Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-06-11 Airport Commission SummaryITEM 1' KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION JUNE 11, 1998 Kenai City Council Chambers Tom Thibodeau, Chairman '"AGENDA'" CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES - May 14, 1998 ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 5: OLD BUSINESS ITEM 6: ao NEW BUSINESS Airport Development 1. Jim Carter 2. City Manager Rick Ross ITEM 7: ao AIRPORT MANAGER'S REPORT Taxiway Project Update Airport Manager Search Update May 1998 Enplanement Report ITEM 8: COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS ITEM 9' PERSONS NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 10: ao INFORMATION ITEMS Kenai City Council Meeting Action Agenda 5 / 20/98 and 6 / 3 / 98. 6 / 2 / 98 CLF memorandum regarding "excused absences." 5 / 22 / 98 letter of appointment to Bob Favretto. Updated Airport Commission Membership List ITEM 11' ADJOURNMENT KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION June 11, 1998- 7:00 p.m. Kenai City Hall Council Chambers Chairman Thomas Thibodeau *** MINUTES *** lo ® ® ® ® ® CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Vice Chairman Knackstedt called the meeting to order approximately 7:00 p.m. Members Present' Ron Holloway, Henry Knackstedt, Bob Favretto, Bonnie Koerber, Lucy Lorenzen, Members Absent: James Bielefeld, Tom Thibodeau Also Present: City Manager Rick Ross, Acting Airport Manager Keith Holland, Councilman Raymond Measles, Contract Secretary Barb Roper AGENDA APPROVAL KOERBER MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION SECONDED BY HOLLOWAY. Holland requested that City Manager Rick Ross and Jim Carter be reversed under New Business, Item A. Holland also requested that Item 7c be replaced with the handout he provided before the meeting. AGENDA WAS APPROVED WITH THE REi~UESTED CHANGES. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - May 14, 1998 LORENZEN MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MAY 14, 1998. MOTION SECONDED BY HOLLOWAY. MINUTES OF MAY 14~ 1998 WERE APPROVED AS WRITTEN. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD - None OLD BUSINESS- None NEW BUSINESS Airport Development ® City Manager Rick Ross ® Ross reported that Carter gave a presentation to City Council regarding airport development. Council directed Ross to enter into a professional services agreement with Carter to begin the initial stages of implementing Carter's concept. Ross stated that he wanted the Airport Commission's reaction to the concept before a scope of work is developed. Ross continued, he was at the meeting to listen to the Commission's questions on the airport development proposal and to the answers provided by Carter. Jim Carter A copy of Carter's proposal regarding airport development was included in the meeting packet. Carter asked the Commission to follow along as he read excerpts from it. These excerpts highlighted the need for a hub to the Anchorage International Airport for cargo and passenger air carriers. The proposal discusses the expansion of the Kenai Municipal Airport to becoming a world-class economic development hub. Carter gave a brief history on the Anchorage Airport (which was built in December 1951) and its growth to what it is today. He noted that if Anchorage continues to grow it will be out of land in about ten years. Carter provided a cargo landing report which states there was a 17% increase in cargo landings for FY97 and that Anchorage is soundly ahead of other international cargo centers. Carter pointed out that consideration is also given to Fairbanks as an alternate to handle overflow from Anchorage but he believes that carriers would be more interested in the Kenai area as it is only ten minutes from Anchorage with an average winter temperature of 30 degrees. Fairbanks is 30 minutes away with an average winter temperature of 50 degrees below zero. Carter continued, expansion of the Kenai Airport will include constructing a new runway as the existing runway is not designed to handle heavy loads. A letter from John Darrow, a Northwest Airlines 747 pilot who lives in Sterling, was provided. Darrow expressed his interest in the project and would like to see it include a heavy aircraft maintenance facility since there isn't one at the present time. All maintenance is performed outside in the weather. Carter discussed the fueling situation in Anchorage and the existing pipeline's age, location and accident history. It was noted this system is one of the worst ten in the country. Carter noted AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING June 11, 1998 Page 2 that work continues on correcting the situation and it will be resolved, however, whatever is done to rectify the problems there will be another crisis in ten years. Carter presented other ideas for usage of the Kenai Airport which included tourism. Flights from overseas could land in Kenai for the start of various tours to work north. This could also be tied in to the many cruise ships that dock in Seward. Tourists can visit the Kenai Peninsula and fly out of Kenai. Carter