HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-18-2003
AIRPORT ADVISORY MINUTES MARCH 18,2003
Chairman: Bill Peloza called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
Board Members present: Bud Buchanan, Rodger Campbell, Ron Wanttaja
Absent: Don Rottle
Staff: Paul Krauss, Director Planning and Community Development; Mark Ellingson,
Safety Manager; Carolyn Brown, Assistant Secretary Planning Department.
Guests: Sue Singer, City Council member; John Gallo, AOLP; Jamelle Garcia, AFS; Jan
Bouchard, tenant; Ray Richcreek, tenant.
The minutes of the February meeting were approved as amended.
OLD BUSINESS:
Item 1. Discussed an addition of another portable bathroom to the north end of the airport.
Board member Ron Wanttaja made a motion to rent and add another portable bathroom to
the airport. Second by Board member Rodger Campbell. Motion carried.
Item 2. Top airports in the area. Director Krauss added that the City will have an information
commercial in the Washington CEO magazine about the airport. The reports that are out
look at an assumption that the airport has 450 touch and goes a day. That would make it
busier then SEA/TAC, Boeing Field or Payne Field. Board member Wanttaja said the
number of operations is half less then SEA/TAC which would make it impressive numbers.
Board member Campbell said there has only been one complaint that he can remember,
about noise at the airport.
Delinquent Accounts - Interim Airport Manager Mark Ellingson has been contacting
delinquent tenants regarding their accounts. The owner with the biggest account in arrears
is Louri Khartonov. However, he is making payments. Interim Airport Manager Ellingson
suggests not taking any action at this time, as Louri Khartonov has paid $1020 in December.
Airport Board Chairman Bill Peloza would still like to send Louri Khartonov a thank you letter
and encourage him to make final payments. Director Krauss said the City would like to tow
the airplanes to another area when the weather dries out. Councilmember Sue Singer asked
if AI Hicks, the Economic and Development Planner has any contacts with the film industry?
Perhaps someone would be interested in buying the old planes for a movie. Director Krauss
said he would pass that information on to Mr. Hicks. John Gallo added that he has seen a
catalog that resells parts for airplanes.
Chairman Peloza said also he sent an e-mail to Director Krauss recommending that the
Finance Committee write off the Manchego debt (he has vacated the airport with his
airplane). Also, Chairman Peloza asked about the term "inactive" that appears on the Tenant
aging Summary Report? Interim Airport Manager Ellingson said it is someone that no longer
has an airplane at the airport. There are several names listed as inactive. Chairman Peloza
asked Interim Airport Manager Ellingson to follow-up with Finance and recommended that
the inactive accounts and/or vacated tenants with bad debts be submitted to the Finance
Committee and written-off. .
Item 3 (Airport fuel sales). Director Krauss said the City has managed to keep fuel prices
down and yet fuel prices are going through the roof. Chairman Peloza asked about coupling
airport fuel requirements with the city fuel purchases. Director Krauss will review and advise.
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AIRPORT ADVISORY MINUTES MARCH 18,2003
Item 4 (Hangars Unlimited building progress). Director Krauss has talked to HU and they are
finishing the hangars slowly. They still plan to build the second line of hangars. Hangars
Unlimited has tried to get the ground lease rental fee reduced with ongoing discussing with
the city staff.
On the issue of trying to reschedule the FAA meeting, Director Krauss has finally talked to
Jan Olson's boss. The FAA would like to first have an internal meeting with Seattle Air
Traffic. Director Krauss said they had many reasons why they have not worked with the City
regarding the GPS. Council member Singer added that maybe the City would need to go to
the Congressional delegation. Guest, Jamelle Garcia said the manager of the FAA retired in
December and at this time they have no manager. A new manager will not be selected until
June. Mr. Garcia will try to find out who the interim manager. John Gallo said when Thun
Field received their GPS it was labeled day time use only and it has now evolved to night use
also. Ray Richcreek discussed contacting the General Aviation Board. The new director,
John Seibold, Director of Div of Aeronautics of State of Washington has been traveling to the
different airports.
Interim Airport Manager Ellingson reported on the airport security and said there has been no
complaints or problems. Chairman Peloza had questioned has to why the Police Volunteers
cannot go inside? Director Krauss added that Chief Jim Kelly said there should be no
problem, but Director Krauss will double check on that.
On the status of the Russian planes that are parked at the south end of the airport, Director
Krauss said we can move them wherever there is a place. When the area is drier they could
be moved to the southwest corner in the grass. Chairman Peloza asked if the City is liable if
someone breaks into a plane? Director Krauss will write a letter and ask Louri Khartonov for
consensus to move the airplanes.
The problem of the sinking manhole problem is not just at hangar 7, but about 5 manholes
total are sinking. Mr. Ellingson does not know how much safety issue it is presenting. Jan
Bouchard added that 5 inches below the taxiway could be a problem with a plane with small
tires. Director Krauss said when paving is done they can raise the basin. Director Krauss
will ask street department to take a look. Chairman Peloza asked to have some pictures
taken for next meeting.
