J_CDC_2018A 12/12/2018 09:02:43 AM Committee Summary

The committee returned to order.  Ms. Esther van Mourik, Office of Legislative Legal Services, presented two pieces of potential committee legislation. Committee members received copies of the proposed legislation, one concerning clarifying certain committee administrative matters (Attachment D), and one concerning Department of Personnel and Administration flexibility in administering controlled maintenance payments (Attachment E).  Ms. van Mourik explained the effect of the first bill.  Discussion ensued regarding the authority granted by the bill.

Ms. van Mourik described the second potential committee bill.  Mr. Friedberg clarified the flexibility afforded to his office by the bill.  Ms. van Mourik explained the difference between a petition clause and a safety clause in legislation.

Discussion ensued regarding sponsorship for LLS. No. 19-0495.01.

President Tim Foster, Colorado Mesa University, presented the university's FY 2019-20 capital construction requests. President Foster began his presentation by thanking the committee members for past project funding. He next discussed the need for health care professionals in rural areas and the Health Sciences, PA/PT/OT Center project.

Ms. Barbara Weiske, Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Carl Meese, Senior Campus Planner, both representing the Auraria Higher Education Center, presented the center's FY 2019-20 capital budget request. Ms. Weiske detailed the need associated with the Replace Heating and Hot Water System (Capital Renewal) project. She explained that the center opted not to submit controlled maintenance requests for FY 2019-20 because the capital renewal request represents its greatest maintenance need.

Ms. Weiske responded to questions from the committee.

The committee returned to order. Dr. Tom Stritikus, President, and Mr. Steve Schwartz, Vice President for Finanance and Administration, Fort Lewis College (FLC), presented the college's FY 2019-20 capital construction request. Committee members received a packet of slides providing the basis for the presentation (Attachment G). Dr. Stritikus introduced himself as the new president, and provided an overview of FLC and its various initiatives. Dr. Stritikus and Mr. Schwartz updated the committee on recently funded capital projects on the campus, and then discussed the FY 2019-20 request. Discussion ensued regarding FLC's fundraising efforts for its FY 2019-20 capital requests. Mr. Schwartz responded to questions regarding the functions that occupy the Whalen Gymnasium, and the renovations planned for the building.

Discussion ensued regarding FLC's Exercise Science programs.

Mr. Matt Becker, Legislative Council Staff, initiated a conversation about the State Capitol signage and wayfinding project. The committee last discussed the project at its November 19 meeting.  Committee members received a package of slides outlining the project (Attachment F).  Mr. Becker first discussed the proposed installation of tribal plaques on the first floor of the State Capitol.

Mr. Becker provided an overview of the Capitol signage project.  Representative Beckman commented on the signage project.

The committee recessed.

Dr. Tony Frank, Chancellor and President Colorado State University (CSU) Fort Collins, Ms. Amy Parsons, Executive Vice Chancellor, CSU System, and Ms. Lynn Johnson, Vice President for University Operations and Chief Financial Officer for CSU, presented the system's FY 2019-20 capital construction request. Dr. Frank provided a brief overview of the various projects requested by the system for FY 2019-20. Ms. Johnson updated the committee on recent capital construction funding, and discussed the three projects requested for the Fort Collins campus. Discussion ensued regarding the potential for phasing the Shepardson Building Renovation and Addition project, and cost escalation if it is constructed in three phases. Discussion followed regarding the cash funds portion of the project.

Ms. Johnson continued briefing the committee on the FY 2019-20 capital requests for the Fort Collins campus. Ms. Parsons briefed the committee on the CSU projects to be constructed at the National Western Complex in Denver. Dr. Frank discussed his status with respect to CSU. Ms. Parsons and Dr. Frank updated the committee on progress at the National Western Complex, and the programming at the complex.

Dr. Timothy Mottet, President, and Mr. Karl Spiecker, Vice President for Finance and Administration, CSU-Pueblo, presented the university's FY 2019-20 capital construction request. Dr. Mottet discussed the university and its initiatives. Mr. Spiecker updated the committee on recently completed capital projects, and provided an overview of the Technology Building Renovation project. Discussion ensued regarding the programming that takes place in the Technology Building. Ms. Donaldson updated the committee on the day's hearing schedule.

The committee recessed.

Ms. Lauren Lopez, Lead Finance Analyst, Department of Higher Education, provided an overview of the department's FY 2019-20 capital submission. Ms. Lopez discussed the criteria considered by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education as it assembles its yearly capital submission. She then discussed the process by which the commission's capital request reaches the committee, and noted the ranking of some of the projects in the submission.

The committee recessed.

Ms. Lauren Larson, Director, Mr. Ben Henderson, Senior Analyst, and Ms. Kyley Burress, Executive Assistant, OSPB, presented the Governor's FY 2019-20 capital budget recommendation. Committee members received a packet of slides constituting the basis for the presentation, prepared by OSPB (Attachment C). Ms. Larson provided an overview of the Governor's proposed FY 2019-20 budget. Mr. Henderson provided an overview of the capital construction portion of the budget. Mr. Henderson responded to questions regarding spending on certificates of participation (COPs) for the Judicial Center.

