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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-08-14 Airport Commission SummaryKENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION AUGUST 14, 1997 Kenai City Council Chambers Tom Thibodeau, Chairman '"AGENDA'" ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 3' APPROVAL OF MINUTES - July 10, 1997 ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 5: OLD BUSINESS ao Crack-Sealing and Painting of Runway and Taxiway Airport Master Plan ITEM 6' NEW BUSINESS a, Tour New Taxiway Construction ITEM 7: AIRPORT MANAGER'S REPORT a, July Enplanement Report ITEM 8: COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS ITEM 9' PERSONS NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 10: INFORMATION ITEMS ao Kenai City Council Meeting Action Agenda (7/16 / 97) ITEM 11' ADJOURNMENT KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION August 14, 1997 - 7:00 p.m. Kenai City Hall Council Chambers Chairman Thomas ?hibodeau *** MINUTES *** ® ® ® ® ® CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chairman Thibodeau called the meeting to order at approximately 7'05 p.m. Members Present: Ron Holloway, Henry Knackstedt, Barb Edwards, Bonnie Koerber, Thomas Thibodeau, James Bielefeld (arrived at 7' 10) Members Absent: Sandra Hudson Also Present: Airport Manager Randy Ernst, Assistant Airport Manager Keith Holland, Councilman Raymond Measles, Contract Secretary Barb Roper AGENDA APPROVAL HOLLOWAY MOVED FOR APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA. MOTION SECONDED BY KNACKSTEDT. AGENDA WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. APPROVAL OF MINUTES KOERBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JULY 10, 1997. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY KNACKSTEDT. NOTING NO CORRECTIONS THE MINUTES OF JULY 10, 1997 WERE APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD - NONE OLD BUSINESS a® Crack-Sealing and Painting of Runway and Taxiway Ernst stated that the crack-sealing and painting project bids were opened today and there were two. Ernst indicated there was a basic bid which included the runway and taxiways, Alternate A included the ramp, Alternate B and C included the painting. Ernst stated the contractors that bid were North Star Contractors and Kodiak Enterprises, both from Anchorage. The intention is to award the contract to North Star Contractors who came in for a total $159,659.00 (the project was budgeted at $159,000.00). Kodiak Enterprises came in at $377,304.00, which is $217,646 more than the lowest bidder. Airport Commission Meeting Minutes August 14, 1997 Page 1 Councilman Measles asked if Kodiak Enterprises understood what they were supposed do. Ernst indicated that both contractors toured the airport and he would have to say that North Star probably knew more about crack-sealing but both contractors have performed the work before. Knackstedt asked who performed the work here previously. Ernst and Holland indicated that Anchorage Enterprises did the work approximately three years ago and that bid came in around $110,000.00. Airport Master Plan Ernst stated they were still taking comments although none had been received yet. He further stated there were some corrections to the financials. Ernst indicated that the final draft form will be given to the Commissioners at the next meeting for their review and recommendation to Council. The Plan, the Commission's recommendation, and resolution accepting the Plan, will be presented to Council at their September 17 meeting. Edwards asked if the dates that were sent out to the airlines for the crack-sealing project were firm. Ernst indicated they were but it depended on the weather. Edwards indicated that they have a problem when it goes down to 3700 feet; legally they cannot land on that. Ernst stated that was why they attempted to give enough lead time and that they will try to hold it to a minimum by starting at the half-way point of the runway and work as quickly as possible and as it goes the threshold will be moved. Ernst pointed out that there is the possibility that the day may be lost to the airlines but that would just be from 7 to 7, the rest of the time is open. Edwards stated that she may need to change her numbers in the event she can use another aircraft to minimize the load. Edwards stated that she had already scheduled those two days and was concerned it may not be those days. Ernst stated that the dates are firm unless it rains and it is their intent to get on and get off as quickly as possible. Ernst also stated that there is the possibility that the painting may be postponed until next spring but they have to check with the FAA as it is an inspection item. Ernst indicated that they may not have a problem with it if they know a contract has been awarded for the work. Ernst stated, the best time to do crack-sealing is in the fall. However, if it is painted and then it snows, the life of the paint is shorter. ARFF Ernst reported the bid opening for the fire training center was extended to August 19. After review of the bids, Administration will request a special council meeting be held at which funds will be appropriated and Airport Commission Meeting Minutes August 14, 1997 Page 2 0 ® the award made. Ernst added, the bids for the ARFF vehicles (a T-1500 and a T-3000), to be used at the training is center will be opened in the first week of September. Ernst stated that he will probably do the grant before then in order to get it to the FAA and be able to give a Notice to Proceed. Ernst stated they had gone to FAA on several occasions to talk about the financing and they are at about $3.3 million for this year's allocation. He added, on September 30 at 2'00 p.m., the Alaska Region will know what the return of entitlement monies will be throughout the United States. Once those figures are known, it is hoped the city will be able to capture a considerable amount of those funds to add to the balance needed to complete the project. Ernst added, FAA would have liked to the city to