LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL July 11, 2001 1. ROLL CALL  The Legislative Council meeting was called to order at 9:10 a.m. by nd Representative Green, Legislative Council Chair, in the Anchorage 2 Floor Conference Room & via teleconference. The roll was taken. In attendance were Council members Green, Berkowitz, Kott (via teleconference), Murkowski, Ogan (via teleconference), Porter, Rokeberg, Cowdery (via teleconference), Donley, Elton, P. Kelly, and Torgerson. Members absent were Halford. Staff present were Varni, Cook, Bill Ellis, Logan, Ibesate, McCauley, Price, Schofield and Wyatt. 2. APPROVAL OF May 4, 2001 MINUTES    Representative Porter moved the minutes of the May 4, 2001 meeting be approved. YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Torgerson, and Elton NAYS: None ABSENT: Berkowitz, Cowdery, Donley, Halford, and Pete Kelly The minutes were approved unanimously.   3. NCSL MEMBERSHIP    Representative Green reminded the Council members that the NCSL membership was voted on at the last meeting; however, there weren't enough votes to continue membership. Representative Porter moved that Legislative Council approve the 2001-2002 NCSL membership dues. YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Berkowitz, Cowdery, Pete Kelly and Elton NAYS: Torgerson ABSENT: Halford and Donley The motion to approve the 2001-2001 NCSL membership dues was approved by 10 to 1. 4. DHL CONTRACT RENEWAL APPROVAL    Pam Varni, Executive Director of the Legislative Affairs Agency, explained that this is the one-year renewal option that pays for parcel delivery and pick-up services to various locations such as the Legislative Information Offices throughout the State. This is budgeted under the Administrative Services Budget component. Representative Porter moved that Legislative Council approve a one-year renewal option for the DHL contract, not to exceed $35,000. YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Berkowitz, Cowdery, Pete Kelly, Torgerson and Elton NAYS: None ABSENT: Halford and Donley The motion was approved unanimously. 5. MAT-SU LEASE APPROVAL  Pam Varni explained that currently the Mat-Su office space accommodates four members, but she believes it could accommodate five. Pam Varni explained that previously this did go out to bid. It was sent to 20 offerors from which there was one proposal. She acknowledged that this space could be leased month-by- month and the proposal could be put out to bid again. She remarked that there aren't many options and the price per foot is in the middle range for the area. Representative Ogan said that the Mat-Su office space is adequate, but redistricting brings the possibility of another member being in the space. Representative Green pointed out that it's almost a 38 percent increase and thus he asked if that is a reasonable increase. Representative Ogan related his belief that the status quo for a year would be appropriate and then, after redistricting, the space could be reviewed. Senator Elton moved that Legislative Council approve the Mat-Su Lease. YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Cowdery, Kelly, Torgerson and Elton NAYS: Berkowitz ABSENT: Halford and Donley The motion was approved by 10 to 1. 6. ANCHORAGE VAN APPROVAL    Representative Kott moved that Legislative Council move the Anchorage Van approval to the bottom of the agenda. There being no objection, it was so ordered.   7. LEXIS ON-LINE SERVICE PASSWORD ASSIGNMENTS    Pam Varni explained that Lexus provides some on-line services for which there are passwords. Six passwords would have access to National Primary Law with SHEPHARD'S Citations Service Menu, 15 passwords would have access to the on-line menu for Alaska Law and Shepherds. She noted that she has proposed a list of assignments in order to continue to update the passwords. However, she welcomed any other recommendations. Lee Tripp, Lexus On-Line Services, affirmed that although a password would be assigned to say the Speaker of the House, the Speaker could allow someone else to use the password. However, the password is limited to one person using it at a time. Representative Berkowitz pointed out that there is no Minority access listed for Alaska MVP. Therefore, he moved that the Minority have at least one password for each body in order to access Alaska MVP. Perhaps, two of the extra Legislative Council members could be used for that purpose. Representative Porter moved that Legislative Council approve the recommended assignments for the National Primary Law as well as the Alaska MVP with amendments to change assignments 14 and 15 to House Minority Leader and Senate Minority Leader and change assignments 12 and 13 to Legislative Council Member/Co-Chair House Finance and Legislative Council Member/Co- Chair Senate Finance. YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Berkowitz, Cowdery, Donley, Pete Kelly, Torgerson and Elton NAYS: None ABSENT: Halford The motion was approved unanimously.   8. KTOO/VIDEO STREAMING WIRING APPROVAL IN CAPITOL    Representative Porter moved that Legislative Council approve KTOO video streaming wiring approval in the Capitol. Discussion followed about security and other concerns. The question was called and the Executive Director was asked to restate the motion. Pam Varni stated that the motion would be to provide KTOO permission to install updated wiring in the Capitol. YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Porter, Rokeberg, Berkowitz and Elton NAYS: Ogan, Cowdery, Donley, Pete Kelly and Torgerson ABSENT: Halford The motion failed 7 to 5.   