Committee Meeting Information

April 10, 2007
Room 302 Wyoming Capitol
Cheyenne, Wyoming

Committee Members Present

Representative Pete Illoway, Chairman

Senator Jayne Mockler, Chairman

Senator Tony Ross

Representative Dan Dockstader

Representative Marty Martin

 

Committee Members Absent

Senator Michael Von Flatern

 

Legislative Service Office Staff

Dan J. Pauli, Director

Mark Quiner, Assistant Director, Administration

Wendy K. Madsen, Legislative Information Officer

Joy N. Hill, Associate Research Analyst

Others Present at Meeting

Please refer to Appendix 1 to review the Committee Sign-in Sheet
for a list of other individuals who attended the meeting.

 

 

Call To Order

Representative Illoway called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m..  The following sections summarize the Committee proceedings by topic.  Please refer to Appendix 2 to review the Committee Meeting Agenda.

 

Election of Chairmen

Representative Martin nominated Representative Illoway for chairman and Senator Ross nominated Senator Mockler as co-chairman.  The motions carried. 

 

Approval of Minutes

Minutes from the October 30, 2006 Committee meeting were approved without changes.

 

Background on Select Committee Role and Past Projects

Senator Mockler explained the history of the Select Committee on Legislative Facilities.  The Committee first put in new carpet and purchased new chairs and then had desks built for the chambers.  The Committee's scope expanded into looking at the entire facilities of the legislative branch.  The Commttee initiated projects such as composite renovations, narratives of composites, renovation of benches, and Room 204 renovation.  Senator Mockler explained that all of the current projects are meant to last until the renovation of the Capitol, which is being pushed by the Committee.  Senator Mockler further noted that even though the State Building Commission has ultimate control of the building, this Committee sets the tone for what is desired in the legislative part of the building.  Ultimately, this Committee operates in an advisory capacity to Management Council relating to legislative facilities.

 

Representative Illoway noted that the House and Senate composites have been re-hung on the third floor, and is anxious to get some of the narratives up.  With respect to the Capitol, Senator Ross noted that the Committee needs to focus on completing projects that can be maintained after the building is remodeled.  Senator Mockler noted that the skylight renovation will get the state ahead when they go to renovate the Capitol, and that the Senate cannot get by without a sound system for five years. 

 

Representative Rodney "Pete" Anderson noted that as the Chairman of the Legislative Process Committee he would like to see the two Committees work together on any issues that may affect process.  Representative Illoway requested that the electronic voting memo be sent to the Process and Technology committees.  Representative Anderson noted that the Process, Technology, and Facilities Committees all have some overlaps. 

 

Summary of FY07-08 Funding and Prioritization of Projects

Ms. Wendy Madsen, LSO explained the current status of projects and appropriations for the Committee:

ü      Architectural and interior design consulting services - $20,000 appropriated;

ü      Skylight restoration and chamber lighting - $1.2 M appropriated which does not include the actual construction costs;

ü      Sound systems in the Senate, House and Room 302 - $360,000 appropriated and will contract with K2 Audio to perform Phase 2 and 3 studies;

ü      Recarpeting of rooms next to LSO main office - $10,000 appropriated;

ü      Remodel of LSO main office - $22,000 appropriated;

ü      Senate break room remodel - $10,000 appropriated;

ü      Space planning study related to occupancy of Capitol - $101,000 appropriated;

ü      Furnishings in Room 214, 215, 215B - $15,000 appropriated;

ü      Senate Staff Supervisor’s office furnishings - $10,000 appropriated;

ü      Room 302 furnishings - $60,000 appropriated;

ü      Room 302 carpeting - $30,000 appropriated;

ü      Update and republish Wyoming Blue Book - $300,000 appropriated;

ü      Commission of governors' portraits - $70,000 appropriated;

ü      Development of artwork donation policy - $7,500 appropriated;

ü      Capitol security system - $5,000 appropriated;

ü      Committee room photographs - $5,000;

ü      Committee room and leadership furnishings - $30,000 appropriated; and

ü      Miscellaneous projects - $15,000 appropriated.

 

Update on Long-Term Space Planning Study and Capitol Renovation

Long-Term Space Planning Studies

Mr. Rich Cathcart noted that Ms. Rupp has been working with LSO and Carter Goble Lee on Phase I of the study.  Ms. Rupp provided an explanation of the Phase I study to the Committee.  Option 1 provides for dedicated hearing rooms, and Option 2 provides for generic hearing rooms.   Ms. Rupp also explained that she is in the process of negotiating the next contract for Phase 2 with Carter Goble Lee, and that they will be meeting with the various parties in Phase 2 about where different entities will be located within the Capitol Complex.  She noted that A&I will need to set up workshops while the consultant is in town during the interim. 

