Committee Meeting Information

April 15, 2008

Room H-17 State Capitol

Cheyenne, Wyoming

 

Committee Members Present

Representative Pete Illoway, Chairman

Senator Jayne Mockler, Chairman

Senator Michael Von Flatern

Representative Dan Dockstader

Representative Marty Martin

 

Committee Members Absent

Senator Tony Ross

 

Legislative Service Office Staff

Dan J. Pauli, Director

Mark Quiner, Assistant Director

Wendy K. Madsen, Legislative Information Officer

Anthony Sara, Associate 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.

 

 

Executive Summary

The Committee met for a one-day meeting on April 15, 2008 in Cheyenne.  The Committee met with staff from the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources to discuss the Wyoming Legislative Artwork Donation Program, the Governors’ Portrait Project, and the Blue Book update.  The Committee also received an update on the Capitol space study by Carter Goble Lee.  The Committee was provided information on the status of the skylight renovation and the remodeling project in Room 302, as well as a summary of the changes to the House and Senate sound systems.  The Committee discussed completion of other minor projects for FY07-08 and upcoming projects for FY09-10.

 

Call To Order

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

 

Approval of Minutes

Minutes from the November 19, 2007 Committee meeting were approved without changes.

 

Wyoming Legislative Artwork Donation Program Status

Milward Simpson, Director of the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources; Sara Needles, Administrator of the Division of Cultural Resources; and Lili Francuz, Curator of the Wyoming State Museum, updated the Committee on the status of the Wyoming Legislative Artwork Donation Program.   Mr. Simpson indicated the process is in motion to appoint members to the selection committee, although not all members have been confirmed yet.  Ms. Madsen indicated that appointments are forthcoming from the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate.

 

Mr. Simpson provided a sample piece of publicity (Appendix 3), as well as a list of other current and upcoming publicity pieces (Appendix 4) for the program.  Mr. Simpson informed the Committee that four artists have indicated interest in submitting art thus far.  The Committee further discussed ongoing and future efforts to generate awareness and cultivating interest in this program across the state.

 

The Committee was reminded that in addition to $7,500 for the administration of this program being transferred from LSO to the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, approximately $1,500 was also given to the Department to apply toward purchase of artwork in November 2007 as a result of the dissolution of the State Capitol Preservation Board.  Mr. Simpson also indicated that the Department can accept donations to purchase artwork for this program. 

 

Update on Past Governors’ Portraits

Mr. Simpson updated the Committee on the status of the painting of the past governors’ portraits.  Mr. Simpson informed the Committee that five portraits are currently being painted and two studies have been submitted at this time of Governor Geringer and Governor Hansen (see Appendix 5), and are on schedule to be completed this June.  Upon completion of these portraits, there will be seven past governors’ portraits left to paint.  Further discussion indicated a desire by the Committee and Mr. Simpson to have an unveiling ceremony for the portraits when they are completed.   

 

The Committee also discussed hanging the new portraits, along with the existing portraits in Room 302, in the East and West wings of the first floor.  Mr. Simpson informed the Committee that the Governor has indicated support for these locations to re-hang the portraits, but does not want the law enforcement display to be disturbed.  A memorandum from the Co-chairs of the Committee will be sent to the Management Council recommending that Council request that the Governor’s Office hang the portraits on the first floor (Appendix 6).

 

For portraits to be painted with FY09-10 funds, Mr. Simpson commented that the Portrait Committee may want to consider inviting the two artists that are painting the current portraits to paint the additional portraits; however, the Portrait Committee also has the option to put out another call for artists.  For FY09-10, the Legislature appropriated $90,000, which according to Ms. Francuz, should be enough to complete the remaining seven portraits.  Ms. Francuz also informed the Committee that framing of the portraits was bid out and awarded to Frame Masters in Cheyenne.  The frames for these portraits are custom built in North Carolina, and cost around $1,500 per frame.

 

Blue Book Update and Digital Blue Book Presentation

Mr. Simpson informed the Committee that the Blue Book will be completed and ready for binding around May 30, 2008.  A timeline was provided by Mr. Roger Joyce as to the completion of this project (Appendix 7).  Depending upon the binding vendor chosen, the Blue Book could be bound by the end of June.  They are also working on an electronic version of the Blue Book.  Mr. Roger Joyce, State Archivist, commented that up to this point, only $7,500 of the $300,000 appropriated for this project has been spent; however, the exact cost of the binding is not known at this point.  The ability to hold down costs has been largely due to the use of graduate students under the supervision of Dr. Phil Roberts at the University of Wyoming.  The Committee commented that the Department may want to consider putting money in their budget recommendation to fund this project in the future.

 

Mr. Joyce and Mr. Curtis Gruebel, State Parks and Cultural Resources, presented a copy of the brochure (Appendix 8) that will be used to advertise the Blue Book and provide a form with which people may purchase a copy of the book.  In addition to the paper brochure, advertising through the State Parks webpage is also being addressed.  The Committee discussed planning an unveiling ceremony for the new version of the Blue Book. 

