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December 2, 2005
Room 302 Wyoming Capitol
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Representative Pete Illoway, Chairman
Senator Jayne Mockler, Chairman
Senator John Hanes
Senator Tony Ross
Representative Burke Jackson
Representative Layton Morgan
None
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 Illoway called the meeting to order at 1:00pm. The following sections summarize the Committee proceedings by topic. Please refer to Appendix 2 to review the Committee Meeting Agenda.
Minutes from the September 28, 2005 Committee meeting were approved without changes.
Chairman Illoway explained that the Task Force on Capitol Facilities has requested that the Select Committee look at legislative facility needs within the Capitol as part of their review of space and facility needs within the Capitol. Ms. Kae Warnock, from the National Conference of State Legislatures, provided background information for the Committee regarding Capitol renovation in other states. She noted that restoration of a state capitol is a huge undertaking and costs are high in both money and in time. She also noted that opportunities to renovate these buildings come once in a lifetime and that state legislatures have an opportunity to restore these facilities to their original splendor, while at the same time outfitting them for modern needs and technology. She explained the catalysts that drive Capitol restoration projects, including the need for repairs, wiring, heating, and space needs.
She discussed restoration projects in Texas, Michigan, and Wisconsin (see Appendix 3), provided information about the status of Capitol restoration and renovation projects across the country (see Appendix 4), and provided information about committee space in other states (see Appendix 5). The Committee asked Ms. Warnock about renovation in surrounding states including Utah and Montana. The Committee asked Ms. Warnock for her advice on how to proceed. Ms. Warnock offered the services of NCSL if the Committee would like the organization to provide technical assistance as it proceeds with decisions about the future of the building. She also recommended that the Committee identify a few states that have remodeled their Capitols and travel there to see the work that was done and to meet with other officials about their process for renovation.
Mr. Rich Cathcart, from the Department of Administration and Information’s Construction Management Division provided an update for the Committee on the future of renovation work within the Capitol Complex. He noted that his staff have been looking at the best ways to tackle a renovation of the Capitol, noting that it would be difficult to undertake the level of repair and restoration needed in the building while the building is occupied, even if the building was remodeled in stages or if wings were added. He mentioned the numerous issues that need to be addressed in the building. Mr. Cathcart explained the process for renovation currently being used for the Supreme Court and believes this process is a model for the eventual Capitol renovation. He explained that the occupants of the Supreme Court will be moved to other locations during the renovation. He noted that there has been interest expressed in constructing an executive office building, which could then house occupants of the Capitol while it was being renovated.
The Committee discussed the need for planning and funding of a renovation of the building. Senator Mockler noted that a ten-year master plan is needed to truly understand the needs and priorities for renovation and construction of facilities within the Capitol Complex. She also noted that the money for such an undertaking needs to be set aside now, so that the state will not miss the opportunity to address building issues during the boom. Representative Illoway noted that the state has commissioned several plans, but they have been put on a shelf. Mr. Cathcart noted that many of the plans were shelved due to a lack of funding. Mr. Cathcart noted that his staff are looking at options to acquire real estate and then they plan to develop plans to determine how much money needs to be set aside to accomplish the renovation.
Senator Mockler moved to request that A&I develop a conceptual master plan and costs for land acquisition, building construction for a new office building, and restoration costs of the Capitol and bring it back to the Committee for consideration of funding before the 2007 General Session. The motion carried.
Mr. Cathcart and Ms. Sylvie Rupp of A&I Construction Management Services provided an update for the Committee on the status of work to remodel the Joint Appropriations Committee in Room 204. The Committee toured Room 204 and Ms. Rupp explained that timeline for completion of the remodeling project in advance of the JAC’s budget hearings later in the month. The Committee took no additional action.
Ms. Wendy Madsen reminded the Committee that at its September 2005 meeting, the Committee decided that artificial lighting is the most appropriate solution to address concerns about lighting the stained glass in the House and Senate chambers and that the study should focus on artificial lighting options, rather than restoring natural sunlight to the stained glass through the cupolas. The Committee stressed that the study should look at museum-quality lighting and the consultant should have expertise in lighting stained glass. She recommended the Committee seek assistance in developing an RFQ for the project.
