HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-02-11 Airport Commission SummaryRHRAI AIRPMT CONKISSION
February 11, 1993
City Hall Council Chambers
1. ROLL CALL
Commissioners present: Bob Scott, Bonnie Roerber, sill Toppa,
Teresa Wormer-Quade, Phil Mee
Also present: Ready Brest, Airport I�eR
Loretta Harvey, lim"aribinq eeorstary
a. Election of Officers
Toppa asked for volunteers for Chairman and Vice -Chairman. Seeing
none, he opened the meeting to nominations.
Bob Scott nominated Bill Toppa for Chairman and asked that
nominations be closed. Ames seconded. Toppa nominated Bob Scott.
Koerber seconded. Toppa was elected Chairman by unanimous vote and
made Scott Vice -Chair.
P�Ul * S ewe] WiTej zz
Addition to agenda:
Pam Hansen under Persons Present Scheduled to be Heard.
a. Kenai Airport Business Alliance
Catherine Delacee
Toppa introduced Delacee.
Delacee - Good evening and thank you for affording us the
opportunity to introduce ourselves. I an this evening's
spokesperson for the Kenai Airport Business Alliance (KARA). I
know that you received our statement of philosophy in your meeting
packets so I'm not going to be redundant. I know it's been a long
day for everyone. As noted in our statement we are comprised of 12
local businesses in the airport and we are diverse in the nature of
our goods and services. But interdependent in our desire to fully
serve the travel public and community and in making the airport
user friendly.
As we advised the Council last week, we are here to request a
commitment to cooperation and coordination and a united effort in
developing a mutually beneficial working partnership.
KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION
Meeting - February 11, 1993
Page 2
With the untimely passing of City Manager Bill Brighton and
resulting vacancy in that office of City ministration we view
your role as adviser to the City Council and Airport manager as
being expanded and reinforced.
We no longer have his (Brighton's) sympathetic efforts on Airport
operations and regulations. Therefore this intermediate avenue of
appeal o n daily airport procedures and operations has been closed
to use. Councilwoman Monfor suggested that the Council and Airport
Commission meet with the BABA to roll up our selves and address our
mutual ideas and concerns. It is our suggestion that such a work
session be scheduled for March 3rd. Than is Council night and that
would either be before or after, depending on people ' s abilities to
attend. It is our hope that you will be in agreement so the
Alliance may request a work session at the February 17th Council
meeting. If you have any questions I'll try.
As you can see in our statement we've got this tremendous pool of
resources with the twelve businesses, with our daily activity at
the airport. We have alot of ideas just to make the airport user
friendly and to increase revenues, not only for us, because that is
a direct result in increased revenues to the city. So we had hoped
to do this, we're in this for the long haul. We're getting all our
paperwork together, in a professional manner, and we're in the
process of getting all our ideas in a format which we can present
to you.
After discussion the Commission and Alliance decided to recommend
to Council a work session for March 3rd at 6:00 p.m.
Delaaee - Added that the Alliance will have at least an hour's
worth of discussion. The plan is to bring in plans and proposals
in hard copy. And in our discussions we realize that everyone has
attorneys and they would need them to look over things to see if
they can be done, etc.
b. Pam Hansen - Making Kenai a Nonsmoking Airport
* * *V=Mffri[* * *
Ranson - My name is Pamela Hansen, I appeared before the Council at
their last meeting and requested a smoke -free environment for the
Kenai Airport. And they requested that I appear before the
Commission with my case. So that is why I'm here before the
Commission tonight "with my case." Each of you has the book put
our by the DEC, you may follow along if you like or just sit back
and I'll read it to you.
KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION
Meeting - February 11, 1993
Page 3
If you turn to page 8 you'll see that this is the laws of Alaska
for HCS CSSB 222 introduced by Hess. It was approved by the
Governor May 16, 1990, after it was amended and the actual
effective date was August 14, 1990.
If you'll turn to page 9 you'll see that it's an act relating to
smoking in certain vehicles and indoor places. "Findings. The
leg4s] attire finds that: (1) numerous studies have shown second-
hand smoke to be a significant health hazard."
