M E M O R A N D U M 05-87

TO: MAYOR HORNADAY AND HOMER CITY COUNCIL

FROM: COUNCILMAN DOUG STARK

DATE: COUNCIL MEETING OF 9 MAY 2005

SUBJECT: REPORT ON TRIP TO JUNEAU 18-23 APRIL

Following authorization by the City Council, we went to Juneau to meet with legislators in cooperation with the Alaska Municipal League and about 50 municipal officials from all around Alaska. Our top priorities were solving the Public Employees Retirement System financial problem (a projected deficit of $5.7 billion), which shows Homer with a $6 million liability, and securing revenue sharing funds for Homer. The Senate's passage of SB 141 which is a structural solution of the PERS problem is considered a prerequisite to providing bridge funds to communities to pay their additional PERS premiums - in Homer's case $245,000 this year

(a lobbying incentive or blackmail situation, if you will). The revenue sharing can be seen as the PERS bridge funding or HB 49 - $50,000 for each community. Homer's delegation included Mayor Jim Hornaday and Councilmembers Val McLay, Doug Stark, and Beth Wythe,

as well as Sandy Stark (who paid her own way and also did some Homer Hospital Service Area business). Val also did some excellent advance work toward securing state assistance next year in refurbishing harbor floats.

We met with Senators Ben Stevens, Gary Stevens, Tom Waggoner, and Gary Wilkin, and Representatives Mike Chenault, Richard Foster, Paul Seaton, and Bruce Weyhrauch. With three weeks to go to adjournment, the pace was hectic and not all the additional people we wanted to see were available. We saw additional senators and representatives in the hallways and at the AML reception on the 20th. In addition, we attended the House State Affairs hearing on SB 141 and testified; our testimony was well received and was remarked on as we chatted with Senators the next two days. We also attended sessions of both the Senate and House.

At the request of AML I called about a third of the legislators on May 3rd to put in a word for HB 49. I think we did some good for Homer - we'll find out on the 10th.

RECOMMENDATION: none

fiscal note:$683.54 - air fare $219.95; lodging $244.16; mileage & parking $201; meals $18.43