HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-19-2002AUBURN AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES MARCH 19, 2002
The regular meeting of the Airport Advisory Board was held March 19, 2002, in Conference
Room #1
TIME: 8:00 AM
MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS ABSENT:
STAFF PRESENT:
Rodger Campbell, Bud Buchanan, Bill Peloza
Don Rottle, Joe DeJoie
Paul Krauss, Director Planning; John Anderson, Airport
Manager; Carolyn Brown, Secretary
TENANTS PRESENT:
Jamelle Garcia, Kern Hendricks, John Gallo
The Chairman, Rodger Campbell, called the meeting to order.
Agenda Items:
Airport Manager John Anderson discussed the sweeping contract, which is the first item
on the agenda. The Airport will be swept once a month. Board member Bill Peloza asked if
the City would do the sweeping? Airport Manager Anderson said the City has contracted
with a private sweeper company, as it was hard to schedule a time that City staff could
sweep the airport.
The second item on the agenda is the change in the traffic pattern altitude. At the
February meeting the AAB reviewed the surveys that were returned regarding the tenant's
wishes to increase the traffic pattern altitude from 857' MSL to 1000' MSL. The Board, at the
February meeting, recommended that Staff take the appropriate action to initiate this change.
Airport Manager Anderson has submitted the necessary form and is waiting for the FAA
approval and return of the form to him. There was some discussion by the group on down
wind approaches. Kern Hendricks wanted to know if a pattern drawn out with landmarks
would help new tenants with down wind profile. Airport Manager Anderson said he could
probably draw a corridor. Jamelle Garcia stated that there was already one drawn in color.
Airport Manager Anderson has this in his office and will show it to anyone who wants to see
it. Board member Peloza asked if new tenants could be given some type of orientation
handout. It wouldn't have to be expensive and could be given one on one. Airport Manager
Anderson stated that the Airport rules and regulations needed to be updated. The updated
packet of information could be for new and old tenants alike. Board member Peloza asked if
Airport Manager Anderson could put together a packet and mail to all the board members for
review? Also, he would like to pick a few tenants as a sub-committee for feedback. Jamelle
stated that a welcoming committee would be beneficial and would open up communication.
Regarding the meeting with the helicopter companies, Airport Manager Anderson has
mailed a letter to the helicopter companies at the Airport asking if they would like to
participate in a discussion concerning safe joint use of the Airport. Dave Wunch from the
FAA Seattle Flight Standards District Office has also been invited and is interested in
attending. Mr. Wunch will bring a safety expert. Board member Don Rottle wants to
participate in the meeting. The date of the meeting will be scheduled sometime in April.
The fourth agenda item is the hangar roof replacement. Hangar roof # 7 has the funds
available to repair the roof. Airport Manager Anderson stated there might be enough to do
hangar 2, also. Hangar 7 will bid out around $70,000 and hangar 2 will use what is left out of
the $150,000 that is budgeted. Airport Manager Anderson will scope the bid with the
architect as including both hangars. Board member Bud Buchanan asked if it is the same
AUBURN AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES MARCH 19, 2002
contractor that worked on the other hangars roof repairs? The same architect will be hired
though, but roofing company is not in business, replied Airport Manager Anderson. Board
member Peloza asked if there was a problem with the roofing company? Airport Manager
Anderson indicated it was not with the roofer but with the timing as there were problems with
the weather. Airport Manager Anderson said regarding the nail problem associated with the
previous roofing job, the Airport has a construction magnet and staff will be going around and
picking up nails. The Airport Advisory Board recommends and moves to proceed with the
bid for hangar 2 as an alternate. Board member Peloza made a motion to go forward with the
bid. Was seconded and approved by majority.
Airport Manager Anderson has submitted to the Washington Division of Aviation a grant
application for completion of the fencing. And then the airport will be completely fenced. The
grant is for $ ?. This fencing will provide extra security on the west side of the airport. There
is a possibility that the airport may not get the grant this time, but at least the application will
be in for the next go round. The AAB discussed the gate at the north end of the airport and
some of the problems associated with it.
