Committee Meeting Information

April 12, 2006
Room 302 Wyoming Capitol
Cheyenne, Wyoming

 

Committee Members Present

Representative Pete Illoway, Chairman

Senator Jayne Mockler, Chairman

Senator John Hanes

Senator Tony Ross (morning only)

Representative Burke Jackson

Representative Layton Morgan

 

Committee Members Absent

Senator Tony Ross (afternoon only)

 

Legislative Service Office Staff

Wendy K. Madsen, Legislative Information Officer

Joy 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

Chairman Illoway called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.  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 December 2, 2005 Committee meeting were approved without any changes.  Representative Illoway noted that the Legislature has recognized the work of the committee providing appropriations for all of the projects the Committee proposed for the upcoming biennium.  

 

Update on Status of FY05/06 Projects

Ms. Wendy Madsen addressed the committee regarding biennium money to be encumbered or spent by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2006.  Ms. Madsen also reminded the Committee that FY05-06 projects have yet to be completed and should have higher priority for completion than projects approved for FY07-08. 

                       

Restoration of Legislator Composite Frames

Ms. Madsen explained that the restoration of legislative composites has been a multi-year effort, with the last appropriation for the project made in the 2004 Budget Session to restore damaged legislator composite photograph frames.  All of the composites have been repaired by Dry Creek Gold Leaf from Denver.  Approximately $15,000 is remaining from the appropriation and a portion of these funds will be used by the State Museum to replace some of the backings on the composites that are not acid-free.  In addition, approximately $1,000 will be used by Lifestyle Photography to repair the 1977 photograph to save it from further deterioration. 

 

The Committee discussed their interest in adding narrative and interpretive text displays next to the composites to provide national and state context and notable legislative milestones related to the eras of each group of composite photographs.  The Committee discussed contracting with former Capitol Tour Guide Judy Sargent to summarize available historical information for narrative labels.  The Committee also expressed its desire to have an electronic database of historical legislator information and a directory of the composites indicating where each legislator can be found.  Ms. Madsen noted that the LSO is working on such a database.  Senator Mockler moved to contract with Ms. Sargent to develop the narrative labels and to possibly expand the contract in the future for Ms. Sargent to provide data entry services for the database and to create the directory, unless this work can be completed by LSO staff.  The motion carried. 

 

Restoration of Historic Benches

Ms. Madsen noted that at its September 2005 meeting, the Committee moved to approve a bid from Wooden Works of $29,633 to restore 11 historic benches with a planned start date of the spring of 2006, contingent upon an additional appropriation for the bidder to complete work on all benches in 2006. Ms. Madsen explained that with the additional appropriation provided during the 2006 Budget session.  Wooden Works has picked up the benches and anticipates completion of the work by mid-summer. 

 

Committee Room Door Signage

At its September 2005 meeting, the Committee voted to approve Sign Products from Sheridan to create 15 hinged signs for committee room information trimmed in brass.  Sign Products estimates the cost of brass signs to total $800 per sign.  Ms. Madsen explained that the work will begin later in the spring, because the Committee requested that the work begin after the legislative composite locations have been finalized to ensure that the sign locations do not change. 

Remodeling of Chamber Front Desks

The chief clerks have provided input about their needs for remodeling the chamber front desks, which include restoration of woodwork, updating technology and wiring, and improving storage components and space beneath the desks.  Ms. Madsen explained that LSO is working with TDSi to develop a plan for the changes and coordinate the work. 

 

Capitol Artwork Security System

Ms. Madsen provided an update on the artwork security system.  Corporate Protective Services has installed the necessary hardware and software for the system and will be training State Museum and Highway Patrol staff in the next several weeks on how to operate the system.  The State Museum will also secure pieces that hang permanently within the chambers and lobbies and will affix security tags to temporary pieces, as needed.  If the signal strength reaches Room 302, the Governor’s portraits will also be tagged.  The wireless system has receivers in the House and Senate with the alarm system located at the WHP Capitol Desk.  WHP will respond to alarms.  After hours the system alarms at the A&I Help Desk and A&I will contact the WHP.  The Committee requested more bronze tags be ordered and be on hand for temporary pieces.