 

Dr. Roberts commented that this Blue Book will be different from the previously printed editions and he would like it to function more like a “guidebook to Wyoming” rather than a book that will sit on a shelf and collect dust.   Mr. Roberts walked the Committee through the layout and themes of the book.  Ms. Peggy Beiber-Roberts presented a sample of the Blue Book in electronic format to the Committee.   Dr. Roberts also explained a process that he is working on with State Archives to incorporate elements of the electronic version of the Blue Book into the requirements to teach about the Constitution at the University of Wyoming and community colleges.  They are seeking a National Endowment for the Humanities grant for this additional work.   

 

Update on Phase II of Carter Goble Lee Space Study

Ms. Wendy Madsen provided the Committee a brief recap of the status of the space study.  Mr. Steve Carter addressed the Committee via teleconference about the progress on Phase II of the study.  Mr. Carter commented that the space projections in Phase I have been updated to reflect Management Council’s preference for six shared hearing rooms for each body rather than four, and indicated this increases legislative space needs to about 78,000 square feet total.  He is currently preparing an analysis of the space needs of the constitutional officers in the Capitol for Phase II, similar to the work in Phase I for the legislative branch.  Mr. Carter also informed the Committee that he is surveying other state capitols, including six other citizen legislatures, to determine how they addressed similar issues.

 

Mr. Rich Cathcart, Department of Administration and Information, commented that ultimately the decision about who stays in the Capitol and who moves out to another building will have to be made.  He further commented that using the Herschler Building as an extension of the Capitol has been discussed.  Ms. Suzanne Norton,  Department of Administration and Information, provided the Committee with copies of Capitol Vision 2020 plan prepared by GSG Architecture and Civitas, Inc. in 2003 (Appendix 9).

Skylight Renovation and Chamber Lighting Project Update

Mr. Scott Catellier, Edwards Construction, and Mr. Glen Garrett, project architect, updated the Committee on the progress of the skylight renovation project at this point, including removing old lighting and conduit, and rewiring in both chambers.  The metal decking will remain in place over the stained glass until the skylights are installed in order to further protect the glass.  In addition, the cupolas will also remain in place during the process to maintain the integrity of the roof.  At this point, it appears the project will likely be completed around mid-to-late August 2008.  Senator Mockler requested that staff set up media tours of the project to provide access to the media for both before and after photographs and video footage of the project. 

 

Mr. Glen Garrett informed the Committee that lights in the House and Senate Chambers are being made to order, which is a common practice for these types of lights.  In addition, Mr. Garrett discussed the restoration work that will be done to accommodate the sconces that were returned from the Governor’s residence that were originally in the House Chamber.  Appendix 10 is a copy of the April 15, 2008 memorandum to First Lady Nancy Freudenthal from the Co-Chairs of the Committee concerning the replacement of the sconces in the Governor’s residence.

 

Update on Remodeling and Furnishings Project

Ms. Jo Haley, TDSi, Inc., provided the Committee with an update of the remodeling and furnishings projects she was been working on that were authorized by the Committee.  The Senate break room came in within budget.  She also provided the Committee with the final layout for Room 302 and a timeline for the project.  In addition, she explained the furnishings, finishes and components in the room, including K2 Audio’s recommendation to install plasma screens instead of ceiling mounted projectors and drop-down screens.  The Committee discussed options to tie into the State’s videoconferencing system with these components.  (A packet of information regarding the layout of Room 302, the timeline for completion, budget components, and information about the plasma screens are attached as Appendix 11).

 

Ms. Madsen noted that, at the direction of the Committee, LSO will sole source the construction of the furnishings in Room 302 to Eggli Bros. to ensure the furniture in the room matches the desks in the Chambers and in Room 204, also constructed by Eggli Bros.  In addition, Eggli Brothers will construct a new podium for 302, as well as additional coat racks requested by the Committee.   Ms. Madsen indicated that new podiums may also be needed in the House and Senate to allow for the additions of microphones on the podiums.  She does not have a price, yet, for this work, but will e-mail the Committee with a price proposal for this work. 

 

Ms. Haley informed the Committee that rather than having to cut into the floor to make troughs for the new wiring, two other options have been identified.  One option is to access the ceiling in Room 204 and come up through the floor in Room 302.  The second option is to run wiring from Room 302 down through the ceiling in Room 204, although this will make Room 204 inoperable for a while.  Ms. Haley will be working with A&I to determine if these other options are feasible alternatives to cutting the floor.

 

The Committee discussed the potential need for Room 302 to have a security camera installed since the wiring infrastructure will already be in place as a result of the sound system work being done.  Ms. Madsen will contact the Wyoming Highway Patrol about the possibility of adding a security camera. 

 

House and Senate Chambers Sound Systems

Ms. Joy Hill updated the Committee on the installation of the new sound systems in the House and Senate chambers before the 2008 Session.  The Senate received new digital processors, equipment racks, zoned speaker systems, a touch screen control at the President’s desk, hearing impaired system, media outlets, new ceiling speakers, ambient microphone, and new streaming software.  The Committee elected to use the existing microphones of the old system.  Ms. Hill explained the problems experienced in the Senate during the first week of session, including problems with the touch screen and audio streaming.  These problems were ultimately resolved by K2 Audio and Summit Integrated. 

