HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-20-2002Minutes for the Airport Advisory Board meeting
February 20, 2002
Airport Advisory Board Members
City Staff ~ '
Rodger Campbell
Joe DeJoie
Bud Buchanan
Bill Peloza
Paul Krauss, Planning Director
Airport Manager Anderson, Airport Manager
Carolyn Brown, Secretary
Don Rottle is absent
MEETING DATE: February 20, 2002
TIME: 5:30 PM.
PLACE:
Auburn Airport @ the Auburn Flight School Office
Chairman Rodger Campbell called the meeting to order.
The first item on the agenda is new airport land leases. Planning Director Paul
Krauss stated that since the 40new hangars have been built, staff has been working
with the City Council to build more. Staff is now working to get signed leases
through the private sector. The Airport has 30-35 spaces for aviation related spaces
and Bill Vandenburg has leased some of this space. Hangars Unlimited has
committed to 35-40 condo hangars. The City will pursue Individual leases with
private parties. The City Council has approved a ground lease for Voudray to lease
hangar space. There is hangar space for 85 airplanes. The 40 hangars the City
built were leased right away.
Board member Joe DeJoie asked if the waiting list was empty. Planning Director
Krauss stated that there are different waiting lists for old hangars and new hangars.
Board member Bill Peloza asked how the waiting list is controlled. Airport Manager
Airport Manager Anderson stated that there are usually numerous people on the list
that are called and they have the option of taking the first opening or rejecting it and
going back to the end of the list to start over. Board member Peloza asked if those
names could be identified on the next report.
Airport Manager Anderson said that with the new 3 leases, the Airport will be adding
$75,000 to $80, 000 in lease revenue. Jamelle Garcia asked about the outside
tiedowns, as they are looking pretty bare. Airport Manager Anderson stated that he
was not sure where tiedown tenants are going.
Planning Director Krauss said that one of the ground leases is with CG Aviation, and
the City is willing to entertain options. John Gallo asked if the fire department
wanted that comer of the Airport. Planning Director Krauss said yes they had
looked at an airport site. John Gallo asked if fire insurance would be less if they
were closer. Planning Director Krauss stated the fire station is close at 10t~ NE
Minutes for the Airport Advisory Board meeting
February 20, 2002 2
location, but not in the right location for the Lea Hill area. The station wants to be
moved further NE. Also, the 10th NE fire station has done away with the Medivac
pad, which is now in the transient tie down area. Board member PeloZa then asked
how many transient tie downs are there? Airport Manager Anderson said there are
about 26. Board member Peloza then asked what would the transient tie down
activity be in the summer?. Airport Manager Anderson responded there are not
many even if an event is in the area. Rent is $2 a night. Board merjlJ3er Peloza
asked if is it convenient enough to have the transient tiedown area? John Gallo
stated the Airport could let them rent for $5 and if they get gas then it is free. Airport
Manager Anderson said that $2 is about the going rate for a towered field, or a little
more if there is access to a coudesy van or other amenities.
The second agenda item is regarding the FAA grant for runway overlay. The City
has applied for an FAA capital improvement $450,000 grant for the overlay. It is
budgeted by the FAA for 2003. If another project at another airport does not go
through, then Auburn will get the money sooner. Board member Peloza asked if
there is a time line for the project. Once the funds come through, the time line starts
with the engineers per Airport Manager Anderson. As soon as the money is in the
FAA budget, the City can present a package for work. The board then discussed
the FAA budget process. Board member Peloza asked how often we contact the
FAA and Airport Manager Anderson replied as often as possible. As an example
Airport Manager Anderson sent the FAA a letter regarding the GPS sometime ago,
and the FAA has not been responding. Airport Manager Anderson sent a second
letter asking for a response. The Airport's district office has contacted the FAA and
the FAA will not sign off until the district office signs off on the Layout Plan. But
· Airport Manager Anderson said he is actively pursuing the GPS. Board member
Peloza asked if the City would receive any additional revenue if the airport had the
GPS. Planning Director Krauss said it is unknown. The only thing is the GPS allows
the airport to be used during bad weather conditions. Then there would be the
option to have bigger aircraft use airport, which would increase fuel sales.
Airport Manager Anderson discussed the recent survey results. 70 surveys out of
over 200 that were mailed, were returned. The majority of responses wanted the
1000-foot traffic pattern. The standard throughout the country is 1000 feet. Jamelle
Garcia said it is recommended for noise abatement and safety in the aeronautical
manual. The local airport here still uses 800 feet where 1000 feet is the accepted
flight pattern for other airports. Board member Peloza asked how the board could
make this change. Airport Manager Anderson said a form is submitted to the FAA
and a notum.
