ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE  LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL   NOVEMBER 17, 2023  2:00 PM    MEMBERS PRESENT  Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson, Chair  Representative Kevin McCabe, Vice Chair  Senator Matt Claman  Senator Lyman Hoffman  Senator Jesse Kiehl  Senator Donny Olson  Senator Bert Stedman (alternate)  Senator Gary Stevens  Representative Bryce Edgmon  Representative Sara Hannan  Representative Craig Johnson  Representative George Rauscher  Representative Dan Saddler  Representative Cathy Tilton    MEMBERS ABSENT  Senator Click Bishop     OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT  Senator David Wilson  Representative Julie Coulombe  Representative Sarah Vance    AGENDA  APPROVAL OF AGENDA  APPROVAL OF MINUTES  CONTRACT APPROVALS  COMMITTEE BUSINESS-EXECUTIVE SESSION  OTHER COMMITTEE BUSINESS    SPEAKER REGISTER  Jessica Geary, Executive Director, Legislative Affairs  Agency (LAA)  JC Kestel, Procurement Officer, LAA      I. CALL TO ORDER    2:01:43 PM  CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON called the Legislative Council meeting  to order at 2:01 pm on November 17, 2023. Present at the  call were: Senators Claman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson,  Stedman; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson, McCabe,  Rauscher.    Ten Members present at the call.    Senator Stevens joined the meeting at 2:05 pm; Senator  Hoffman joined the meeting at 2:07 pm; Representative  Saddler joined the meeting at 2:15 pm.    II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA    2:03:09 PM  REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON moved that Legislative Council  approve the agenda as presented.    The agenda was approved without objection.    III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES    2:03:42 PM  REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON moved that Legislative Council  approve the minutes for August 28, 2023, as presented.    The minutes were approved without objection.    IV. CONTRACT APPROVALS    A. Anchorage Legislative Office Building (ALOB) Security  Contract Renewal No. 1    2:04:12 PM  REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON moved that Legislative Council  approve Renewal No. 1 of the contract for armed security  services with Security Services Northwest for an amount not  to exceed $193,640 [NOTE FOR THE RECORD: $139,640 was read, but the actual amount is $193,640] from January 1, 2024,  through December 31, 2024. Representative Johnson further  moved that Legislative Council add an increment to the  Security Services FY25 budget for $100,000 to cover the  additional cost, as well as a FY24 supplemental request for  $100,000 to restore the Governor's veto of the funds.    CHAIR GRAY JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion  and asked Mr. Kestel and Ms. Geary to speak to this item.    JC KESTEL, Procurement Officer (LAA), said that Renewal No.  1 of the contract for Anchorage security is explained in  detail in the memo provided to members. LAA has been under  contract nearly one year with this contractor and is  satisfied with the services provided. Should this one-year  renewal from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, be  approved, four one-year renewal options remain before a new  solicitation must be issued.    There was no discussion and Chair Gray-Jackson removed her  objection.    REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked for clarification about the  requested FY24 supplemental increase of $100,000 to restore  the Governor's veto, and stated this is not intended to be  a veto override.    MR. KESTEL asked for the motion to be read again to clarify  the contract amount with Security Services Northwest.    2:06:58 PM  REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON restated the motion with the correct  contract amount.    REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN asked for clarification regarding the  total amount requested by Legislative Council and  questioned the amount of $393,640 for security services.    JESSICA GEARY, Executive Director (LAA), stated the amount  requested is $193,640 and for Legislative Council to  approve placing the increment in the FY25 budget request  and add an FY24 supplemental to replace the funds the  Governor vetoed.    REPRESENTATIVE HANNAN stated the motion as written is  cumbersome and requested three separate fiscal actions: one  for a contract extension; one for the FY25 budget request;  and one for an FY24 supplemental budget request.  Representative Hannan stated she planned to support the  motion, but wanted the total amount clarified and which  operating year the funds would be coming from.    REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE said the wording of the motion to  restore the Governor's veto sounds as if Legislative  Council is trying to override the Governor's veto.  Representative McCabe specified if that were the intent he  would vote against it, and further stated if the intent was  to request that amount in the supplement budget, then he  would be more inclined to support it.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON stated the intent is to restore the  funding that was vetoed; with no intention to override the  Governor's veto.    MS. GEARY added that Legislative Council does not have the  power to override vetoes and clarified the motion asked for  a restoration of funds in the budget request.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON removed her objection.    2:10:52 PM  A roll call vote was taken.    YEAS: Senators Claman, Hoffman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson,  Stedman, Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson,  Tilton, McCabe    NAYS: None    The motion passed 12-0.    B. Discovery Preschool Contract Assignment and Consent    2:12:07 PM  REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON moved Legislative Council approve  the assignment of the contract for the operation of the  childcare center in the Capitol Complex from Rosemary  Williams to Nicole Bowers for the duration of the contract  and any optional renewal periods.