Wasilla Special Session Proposal
This proposal addresses cost, logistics, technical capabilities, security, and
other potential concerns of holding a special session outside of Juneau.
An ideal venue for the Legislature is Wasilla Middle School. The venue offers
plenty of space for floor sessions, committee meetings, office space for
individual legislators, and secure spaces. Wasilla Middle has a large parking
lot, yet if additional parking or office space is needed, Wasilla High is located
directly across the street to meet any additional needs.
Overall venue security – The wing of the facility with the gymnasiums can
provide public access for floor proceedings while the rest of the building can
provide controlled access to approved personnel via key cards. Confidential
office space specifically for Legal Services is available throughout the 2-story
wing. The most ideal, confidential space for Legal Services, could be suites 158163 in the two-story wing on the upper level.
Venue availability – The venue is available immediately and is entirely available
for use by the Legislature. No summer classes will be held at this facility and
there are no scheduled conflicts.
Cost – The venue is free to use, except for custodial services.
Floor sessions – The ideal locations for floor sessions are two gymnasiums, one
large and one small. The venue has a stage that can be moved and assembled
in the appropriate room where floor session will occur. The large gym has a
recently installed sound system with up to 10 cordless microphones. Two large
projection screens are also available in the large gym along with video security,
and bleachers for public and media participation. Another potential option is
the cafeteria, which has a riser / stage and lower ceilings for a quieter space.
Greater detail and images are provided below.
Technical infrastructure – The venue provides 2 large copiers, excellent
bandwidth (400 mbs up and down), smart boards in every classroom, and
video security to meet the needs of the Legislature. An intercom system is also
available throughout the building to provide notification of votes or special
announcements. Technical specifics and images are provided below.
Lodging – More than half of legislators live in Anchorage / Mat-Su Borough and
will not need housing. Housing accommodations are needed for Office of the
Clerk, Senate Secretary, Floor Staff, Security, Legal Services, IT, LIO, Supply,
Documents, and committee staff. Lodging is available at the following
businesses during the month of June to meet the needs of the previously
mentioned offices:

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Grand View Inn
Best Western Lake Lucille
Mat-Su Resort
Agate Inn
Colony Inn
VRBO

Catering – The venue has a kitchen and cafeteria to provide on-site catering
services on a contract basis. Restaurants are also close by in the thriving
business district of Wasilla.

Site:
Main Contact:
IT Contact:

Wasilla Middle School @ 650 E. Bogard Rd
James Estes @ James.Estes@matsuk12.us
Earl Almdale @ Earl.Almdale@matsuk12.us 907-982-7340

Joint Floor Session space capable of supporting 80 people
Proposed Location: Large Gym
Sound System: Existing Sound system with up to 10 mics cordless
Network: Limited ports but local IT manager offered to allow us to temporarily
remove wireless points. This would give more than enough wired access to
work off. There is an IDF closet in the back of the gym were sound system is
located, that can be used to secure legislature equipment. This space also has
network connectivity.
Power: Plenty of power receptacles spread across rooms exterior walls
Security:1 camera with 180 degree view. Exterior doors can be secured and
access to room can be monitored from the exterior and secured.
Notes: Tables can be setup for House to perform business and bleachers allow
plenty of audience and press observation space. Space appears to exceed
space needs of joint House and senate. For efficiency it would serve well as
both the designated House chamber, and joint session chamber in order to
minimize setup.

  






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Senate Floor Session space capable of supporting the whole Senate
Proposed Location: Small Gym
Sound System: No active system, speakers in ceiling are abandoned
Network: Network: Limited ports but local IT manager offered to allow us to
temporarily remove wireless points. This would give more than enough access
to work off. A legacy IDF closet is attached to this space and the legacy POTS
phone lines enter through this location. The current phone “Mytel” system is
installed on the rack in this IDF.
Power: Plenty of Power spread across rooms exterior walls.
Security: 1 camera with 180 degree view. Some exterior doors that are
secured. Multiple entrances.
Notes: Tables can be setup for Senate to perform business and bleachers allow
plenty of audience and press observation space. Space Also appears to exceed
space needs of joint House and senate.

 Typical Committee Room
Sound System: No sound system in rooms
Network: Any room has at least 2 or more wall jacks
Power: Plenty of power on outer walls
Security: No cameras in classrooms. Rooms have individual hard keys and a
can be accessed by building Master key. Class rooms observed had no exterior
doors.
Notes: Every class room has a smart projector board that can be used for
presentations to committees. Existing rooms have tables that can be
rearranged as needed for business. Spaces appear adequate for committees
and a small audience.
Typical Secure confidential room
Network: Any room has at least 2 or more wall jacks
Power: Plenty of power on outer walls
Security: No cameras in classrooms. Rooms have individual hard keys and a
can be accessed by building Master key. Classrooms observed had no exterior
doors.
Notes: Every class room has a smart projector board that can be used to watch
the legislatures’ active Audio and Video feeds.
Recommendation: The wing of classrooms in the 2 story area would make a
good suite of offices for the legislature to use as a secure area with restricted
access.
Typical proposed Office spaces:
Network: Any room has at least 2 or more wall jacks
Power: Plenty of power on outer walls
Security: No cameras in classrooms. Rooms have individual hard keys and a
can be accessed by building Master key. Class rooms observed had no exterior
doors.
Notes: Every class room has a smart projector board that can be used to watch
the legislatures’ active Audio and Video feeds. Plenty of space and furniture for
multiple staff and Legislators to setup up temp offices.