If you follow down to section 18.35.300 Places where smoking is
regulated: "Smoking in any form is a nuisance and a public health
hazard and is prohibited in the following vehicles and indoor
places," except as allowed under AS 18.35.310:
(1) "A vehicle of public transportation and a waiting baggage, or
boarding area for a vehicle of public transportation, including a
bus, ferry vessel, train, limousine for hire, taxicab, or scheduled
interstate or intrastate aircraft flight when consistent with
federal law, if you turn to page 11 under section 18.35.320
Designation of smoking sections. (a) A person in charge of an
indoor place or vehicle of public transportation described in AS
18.35.300 may designate portions of the place or vehicle as smoking
sections. Fallow down under (c): "A person who designates a
smoking section under this section shall make reasonable
accommodations to protect the health of the nonsmokers who use the
place or vehicle by separation, partition, or ventilation that
ensures that nonsmokers in the place or vehicle are not subject to
the active by-products of smoke from smokers in the place or
vehicle."
Now if you'll turn to page 2 Where Smoking is Regulated: (1) Public
Transportation waiting or boarding areas. (2) Public
transportation vehicles, including: Interstate and Intrastate
aircraft.
So now turn to page 4, Nonsmokers rights: "The law establishes
that your right to clean, smoke -free air supersedes the right of
smokers in certain places. These areas must be identified by
large, conspicuously placed signs. If the person in charge
designates a smoking area, he or she must protect your health by
ensuring that you are not exposed to second-hand smoke. If this
cannot be achieved by separation, partition or ventilation, then
the area must remain nonsmoking."
Now if you'll got to page 5: "In places and vehicles where smoking
is egg t�,ed,. you may designate a gor%ion (but not ail) of the
place or vehicle as a smoking area. If you designate a smoking
area, you must make reasonable accommodations to protect the health
of nonsmokers who use the place or vehicle by separation, partition
KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION
Meeting - February 11, 1993
Page 4
or ventilation that ensures that nonsmokers in the place or vehicle
are not subject to second-hand smoke from smokers.
If no reasonable accommodations can be made, for whatever reason,
the nonsmoking designation requirement prevails."
Now if you go to page 6 the very last paragraph: "When designating
a portion of a place as smoking, it is recommended that a separated
room, with a sedate ventilation system directly vented to the
outside, be provided." Is there, may I ask, one ventilation
serving the whole building at the airport? Or dots it have
several?
Ernst - I think there are at least two. The Restaurant has its own
and the bar, of course, and there's one by the gift shop and one by
the ticket counters and there's one in the back area also.
Reason - so there's actually four. And basically if that cannot be
done where it's vented to the outside, and that can't be provided
than if you go back to page 6 again "reasonable accommodations can
be made for whatever reason than nonsmoking requirement, prevails."
With your description the main body of the airport than is served
by one, the baggage area, the check -in area the telephones the two
entrances and exits of the building are served by the same
ventilation system?
Ernst - there is one by the gift shop and there's one by the ticket
counters.
Xqnsen - what separates these ventilation systems? I mean there
are no walls, there are no barriers, so basically it's one open
area and. both ventilation systems are sucking in that same
pollutant. So basically they're not protected or set aside areas.
I. believe that the intent of the law is pretty clear that the main
body of the Kenai Airport be smoke -free throughout.
I know that the State is cutting back on funds, and your all
hurting for money and you're trying to stretch budgets and every
piece of information that I've been able to pick up states that you
have decreased insurance premiums when you have smoke -free
buildings. And you also have cheaper maintenance and cleaning
bills. So it will have more than just that one benefit. But I
truly believe that the time has come to fly into the nineties and
make the Main body a smoke -free area if not the whole building, and
if you chose to have other areas they must be sealed of areas. For
instance: the restaurant if they use that as a smoking area the
door must remain closed. And same thing with the bar so that the
smoke cannot drift into other parts of the airport and be picked up
by the ventilation system.
KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION
Meeting - February 11, 1993
Page 5
There is a little flyer in here that the EPA sent me with some
information. Itpertains to restaurants but because of the size of
the Kenai Airport I think it would be very equitable. It states:
"don't be foaled you cannot have a smoking and nonsmoking section
side by side with the sow ventilation system." It's like trying
to have a chlorine free section of a swimming pool and we all know
we can't do Chet. And it definitely is toxic. Second hand smoke
has some of the same poisons as the air around toxic waste dusts.