wait until the 30th before awarding the bid, but we wanted to get started with the .infrastructure. Instead, they will phase in the first portion of the grant (one of seven sections). Ernst added, there would be one general contractor doing the entire project. Also, the fire training center will be built simultaneously with the ARFF, and certain infrastructure are needed to be in place before the fire training center is started. They want to be online with their first class in May. de Airport Manager Vehicle Knackstedt asked about the new vehicle for the airport manager as he noticed that its award resolution had been removed from the council agenda. Ernst stated the bids were thrown out because it was felt there was a discrepancy in the advertising. Ernst noted, the bid would go back out in September. Knackstedt commented he thought $28,000.00 was a lot of money for one pick-up truck. Ernst explained, they were considering a nine-passenger van to use for tour groups, etc. When the van isn't used for tours, etc. the back seat would be removed and the van used for airport work. He added, the four-wheel drive pick-up truck now in use will replace the airport manager's current vehicle. NEW BUSINESS a® Tour New Taxiway Construction Ernst stated, the work on the taxiway extension is impressive and it was a bigger project than what he expected. A lot of dirt was being moved, which he would show the Commission during their tour after the meeting. AIRPORT MANAGER'S REPORT July Enplanement report Ernst gave all members a copy of the updated enplanement report (copy Airport Commission Meeting Minutes August 14, 1997 Page 3 included with these minutes) and noted that the Float Plane Basin operations stood at 115 for May, 214 for June, and 402 for July, for a total of 731. Ernst added, fuel consumption out of the automated fuel system was up about 1,000 gallons per week. Ernst indicated a purchase order for about $10,000 would be submitted to council to carry through to the end of the month and the tank held 4,000 gallons. Ernst added, since the automated fuel system just came on-line, it was hard to compare this year's figures to last year. Thibodeau asked if anything was ever sent out to other air taxi operators in Anchorage to make them aware of the fuel availability in Kenai. Ernst answered, they only advertised through the airport directory. Thibodeau stated that a lot of air taxi operators are unable to make it back to Anchorage so they stop in Port Allsworth to buy fuel at $3.40 per gallon. If they have enough to make it back to Kenai they can get their fuel for $2.25. Ernst suggested an ad could be run in the paper before the hunting season. Ernst also noted, overall the airport use was comparable to last year's. Holland added, he recently reviewed last year's enplanements and found this year's to be approximately 8,000 less than last year's. Ernst noted, the number should rise in the near future. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS Knackstedt asked if there were any restrictions with regard to weight, size, etc., at the new gravel airstrip. Ernst stated that this was discussed with the tower and it was determined that there was no reason to limit it as it is a 2,000 foot gravel runway. In fact, it could even be used in case of an emergency if there was something happening on the runway and an Otter needed to be brought in. 13ielefeld stated that a weight restriction will need to be known sooner or later as someone will question it. Knackstedt asked what would happen when there is snow on the ground and the strip is not being plowed. Ernst answered, they are intending to keep it open as a ski strip. Thibodeau asked how it would be maintained as a ski strip since it couldn't be plowed down to the gravel. Holland answered, a little bit of pack would be left on it and a scar- fired blade would be used, leaving approximately two inches of snow on the strip at all times. Doing this would avoid the snow getting hard and icy. Knackstedt asked if the strip would be sanded. Holland answered, it would depend on the conditions. Adding, scar-fire blades tend to shatter the ice chips more but a little bit of sand would probably be good. Thibodeau asked if the strip would be limited to skis (in winter). Holland explained, drifts would need to be broken on the strip, which was not much more maintenance. Ernst added, the matter could be discussed later, but there was no reason to put wheels on the strip if the runway was open. Thibodeau stated, when the strip Airport Commission Meeting Minutes August 14, 1997 Page 4 10. 11. gets soft and starts getting tire marks on it, it's bad for skis. He added, in Valdez a snow machine is run on the strip with a groomer, which takes virtually no maintenance. Ernst noted, the strip will be substantial with a full length ramp, but it will be secondary to everything else at the airport. Bielefeld asked if tie downs would be available on the ramp. Ernst answered, not at this time. However, if some are placed in the future, they would be required to be airport standard (screw- in, not cable). Bielefeld asked if there were surveyed lots available adjacent to the ramp where a hangar could be placed. Ernst answered, it was not planned. Holland continued, because of the wetlands, it was uncertain if a building could be placed there. Ernst added, the only reason the strip was being placed there was because FAA had objected for six to eights years of having traffic going over active taxiways. The strip's width and length was a plus and can be built on eventually. However, at this point, it will be just a strip and ramp. PERSONS NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD - None INFORMATION ITEMS Kenai City Council Meeting Action Agenda (7/16/97) ADJOURNMENT HOLLOWAY MOVED FOR ADJOURNMENT. MOTION SECONDED BY KNACKSTEDT. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:30 P.M. The Commissioners joined Ernst on a tour of the new taxiway construction project. Respectfully Submitted, Airport Commission Meeting Minutes August 14, 1997 Page 5