KTOO was asked to come back at a future meeting to have the item discussed again after they submit a detailed proposal. 9. ALASKA MOVING IMAGES PICTURE ASSOCIATION REQUEST    Francine Lastufka Taylor, Executive Director from Alaska Moving Images Preservation Association (AMIPA), informed the committee that AMIPA is requesting $85,000 for the Legislative Media Preservation Project. She clarified that the request for funding for the operations of AMIPA is separate and in the capital budget. In response to Senator Donley, she explained that the media center would be built in existing space in Anchorage and thus the audio tapes would be transferred to Anchorage from Juneau. There was discussion regarding whether this would be more appropriate as a budget item taken up by the Finance Committees and not Legislative Council. Senator Donley expressed the need for more information about this proposal. Representative Green concluded that there is confusion regarding what has been allocated, spent and received from what was spent, the future request, and whether this should be done in the capital budget process. Therefore, Representative Green announced that this request would be held.   10. OTHER BUSINESS  A. Senator Donley moved that the Legislative Council approve the placement of a directory of names and office locations in the elevator of the Anchorage Legislative Information Office for public use. YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Berkowitz, Cowdery, Donley, Pete Kelly and Elton NAYS: None ABSENT: Halford, Torgerson The motion was approved unanimously. B. Representative Halcro informed the Council that he has requested that a bill in the amount of $750 for the rental of the Wilda Marston Theater for meetings of the Fiscal Policy Council for three days in July, August and September be paid by the Legislative Council. Council members discussed the possibility of holding the hearings at the Anchorage Legislative Information Office or the Anchorage Assembly Chambers. Representative Porter offered to find out if the Anchorage Assembly Chamber is available. The subject was discussed further and no action was taken. C. Representative Berkowitz moved to open the Anchorage Legislative Office space parking lot to the public during non-business hours. Chairman Green suggested that a subcommittee be formed to study the pros and cons of this issue. It was moved to table the motion. YEAS: Green, Kott, Murkowski, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Cowdery, Donley and Pete Kelly NAYS: Berkowitz and Elton ABSENT: Halford and Torgerson The motion to table this item was approved 9 to 2. 11. ANCHORAGE VAN APPROVAL Pam Varni informed the Council that a smaller nine-passenger van would cost around $30,000 to $32,000. Jan Price, Supply Officer, is in the process of getting a firm price from the State Fleet Equipment Office. She informed the Council that occasionally the Legislature needs a larger van but one can be rented for those occasions. The Council discussed the option of leasing vans and the use patterns of the vans in Anchorage and Fairbanks. Pam Varni informed the Council that one of the Juneau vans could be transported to Anchorage during the interim. Representative Ogan moved to approve the transfer of an existing van from Juneau to Anchorage during the interim, rather than purchasing a new van. Senator Elton moved to amend Representative Ogan's amendment by requesting that the Executive Director prepare and present to the Legislative Council a policy for use of the legislative vans. Representative Green moved to transfer a van from Juneau to Anchorage and that the Executive Director establish a set of rules for van use. YEAS: Green, Kott, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Berkowitz, Cowdery, Pete Kelly and Elton. NAYS: None ABSENT: Murkowski, Donley, Halford and Torgerson The motion passed unanimously. Representative Kott asked whether the investigation of the Anchorage legislative van accident has been completed and whether an assignment of blame has been placed on any member of the Legislature and, if so, whether reimbursement should be required of that party. Representative Porter explained that the Presiding Officers of the House and Senate are responsible for actions of legislative employees as they are the hiring authority during the interim. He is in the process of bringing the investigation to a close and he does not plan to request a reimbursement from any Legislators or legislative employees. He and the Senate President have decided that some disciplinary action is appropriate. He offered to discuss the matter further in an executive session of the Legislative Council. Representative Ogan moved to hold an executive session for the purpose of discussing the personnel issues surrounding the van accident. Council members discussed whether this matter is within the purview of the Legislative Council. A roll call vote on the motion to go into executive session was taken. YEAS: Kott, Ogan, Porter, Rokeberg, Cowdery, Pete Kelly and Berkowitz NAYS: Green, Elton ABSENT: Murkowski, Donley, Halford, Torgerson The motion failed 7 - 2. The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 a.m.