MINUTES OF THE BARSTOW
AIRPORT ADVISORY
SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING
August 12, 2008
PRESENT: Pollack, Janson, Siemer, Bergstein,
Woodruff
OTHERS:
REPORTED
BY: Bradd Maki
Commissioner Pollack called the meeting to order at 5:30
p.m.
The commission requested a status report of the AWOS
system installation and a discussion about a fixed base operator, FBO, for the
airport. As an update to the agenda,
AWOS update item was placed following the Fuel Tank Project item and the FBO
discussion item was placed following the Capital Plan item.
Fuel Tank Project - The City airport consultant provided an
estimate of approximately $280,000 for the above ground system along with
related paving and equipment needs. Discussion
ensued.
Woodruff asked why a 15,000 gallon fuel tank was
needed. It was explained that it is
easier to buy fuel when sufficient additional volume capacity in the tank exists
so fuel does not have to be ordered right away.
This would allow time for airport operations to look at fuel cost trends
and what other airports are doing before making a purchase. Woodruff indicated the commission cannot
afford to buy this tank based on speculation as he believed gas should be bought
when needed only and we are not in the business to “play the market”. He wanted to know other reasons why a new
tank is being installed. McManus
indicated the idea is to reduce subsidy to the city and to purchase gas cheaper,
which can be accomplished when buying full loads. Further discussion ensued. It was determined that the City would recoup
their cost share in a short time frame.
Woodruff provided a letter from Rob Bourne is
offering sale of his hangar with an existing 10,000 gallon underground fuel
tank on-site for less than the current funding for a
new tank installation. Discussion
ensued. McManus reiterated the cost to
the City for installation of an above ground fuel tank is low and the costs
will be recovered quickly, The City will not be able to subsidize an existing
facility. Woodruff indicated the
commission should not ignore the existing underground fuel tank and that the
City could buy another truck to move fuel from one side of the airport to the
other. Pollack asked if we can obtain an
official reading of whether entitlement funding could be used for the existing
building and underground tank. Janson
motioned “to proceed with the fuel tank
project with consideration given if federal entitlement funding can be used to
purchase the hangar and fuel tank owned by either Steve Bile or Rob Bourne.” Approved (5/0).
AWOS
Update - Maki provided a brief status
report of the AWOS project. MDOT has
received most of the equipment and is scheduled to proceed with the
installation of the AWOS system in the next few weeks. Also, contracts for AWOS maintenance and data
dissemination are being worked on, but have received subsequent approval from
City Council. The commission suggested
advertising when the new system will go on-line, such as the internet or other
avenues. Rairigh provided the new
frequency identifier to the commission.
Capital
Plan – Maki
provided a copy of the 5-year capital plan for the airport for 2009-2013. This plan was unchanged through 2012, but
added the 2013 plan, which is to update the ALP and perform drainage
improvements. Janson requested review of
a deal with a John Deer dealer where a snow blower could be purchased, then
replaced with a new machine on an annual basis for $1000. Rairigh indicated the blower would not be as
functional as the machine currently planned, but would definitely something to
consider. Siemer motioned “to approve the 5-year plan as provided”. Discussion ensued. Runway extension was discussed as a future
item. McManus indicated the existing
snow blower has high maintenance costs, so the new blower will reduce subsidy. The fuel tank is a money maker as is the T-Hangar, however the hangar will take multiple federal
entitlements. This plan can be revised,
and will be discussed at the upcoming MAP meeting in September. Pollack indicated there was a motion on the
floor to approve the 5-year plan. Janson
seconded. Approved (5/0).
FBO – Pollack read a letter
received from Linda Langrill, past president of the
EAA. The letter provided support to
current airport operations as provided by JT and Janine Rairigh and the need
for aircraft maintenance. Woodruff
suggested sending out a request for combining airport operations and FBO. Siemer indicated the fact finding sub-committee
findings showed the best option was to combine the FBO with airport
operations. Janson indicated that FBO’s
for airports our going out of business, and they will need to have some kind of
incentive or they will not come. Rairigh
indicated he would not be able to do both maintenance operations and FBO without
eliminating some services we are currently benefitting from. Bergstein suggested looking to find a
combined operations/FBO, but look for a “hole in the
fence” mechanic on a temporary basis.
The
September 2, 2008 meeting will be cancelled.
Public Comment - Jim Reike indicated we
should not cover other items in a special meeting. He also indicated Steve’s (or Bourne) fuel
tank is more than ten years old and would need proper inspections, etc. before
considering buying his hangar and fuel tank.
Regarding the FBO sub-committee, they did not ask most people in the
field their opinion and many are concerned about the sub-committee
recommendation. Siemer asked what concerns
are being presented. Reike
indicated the commission should look at other avenues instead of what we had in
place before JT Raraigh started.
Motion to adjourn was
provided by Janson and seconded by Siemer.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:42 p.m.