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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-09-12 Airport Commission SummaryKENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION AGENDA September 12, 1996 at 7 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers Chairman Tom Thibodeau 1. Roll Call 2. Approval of Agenda 3. Approval of Minutes August 8, 1996 4. Persons Present Scheduled to be Heard 5. Old Business a. Airport Master Plan 6. New Business 7. Airport Manager's Report 8. Commission Comments and Questions 9. Persons Present Not Scheduled To Be Heard 10. Information Items a. City Council Agenda (9/4/96) b. "Petition" received August 8, 1996 11. Adjournment Agenda September 12.doc KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION September 12, 1996 ***MINUTES*** 1. Roll Call Members present: Barbara Edwards, Bonnie Koerber, Ron Holloway, Henry Knackstedt, James Bielefeld, Tom Thibodeau Members absent: Sandra Hudson Others present: Airport Manager Randy Ernst, Councilman Ray Measles, Administrative Assistant Marilyn Kebschull 2. Approval of Agenda KNACKSTEDT MOVED FOR APPROVAL. SECONDED BY BIELEFELD. AGENDA APPROVED. **NOTE--Mr. Thibodeau arrived at 7'01 p.m. and Vice-Chair Holloway relinquished chair to Thibodeau. 3. Approval of Minutes August 8, 1996 KNACKSTEDT MOVED FOR APPROVAL OF MINUTES. HOLLOWAY SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES APPROVED. 4. Persons Present Scheduled to be Heard 5. Old Business a. Airport Master Plan Ernst explained this is the big item for tonight and drew attention to the drawings provided in the packet. Ernst asked if the group had looked at it and if they had comments. Ernst advised he had a few comments. Group withdrew to the copy Ernst posted on the wall for discussion. NOTE' FROMTHIS POINT, GROUP DISCUSSION AND MANY REFERENCES WERE NOT CLEAR TO POINTS ON THE MAP. Ernst stated they had included improvements that the Commission had talked about like the taxiway. Ernst noted the one thing that is worrisome is the taxiway extension that is about to be done. A $2 million dollar project. Showed how it is placed on the drawing stating he would rather see the aircraft parking moved and the strip moved. Edwards asked why and Ernst stated so we don't have to make the "dog leg". Bielefeld stated he agreed and asked if the taxiway is aligned adding it looks like it may be off a little. Discussion about how it seems off but compared to the aerial view and noted it is very close. Ernst stated he would talk to Aires and the project engineer with FAA and see what they think. Ernst stated if they accept the plan, noting it has not been accepted yet, they should stay consistent with it. Ernst stated if they can, move it over. Bielefeld stated he likes the idea of a straight shot adding putting parking on other side of strip complicates things. Ernst stated if that is the case, then leave it where it is because either way it will be close. Bielefeld asked if the new taxiway will be as wide as the old one and Ernst stated yes, 75 feet. Thibodeau asked where they were now with the grass strip in relation to parking. Ernst explained where the grass strip would be and the parking for it. Thibodeau asked if it would have it's own access from the road. Ernst explained it would stay there and have it's own access. Ernst stated the taxiway will be really close to the runway itself, Ernst stated the worst case scenario would be taking the trees out but those are the largest trees on the airport. Thibodeau stated it would be nice to preserve some of those trees adding he thinks about Birchwood when they cut down trees and then hundreds of aircraft got destroyed in the next big wind storm. The trees would provide protection. Thibodeau stated it would be easy to leave until needed and change as necessary. Ernst stated that was his biggest concern. The other concern is the taxiway behind the commercial slips. Possibly it could be moved over. Thibodeau stated he thinks anyone who would want to lease in there would want access direct to their aircraft in front of their place. Thibodeau added he didn't feel the taxiway would be used that much but it is necessary to give access to the runway. Ernst stated it was mainly to access this (pointing to map). Ernst stated the road could easily be made into a taxiway adding he would like that better. Knackstedt then you would have vehicular access up to the pond. Edwards what would you do with the road. Ernst probably build another road probably on the inside. Thibodeau noted there would be one crossing then. Thibodeau then probably Airport Commission September 12, 1996 Page 2 Minutes another crossing for the commercial. feet also. Ernst stated you need to realize that is 400 Bielefeld stated they are starting to talk about separating cars and aircraft at Lake Hood. Bielefeld stated it seems to him they could combine the taxiway adding it works pretty well at Lake Hood and it is a very short distance. Ernst stated the FAA is very skittish and that is one of their top priorities. It would be a matter of getting them to sign off on it. Thibodeau stated when you think about it and picture cars, maybe the forward one would be good because it won't get that much use and have a place that doesn't look that much like a taxiway but is a taxiway. Thibodeau stated he didn't think it would get that much use and it might cut down on a lot of vehicle problems. Bielefeld you have to have automobile access to float planes. Continued group discussion about possibilities and possibly moving wheeled aircraft toward float pond. Ernst stated he hated moving wheeled aircraft toward the float pond adding what is the facility for. Thibodeau commented you can't afford to build a facility for just floats and Ernst stated they had did it. Thibodeau stated he was speaking from a commercial operator's viewpoint. Knackstedt asked if aircraft could use a road if prop not running? Noting they could be towed backwards on the road. Thibodeau stated that somebody who had a float plane over there might want to have a wheeled plane too and be working both ends of the business, Ernst stated he thought the FAA would have a real problem if start talking about based wheeled aircraft over there too. Thibodeau stated it has to be only used to get them back and forth once and a while. Ernst stated that is what he pictured it as. Knackstedt commented that this gate (on map) has limited access. Advised is it a locking gate. Discussion about the gate and if it was necessary. Ernst stated it will always be a gate because secure from the main airport. Bielefeld stated the vassey lights have a click, click, click system and any airplane taxiing would have a radio and could open the gate. Ernst stated the reason it is a wheeled gate now is because there was not power over there before. Discussion about the gates and problems in the past. Bielefeld stated at Lake Hood variety of ways for access adding some planes are moved to lake via fork lift or trailer. Bielefeld noted how Pennair has parking across from taxiway and people walk across taxiway all the time. Airport Commission September 12, 1996 Page 3 Minutes Ernst stated that maybe they should look at it again and think about it adding he doesn't know what the time crunch is. Ernst stated maybe they could come up with something more creative. Thibodeau asked when the future maintenance road is proposed. Ernst stated in 99. Thibodeau stated coming around makes the most sense. Ernst stated that would be his first choice. Holloway noted that is a long distance for guys who will do it six times a day. Knackstedt asked if you will be accessing the future middle marker, what is the savings. Knackstedt stated he assumes they would have to have a road out to that too. Knackstedt stated what is there now is a trail. Ernst asked how wide does road have to be. Knackstedt stated for one vehicle. Thibodeau stated he has gone across the existing road with a plane on a trailer. Ernst asked how wide it would have to be and Thibodeau stated 20 feet adding any road would built would be 33 feet. Thibodeau stated it would eliminate any chance of it being a regular thing and basically operating from here would be basically floats but you could still get your airplane to take it off floats, etc. Ernst stated even though costly it would satisfy FAA and safety. Thibodeau noted the tower would have control over them all the way in then. Thibodeau stated the only problem is it makes sense and it would probably never work. Ernst stated he would push for it. Thibodeau stated it does need to get around there so you can start leasing lots. Bielefeld another concern the runway noting he wants to make sure it is way in the future. Ernst stated he has seen it in three different places adding he thinks they just have to put it in to satisfy FAA. Ernst stated he didn't think they could just eliminate it. Bielefeld stated it seems that the gravel strip would take care of any need. Ernst stated they should write it down to eliminate that strip and reroute the road. Thibodeau stated the idea of the grass strip, an airport within an airport. A country strip within a major airport complex. Maybe a place with picnic tables. Ernst stated Lake Hood strip is like that. Ernst stated they can keep it friendly but there will definitely be some rules and regulations. Thibodeau stated he thought having it down and away where they have their own entrance with a lot more gravel, trees, and grass would be nice. Ernst stated it could come off Marathon and Thibodeau stated then they could have their own parking area. Knackstedt stated it is not clear what is going on at the south end of the float pond. Ernst stated that is the maintenance road. Discussion about planned improvements for the float pond. Airport Commission September 12, 1996 Page 4 Minutes Ernst stated we are in desperate need of sand noting the city is quickly running out. Ernst showed where some excavation on map could help but added they are using the fill. Thibodeau stated he thought they should shoot for the road with a priority with an extension down here rather than this (on map). Thibodeau stated he didn't think they would find FBO's until they have access with wheeled aircraft to the tower or runway environment. Thibodeau stated that having FBO's operating is what will give the airport the traffic needed to justify doing the other work. Ernst stated last month 421 operations on there. Thibodeau stated if you had an FBO operating there it would be much higher. Ernst commented on how maybe shifting the emphasis of the airport from where it is now to itinerant business. Ernst added he didn't know how the council would look at that or what it would cost. Thibodeau asked how you build a road, lay out typar and cover it with sand. Knackstedt stated you probably could but not a road you would pave. Knackstedt stated you would want to take the peat out at least and use a typar material. Ernst stated he thought it would make a good road base adding it is good sand and if it is not disturbed. Thibodeau stated he remembers