LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL February 20, 2003 1. ROLL CALL  The Legislative Council meeting was called to order at 12:03 p.m. by Senator Taylor, Chairman, Legislative Council, in the Senate Finance Room at the Alaska State Capitol. The roll was taken. In attendance were Council members: Taylor, Cowdery, Dyson, Ogan, Therriault, Lincoln, Coghill, Kott, Masek, Rokeberg, Stoltze, and Weyhrauch. Absent member was: Berkowitz. Staff present were: Varni, Clothier, Collins, Cook, Huber, Lobaugh, Price and Schofield. 2. APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 28, 2003 MEETING MINUTES  Senator Cowdery moved the minutes of the January 28, 2003 meeting be approved. With no objection the motion was approved. 3. APPROVAL OF OFFICE LEASE SPACE - BETHEL AND FAIRBANKS Senator Cowdery moved that Legislative Council approve the one-year lease options for existing lease space in Bethel and Fairbanks as reflected in the memo from Pam Varni dated February 14, 2003 be approved. Discussion followed. With no objection the motion was approved. 4. PRESENTATION OF FY 02 LEGISLATURE AUDIT AND APPROVAL  OF LEGISLATURE FY 03 AUDIT WITH KPMG  The Council was presented with the Legislature's FY 02 Audit with no audit exceptions. It was recommended that Council approve the one-year renewal with KPMG for next year's audit. Senator Cowdery moved that Legislative Council approval the one-year renewal with KPMG for the Legislature's FY 03 Audit. With no objection the motion was approved. 5. DISCUSSION/ADOPTION OF LONGEVITY POLICY    Pam Varni, Executive Director, Legislative Affairs Agency, explained that the Senate/House Employment Policy, in effect since 1988 has worked well with the exception of the longevity steps of J-M. Ms. Varni summarized the problems over the years with the Longevity Policy in regards to retaining professional long-term staff without penalizing them when they switch ranges because of budget constraints or when the individual Legislator does not have the higher range available to them.   Senator Cowdery moved that Legislative Council not adopt AS 39.27.022 - Pay increments for longevity for state service but instead adopt their own plan which better applies to legislative service. This new policy is before the members and would be effective January 16, 2003. Discussion followed. With no objection the motion was approved. 6. DON MITCHELL CONTRACT AMENDMENT PROPOSAL  Ted Popely, Project Director, Legislative Council discussed the contract between Legislative Council and Donald Mitchell, explaining the contract would be extended by one-year, terminating on December 31, 2003 with an additional $50,000.00 added. Mr. Popely, also discussed Mr. Mitchell's credentials and experience with Native and federal law. Discussion followed. Representative Stoltze moved that Legislative Council approve the contract amendment for $50,000.00 with Don Mitchell. YEAS: Taylor, Cowdery, Dyson, Ogan, Therriault, Coghill, Kott, Masek, Rokeberg and Stoltze NAYS: Lincoln and Weyhrauch ABSENT: Berkowitz Motion passed 10 to 2. 7. OLD BUSINESS - IT SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP AND  ANCHORAGE OFFICE SPACE MEMBERSHIP  Senator Robin Taylor, Chairman, Legislative Council appointed the following to the two Subcommittees: ANCHORAGE OFFICE SUBCOMMITTEE  Senator John Cowdery Senator Robin Taylor Senator Scott Ogan Representative Bill Stoltze, Chairman Representative Norman Rokeberg Representative Ethan Berkowitz IT SUBCOMMITTEE LEGISLATIVE MEMBERS    Senator Robin Taylor, Chairman Senator Gretchen Guess Senator John Cowdery Senator Georgianna Lincoln Representative Beverly Masek Representative Pete Kott IT SUBCOMMITTEE STAFF MEMBERS  Schawna Thoma, Senator Ellis' Office Linda Hay, Senator Ogan's Office Kelly Huber, Senator Taylor's Office Annette Skibinski, Senator Cowdery's Office Sara Boario, Senator Lincoln's Office Judy Ohmer, Representative Kott's Office Juli Lucky, Representative Kerttula's Office Sharon O'Dell, Representative Kohring's Office Ken Erickson, Majority Webmaster Peter Stein, Minority Webmaster 8. OTHER BUSINESS Representative Stoltze discussed a matter regarding a display he had placed on his outer office door in regard to a very modest State approved logo supporting agriculture, a major industry in his district. Discussion followed. Senator Taylor, Chairman, Legislative Council, stated that the policy was set through Legislative Council, that items and things not be placed on outer office doors or posted in the building. Discussion followed. Senator Taylor, Chairman, Legislative Council, recommended that if any one has questions regarding placement of items or things please contact their Rules Chairman. The meeting was adjourned 12:30 pm.