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May 19, 2004
Room 302, State Capitol
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Senator Jayne Mockler, Chairman
Senator Irene Devin
Senator John Hanes
Representative Pete Illoway
Representative Wayne Johnson
Representative Wayne Reese
Dan J. Pauli, Director
Mark Quiner, Assistant Director
Wendy K. Madsen,
Legislative Information Officer
Please refer to
Appendix 1 to review the Committee Sign-in Sheet
for a list of other individuals who attended the meeting.
Chairman Mockler called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. The following sections summarize the Committee proceedings by topic. Please refer to Appendix 2 to review the Committee Meeting Agenda.
Senator Mockler updated the Committee on the project to increase the number of historic photographs in legislative committee rooms. She explained that State Archives staff assisted in selecting appropriate photographs and State Museum staff are arranging for the photographs to be matted and framed. This phase will use the remainder of the funds appropriated for this project.
Members of the Committee discussed options to obtain additional art in legislative spaces in the Capitol and Representative Illoway expressed his interest in obtaining original artwork for leadership offices.
Senator Mockler reported to the Committee that staff from State Archives and the State Museum will work together to develop a photographic display for the rotunda area outside Room 302 that will provide an exhibit about the construction and additions to the Capitol.
The Committee discussed whether or not the Legislature should continue to participate in the Capitol Art Collection, which allows participating state agencies to display works in the revolving collection in their facilities. Senator Mockler raised the concern that the artwork chosen for the collection may not be large enough for walls in the House and Senate lobbies and hallways. Representative Johnson moved to recommend to the Management Council that the remaining $750 appropriated for this program revert to the General Fund on June 30, 2004. The motion passed.
The Committee discussed the appropriation provided during the 2004 Budget Session to enhance artwork security in the House and Senate. Senator Mockler questioned whether it was premature to proceed with issuing an RFP for the security system pending actions by the Joint Legislative and Executive Task Force on Capitol Facilities. The Committee considered whether this issue should be brought before the Task Force. Senator Devin raised a concern that this issue is not the primary focus of the Task Force and that the Committee should proceed with a system for the House and Senate that can be expanded to provide security for artwork throughout the Capitol. The Committee agreed that proceeding with the development of this system is a priority.
Senator Hanes explained that the Select Committee on Technology has approved the purchase of video screens in the House from a 2003 appropriation as a pilot project to provide presentations on the floor of the Chamber. He noted that this system could be used to help the public follow the debate on the floor. Pending the results of the pilot project, a similar system may also be purchased for the Senate. Senator Mockler noted that the Facilities Committee should be consulted on a design for the valences that will enclose the screens to ensure that they match the décor in the House Chamber. Senator Devin requested that the Technology Committee consider the size of the text of presentations to ensure that the information is readable for the audience.
The Committee discussed the appropriation provided during the 2004 Budget Session for the repair or replacement of miscellaneous furnishings. Senator Mockler recommended that the Committee consider replacing chairs for audience members in committee rooms with stacking black chairs that would allow for more seating in the committee rooms. She also recommended that the Committee consider replacing the metal coat racks outside of Room 302 and the Joint Appropriations Committee with wood racks that are closer to the walls.
The Committee discussed options to select these furnishings. Senator Mockler noted that Jo Haley, from The Design Studio (TDSi), could provide consulting services because of the firm’s familiarity with the legislative facilities after their work on the chamber desk project. Representative Johnson moved that TDSi be hired with funding from the furniture replacement appropriation to research and provide options to the Committee for committee room audience seating and designs for coat racks. The motion passed.
The Committee discussed the appropriation provided in the 2004 Budget Session to restore damaged legislator composite photograph frames. Senator Mockler explained that the State Museum works with a company in Denver to restore the frames. She noted that there are very few companies that do this type of restoration. Representative Illoway moved to authorize the State Museum to immediately begin the restoration project. The motion passed.