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Ms. Kori Donaldson, Legislative Council Staff, provided an overview of the FY 2019-20 capital construction requests, the amount of money required to fund the projects in the Office of State Planning and Budgeting's (OSPB) capital submission, and the revenue available to the committee for capital construction.  Committee members received a memorandum outlining the FY 2019-20 capital budget requests and project available revenue, prepared by Legislative Council Staff (Attachment A), and a list representing the FY 2019-20 capital budget submission (Attachment B). Ms. Donaldson then discussed the forthcoming capital construction hearings, and the role of the committee.

Ms. Donaldson described the status of certain projects found on Attachment B.

Mr. Tony Gherardini, Deputy Director of Operations, and Ms. Sarah Wager, Director of the Office of Administrative Solutions, presented the mission, values, and vision of the Department of Human Services. Committee members received a packet of accompanying slides (Attachment H).  Mr. Gherardini presented on the current state of department facilities. Representative Beckman asked a question about service provisions.

Representative-Elect A. Valdez asked about plans for closed facilities. Senator Kefalas provided information and Chair Roberts asked a question. Mr. Gherardini introduced the Department's requests for FY 2019-20, beginning with Facility Refurbishment for Safety, Risk Mitigation, and Modernization, DYS. Senator Fields and Representative-Elect A. Valdez asked clarifying questions about implementation strategies. Ms. Wager described the request for Upgrade Campus Utility Infrastructure, Colorado Mental Health Institute (CMHI) at Pueblo (Capital Renewal).

Ms. Wager introduced the request for Upgrade Campus Utility Infrastructure, CMHI at Fort Logan (Capital Renewal). Representative Beckman expressed concern about outdated buildings on campuses requesting infrastructure upgrades and asked about master planning. Ms. Wager reiterated the safety concerns related to damaged infrastructure. Chair Roberts asked for clarification about an unused building on the Fort Logan campus. Ms. Wager described the request for the Department-Wide Facility Master Plan and its methodology. She specified the impact on vacant buildings. The cash funds for this request come from the sale of part of the Fort Logan campus to the U.S. Veterans Administration. Representative Beckman asked about the prioritization of this cash-funded request. Ms. Donaldson clarified how cash-funded requests are presented and addressed. Ms. Wager described changing mental health needs, in particular in the Denver metropolitan area, and strategies for addressing those needs.

Mr. Gherardini described the processes for court referrals for inpatient competency restoration and challenges for implementation. Representative Beckman asked about the impact of such court referrals and a departmental space deficit on the courts and jails. Chair Roberts asked about public defender practices.  Representative Beckman asked about the relationship between determinations of incompetency and substance abuse. A discussion ensued.  Mr. Gherardini and Ms. Wager responded to these questions.

Mr. Gherardini described legislative strategies, including FY 2019-20 budget requests. Mr. Gherardini responded to clarifying questions from the committee. A discussion ensued on the provision of services at the Ridgeview facility. Representative Beckman asked about the fiscal impact of private contractors. Senator Kefalas asked about collaboration with the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing related to mental health and criminal justice.

Dr. Robert Werthwein, Director of the Office of Behavioral Health, joined the discussion. Dr. Werthwein, Mr. Gherardini, and Ms. Wager responded to questions from the committee. Mr. Gherardini presented the request for F2 and F3 Cottage Renovation at CMHI at Fort Logan, as well as the Secure Treatment Facility for Restorations at Ridge View Property project. Senator Fields expressed concern about legislation needed to change the focus of the facility and about the impact on the facility's current population.  Mr. Gherardini responded to questions from the committee.

Ms. Wager presented the request for Suicide Risk Mitigation, describing risks identified by The Joint Commission. Ms. Donaldson clarified the Legislative Council Staff's estimation of outyear costs. Ms. Wager described the request for Capital Improvements at Regional Centers. Ms. Wager described the controlled maintenance requests for FY 2019-20.

Ms. Wager provided updates on current activities funded by the Capital Development Committee: the Grand Junction Regional Center Move and the Office of Community Access and Independence (Fitzsimons and Homelake Veterans Community Living Centers). Ms. Wager responded to questions and comments from the committee.

Dr. Paul Johnson, President, Ms. Kirsten Volpi, Executive Vice President, and Mr. Peter Han, Chief of Staff, Colorado School of Mines, presented the institution's FY 2019-20 capital budget requests. Dr. Johnson began his presentation with a discussion of the Subsurface Frontiers project. Ms. Volpi next discussed the Arthur Lakes Library Renovation project. She also discussed the controlled maintenance projects prioritized for funding consideration.

Ms. Volpi addressed questions from the committee. Dr. Johnson next presented information about the university's strategic plan. Dr. Johnson responded to a question from the committee. Committee discussion ensued about the number of years it takes to complete a four-year degree at the Colorado School of Mines and about the make-up of the student population.