the pipeline where they just laid trees across and then covered them. Ernst stated they found out it was better not to disturb it. Ernst stated that was his concerns and that he would convey them to Aires. Knackstedt stated regarding the future wash rack and asked what it was doing there. Ernst stated the airport pollution prevention plan had storm water and EPA and that they figure people washing their planes would become a problem. Ernst noted it wasn't something he had put in there. Thibodeau stated planes have a tendency to gather oil on them. Thibodeau stated they probably figure if there is a place to do it even the FBO's might do it. Ernst stated he knows the point but is not sure how much it will be used. Bielefeld stated he has seen them used at Merrill. Knackstedt stated the water will have to go somewhere adding he is not sure how expensive it is. Thibodeau stated he has seen them and water runs through with pellets and the water runs through and by the time it gets to the bottom you can drink the water. The pellets are changed every once in a while. Knackstedt noted there would be a problem somewhere, either at the sewer treatment plant. Ernst stated it would take constant monitoring. Knackstedt stated it may be a great idea but he was just wondering about it. Ernst stated we are so close to Cook Inlet. Airport Commission September 12, 1996 Page 5 Minutes Knackstedt stated they had done a lot of discussion on the southern approach as far as a precision approach adding he had seen a letter from the FAA. Knackstedt stated he didn't realize there were ground surface obstructions. Knackstedt discussed slopes. Knackstedt stated he expected Aires to come back and say that a precision approach didn't make sense because of the number of days that it will be needed. Knackstedt stated they didn't. Ernst stated perhaps the Commission should let them know adding it is the Commission's job to make comments. Bielefeld stated it is true that there are not very many days that the weather isn't so bad that you can't do the circling approach. Ernst stated all of a sudden he has had a bunch of people doing GPS readings. Today they were from NOAH placing markers (showed where on the map). Another person from the university is at the glide slope shack doing something with the surface of the earth to try to figure out when the next earth quake is. Knackstedt stated it looks like the cost to the carrier would mean they would really have to want to use it. It costs a lot of money for the equipment and training. Adding he wasn't clear about where they talked about the airport putting in the facility. Bielefeld stated that is the advantage because we don't need a facility. Knackstedt read a portion of the letter stating what this would require. Knackstedt stated they also talk about lighting requirements. Bielefeld stated there are lighting requirements for various types of approaches adding Soldotna doesn't have it. Bielefeld explained the lighting approaches and how the minimums change. Ernst stated that whatever concept is decided on adding he didn't think he would see this in his tenure noting they had done one ten years ago. Ernst stated if you go on the idea that it is still changeable and you may not see this in the next ten years. Ernst stated they can be put in and then taken out as they go. Some things have been done because they needed to be done. Ernst commented he felt that overall he thought it looks good with the changes they had discussed. Ernst stated he will talk to them and report back at the next meeting, 6. New Business 7. Airport Manager's Report Ernst stated he needed to let them know they have done preapplication for the Alaska Regional Fire Training Center and the taxiway extension. They have met (Dave Burnett, Jack La Shot and himself) to review RFPs for the Fire Training Center. Ernst stated they received six. They selected Morrison Maierle and are in Airport Commission September 12, 1996 Page 6 Minutes negotiations with them at present for a price to do the project. Ernst showed the. group Morrison Maierle's proposal which shows the facility at Helena adding this is basically what Kenai is looking at for their facility. Ernst noted they anticipate going to grant in February when we have hard number from engineers. Ernst noted the same is true of the taxiway extension. In this council meeting packet, not trying to circumvent Airport Commission, had to put the award for council to approve this bid, leaving blank the amount. The amount will be hand carried in. Ernst noted this project has already been funded at $490,000. Ernst stated at this meeting they will put in an ordinance to activate the taxiway extension to tune of $125,000 which will cover engineering and RFP. That will be amount put into the $2 million dollar project. Ernst noted that both of these projects will become actual capital projects on books. Ernst reported we are almost out of fuel will probably have to put more in. Ernst noted they had had in excess of 3000 gallons. Ernst stated it is working smoothly. There had been a couple calls stating not working but they didn't understand how to operate it. Ernst reported 421 operations this last month and anticipate September may be similar. Ernst noted they had gone out to bid for the sliding doors at the terminal. All sets will be replaced starting in October. The back south door in process of replacing, started but the core was wrong. Ernst stated this means they will have to get another door. 8. Commission Comments and Questions Holloway did