Basement Re-carpeting

During the 2005 General Session, the Legislature appropriated funding to LSO to re-carpet and repaint the offices acquired in the east wing of the Capitol basement, but the project was put on hold due to potential asbestos concerns.  At its September 2005 meeting, the Task Force on Capitol Facilities recommended the State Building Commission encumber the remaining $75,000 of the Task Force’s budget for asbestos abatement projects in the east wing and central corridor of the basement and for recarpeting in the central corridor area of the basement.  Ms. Madsen explained that rather than tear out the existing carpet, which would require asbestos abatement, A&I’s construction management staff have recommended re-carpeting, with tile carpeting similar to that in Room 204, over the existing carpet rather than undertaking asbestos abatement at this time, as asbestos abatement will be part of the building-wide renovation in the future.    

 

House Sound System

Ms. Madsen explained that new microphones with touch sensors, a new auto-mixer, distribution amp, and media feeds were installed in the House at the end of the 2005 interim and that the system had excellent sound quality during the session. 

 

Remediation of Fire Drill Deficiencies

Ms. Madsen summarized the work that has been done to address fire drill deficiencies identified by the Cheyenne Fire Department after a fire drill during the 2005 General Session.  She noted that during the 2005 interim, LSO worked with the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, the Wyoming Highway Patrol, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office to develop crisis response guidelines and brochures, which were distributed to legislators and staff during the 2006 Budget Session.  In the 2006 interim, LSO will work with these entities and House and Senate staff to develop detailed procedures for legislative staff with emergency responsibilities and to develop continuity of government plans.  The Committee recommended that Management Council authorize a fire drill to be conducted during the 2007 General Session.  The Committee requested the Guidelines be distributed to all staff and legislators in January. 

 

Mike Doan, A&I General Services Division, provided an update on the status of work on the Capitol fire escapes, which had not been inspected for some time and were built in 1958.  Mr. Doan reported an engineering firm inspected the fire escapes and initial safety work was done prior to the 2006 Budget Session.  Mr. Doan informed the Committee that the escapes are currently safe to use, and are structurally sound.  Additional work will be done on the fire escapes during the 2006 interim and A&I is determining whether to refinish or replace the existing structures. 

 

Tour of Chamber Skylights (Committee proceeds to Dome)

The Committee toured the chamber skylights and the Capitol dome from 9:45 am to 10:30 am.  Mike Doan, A&I General Services Division, provided the tour and explained to the Committee the importance of evaluating how to more easily maintain the lights over the chambers.  Senator Mockler expressed interest in evaluating options to install stained glass above the second floor stair cases in the future and the Committee recommended that A&I clean the stained glass above the Rotunda.  The Committee suggested new legislators tour these areas during new legislator orientation. 

 

Completion of RFQ for Study of Artificial
Lighting of Chamber Stained Glass

Randy Byers, TDSi, presented the RFQ for the study of lighting for the chamber stained glass.  In his analysis, he discussed the scope of services, problems to be solved, programmatic requirements, and a schedule for the project.  Mr. Byers also suggested the RFQ include an analysis of the lighting of the stained glass in the Rotunda and Room 302.  Mr. Byers suggested that the Committee select a consultant based solely on qualifications and then negotiate a contract for services with that consultant.  He emphasized the importance of expertise in this type of project. 

 

To solicit bids, Mr. Byers suggested the Committee consider sending the RFQ to the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD).  He asked the Committee to consider if it would prefer all members review the statements of qualification (SOQ) received or whether to appoint a subcommittee to review the SOQ’s and narrow down the list of potential interviewees.  He recommended the Committee interview the short-listed candidates in person.  TDSi offered to prepare an evaluation and ranking process for the Committee to use in the preliminary and final selection process.  Mr. Byers further suggested on interview days a tour should be conducted in the morning, and then conduct the interview in the afternoon. 

 

Senator Ross moved the Committee proceed with the RFQ as outlined and to appoint a subcommittee comprised of the Committee Chairmen, staff from A&I, Randy Byers and Wendy Madsen to narrow down potential candidates and for the full committee to conduct candidate interviews and make the final selection of a consultant.  Motion carried. 

