SENATE COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE February 1, 1995 1:50 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT Senator John Torgerson, Chairman Senator Randy Phillips, Vice Chairman Senator Tim Kelly Senator Fred Zharoff MEMBERS ABSENT Senator Lyman Hoffman COMMITTEE CALENDAR -- ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING -- OVERVIEW OF DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS BY COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE MIKE IRWIN WITNESS REGISTER Mike Irwin, Commissioner Designee Department of Community & Regional Affairs P.O. Box 112100 Juneau, AK 99811-2100 ACTION NARRATIVE TAPE 95-1, SIDE A Number 001 CHAIRMAN TORGERSON called the Senate Community & Regional Affairs Committee meeting to order at 1:50 p.m. He noted the presence of Senators Kelly, Zharoff and R. Phillips. SENATOR KELLY moved and asked unanimous consent that the chairman be given the authorization to file bills on behalf of the committee. SENATOR ZHAROFF asked if the committee members would be afforded the opportunity to see the bills before their introduction. SENATOR TORGERSON acknowledged the courtesy would be extended to the members. Hearing no objection, the motion carried. SENATOR TORGERSON invited Commissioner Designee Mike Irwin to the table to make his presentation to the committee. Number 037 COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE IRWIN introduced staff members Mike Cushing and Kim Metcalfe-Helmar, a special assistant who will be the department's legislative liaison. Commissioner Designee Irwin said the Department of Community & Regional Affairs basically has as its mission three main goals: building stronger, healthier communities; strengthening local economies; and strengthening local governments. These goals are accomplished through a variety of divisions and programs within the department. The Division of Administrative Services assists the divisions within the department in implementing their programs and ensuring that things are being done fiscally correct. The division works with the Legislative Budget & Audit Committee to make sure that the department is carrying out the intent of the Legislature with the dollars appropriated and the structure provided to them. The Division of Energy is the rural portions of what was formerly the Alaska Energy Authority. Commissioner Designee Irwin related that in the few weeks that he has been commissioner, he has spent a lot of time with this division getting up to speed on where it has been, where it is now, and where they think it is going. He noted there has been concern in the past whether or not the authority has been integrating into the department as well as it could. However, he is confident that they can make the division a good, strong functioning piece of their overall delivery program. The Municipal and Regional Assistance Division targets the goal of strengthening local governments by providing assistance to municipalities throughout the state. This division is responsible for administering the municipal assistance programs and state revenue sharing. Commissioner Designee Irwin said there is concern for some municipalities that because of their size, with no tax base and with very few dollars coming from the state, they are facing a fiscal crisis of which they have no way out. The department will continue to work with these communities in providing services to them and advocating on their behalf for having strong local governments. The Division of Community & Rural Development oversees a number of human resource and economic development programs such as the Head Start Program, the Day Care Assistance Program, Jobs Training Partnership Act Program, etc. This division is one of the key divisions that will be working on Governor Knowles' welfare reform initiative. Number 160 SENATOR TORGERSON commented that he would be interested in knowing what the department has in mind to handle the fiscal crisis in the smaller communities, separate from SB 20 (ALASKA MUNICIPAL BASIC SERVICES PROGRAM), which is a mechanism that could be used to alleviate some of the problem. Also, he is interested in learning how welfare reform will tie into the community and rural development area. COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE IRWIN responded that they are working with the other affected agencies to see how, in fact, these various resources can be brought into a more cogent program. Number 185 SENATOR R. PHILLIPS inquired as to the time frame for submitting a welfare reform initiative to the Legislature. COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE IRWIN answered that they are targeting March 3 for bringing their initial proposals to the Legislature. He added it may be an unrealistic date because it is a very complex issue and a lot of what they can and cannot do hinges on what happens in Washington, D.C. with welfare initiatives at the federal level. Number 200 SENATOR TORGERSON thanked Mr. Irwin for appearing before the committee and said the committee was looking forward to working with him. There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 2:04 p.m.