HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-18-2003
AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 18,2003
Chairman Bill Peloza called the meeting to order at 8:00 am.
Board members present were Rodger Campbell, Don Rottle and Ron Wanttaja
Bud Buchanan was absent.
Staff present were Paul Krauss, Director Planning and Community Development, Mark Ellingson,
Safety Manager and Interim Airport Manager.
Guests were Auburn City Council member Sue Singer, and John Gallo, AOLP member.
Chairman Peloza welcomed Council member Sue Singer to the meeting.
The January 21, 2003 minutes were read and Board member Robert Campbell moved to accept the
minutes as amended. Motion to approve was passed.
The first item of old business was a brief discussion regarding the Metro Park and Ride property that
the Airport is negotiating to acquire from King County and at this time Planning Director Krauss has
nothing new to talk about.
The second item is the City's response to the Classic Helicopter Letter of 10-22-02. Planning
Director Krauss said that a letter that was composed by Ron Wanttaja was mailed on Friday,
February 14, 2003.
Item number 3 is regarding the ongoing runway/ taxiway evaluation and the safety issues. Chairman
Peloza asked if Interim Manager Mark Ellingson has been able to make a safety assessment?
Interim Manager Ellingson responded that not at this time. Planning Director Krauss said the runway
repair plans are still a go. Planning Director Krauss added that he also had a survey crew go to the
area south of Hangar row 8. Crew may have to cut a section out but the runway will still be the same
width and length. Where there is a major crack, the crew will route out and work back to the surface.
Also, will grind off the surface and put on a new surface coat and then repave. The Airport will have
to close for 36-48 hours when the repaving takes place. Taxiways are also scheduled for work on an
FAA grant. This will probably be in two years as the City does not have matching funds at this time.
The Board then discussed a schedule for refinishing taxiways. The refinishing is weather contingent.
Staff will need additional training on the equipment. Interim Manager Ellingson said staff is working
on the problem as they have time. Planning Director Krauss said the City can only work on runways
at this time. Work on the taxiways is still a couple of years in the future.
Item number 4 is a progress report on the repairs to Hangers #2 & #7. Planning Director Krauss
answered that airplanes are now in the hangars.
It is official, the Mayor has extended Bud Buchanan's Board service another 4 years.
On item number 6, Chairman Peloza asked if Interim Airport Manager Ellingson had a chance to
proceed with the write off of a Delinquent Tenant's account. The process is to notify tenant then
chain the aircraft. Planning Director Krauss will email Shelley Coleman, director of Finance and ask
her to start the process to write-off the outstanding amount. Interim Airport Manager Ellingson will try
to get the RCW posted within the next few weeks. One of airport staff is out on medical leave, so the
Airport is short-handed at this time.
The board discussed the current fuel sales and prices. The Auburn Airport has reduced the fuel from
$2.59 to $2.51 a gallon. Interim Airport Manager Ellingson stated that he periodically checks with
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other airports and compares prices. He would like to do a fuel sales vs. cost analysis to make sure
we are covering costs to operate the airport. Chairman Peloza would still like the City to consider
another vendor. Planning Director Krauss added that the City can go with any vendor. Board
member Rodger Campbell asked if the Airport is included in the City fuel contract? Chairman Peloza
asked if the airport could get a price break if they buy through the same vendor as the City?
Planning Director Krauss said the City does work with the county for certain things in order to get a
discount. However, there are not as many vendors for aviation fuel and it usually is a tight market.
There is unbranded fuel available that is available for less. John Gallo said a new tax is being
proposed for aviation fuel and 10% will go to the general fund in Olympia. Chairman Peloza asked
City Council member Sue Singer if this tax increase could go to the City Council for discussion?
Item 7 is the Hangars Unlimited letter. Planning Director Krauss said they are working on their
hangars again. Additionally, he has had a call from one of the contractors who would also like to
build some hangars. John Voudry's project is moving along and he also wants to build more. Bill
Vandenberg has indicated that his sales are going very well.
Planning Director Krauss has a survey crew working near the Auburn Flight Service (AFS) site. The
taxiways there are narrow. Also, the problem of the storm sewer in that area needs to be resolved.
More hangars should be able to be built in that area.
The Board briefly discussed the ongoing issue of trying to schedule a meeting with the FAA regarding
the GPS. Planning Director Krauss stated he sent an e-mail to Jan Olsen and is trying to reschedule
the meeting. So far they have been unable to agree on a time. Cayla Morgan with the FAA also
trying to schedule the meeting. Jamelle Garcia will try to contact the person who used to head up the
Seattle flight control.
Planning and Community Development Garna Jones arrived and set in on the meeting.
Airport Security status seems to be improved. Interim Airport Manager Ellingson said that nothing
has been reported. Also, the Police Volunteers are still patrolling the area.
Planning Director Krauss said that hopefully his letter to Stemper Architects regarding fee
amendments not being justified has worked. The City needs to close out the project.
Chairman Peloza asked if the manhole sinking problem by Hangar 7 is a safety hazard? John Gallo
added that it could be a safety hazard. Planning Director Krauss will look at the storm drain between
7&8.
Council member Sue Singer said that staff and committees are working on an airport management
proposal. The City needs to treat the airport as an asset. The Municipal Services committee met last
month regarding how to run the airport.
NEW BUSINESS
The first item under new business is the Aircraft Noise Abatement letter. Planning and Community
member Garna Jones said she is concerned about airplane noise to the east side of the city. It
appears that the airplanes are noisier now especially for people that live in the flight path. Airport
Board member Ron Wanttaja described how airplanes are required to take off into certain flight
patterns. Chairman Peloza asked Ron to put out a message and staff could have it inserted into the
billing statement sent out by finance. John Gallo said to ask for a decibel counter and place in
different locations in the City. Ron added that this summer the lake-off pattern will change to the
north because of the prevailing winds. At this time of year planes must take off to the south. Garna
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asked about the angle of takeoff and if increased speed is required. Ron answered no and that
everyone takes off at full throttle. He did discuss how certain propeller speed can cause a very loud
noise. The noise abatement information is available on the City web page. Information to go back to
the Planning Commission.
Rodger Campbell moved to adjourn. Second by Ron Wanttaja.
Adjourn at 8:55 am and the next meeting will be March 18, 2003 @ 8:00 in City Hall.
Respectively submitted by Carolyn Brown, Secretary
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