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion.    MR. KESTEL said the Agency is requesting the Discovery  Preschool contract assignment and consent as Ms. Williams  sold Discovery Preschool to Ms. Bowers on September 1,  2023. Ms. Bowers would like to continue the contract and  continue to operate and maintain services for the  Legislature. LAA requests Legislative Council approve the  Contract Assignment and Consent from former owner Ms.  Williams to new owner Ms. Bowers for the duration of the  contract and any optional renewal periods.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON asked if there were any questions.    REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON inquired whether Ms. Bowers had met  all the qualifications and had the necessary license and  insurance to operate the childcare facility.    MR. KESTEL stated that Ms. Bowers had obtained the proper  licenses and insurance required by the State to operate the  childcare facility.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON commented both Ms. Williams and Ms.  Bower were online and available for questions. Hearing no  further questions, Chair Gray-Jackson removed her  objection.    2:14:25 PM  A roll call vote was taken.    YEAS: Senators Claman, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kiehl, Olson,  Stedman, Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson,  Rauscher, Tilton, McCabe    NAYS: None    The motion passed 13-0.    V. Committee Business-Executive Session    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON stated the council would go into  Executive Session to consider a contract for the Assembly  Building Apartments (ABA) property management and a  discussion on security and legal issues.    2:15:31 PM  REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON moved and asked unanimous consent  that Legislative Council go into Executive Session under  Uniform Rule 22(B)(1), discussion of matters, the immediate  knowledge of which would adversely affect the finances of a  government unit and 22(B)(3), discussion of a matter that  may, by law, be required to be confidential. The following  individuals may remain in the room or on-line during  Executive Session: Jessica Geary, Megan Wallace, Emily  Nauman, Sant Lesh, Rayme Vinson, JC Kestel, Ernest Daigle,  Serge Lesh, Dottie Whitehead, any legislators not on  Legislative Council, and any staff of Legislative Council  members.    Representative Saddler joined the meeting at 2:15 pm.    2:16:37 PM  A roll call vote was taken.    YEAS: Senators Claman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson, Stedman,  Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson, Rauscher,  Saddler, Tilton, McCabe    NAYS: None    The motion passed 13-0.    2:17:29 PM  Council went into Executive Session.    3:35:51 PM  Council came out of Executive Session.    3:35:57 PM  A roll call vote was taken to establish a quorum.    YEAS: Senators Claman, Gray-Jackson, Kiehl, Olson, Stedman,  Stevens; Representatives Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson, Rauscher,  Saddler, Tilton    Twelve members present.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON stated they would begin with agenda Item 5(A)-Property Management Services for the ABA.    3:37:08 PM  REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON, prior to taking up Item 5(A), moved  that Legislative Council remove agenda Item 6(B)-ID Badge Policy from the agenda.    The motion passed without objection.    A. RFP - Property Management Services for the Assembly  Building Apartments (ABA).    3:37:33 PM  REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON moved that the Legislative Council  approve the award of RFP 663 Property Management Services  for the Assembly Building Apartments to TNT Realty, LLC,  doing business as Juneau Real Estate not to exceed contract  value of $159,180.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion  and requested Mr. Kestel and Ms. Geary to speak to the  motion and answer questions.    MR. KESTEL stated RFP 663 solicited qualified property  management services for the Assembly Building Apartments  (ABA). The Agency conducted the RFP and received a proposal  from TNT Realty dba Juneau Real Estate. The proposal was  evaluated by a Proposal Evaluation Committee (PEC) to  ensure it met the RFP requirements. The PEC recommended the  contract be awarded to TNT Realty, LLC dba Juneau Real  Estate.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON asked if there were questions and,  hearing none, removed her objection and requested a roll  call vote.    REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON, prior to the roll call vote, asked  about leasing to store personal belongings during the  interim. He noted the memo states legislators only, but the  lease does not specify legislators only. He requested a  clarifying modification to the lease if necessary.    MR. KESTEL stated the lease included was a draft and that  modifications could be made.    REPRESTATIVE JOHNSON stated he wanted the discrepancy  brought to Council's attention before they moved on.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON removed her objection.    3:40:34 PM  A roll call vote was taken.    YEAS: Senator Claman, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kiehl, Olson,  Stedman, Stevens; Representative Edgmon, Hannan, Johnson,  Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton    NAYS: None    The motion passed 13-0.    VI. Other Committee Business    A.  Assembly Building Apartments Policy    3:42:02 PM  REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON moved that Legislative Council  approve the Assembly Building Apartments Policy as  presented and give Legal Services and LAA the authority to  make technical and conforming changes to the policy.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON objected for the purpose of discussion  and asked Senator Kiehl, Chair of the ABA Policy  Subcommittee, and Ms. Geary to speak to the item.    