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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-20-2002MINUTES OF AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD AUGUST 20, 2002 Bill Peloza Chairman called the meeting to order at 8:00 am August 20, 2002. Board members present were Rodger Campbell, Don Rottle, & Ron Wanttaja. Bud Buchanan was absent. Staff present were Paul Krauss, Director of Planning and Community Development; Mark Ellingson, City of Auburn Safety Manager; and Carolyn Brown, Planning Secretary. Also in attendance were John Gallo, ALP representative, Jamelle Garcia of Auburn Flight Service, and Ray Richcreek, tenant. First on the agenda was the approval of the minutes from the July 16, 2002 meeting. Chairman Peloza had one change on page 2 in the 5th paragraph, "in the audience was Ichiro Seshima and Russell Steel of Classic Helicopters". Rodger Campbell moved to accept the minutes as changed and was seconded by Ron Wanttaja. Minutes approved as changed. Paul Krauss, Director of Planning and Community Development vaded from the agenda in order to discuss the status of Airport Manager John Anderson. Airport Manager Anderson was placed on administrative leave 3 weeks ago. At this time there is an on going investigation of vadous issues at the airport. Planning Director Krauss stated that he was able to discuss the details, but the investigation will not be complete for several more weeks. Mark Ellingson, Safety Manager is filling in as Airport Manager in Mr. Anderson's absence and has been at the airport to help with airport business. Also, a temporary from the cledcal pool is helping with telephones and other office functions. Safety Manager Ellingson has made progress cleaning up some safety issues at the airport, including replacing an old wheeled fire extinguisher, fixed temp widng, and other problems. The air conditioning at AFS has been repaired with an intedm fix until a permanent one can be implemented. Airport staff is now able to work outside making headway on repairs at the airport; such as crack sealing. Planning Director Krauss added that he will be out of the office after this week until September 9. Ron Wanttaja met with the helicopter group to discuss ongoing issues. The helicopters need a fiat area to hover, but require a path to cross the fixed wing path to access available area on the west side. The helicopters will come in higher at about 75-80 feet and hopefully will fix the problem. Planning Director Krauss said materials have been delivered to the north end for hangar construction. That project will eliminate some of the hover area. John Gallo added that if the area to the west were mowed it would make a good practice area. Planning Director Krauss indicated that it is not an easy area to mow and that is why staff does not routinely cut the grass, but some of the trees have been removed to make it more open. Ron added that the helicopter group made a comment that they might be willing to mow the grass and keep the area up. Chairman Peloza asked if a letter addressing the grassy area could be sent to Ichiro Seshima of Classic Helicopters, Doug Skeem of Helicopters NW and the FAA. The letter could also state that if the helicopters keep to 75 feet it will help with grass situation. Ron gave a quick summary of his report that was included in the agenda: The helicopters should continue to use the previous agreement and pattem. Long-term improvements were discussed and maybe the helicopter group will put down gravel. Perhaps the pattern changes could accommodate fixed wing to the east side and rotary to west side. The FAA has favored that configuration. Planning Director Krauss displayed an aerial view for the board. The most recent noise complaints are from the helicopters flying the "1" Street NE Page 1 area. Don Rottle added that there is the potential for accidents and there should be sepal'ate fields for fixed wing and helicopters. Chairman Peloza said it is difficult to control the helicopter usage, as this is an open airport. Don asked why couldn't the helicopters use the same traffic patterns and speeds as fixed wing? Ron answered that the helicopters fly slower. Jamelle Garcia asked if the FAA have any comments at the meeting? Ron answered no. Chairman Peloza would like this included in the letter. There was some discussion as how the helicopters fly in and also the lack of radio communication. Chairman Peloza asked about any city liability in case of accident. Planning Director Krauss answered that the City should not be liable. The FAA has authority over all aircraft and traffic patterns. Chairman Peloza asked if we have made any demands on the helicopter groups? Planning Director Krauss answered no, because the FAA has control and anything ½ inch off of ground is FAA jurisdiction. Planning Director Krauss said the Airport is somewhat self-controlling as it has been successful with ground leases and a year from now will be no area for