reported that initial meetings were held with the Corps of Engineers, Salamatof Native Corporation and the Kenaitze Indian Tribe. Salamatof Native Corporation has the land and the Kenaitze Indian Tribe has a gravel pit which could provide materials for a new runway. There was great interest but both organizations were slow to react so it didn't go any further with them. As a result, Carter approached City Council with hopes of making this a City project. Carter provided the Commission with another handout which outlines the duties and responsibilities of a consultant to pursue airport development. These include holding meetings with the Airport Commission and City Manager; seeking Borough-wide support of the project; providing briefings and seek supporting from Kenai area representatives and the Alaska State Legislature; providing briefings and seeking support from the Alaska congressional delegation; meeting with ICAO representatives regarding their involvement in safety and Alaska operations; meeting with U.S. State Department officials regarding bilateral agreements to determine restrictions; visiting at least 12 air carriers, both domestic and international, who may have an interest in the expansion; briefing the Governor's staff as to the objectives of the expansion; involving the National Transportation Safety Board and FAA; and have continuous follow up on all duties. The start-up costs were discussed and Carter reported it would probably be approximately $100,000 per year. This includes expense vouchers, air transportation, meals, vehicle rentals, miscellaneous, etc. Carter anticipates one trip costing in excess of $4,000. Carter believes it is worth it as the Kenai Municipal Airport is the jewel of the Peninsula and where it goes determines where the entire Peninsula would go. Public Comment Dan VanZee, Hertz Car Rental, Kenai, Alaska (283-7291} - asked how many years it would take for such a project and AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING June 11, 1998 Page 3 whether or not there was any interest from various air carriers. Carter replied, there is a lot of research required and it will all be done in phases to include land acquisition, etc. It is possible a new runway could be in place within five years. Carter also stated that air carrier interest is unknown at this time. There may be some that would wait until the runway is built. Bob Bielefeld, Kenai Aviation, Kenai, Alaska {253-4124} - stated that weather should be considered a major factor due to the extensive fog situation in the summer and winter. Elielefeld gave a history of the Kenai Airport and suggested that a new runway be built in another area because of the weather factor. t3ielefeld continued, if the runway was built in another area, the 1963 environmental problems would not be an issue. Carter reiterated the intent is to build a new runway and not extend the old. End Public Comment Knackstedt asked if consideration was given to building outside the city limits, such as further north. Carter answered, no, he did not look at the project on that large of scale that all consideration was given to building within the city limits. Carter continued, there is no deal with DNR, Kenaitze Indian Tribe, etc. Favretto asked what the purpose was of building the original Kenai Airport to its current size and magnitude. Carter answered, in the early years FAA built several runways throughout Alaska to connect the smaller communities to a hub which happens to be Anchorage. When the Kenai Airport was built there was no road to Anchorage. Favretto asked if the runway was always the same size. It was noted the original runway was 7,000 feet. Favretto asked when the terminal was built. It was reported the existing terminal was built in the early 1980~s. The first terminal was a trailer complex. Favretto asked what the purpose was of the current location. Carter answered, to accommodate the growth of the City. Favretto asked if there was any reason to think there would be an impact on the City. Ross replied, although the exact scope of work has yet to be determined the proposal has a lot of elements and some of the positives and negatives are already known. The Fairbanks Airport needs help and this is recognized by the State, FAA, etc., This project will be up against those entities right from the beginning. Additionally, the Kenai Airport expansion is visionary and the key element is interest from the air carriers. AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING June 11, 1998 Page 4 Ross continued, if the City enters into a contract with Carter it would be done on a phase basis and after each phase Carter will come back to the Airport Commission and City Council with a detailed report. The Airport Commission and/or City Council will determine after each report whether or not to continue on to the next phase. Ross thought the first thing that needs to be done is to determine air carrier interest followed by identification of a land mass since it was unlikely the new runway would be built within the City as there is no suitable land mass in the city due to environmental