Mr. Randy Byers, of TDSi addressed the Committee regarding the RFQ, noting that TDSi would be willing to provide assistance in preparing an RFQ to solicit information from qualified design professionals. He explained that the Legislature needs to engage the services of a consultant familiar with these kind of installations, such as museum-lighting projects. Senator Mockler moved to contract on an hourly basis with TDSi to draft an RFQ to solicit information from qualified lighting design professionals to review museum-quality lighting options to better illuminate the stained glass in the House and the Senate and the corresponding costs and logistics of such options. The motion carried. Mr. Byers noted that TDSi’s services should not exceed $2,500, depending on the level of involvement TDSi is requested to participate in the RFQ process.
The Committee met with Mr. Roger Joyce and Mr. Curtis Gruebel, from the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources State Archives Division about updating the Wyoming Blue Book. Mr. Joyce explained that the term “blue book” generally refers to the printed collection of government facts and history that many states publish periodically. He noted that the Blue Book contains listings of all past governors, elected officials, election results, narratives about Wyoming history, significant events in Wyoming history, and biographies of Wyoming people. He stated that the Blue Book was last updated in 1990 and was updated to include a fifth volume.
Senator Mockler questioned why the publication has not been updated since 1990 and Mr. Gruebel explained that there has not been a request or funding to update it since that time. He noted that the Legislature provided a special appropriation for the publication in 1990 for Wyoming’s centennial. Senator Mockler urged State Archives to work with the University of Wyoming’s history department to update the publication. Mr. Joyce expressed interest in working with the University to update the publication. The Committee recommended that State Archives take the initiative to recommend funding to update the project every decade. Senator Mockler moved to send a letter to the Joint Appropriations Committee requesting that the JAC provide an appropriation to State Archives to update the Blue Book and that State Archives staff ensure the publication is updated every ten years. The motion carried.
Mr. Dan Weirling, of Muzak, presented information on the microphone switches in the House Chamber, the quality of the Senate Chamber sound system, and the Real Audio streams in the House and Senate. (See Appendix 6.)
Representative Illoway noted that on the House side, the users want an easier method of switching the microphones on and off. Mr. Weirling provided several options for the Committee’s consideration to address the issue, including remounting the existing switches, leaving the microphones on all the time, or purchasing new microphones. Mr. Pauli noted that sufficient funds existed in the LSO budget to purchase this equipment. After Committee discussion, Senator Mockler moved that LSO work with Muzak to purchase new microphones and equipment using existing LSO funds for the House in advance of the 2006 Budget Session. The motion carried.
Mr. Weirling also explained issues related to the quality of the Senate Sound system. He noted that the biggest issues are ensuring that each senator is speaking clearly and consistently into the microphone on each desk. He noted that the more the microphones are turned up at each desk, the more ambient sound in the room is amplified. He also explained that the existing speakers, which have been in place for many years in the Senate, create a feedback issue because of their location. He noted that the existing mixers should also be replaced with current technology. Senator Ross asked about the possibility of wireless lapel microphones and Mr. Weirling noted that the technology is expensive, they are battery operated, and users forget to turn the devices off. The Committee agreed that microphone technique would solve some of the sound system problems in the Senate and agreed that members need to be trained and reminded to use the microphones properly, especially given the number of people in Wyoming who listen to the debate over Real Audio. The Committee asked that the LSO draft a letter to Management Council requesting $30,000 to replace the existing sound system in the Senate and to remind senators to speak clearly into the microphones.
Mr. Weirling provided information to the Committee about the Real Audio connections that capture the floor debate in the House and Senate to broadcast over the Internet. He noted that the main problem with static in the lines is that the feed is routed through existing telephone lines. He suggested installing audio-shielded cable through direct conduit from the sound systems to the computers transmitting the Real Audio feed. Mr. Pauli noted that existing funds in the LSO budget could be used to purchase the new cable and for the labor costs involved in re-routing the cable. The Committee requested that LSO work with Muzak to address the problems with the Real Audio feeds in advance of the 2006 Budget Session.