SENTOR KIEHL stated the draft ABA Policy had been developed  after discussions with Ms. Geary, her staff, and a property  management consultant whom the Legislative Council Chair  retained on a small contract. The ABA Policy Subcommittee  discussed the initial draft policy and made several  changes. Senator Kiehl indicated the changes were made by  consensus and there were no contested votes during that  subcommittee discussion. He brought the Council's attention  to one revision on page 2, in paragraph G regarding 2024  session rental rates. Senator Kiehl commented that the  change was made because of the delayed RFP process for  obtaining a property manager. He clarified the property  manager will develop 2025 and subsequent years session  rental and security deposit rates in consultation with LAA.    SENATOR CLAMAN asked Ms. Geary to put on the record the  2024 session rental rates that were discussed during the  Executive Session.    MS. GEARY confirmed the monthly ABA rental rates for the  upcoming 2024 session will be: small one bedroom $1400;  medium one bedroom $1500; large one bedroom $1600; small  studio $1100; and large studio $1300. She added that rental  rates will be prorated as needed.    REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER questioned if there will be a  provision or some degree of integration between legislative  financial functions and ABA property management allowing  legislators and legislative staff to have rent withdrawn  from their paychecks automatically.    MS. GEARY said that level of detail had not been considered  in the policy and would be an administrative item to  discuss in the future. She specified that rent should be  paid with a check to the property manager.    REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER stated it was his opinion that  legislators and staff should be required to write a check  for rent directly to property management if they intend to  rent an Assembly Building Apartment.    REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON said he thought allowing pets in the  new Assembly Building Apartments complex would be  detrimental to the building. He shared pets have the  tendency to be destructive and if allowed would be  troublesome for future tenants with pet allergies.    REPRESTATIVE HANNAN commented that while she shared a  similar view with Representative Johnson, she would support  the policy to allow pets in the ABA. She noted that she  chaired Legislative Council when the ABA discussion began  and a primary concern for many legislators was the ability  to have their pets with them in Juneau during the  legislative session.    SENATOR KIEHL agreed with Representative Hannan.    REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON asked for some guidance regarding  the appropriate time to make a motion concerning the policy  and pets being allowed or not in the ABA complex.    SENATOR OLSON agreed with Representative Johnson and placed  additional emphasis on the damage pets cause to property  and added future tenants with allergies will not be able to  rent those apartments because of the lingering dander.    SENATOR KIEHL said the subcommittee had anticipated Council  members would adopt the ABA policy, but that now would be  the time to propose changes regarding the pet policy. He  said he agreed with Representative Hannan's position that  legislators have specified the need for pet friendly  rentals in Juneau. He also expects legislators and staff to  care for the ABA and not leave significant damage.    REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON reiterated his concern was not with  the members who will live in the apartments, but with the  pets that will occupy the space with the members.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON said she respects those who own pets and  understands they are like family members. She added she  also respects the ABA property and the time and effort that  went into making the ABA what it is and is glad to be able  to vote on whether pets should be allowed in the Assembly  Building.    SENATOR OLSON stated he is a dog owner and not against  pets.    REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER asked if ABA management and tenants  will be required to follow all rental statutes and laws,  specifically the Alaska Landlord Tenant Act.    MS. GEARY responded that Legal Services reviewed and  approved the lease and that it is compliant with all state  and federal laws.    3:57:39 PM  REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON moved that Legislative Council  delete Section L-Pets from the rental policy for the  Assembly Building Apartments.    MS. GEARY, in response to a request by Senate President  Stevens, read Section L of the Assembly Building Apartments  agreement so members would know what they were voting on.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON asked for a roll call vote.    4:00:10 PM  A roll call vote was taken.    YEAS: Senators Gray-Jackson, Olson, Stedman;  Representatives Johnson, Rauscher, Saddler, Tilton    NAYS: Senators Claman, Hoffman, Kiehl, Stevens;  Representatives Edgmon, Hannan    The motion to amend failed 7-6.  [NOTE FOR THE RECORD: Legislative Council requires 8 votes  to pass a motion.]    4:01:19 PM  Council took a brief at-ease.    4:02:02 PM  Council returned from brief at-ease.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON stated Legislative Council would take up  the original motion to approve the Assembly Building  Apartments policy.    4:02:15 PM  A roll call vote was taken.    YEAS: Senators Claman, Gray-Jackson, Hoffman, Kiehl, Olson,  Stedman, Stevens; Representatives Hannan, Johnson,  Rauscher, Saddler    NAYS: Tilton    The motion passed 11-1.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON reminded members that Item 6(B) - ID  Badge Policy had been removed from the agenda and asked if  there were any comments before adjournment.    REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER said he would like to bring forth a  proposal in a future meeting about the disparity between  districts and office accounts.    CHAIR GRAY-JACKSON thanked staff for their hard work and  help ensuring a smooth meeting. She also thanked  Representative Johnson for sitting in as Vice Chair and the  other members for making attendance a priority and wished  members a wonderful Thanksgiving.    4:05:34 PM  With no further business before the committee, the meeting  adjourned at 4:05 PM.