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ARIZONA STATE LEGISLATURE
Forty-eighth Legislature – First Regular Session
Minutes of Interim Meeting
Senate Hearing Room 109 – 9:30 A.M.
President Bee called the meeting to order at 9:41 a.m. and attendance was noted by the secretary.
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Senator Tim Bee, Chair |
Representative Jim Weiers, Vice Chair |
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Senator Chuck Gray |
Representative Tom Boone |
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Senator Linda Gray |
Representative Mark DeSimone |
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Senator Richard Miranda |
Representative John McComish |
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Senator Thayer Verschoor |
Representative Bob Robson |
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Senator Marsha Arzberger |
Representative Linda Lopez |
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Senator Charlene Pesquiera |
Representative David Lujan |
Appointment of Director
Mike Braun, Executive Director, Legislative Council, stated that, pursuant to Legislative Council Rule 17, the Executive Director's term expires at the end of the first meeting of each newly constituted Council, which is today’s meeting.
Senator Chuck Gray asked if the current Executive Director wanted to be the director again; Mr. Braun replied that he would welcome the opportunity.
Speaker Weiers moved that, pursuant to Legislative Council Rule 17, Michael Braun be appointed as the Executive Director of the Arizona Legislative Council. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Update regarding Arizona Centennial 2012 Funding
Mr. Braun explained that several years ago legislation was passed that specified that the Arizona Historic Advisory Commission would be responsible for the state-wide planning of the Centennial Celebration in 2012. He further explained that the Legislature appropriated to Legislative Council $2.5M as matching money for a $5M fundraising effort that the Commission would undertake. He stated that the $2.5M cannot be spent until the $5M is raised and there is an affirmative vote of the members of this Council.
Jim Garrison, Arizona State Historic Preservation Officer, stated that John Driggs is heading the Commission to raise the funds and has approached the cities, towns and counties to generate interest in raising the $5M, but that, because the money must be placed in a state account, the funds total only $57K currently. Mr. Garrison explained that within the state plan is the promotion of Legacy projects and there are thirteen currently approved with a combined budget of $42.9M, so the interest is there, but some trepidation about putting the money into the state account.
Speaker Weiers asked for clarification; Mr. Garrison replied that since there is no direction from Legislative Council as to how the $2.5M will be used, the various funding locations are wondering if the money, when released, will be earmarked for their specific project or will be distributed without regard to what they’ve put in.
Senator Linda Gray asked for a list of the thirteen projects, which Mr. Garrison distributed (Attachment 1) and then described the projects to the group.
President Bee asked how the match will work; Mr. Garrison explained that once the Commission has raised the $5M, the $2.5M will be released and, at that time, Legislative Council would decide how to disperse the funds.
Senator Linda Gray asked if there were applications for additional projects; Mr. Garrison replied that he knew of two and possibly a third, each of which must first be endorsed by the Commission as official Legacy projects. He added that the thirteen listed on Attachment 1 have been approved already.
President Bee asked if there has been pursuit of private dollars; Mr. Garrison replied that this avenue has not been pursued aggressively, but that a specific Legacy list will encourage donations. Mr. Garrison added that Mr. Driggs has approached Salt River Project.
Senator Linda Gray asked how the dollars will be dispersed after the $5M is met; Mr. Garrison stated that statute says that Legislative Council must approve how the $2.5M is to be dispersed, and that that is why the Commission cannot tell a Legacy applicant how the funds will be spent.
Speaker Weiers asked if the projects themselves have to raise money in order to qualify for the matching funds; Mr. Garrison replied that the distribution of the funds will be up to Legislative Council.
Mr. Garrison stated that $50K of the $2.5M has been released to the Commission for operating expenses.
Polly Rosenbaum Archive & History Building
Mr. Braun described the history of this project:
Update regarding status of project
Arnold Teten, Gilbane Building Company, explained that construction started in January of this year and is currently 60 percent complete. He stated that it is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2008. He described the progress in some detail (Attachment 2).
