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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-19-2000MINUTES OF THE AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD JULY 19, 2000 The regular meeting of the Airport Advisory Board was held July 19, 2000, at the Auburn Airport in the Auburn Flight Service Maintenance Hanger. TIME: 7:00PM MEMBERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT: Don Rottle, Rodger Campbell, Joe DeJoie, Paul Krauss, Director Planning; John Anderson, Airport Manager; Carolyn Brown, Secretary The meeting was called to order by Rodger Campbell - Chairman Director of Planning Krauss discussed his position with City and the Airport Advisory Board and how the board members are appointed. A few years ago the Board decided to meet at the airport in the evening at least one night each year, so tenants could come to the meeting. The Board welcomes any comments and this is an open discussion. Regarding the development of property on the west side of the runway and the three acres north of the Airport Office, Paul spoke on the City's interest in the Airport and the new hangers. The new hangers have helped to pay for roof repair on the older hangers. The hanger project was very successful and the City Council is interested in adding more hangers. Probably will need a bond issue to finance the next building. The City Council also authorized bays, which would accommodate twins, to be built by tenants who would own the hangers. The City would lease the ground. It currently looks like 5 or 6 people will be building their own hangers. The City is beginning the Master Plan update process. The FAA requires the Master Plan to be in place before they will help pay for planning and development. The 23-acres of land to the west was acquired by the city a few years ago. The land has wetlands and is difficult to develop. However, the City is looking into a way to develop for aviation related uses. Also, in the Master Plan is how to develop the 3- aces north of the office. On that particular site, there are drainage issues to be worked out. One-way taxiways are an issue with everyone. The Airport is considering the widening of one taxiway and looking at overruns on either end of runway. This would improve safety margins. Also, the City is negotiating with Metro for the park and ride area at the south end of the airport. The Transit station opens in September and Metro will be relocating their park and ride to that area. This is also part of the Master Plan. Everyone will be seeing more things happening. There was a suggestion from the audience about using the Metro park and ride area as a small park and picnic area so people could watch the airplanes land. John Anderson answered that this has been discussed. Director of Planning Krauss agreed that we need to sell the Airport as a community asset. Another suggestion from the audience was to leave the area natural. The audience asked about the GPS and what runway would be the approach, minimums, and direction. A GPS approach update was given and Joe DeJoie gave details on the GPS. A general discussion on exactly what GPS is followed. John Anderson also has information available at the Airport office. John Anderson gave an update on several projects going on in and around the Airport. Regarding the runway lights, staff has been trying to figure out what was wrong and the next few days the lights should be up and running. Also, the trees on the west side of the Airport should be cut down in the next few days as a contractor has been hired. Fencing for the west side has been funded with grants. The sensor on the gate has been fixed and the repairman for the gates believes it is a faulty circuit that caused the problem. There was general audience discussion on gates and the circuitry. John also discussed the MINUTES OF THE AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD JULY 19, 2000 sweeping of runways and taxiways. He has talked to the City's street supervisor and they will try to come to the Airport on a monthly basis. However, the street department can't commit to a specific day. The audience suggested the Airport buy a small sweeper from GSA and that also the taxiways needs to be resurfaced. Director of Planning Krauss stated that resurfacing is budgeted for next year. Per John the matching share by the Airport is what needs to be budgeted. Also, the re-roofing of the last hangers will probably be done next spring. A member of the audience asked about the money the FAA provides. John stated that the FAA only provides money for Capital Improvements and cannot be used for repairs or building construction. He then reiterated where the grant money comes from and how the Airport draws this money. Director of Planning Krauss discussed how the City does not put General Fund money into the Airport. The Airport is an Enterprise Fund and maintains the Airport through its earnings. Director of Planning Krauss then discussed budgeting and revenues and how with cuts in the expenses the Airport came up with maintenance improvements. The City is willing to invest in the Airport yet the Airport has to pay for itself through revenues. Someone in the audience asked what the City is doing to encourage Aviation oriented business? This is considered vital to prosperity of an airport. There was a discussed the businesses that were lost. Also, discussed the businesses already here. The City is trying to get the infrastructure in place to allow business to locate on the field. Director of Planning Krauss said the Airport property has to lease the ground at fair market appraisals. One company inquired about building condominium hangers on the north 3-acre site, but backed out because of the work needed to get the area ready. Discussed the new hangers and the new tenants who have moved from other airports to Auburn. There was discussion about the appearance of the Airport. John said that the Airport would be getting workers through the court that has ordered them to perform community service. John said regarding the grass in the cracks on the runways, the grass has been killed by herbicide. The filling of the cracks is on the action agenda. Also, there were questions as to the resurfacing of the airport runway where it was extended. Per John there is still overlay and 'feathering' to be done which will fill in the rough spots. Planning Director Krauss discussed the area north of the office. This is an area that has drainage issues. The ground needs to be graded so the slope is toward the catch basis and not the street. The access drive is fairly remote. If the FAA will contribute 90% funding to correct the drainage, then the land can be made available. At this time there is no property adjacent to the airport available for purchase. Planning Director Krauss said the 23 acres to the west owned by the Airport is an asset. The audience then discussed airport-oriented businesses and building within the airport. An audience member wanted to know how growth affects the neighborhood and how the Airport may become a nuisance. Planning Director Krauss said the city does deal with noise complaints, because of the traffic pattern. The complaints are usually about the helicopter training flights. As the west hill becomes more developed complaints may increase. General discussion on the demise of other smaller airports because of land values going up. Discussion on other airports and zoning. The City of Auburn has developed zoning areas compatible with the airport. Discussed restaurant on the field and the proximity of restaurants. Don Rottle said the citizens of the city are mostly in favor of the airport and discussed the original airport plans and how it was built. A member of the audience asked about the revenue generated from the fuel sales. Planning Director Krauss stated that fuel sales are one of the primary sources of revenue that stays in the Enterprise fund, that plus the rental fees. An audience member asked about the cost of fuel and why it appears to be higher at Auburn then at some of the other airports in the area. John replied that the Airport does a fuel MINUTES OF THE AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD JULY 19, 2000 survey and takes an average of the prices in the area. John also said they try to keep the airport fuel prices at the average level of fuel in the area. Discussion on fuel rates around the other airports in the area. Someone in the audience suggested that the City advertise the airport Joe DeJoie discussed the possible acquisition of a super Unicom as there is a need, by the Airport, for this. At this time a video on the super Unicom was viewed. Discussion on the video and the benefits of the Unicom. Joe said that there is no chance of a power failure. It also has its own windsock and anemometer. Joe is putting together a package now, without waiting until next year. Audience discussion about getting a new radio frequency. There is an AWAS list, but no one knows where Auburn is on the list. The FAA has had a push on runway incursion on uncontrolled airports, so there is a need at the Auburn airport. John said the state is trying to get a group of airports together in order to bring the price down. It may be the first of the year or spring with grant dollars paying for a percentage of it. A grant could possibly be submitted in October. Audience discussion on the radio frequency and if the Unicom can be on a different frequency. As an interim until a new approved frequency is given could the Airport have two frequencies. Per John the process takes about a year, but the process is started. Joe said he is also working on the getting the super Unicom for the Airport. The cost of the Unicom is Iow, about $400 per year. The audience would like to see AWAS and Unicom at the Airport. The Unicom book and video will be available at the Airport office. Rodger reiterated that the Airport Advisory Board meets the third Wednesday of every month in Room 1 at Auburn City Hall. The meeting was then adjourned