Alaska State Legislature

News From The Senate and House Majorities

Ken Freeman (907) 465-3804
Wendy Lindskoog (907) 465-4582
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
web site: http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality line: 1-800-478-6540

Deferred Maintenance Task Force Scheduled to Begin Work

For Immediate Release: May 5, 1997 Contact: Rep. Eldon Mulder (907) 465-2647

JUNEAU - The Deferred Maintenance Task Force will hold its first meeting to begin addressing Alaska's deferred maintenance needs. The meeting will take place at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, 1997 in the Butrovich Room of the State Capitol Building - Room 205.

The task force was created by House Concurrent Resolution 8, sponsored by House Speaker Gail Phillips. The Task Force will be Co-Chaired by Representative Eldon Mulder and Senator Tim Kelly. Rep. Mulder will preside over Tuesday's meeting.

The Task Force will hear presentations from the University of Alaska, State Court System, Department of Education, and Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. The agencies have been asked to summarize the state of the buildings, roads, docks and other parts of Alaska's infrastructure as well as the current need for maintenance of those facilities.

In addition to the presentations, the Task Force will discuss the process it will use to develop recommendations for addressing the deferred maintenance needs it identifies.

"We need to focus on the needs of existing buildings. Our intention is to address leaking roofs, docks that are rotting, and structures that are marginally safe for occupancy," said Speaker Gail Phillips.

Phillips said the Task Force will be looking at University buildings, school buildings, National Guard buildings, docks, roads, and airports. She said the task force will make site visits throughout Alaska. "We need to see the problems and hear from citizens the suggestions they have for identifying and funding deferred maintenance needs," said Phillips.

"Part of our goal is to develop a process that will keep deferred maintenance from becoming a recurring problem," said Co-Chair Eldon Mulder. "This means that our real charge is not only developing a process that will identify, prioritize, and fund our current needs, but to prevent the need for another Task Force like this in the future."

The Task Force on Deferred Maintenance will:

• review and evaluate existing reports and publications about past deferred maintenance recommendations
• identify and evaluate all current and deferred maintenance needs
• solicit public comments on addressing the deferred maintenance problem
• submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including a plan for funding, by the convening of the 1998 Legislative Session.

The Task Force Members are Representatives Eldon Mulder, Co-Chair, Kim Elton, Richard Foster, Jeannette James, and Beverly Masek; and Senators Tim Kelly, Co-Chair, Loren Leman, Georgianna Lincoln, Robin Taylor, and Gary Wilken. House Speaker Gail Phillips and Senate President Mike Miller will also serve on the Task Force.

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Broadcast Note: Excerpts from the press conference are available by calling 800/478-6540.