Loading...
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. PAGE 1 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 PAGE 2 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. PAGE 3 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 PAGE 4