02/10/1998 05:12 PM House RLS

           HOUSE RULES STAINDING COMMITTEE                                     
                  February 10, 1998                                            
                      5:12 p.m.                                                
                                                                               
                                                                               
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                
                                                                               
Representative Pete Kott, Chairman                                             
Representative Gail Phillips                                                   
Representative Brian Porter                                                    
Representative William K.(Bill) Williams                                       
Representative Kim Elton                                                       
                                                                               
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                 
                                                                               
Representative Al Vezey                                                        
Representative Irene Nicholia                                                  
                                                                               
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                             
                                                                               
RON SOMMERVILLE CONTRACT                                                       
                                                                               
(* First public hearing)                                                       
                                                                               
PREVIOUS ACTION                                                                
                                                                               
No previous action to record                                                   
                                                                               
WITNESS REGISTER                                                               
                                                                               
PAMELA A. VARNEY, Executive Director                                           
Legislative Affairs Agency                                                     
130 Seward Street, Suite 313                                                   
Juneau, Alaska 99801-2197                                                      
POSITION STATEMENT:  Explained the Ron Sommerville Contract.                   
                                                                               
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                               
                                                                               
TAPE 98-2, SIDE A                                                              
Number 0001                                                                    
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN PETE KOTT called the House Rules Standing Committee                   
meeting to order at 5:12 p.m.  Members present at the call to order            
were Representatives Kott, Phillips, Porter, Williams and Elton.               
                                                                               
RON SOMMERVILLE CONTRACT                                                       
                                                                               
Number 047                                                                     
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN KOTT said there is one matter to come before the committee            
which is the sole-source contract for Ron Sommerville.  He said it             
is his understanding that Mr. Sommerville's existing contract                  
expired January 31, 1998.  He said the committee would address the             
next 6-month contract.                                                         
                                                                               
Number 0080                                                                    
                                                                               
PAMELA A. VARNEY, Executive Director, Legislative Affairs Agency,              
came before the committee.  She said before the committee is a                 
contract for $30,000 which would come from session expenses.  She              
said the contract is a sole-source justification by Ted Popely who             
is the project director.                                                       
                                                                               
Number 0129                                                                    
                                                                               
REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN PORTER said he is familiar with the                       
requirements for sole-source.  He said he is also familiar with the            
justification that he believes the contract presents.                          
                                                                               
Number 0147                                                                    
                                                                               
REPRESENTATIVE KIM ELTON referred to the contract being renewed                
every 6 months and asked if there is a reason that this is done                
every 6 months and not every year.  He questioned if it is because             
of the fiscal year changing in July.                                           
                                                                               
Number 0166                                                                    
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN KOTT said, "I believe it's due not only the fiscal year               
changing in July, but I think from my perspective, I like to see               
these contracts on a 6-month basis so that if the work is done, we             
don't have somebody out there that we're obligated to pay and just             
give them the make-shift work."                                                
                                                                               
Number 0262                                                                    
                                                                               
REPRESENTATIVE PORTER moved that the House Rules Committee approve             
the extension of the Ron Sommerville contract for 6 months.                    
                                                                               
Number 0269                                                                    
                                                                               
REPRESENTATIVE ELTON objected.                                                 
                                                                               
REPRESENTATIVE GAIL PHILLIPS stated the motion should say, "For                
sole-source justification."  She suggested Representative Porter               
amend his motion.                                                              
                                                                               
REPRESENTATIVE PORTER amended his motion to include "sole-source               
justification."                                                                
                                                                               
A roll call vote was taken.  Representative Phillips, Porter,                  
Williams and Kott voted in favor of approving the contract.                    
Representative Elton voted against approving the contract.  So the             
Ron Somerville contract was approved for a period of 6 months,                 
beginning on February 1, 1998.                                                 
                                                                               
ADJOURNMENT                                                                    
                                                                               
Number 0292                                                                    
                                                                               
CHAIRMAN KOTT adjourned the House Rules Standing Committee meeting             
at 5:15 p.m.