So I would'areciate it, if you would take to heart what the law
intent is and ice the building, the main portions that everyone
uses, smoke free. Thank you.
Toppa - Thank you. The airport is currently posted according with
the no smoking and a designated smoking area?
Ernst - Right.
Toppa - That part has been done but has anyone researched the
ventilation portion of it, do you know?
Ernst - Well I guess that Administration feels that the way it's
setup now it allows for smoking areas in the most ventilated areas
in the airport.
Toppa - Does anyone have any comments? Randy you've listened to
the presentation and looked at the law and been to the airport.
How often do you receive complaints about the smoking situation at
the airport?
Ernst - I've only received, actually people coming up to me and
saying, Mrs. Hansen is the only one to come public and say that.
In the eight years I've been there maybe three, it just hasn't been
very many. Just as a point of interest, I've had a few phone calls
since the article in the paper and that pretty much, and that can
be skewed since people get their coa-litions together and want to
make their point. i just want to say that out of the ones I did
get the majority wanted to leave the airport as is. I had nine
people call me and out of the nine, seven of those wanted to leave
it as is. I went through the terminal and talked to the various
agencies car rental people and their consensus was that they
preferred to be able to smoke if they're going to be there all day.
Toppa - we've gone through that same thing in the federal workplace
and we've come to the same conclusion that the only way to have a
smoke -free environment is to have the smoking area a separate room
vented directly to the outside. Maybe we should recommend to the
council that they look into just how much smoke is dispersed there.
There's ways to sample the air there, I don't know how expensive
that is, but if we're not in compliance with the law we should find
out just how much is going on there.
KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION
Meeting - February 11, 1993
Page 6
Hansen - May I make one more comment? There have been many times
that myself, and other people would have liked to have complained.
Alot of ,people don't Meow where your (Ernst) office is. Its not
very accessible and you're not always there. And not everyone is
as verbal as I an, but whenever the subject comes up it's
predominately that people prefer it not be a smoking area. The
calls that you received and the people that work at the airport, I
don't know if you've over watched but it's a .blue cloud over there
where they rent cars. Because % everybody skbkes over there and
everybody's gonna guawdi that thing. The fart is, the wad► I read
the lawj you're not in compliance. And you have to be in
compliance. If those people want to saok* theyfre going to have go
to a separate room, because you're not protecting me. when I go in
to buy a ticket, to board a plane to come back to pick up my
baggage and to exit the door. I cannot come in or out either door
of that airport without passing a polluted area which is on the
same ventilation System as the smoking area. flank you.
Hoerber - said she disagreed that there was a blue cloud near the
car rental booths. :the could see how it would be offensive but
there were only three people who smoked.
After further discussion Toppa asked that this item be addressed
again under 6 a. New Business.
a. October 15, 1992 - Approved as presented.
a. Advertising Campaign
Werner-Quade - Elaine Wood from Pilgrim Advertising had presented
a advertising plan at a previous meeting. Since that meeting
Werner -Quads had met with Wood and she had come up with a new
proposal which cut the cost from the original proposal of $22,000
to $11,000. This included a classified ad, in the Anchorage Daily
News for 5,000 and a postcard mail -out to selected pilots
incorporating the free -pass. That's a free pass either for the
weekend or the season.
Werner -Quads - Recommended that the Commission trim the advertising
budget to about $5, 000 and just go for the classified ad in the
Daily News. This would give the Commission a chance to see what
kind of return this ad would bring and than proceed with other
advertising methods through Pilgrim Advertising.
KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION
Meeting - February 11, 1993
Page 7
NOW= AM VOTE:
AIM MOM TO @G RIITR TU CLA"ZIIED AD. RMRTBR-QUADR 8800NDZD.
P"SX0DM iLY.
b. Marking Lines at Airport - Dean Eichholz
To"* - Asked if Commission members had anything new to report on
this item? He reported that he had spoken to Airport's Division
people and they were not aware there was an extra line there. Many
airports have this line to indicate a vehicle roadway and there are
no regulations regarding this.