issues. Knackstedt asked at what level the commitment from the air carriers would be. Ross replied, it would have to be above the local manager level. The project will require extensive federal funds and commitments from air carriers. Ross continued, Carter will provide a billing with each activity report and that the City has no interest in a multi-year contract for a consultant. Knackstedt asked if Anchorage was doing anything with regard to the growth. Carter answered, consideration was given at one time to building an airport in Wasilla where there are large land masses. This never did get off the ground and is not in the works today. Koerber asked how the project would be funded. Ross replied, the City will depend on FAA funds and they would have to agree this project is viable. It is possible that State funding could be available as well but that too will come through the FAA. Ross pointed out a project of this magnitude will require a massive amount of funding as it will not only include a new runway but aprons, fuel farms, etc. This could run over $100 million. Knackstedt stated, based on that amount, the small investment made on initial research by a consultant is worth it. Ross added, the scope of work will be determined and an hourly rate negotiated. The research will go as far as the Airport Commission and Council wants it to go. Once the air carrier interest is established and the land mass identified, the work will go well beyond what Carter is qualified to do. Knackstedt asked how large the multi-runway/airport will be. Carter replied, at this time he envisions one runway and support systems based on needs. If the runway is built in another area then consideration needs to be given to infrastructure, taxiways, fuel, etc. Holloway thought this was a good concept. Favretto thought this project could tie into the responsibilities of the new Airport Manager who could assist Carter with the research. Ross responded, interviews for the new Airport AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING June 11, 1998 Page 5 Manager will take place within the next couple of weeks. Once hired, the Manager will concentrate his efforts on developing the existing airport and not be involved in the research presented by Carter. HOLLOWAY MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE PROPOSAL BY CARTER FOR AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT. MOTION SECONDED BY FAVRETTO. ® VOTE HOLLOWAY Yes KOERBER Yes KNACKSTEDT Yes FAVRETTO Yes LORENZEN Yes Motion passed unanimously. Ross thanked the Commission for their input. AIRPORT MANAGER'S REPORT Taxiway Project Update: Holland reported there were delays in painting and finish grading due to poor weather. The taxiway should be useable once this work is complete. Changes in the project have been initiated by FAA and include remarking the runways to left and right and signage on both runways. be Airport Manager Search Update' Holland indicated that Ross covered most of the Airport Manager update earlier in the meeting. A candidate will be in Kenai from June 20 through June 23 which will start the interview process. May 1998 Enplanement Report The May 1998 Enplanement Report included in the packet was replaced by the handout provided before the meeting due to some incorrect figures. de Airport Terminal Painting The terminal is being repented in several areas. Several inquires were received regarding the photos being removed. They will be replaced once the painting is complete. AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING June 11, 1998 Page 6 ® ® 10. 11. Airport Management Office The new airport management office is open and is accessible from the terminal. Holland invited Commissioners to stop by to visit. Knackstedt asked if the requested FAA changes to the taxiway project will result in delays to opening the gravel airstrip. Holland replied, it will as the signs need to be ordered and it will take approximately 60 days before they are received. Holland noted, however, that the grass strip will remain open until the gravel airstrip is useable. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS Commissioner Knackstedt asked about the status of the smoking policy in the terminal. Holland answered, the information did not go to Council yet as he is waiting for quotes from contractors for the necessary renovation work. Knackstedt asked if there has been any negative response from the tenants. Holland stated that most tenants are willing to comply w/th whatever Council requires. Knackstedt welcomed Bob Favretto to the Airport Commission. PERSONS NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD - None INFORMATION ITEMS Kenai City Council Meeting Action Agenda 5/20/98 and 6/3/98 6 / 2/98 CLF memorandum regarding "excused absences." 5/22/98 letter of appointment to Bob Favretto. Updated Airport Commission Membership List. ADJOURNMENT HOLLOWAY MOVED TO ADJOURN. MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:30 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Barbara Roper, Contract Secretary AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING June 11, 1998 Page 7