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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-01-29 Council Minutes - Joint Work Session with National GuardJ 4. f r MEETING OF NATIONAL GUARD REPRESENTATIVES, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY ADMINISTRATION JANUARY 29, 1988 - 1200 PM KENAI CITY HALL Presents Alaska DM&VA Deputy Comm. Borg, ANG Lt. Colonel Taylor, Mayor Williams, Councilman McComsey, Economic Development Chairman O'Reilly, Economic Development Commissioner Carter, Economic Development Commissioner Elson, City Manager Brighton, Airport Manager Ernst, City Clerk Whelan Mayor Williams:- This meeting was called to discuss recent events regarding the air rescue service now being handled by the Air Force and being transferred to the National Guard. Dep. Comm. Borg: The December news release by Sen. Stevens stated when the equipment was available (1-30's and helicopters) the Alaska Air National Guard would assume the role. The Air Force is phasing out. Regarding the status, we have talked regarding the City's interest in seeing a unit in Kenai. There is acreage adjacent to the airport, it is an attractive option. The interest is in a flying unit for the long range. What can we do now so we will all agree on the sequence of events? If we address the near term, (3-5 years is the government view, probably 2-3 years) we should look seriously at Kenai to get the authority to come in with an engineering unit. With the unit we would propose a facility to house a unit that would be a hanger -type facility. if you look to a flying unit you have a facility already to house static aircraft. if that were sitting here, you have a place to put it. if we hang on to a flying unit for the near term, that will get wallowed down in problems. We may not get the necessary support to accomplish it. The reason for an engineering unit is it would be successful. The National Guard is looking for places for engineering units. if we talk to them, they will agree to that. Mayor Williams: Regarding the airport, we have set aside 65 acres next to the runway. it would be adequate for a facility, BOL system, etc. Lt. Col., Taylors That is the best place. There is no doubt Sen. Stevens -is driving this, we should appreciate this. Even with his influence, there are approaches he must take. $63 Million was appropriated for aircraft, that was the easy part. It does not say anything about construction, man - --power stations-,- etc.-- .-That-has to . be- done- with National Guard resources. It has to have the support of all -_government-_agencies..__Ho_w_far can _we -make this thing_go? How far can we push before we meet with resistance? If we -- - - tried to get a whole rescue unit, we would have objections. Construction would be much less in Anchorage. L , 1i _ 1 i KENAI CITY COUNCIL, AIR NATIONAL GUARD JANUARY 29, 1988 PAGE 2 Moor Williams: What is the cost of an engineering unit and number of people? DDe ,. Comm. BBorg.L The facility could be $3 Million to $5 how fancy. You should insist on yr Million, depending on building a type of facility that will take care of future expansion. Lt. Col. Taylors it should be large enough for a maintenance shop, etc. it should not be an office -type that -- - -- — - cannot be expanded. We should start with a plan but be able ;f. to change objectives if we have to. The initial object is to have Air National Guard presence here. _... Mayor Williams: Put in the basic facility first, what type of engineering, special work, funding, etc. Comm. Bor Valdez wanted an armory State De r partic pation was required, there was no capital project - ---_ -- money available. Valdez said they would take the State - portion. They have an armory and a unit now. if Kenai -;. wants to do this, it would help. Lt. Col. Taylors The National Guard concern is manpower 'first a" then the facility. The Legislature has been good with construction. With their growth, they have to get from other places. That gets their resistance up, they will have -'� to take from other states. I would urge that the whole situation be good enough that we don't take from anybody _ else. Comm. Carter: What was the time frame? . Dep..Comm. Borg: Three years ago they floated the money. ' W thin 2-1/2 years the facility was up. � Comm. Carters When is $63 Million for the six aircraft ..._:.. _ . rlallocated and when are then off line? Ta lor% This year's fiscal appropriation. The h licopters in two years, the Heres in one year to 18 -- -- months. Ma or Williams_: I thought the amount was $73 Million. .... Lt. Col. Taylor: it could be. There may be an interim on Jan. 36 to keep the capability in the state. Comm. Carters Jan. 30 they may go to Kulis (AFBI? _._. - Lt. C -Taylor-: It -could--go -to-Kul s- tomorrow.-- - - -----— Mayor Williams: Over the years, Lhe City has had an on -going project of engineering ahead of themselves. It L y ,7. KENAI CITY COUNCIL, AIR NATIONAL GUARD " #:. JANUARY 29, 1988 u PAGE 3 works well with State projects. There may be a chance the City would advance engineering funds if we are looking at an overall plan. if we utilize our funding, will that help? Lt. Col. Taylor: It helps. MgXorr Williams: From the City standpoint, could the engineersng be handled by the airport account? City Man � _� alter Bri- h i do not think so. There is nothing W� permanent as far as the airport is concerned. Are we talking about the National Guard or the Air Force? Lt_ Col. Taylor: The National Guard. } ' Ciitt X manager Brighton: If it were an engineering group, it i could be a one in-house as far as the Corps. of Engineers is concerned? Lt. Col. Tailor: Probably not. They are construction ii people, not des gn. Most of their work is military, all else is contracted out. City Mana er Brighton: There are other sources of funding. I don't think FAA will let us use funds for this. Mayor Williams: They will remain part of the airport. - CC�ityy Man a er Brighton: Or would they be part of Air National Guard? Mayor Williams: We need a design first to see what we will look like. Then we can have a cost basis. Lt. Col. Taylor: There are many intangibles with the project so our engineering is conceptual. It is not refined, just general with gross dollars. ,t C�i,�t� , Mana er Brighton: Bringing engineers down to look over L the s te, that would be conceptual design. Do Comm. Bor : I agree. Then we could do ball park f lures. City Manager Brighton: Then the City can do the work. L, Col. Taylors It would be important not to get too much - to - - - - - - - - - -------.