The City attorney has approved a contract for a new airport security firm. The new firm is
ready to go. Airport Manager Anderson talked about sensors at the airport for the monitoring
of the security firm. Also a web site is available to the City to monitor the account. Airport
Manager Anderson gave the name of the company as Puget Sound Security. Board
member Peloza asked to see the weekly report when it becomes available.
Regarding the AAB chairman selection process, Airport Manager Anderson said an
ordinance created the advisory board. In the ordinance it states that the committee votes the
Chairman in.
The AAB discussed having all committee members present. Board member Joe DeJoie may
be leaving the Advisory Board as a member per Airport Manager Anderson. Board member
Buchanan nominated Board member Peloza as the new chairman and Board member
Peloza accepted the nomination. It was moved, seconded and by acclamation Board
member Peloza is the new chairman. Chairman Rodger Campbell read that the Chairman is
to be changed once a year. Board member Peloza added that the AAB needs to go by the
ordinance. There was some discussion on the ordinance. Newly elected Chairman Peloza
asked for a letter to each board member asking for input on the ordinance and will submit a
new draft to the City Attorney. Would like to see the comments back from each board
member on a revised ordinance by the next meeting. Airport Manager Anderson said he
would mail comments to Board members Joe DeJoie and Don Rottle. Board member Peloza
would like to this to be an action item on the next agenda.
General Discussion
The runway overlay grant application of $450,000 is scheduled for 2003 as the FAA
fiscal year begins in October. Prior to that the Airport could have the grant in by the last
quarter of 2002. Airport Manager Anderson will be hiring an engineering firm with a request
for qualifications if permission from the City Council is granted. Then the project will be
ready to go when the grant money is received.
There was some discussion by Airport Manager Anderson regarding the waiting list for
hangars. 9-11 has definitely caused problems. Jamelle inquired as to how many people are
called before a tenant is found. Sometimes the whole list is gone through for an old hangar.
Available new hangars take less time to fill up. At this time, the hangars are full, with
probably one empty.
· AUBURN AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES MARCH 19, 2002
Board member Peloza asked John about the budget and financial statement. Airport
Manager Anderson said Lee Hall is putting something together to present to the City Council
and Airport Manager Anderson will get a copy after that meeting. Airport Manager Anderson
said the FAA is approving the ALP and Planning Director Paul Krauss is still working out the
language regarding storm ponds. ALP is the only part of the Master Plan that is still to be
resolved. The process is to Advisory Board fist, then Planning Commission, and Council.
Board member Peloza asked about putting up a suggestion box at the airport. Chairman
Campbell said they usually fill up with junk. Board member Peloza asked if we could send a
letter to all tenants asking for suggestions for improvements. Airport Manager Anderson
stated that when we started the Master Plan, all tenants were invited to the meetings and
asked for their suggestions to the airport Master Plan.
Board member Peloza asked about an airport publicity and marketing idea? Airport Manager
Anderson replied that the vacant land has been advertised and basically all land has been
leased out on west side. In years to come the airport will be looking at getting infrastructure
on west side with FAA grant money. John Gallo said he handed out pamphlets about the
Auburn airport at an Aviation show. Airport Manager Anderson said the pamphlets talk about
the airport and community. John Gallo would like to have the pamphlet show the traffic
pattern. Airport Manager Anderson will mail a copy to all the board members. Board
member Peloza asked about fuel sales. Airport Manager Anderson will get Board member
Peloza the month-to-month fuel sales. Planning Director Krauss stated there is an annual
ebb and flow of fuel sales. At this time fuel is still at $2.31 a gallon. Chairman Campbell
asked about the fuel hose and how far from the bottom of the tank is the hose. Airport
Manager Anderson answered six inches and that is to keep from drawing out sediment and
pumping into fuel tanks. Airport Manager Anderson said the fueling station has a tendency
to run out when the weather is good. Jamelle said there is probably about 4,000 gallons that
can't be pumped out. Airport Manager Anderson thought it was about 3,000 gallons.
