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Council service names assistant director for drafting; memorial directs wildfire study; capitol stucco, concourse and HVAC work planned
Summary
Legislative Council staff announced the hiring of Monica Ewing as assistant director for drafting services, noted direction from Senate Memorial 2 to coordinate a statewide wildfire study, and described upcoming stucco, concourse renovation and HVAC projects at the Capitol.
The Legislative Council's director introduced Monica Ewing as the new assistant director for drafting services and reported several staff and building matters: staff will coordinate an interagency wildfire study directed by Senate Memorial 2, and facilities work on the Capitol — including exterior stucco repairs, phased concourse renovations and HVAC upgrades — will begin in coming months.
Monica Ewing: the director said Ewing returned as a contract drafter and has been hired as assistant director for drafting services. In that role Ewing will oversee bill drafting, legal research and interim committee staffing operations.
Wildfire study: council staff reported that Senate Memorial 2, which the Senate passed earlier in the year, directed the Legislative Council Service to work with the Forestry Division in the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department to convene a study group to develop recommendations on wildfire mitigation, funding and proposed legislation. Senator Woods, who carried the memorial, said the group is intended to gather existing information and best practices and that council service had already begun consultations with the state forester.
Capitol building projects: facilities staff told the council a planned renovation of the Capitol concourse and exterior stucco repairs will be coordinated to reduce rework. Contractors recommended completing the stucco project first because scaffolding and other work could damage a new concourse slab. Work is being phased; the north and east sides of the concourse were identified as priorities. An HVAC and temperature-control upgrade project — including boiler and cooling-tower replacement tied to the Walkway and Capitol North — will begin this week and may cause short-term cooling challenges during the tower replacement phase.
Other staff items: council service plans an interim-committee training for new and returning members (a 60–90 minute Zoom session expected in late May or early June) covering quorum rules, vouchers and travel policies. Staff also said lead staff for each committee will contact chairs to schedule organizational meetings in May and June.
Direction to staff: council service was directed to coordinate implementation of the wildfire study per the memorial and to proceed with project planning for the capitol repairs and HVAC work. The council set a tentative next meeting for June 23.
