:02 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SALMON inquired as to the difference in
unincorporated communities as in HB 202 versus HCS CSSB 72,
Version V.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON responded that there's no difference for
those in the unorganized borough as the definition of
unincorporated communities remains the same as was specified in
HB 202. The definition was that a community [in order to
qualify] has to provide three of the essential services listed
and do so independent of borough funding. That test isn't
present for those unincorporated communities outside of a
borough.
REPRESENTATIVE SALMON inquired as to the difference in [the
definition of] unincorporated community between CSSB 72(FIN) and
Version V.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON explained that the allocation formula
[under Version V] was increased to 7 percent for all
unincorporated communities, which includes 30 unincorporated
communities that are in the borough such as Tyonek. Under SB
72, Tyonek wouldn't receive any funding. However, Tyonek would
receive funding under Version V because it provides [at least
three] of the services specified in Version V.
REPRESENTATIVE SALMON inquired as to what happens to the
allocation to the borough when [communities such as Tyonek]
receive funding.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON specified that there's a per capita
distribution as well as a $25,000 base distribution to an
unincorporated community. He explained that the per capita
distribution is subtracted from the allocation to the borough in
order to avoid counting the population twice.
8:18:18 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SALMON questioned what happens to the money given
to the unincorporated area since villages and boroughs are being
given extra money.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON explained that it's why the $1 million was
added to the fiscal note and the revenue sharing percentage for
unincorporated communities was changed from 5-7 percent. The
aforementioned results in fully funding [the newly included
unincorporated areas] without changing the other unincorporated
areas while providing a bit of additional funding to the
municipality.
8:20:03 AM
JEROME SELBY, Mayor, Kodiak Island Borough, related support for
Version V. He informed the committee that an unincorporated
village is located in the Kodiak Island Borough. The Kodiak
Island Borough will take a reduction of a little less than
$2,000 in order for that village to receive $27,000 [in revenue
sharing], which the borough views as a good change. He urged
the committee to adopt Version V because the unincorporated
communities inside organized areas should be treated the same
way in which those outside the organized areas are treated. He
opined that this legislation will be a huge factor in
communities remaining viable.
8:22:11 AM
JOHN STEIN, Municipal Administrator, City and Borough of Sitka,
related Sitka's support for [Version V] and community revenue
sharing, which is important to all regions of Alaska. He
highlighted that many communities, such as those in Southeast
Alaska, aren't in direct contact with the oil economy.
Therefore, the opportunity to share in the state's revenue is
very important, he opined. Having funds coming from the state
will be very helpful in helping communities maintain the myriad
of services communities provide. This bill will go a long way
to support the aforementioned, and therefore he encouraged the
committee to pass [Version V].
8:24:09 AM
JEFF JABUSCH, Finance Director, City of Wrangell, related
Wrangell's support of Version V. He pointed out that Wrangell
is a depressed economy, and noted that he has faxed the
committee documentation outlining some of the problems Wrangell
faces in trying to balance its budget and provide basic
services. Mr. Jabusch opined that Wrangell feels that it's
doing its part to maintain services for the community. The
revenue sharing program would help Wrangell. He noted his
appreciation for all the work the state and others have done
with revenue sharing. He concluded by urging the committee to
pass [Version V].
8:26:02 AM
TAMMIE WILSON encouraged passage of SB 72, and thanked all those
who worked on the legislation.
8:26:43 AM
JEFF CURRIER, Manager, Lake and Peninsula Borough, began by
informing the committee that he has been in Alaska for almost 30
years and has observed the change that has occurred since the
disappearance of revenue sharing. He said that he has also
observed villages in the Lake and Peninsula Borough struggle to
continue to provide services to residents that no one else would
provide. Mr. Currier related hat he is in strong support of
this legislation, which is extremely important as these funds
will make a tremendous difference in villages. He commented
that he hopes that once this legislation passes, it stays in
place for a number of years in order for villages to be healthy
again.
8:28:21 AM
KATHY WASSERMAN, Alaska Municipal League, urged passage of SB
72. Ms. Wasserman pointed out that the Alaska Municipal League
(AML) advocates for healthy communities in the state, and
therefore AML supports anything that helps to achieve that.
8:29:43 AM
DAN SALMON, Community Administrator, Igiugig Village Council;
Member, Lake and Peninsula Borough Assembly, related his strong
support for the changes [encompassed in Version V]. He then
reviewed the services provided by the borough and the need for
funds. Mr. Salmon opined that most of the 20 or so communities
impacted by this legislation are apathetic and don't even know
about SB 72. Furthermore, AML doesn't lobby on behalf of the
unincorporated communities. In closing, Mr. Salmon commended
the efforts and related his strong support for the inclusion [of
unincorporated communities in Version V].