helicopter practicing. Chairman Peloza asked what is to prevent the helicopters from using the airport when ground is full? Planning Director Krauss answered that nothing will stop them from making passes, but there will be no reom for hovering. Discussed other possible areas such as the dairy fields along West Valley, Smith Brothers land, or the Auburn Academy area, which is a private airport. Jamelle asked about the 3% acres north and Planning Director Krauss stated that land is leased to Bill Vandenburg and he will start construction soon. Don said in the meantime it would be a big help if the helicopters could fly the pattern and use their radios. Jamelle thinks John Anderson wrote a letter to the helicopter groups stating what the airport prefers. Safety Manager Ellingson will research that letter. Also, Planning Director Krauss will draft a new letter and will send on to Ron and copy to board members to review. Ray Richcreek added that there has been noise problems with small twin engines flying ~t Iow altitudes and making a left turn out as they take off. The Airport had a sign at one time, about departures, but the sign is not visible now. Planning Director Krauss said the sign was covered to see if noise complaints increased due to departure patterns. Discussed the signs and Airport staff will uncover the signs that the turnout directions Ron Wanttaja and Don Rottle discussed the new orientation package that will be given to all tenants and to new tenants as they come to the airport. Ron displayed sketch package he made up. Don would like to see the flight pattern added to the sketch package. There was a discussion of 1000 feet as standard agl procedure. Ron will add a pattern altitude to the map. Also, Ron put together the pattern directions and a common sense guidelines insert. (See attachment to the minutes). Don inquired of the committee if there is anything they might change. Safety Manager Ellingson added that one thing not shown on the map is the SeaTac traffic control area. Ron answered that he did that on purpose as he did not want to have something that specific. Ron would like the FAA to publish something instead. He may put a statement in to be aware of SeaTac flight pattern. Chairman Peloza asked if the sketch maps and does & don'ts list would comprise the packet? Ron answered that he packet will have a cover letter, actual airport regulations, maps and the does and don'ts list. Chairman Peloza asked Planning Director Krauss to draft a cover letter. Chairman Peloza would like to see the total package on the next meeting agenda. Planning Director Krauss agreed and also there is a brochure that can be added. Ron asked if the maps Page 2 could go on the City's website? Planning Director Krauss agreed to put them. The corrmittee agreed that the orientation package ready for completion. The next item on the agenda was the delinquent tenant summary provided by the finance department. Planning Director Krauss would like to concentrate on the tenants who are over $1000 in arrears. Planning Director Krauss has talked with airport staff about the planes the planes in question. One plane hasn't been moved in months and Planning Direct Krauss believes that plane may belong to the tenant with the largest amount owed. He has been working with finance to attach a lien to the plane. Chairman Peloza said there are approximately nine tenants who owe over $100. He added. however, there is a significant improvement from when we started tracking the delinquencies. Total delinquencies over 90 days old are $5,530.87. He said the board now has an aging summary to keep track of delinquents. Safety Manager Ellingson asked how the past due accounts have been contacted. Planning Director Krauss answered that finance is responsible for the notices. Staff is working to move forward on how to attach the plane. Ron added that any hangar that is delinquent in rent could have staff move the plane out and re-rent the hangar. Safety Manager Ellings°n updated the board on the secudty at the airport. He handed out the reports from July and August to Planning Director Krauss and Chairman Peloza. The "Touch Point" devices were not working due to an upgrade on the secudty company's software. TOuch Point is a small round button like feature that is mounted on the gate (and other places at the airport) and the security guard has a wand device that he uses on the button as he is making the rounds. There are six Touch Point devices around the airport facility and one on the office. There were no infractions on the last report. Security staff has been instructed to contact and question people after hours. The security company signs will be up in about 2 weeks, and there will probably be one sign on each gate. Chairman Peloza requested a letter be sent to all tenants about the new security. Ray asked about the new lock that had been installed on the pedestrian gate at the south end. John Gallo said the lock is operational, but the