Board member Peloza made a motion that based on the survey conducted by the
City of Auburn the Board would like to proceed on the change to the 1000-foot level.
Board member Joe DeJoie seconded the motion. The motion was approved.
Airport Manager Anderson commented on his helicopter operations letter mailed out
to Classic Helicopters and Helicopters NW and he has asked them to set up a
meeting, early in March, with who ever would like to participate and discuss issues
Minutes for the Airport Advisory Board meeting February 20, 2002 3
with the helicopter companies. Board member Peloza asked what would be
accomplished by this meeting. Airport Manager Anderson said the important issue
is safety. John Gallo asked what happened after the first discussions. Airport
Manager Anderson said he has sent a copy to Dave Wunch and is on record with
the FAA. Board member Peloza would like to see a signed agreement. Airport
Manager Anderson said it would be a letter of understanding. Jamelle Garcia stated
there needs to be better communication. Discussion from the audie_n_ce regarding
the noise issue that helicopters are responsible for. Chairman Rodger Campbell
asked Airport Manager Anderson to be sure to bring this up at the meeting.
The next item is AFS fuel disCount agreement. At this time the City maintains the
retail fueling at the Airport. Anyone who wishes can fuel his or her own aircraft.
AFS uses about 50% of fuel that is used at the Airport. Planning Director Krauss
discussed the background of the current fueling operation and as the primary
funding for the airport. The City basically charged AFS a flowage fee of .05c a
gallon for the past five years. AFS has expanded the business as agreed. On April
2, 2002 the current agreement is expiring. Planning Director Krauss, Airport
Manager Anderson, and Jamelle Garcia are working on new agreement. Planning
Director Krauss has asked finance for guidance. The Mayor's thoughts are the City
should go into a one year agreement @ $0.15 over cost. The discussions are
continuing and all are close to reaching an agreement. This agreement will provide
some extra income for the Airport. The City would consider other such agreements
if they reach a lO,000-gallon minimum flow. The City is proposing a $0.15 over
wholesale cost for one year. Board member Peloza made a motion to accept staff's
recommendation of $0.15 over wholesale for one year and will recommend this to
the City Council. Board member Buchanan seconded the motion. Chairman
Campbell concurred. Board member DeJoie recused himself.
Board member Peloza asked to discuss the ordinance governing the Auburn
Advisory Board meetings. He said he would work on revising this ordinance.
The next agenda item is the budget report format. Airport Manager Anderson led
the discussion on the format that finance uses for the budget. He said he would be
working with Lee Hall, the Assistant Finance Director for the City of Auburn.
Planning Director Krauss said it is important to note that the Airport is an Enterprise
Fund and is a closed system for accounting. If the Airport has a profit, the money
has to be reinvested into that fund only. From the Airport's day of creation it has
operated from leases, fuel, grants and is basically self-supporting. Planning
Director Krauss said that six or seven years ago, staff saw that the Airport needed
maintenance. Working with the City Council, staff put together a work program to
renovate the airport. The fuel facility was upgraded, hangar roofs were repaired and
the Airport purchased some land. Most of the building maintenance has been done,
and this summer it will be finished. Money is budgeted for replacement of the
canvas roll up doors on the nOrth side of the hangars. The cracks are scheduled for
repairs and the City has contracted for sweeping. With investments and new
revenue sources, the Airport looks pretty secure at this time.
Minutes for the Airport Advisory Board meeting February 20, 2002 4
Board member Peloza said after reading the budget it looks like the Airport is in the
red for $88,000 for 2001. Planning Director Krauss said the bank account is not a
good marker and the money is invested. Also, grant money is shown as income, but
it is all committed. Board member Peloza said it appears the Airport is looking at a
$58,000 deficit for 2002. Planning Director Krauss said the net change is in working
capitol and is all invested in infrastructure. Airport Manager Anderson then
discussed the itemized fuel sales by month and how 9-11 affected fu__el and flights.
The City has also provided the new leases with a grace period for ground rent until
they could fill the hangars. Lease collected is 40c a foot on the leased hangars.
