Meeting Minutes 11/04/2009

State Officers Compensation Commission
November 4, 2009 Meeting
Legislative Information Office
716 W. 4th Avenue, Suite 670
Anchorage, AK

Members Present:
Rick Halford, Chair
Mike Miller
Tom McGrath
Rick Koch
Gordon Harrison

Others Present:
Nicki Neal, Department of Administration
Carol Beecher, Department of Administration
Theresa Obermeyer, public
Kate Giard, public

1. CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Rick Halford called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m., November 4, 2009. 

1. ROLL CALL 

All members of the State Officers Compensation Commission were present.

1. ELECTION OF CHAIR 

MOTION:       Appoint Rick Halford as chairman.
ACTION:        Moved and approved unanimously.

Chairman Halford stated that the method of operation would remain the same.  Recommendations will require unanimous consent before they are presented.

1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOTION:       Approve meeting agenda.
ACTION:        Moved and approved unanimously. 

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Nicki Neal noted that the draft minutes would be changed to remove the members of the public since they were not present at the meeting. 

MOTION:       Approve minutes from January 10, 2009 meeting with noted revision.
ACTION:        Moved and approved unanimously.

1. OVERVIEW OF AVAILABLE MATERIAL/INFORMATION

Nicki Neal walked the Commission through the documents included in the meeting packet.  She noted that the information provided last year has been updated and includes the findings and recommendations.

1. PREPARATION OF PRELIMINARY FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Discussion:  Members discussed whether or not they should make recommendations for increasing the salary of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.   They noted that, given the economic situation and the upcoming election year, it may not be a good time to recommend salary increases.

Chairman Halford stated that the Commission is only required to report to the legislature every two years.  Members discussed working on a system that would tie salary increases to the other branches and would work on a formula that kept salaries consistent in relation to each other.  They noted that a system may require a statutory change.

The Commission agreed not to prepare findings and recommendations at this time.

The members discussed contracting for a survey and for the calculation of a formula.  Nicki Neal stated that the Commission was funded through the Division of Personnel and Labor Relations and there are limited funds available.

MEETING RECESSED AT 10:22a.m.

MEETING RECONVENED AT 10:37

Discussion:  Chairman Halford asked the members to come up with a list of potential groups and individuals who would be invited to a work session to discuss possible systems that might work for establishing and maintaining salary levels that would function without the Commission.  Members discussed a work session date, location and meeting time.

Members decided to hold a work session in Juneau at the Centennial Hall on Wednesday, February 3 from 1:00 – 4:00.   Nicki Neal said that she would send out invitations in the first week of January.  Members agreed to provide a list of invitees to Nicki Neal by the end of December.

1. SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARINGS

Discussion: Nicki Neal told the members that they were not required to schedule a public hearing.  Chairman Halford said that they could schedule a public hearing after the work session. 

1. PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Chairman Halford opened the meeting to public testimony.

Theresa Obermeyer spoke about the municipal salary group.  She discussed issues about the Permanent Fund Dividend Board and APOC stipends.

Kate Giard spoke via teleconference.  She commented on using judicial compensation as a benchmark and possible commissioner salary differentials.  She agreed to submit her comments in writing for the commission.

1. OTHER BUSINESS

There was no other business before the commission.
            MEETING ADJOURNED at 11:18am.