January 24, 2002
The meeting of the Legislative Audit Commission was called to order by Senator Ann H. Rest at 11:10 a.m. on Friday, January 24, 2002, in Room 15, State Capitol.
Members Present:
| Senator Thomas Neuville | Representative Steve Dehler |
| Senator Ann H. Rest | Representative Ruth Johnson |
| Senator Claire Robling | Representative Dan Larson |
| Senator Jim Vickerman | Representative Dan McElroy |
| Senator Deanna Wiener | Representative Michelle Rifenberg |
| Representative Wes Skoglund |
Members Excused:
| Senator Bill Belanger | Representative Peggy Leppik |
| Senator Dave Johnson | Representative Mary Jo McGuire |
| Senator Sheila Kiscaden |
Senator Rest indicated the purpose of the meeting was to release and review the program evaluation reports on Pollution Control Agency funding and water quality permitting and compliance monitoring. She recognized Roger Brooks, Deputy Legislative Auditor for the Program Evaluation Division.
Mr. Brooks reviewed the reasons these topics were selected for study by the commission and gave an overview of the issues addressed in each report. He introduced Joel Alter, project manager, and Todd Wilkinson and John Yunker, program evaluation staff who worked on the studies.
Mr. Alter gave an overview of the report on Pollution Control Agency funding. He reviewed the background, questions addressed in the study, research methods, findings, and recommendations for both the agency and Legislature contained in the report, and answered questions from members.
Mr. Alter then gave an overview of the report on water quality permitting and compliance monitoring. He reviewed the background, questions addressed, research methods, findings, and recommendations, and answered questions from members.
Senator Rest recognized Karen Studders, Commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency. Commissioner Studders introduced Ann Seha, Deputy Commissioner, and Lisa Thorvig, Assistant Commissioner. Commissioner Studders thanked the Office of the Legislative Auditor for their work. She indicated Deputy Commissioner Seha would present the rest of the Pollution Control Agency's response.
Ms. Seha reviewed the history of PCA's funding, staffing changes, fees charged, and answered questions from members. She then reviewed staffing, fee structure and compliance monitoring efforts in the water quality program, and answered questions from members.
The meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
Senator Ann H. Rest, Chair
Jean Barnhill, Recording Secretary