Speaker Weiers asked if the project was on budget; Mr. Teten replied in the affirmative, adding that he has had very few change orders.
Senator Chuck Gray asked if any areas were under budget; Mr. Teten replied that there is a construction budget contingency fund of $1.8M and only $500K has been used.
Senator Chuck Gray asked if, at the end of the job, there were $500K remaining would that go into the general fund: Mr. Teten replied that his company would not keep it.
Mr. Braun explained that the appropriation is to cover construction, shelving, and moving costs, and that any remainder would revert back and be distributed by the Legislature.
Senator Chuck Gray asked if copper would be applied to the front; Mr. Teten replied that copper-colored siding would be used, to reduce cost.
Senator Linda Gray asked about the space that would be vacated; Mr. Braun replied that Legislative Council would decide because much of the storage is in the Old Capitol. He added that rented space would be released when no longer needed.
Approval of design of dedication plaque
Mr. Braun recommended the approval of a plaque substantially similar to that inside the Old Capitol Building and with the logos of the three major professional companies involved in the project also be listed.
Mr. Robson suggested that the names of the inception Legislative Council members be included, as well as those of the final Legislative Council.
Senator Chuck Gray stated his agreement, and stressed that the name of the building be in much larger font than the names of the Council members.
Senator Miranda asked if a final draft will be distributed for review; Mr. Braun replied that he would if specifically directed by the Council, and that otherwise this would be the final approval and the architects would then design the plaque. Discussion ensued about the inscription on the plaque. Senator Linda Gray suggested that the Director Gladys Ann Wells’ name be included.
President Bee asked Mr. Braun to restate his understanding of the input from the group today. Mr. Braun stated that the plaque title should be most prominent, that each member’s name from the 47th and the 48th Legislative Council should be listed as well as the name of the Director of the State Library, and that the President and the Speaker must be given a final review before the plaque is cast in bronze.
Mr. Boone clarified that his understanding is that this motion is comprised of suggestions and that final approval would be from the President and the Speaker.
Mr. Braun stated that the motion should be that the members of the Council direct that a plaque be assembled for the approval of the President and Speaker.
Speaker Weiers moved that the members of the Council direct that a plaque be assembled for the approval of the President and Speaker. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Designation of Marilyn Jarrett room
President Bee stated his belief that this item was incorporated in the plaque, which will have Senator Jarrett’s name inscribed.
Senator Chuck Gray stated his impression that a specific room would be designated as the “Marilyn Jarrett Room”.
Mr. Braun stated that when the Legislature was approving the appropriations, there was some discussion about naming a specific room of the building for Marilyn Jarrett. He said that instruction must come from the Council.
Senator Chuck Gray asked if there was a specific room in mind; Mr. Braun said that there are two possibilities: the 2nd floor reading room or the 1st floor meeting room.
Senator Chuck Gray asked if there would be any additional cost; Mr. Braun replied in the negative. Discussion ensued which revealed that there is no room named in the Old Capitol now, nor in the House or the Senate, and that this would be precedent-setting. Mr. Braun explained that this building is largely warehousing and that the public areas are limited to the two rooms he just mentioned, which would have room numbers only. Mr. McComish stated his concern about setting a precedent.
Senator Chuck Gray asked if Senator Jarrett’s family had be asked or promised anything about a room.
GladysAnn Wells, Director Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, stated that past President Bennett may have mentioned this to her family, and that the sculpture outside the Legislative Council offices does have her name on it and it will be moved to the new building.
Speaker Weiers asked if the entire Legislature brought up the name of this building; Mr. Braun stated that was correct.
Senator Chuck Gray stated that he would like to name a room for Senator Jarrett, but would want to know two things before proceeding:
President Bee determined that no action would be taken at this time and that the item would be deferred to next year’s meeting.
Without objection, the meeting adjourned at 10:37 a.m.
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Jane Dooley, Committee Secretary
December 3, 2007
(Original minutes, attachments and audio on file in the Office of the Chief Clerk; video archives available at http://www.azleg.gov/)
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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
December 3, 2007
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