ITEM TITLE:
Resolution #17-05 - Supporting Alaska State Senate Bill 7 Establishing a Museum Construction Grant Program in the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
SUBMITTED BY: Sheri L. Pierce, MMC
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: NA
Unencumbered Balance: NA
Funding Source: NA
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Resolution No. 17-05
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
Patricia Relay, Valdez Museum and Historical Archive Association Director, has requested a resolution of support by the Valdez City Council for Senate Bill 7 which will establish a museum construction grant program in the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. Ms. Relay makes the following statement in support of Senate Bill 7:
The Valdez Museum has been advocating for a Museum Capital project for some time. Not assuming that the City would fund the whole project, over the last five years I have been working with Museums Alaska, a state association of Alaskan Museums, on state legislation to support communities. This past year I have been appointed Advocacy Chair for the organization.
Over the last four years we have secured legislation but our efforts have not gone far with the fiscal uncertainty in the State. That said, we are fortunate to have the legislation reintroduced by Senator Stevens (Kodiak, Homer); Co Sponsored by Senator Bishop (Fairbanks); Senator Egan (Juneau), and Senator Stedman (Ketchikan). Senate Bill 7, a museum matching grant program, is now on its way to Community and Regional Affairs for a hearing. The date has not been identified yet. A House Companion Bill is forth coming and will be introduced by Representative Parish (Juneau) and Co-Sponsored by Representative Ortiz (Ketchikan)