Committee Meeting Information

October 13, 2008

Room 302, State Capitol

Cheyenne, Wyoming

 

Committee Members Present

Representative Pete Illoway, Chairman

Senator Jayne Mockler, Chairman

Senator Tony Ross

Senator Michael Von Flatern

Representative Dan Dockstader

Representative Marty Martin

 

Committee Members Absent

None

 

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 unveiled the remodeling projects for Room 302 and the House and Senate skylights.  In addition, the Committee also received updates on the progress of the composite narratives project, House and Senate sound system punch list items, the past governors’ portrait Project, the Legislative Artwork Donation Program, and the Wyoming Blue Book.  The Committee also discussed new 2009 projects, such as furnishings for leadership offices and committee rooms, as well as committee room signs.

 

Call To Order

Chairman Illoway called the meeting to order at 9:00 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 April 15, 2008 Committee meeting were approved without changes (Appendix 3).

 

Opening comments

Chairman Illoway recognized all individuals, including former committee members who were instrumental in the completion of the remodeling projects. 

 

Unveiling of Room 302 and Demonstration of Room Capabilities

The Committee viewed a slideshow of the construction progress of Room 302.  Chairman Illoway and Mockler recognized the coordination of parties necessary to bring this project to fruition.  As such, Certificates of Recognition were presented to all parties involved in the renovation Room 302.

 

Mr. Kevin Hodgson, K2 Audio, LLC. from Boulder, Colorado, demonstrated the audio and visual capabilities in Room 302, including the sound system, recording, television, DVD, computer presentations, and videoconferencing systems.  He explained that videoconferencing can be used across the state or across the nation. 

 

Mr. Joel Maslak presented information on the videoconferencing system, including how the room will integrate into the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information Wyoming Video Conferencing System (WVCS).  The WVCS has locations throughout the state.  The room may be scheduled by anyone in government and there are A&I and temporary staff available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Friday, to run the system.  Although Room 302 will be integrated into WVCS, it will treated differently in that any scheduling will happen in coordination with LSO staff and will not be scheduled as a public videoconferencing location.  He noted that the Wyoming Equality Network (WEN), the Department of Education’s video conferencing system, also ties into the WVCS.  Mr. Maslak commented to the Committee that use of video conferencing will decrease travel costs for members who have to come from the other side of the state to a meeting.  Other potential uses of the system may also include increased ability for the public to interact in meetings and accommodating expert testimony without the need to attend a meeting in person. 

 

In terms of the component operation of the system, Mr. Maslak demonstrated to the Committee that the cameras focus on who is speaking: however, the cameras are not positioned to capture the audience due to constraints within the room itself.  Mr. Maslak further commented that this system is state of the art and should last for a long time.  There will be a Memorandum of Understanding drafted between the LSO and A&I’s Information and Administration Technology Division regarding provision of technical assistance to maintain and operate the system.  The Committee inquired about the capability to broadcast meetings to television for the public.  Mr. Maslak indicated that this is not a current capability of the system, but once A&I is able to purchase the appropriate equipment, that will be a possibility.

Ms. Wendy Madsen discussed additional furnishing needs for Room 302, including an additional staff table, along with a lectern base for the new lectern.  The Committee moved to have these furnishings constructed by Al Eggli for the room.  The Committee also agreed that the oak audience chairs should remain in Room 302.

 

Unveiling of Chamber Skylights and Lighting Systems

The Committee was given a tour of the renovated skylights and new lighting systems installed in the House and Senate Chambers.  Ms. Madsen informed the Committee that there are several settings for the lighting in the chambers and that the chief clerks will be trained on the use of those settings.  The Committee discussed the interim lighting setting and whether there was adequate light from the skylights in the interim.  She explained that early and late in the day and on cloudy days, the chandeliers help to augment the natural light in the room.

 

Composite Narratives

Mr. Anthony Sara provided the Committee with copies of the completed composite narratives as well as a composite brochure for a self-guided tour (Appendix 4).  Mr. Sara informed the Committee that LSO will be preparing a podcast for individuals to download on to their personal iPods if they wish to take the self-guided tour.  The Committee requested LSO staff provide all legislators with copies of the composites and the brochure, and make this information available at the Capitol tours desk in the Rotunda.  The Committee also discussed whether A&I may be willing to pay for copies of the narratives to be purchased at the Capitol tours desk.  Ms. Madsen explained that the LSO can provide copies to the tour desk and a master copy to A&I. 

 

House and Senate Chambers Sound System

Ms. Joy Hill provided the Committee with an update of the remaining punch list items to be completed by Summit Integrated Systems and K2 Audio, Inc. on the House and Senate sound systems prior to the beginning of the 2009 Legislative Session.  Punch list items included the following:

 

House Chamber sound system:

·         Increase the volume in the Speaker of the House’s office;

·         Check volume knob in House lobby;

·         Install speaker at southeast lectern;

·         Install audio input for computer or DVD in front of chamber in audio rack;

·         Install wireless gooseneck microphone for Speaker’s desk.

Senate Chamber sound system:

·         Change LED light so when microphone is on, so is the light;

Both Chambers:

·         Install speakers behind the bar (glass) in the back of chamber;

·         Identify new location for audio streaming equipment;

·         Improve wire protection for the streaming equipment;

·         Rewire desktop speakers with softer wiring for strain relief;

·         Install microphone at lecterns for special guests in front of chambers.