* *vbRDll►TIN* *
Deena $iehhmis - I'm Dean Eichholz, Alaska Flying Network, President
of Alaska frying Network. I came in October and presented a
problem that I saw out there at the airport with these driving
lines and at the time I recommended that the advisory council here
take a look at removing those limes or doing something with them.
There was alot of discussion about the lines being there.
Since then, after having done some research on those lines and
looking at some other airports, there are some recommendations from
other airports in the way the lines are designed at other airports.
Rather than running right up against the fence and right between
where Southcentral, ERA, and Mark Air park at the terminal building
so everybody has to go across the access road and in front of the
terminal.
Maybe the access road could be further out on the ramp the
uncontrolled area runs 100 feet or so out away from that fence and
from the terminal building and at that point that would alleviate
alot of the problems between the cars and the airplanes. it would
also, like I say, the airplanes would be able to park. You
wouldn't have the problem of people disembarking off an airplane
and trying to get into the terminal building and having to cross
that access road. Or having the airplanes when the conditionals
are like such, where the ramp gets very slick out there the
airplane can taxi ai little closer to the terminal building and
disembark the passengers with less danger to them.
Further down on the ramp where our area is located Everett's Air
Fuel also does a lot of cargo hauling and fuel hauling from that
area. And they're concerned with that because they have a fork-
lift that bulk loads their airplane and it has to avoid that road
and it would be better is that road was on the other side of their
airplane. And they have sent a letter which I could give the copy
to you, if you would to have a copy, just to point out some of the
items they had to say on that, because they were quit concerned
KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION
Meeting - February 11, 1993
Page 8
with that. They said moving the aircraft further out toward the
active tax -way increases the possibility of an unanticipated
accident.
There are times, in the winter months, when the Kenai Airport taxi-
ways are covered with ice. It makes taxiing a large aircraft
extremely difficult if the wind is blowing. Having plenty of taxi-
way allows for a safe operation. Everett air fuel is not the only
company that operates large aircraft into Kenai. In comparison to
other airports the vehicle access road is not located on the edge
of the tarmac. It is located in an area where immediate access is
available without unusual obstacles in and around the designated
roadway. Even if our airport were parked fifteen feet from the
designated access road this would not provide enough distance for
fast moving vehicles in an emergency situation. They went on to
say in the interest of airport safety I cannot stress the
importance of re-evaluating the entire situation and pushing ahead
for a more logical solution. Since the problem is and has been a
long-term problem the solution should be directed toward whatever
safety dictates. Signed, Robert Everett, Vice President.
Toppa - Do you have a recommendation of where that road should go?
Hichhols - Many of
in Anchorage they
separation between
the other places such
put it further out
the taxi -way and the
as Fairbanks and even up
there toward where the
Toppa - I did talk to the Airports Division people and they did say
that all over the country those roads run normally through the
middle of the ramp and there a distance from the ramp and the taxi-
way. And they're just designed where they have a distance. Even
people familiar with airports get lost and end up on the ramp,
which happens occasionally. They actually end up staying between
those lines because it's a common thing for them to do.
8iahhol$ - It's a real common problem out here with as many people
who taxi up there and try to park the airplane. Of course, as
close out of the way as they can and of course, if they're parked
just outside, for instance, our airplanes outside of the Flying
Network, than they're parked right on that roadway. It happened
two or three times today with different transient airplanes.
Toppa - Does the Commission, has anybody got any idea of the line
he's talking about, or have an idea what it would look like? Have
you Bonnie?
Roorbor - I think we ought to make an apology to him, because when
he was here last time he asked all of, each and every one of us to
go out and see what he was talking about. He mentioned the other
day . . .
KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION
Meeting - February 11, 1993
Page 9
Toppa - Well since he was here though, it's been covered with snow.
We could see where the lines were now anyway. You could make a
drawing on the board to show us what you're talking about.
ai+abbols - You like my artistic talent? (Drew diagram on
chalkboard) Basically we have the runway 1 and 1-9 in Kenai we
have a couple of different taxiway areas off the runway and Taxi-
way Bravo and Taxi -way Alpha are the main areas of concern and it
would go on down here to the taxi -ways. What we have here is a
separation between the ramp area and the taxi area. The ramp area
has some taxi lines where this is controlled from the tourer, this
area over here is a designated ramp area and it's uncontrolled as
far as the tower's perspective. Further over and straight off the
Bravo exit is the office where my business of course is located
here. The first one, Alaska Flying Network, but than there's
several different office► right here that Mark Air has there
freight office and ERA, bHL all have their freight offices right
here.