 

In the House Chamber, new digital processors and racks, a zoned speaker system, new ceiling speakers, hearing impaired system, and an ambient microphone were installed.  There were some problems with the House system in the first week of session as well, including adjusting House lobby levels on the speakers, and issues with the ambient microphone and audio streaming. 

 

LSO staff will be working with K2 Audio and Summit Integrated during the interim to address punch list items, such as a resolution for the streaming problems and other small repairs needed.  The contractors will also install system change orders including: changing the light indicators on the Senate microphones, adding a speaker at the southeast podium in the House, adding speakers behind the glass in both the House and Senate; installing a feed from the CD/DVD/laptop system into the sound system for presentations in the House, adding a wireless microphone for the reading clerk in the House, and determining options to stream classical music through the internet feed when the bodies are at ease.   

 

Ms. Hill commented that Room 302 will have a total of eight shared microphones with speakers on the committee table, two microphones and speakers at the presenter’s table, and one microphone and speaker at the staff table.  There will also be a microphone mounted on a tabletop podium for press conferences and press feeds will be added in the room.  In addition, two plasma screens will be mounted on the east and west walls, and K2 Audio is looking into video conferencing options.  The Committee added the staff may want to look into adding a hearing impaired system to Room 302.

 

Update on Other Projects for FY07-08

Duress Alarms

Ms. Hill updated the Committee on the status of duress alarms installed in the Capitol.  This past summer, eight new alarms were installed in the House and Senate.  Management Council indicated an alarm should be installed in Room 302, as well, due to high profile meetings that often occur in that room.  So, LSO ordered four additional alarms.  In addition to the fixed alarms, the remaining alarms can be checked out.   

 

Committee Room Photographs

Senator Mockler updated the Committee on additional photographs that she is working with State Archives to obtain, including photographs for the House and Senate break rooms.  She also explained that the JAC would like their photographs reframed in cherry wood.  The Committee recommended that LSO determine the cost to frame these pieces in cherry and provide that information to JAC. 

 

Legislative Composite Narratives

Ms. Madsen informed the Committee that the composites are nearly completed, pending some additional material to be added by LSO, and that the Department of Administration and Information staff will hang the composites in the interim.  They need to be sent to Hobby Lobby for framing and should be completed by the Committee’s next meeting.  Ms. Madsen also informed the Committee that a master copy will be available to provide to the public and staff will prepare a brochure about the exhibit.

 

Committee Room Signs

Ms. Madsen requested direction from the Committee regarding hanging the committee room signs.  After the signs were ordered and the composites were re-hung, there is no longer enough room for all of the signs to be hung.  She also explained that the Committee will need to hire a graphic designer to provide cover art for the signs because the cover art is not a standard paper size; however, funds will not be available for this work until the beginning of the fiscal year.  The Committee requested that LSO have a few signs hung for the Committee to look at the next meeting to decide how to proceed. 

Future Planning for Projects Funded for FY09-10

Ms. Wendy Madsen, LSO, reminded the Committee that a contract was entered into for FY07-08 with Jo Haley of TDSi, Inc. to work on various Committee projects.  An additional $20,000 was appropriated to continue this contract for FY09-10.  Currently, Ms. Haley is coordinating all of the work that is being done in Room 302.  After Room 302 is completed, FY09-10 funds should be available for TDSi to begin working on leadership and committee secretary furnishings.  Ms. Madsen indicated that the Committee has an additional $42,000 for leadership furnishings and $50,000 for secretary desks.   

 

Meeting Adjournment

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Representative 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		Wyoming Legislative Artwork Donation Program		Sample advertisement for the Wyoming Legislative Artwork Donation Program		Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources
4		Wyoming Legislative Artwork Donation Program		List of publicity completed and in progress for the Artwork Donation Program		Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources
5		Past Governors’ Portraits		Memo from Co-chairs of Legislative Facilities Committee to Management Council regarding relocating existing and locating newly commissioned portraits		Legislative Service Office
6		Past Governors’ Portraits		Sample studies of Governor Geringer and Governor Hansen		Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources
7		Blue Book Update		Updated timeline for Blue Book project		Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources
8		Blue Book Update		Sample Blue Book brochure		Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources
9		Skylight Renovation and Chamber Lighting Project		Wyoming State Capitol District Vision 2020 Plan prepared by GSG Architecture and Civitas, Inc. in October 2003		Department of Administration and Information
10		Skylight Renovation and Chamber Lighting Project		Memo to First Lady Nancy Freudenthal from the Co-chairs of the Legislative Facilities Committee regarding replacement of sconces in Governors’ residence		Legislative Service Office
11		Remodeling and Furnishings Projects		Schematic of configuration of 302 furniture; timeline for the project; project costs sheet; information sheet regarding plasma screens		TDSi, Inc.