8:32:53 AM
CO-CHAIR FAIRCLOUGH related that the language [including
unincorporated communities] was inserted by Co-Chair LeDoux with
the help of Representatives Edgmon and Seaton. Upon determining
no one else wished to testify, she closed public testimony.
8:34:21 AM
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX moved to report HCS CSSB 72, Version 25-
LS0506\V, Cook, 5/9/07, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
CO-CHAIR FAIRCLOUGH objected for purposes of discussion.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON clarified that there is no effect in the
base amount to unincorporated communities while the per capita
amount is about $6 less than municipalities.
8:35:13 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DAHLSTROM surmised then that there's a $6 per
person impact on those [outside of the unincorporated areas].
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON replied yes.
8:35:45 AM
REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN opined that the state has been very
generous in sharing its revenue, even for totem poles.
Therefore, he suggested that if legislators can find funds to
fund totem poles and other such projects, those funds should be
used to fund more useful services such as those specified in SB
72. Representative Neuman related his belief that the citizens
in his district are more appreciative of receiving funds through
capital improvement projects. Representative Neuman highlighted
that the state will be in a deficit situation in the next few
years.
8:38:20 AM
CO-CHAIR FAIRCLOUGH recalled that there was a question earlier
regarding the language on page 5 about who determines the
appropriate entity that will receive the funds.
8:38:49 AM
BILL ROLFZEN, Municipal Assistance, National Forest Receipts,
Fish Tax, PILT, Division of Community Advocacy, Department of
Commerce, Community, & Economic Development, explained that the
old revenue sharing regulations specify three criteria that
would determine who is most qualified within an unincorporated
community. Those regulations would be transferred to this
program. The criteria reviews the proposed use of the funds,
the administrative capability of each entity, and who is most
representative of the community. A questionnaire is sent out to
each entity and a public meeting is held in the community.
After the aforementioned, the director [of the Division of
Community Advocacy] makes a determination that can be appealed
to the commissioner of DCCED.
REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN opined that if communities had funds, they
would be better prepared to distribute the funds. He further
opined that he has observed that when communities have funds,
they are able to provide more services.
8:40:38 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA thanked all parties who had a part in this
legislation. Although she noted her appreciation with regard to
Representative Neuman's comments about the amount of funds the
state spends in small communities, she noted that she has found
that oftentimes the programs and projects that come to local
communities come with additional costs for which there are no
funds. This legislation allows communities to make decisions
and prioritize their funding, which she opined is the best way
to spend the state's dollars.
8:42:01 AM
CO-CHAIR FAIRCLOUGH withdrew her objection.
There being no further objection, HCS CSSB 72(CRA) was reported
from the House Community and Regional Affairs Standing
Committee.
The committee took an at-ease from 8:42 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
SB 131-NAMING PACILLO PARKING GARAGE
8:45:07 AM
CO-CHAIR FAIRCLOUGH announced that the final order of business
would be CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 131(STA), "An Act naming the
state parking garage being constructed in Anchorage north of the
Robert B. Atwood Building as the Linny Pacillo Parking Garage."
8:45:21 AM
SENATOR JOHNNY ELLIS, Alaska State Legislature, explained that
SB 131 proposed that the new state parking garage in Anchorage
be named for Linny Pacillo, who was a positive force for change
in Anchorage. Linny Pacillo, along with her sister, challenged
the Anchorage Parking Authority by donning tutus and fairy wings
and depositing coins into expired parking meters. The Twentieth
Alaska State Legislature formally honored the parking fairies
and stated the following: "The Pacillo sisters have reminded
all of us that government must serve the people. They have also
confirmed the strength of our democracy by showing that wrongs
can be corrected, and that the will of the people can triumph."
Senator Ellis described Ms. Pacillo's efforts through charities,
her family business, and the sharing of her own resources as
deliberate acts of kindness. Ms. Pacillo was also honored by
the Anchorage Assembly, which supports this legislation. He
acknowledged that there had been some concerns with regard to
outstanding student loan obligations by Ms. Pacillo, but pointed
out that all aspects of Ms. Pacillo's account have been cleared
to the satisfaction of the state. In conclusion, Senator Ellis
opined that naming the new parking garage on behalf of Ms.
Pacillo would be a fitting tribute to an extraordinary citizen.
He noted that he introduced SB 131 at the request of Ms.
Pacillo's family and legion of friends.
8:49:51 AM
CO-CHAIR FAIRCLOUGH mentioned that at a prior hearing the
committee passed out the House companion to SB 131.
8:50:11 AM
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX commented that this is great legislation as Ms.
Pacillo seems to have been a neat individual.
8:50:24 AM
REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN asked if Ms. Pacillo deposited money in a
parking meter for Senator Ellis.