The Committee discussed the advantages and disadvantages of Option 1 and Option 2.  Option 2 included a place for private workstations for other members who do not have a committee room to use. 

Timeline for Capitol Renovation

Mr. Cathcart addressed the Committee regarding the high level of work facing A&I Construction Management.  He noted that A&I is currently renovating the Supreme Court and noted that it is not feasible to renovate the Capitol while it is occupied.  He explained the timeline for the State to take possession of the St. Mary’s property, construct a new state office building, and renovate the Capitol.  The goal is to only have the Legislature out of the building for one session and for a two-year renovation.  Ms. Rupp noted that the timeline provided assumes the best-case scenario.  A&I's Leasing budget is $17 million for the biennium and that includes all leases in Wyoming, with probably $7 million spent here in Cheyenne.  Mr. Cathcart indicated that now that the state is in good shape financially, this is the time to invest in capital facilities.

Skylight Renovation and Chamber Lighting Project

The Committee discussed the progress of opening the skylights for the benefit of the new Committee members.  Rich Cathcart, Administration and Information, addressed HDH's concerns about reopening the skylights and indicated the concerns are being addressed.  Sylvie Rupp, Administration and Information, informed the Committee that the skylights may not be restored by the time the February 2008 Legislative Session begins.  She further indicated that, to ensure this project is done correctly, it could take up to six months to complete once the construction phase begins (for which the documents have not been completed yet). 

 

Glen Garrett, AIA, addressed the Committee about the project and the issues Mr. Cathcart discussed.  Mr. Garrett expounded further on HDH's concerns about safety, such as workers tools being dropped on the skylights, worker safety when maintaining the skylights, and problems with leaks, which caused the skylights to be removed.  Mr. Garrett further discussed the construction of the skylights, proposed decking materials, and the benefits of opening the skylights.

 

Mr. Garrett discussed the timeline he provided to the Committee and discussed whether or not any portion of the project could be done separately, i.e., the electrical and lighting done separately from the skylights.  Mr. Garrett recommended that the project not be split into multiple projects.  Mr. Garrett also discussed potential skylight manufacturers, such as Vista Wall, which has an office in Denver.

 

Wendy Madsen, LSO, discussed procedural updates relating to the RFP process, and that when it is time to begin construction, A&I Construction Management will assign a construction manager to the project.

 

Furnishings Projects

Jo Haley, TDSi, informed the Committee that she is beginning to design layouts for the LSO front offices and Room 302, in addition to some other projects.  Patty Benskin, Chief Clerk of the House, indicated that during this Session several of the legislators had problems with their chairs.  The Committee discussed other projects that need direction, such as addressing issues with the historic benches, touchless faucets in the bathrooms, redesign of the Senate break room, furniture issues in the leadership offices, and the senate sound system.

 

Artwork Donation Policy

Sara Needles, Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, and Lili Francuz, Art Curator for the State Museum, discussed the proposed artwork donation policy and provided a handout that outlined the goals, budget, artwork selection committee, artwork criteria, procedures, promotion and administration of the policy.  Ms. Francuz indicated a promotional brochure explaining artwork donation could be ready by June and sent out to all legislators, the State Museum mailing list, and art organizations.

 

Ms. Madsen informed the Committee that the State Museum's Attorney General representative will draft a Memorandum of Understanding between LSO and the State Museum concerning the administration of the policy.  In addition, Ms. Madsen pointed out that there will be some administrative details to address at Management Council's July meeting concerning this policy.  Chairman Illoway indicated his interest in having the Speaker of the House and the Senate President appoint legislative members to the artwork selection committee.

 

Governor’s Portraits

Ms. Francuz provided a draft portrait brochure and a handout outlining the project and timeline to the Committee and indicated that nine deceased governors, whose portraits have not been painted, have been identified.  The $70,000 appropriated is enough to paint five of the portraits.  Ms. Francuz and the Committee discussed the artist selection committee, who is eligible to compete for the contract, etc.  The Committee further discussed the order in which the portraits should be painted, including potentially painting living governors.   Ms. Madsen indicated LSO would like to transfer the $70,000 to the State Museum so they can begin working this program into their standard budget.

