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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-12 Airport Commission SummaryKENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION MARCH 12, 1998 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 - February 12, 1998 ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 5' OLD BUSINESS ITEM 6' NEW BUSINESS ao Discussion - Specie Use Permit/Portion of Tract A, General Aviation Apron #2 - Kenai Air Alaska, Inc. bo Discussion - Gift Shop Lease - Jep Hansen, d/b/a Alaska Wild Fin Native Alaskan Gifts. Co Discussion - Airport Management Office/Airport Terminal ITEM 7: AIRPORT MANAGER'S 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 - February 28, 1998 and March 4, 1998. ITEM 11' ADJOURNMENT KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION March 12, 1998- 7:00 p.m. Kenai City Hall Council Chambers Chairman Thomas Thibodeau *** MINUTES *** 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Acting Chair Knackstedt called the meeting to order approximately 7'00 p.m. Members Present: Ron Holloway, James Bielefeld, Henry Knackstedt, Bonnie Koerber Members Absent: Barbara Edwards, Sandra Hudson, Tom Thibodeau Also Present: Councilman Raymond Measles, Acting Airport Manager Keith Holland, Contract Secretary Barb Roper 2. AGENDA APPROVAL Holland requested an addition to the agenda under New Business, item 6d which is a request for additional space for Budget-Rent-A-Car at the terminal. HOLLOWAY MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA WITH THE ONE ADDITION. MOTION SECONDED BY KOERBER. AGENDA APPROVED WITH THE ONE ADDITION. ® APPROVAL OF MINUTES - February 12, 199'8 Holland requested the last sentence in the first paragraph on page 5 be changed to read, "Holland reported the float plane camping area got some use." HOLLOWAY MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 12~ 1998 AS CORRECTED. MOTION SF~ONDED BY BIELEFELD. MINUTES WERE APPROVED WITH THE CORRECTION. 4. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD - None 5. OLD BUSINESS- None 6. NEW BUSINESS Discussion- Special Use Permit / Portion of Tract A, General Aviation Apron #2 -- Kenai Air Alaska, Inc. Airport Commission March 12, 1998 Page 1 Holland stated the original permit was issued at the request of Kenai Air as they needed some additional parking space next to their hangar. The permit will expire on June 30, 1998. Administration doesn't have any changes and recommends the lease be approved. Holland noted there is ample clause in the contract for cancellation within 14 days in the event the space is required for some other purpose. Knackstedt asked if this was similar to the land use permit approved last month. Holland replied, it's a similar type contract but for a totally different purpose. The area requested is not part of the tarmac, apron or ramp area, it is an undeveloped piece of property that Kenai Air actually did some work in to allow for parking. HOLLOWAY MOVED TO RECOMMEND A NEW SPECIAL USE PERMIT BE ISSUED TO KENAI AIR. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY BIELEFELD. Voice Vote: All in favor - Motion passed unanimously. Discussion ~ Gift Shop Lease - Jep Hansen, d/b/a Alaska Wild Fin Native Alaskan Gifts. Holland reported the City went out to bid for the gift Shop lease and the bids were opened on March 5, 1998. Mr. Hansen was the only bidder although six packets were picked up and four or five people showed up for the pre-bid conference. The permit will start on April 1, 1998 and go through March 31, 2003 and is for $550.00 per month. Jep Hansen, owner of Alaska Wild Fin Native Alaskan Gifts, stated he has been in business for four years. He has a shop in Soldotna and also in Anchorage. Hansen reported he is one of the biggest manufacturers of baleen in the State. Hansen described some of the merchandise he proposes to sell from the gift shop which will include some specialty items. Koerber asked if Hansen intended to sell other convenience items such as magazines. Hansen replied, they will sell magazines, USA Today newspapers, t-shirts, hats, Alaska videos. He will not sell candy, gum, or fishing licenses. The hours of operation was discussed and Hansen reported they intend to be open seven days per week for approximately eight to ten hours in the winter and summer. Hansen indicated that he would anticipate his schedule being set to coincide with the airline schedules. Hansen would have two people in the shop during the summer. Airport Commission March 12, 1998 Page 2 be Hansen also added that he intended to do engraving right at the shop in the winter. When asked if the space was adequate enough to hold his merchandise and engraving equipment Hansen indicated the space would be sufficient. Discussion took place on the engraver and the type of artwork performed with it. Hansen provided a brochure that gave an indication of the work he performs. Hansen stated that his insurance will be in place very soon and asked about fire insurance. Holland recommended that those issues be discussed with Administration. Hansen will contact Holland to go over the details. Koerber indicated she was pleased to have an established business in the Airport gift shop. HOLLOWAY MOVED TO APPROVE THE GIFT SHOP LEASE TO ALASKA WILD FIN NATIVE ALASKAN GIFTS. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY KOERBER. Voice Vote - All in favor - Motion passed unanimously. Discussion - Airport Management Office / Airport Terminal Holland stated this request is being made in order to open an office that is publicly accessible at the airport. Currently the manager's office cannot be accessed through the terminal. The plan is to modify the very far north ticket office. This office has not been leased in the past and it probably would not be in the very near future as two other offices are available for lease. The modifications proposed are minimal in cost and will be able to be reversed in the event the space is needed as a ticket counter. Holland continued, this new space should provide a more friendly atmosphere. Knackstedt asked if there was a real advantage of having the window that overlooks the ramp. Holland explained there is an advantage of being able to view the ramp. Holland continued, the existing Airport Manager's office will remain an office or be used as a conference room depending upon the configuration Administration actually takes with the job changes. Knackstedt asked who would visit the Airport Manager's office during the course of a day. Holland replied, there is not really a constant supply of people that come by but during certain times of the year when parking permits are issued (aircraft, tie- downs, float plane, vehicle parking, etc.) there is a lot of traffic through the office. Holland also indicated there may be some increased traffic with the new mission the City Manager and Council wishes to go with the marketing aspect on the airport. Holland explained the proposed layout of the office area. The small section of counter would be removed Airport Commission March 12, 1998 Page 3 ® to open up the area. The front portion of the office would be a reception area and the back portion would be used as the Assistant Manager's office and most likely the existing Airport Manager's office will remain as is or be used as a conference area. Holland reported there is no other space available at the terminal for office use other than absorbing one of the ticket counter offices. The issue of expansion in the terminal needs to be addressed in the future. It was noted appropriate signage would be placed to direct the public to the Airport Manager's office. HOLLOWAY MOVED TO APPROVE THE OFFICE SPACE MODIFICATIONS AS OUTLINED. MOTION SECONDED BY KOERBER. Voice Vote: All in favor - Motion passed unanimously. Counter Space at Kenai Airport/Budget-Rent-A-Car Holland stated a letter was received from Koerber indicating her desire to lease additional space. The space requested was originally used by the Kenai Visitor's and Convention Center to display photos, etc. The lease would be similar to the lease approved last month to Van Zee. Holland continued, a draft of the lease is included with the request. Koerber was informed of the conditions which include the expiration date of June 30 when all other leases expire and this no way gives her any preference to future leases on this space. That would be up to Council to determine how the spaces are reallocated and leased. Koerber would also receive 15 additional parking spaces and be required to provide 10% of the gross revenues. HOLLOWAY MOVED TO APPROVE THE ADDITIONAL SPACE LEASE TO BUDGET-RENT-A-CAR. MOTION SECONDED BY BIELEFELD. Voice Vote: All in favor - Motion passed unanimously. AIRPORT MANAGER'S REPORT Holland stated the enplanement report was included in the meeting packet and pointed out there was an error in the monthly total for February. The correction is highlighted on the report. The Quimby Restaurant was opened on February 20 and they are considering expanding their hours. They are currently open from 8'00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., they will try to stay open until 8'00 p.m. Airport Commission March 12, 1998 Page 4 ® There was a question at the last meeting about the RVR not being indicated on the approach plates into the Kenai Airport for instrument approach landings. The Kenai tower reports the information was submitted to the FAA and the office that approves and publishes the approach plates are backlogged. It was noted the information was sent in two years ago. The FAA states the GPS approaches have priority. The RVR is operational and is giving out the information to the pilots on their approaches. Holland stated he had a conversation with Knackstedt earlier in the day regarding insurance requirements for exhibitions, displays and contests at the Airport. This issue is still being researched and Holland will attempt to have a report at the next meeting. Barbara Roper was hired as the part-time, temporary assistant at the Airport. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS Commissioner Bielefeld asked about the employee parking lot as it has been fairly full lately. Holland replied, efforts are being made to provide all employees with a parking permit. This should provide better control in the parking lot. Bielefeld stated, with regard to insurance for events, some groups have their own coverage and there are ways of getting affordable insurance as long as there are no aerobatics. Holland clarified the question came up during the discussion of the grand opening for the gravel strip and taxiway and he wanted to check on the status of the City's insurance to assure there were no restrictions. Bielefeld thought it would be difficult to plan anything with the regular scheduled airline service and having to shut things down in the summer. Holland stated it was a different concept that needs to be researched to find out the parameters and limitations, etc. Knackstedt didn't think the strip would affect the commuters. It was suggested that some formal discussion take place prior to any events. Bielefeld stated the Oshkosh Air Show is the largest in the world and is done without interrupting regular service, however, it is very, carefully orchestrated. Commissioner Knackstedt asked about the status of the Granite Point gate. Holland reported the Granite Point gate is back in service and the FBO gate is operational but one of the safety edges isn't functioning properly. The part has been ordered as well as some spare parts. Discussion took place on the gates and whether or not they are more trouble than they are worth. Holland indicated the gates are working fine after the initial problems were worked out. Knackstedt asked about the status of the smoking areas and whether or not there is something in the budget for rectifying the problem. Holland reported Airport Commission March 12, 1998 Page 5 the problems in the terminal smoking area can be resolved by relocating the exhaust vents into the area the smokers use. The air would be drawn from other areas of the terminal and exhausting from that point. The employees' smoking area is more complicated because it's difficult to tell the employees they can't smoke in the back baggage area nor can they leave their job site to go to the smoking area in the terminal. A place needs to be provided to those employees and the only available area at this time is the back baggage area. Discussion took place on exhaust in that area. Holland reported there is no exhaust in the area other than the doors that are opened constantly. Knackstedt asked if the gravel strip would be closed after the tower hours. Holland stated he could not say that the strip will not be closed during the hours of darkness but it needs to be researched. Knackstedt felt the wording used for the float pond doesn't say the area is closed at all, it just states who controls it during control hours. Holland stated the float plane basin is a little vague. It was noted in the summer it stays light for quite a while after the tower is closed. Holland reported there has been a lot of recent research for landing systems that use low light reflective cones. They're actually developing some approach systems for airports that are not lighted. The cones purchased for the gravel strip have reflective tapes on them and are color coded. Discussion took place on use of the gravel strip after the tower closes and it was suggested the wording "use at your own risk" after the tower closes be considered. Discussion took place on the gravel strip maintenance during the winter for ski operations. It was noted a ski strip needs to be clean and clear without gravel or sand. Holland stated, it will be a learning process to determine what will work. Various grooming methods were discussed. 9. PERSONS NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD - None 10. INFORMATION ITEMS Kenai City Council Meeting Action Agenda - February 28, 1998 and March 4~ 1998. 11. ADJOURNMENT HOLLOWAY MOVED TO ADJOURN. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:55 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Barbara Roper, Contract Secretary Airport Commission March 12, 1998 Page 6