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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAirMinutes_2007_12_20Brookings Airport Board December 20, 2007 Brookings, SD 57006 A meeting of the Brookings Airport Board was called to order by Vice- chairperson Jeff Boulware at 3:40 PM on Thursday, December 20, 2007, in the Meeting Room at City Hall. Members present were James Bailey, Harry Forsyth, Lynn Riedesel, and Boulware. Robb Sexauer was absent. Also present were Jim Christophersen, Robb McLaughlin, Harry Thompson Robert Fite, Dick Peterson, George Skon family, Randy Hanson - Pheasant’s Fury, Street Superintendent Koss Delfinis, City Engineer Jackie Lanning, Airport Operations and Maintenance Technician Jeremy Scott, and Airport Manager Mike Wilson. Item #2 – (Forsyth/Riedesel) Motion to approve the minutes from the November 15, 2007 meeting. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED. Item #3 – (Bailey/Forsyth) Motion to approve the amended agenda. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED. Sexauer is present. Item #4 – The next meeting will be January 22, 2008 at 3:00 prior to the City Council work session at 4:00 and the City Council meeting at 6:00. Old Business Item #5 – Essential Air Service update – Airport Manager Mike Wilson reported that the Essential Air Service Bill S.2260 has passed the US Senate, but Congress adjourned before the House had a chance to act on it. When they convene the second week in January, hopefully, they will act on the bill. If it passes, there will be a one year extension on EAS in Brookings. Lynn Riedesel asked about Great Lakes Airlines. Wilson said they have stated that they will come back to Brookings. It was not known if Great Lakes would return to Aberdeen. Sexauer was concerned about getting the passengers back. Boulware asked how long it would take for TSA to get set up. Wilson said normally 120 days, but it could be faster as their equipment is still at the airport. Item #6 – Airport electrical project – Wilson stated that some of the items will be completed in the spring after the ground thaws. Some items included in the bid are signs with constant intensity lighting (not dimmable) at various places, a supplemental wind cone, and adjustments to the lighted inset lights. Bob Babcock, Helms Assoc., reported that Tom Schauer, FAA, allowed the existing grant to finance the project. Item #7 – Update on the City Council’s decision regarding the new on-site airport alternative – Harry Forsyth asked City Councilman Mike Bartley why they did not bring S:\Cityhall\Bonnie\Citizen Advisory Boards\Airport Board\AirMinutes2007Dec20.doc 1 up the discussion on the new on-site alternative for a re-vote as the Airport Board requested they do. The Airport Board was asking for a reconsideration of their vote on this issue. Bartley stated that he was not at the meeting so he could not speak for the whole council, but that the council does not control the agenda items. The mayor and city clerk do. Forsyth added that the Airport Board was unanimously against the new on-site alternative. Bartley said that he was in favor of discussing the 3rd option because (1.) as council members, they need to consider everybody’s concerns whether they are viable or not. And if the issue is referred to a vote, it must have been discussed so all information is available about it. And (2.) because they are discussing the option does not mean that it is a preferred option, but as much information as possible should be flushed out about it. Because the council discusses it does not mean that the council prefers it. Bartley added that as council members, all information on all three options must be discussed – even the new on-site alternative. Babcock wanted to explain why this alternative was brought up now. He stated that, as consultants, they need to make sure they leave no stone unturned. He added that they felt they weren’t doing their job if they let this go by. And they didn’t want this alternative to come up at the last minute. He said that they need to provide all the information up front. Bailey said that what concerns him is that if this should be referred to a vote, the people that would be deciding this important issue about the airport will be those who know nothing about airport technicalities. Babcock said that if that happens, the public will be educated through the education of the Airport Board. Boulware said that what bothers him is that the FAA said in the beginning that this alternative was not an option because it was very costly. But now they have changed their mind, and it is the third alternative. Bailey said it just didn’t seem right that uninformed people may be making the decision to change the RPZ and raise the minimums. Riedesel said at first, the FAA said to do nothing at the airport was not an option. Then they changed their mind. He was wondering if they will change their mind again. Boulware added that the third alternative has the possibility of costing more money than the other options. Bartley said that this is and will be a long process, and the council has to study all options. Bartley added that the council wants the Airport Board’s input. Forsyth said the Airport Board is an advisory board and encouraged Bartley and other council members to ask when they have any questions about an issue. Boulware stated that the Airport Board members can go to council members and talk with them on any issues. Boulware added that if all involved are fully prepared and know the answers to all the information available and are prepared for a referral, maybe it won’t happen. A presentation on the new alternative was given by Andy Olson, HNTB. Olson stated that the new alternative is (1) slightly less in cost, and (2) does not allow for a longer runway length. Olson added that the FAA didn’t change their mind; they just thought the third alternative should be explored. Mrs. Prichard, from the audience, asked Olson and the Airport Board how many people would land at a new airport if there were a longer runway. Boulware answered S:\Cityhall\Bonnie\Citizen Advisory Boards\Airport Board\AirMinutes2007Dec20.doc 2 that it isn’t known and explained the process a pilot goes through when making a trip and deciding where to stop. She felt that the Airport Board should look at the needs first before they ruin her quality of life and put an airport by her home. Olson added that jet operations have increased dramatically, and a longer runway is needed to keep up. The Board returned to the agenda items and will come back to the presentation when agenda items have been completed. Item #8 – Discussion