 

Tour of Second and Third Floor of Capitol

The Committee toured the second and third floor of the Capitol from 10:55 am to 11:50 am to evaluate potential future projects for the Committee.  Representative Illoway requested that the Committee evaluate furniture needs for leadership offices in the future.  Ms. Sargent also provided a historical tour of the second and third floors for the Committee.  The Committee thanked Judy Sargent for all of her work in assisting the Committee, as she provides an excellent historical overview.

 

Committee Recess

The Committee recessed for lunch at 11:50 am.

 

Projects Approved for FY07-08 in SF0002

 

Updating Wyoming Blue Book

The Committee came back to order at 1:10pm.  Mr. Roger Joyce and Mr. Curtis Greubel, Wyoming State Archives, addressed the Committee regarding the appropriation to update the Wyoming Blue Book.  Mr. Joyce provided a handout (see Appendix 3) regarding the content of the next version, and stated that Archives has contacted Dr. Phil Roberts from the University of Wyoming about assisting with research for the publication.  Mr. Roberts’s history class will help with the updates, using research available from State Archives.  They also noted that Ms. Rose Wagner, who helped edit the last version, would be willing to assist in updating the publication.  Mr. Greubel anticipates completion by the end of the calendar year, if possible.  Mr. Joyce commented that Archives is reviewing publications from other states and is getting ideas from other editors.  The Committee questioned how Archives will market the latest edition once it is completed.  Mr. Greubel stated that last time the book was updated, full-color flyers were distributed with tear-off coupons for ordering purposes.  The Committee suggested using a similar approach again and that funds appropriated for the publication could be used for marketing, as well.  Archives estimates that printing 1,500 volumes will cost about $35,000.  The Committee urged Archives to provide copies to all libraries in the state and to price the complete set at a reasonable rate.  The Committee recommended that LSO contract with State Archives to complete the Blue Book, for a cost not to exceed $300,000. 

 

Purchase of new committee and audience chairs

Ms. Madsen provided the Committee with information about the appropriation of $50,000 to replace committee member and audience chairs in committee rooms.  At its December 2005 meeting, the Committee voted to request funding for new committee chairs.  The Committee received price information from TDSi for 100 Haworth cloth chairs for all committees.  The Committee requested a sample of the fabric options for the committee chairs at its next meeting.  The Committee discussed purchasing uniform chairs for audience seating (black stacking vinyl) for all committee rooms to allow for more flexibility in arrangement of seating in the rooms. 

 

Equipment for Medical Aid Station

At the September 2005 meeting, Ms. Susie Pouliot, Executive Director of the Wyoming Medical Society, addressed the Committee regarding the costs of equipment for the Medical Aid Station, including an exam table, stool, cot, wheelchair, scale, medicine cabinet, privacy panel, and chairs.  At its December 2005 meeting, the Committee voted to request funding for equipment for the Medical Aid Station.  The Committee received an appropriation of $2,000 to replace the equipment in the Medical Aid Station.  LSO will work with the Wyoming Medical Society to purchase necessary equipment before the 2007 Legislative session begins. 

 

Historic coat racks

The Committee received an appropriation of $7,000 to purchase reproduction coat racks for the Chamber hallways in the Senate and the House.  Eggli Brothers submitted a quote in December 2005, to build seven new reproduction coat racks for all chamber hallway racks.  Eggli provided a quote of $6,800 to construct the seven racks.  Senator Mockler moved the Committee proceed with Eggli Brothers’ price quote on producing new coat racks, if the price quote still holds when the funds become available on July 1, 2006.  The motion carried. 