My planes are parked out in here, which is, of course, well out of
the ramp area and down here, better continue on with my drawing
here. Right here we have the terminal building the aircraft that
come from Anchorage, that park out here for off-loading, park out
here in front of the terminal building to off-load passengers.
South Central has a certain area and Mark Air and ERA.
The road that we're discussing right here, there's a, right now the
road I'm bring up runs right here, just outside the fence area the
access area to the airport from Willow Street is located between
the terminal building and the freight offices. There's a gate
right here and puts you right onto the ramp. Vehicles that would
come on to here, if they were to drive down here in front of the
terminal, they would have to drive in front of the passengers
getting off the plane and the terminal building. WE have a fuel
facility located in this area right here and many of the transient
planes that will come in for charts, or directions or fuel when
they come in to the airport there for flight checks, I'm the
examiner for the whole Peninsula so when people come in from
Seward, or Soldotna, Homer or whatever. They'll come in and park
their airplane and as I mentioned we have our airplanes right here.
They'll come up and generally park right outside our airplanes and
come in for their checkrite or we have different transient
airplanes that show up.
One, that came to my attention, that I brought before the Council
last October was when the Arco jet showed up and he parked right
here and his wing tip exceeded that line as he was parked in the
ramp area right here. By moving this road out closer to this
separation than the traffic that would come out from Willow Street
or whatever would be well separated from the...
KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION
Meeting - February 11, 1993
Page 10
Toppa - Now the traffic that goes out there, who belongs on there?
hichhols - The only traffic for example that you'll see out here is
people for instant SC freight will drive right out here to service
an airplane. The people from Mark Air down here or SRA they come
straight across over off r6a p three. We're not talking about this
being a road where if you want to visit the airport you can drive
out on.
Toppa - So the people who come through that gate are authorized
people. What about the people who own general aviation airplanes?
Would they . . .
Eicuhhols - They don't have any business out there either. General
Aviation park at the other end of the airport. They park down at
this end anyway and there is a gate at this end that they go in and
out of.
Toppa - So we're talking about vehicles that have business on the
airport. Anyone who's on there should be trained to know where the
vehicle lines are, where to drive.
Sichhols - And where the problem comes, like I said is when the
transient airplanes come in there and they try to park here near
these other airplanes to stay out of the way. As Everett's stated
in their letter and what has happened here as of late there has to
be parking further out here, closer to the taxi area but now we
have larger airplanes, like a DC-6 that comes in here and have
ERA's Convair and now we're getting less separation of these
airplanes.
Toppa - What's the estimation of vehicles that go by there in say
a two to three hour period. Do you see a few everyday or what?
Eiohhols - Randy. I see go back and forth when he checks .
other than that, I don't, we don't have, you know any traffic.
Like I say the only traffic that we have down in this area that I
know of is Everett's when they're servicing their airplanes.
ToWa - You'd think if the lines were changed that this would solve
the problem?
Nichhols - This would solve alot of the problem.
Toppa - You could still have a vehicle area . . .
Biahhols - We could still have a vehicle area, like I say people
are blocking this roadway.
KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION
Meeting - February 11, 1993
Page 11
Toppa. - It seems like, I don't know if it was originally designed
when that line was first laid out there was some thought as to
keeping it separated. I know what I've seen from other airports
that those roads are not running along the fence. They are going
outside.
8iobhols - An emergency vehicle of course it would come through
here isn't going to make that kind of corner anyway.
wessec-Quade - I just had a comment, that when you came last time
and you explained your position, I was under the impression that
you have come before and explained the position and there was a
safety issue. A►nd so, maybe I'm the only one that was under the
opinion that it was, that we had decided that the line wasn't going
to be moved. But, however, I'm glad that you came back and that
you're changing your position again, because we really didn't know
whet it was that you exactly wanted. But I just wanted you to know
that when you came last time that we had decided.