Director Krauss advised that the hangars are all full and the waiting list is basically gone.
There is still some turnover but any empty hangar fills up quickly.
Chairman Peloza thanked Board member Ron Wanttaja for creating the noise abatement
letter. The letter was mailed in the March 18 finance billing statement to each tenant. At the
last AAB meeting, guest Garna Jones had concerns about the airport noise in the area of
town where she lives. This was discussed in detail at the last meeting. Board member
Wanttaja said he will add the noise abatement information and notice to the City Website and
the Air Nav website. City staff can post on Airport Office bulletin board and by the fuel
station. Guest, Ray Richcreek said a big sign at the end of the runway could help if the
diagram is available. Board member Wanttaja likes the idea of a sign at the end of runway.
Director Krauss said he would have the city sign shop create a sign. Board member Ron
Wanttaja will provide the staff word suggested wording.
New Business
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AIRPORT ADVISORY MINUTES MARCH 18,2003
Item 1. (Hangar row nine). Director Krauss has been talking to potential developers that
want to build on the airport on the south end. That area should be reserved for a high profile
buildings. This would 00 partially on land that is leased by Auburn Flight Services. These
are narrow taxiways, but if a row of hangars was put there, there would still be room for a
taxiway. Director Krauss and Mr. Garcia will discuss. The storm line could be relocated and
if moved further to south, would serve expanded taxiway. 3 years ago the City Council
established two ground lease rates. One for developed land and one for undeveloped land.
Director Krauss would now like to ask for the best offer. John Voudray is interested as he
has completely sold out his hangars and wants to build more.
Chairman Peloza recommended there be an AAB Board member tour of the airport before
the April meeting. Saturday at April 5 at 10:00 am was agreed upon and have everyone
meet at the Airport office. Director Krauss will head up the meeting. Parking is a problem,
but people can park in the transient tie down area. City Council members and the Mayor will
also be invited.
Director Krauss provided copies of Request for Proposal (RFP) to Board members)
regarding the management of the airport by a private firm. Council member Singer
discussed the proposal and she did a lot of research on other airport management contracts.
However, there was very little information nation wide. Had to tailor the RFP to Auburn.
Staff wanted the AAB and CC actively involved in input for the Airport. A draft RFP went to
Muni Services, CC and AAB simultaneously. Director Krauss needs to have any feedback
ASAP. Jan Bouchard asked what will it save the City? Council member Singer answered
that it will save the City money per a business plan. Director Krauss said it will be a base
level of income that is provided after the City covers its expenses. A private manager will not
have as many restrictions as the Airport/City has now. Growing of the income stream and
getting more aircraft on the field plus selling more fuel, i.e. a private manager could sell
cheaper fuel and get more aircraft on the field. Mr. Bouchard sees restraints on topography
and the airport needs more open space, so it is difficult to see how the airport can expand.
Discussed pros and cons of the airport size. The RFP still has to go to the CC for bid and
also, needs to pass Finance review. Director Krauss agreed that the airport has too many
constraints. Board member Campbell agrees in privatization of the airport. Director Krauss
said it hasn't been done very often, i.e. Gig Harbor turned out to be a bad decision. Council
member Singer said the airport operations pay a lot of money to the City for staff operations.
Director Krauss said that overhead is set up so that each department takes a piece, and
fixed salaries.
Chairman Peloza asked that any comments to the RFP be given to Director Krauss by April
4. He needs the comments before Muni Services by April 7. Director Krauss discussed the
responsibilities of a manager, and also keep the Airport Board as an advisory group. A
contractor would staff, make minor repairs, handle services on the field, and any major
expenditures would have to be approved by CC. The exact definition is still being refined.
The RFP could be authorized by Muni Services. Council member Singer said the Master
Plan has good ideas but if concerns are expressed to the CC then they would like to see
more airport plans into the Capital Facilities Program (CFP). CFP is financially constrained
and could only put in projects that they actually could afford. CFP is supposed to be done
every year.
Regarding the projects. The AAB would like to be proactive. The AAB had significant input
into the Master Plan. The Master Plan will go into the CFP. What the CFP shows are
projects that actually could be funded. There was a brief discussion on projects in the CFP.
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AIRPORT ADVISORY MINUTES MARCH 18,2003
Property acquisition such as adding on land at 15th Street is a safety issue according to
Council member Singer. The Master Plan should correlate to CFP as the Master Plan gets
FAA money. Chairman Peloza asked if what is in CFP are the opportunities to 2008?
Director Krauss answered yes and even if we get FAA grants we can't manage it.
John Gallo would like to preclude a Federal regulated block watch by starting our own block
watch program. He has a video news clip he will show at the next meeting. The AOPA is
trying to promote more flying and also an Airport watch program. John Gallo has a short
video on block watch. Could plan it at the next meeting. Also has signage and posters.
There being no further new business, a motion was moved and seconded. Adjourned @ 9:23
am
Respectfully submitted by Carolyn Brown, Secretary
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