on lease rates at the airport – City Engineer Jackie Lanning reported on lease rates in the future. She said that with the type of government the city has, the Airport Board should give recommendations on rate increases, but the City Council should make the final decision. She added that this is how other boards in the city operate when rate increases are discussed. In the past, the Airport Board made the decision, but since the new form of government was implemented, the Board should be recommending to the Council, and it is up to the City Council to make the final decision. Lanning said City Attorney Steve Britzman was consulted. He said that the City Council should approve increases in lease rates, not the Airport Board as it presents a conflict of interest to Board members. Boulware stated that when raises continued in Watertown and Sioux Falls, hangars sat empty. (Forsyth/Riedesel) Motion to recommend to the City Council to raise the current rate of the land leases at the airport to $0.10 per square foot. Boulware, Forsyth, Riedesel, and Sexauer voted yes. Bailey abstained. MOTION CARRIED. Item #9 – Lease rate renewals for Jeff Boulware and M & C Partners – (Forsyth/Boulware) Motion to recommend approval of the leases for Jeff Boulware and M & C Partners. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED. Subleases were brought to the attention of the Airport Board. Riedesel suggested acting today on any sublease that has a signed contract. Those without a contract will be discussed at the January 2008 meeting. He added that commercial and private space should be differentiated, but the Board should not make it hard for someone to have a sublease at the airport. (Riedesel/Forsyth) Motion to approve the sublease between Pheasant’s Fury and SDSU. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED. Item #10 – Interim FBO Services and the City Council decision – Randy Hanson, representing Pheasant’s Fury, said that he asked to be on the City Council agenda and requested help with financing 24 hour service at the airport. He said he is receiving a $715 subsidy for four months. He added that an additional $800 is being used to install code doors for after hour use. Other improvements are carpet cleaning, S:\Cityhall\Bonnie\Citizen Advisory Boards\Airport Board\AirMinutes2007Dec20.doc 3 new flooring, new paint, the addition of a 24 hour kitchenette, access to a computer for weather information, and a code number for the SDSU room. Wilson stated that many good changes have been made. Bailey suggested the January meeting be held at the FBO. Hanson agreed. Hanson was reprimanded for not coming to the Airport Board first. Forsyth said coming to the Board would have made that a longer process, and Hanson was on a timeline to get things done. Bailey said the Airport Board would convene anytime for a special meeting to help speed any process along. Bailey commended Wilson for sending out notices in between meetings to inform the Board. He said that works for better communication between Wilson and the Airport Board. A draft of the Temporary FBO Agreement was discussed. Bailey asked how Hanson decided on his charges. Hanson said he requests that users purchase fuel or pay a handling fee for using his facility. Huron and Watertown use this method. Hanson said he has invited eight potential FBOs to visit his facility on December 28, 2007. No proposals will be presented at this time. It is a time to come and look at the facility. He added that Mike Wilson will be available, and he invited the Board to attend also. He said some prospective FBOs may want to discuss incentives from the City. However, the city subsidy is not listed as a revenue as requested by the City Council. Hanson said he believes there is definite interest in an FBO coming to Brookings. (Forsyth/Boulware) Motion to approve the Temporary FBO Agreement. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED. Item #12 – Airport Manager’s Report Snow Removal – Wilson said they moved snow on November 28 and December 1. Airport Operations and Maintenance Technician Jeremy Scott said he was conscious of keeping the drainage ways open when moving snow. He didn’t want to tear up any ground around the hangars as it wasn’t yet frozen solid. Fuel Master Unit – Wilson said the City purchased the fuel master unit from Big Sioux Aviation for $4,000. The City also negated fuel flowage fees owed to the City by BSA. Wilson added that the printer needs new parts. Riedesel said there is a similar unit at the Tea airport. They got a new digitalized one very reasonably. He added that having a receipt printer is better than having receipts printed in Aberdeen. Riedesel suggested asking the prospective FBOs on December 28th what they would like to see at the airport. Item #11- FBO Report – Hanson said he will sell fuel to General Aviation tenants/pilots at .50 per gallon less for the low lead fuel. He is selling Jet A fuel for $4.20/gallon and $4.95/gallon for low lead. Riedesel explained that some of the GA pilots have their own fuel source. If they discontinue purchasing through their source and purchase from Hanson, they will not be able to get that source back if the next FBO doesn’t offer them the same discount. He wanted Hanson to know why they aren’t purchasing from S:\Cityhall\Bonnie\Citizen Advisory Boards\Airport Board\AirMinutes2007Dec20.doc 4 S:\Cityhall\Bonnie\Citizen Advisory Boards\Airport Board\AirMinutes2007Dec20.doc 5 him. Hanson said he understood and will strongly request that the new FBO keep it as it is now. Hanson said he is keeping track of each plane using the airport (tail number, date, and type). Sexauer said that would be good in formation to forward to the City Council. Hanson said he wants the Airport Board and Pheasant’s Fury to be on good terms and be advocates to each other. He asked each member to come to him personally if there is any problem or concern. Andy Olson continued with his presentation discussing runway lengths. The Board felt that the previous two options were strengthened with the new figures presented on the third on-site alternative. Board members suggested charting the planes flying into Brookings and showing the planes that can’t come here now because of the runway length. Babcock said that other cities comparable to Brookings have longer runways except Vermillion and Madison. He continued, saying they don’t want to leave one stone unturned. Olson said it will be made clear that the new alternative is less appealing. The meeting was adjourned. ____________________________ __________________________ Diane M. Spencer, Secretary Robb Sexauer, Chairperson