After discussion, the Committee elected not to install speakers in the backs of the chambers. 

 

Ms. Hill also updated the Committee on a couple of proposals for additions to the systems:

·         Proposal to install DVD or CD player in the audio rack in the front of the House chamber that integrates with the sound system;

·         Proposal to replace existing projector (in rolling cabinet) used in the House with a mounted projector (she noted that this proposal will have to be considered by the Select Technology Committee as well);

·         Proposal to allow option for audio in the Chambers only and not in the rest of the building for non-session uses.

 

Update on Past Governors’ Portraits

Mr. Manny Vigil, State Museum, and Mr. Roger Joyce, State Archivist, discussed the unveiling ceremony of the governors’ portraits, which took place on October 3, 2008.  Portraits were unveiled for the following former governors:  J.J. “Joe” Hickey (1959-1961), Clifford P. Hansen (1963-1967), Stanley K. Hathaway (1967-1975), Michael J. Sullivan (1987-1995), and James E. Geringer (1995-2003).  Two brochures were provided by Mr. Vigil and Mr. Joyce commemorating the ceremony. (Appendix 5)  The artists chosen to paint the portraits, Ms. Galena Perova and Ms. Michele Rushworth, were chosen through a competitive process by a selection committee.  Mr. Joyce informed the Committee that an additional seven portraits are scheduled to be painted and completed by July 2010.  The previously mentioned artists have been retained for these additional portraits and an artist from Jackson, Mr. Dave McNalley, has been submitted an application to paint two of the portraits, as well.

 

The Committee inquired as to where the portraits are to be hung.  Mr. Vigil indicated that initially the portraits were to be hung on the first floor; however, discussion is ongoing with the State Building Commission concerning the most appropriate place hang the portraits.  The Committee asked that a letter be drafted to submit to Management Council to encourage the State Building Commission to hang the portraits on the first floor.  If Council does not want to send the letter under its signature, the Committee would like permission to send the letter from the Committee.

 

Wyoming Legislative Artwork Donation Program Status

Ms. Madsen informed the Committee that the State Museum prepared a brochure and purchased ad space in a variety of publications and art collector magazines to advertise and garner interest in the artwork donation program.  Mr. Vigil commented that the advertising is new and, as such, he has not received any offers to donate or loan pieces yet.

 

The Committee also discussed the artwork that is to be put in Room 302 and the Chambers for the 2009 General Session.  As in the past, pieces will be loaned from the State Museum.  In addition, Deselms Art Gallery has offered to loan some pieces to the Legislature, and there may be some opportunity to borrow some pieces from museums or galleries in Jackson.

 

Blue Book Presentation

Mr. Joyce and Mr. Curtis Greubel, State Archives, discussed the progress of the Blue Book project and provided a status sheet to the Committee (Appendix 6).  Mr. Joyce informed the Committee that the Blue Book has not been published, but he did provide the Committee with a soft cover version of the contents of the Blue Book. (Appendix 7)  The Blue Book printing is expected to be completed in December, 2008.  Mr. Joyce further informed the Committee that the Blue Book will be in a digital format, including digitizing previous Blue Book volumes, using the existing appropriation.  The Committee asked that a complete set of the Blue Books is available in both the House and Senate chambers during session for legislators to review.

 

Update on Other Projects for FY09-10

Ms. Madsen discussed the appropriation for new furnishings for leadership offices.  Ms. Jo Haley, TDSi, Inc. will work with leadership and session staff during the session and begin designing those offices during the 2009 interim.  She also noted that Ms. Haley is working with the chief clerks regarding the appropriation to purchase new furnishings for secretaries in all of the committee rooms.

 

The Committee agreed to move the chairs that are currently at the committee table in Room 302 to the leadership offices and order black Haworth chairs for Room 302.  This will protect the chairs that are currently in Room 302, which are no longer being manufactured and will serve as replacement pieces for the chambers, when those chairs break.

 

Ms. Madsen informed the Committee that four more coat racks, as well as lecterns in the House and Senate chambers were delivered by Al Eggli. 

 

Other Business

Committee room signs

The Committee looked at the signs that were hung outside of Room 302 and requested that another be hung outside of Room 204.  The Committee decided to see how these signs work during session to determine whether to hang more during the 2009 interim.  LSO staff will either develop a cover design for the signs in-house or may need to hire a graphic designer to develop a cover.

 

New 2009 projects

Senator Ross moved to have Ms. Haley develop price information for new committee hearing tables to include as an amendment to the 2009 supplemental budget.  The motion carried. 

 

The Committee expressed concern regarding a tripping hazard around the printers on House side and recommended getting smaller tables in that area to reduce the tripping hazard.

 

Meeting Adjournment

The Committee does not plan to meet again this interim.  Chairman Illoway thanked Senator Mockler for her service to the committee during the past several years.  There being no further business, Chairman Illoway adjourned the meeting at 2:40 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		Composite Narratives		Self-Guided Tour brochure and composite narratives packet		Legislative Service Office
4		Past Governors’ Portraits		Unveiling of the Portraits of Former Wyoming State Governors pamphlets		Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources
5		Blue Book Presentation		Status of the Wyoming Blue Book Project		Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources
6		Blue Book Presentation		Wyoming Blue Book soft cover example		Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources