Letter to Mayor Sullivan

January 6, 2012

I understand through recent news reports you intend to contract with outgoing Anchorage Port Director Bill Sheffield to serve as a liaison to federal agencies on the Port project at a cost of $60,000 per year. Given the ongoing serious concerns about the future of the Port expansion project and ability to secure state and federal support, I have several questions regarding the $60,000 sole-source contract:

I understand through recent news reports you intend to contract with outgoing Anchorage Port Director Bill Sheffield to serve as a liaison to federal agencies on the Port project at a cost of $60,000 per year. Given the ongoing serious concerns about the future of the Port expansion project and ability to secure state and federal support, I have several questions regarding the $60,000 sole-source contract:

• What will Mr. Sheffield’s specific duties be as a liaison to federal agencies? Will it involve working to secure funding as well as monitoring the transition from federal to Municipal oversight of the expansion project?
• You indicated the $60,000 will come out of the existing contract with Blank Rome Government Relations LLC. Of the existing contract with Blank Rome, how much will remain after the Sheffield contract is deducted and will there be a penalty for amending the existing contract?
• How will Mr. Sheffield bill the Municipality for the consulting services he is to provide? Will there be an hourly rate, and if so what rate will this be? What will be the policy if the $60,000 contract is expended without the duties and deliverables are accomplished?
• Currently, Blank Rome represents the Municipality on many issues other than the Port of Anchorage. Will any of these other issues be deleted from the existing contract to accommodate the $60,000 reduction to pay Mr. Sheffield? If so, what issues will be eliminated from Blank Rome’s portfolio?
• Will Blank Rome continue to work with federal agencies and Alaska’s Congressional delegation on the Port expansion project or will that be the sole responsibility of Mr. Sheffield?
• As part of his duties as liaison to federal agencies, will Mr. Sheffield continue to be part of the Project Oversight Team established under the new Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Maritime Administration?
• Will the $60,000 cover Mr. Sheffield’s travel expenses or will additional costs be incurred by the Municipality to cover travel and other expenses?
• Will the $60,000 contract affect the recent $60,000 contract with Mr. Coffey who was hired to represent the Municipality in Juneau on the Port expansion project?

The citizens of Anchorage expect open and transparent government working on their behalf. I would hope that you would agree with me that any contract or agreement utilizing Municipal funds should fully explained and open to the public. I ask that you provide the answers to all the above questions to the people of Anchorage by early next week so that we all have a clear picture of this new and unexpected contract.

Sincerely,