Legislature(2007 - 2008)SENATE FINANCE 532
02/01/2007 05:00 PM House LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
February 1, 2007
1. ROLL CALL
The Legislative Council meeting was called to order at 5:10 pm. by Pam Varni,
Executive Director of the Legislative Affairs Agency, in the Senate Finance Committee
Room and via teleconference.
The roll was taken. In attendance were Council members: Cowdery, Davis, Elton,
Green, Hoffman, Stevens, Wilken (via teleconference), Coghill, Dahlstrom, Harris,
Samuels, Stoltze and Wilson. Absent member was: Guttenberg. Staff present were:
Varni, Schofield, Ibesate, Carlson, Clothier, Cook, Finley, and Makinster.
2. ELECTION OF CHAIR
Executive Director Pam Varni called for nominations of the Legislative Council Chair.
Senate President Lyda Green moved to elect Senator John Cowdery as Chair of
Legislative Council. No other nominations were put forward.
YEAS: Cowdery, Davis, Elton, Green, Hoffman, Stevens, Wilken, Coghill,
Dahlstrom, Samuels, Stoltze, and Wilson
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Harris and Guttenberg
The motion passed 12 to 0.
3. ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIR
Chairman Cowdery called for nominations of Vice-Chair.
Representative Stoltze moved to elect Representative Nancy Dahlstrom as Vice-Chair of
Legislative Council. No other nominations were put forward.
YEAS: Cowdery, Davis, Elton, Green, Hoffman, Stevens, Wilken, Coghill,
Dahlstrom, Samuels, Stoltze, and Wilson
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Harris and Guttenberg
The motion passed 12 to 0.
4. APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 9, 2006 AND NOVEMBER 2, 2006 MINUTES
Representative Dahlstrom moved the minutes of October 9, 2006 and November 2, 2006
meetings be approved.
YEAS: Cowdery, Davis, Elton, Green, Hoffman, Stevens, Wilken, Coghill,
Dahlstrom, Samuels, Stoltze, and Wilson
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Harris and Guttenberg
The motion was approved unanimously.
5. LATE PER DIEM APPROVALS - SENATOR RALPH SEEKINS,
REPRESENTATIVE JIM HOLM, REPRESENTATIVE MIKE KELLY,
REPRESENTATIVE PEGGY WILSON
Representative Dahlstrom moved that Legislative Council approve the late travel and per
diem requests for Senator Ralph Seekins, Representatives Holm, Kelly, and Wilson.
The motion was approved unanimously.
6. RATIFICATION OR SANCTIONING OF CHARITABLE EVENTS
Representative Dahlstrom moved that Legislative Council ratify and sanction the
following charitable events per AS 24.60.080(c)(10): The Inaugural Ball Celebrations,
Legislative Skits, Fahrenkamp Classic, and Thanksgiving in March.
The motion was approved unanimously.
7. APPROVAL OF 2007 DRAFTING MANUAL
Representative Dahlstrom moved that Legislative Council approve the 2007 Manual of
th
Legislative Drafting for the 25 Legislative Session.
The motion was approved unanimously.
8. IT SUBCOMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Chairman Cowdery expressed that he would like to appoint Legislators and legislative
staff to an IT Subcommittee. Any Legislators or Legislative staff interested in serving on
the subcommittee are to contact his office.
9. DON MITCHELL CONTRACT AMENDMENT APPROVAL
Ted Popely, Legal Counsel for Legislative Council, gave a brief summary of the Don
Mitchell Contract.
Representative Dahlstrom moved that Legislative Council approve an amendment to the
Donald C. Mitchell contract adding an additional $30,000 and amending the dates of
performance.
The motion was approved unanimously.
Speaker Harris joined the meeting at this time.
10. LAWSUIT UPDATE - BACHNER COMPANY INC. VS LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL
Jim Fosler of the Fosler Law Group, Inc. presented a summary regarding the legal dispute
with Bachner Company, Inc. arising out of the procurement of office space for the
Legislative Information Office and legislative district offices in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Discussion followed.
11. LEXIS NEXIS & WESTLAW PASSWORDS, TRAINING
Pam Varni, Executive Director, discussed whether the Council wants to amend the
distribution of the Lexis Nexis and Westlaw online research passwords to accommodate
more members or staff.
Discussion followed.
Representative Coghill moved to make the unused passwords available to more House
and Senate members on a first come, first serve basis, by having Stew Roland check by
order of distribution outlined in the January 26, 2007, memo from the Executive Director.
The motion was approved unanimously.
12. WILLIAM LARGE CONTRACT AMENDMENT APPROVAL
Ted Popely, Legal Counsel for Legislative Council, gave a brief summary regarding the
William Large contract for legal services. Mr. Popely informed the Council that the
services rendered exceeded the contract amount and asked the Council to amend the
existing contract to cover the additional costs for legal services.
Representative Dahlstrom moved that Legislative Council approve an amendment to the
William Large contract for legal services in the amount of $13,610.
The motion was approved unanimously.
13. BIRCH, HORTON, BITTNER, AND CHEROT CONTRACT
AMENDMENT APPROVAL
Ted Popely, Legal Counsel for Legislative Council gave a brief outline of the Birch,
Horton, Bittner & Cherot contract for consulting services. Mr. Popely informed the
Council that the contract has expired and asked to amend the contract by extending the
contract for an additional 12 months, but no additional funds are needed.
Representative Dahlstrom moved that Legislative Council approve an amendment to the
Birch, Horton, Bittner & Cherot contract amending the dates of performance.
The motion was approved unanimously.
14. BRIEFING - MASONIC TEMPLE AND CAPITOL BASEMENT
Pam Varni, Executive Director of the Legislative Affairs Agency, briefed the Council
regarding the Masonic Temple and Capitol Basement. Ms. Varni indicated that the City
and Borough of Juneau and the Alaska Committee purchased the building from the
Masons. The building may be used for the Legislature, the Governor's Office, or the
Lieutenant Governor's Office. On January 31, 2007, Legislative Council took possession
of the building. The Agency will be remodeling the building with Legislative Council
approving the necessary remodeling contracts. It is anticipated the following entities will
be in the building: House and Senate Records, Legislative Finance Fiscal Office, the
Press Room, additional committee rooms, additional legislative staff offices, and a child
care facility.
Chair Cowdery stated he would approve funding up to $25,000 under his signatory
authority, for preliminary architectural plans and bring the plans back to Council.
Discussion followed.
15. SNOW PLOWING CONTRACT AMENDMENT APPROVAL
Pam Varni, Executive Director of the Legislative Affairs Agency, informed the Council
that the snow plowing costs for the Capitol and the Terry Miller Legislative Office
Building have exceeded the amount routinely budgeted for snow plowing due to heavy
snow. Ms. Varni stated that an additional $15,000 was requested to be added to the Duran
contract.
Representative Dahlstrom moved that Legislative Council approve a $15,000 amendment
to increase the amount of the Duran Construction snow plowing contract.
The motion was approved unanimously.
16. ANIMAL POLICY APPROVAL
Chairman Cowdery presented Council with a new policy regarding animals in legislative
facilities. The purpose of the policy is to maintain a safe office work environment free of
allergens or other maintenance issues caused by animals and to provide professional
surroundings in office space where legislative business takes place.
Representative Harris moved that Legislative Council accept the Animal Policy as
presented to the Council.
The motion was approved unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:43 pm.
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