Blue Book

Roger Joyce, State Archives, provided the Committee with an update, and a status sheet, on the progress of the Blue Book.  Mr. Joyce indicated that Mr. Phil Roberts, University of Wyoming, is still working on some unfinished chapters.  Mr. Joyce stated that much of the cost of the project will be attributable to inclusion of an electronic format and version, and the binding process.

 

Artwork Security System

Wendy Madsen informed the Committee of the problems experienced with the artwork security system, which has not been active since the beginning of the 2007 Legislative Session.  Ms. Madsen indicated the need to bring the appropriate parties back to the table to solve this problem, including Capitol Protective Services and the Wyoming Highway Patrol.  Ms. Madsen further indicated that the Wyoming Highway Patrol would like to integrate the artwork security system in to their other systems. 

 

Committee Room Signs

Ms. Madsen informed the Committee that the two main problems with the tri-fold signs ordered for the Committee rooms are that they are too big and too heavy.  Another problem for placing the signs was created when the composites were moved around.

 

The Committee indicated that since the signs were purchased, they should be hung where they are able to be used.  A motion to hang the signs was moved and carried.

 

Composite Narratives

Ms. Madsen informed the Committee that the narratives were not able to be completed before the beginning of session, but would like one more thorough proof by State Museum staff.  After further proofing, the narratives can then be taken to Hobby Lobby for mounting.  The Committee indicated it would be nice to have the individual legislators identified and where their photographs are.  A motion to take the narratives to Hobby Lobby for mounting was moved and carried.

 

RFP For On-Going Projects

Ms. Madsen discussed the necessity of contracting with a project consultant for the various projects the Committee has going on right now.   A motion to proceed forward with an RFP for ongoing facilities project consultant was moved and carried.

 

Furniture

Ms. Madsen discussed development of a sole source contract to explain why LSO is continuing to purchase Haworth furniture. 

 

Project roles and responsibilities of Committee and others

Ms. Madsen discussed clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the Committee.

 

Capitol Preservation Foundation

Mr. Pauli explained that the Foundation was created in 1995 as a non-profit corporation whose purpose was to raise private donations for improvements to legislative facilities, particularly new desks. The Foundation obtained 501(c)(3) status under the IRS code so that contributions would be tax deductible.  The Foundation raised a small amount of money initially but eventually the Legislature decided to appropriate funds directly for new desks and other facilities projects and consequently the Foundation has been in an inactive status for a number of years.  In 2002 the Management Council discussed but decided against dissolving the Foundation. Mr. Pauli noted that the Foundation might be of use as a mechanism for accepting donations under the new art donation program if donations would not otherwise be tax deductible.  The Select Committee asked staff to investigate whether or not donations under the art donation program would be tax deductible in any event.  If the Foundation is not needed for this purpose, the Committee may consider once again approaching Management Council with a recommendation to dissolve the Foundation.

 

Other Business

Mr. Bill McIlvain, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, provided a handout and discussed his legislative historian proposal with the Committee. The Committee agreed that LSO Research should prepare research on this topic and that it should be addressed with Management Council.

 

Meeting Adjournment

There being no further business, Chairman Illoway adjourned the meeting at 3:45pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Representative Pete Illoway, Chairman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix		Appendix Topic		Appendix Description		Appendix Provider
1		Committee Sign-In Sheet		Lists meeting attendees		Legislative Service Office
2		Committee Meeting Agenda		Provides an outline of the topics the Committee planned to address at meeting		Legislative Service Office
3		Long-Term Space Planning Study and Capitol Renovation		Capitol Usage & Space Requirements handout; Wyoming Legislative Branch Future Space Requirements handout; hearing room options handouts		Department of Administration and Information
4		Long-Term Space Planning Study and Capitol Renovation		Timeline for the Capitol renovation		Department of Administration and Information
5		Skylight Renovation and Chamber Lighting Project		Timeline for the work and completion of the skylight renovation and chamber lighting project		Glen Garrett, AIA
6		Artwork Donation Policy		Outline of the policy goals, budget, selection committee, criteria, procedures, promotion, and administration		Wyoming State Museum
7		Governor's Portraits		Draft brochure of the Governor's Portraig project; outline of project description, selection process, timeline, and budget.		Wyoming State Museum
8		Blue Book		Outline of Blue Book contents, timeline for completion, and budget as of 4-9-2007		Wyoming State Museum
9		Other Business		Proposal for duties of a legislative historian; letter from Bill McIlvain; Wyoming House of Representatives Trivia		Mr. Bill McIlvain