Senator Mockler explained that after the fire drill was held during the 2005 session, the Cheyenne Fire Department provided a number of suggestions for improvements to Capitol evacuation procedures, including building and process issues. She explained that progress is being made in these areas, but that the Legislature should consider holding another fire drill during the 2006 Budget Session. The Committee requested that LSO send a letter to Management Council requesting a fire drill during the upcoming session (see Appendix 7.) Ms. Madsen updated the Committee on efforts of the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, the Wyoming Highway Patrol, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office to develop crisis response guidelines that are being prepared in response to a September meeting of the Select Committee on Legislative Facilities regarding emergency planning procedures for the legislative branch.
Ms. Madsen provided the Committee with copies of a draft policy for a legislative artwork donation program (see Appendix 8). Senator Hanes asked if the policy should specifically include statutory pieces and the Committee discussed issues related to the display and security of such pieces. Representative Illoway noted that the draft policy is a good start, but that there are still issues that need to be clarified in the administration of the system. He recommended that the draft policy be amended to clarify that the President and Speaker appoint all members of the Artwork Committee and that the Committee needs to be reappointed every biennium. Senator Mockler moved to forward the policy, with revisions, to Management Council for their consideration. The motion carried. Senator Mockler also noted that when the program is in place, the Committee needs to actively publicize and market the program.
Ms. Madsen updated the Committee on a number of ongoing projects, including the legislative composite project, committee room door signage, and the artwork security system.
Ms. Madsen explained that all of the composites have been returned from Denver, where they were re-gilded by Dry Creek Gold Leaf. She explained that Mr. Judy Sargent, the Capitol Tour Guide, has been working with A&I staff to re-hang the composites in more visible public spaces. Ms. Sargent explained that about 75 percent of the House composites have been hung and the remainder of the House photographs will be hung by the start of the 2006 Budget Session. The Senate composites will not be moved until after the completion of the session. She explained that the intention is to move House and Senate composites to bare walls throughout the third floor of the Capitol. Ms. Madsen explained that she is also working with Ms. Sargent to develop interpretative materials to hang beside the composites to provide additional information about the pieces. Representative Illoway requested that upon completion of the project, LSO develop a key to allow the public to find members’ photographs.
Ms. Madsen updated the Committee members on the status of installing the new artwork security system. She explained that protocols have been finalized between the LSO, the Wyoming Highway Patrol, the State Museum, and the Department of Administration and Information (A&I) regarding the administration of the system (See Appendix 9). She has been meeting with staff from CPS on installation issues and with A&I regarding monitoring the system after hours. The hardware and software vendor also held a demonstration for staff from the Wyoming Highway Patrol and the State Museum to show how the new system will work.
Ms. Madsen provided the Committee with cost information from Sign Products in Sheridan to create signs for committee room doors. The costs to trim out the signs in wood cost $729/sign, while the costs to trim the signs in brass would cost $800/sign. She explained that 15 signs were needed for five House committee rooms, nine Senate committee rooms and the Joint Appropriations Committee. Senator Mockler requested that two signs be created for the JAC, one for the Senate and one for the House. The Committee agreed that the signs should be trimmed in brushed brass that matches door hardware, so that the wood in different parts of the building would not need to be matched. Ms. Madsen explained that the work would not start until after the House and Senate composites have been relocated to determine the location of the signs, as well as the directions the hinged-signs will fold out.
The Committee considered projects proposed from the September 2005 meeting (see Appendix 10) and discussed additional projects that they would like to seek funding for during the 2006 Budget Session. The Committee questioned if $7,500 was adequate to remodel the LSO Main Office and requested that LSO contact A&I to obtain more accurate price information to recarpet, stencil, and paint the Office. The Committee requested that a letter be sent to Management Council asking them to consider the Committee’s budget requests as part of the legislative feed bill during the 2006 Budget Session.
Senator Mockler asked the Committee to consider the need for specialized cleaning in the Chambers of the Tiffany lamps, the True murals, and other hard-to-reach areas. She suggested the Committee consider seeking cost proposals for this work during the 2006 interim.
There being no further business, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 3:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Representative Pete Illoway, Chairman