 Public staging areas (Halls, etc)
Security Cameras: Common areas have good camera coverage, but liumited
doors to control flow or access.
Power: Plenty of power on outer walls
Notes: The student lounge may make a good press area since it has good view
down hall to Gyms, and towards offices. This would give press as an open view
to observing government. Space has excellent wireless coverage that could be
provided to public if desired, and lots of power on walls. TVs could be
energized to show active feeds from hearings and meetings.
Cafeteria
Security: 1 older camera, difficult space to secure
Network: Has limited wired jacks
Power: Has adequate power
Notes: Need to verify doors are securable and space can be closed off for
Committee or open sessions

 Proposed GOV Office:
Proposed Location: Administration Office.
Network: Plenty of connectivity
Security: Space has a public entrance and reception area
Notes: Space contains multiple private offices and one conference room and is
across the hall from Library that would make a good cabinet room and
Commissioners lounge. Conference room 156 would also make a good Cabinet
room close to the proposed Governor’s Office
GOV Security Office:
Proposed Location: Existing Security office in Administration Office.
Network: Plenty of connectivity
Type of Camera system: ONSSI modern Camera system with 30 day retention
of video no audio. Campus is well covered to view public areas. System can be
shared with Leg Security. Because system is IP based the Leg security can
operate their own office from any class room or even setup a kiosk in a public
area.
Other security systems available: They use a modern keycard system to control
access to many larger areas. Cards would need to be programmed and
provided by school district. This may require a project to process all required
names.
Notes: Proposed Security Office has a view of parking area and is in the path to
reach Principals office that could serve as Governor’s Office. Plenty of space for
multiple members to stage.

 Library Media Room
Security: Has multiple entrances.
Network: Has plenty of wired jacks
Notes: This space is well suited as the cabinet room and as a guest work space
for Commissioners. Would avoid using space for general public in order to
avoid concerns securing the books and media within.

 Leg Security Office:
Proposed Location: Classroom 152 close to main entrance
Network: Plenty of connectivity
Type of Camera system: ONSSI modern Camera system with 30 day retention
of video no audio. Campus is well covered to view public areas. System can be
shared with Leg Security. Because system is IP based the Leg security can
operate their own office from any class room or even setup a kiosk in a public
area.
Other security systems available: They use a modern keycard system to control
access to many larger areas. Cards would need to be programmed and
provided by school district. This may require a project to process all required
names.
Notes: Classroom 152 would provide Leg security detail close access to main
entrance, and more than enough space to stage multiple detail members.

 Network Services
Physical Security: All IDFs and the MDF are secured with hard key properly
Current bandwidth: 400mps upload and download business class able to expand
Wiring Spec: All wiring is Cat5e or higher
Space available: Multiple IDFs and one MDF with plenty of capacity to expand
Type of Rack: 2 post rack is typical
Analog phone lines: Located in IDF attached to small GYM
Notes: One IDF attached to teachers’ lounge near cafeteria and small GYM.
This teachers’ lounge would make a good space for LEG IT to base operations
out of and have easy access to networking, while securing their equipment
behind locked doors. A fiber network connects IDFs to allow good connectivity.
The main MDF has cooling, and district would allow shutdown of switches to
allow Leg IT to use existing power and cooling capacity with their own gear.
Overall building has plenty of capacity to handle network needs and district IT
staff are willing to assist mobilization and demobilization efforts. Site has over
1200 wired drops spread across public spaces and classrooms.
The current phone “Mytel” system is installed on the rack in IDF attached to
the Small Gym. School district willing to help create new lines.
IT contact offered to setup on their wireless network with our own private
network and for the legislature to have their own network.

  

Main MDF Closet

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Typical Drop Label

 

Teacher Lounge with IDF attached

 

IDF attached to Small Gym. Limited Cat 5e mostly for POTs and Phone
system

 

 

Sound System in room attached to Large 

 

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Misc MDF pictures showing racks and labeling

MDF Power
Other Site Notes:
Most of site is on the same floor so mobilization and demobilization of
equipment should be efficient.
Cell signal on ATT and GCI phones showed an average of 2 bars.
School District offers use of 2 Xerox large capacity printers