LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL May 4, 2001 1. ROLL CALL  The Legislative Council meeting was called to order at 9:20 a.m. by Representative Green, Legislative Council Chair, in the Conference Room, Terry Miller Legislative Office Building. The roll was taken. In attendance were Council members Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan (via teleconference), Porter (via teleconference), Rokeberg, Cowdery, Torgerson, and Elton. Members absent were Berkowitz, Donley, Halford, Pete Kelly and Pearce. Staff present were Varni, Logan, Ibesate, Price, Schofield and Wyatt. 2. APPROVAL OF APRIL 26, 2001 MINUTES    Representative Kott moved the minutes of the April 26, 2001 meeting be approved. Representative Murkowski noted that the minutes specified her discussion regarding the continuation of membership in NCSL and requested her name be removed from that statement and the minutes be amended. Representative Kott moved the minutes of the April 26, 2001 meeting be approved as amended. YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Torgerson, and Elton NAYS: None ABSENT: Berkowitz, Cowdery, Donley, Halford, Pete Kelly and Pearce The April 26, 2001 minutes were approved unanimously.     3. KOTZEBUE OFFICE SPACE APPROVAL    Pam Varni, Executive Director of the Legislative Affairs Agency, explained LAA issued an RFP to acquire approximately 700 - 780 square feet of office space for the Legislative Information Office in Kotzebue. One proposal was received from Kikiktagruk Inupiat Corporation with a price per square foot of $2.47 for 781 square feet. This square foot price is comparable with office space occupied by the Executive Branch. Representative Rokeberg moved that Legislative Council approve the three-year lease agreement between Kikiktagruk Inupiat Corporation and the Legislative Affairs Agency with the first year total of $23,117.88. YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Torgerson, and Elton NAYS: None ABSENT: Berkowitz, Cowdery, Donley, Halford, Pete Kelly and Pearce The motion was approved unanimously. 4. BARROW OFFICE SPACE APPROVAL    Pam Varni explained LAA issued an RFP to acquire office space for the Legislative Information Office in Barrow. One proposal was received from Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative with a proposal of 544 square feet at $4.50 per square foot. We are currently paying $6.34 per square foot for 500 square feet of office space. Representative Rokeberg moved that Legislative Council approve the three-year lease agreement between Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative and the Legislative Affairs Agency with the first year total of $29,376.00. YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Torgerson, and Elton NAYS: None ABSENT: Berkowitz, Cowdery, Donley, Halford, Pete Kelly and Pearce The motion was approved unanimously. 5. BRIEFING BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON THE KATIE JOHN v.  UNITED STATES CASE  Bruce Botelho, Alaska State Attorney General, updated the members of Legislative Council on the status of the Katie John v. United States case. He followed with a briefing on the appeals process, probability of Executive Branch appealing a verdict, information on the 9th Circuit website giving updates on cases, and general information and history on the case. Discussion followed by Representatives Green, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg and Kott. Guest Legislator Senator Robin Taylor also participated in the discussion. Ted Popley, Majority Council, was introduced and gave a briefing on the case. Bruce Botelho and Ted Popley will keep Legislative Council informed on the status of the case The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 a.m.