 

Room 204 and Room 302 furnishings

Senator Mockler explained the $30,000 appropriation for furnishings in Room 204 and Room 302.  She noted differences in the color and style of furnishings in Room 204 and recommended that tables that match the committee desks be purchased for Room 204.  She also explained that filing cabinets with credenza tops are needed in Room 204.  The Committee suggested moving the tables from Room 204 up to Room 302, and removing the existing tables in Room 302, which are too wide and less functional for a hearing room.  The Committee requested that TDSi prepare a schematic of furnishing options for the two rooms.  The Committee also expressed concern about the folding tables LSO staff works at during meetings in Room 302 and would like to purchase more suitable work desks for staff during meetings.  Senator Mockler moved the Committee authorize TDSi to develop floor plans for furnishings in Room 204 and Room 302 for the next meeting.  The motion carried.  

 

Commission past governor portraits 

Ms. Madsen explained that the Committee received an appropriation of $70,000 to commission portraits of past governors who have not had official portraits painted.  Mr. Milward Simpson, Wyoming State Museum, offered the services of the Wyoming State Museum to commission the portraits.  Mr. Simpson noted that State Museum staff could investigate how many governors have not had official portraits painted, and go out to bid to commission an artist or artists to complete the work.  Mr. Simpson noted that State Museum staff will contact the families of former governors for input when completing this project.  Mr. Simpson stressed the importance of having high-quality portrait artists paint the oil portraits.  Mr. Simpson explained that the Museum staff needs to do additional exploration to develop a cost estimate to paint each portrait, but he believes that $10,000 per portrait, not including a frame, is likely a good estimate.  He noted that frames for this type of a piece can be extremely expensive. 

 

The Committee recommended that all the portraits be approximately the same size as the majority of the existing pieces.  The Committee discussed the fact that many of the portraits may be scattered around and it is unclear the total number of portraits that have not ever been painted.  The Committee also discussed the possibility of moving the governors’ portraits down to the first floor of the east wing of the Capitol to create a display.  The Committee requested that Mr. Simpson proceed with preliminary exploration of options for pursuing this project. 

 

Remodel LSO Main Office

The Committee discussed remodeling the LSO main office and the quote A&I provided to paint, stencil, recarpet, and install new blinds in Room 213A and 213B.  Senator Mockler noted that A&I staff have the stencils and expertise to complete that portion of the project.  The Committee requested that staff work with A&I to schedule the project to ensure that the price will not increase.  Ms. Madsen explained that this project will be scheduled with A&I after the basement remodel is completed. 

 

New Sound System for Senate

The Committee discussed the $30,000 appropriation for a new sound system and speakers in the Senate.  The Committee noted that poor microphone technique is part of the problem with the quality of the sound, but that the system still needs to be updated.  Senator Mockler moved the Committee obtain the services of a sound consultant to review the sound system in the Senate, design a system, and then put it out to bid.  The motion carried.  The Committee commented that if possible, it would be preferable to have this project completed by December 31, 2006.  The Committee also requested that the study include the possibility of adding media audio feeds on the third floor of the Senate Balcony.  

 

Committee Room Photographs

The Committee discussed the $5,000 appropriation for additional committee room photographs.  The Committee commented that the committee rooms have inconsistent numbers of photographs.  The Committee agreed that photographs are needed in the intern office and different photographs are needed in JAC.  The Committee agreed that there needs to be a protocol about how, and what, photographs are displayed in each committee room to keep the jurisdictional theme.  The Committee requested that staff prepare a brochure about the theme of the photographs in each room once the project is complete.  Chairman Illoway moved to authorize Senator Mockler to continue the project with State Archives.

 

Consideration of Artwork Donation Policy and Administration

The Committee discussed the need for additional artwork in the legislative portions of the Capitol and discussed the donation program as the perfect opportunity to showcase Wyoming artists, while having a more structured approach to adding artwork to the Capitol.  The Committee discussed the importance of the State Museum’s assistance with this project and administering the program.  Mr. Milward Simpson, Wyoming State Museum, offered the services of the Museum in creating and administering such a program and provided suggestions for improvements to the artwork donation policy draft based on a review by other museum professionals around the country.  He noted that he believed it would be more appropriate for the Museum to administer this type of program rather than LSO.  The Committee requested that Mr. Simpson provide revisions to the draft policy at the Committee’s next meeting.  The Committee also agreed that an MOU would be the best way to establish the relationship between the Legislature and the State Museum in the administration of the program. The Committee also stressed that the artwork donated under the program would be owned by the Wyoming Legislature and would only be displayed on the second and third floors of the Capitol building.