Toppa - By the way, I talked to the tower manager, the new tower
manager about that and they had no comments because it doesn't
affoct them. It's still uncontrolled, wherever you put that
control. As far as the safety issue they don't consider it a safety
issue.
Eiohhols - The only thing that happens, once again alot of the
problems come from the transient pilots, because the transient that
taxis in here, especially with the larger airplane will ask the
tower where he can park and they say anywhere in this area is fine.
They pull in and inadvertently they're going to pull in fairly
close because if we have, for instance the Arco jet their going to
be met with a rental car or the limousine from a motel. And
they're gonna just pull out here to service that.
Ames - I wonder why the tower, right after our last meeting, I
talked to the guys at the tower and they didn't seem to have a
strong opinion on it. I could see where the lines were at and I can
see what Randy's talking about and I can see what you're talking
about. I wonder why the lines were put there in the first place?
And now that they're there I don't see a real need for taking them
off. I think the whole area would be better off with no lines.
Because a man taxiing an airplane is not a drunk driver out here on
the highway on Friday night. Randy might be the exception.
(laughter) He doesn't go out there wheeling around out there very
much intoxicated. But anyway I really thing that the whole area
there could be better utilized if there wasn't any lines there.
Toppa - There not required by airport now. Airports like here
where they decide they have to have them.
KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION
Meeting - February 11, 1993
Page 12
Eichhols - The only people that drive out in this area have
business with an airplane out here. Believe me, anybody that
drives out in this area that don't have business with either a
comergcial airplanes right here or an airplane out here is going to
be Queried, by myself or some other business.
Toppa - Would you consider if the lines were moved it might be
better? Should they be there at all?
Siobhols - If you ask my opinion I don't see that there's a reason
for the lines right there. But there again if we're talking about
a liability thing and you want a line I would say to move it out so
that it's separating the airplanes further. i think it's more
dangerous for the fact of trying to push the airplanes farther our
onto the tarmac for reasons down here in front of the building
also. We're talking about with the icy conditions that we have out
there right now I don't think I'd 'want my passengers to go an extra
ten or fifteen steps to go in or out of the terminal building. You
sure wouldn't want a car driving in front of it right at it.
Toppa - Other questions, Bob?
Scott - Did I miss understand you last time? I see this time your
wanting the sign moved out . . .
Eichholz - Last time I just asked for it to be removed. Since the
last time I've researched it if you want lines let us move them, so
that we do separate them from . . .
Verner -Quad* - It does seem to be a little clearer this time around
than it was last time but I just wanted to ask Randy what he
thought, or his concern for safety because that was what was
paramount last time? That there was a safety issue at hand. And
maybe your solution of moving that line would commiserate for that.
What do you think about that line, Randy?
Ernst - Well there are alot of ramifications for the, and reasons
for the roadway being there and I've outlined it to you in the past
and I can do it again. But I think because Mr. Eichholz and Mr.
Pitts have retained legal council and that is part of the issue I
think we might need to meet with them in that legal capacity
instead of trying to resolve it here.
Werner -Quads - Oh, I see, okay, thanks.
Toppa - Well it doesn't negate some recommendations, we can make
some recommendations on it. Does anyone have any comment on that,
should be just let the legal end of it hassle it?
KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION
Meeting - February 11, 1993
Page 13
aoott - I wish that he would have said when he come up here that
there had been legal council brought into this. I did not know
that and because of that I would not make a recommendation without
his or the tity's counsel. I don't think that's right.
- Is there any other opinions on that? What exactly is the
legal counsel? What's going on with that?
Mmot - Well were down to writing letters back and forth and that's
the only mode of communications that's allowed at this point. And
we have, we have sent letters to his counsel and they have returned
letters to us. The last letter I believe they said they were
sanding to Mr. Eichholz. So, I think it's best, all around being
taken care of by our Attorney and theirs.
Worner-Qua6o - Well yes, because it becomes somewhat of a muddled
issue when you know he's here again and it's the same type of a
thing that it was last time. And we went through it and you did
explain the safety thing and we had opinions about it then. And so
now, as far as I know this is the third time Mr. Eichholz is asking
about this same problem.