master code needs to be changed. Chairman Peloza said he would still like to see the Aubum Airport information updated on the AirNav.com website. Jamelle stated that the site manager needs to receive an e-mail and he will update the information. The airport manager can make the changes. Planning Director Krauss will ask staff to follow-up. The board reviewed the letter that was sent to legislatures on the GPS issue. Planning Director Krauss said that Safety Manager Ellingson talked to Jan Olson and Mr. Olson said the package is ready to go to Oklahoma City. Planring Director Krauss also e-mailed a copy of the letter to Mr. Olson and re-emphasized the importance of the letter. Safety Manager Ellingson was told the process could take up to a year. Planning Director Krauss added at this time he is not even sure the application was ever in place. Planning Director Krauss asked if anyone in attendance has a contact in the Oklahoma City office? Jamelle said he will check with the regional level here Also, John Gallo will meet with the regional, manager who is in Mortana. Regarding the fencing issue for the west side of the airport. Planning DireCtor Krauss said that John Anderson was researching grant funding to finish the fence. The fence was completed past the industrial buildings and the City wants to extend itfurther south along the rest of the airport property. Also, more trees need to be cut down. The Police Department has cleaned out the Page 3 hobo jungle and staff cut the grass and cleaned up the area. $300,000 is available in grants but grant will remain on file. Chairman Peloza asked if staff followed up on the grant? Safety Manager Ellingson said he would look on line. Jamelle recommend sending another request. Planning Director Krauss stated that the runway overlay project is still in the budget for the FAA fiscal year 2003. The city will proceed as soon as the go ahead is received. The Airport sweeping schedule is still on track. Brenda Heineman the Director of Human Resources is going to contact the City Parks Department for support on the grass-cutting schedule. At this time it takes an airport staff person 3-4 days to cut the grass with the mower that is available for their use. The City is working with King County/Metro to take over the property at the Metro Park and Ride area on 15a Street NW. The City and Metro are working on a program where the Park and Ride will move to the downtown Sounder Transit station. Planning Director Krauss said the "pea patch" site will also go away if the City takes over the property. Planning Director Krauss provided an aedal view of the airport with property lines. The reason the City wants to acquire the property is to extend the safety overrun and also, the area would not be developed. As far as the idea of a potential park site, Ron stated that people already picnic and watch airplanes at the north end of the Park and Ride. The City would own that piece of property. The area outside of the protected airspace could be sold off for commercial. A view deck could possibly be built to the side of the runway. NEW BUSINESS Planning Director Krauss gave background on the hangar fees. He said three years ago the City raised the fees and at that time the City Council approved a 3-% % annual increase, which appears in July. As of this date the City doesn't have another scheduled increase approved. The Human Resources obtains a CPI regional number and Planning Director Krauss said he wants to recommend to City Council to apply the CPI number to a rate increase. Ray asked if the increase has helped with management of the Airport? Planning Director Krauss replied that yes with the self-fue, ling, elimination of staff, ground leases, and increased rental fees the Airport is making enough to keep up maintenance. Planning Director Krauss also has the bid for the roof of Hangar 7 on his desk and will be meeting with the builder. Chairman Peloza added one final item for discussion of the 2003 Auburn Good. Old Days. He would like to see an Airport activity planned for 2003. John Gallo said that he has a brochure he gave Planning Director Krauss regarding applying for liability insurance. Planning Director Krauss added that the last time there was an event at the Airport, parking was a problem, so parking needs to be arranged. Everyone agreed that they would like to see some event again. Ron said the Lions Club is interested in sponsoring a fly-in as a fundraiser. Ray stated that he has left Young Eagles brochures at the Airport and the brochures are already gone. People he has talked to are still interested in that project. The only problem with an event at the Airport is that it is Isolated from the main activities downtown. Perhaps it could be a function separate from Good Old Days and a different date, maybe in September. Rodger moved to adjourn at 9:20 and was seconded by Ron. NEXT MEETING: SEPTEMBER 17, CITY HALL RESPECTIVELY SUBMITTED BY CAROLYN BROWN, SECRETARY Page 4