Chairman Campbell asked do we pay more if it is not a full load? Airport Manager Anderson
said no.
Board member Peloza asked about the hangar leases and how much those were leasing
for. Airport Manager Anderson said the lease is for .40c a square foot for the land. Board
member Peloza asked when did the City last look at the price for a square foot of land?
Planning Director Krauss answered that last year the airport had an appraisal done at .28c-
32c a square foot, but the City Council thought it was not enough money, so the rate was
raised to .40c a square foot. The question was asked as to how the rate compare to other
airports? Airport Manager Anderson answered that it depends on the location. Board
member Peloza asked if when the study was done was there a matrix used? Planning
Director Krauss answered that an actual appraiser's report was used and is available for
review. Airport Manager Anderson said he would research how we stand with the other
airports in the surrounding area and will send out the information to the Board members.
Board member Peloza asked how are the tenants billed? Airport Manager Anderson
answered that it is through accounts receivable in the Finance Department. Airport Manager
Anderson stated they use a standard lease information form and then set up on the accounts
receivable database. Board member Peloza asked if staff is notified of outstanding
accounts? Yes, answered Airport Manager Anderson and he will get a list from accounting.
Airport Manager Anderson used to get them on a monthly basis, but at this time Finance is
adding new software for accounting purposes. Planning Director Krauss stated the City has
the ability to chain-up a plane and sell it if the tenant is unresponsive. Finance also will turn
over delinquent accounts to collections.
AUBURN AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES MARCH 19, 2002
Board member Peloza asked about the 23 acres left for future development and what is
the future planning for that area? Planning Director Krauss said it is in the Master Plan
update. Once that is adopted the airport is eligible for FAA grant funding. Half of that parcel
is going to be very difficult to develop as high quality land. Planning Director Krauss said the
Army Corp of Engineers has finally acknowledged that wetlands should not be within 5000 ft
of an airport. So the City, in effect can move the wetlands to a different site. John Gallo
asked about the property by the airport that is for sale. The city would like to buy it but the
price is about a million dollars. Planning Director Krauss discussed setbacks and
development close to an airport. Airport Manager Anderson added that heights of buildings
are limited. John Gallo asked about paving the detention ponds since the FAA is objecting
now, where in the past they had approved them to begin with. Planning Director Krauss said
the pond netting was an experiment and approved by a biologist working with the FAA. He
thinks the process was probably printed in a professional magazine and the FAA decided too
many other airports would want it. The FAA then retracted their approval. Planning Director
Krauss then had a meeting with FAA staff and found that at this time they do not want the
Airport to do any more netted detention ponds. The airport will locate any new ones, if
needed, further from the runway.
Board member Peloza noted that city jail inmates are being used around the community.
Planning Director Krauss stated jail inmates have been used at the Airport. Board member
Peloza would like to see that added onto the monthly report.
Board member Peloza asked about the latest on the sweeping plan. Airport Manager
Anderson said a schedule of times has been sent to all tenants. Also, the City Council has
approved the contract for Auburn Flight School (AFS).
Jamelle asked about the GPS approach. Airport Manager Anderson said it would not be
approved until the Master Plan is approved. Airport Manager Anderson said he is working
with Jan Olsen on getting the GPS approach. Planning Director Krauss added that each
year it is something else that delays the process. Airport Manager Anderson is also talking
to Jim Mast. Planning Director Krauss would like to set up a meeting and take along some of
the AAB members, Jamelle Garcia, and other tenants who are interested. Airport Manager
Anderson has letter he wrote in 1983 that is about this very subject.
Planning Director Krauss will have Airport Manager Anderson call the FAA and let them
know the Auburn AAB and major tenants would like to meet with them. Also, will send notify
all tenants regarding the meeting.
Next meeting will be April 16. Motion to adjourn moved and seconded. Motion approved.
Adjourned at 9:00 am