Toppa - Is this the third time Dean, that you've been here?
Eiabbols - This is the second time I've been here. I came in
October.
Toppa - I was not aware of any legal action that was being taken.
What exactly? Oh, you can't talk at this time, I don't understand
that actually.
Mike Eandatske - Would you like more testimony about the line?
Toppa - I don't know if it's going to do us any good if it's a
legal problem. We could still make some recommendations I think.
That's what the Commission is here for, if the lawyer wants to
counsel us . . .
Anon - I'd like to hear what that gentleman has to say.
Toppa - Okay Mike go ahead.
Xan4atske - My name is Mike Kredatzke, I'm an insurance broker who
happens to also fly and use the airport. Most of my clients use
the Kenai airport. I would like to relate an instance that I heard
about from a client in Anchorage. He owns an Anchorage air taxi
operation and was tankering fuel from Kenai to the west side of the
Cook Inlet. Repeatedly his hired pilot was directed to repark his
aircraft, apparently he was sitting on this roadway that Dean drew.
Now, I don't know how many of you folks are pilots. it probably
KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION
Meeting - February 11, 1993
Page 14
doesn't matter, but an airport is for aircraft, in my opinion. And
shq►uld accommodate aircraft as such as possible. When you come
into a strmqe airport not knowing the local situation you do what
you know is best. I think you parkaway from moving aircraft. If
you see other aircraft near close by you'll probably park by those
aircraft. If you see a terminal, the t6w►er tells you to park north
of the terminal building, yom'ro probably going to park asw<'close as
you can to the barrier fence separatina the airport from the city,
away from the taxi areas. Ate' unfart attaly, that's right where
this roadway is. So I guess, I don't known if that helps you guys
make a decision or a recommendation tonight. But it has been an
ongoing problem and it's kinda surrisinsg 'how small the aviation
community is and how fast wbrd gents around.
Toppa - Well, thank you Mike. I don't know how much money legal
counsel is going to be involved in this and what the City is
willing to pay for a simple line bashing moved and what the safety
issue is. And I don't know why this Commission is together if
we're not able t make recommendations on 'what testimony we heard
here. Now if anybody wants to make a comment on that I would
appreciate it.
soerber - I would just like to make the comment that they were here
before and I had we understood what they were speaking of the first
time than they probably wouldn't have had a 1`egal problem.
Toppa - I'm in agreement with that.
Werner -Quads - Because the first time it was to remove that line.
Toppa - Well we are able to make recommendations. Whether the
Council wants to go by it or not it's up to them. What I've heard
so far I can see that they have a very good place, if we had heard
at the last meeting it may have been different. You're a
Commission appointed by the city to make recommendations and you
might want to take the opportunity to mention what you feel about
it.
Warner -Quads - Well based on the testimony of these fellows who use
this all the time it sounds like the line needs to be moved. I
haven't seen the line I've only talked to Randy who pointed out it
would be a dangerous situation to remove the line, that was brought
up on October 15th. Now we're like gonna move the line and that's
alot different from taking it away completely. You know, based on
what ]lave said, maybe we should just spay yes let's just move the
line.
Toppa - Mould you like to make a motion regarding moving the line?
KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION
Meeting - February 11, 1993
Page 15
werne�r-Q e - The only reason that I am hesitant to do so is
because I don't feel like I have any support really.
Toppa - Well if you get a second, than we'll know, if you don't
than you won't. Would you like to make a comment? Sign in please.
Bryan Holland - My name is Bryan Holland, I am a pilot, I am an
aircraft mechanic, and I work for the City of Kenai. I spend 90%
of my time Working on the airport and I have one problem with the
suggestion of moving it out on the ramp. And this is the problem
with it. You have the people that work that drive back and forth
with fork -lifts and those type items are a different type people
from your pilots. They are not trained, they are not understanding
of the hazards.
Toppa - You're saying that we have people who are working on this
ramp that are not trained to be on the ramp?
Holland - Not to the quality that you have as pilots. These people
do not have radios with them many times. They are in an
uncontrolled area, they are not required to have radios. but they
do not have radios many times and they are not in contact with the
tower. Sometimes they have radios and they are in contact with
their base. many times the tower does give advice to those that
are in an uncontrolled area also. in bad weather conditions.