Board member Peloza stated he is still not sure as to the bottom line. Planning
Director Krauss said that if investing stopped and the Airport was just working on
operations, the operations would just break even. Planning Director Krauss said he
would set up a meeting and include Shelley Coleman, Finance Director for the City
of Auburn, to discuss the budget. John Gallo would like to see a simplified profit and
loss statement and Board member Peloza agrees. Planning Director Krauss stated
that after the hangars were built and the bonds sold, the City came in about $70,
000 under contract and then turned around and put the remainder into the roofs. He
added that in the future is 23 acres that the Airport is bringing on line for
development.
Board member DeJoie asked what is miscellaneous revenue'line? It has not been
carried forward and shows $10,000 for 2002. Airport Manager Anderson stated that
the year 2001 is not closed out yet.
Board member Peloza asked about the sweeping and how often pilots would like to
see the runways cleaned. Twice a month was the general consensus. After the
sealing process would probably need only once a month. Board member Peloza
asked why City staff couldn't run the sweeper? Planning Director Krauss stated the
Airport has tried, but other department staff time is limited as well as is the use of
equipment. Planning Director Krauss found that a private contractor was pretty
inexpensive @ $1500. Board member Peloza would like staff to look into using a
sweeper once a month. Planning Director Krauss agreed and would like to see
more sweeping in the summer. General comments are about the degradation of the
runway surface summer and winter. Also, tenants are still picking up nails that were
dropped during the roofing repairs. Also, the taxiway in front of the hangars is
degrading and also needs' resurfacing. Airport Manager Anderson said the Airport
should have the funds available. But the FAA doesn't consider the seal coat as
construction and wouldn't consider as applicable for grant money. Airport Manager
Anderson said the last time there were two types of sealant. The seal coat, with
granules in it, can be classed as construction. Discussed the product White Top as
an option. It is a little more expensive, but is supposed to last 25 years. Also helps
to define the actually landing surface, and not just an overlay, but a two to four inch
process. Staff will report back at the next meeting on the overlay. Board member
Peloza would like to suggest cleaning once a month. Airport Manager Anderson will
come back to the Board with cost and a time schedule. Board member Peloza
asked if we are creating more problems by sweeping and creating more dust and
rocks? The tenants and board members discussed this. Airport Manager
Anderson is now in the process of soliciting consultants.
Minutes for the Airport Advisory Board meeting
February 20, 2002 5
A new meeting time was discussed. Board member Peloza moved to keep the
meeting on the 3r~ Wednesday of the month at 8:00 am. However, Planning Director
Krauss stated he has to leave at 8:30 am for the City Director's meeting. Board
member Peloza then moved to change the meeting time to the 3~ Tuesday @ 8:00
am @ CitY Hall. Board member Buchanan seconded the motion. Board member
DeJoie commented that he would still like to meet at night, because__most people
work during the day. Planning Director Krauss said we could still schedule meetings
at the Airport in the evening. Board member DeJoie added that he would like to
meet @ noon. Jamelle Garcia volunteered the use of his classroom on Fridays.
The Board voted to change the meeting time to the third Tuesday of the month and
8:00 am and the vote was 2 yes and 1 no. Motion passed and the next meeting will
be March 19 at 8:00 am at City Hall.
Planning Director Krauss introduced Chris Greytak and John Voudray as new land
lessees.
The audience discussed the tenant improvements on the open hangars. Would the
City be agreeable to tenant improvements? Whatever the tenant has invested could
revert back to the City. Planning Director Krauss said also, regarding the security
issue, the City is not totally satisfied with the current security company. Staff is now
in the process of looking for a new security company. The audience reported on
various incidents. Jamelle Garcia stated that he has never seen the security
company that is now working for the City. Planning Director Krauss said a new firm
should be on board in the next 30 days. Airport Manager Anderson answered a
question about gate locks and a punch card system. It was noted that the gates are
open a lot, and that the one by the AFS office is opening and closing on its own.
Jamelle Garcia asked about the Alaska Airplanes flying club, which has about 75
members. He would like to start'a club and would like to find if there is any interest.
Airport Manager Anderson indicated that he has not talked to anyone about such a
club.
There are plans to complete the security fence on the west side of the Airport.
Planning Director Krauss is trying to get the FAA to provide grant money. Board
member Peloza asked how long is the area on the west side that needs to be
fenced? Airport Manager Anderson said it is about 4500 and the cost is $16.00 a
linear foot. Also, Airport Manager Anderson said the City is trying to lease the Metro
Park & Ride area at 15th Street NW.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 pm.