The Committee also discussed options to permanently display the photographs of appointed members in the official legislative composites. The Committee requested that, in the future, the photographer cut a space in the composite mat to include appointed members, rather than just pasting the picture on the front of the mat and to indicate in the text that the member was appointed. The Committee also requested that LSO develop a directory of where each composite frame is located.
The Committee discussed the appropriation to restore the historic benches located in the Capitol. Senator Hanes moved to authorize the Department of Administration and Information’s General Services Division to locate an appropriate contractor with expertise in this type of restoration. The motion carried.
Senator Mockler explained the appropriation provided in the 2004 Budget Session to remodel chamber work stations at the front desks. She explained that TDSi and Eggli Brothers developed an initial design to remodel and wire the desks during the chamber desk project. Senator Hanes moved that TDSi work with Eggli Brothers and the chief clerks to remodel the front desks. The motion carried.
The Committee discussed the appropriation to improve committee room signage. Senator Mockler explained the design of signs developed for committee rooms at the Montana Capitol. Representative Illoway moved that TDSi provide design proposals based on the Montana design for the Committee’s review, prior to bidding the construction of the signs. The motion carried.
The Committee received cost estimates from Dan Wierling, of Muzak, regarding options to develop a microphone and speaker system in Room 302 of the Capitol (see Appendix 3). Mr. Wierling explained that Muzak wired both the House and Senate Chamber microphone systems. The Committee discussed logistical issues regarding wiring of the system and options to reduce the number of microphones in the original proposal, but to allow for expansion over time. The Committee requested Muzak provide additional options for the Committee’s review and to set up a demonstration to test equipment at an upcoming committee meeting in the room.
The Committee discussed the 2004 appropriation that tasked the Committee with studying options for opening the skylights in the House and Senate Chambers to natural light. Senator Mockler asked the Committee if it wanted to commission a new study or have an independent party review the analysis an architectural firm provided to the Joint Appropriations Committee in 2002. Committee members raised concerns whether the 2002 analysis represents the only option to restore the skylights or if there are lower-cost options available or other artificial lighting options. The Committee requested that TDSi review the existing report and determine if there are more affordable options to open the skylights to natural light or to provide museum-quality artificial lighting systems above the stained glass ceilings.
The Committee discussed the responsibilities of the newly created Joint Legislative Executive Task Force on Capitol Facilities. Senator Mockler suggested that the Committee offer its services to the Task Force to serve as a sub-committee to develop recommendations for legislative space needs. The Committee agreed to identify space needs for legislators, committees, and legislative staff for the Task Force.
Senator Mockler explained the current Management Council artwork policy to the Committee and recommended changes to the policy in light of the addition of historical photographs in committee rooms. She noted that the photographs in some of the committee rooms have been moved and other artwork has been displayed in some committee rooms. Senator Hanes moved to recommend that Management Council modify the existing policy to state that the historic photographs will be the only artwork allowed to be displayed in committee rooms and that the photographs will not be moved. The motion passed.
The Committee discussed options for using the existing 501(c)(3) Capitol Historic Preservation Foundation established in 1995 to purchase artwork for the Capitol. Committee members discussed whether art should be purchased through a foundation or through appropriations. Committee members also considered options to display artwork created by Wyoming artists. Representative Illoway requested that LSO provide information about who is on the Foundation and how appointments are made for the Committee’s consideration at its next meeting.
The Committee discussed the need to extensively clean artwork, woodwork, and lighting fixtures in the Capitol. However, the Committee agreed that such a project may be premature depending on the timetable for other major restoration projects in the building.
Senator Mockler suggested the Committee support the initiation of fire drills in the Capitol for legislators and legislative staff during the session. Representative Illoway moved to recommend to Management Council that a fire drill be held during the legislative session. The motion passed. Representative Illoway requested that fire drill procedures be developed and distributed to legislators.
The Committee tentatively scheduled its next meeting for July 7, 2004, if the Joint Legislative and Executive Task Force on Capitol Facilities schedules a meeting prior to that date. There being no further business, Chairman Mockler adjourned the meeting at 3:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Senator Jayne Mockler, Chairman