These are people, many of my jobs at the Kenai airport are repairs
because of their not knowing or not being careful. many times the
overhead door is run over, doors get slammed and doors get tore up
from these type people. Now I'm not saying anything against them
in particular, but they are not as cautious as our pilots are.
Toppa - You're saying than that they are careless individuals?
Holland - In some respects they are. Not all of them, but there
are a few of them that are careless in there actions. And for me to
see them out on the ramp right next to a controlled area line is a
big mistake. I work on that ramp everyday and I see what foes on
out there. And I hate to bring it up, but when we start talking
about moving it out, out there I think it would be a big problem
for the City and we really need to look at this.
]saes - How would you feel about no line at all?
Holland - If it came down to no line or moving the line out, i
would say no line. But you have to consider also that, that line
is placed there because the ramp was a public use ramp. Business
is supposed to be conducted on the property of the users of the
leased property. They cross that line coming and going from the
public use area. And i can understand why that line is there and
it needs to be used if the lease property is set up properly also.
KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION
Meeting - February 11, 1993
Page 17
Toppa - At this point we'll take a short recess, get a cup of
coffee and we'll resume on this. 5 MINUTE RECESS
Toppa - Called the meeting back to order.
MOTION i VOTE:
SCOTT 4 MOM TO TRUE TOR BUBJM DUN TO LEGAL COUNSEL IS INVOLVMENT
ISS19E . - Ems. PAMM SLY.
so .
a. Making Kenai a Non -Smoking Airport
Toppa - Suggested that research be done to see it the City is in
compliance with the law.
Resaer-Qvade - Volunteered to help Ernst investigate whether the
Kenai Municipal Airport is in compliance with State laws.
Toppa - Asked that they report back on this item at the next
meeting.
7. . AIRPORT MMAGER'S REPORT
a. Projects Update - Attached to minutes
a. Letter of Resignation - Brian Shackleton
Toppa noted the letter of resignation from Shackleton in the
Airport packet. Ames notified the Commission that he would also be
resigning after this meeting. Toppa thanked Ames for his
dedication and service to the community.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at
approximately 8:30 p.m.
Respe tfully s witted,
Loretta rvey
Transcribing Secretary
KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION
Meeting - February 11, 1993
Page 16
Anew - Nobody would be isolated if there was a line through it. i
feel this way about it. Anywhere inside that fence any airplane
has the right of way over any normal road vehicle any time. And an
emergency regardless of whether it's Randy running out to do
something that has to be done immediately, a crash truck, fire
truck, ambulance, they are not going to be going down that road,
they are going to go straight to wherever they're going. So I
really don't see the need for the line being there. I don't have
any objection to them being there but I just don't see any need of
them. Mere we are for what? Six, eight months you can't even see
them anyway. I haven't been over there since the snow but you
could see tbma good enough in October. I really didn't see how
they were creating a big problem. i saw a DC-3 sitting right
across the middle of it and I didn't really see a logical place
where he would be where he could not be sitting across it.
Toppa - Sounds to me with the testimony you gave, that if we have
anybody driving near the ramp that are careless they shouldn't be
near the ramp anyway. I think that's one thing we should look into
right away and make a recommendation to Council to find who is
qualified to be on that ramp right now and what training they're
receiving. I happen to know that FAA requires that training be
provided. If there is something going on there maybe we need to
look into that.
Lines - We have teenagers working out there.
Toppa - Than they need to be trained.
Shirley Roberts - They are trained but that doesn't mean your gonna
do that job as well as you are trained.
Toppa - Than the supervisors should be out there checking on the
qualifications and the continuing training of those people.
Roberts - Randy does his job too, as far as controlling that area.
And I can identify with what Bryan, being out there on the ramps
for as long as I've been. I can understand Jean's part where he's
been. But being out there in that area where your terminal is, if
you don't have those guidelines for those people I think it will be
utter chaos on that ramp out there. Somebody could just decide we
can just drive in between all of this.
Toppa - That's not what they're saying. That's not the deal the
way I understand it. Thank you. Commission did you want to . . .?
Verner -Quad* - I think it answered my question in the course of the
discussion.