SENATOR ELLIS replied no. He acknowledged that some don't
believe that depositing coins in meters for others wasn't legal
under the law at the time. Still, the reaction to Ms. Pacillo's
efforts was overwhelmingly positive and made a political
statement.
8:51:18 AM
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX asked if anyone knows how much Ms. Pacillo spent
depositing coins in the parking meters or the fiscal impact to
the Anchorage Parking Authority of her activities.
8:51:44 AM
SUSAN PACILLO related that she and her sister deposited
thousands of dollars in the parking meters. She then thanked
everyone who has helped with this legislation, which highlights
that government is for the people, of the people, and by the
people. Ms. Pacillo, in response to Co-Chair Fairclough,
confirmed that she, too, was a parking fairy. She then said
that this legislation honors all of her sister Linny's efforts
to help others whether it be purchasing a water pump for a
village in Nicaragua or purchasing a meal for someone down on
his/her luck.
8:55:25 AM
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX asked if the Anchorage Parking Authority does
things differently as a result of the efforts of the parking
fairies.
MS. PACILLO replied yes, adding that the downtown area is
friendlier and the police presence is nice. In further response
to Co-Chair LeDoux, Ms. Pacillo admitted that she still deposits
quarters in expired parking meters when she's downtown.
8:56:40 AM
ANDREE MCCLEOD provided the following testimony:
Thank you for very much for hearing SB 131, naming the
new state parking garage in downtown Anchorage after
Linny Pacillo. It's being constructed just across the
street from the Robert Atwood State Office Building.
For those who don't know, Linny Pacillo was one of two
sisters dubbed the "parking fairies." They went
around putting quarters in expired parking meters as
part of their campaign to bring attention to an
enforcement agency run amuck. Linny passed away last
year; she was for the little guy. The Robert Atwood
Building is where many state departments and the
governor's Anchorage office are housed. Robert Atwood
is an icon and pillar in Alaska's history and was
instrumental in shaping today's Alaska. He was a big
guy.
Alaska is unique in that residents who want to better
their community can truly exercise their right of
critical democracy. In our great state, individuals
who muster enough courage and gumption can take a
stand on issues, criticize their government, and
actually end up making a difference. Most Alaskans
seriously take their duty to keep leaders accountable
as they follow the constitutional doctrine of
government of the people, by the people, and for the
people. Linny was such a person. She and Susan, the
parking fairies, were a catalyst for an enormous
paradigm shift relating to parking in Anchorage. With
a public relations campaign any Madison Avenue
advertising executive would envy, they single-handedly
transferred the balance of power from an overzealous
government bureaucracy back to the people where it
rightfully belongs.
The parking fairies had a vision to reign in the
Anchorage Parking Authority's enforcement activities.
They carried it out as a mission dressed up in tutus,
tights, and fairy wings. Their courage was
demonstrated in countless assembly and committee
meetings as they criticized established policies that
had gone awry. Linny's integrity was further
displayed in the many philanthropic activities she
took on to improve people's lot. And Linny persevered
year after year as she survived the slings and arrows
pointed at her from some bureaucrats, some elected
officials, and others. Linny was relentless in her
pursuit to make government accountable to the people.
While Linny exercised her right of critical democracy,
she showed others how to be good citizens. She was an
example to anyone who wanted better government and
leaders. Through it all she endeared herself not only
in Anchorage, but on a national and international
level. She became an unofficial ambassador of
Anchorage as stories of the parking fairies'
activities were published in the National Inquirer,
National Examiner, and portrayed on the Letterman and
the Mike and Mattie (ph) shows, among others. Her
death made the media internationally as countries
throughout the world reported on the passing of our
beloved parking fairy. Mayor Begich, former
[Anchorage] Assembly chair Dan Sullivan, and all
Assembly members approved the resolution requesting
the legislature to name the new parking garage as the
Linny Pacillo Parking Garage. Clearly, this
demonstrates that they point to Linny as a model
citizen by fittingly honoring her actions. Anchorage
feels good and proud in knowing that it produces
citizens like Linny. Many people embraced what she
embodied as she went on transforming everyone's
parking experience for the better. The Linny Pacillo
Parking Garage would remind us of our rights,
responsibilities, and obligations to make sure
government is answerable to us. It would sustain
Anchorage's unique sense of community and spirit.
It's most proper for the Linny Pacillo Parking Garage
to be across the street of the Robert Atwood State
Office Building because it proves that it doesn't
matter what your position or standing in society might
be in Alaska -- that in the long run, when it's all
said and done, we're all in this together.
9:00:56 AM
CO-CHAIR FAIRCLOUGH, upon determining no one else wished to
testify, closed the public testimony.
9:01:18 AM
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX moved to report CSSB 131(STA) out of committee
with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal
notes. There being no objection, it was so ordered.
9:01:53 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at 9:02:35 AM.
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