HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-18-2003MINUTES OF THE AUBURN AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2003
The meeting was called to order by Chairman: Bill Peloza at 8:00 am.
Board members present Bud Buchanan, Rodger Campbell, Don Rottle, and Ron Wanttaja.
Staff present are Planning Director Paul Krauss, Safety Manager Mark Ellingson, and Carolyn Brown,
Assistant Secretary.
Guests present are Jamelle Garcia, Marge and Jan Bouchard, John Gallo, Randy Coplen
Minutes of the October 21,2003 meeting were approved as read by Rodger Campbell and the second by
Bud Buchanan. Planning Director Krauss received one claim for damage during flood, one cell phone
claim. Okayed by mayor.
OLD BUSINESS:
Item 1 is an update of the FAA / GPS and Remote Transmitter Status. Planning Director Krauss said it is
still in process. At this time though, the remote transmitter should be resolved. He has followed up with
FAA and Lorelei Mesic with WH Pacific is calling the FAA every week. Jamelle Garcia said that he has
been calling, also, but with no return calls. At least the regional FAA staff has said OK. The one change
is that FAA wants antenna and frequency on the west hill. The disadvantage of not having the remote
transmitter is that on a rainy windy day, a pilot may not be able to get in or out of the airport. Some pilots
won't land if there is no instrument approach. Chairman Peloza asked if maybe a letter could be sent out
noting the disadvantages of not having the instruments and any possible financial impacts. Planning
Director Krauss could have the mayor sign the letter and Carolyn Roberts, the intergovernmental
coordinator, could send to legislature. Jamelle added that there has not been a regional manager. He
will contact the new manager when he is settled in to office. Hopefully by the December AAB meeting.
Item 2 is the Airport management and operations contract update. Planning Director Krauss stated that
the contract is nearly complete, and legal staff is finalizing the language. The next step is to go to the City
Council. The City will be signing and agreeing on a start date. Jamelle said the goal is the first of the
year. Safety Manager Ellingson said currently staff is waiting for the final decision. Rodger asked if the
AAB will be advised before it goes to City Council. Planning Director Krauss will route a copy to AAB.
Item 3 is the delinquent tenant account status has remained at a steady amount. Between $1,000 and
$2,000 in arrears. One of the delinquent tenants helped by flying staff to the other airports in the region in
order to post signs about the Auburn airport.
The airport security report is Item 4 on the agenda. Chairman Peloza asked if there has been any
progress on repair to the middle gates. Safety Manager Ellingson said the key pad went out to the
personnel gate by airport office. That needs to have the whole key pad mechanism replaced. The other
gates are having heat strips installed in order to drive the moisture out and stop the condensation.
Discussion on the middle gate and replacement of the mechanism and how much of a security issue it
presents. Does the City have any liability. Planning Director Krauss indicated there shouldn't be any
liability to the City. Don Rottle recommended to add the heat strips and replace parts if the heat strips
don't do the job. The row 8 big gate is the main problem. Safety Manager Ellingson will go out for bids.
Jamelle said the gate could be disabled until the problem is resolved. Jan Bouchard asked if the gate
could be disabled at night, so anyone would have to come in at one of the other gates. Planning Director
Krauss / Safety Manager Ellingson will look into it.
Item 5 is the Auburn Good Old Days (2004). A meeting date is set of Dec 10 @ 5:00 City Hall. Planning
Secretary Brown will book a room and notify people once the committee is established. Connie Heinke
will bring a person from Thun Field..
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Hangar vacancies, item 6, still is an ongoing concern. Planning Director Krauss stated there are about
12-15 hangars vacant at this time. The City is advertising in various trade papers, and signs have been
hung up in various airports. Chairman Peloza asked if the rent could be reduced for a period of time.
Ron Wanttaja added people are looking for convenience. Jamelle additional services will help-such as
the GPS. It will be a matter of getting people to come back to the airport. Planning Director Krauss said
the older hangars are inexpensive but open, the City could now install doors and partition walls. The
hangars would be old, but at least secure. John Gallo said the old hangars need major repairs; electrical,
lights and water under the doors. They also need weather seals around the roll-up doors. Safety
Manager Ellingson has info on the type of weather seals around the doors. John Gallo discussed the size
of the hangars and the fact that the pillars that hold up the roofs should be replaced.
Item 7 is Airport development and the potential for additional hangar development. Planning Director
Krauss said he met with Jamelle and they have verbally agreed to exchanged an acre of land for the
north end of his tie down, to the area closer to his building. Also, Hangars Unlimited has been notified of
an increase in rent because the owners have not completed their end of the improvement per the
contract. Also, the owner are being sued by contractors and the condos are already sold before
completion. Hangars Unlimited has been paying the land rent.
A Vancouver airport manager toured the Auburn facility and would like to build. His goal would be to
entice aviation related business. The hangars could be more upscale. Jamelle would like to see
something that is wider and higher for the larger airplanes.
Item 8 was a discussion of an overview of the Airport (showing hangar space, tie-down space, and
undeveloped property).
NEW BUSINESS
1. Safety Manager Ellingson presented information to see upgrades to weather information system,
called Meteorlogix. It is an upgrade to weather station. Jamelle stated that he has used and but will
return it. The same information can be obtained just as easy over the internet at NOAA.gov. Some just
needs a computer and they can view the information. The Aviation Sentry program would be $150
month. Safety Manager Ellingson will meet with Jamelle about setting up a computer somewhere for the
general use.
2. Chairman Peloza asked if staff has had time to review and respond to Gerry Coon's letter dated 10-
21-03. The board discussed the issue of water leaking into the hangars. John Gallo said the City has
used some rubber tubing to run around the door and to try and keep the water out. But the slope of the
pavement allows the water to run into the hangars. Jan Bouchard said it doesn't seal, because of the
uneven ground. Staff will review and respond to Mr. Coon. Planning Director Krauss there is no formal
form to fill out when a tenant has a problem with the space they are renting. Chairman Peloza would like
to see some type of formal complaint form. Jamelle has started an incident report form to give to people.
Jamelle will forward on to staff what he is using.
3. An aeronautical study was received from Pacific Bell Wireless NW LLC for staff to review. Planning
Director Krauss said he has responded to this request. He said the tower is too close to downwind and
close enough to the flight path for concern.
4 Is the upcoming vacancy on the AAB. Chairman Peloza has been elected to the City Council. Mayor
Lewis will advertise for the vacant position on the Board.
Meeting adjourned at 8:56 am. Next meeting will be Tuesday December 16 @ 8:00 am - Room 1 in City
Hall.
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