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Home My WebLink About2003-06-12 Airport Commission Summary KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION JUNE 12, 2003 KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. AGENDA ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- May 8, 2003 ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 5: OLD BUSINESS ao Discussion-- Future Meeting Schedule Discussion -- Airport Noise Discussion -- Air Fair Wrap-Up ITEM 6: NEw BUSINESS ITEM 7: REPORT Commission Chair Airport Manager City Council Liaison ITEM 8: COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS ITEM 9' PERSONS NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 10: INFORMATION ITEMS ao do Kenai City Council Meeting Action Agendas for May 21 and June 4, 2003. Updated Membership List May, 2003 Kenai Municipal Airport Enplanement Report and Float Plane Basin Activity 6/2003 Alaska Business Monthly advertisement for Kenai Municipal Airport. ITEM 11' ADJOURNMENT KENAI AIRPORT COMMISSION JUNE 12, 2003 KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. CHAIRMAN HENRY KNACKSTEDT, PRESIDING MINUTES ITEM 1: CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chairman Knackstedt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commissioners Present' Commissioners Absent: Others Present: Bielefeld, Knackstedt, Versaw, Watkins, Haralson Councilwoman Jackman, Holloway, Van Zee Airport Manager Cronkhite, Department Assistant Harris ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL Airport Manager Cronkhite requested the addition of the following items: * 6-a. Discussion' Proposed additional Commission meetings * 11-a. Information item' Comprehensive Plan The amended agenda was approved without objection. ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- May 8, 2003 MOTION: Commissioner Haralson MOVED to approve the minutes and Commissioner Watkins SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD -- None ITEM 5: OLD BUSINESS Discussion-- Future Meeting Schedule The Commission discussed the upcoming meeting schedule which allows the Airport Commission to meet every other month. Cronkhite explained additional meetings could be requested to be approved by Council. The Commission, in general, expressed' displeasure with the new schedule, but stated trying this for several months would give a better idea of its feasibility. Christine Schmidt (Kenai): Schmidt addressed the Commission and stated she is very opposed to cutting the meetings as it results in a significant loss of public access. Schmidt also stated that since a commission secretary is no longer employed and minutes are to be done by Airport staff, funds can't be the issue. Schmidt stated she is strongly in favor of maintaining monthly meetings. Bob Molloy: Molloy echoed Schmidt's sentiments and stated he is strongly in favor of maintaining monthly meetings. Cronkhite explained, because the Clerk's Office department assistant was laid-off, the paperwork would be completed solely by the City Clerk. With the position being cut, the workload had to be cut. Haralson inquired if the airport could pay the wages for keeping a minutes secretary to attend the meetings. Haralson stated the Kenai Airport is a business and, as such, requires continuous attention to meetings including public discussions. Cronkhite answered, the airport is also facing economic problems. Discussion -- Airport Noise The Commission reviewed the memo from City Attorney Graves regarding noise abatement and regulations, requiring a noise survey prior to noise control. Cronkhite stated '150 studies' are normally conducted in areas with heavier traffic and the Comprehensive Plan does have updated noise contours as well as an overlay zone. Since Kenai doesn't qualify for a 150 study, the cost would be approximately $250,000. Cronkhite also stated many noise complaints are actually low-flying aircraft complaints, which the FAA looks into. Versaw suggested providing signage in the Float Plane take-off area suggesting pilots mind the airspace over neighborhoods so as not to create excessive noise. Christine Schmidt (Kenai)' Schmidt requested the Airport Commission and City staff continue to pursue this issue and obtain information from other airports and areas with similar noise problems. Schmidt stated her home in Woodland has very loud aircraft passing overhead, and at times at very low altitudes. Schmidt stated she has been very proactive in trying to identify noise violators and has continuously tried to make complaints to the FAA and airport, but little to nothing has been done. Schmidt reiterated her desire for the city to obtain more information. Knackstedt stated aircraft are required by the tower to follow a prescribed flight pattern as they are in a controlled airspace. Often times, a pilot has no choice but to fly over neighborhoods. Bob Molloy (Kenai)' Molloy stated he thought the idea of providing signage requesting pilots to be mindful of the noise their aircraft produces is a good one. Additionally, he would simply like to request more information on noise abatements be obtained. AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 12, 2003 PAGE 2 The Commission concluded this issue will be dealt with by educating and reminding pilots to try to keep aircraft noise to a minimum. Discussion -- Air Fair Wrap-Up Cronkhite reported the Air Fair was a great success with 48 participants and 25-30 aircraft. As advertising funds were focused on the aviator community, the event is gaining recognition. The Commission and Cronkhite stated Mary Bondurant did an great job on organizing the event. The follow-up meeting is scheduled for July 17, 2003; Commissioners will be kept informed of any new developments and information. Discussion -- Request for Additional Meetings Cronkhite presented the Commission with information on a public hearing regarding the environmental assessment on July 8 at 6 p.m. MOTION: Commissioner Watkins MOVED to request Council approve the addition of the July 8 meeting and Commissioner Haralson SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 6: NEW BUSINESS-- None ITEM 7: REPORT 7-a. Commission Chair-- No report 7-b. Airport Manager-- Cronkhite reported the following: · A new espresso bar has opened in the terminal. The espresso bar opens at 4:30 a.m. · The ADA compliant handicap lift has been installed and is working well. City Council Liaison -- No report. ITEM 8: COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS Bielefeld: Bielefeld questioned the status of the runway pavement project and was informed the repairs have been made. Some additional assessments are being done for any other recommended repairs. Haralson: Haralson inquired about follow-up regarding aircraft vandalism. Cronkhite informed the Commission of grant-funded security cameras which will be installed in the near future. AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 12, 2003 PAGE 3 ITEM 9: PERSONS NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD -- None ITEM 10: INFORMATION ITEMS 10-a. 10-b. 10-¢. 10-d. Kenai City Council Meeting Action Agendas for May 21 and June 4, 2003. Updated Membership List May, 2003 Kenai Municipal Airport Enplanement Report and Float Plane Basin Activity 6/2003 Alaska Business Monthly advertisement for Kenai Municipal Airport. ITEM 11' ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8'55 p.m. Minutes prepared and transcribed by: Sharon M. Harris, Departm~t Assistant AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 12, 2003 PAGE 4