-- ------.._..------ -- nves d. -- --=--= .- - - - - - - - M or -Williams r-- We have -to-have--a- concept - of -an- idea. -- The - - - - - -- --- — ---- y can be quick on producing that. We need guidelines from engineering to start. The land has not been surveyed. We could ask the military to select people to work with. i - --"-- - ��`- KENAI CITY COUNCIL, AIR NATIONAL GUARD JANUARY 29, 1988 PAGE 4 Co . Borg:_ If we can agree to the approach, we could -Tie-type tWeep._ over. of unit can be discussed. We can review how attractive the offer from the City will be. Lt., Col. TdYlO : This is not a mechanical process. We will use our best strategy, but we may not win it. But if we have a common starting point, we will do the best we can to :- - make something happen along the line. Ci_tManager Brighton: We will need close communications _ witf you because the Mayor and Council have the ability to talk with people with other agendas. Comm. Carter: If you got a call from Sen. Stevens that he was looking for a search &rescue unit here, will you do it? :,-- Lt. Col. Taylor: First of all, we have to succeed at whatever we do. The Senator is reluctant to make directives like that, we may not be able to succeed with it. He does not want to jeopardize this. If something like that - -� happens, it would be difficult to do. Mayor Williams: That is why we should take the slow ,. __.:.._ a:_ ....:...., . r... approach. Comm. Elson: Who are the players? Dee. Comm. Comm. Bor : The National Guard, at the point of involved. price, then we get other players For example, Son. Stevens can do something for someone else to get this. Lt. Col. Taylor: With a small price, they may be able to do t. Mayor Williams: Along with engineering, there may be a 4'L.,... possibility of communications? Lt. Col. Ta lor: It could be. There is a study at Univ. of Alaska regarding population. But high electronics may not be as available as this. Mayor_ Williams: Fairbanks did a study to attract the fuel - airgroup. We talked about getting the City involved. Day. Comm. �Bo,�r : I don't think it is necessary. Fairbanks Zid not do this, the State did a demo analysis. The Guard ran into a stone wall that they feat Fairbanks could not support it. We did this to show they could. With Univ. of Alaska project done, it should be done by mid -April. _�- ;,• . ; ., :..:- _�.;,Lt. Col. Taylor: if that is not adequate, we would go on KENAI CITY COUNCIL, AIR NATIONAL GUARD ►TANUARY 29, 1968 PAGE 5 Coiw., Bor s Some people felt Fairbanks could not support this. Mayor Willia�mgs Regarding support, the military looks at manpower capability to man units (high school graduate, etc.) that will -be available to man the units. Lt. Col. Taylor: With any Guard unit, the bulk will bra people from the area as part time people. You cannot bring people in to do that. Der+. Comm Bor : I looked at the Army unit here. The strength as been good, the employment situation makes the Guard units larger. axorr Williams: We can draw from the unit here. it could be the greater area, rather than just Kenai. C dt Manager Hri,,ght_on: Is there any conversation regarding mo le communications unit relocating? Lt. Col. Ta lors It has been mentioned. Mayor Willjams: Mr. Borg will look at things, identify the next step and get back with us. As soon as that is done, we will talk to Council for the next step. Dena. Comm. Borg: Is this approach okay with you? C t -Manager Brighton: We don't care about avenues, just the and result. pep, Comm. Bor : We feel this makes sense. If offers the fewest obstacles. Cit Mana gr Brighton: We have tremendously under -used the ut lit es in the airport. It is worth $50 Million. Mayor Williamc: We are at 20% or less capacity. There is a tremendous opportunity here. It. Col. Taylors I suggest you encourage membership in the area=n the Anchorage unit. It shows tangible interest. Dov* Comm. Boras it will be a month to six weeks before we see how things look. Mayor williamss We have close communication with the Senators and egislators.- When we -start -communications, -we---_.. have open doors. City Mana er Brighton: You are looking at FSS. FAA is getting ready to consolidate their radar maintenance people in Kenai (12-13 people). .; .: ii ` i �c y KENAI CITY -COUNCIL, AIR NATIONAL GUARD - JANUARY 29, 1988 PAGE 6 Lt, Col. Taylor: That would help with the communications proposal. Mayor Williams: We view the regional office of FAA as a building block. Lt. Co ors That is what we did with the Air National Guard.. Mayor Williams& The momentum.' 'is there now. $73 Million came as a surprise. I was adamant about air frames leaving the State. Mr. Borg felt is better to start with new equipment. Now we have that. Eielson has their wing there, there is a good;unit_in Anchorage. If we can enlarge with a unit in Kenai or a portion of it, it is a good start. Chairman O'Reilly: We will continue with the engineering proposal? Lt. Col. Taylor:_ Or a small unit like that, but this will be our thrust. We will not rule out the larger option. Chairman O'Reilly: Where do the rescue units go - south? Comm. Carter: Historically, south. Lt. Col. Taylors The Fads are spending money on fighter p lots. They are looking north and west, that is the potential enemy. The Coast Guard goes south. We will talk in those terms. Mayor Wil, 1, ids: World politics changes things too. LC. Col. Taylor: The Coast Guard is being hurt more than most. ADJOURNMENT: 1:30 PM. iz11,A16111 � - Janet Whelan City Clerk L M C fa i