you have comments on the C130 being in late last night. Ernst stated that Chris Schmidt had called noting noise problem. Ernst stated the Coast Guard came in Sunday with an overheated engine and they have been working on it. Ernst stated they had brought in a lot of equipment. Knackstedt asked if regarding the float plane basin if it is being worked on to get into the AOPA. Ernst stated they have been working on that. Ernst stated it does mention seaplane facility. Knackstedt stated it wasn't in the seaplane facilities section. Thibodeau asked if there has been anything more said about lights at either end of the basin. Ernst stated it is just a matter of putting it together. Ernst stated they are in a tough spot because have used all entitlement moneys and are looking until construction year of 98 before we will have any more moneys. If it is a nominal Airport Commission September 12, 1996 Page 7 Minutes expense, it could be taken about from the airport fund. It would also depend on how fast they would be talking about doing any extension of that. Ernst stated he doesn't think they will have enough fill for the taxiway. Ernst stated they had talked to the FAA about dredging the north end of the basin to get that fill. Until there is an engineer on line to design it we won't know what the numbers are. Ernst stated they have taken a big hit on the stockpile and it has to be fairly clean or they won't approve it. Ernst stated they should keep it going noting they do have power there now. Bielefeld commented he wouldn't be in too big a hurry for lights if they are going to be doing extensions. Bielefeld added he doesn't see point in putting in a few lights until they can put in the entire length for a legal night landing. Thibodeau disagreed adding he thought it would be nice to even mark the ends. Thibodeau commented on the need especially during hunting season or during search and rescue operations. Ernst stated the concern is safety because if they put something in that is less there may be a liability. Bielefeld stated exactly if it is not approved system don't do it. Bielefeld commented safer to put float plane on paved strip in emergency. Thibodeau stated he doesn't know what an approved system is for a float plane system. Ernst stated the basic threshold system is just lights on the end. Thibodeau stated they could look into it and see what the minimum would be. Knackstedt noted in the Aires memo they recommended moving the apron service road out away from the terminal building. Knackstedt noted that has been a problem for Ernst as the airport manager with people parking aircraft with wing tips over it. If we did that sooner than later maybe, if functional, consider moving that out then won't have the difficulties. Nobody will park further out on the ramp but instead will park at fence. Knackstedt stated he thought the problems happened at night or in the wintertime. Ernst stated that roadway, as he understands it, adding he hates to see it. It is a whole different scenario if parking perpendicular to facilities than parallel to them. Ernst stated he knows all the service roads for large airports are out there but that is because they can't put them next to the terminal. Ernst added he wanted to talk to them about that too. Knackstedt stated he didn't even know that was a possibility. Ernst stated right now it wouldn't be prudent to put it out there adding there is no reason to. Ernst explained that the one problem we had has been resolved to a certain extent. Ernst stated it could have been resolved early on when he takes his plane and puts it on his lease lot. Ernst stated that was his recommendation. Now, everything he was told, he has done. Ernst stated it is all paved now. Ernst noted it would have been a moot point. Ernst noted he has been the only one they have had a problem with. Knackstedt clarified it was not much of a problem anymore. Ernst stated not anymore adding he thinks Airport Commission September 12, 1996 Page 8 Minutes it would be a bigger problem to put the road out there now. doesn't see the need for it. Ernst reiterated he Bielefeld stated at this point it is fine right now. Knackstedt stated it was a comment from Aires and it sparked a question. Ernst stated he had told them before it was not one of his favorite ideas. Koerber asked she was the only one missing the enplanements. Ernst stated he didn't give them out. Southcentral hadn't provided their figures. Bielefeld offered July was about 2400 people for Southcentral. Ernst added he had new computer but had the Mac backup. Thibodeau asked how the concession, Kangas concession, doing. Ernst stated he hasn't checked with finance and doesn't know how she is doing. Ernst stated he is assuming not real well. Knackstedt stated that she had been set up at Fred Meyer's also. Edwards stated that is gone now also. Ernst stated he was remiss in getting Knackstedt's comments into the packet so they were handed out tonight. Ernst apologized for not getting it in the packet adding it had been faxed to Aires. 8. Persons Present Not Scheduled To Be Heard 8. Information Items a. City Council Agenda (9/4/96) b. "Petition" received August 8, 1996 Ernst explained that they had gotten into some detail about the special zoning ordinance at the last council meeting. Ernst explained that he felt council will have to deal with it from P&Z. 11. Adjournment MEETING ADJOURNED AT APPROXIMATELY 8 P.M. Respectfully submitted' M~ri Kebschull Administrative Assistant Airport Commission Minutes September 12, 1996 Page 9