 

Capitol Facilities Task Force Recommendation
for Plan for Legislative Facility Needs

The Committee reviewed the recommendations of the Task Force on Capitol Facilities, which requested that the Select Committee on Legislative Facilities identify the long-term facility needs of the Wyoming legislative branch within the Capitol for consideration by the Management Council and the State Building Commission.  The Task Force recommended that the Select Committee analyze the operations of the legislative branch and identify the Legislature’s vision for the purpose and use of the Capitol in the future.  The Task Force requested that the Committee specifically analyze options for enlarging space for committee hearing rooms.  The Committee discussed options for moving into a temporary building when the Capitol is renovated, the need for larger meeting rooms, and the need to start putting money aside to renovate the Capitol.  The Committee agreed that it needed to understand the master plan for the Capitol Complex to act on the Task Force recommendations and requested that Rich Cathcart, A&I Construction Management attend the Committee’s next meeting to provide an update on the long-term plans and costs for capital construction within the Capitol Complex.  The Committee indicated they would like an update on actions taken by the State Building Commission and timeline for renovation of the Capitol. 

 

Discussion of Future Project Ideas

 

Electronic Voting Options

The Committee discussed its interest in pursuing options to create an electronic voting system for the Legislature.  Senator Hanes noted that if information about the process was displayed on display boards, the public would have a better understanding of the process on the floor.  The Committee stressed that if an electronic voting system is approved, the display boards would need to be compatible with the décor and theme of each of the chambers.  The Committee requested that LSO staff work with NCSL to determine what other states are doing in relation to electronic voting. 

 

Other Projects

Several additional projects were discussed during the meeting.  The Committee suggested that LSO find better signage for the unisex restroom in the balcony of the House.  There was also interest expressed in providing signage in the basement that will provide direction as to where each LSO staff member is located.  It was also suggested that the basement offices be numbered.

 

The Committee discussed a request by Representative Simpson to add automatic sinks and doors in the House and Senate restrooms.  The Committee requested that LSO contact A&I to inquire whether or not it may be willing to fund the project. 

 

The Committee also requested A&I paint the electrical box in Room 204 and the Senate Chambers.

 

The Committee discussed potentially purchasing two composite frames for legislative composites from a gentleman in Cody who is selling wood frames made of wood from the Old Faithful lodge after it was remodeled.  The Committee took no action. 

Other Business
Representative Jackson stated it does not appear there is a sprinkler system in the Capitol and inquired about smoke detectors.  Mr. Mike Doan, A&I, commented that a sprinkler system would be included in the renovation of the Capitol and the existing smoke detector system is rather rudimentary.  Mr. Doan further stated that Wyoming’s Capitol is the only state capitol that does not have a sprinkler system.  Mr. Doan discussed elevator modifications and the fact that there are many fire code issues that are difficult to fix without renovating the entire Capitol because of the costs involved to modernize the mechanical elements. 

The Committee asked for clarification about when the Select Committee gets involved in projects involving the facility or furnishings on the second and third floor and when the LSO, House and Senate proceed without direction from the Committee and how those projects are funded.  Ms. Madsen explained that furnishings are typically funded through the feed bill for LSO, House, and Senate furnishings and that A&I is also involved in some facility projects.  The Committee asked to be apprised of all projects taking place on the second and third floor to ensure that a consistent approach is followed regarding facilities projects, including furnishings. 

 

The Committee inquired about Judy Sargent creating a booklet similar to the Centennial booklet that provided a history of the Capitol.  Ms. Sargent indicated that she is working on that type of publication with Phil Roberts from the University of Wyoming.  It was also suggested the American Heritage Center work on the project, as well as the possibility of creating a documentary about the Capitol for Wyoming Public TV.

 

Meeting Adjournment

The Committee set their next meeting for June 14, 2006 for a full-day meeting beginning at 8:30am.  There being no further business, Chairman adjourned the meeting at 3:30 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Representative Pete Illoway, Chairman