HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-17-2001MINUTES OF AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
The regular meeting of the Airport Advisory Board was held October 17, 2001, in Conference
Room # 1
TIME: 7:30 AM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Don Rottle, Bud Buchanan, Rodger Campbell, Joe DeJoie, Stan
Brown
STAFF PRESENT: Paul Krauss, Director Planning; John Anderson, Airport Manager;
Carolyn Brown, Secretary
TENANTS PRESENT:
Jan Bouchard, Rollie Johnson, Alan Tumidge, Jamelle Garcia,
Rodger Campbell - Chairman, called the meeting to order
The first item discussed were the traffic problems at 22~a & E NW, Paul would like to see it be a
3-way stop. Michael Fuess, the Transportation Engineer has been invited to come to the site, but
John hasn't set up a time with him. Mr. Fuess is out of town this week.
There is a letter going out that is polling flight traffic pattern and should have some response by
next meeting. There is a reminder in the letter regarding AAB meeting times and that everyone is
invited.
John talked to Bob Rollins, regarding a remote transmitter receiver and had found out how
difficult to reach ATC. Bob said 42 airports along with Auburn have applied and Auburn is about
14th on the list. John will keep calling to try to move Auburn up. Auburn has already been
checked for frequency obstruction. John has also found a site for the building, which needs the
electric and phone hooked up. The site is north of the airport office. Ready to go and basically
installation just needs to be hooked up. The time frame for receipt by the City is based on
funding. Paul stated that he perhaps would talk to representatives in Olympia.
John said the Airport spent over $6,000 on a crack sealing machine. Another $6-700 for an auger
to clean cracks. The machine is a hand held machine. Will be using it by next spring. Rodger
asked about City owned machines. Paul stated that the street department has equipment, but
generally it is bigger then what is needed at the Airport. Staff uses street department equipment
all the time for other City projects. Rodger stated like the street sweepers. Paul has found that
the best thing is to contract with a private company to come once a quarter and sweep the
runways. Streets will help out and parks department will help with mowing. Paul said that police
and firemen have been added to staff, but very few maintenance people have been added, so staff
is stretched. John said they would borrow the parks department stripper and would get the job
done. Now the airport has budgeted for its own striper. Also, a 50-gallon tank to put on the back
of tractor for herbicide spray has been budgeted. John said with Airport owning its equipment
staff can work when the weather is good and not wait for other departments to schedule. Paul
said also cash flow is better, so the airport can purchase these items now. The airport ahs a good
crew and now is able to catch up on differed maintenance projects. The new roofs are doing well,
and $150,000 has been budgeted in 2002 to fix the roof of hangar 7, which is in bad shape. Paul
is still working with contractors for adjustments of payment on the previous roofing repair job.
Still should have some money left over from the Bond. Will also replace 14-canvas roll up doors
for $10,000 and will repair the door on 7.
Discussed contractors work on the hangars. Discussed the various differences between City and
contractor.
The date the buildings were to be finished was in February, but for various reasons the work
couldn't be done. The City had all the hangars leased and the contractor didn't finish for two
months after agreed upon date. The City had to hire other contractors to complete the project
(landscaping, light bulbs, etc). Discussed bid process and how City by law has to take the low
bidder. Rodger asked if City could accept or reject any bid. Paul said yes but then has to start the
process over again and miss the construction season. This contractor was deemed OK, but just
had to be watched. Paul said after the fact he heard that they would bid a contract then load it
with change orders. Paul said one change order was Ok'd, for the grading and contract pad. Had
to add a lot more material because of wetlands. This was a legitimate addition. Paul discussed
Michelle's Trucking and the issues with their contract. The trucking company left their
equipment on the airport site because they couldn't work in the winter. In the spring they sent a
bill for equipment rental. The City attorney denied this as a legitimate charge. John said we
came out Ok on this. Paul said the private sector would not put up with this, but it is what the
legislator has ruled.
Paul regarding the economy City is concerned as to the income at the airport. So far all tenants
have paid their bills. Hangars Unlimited has started construction, Bill Vandenberg's plans have
been approved and he is ready to start. However unable to get leases signed. Regarding Hangars
unlimited - Paul asked the Muni Services committee to extend the grace period. The City
Council has agreed to extend. Also, there are some hangar vacancies at this time. John is going
through the waiting list. John Gallo said they are moving planes. Jamelle also is moving some
planes. John said the airport sold 15,000 gallons of fuel in August as opposed to 8,000 gallons in
September. So far this month (October) the Airport has only sold 5-6,000 gallons. The flight
school is starting up again as the flying ban is being lifted today, October 17. Everyone has been
doing maintenance on airplanes, but parts weren't being delivered. Discussed the September 11
events and how they have affected use of the airports.
John Gallo discussed the Smart Unicom. Thun Field in Puyallup has changed their frequency,
because it was the same as Auburn. John Anderson said the significant change is that Auburn &
Thun has the same runway headings. Pilots weren't saying Auburn or Thun to identify which
field.
Adjourned at 8:10 am