Minutes of the Ad Hoc Airport Advisory Committee 1/12/97 (rough draft for approval) The Little River Airport Ad Hoc Airport Advisory Committee met on Sunday 1/12/97 from 4-5:30 pm. Six committee members were present: Tim, Joel, Jack, Fran, Ray and Trey. Neil Boyle and Dick Ahrens attended. Andy and Nang Becker attended part of the meeting. We agreed that the next Ad Hoc meeting will take place Sunday, January 26 from 4-6pm at Coast Flyers. minutes ------- The minutes of the last 2 meetings were approved. reports ------- Tim distributed copies of a FAX from the Mammoth Lakes Airport stating that their GPS approach has not increased traffic. Tim distributed copies of a letter from Stan Townsend to MCOG regarding the Capital Improvement Plan for the County's two airports. He also reported briefly on the volunteer management of the airport during Andy's vacation. Things went smoothly, with two incidents: a relay burned out in the runway light controller and some vandels left dirt on the taxiway. The runway light problem ago was promptly repaired with authorization from DPW by an expert Joel located. And DPW very promptly cleaned up the taxiway. Discussion ---------- We briefly discussed the Capital Improvement Plan. It was mentioned on one of the local radio stations recently. The list of items is: priority 1 - GPS approach $3000 2 - hangar site development $300,000 3 - A.C. overlay - all paved areas $915,000 4 - AWOS - $60,000 5 - New Airport Lighting System - $356,000 6 - New Operations Building - $115,000 7 - Land Acquisitions - clear zones - $480,000 8 - Additional tie-down area - $438,000 Tim commented that he appreciated DPW's responsiveness to Ad Hoc Committee input regarding priorities. He also said that he felt it is unlikely that the State will fund these requests. DPW hasn't had the staff or budget to develop effective grant applications. And, in the case of some items such as paving (A.C. overlay), the primary funding source is normally the FAA, who is expected to pay 90% of the cost. The State is extemely unlikely to fund most of the cost, simply because the County declines to apply for FAA grants. Trey said that the reason the County doesn't apply for Federal grants is "the strings" that are attached. Tim said that the "strings" involve promising to keep the airport open to the public without discrimination, and to obey the FARs. Trey asked why the clear zone acquisition is on the list. He thought we had determined that no land purchases were needed for the non-precision GPS approach. Tim explained that the County doesn't currently own the clear zones for a visual approach. Although it is not absolutely necessary for the County to own the clear zones, it is much better than using zoning laws to control them. The Master Plan calls for land swaps to secure the clear zones for a possible future precision approach, and for improved control and safety without one. The $3000 in the CIP for the GPS approach is for a "possible survey". Tim said he didn't think that a survey is needed - the last time he talked to the Flight Procedures people, they said they has all of the necessary technical data from the Airport Layout Plan. But he'll call the FAA and double check this. Trey said that he observed the airport during the recent heavy rains and he saw the beginnings of erosion in the area between the runway and taxiway. Now he understands why the County used to grade. We talked again about how planting appropriate grasses would probably be a better method of erosion control that wouldn't generate the dust that results from grading. GPS report ---------- Tim handed out copies of an incomplete rough draft of the GPS report, as a starting point for discussion. Fran said there needs to be a short summary available to everyone. Tim directed her attention to the "executive summary" section. Jack pointed out some spelling errors. He said we should hilight the sunset of all other methods of navigation. Trey said that he wants to study the draft at home. Tim said he'd continue to work on the document, fleshing it out, while the committee studies this draft, and we can talk further about it in 2 weeks. Fuel Tanks ---------- Trey asked about the status of the underground fuel tanks. Do they still need to be removed or retrofitted by 1998? Tim said he'd check with General Services. Andy recently got a brochure from a company offering to sell the airport a liner for the 12000 gallon tank. Mechanic -------- Trey asked what the status of the mechanic issue. Jack agreed that this is still an urgent problem. Tim said that the problem has been that there isn't enough business for a mechanic to make a go of it as a business if that's all he does. Although DPW did offer Andy a contract modification that would allow him to operate as a mechanic, the terms that they offered did not make business sense from the mechanic's point of view. So, we seem to be stuck. Airport Supervisor ------------------ Thus the discussion turned to the Airport Supervisor's job. Jack said that many airports are run by an FBO. Trey said that he is still concerned about conflict of interest. He also said he'd like us to inquire about the status of the new contract to be put out to bid this coming summer. Tim told how Healdburg put in card lock fuel and did away with their full time attendant. He said that there seem to be several choices: - no supervisor, card lock fuel and an AWOS, have complaints phoned to Ukiah - contract or FBO supervisor - full time County employee The County employee option would probably cost about $30,000 to 40,000 per year more than the current contract, assuming a pay scale similar to the Ukiah airport manager and keeping the airport open 6 days a week. Tim asked how this could be funded. In the past, every contract supervisor has had to have some other source of income to make a go of it on the low contract pay. Ray asked what does the airport supervisor do, beyond pumping gas. Tim said he answers the phone, giving weather to pilots and handling community complaints. He collectes tiedown, auto parking and hangar fees and he looks the airport over for problems. Trey said that the "watchman" aspect is important and related a recent problem with teenagers. Trey said he really wants someone to be at the airport. Joel said that some Part 135 operators (such as Flightcraft) can land only if the field is attended. Dick said he didn't think DPW will find many applicants for a contract job at 22k. Jack said that he bets there will be retired folks who will bid on the job. Tim said that he believes that DPW would not welcome our input regarding the airport supervisor's contract. If we want to open this can of worms, we'll have to do a great deal of research and produce a very detailed report. After discussion we agreed to table this issue for now. Andy returned from his vacation at that point and told us a little about his trip. Next Meeting ------------ We agreed to meet next on January 26 at 4pm. The agenda will be: - approve minutes of previous meeting - reports on recent events - GPS instrument approach - official airport committee - agree on agenda for next meeting Ad Hoc Airport Committee voting members: ----------------------------------------- Joel Bornstein pilot, flight instructor lives near airport Trey Loy non-pilot, lives near airport Jack Reichel pilot, businessman Tim Scully pilot, computer programmer, lives near airport commutes by air to Oakland weekly Susan Winding airport neighbor, non-pilot, local business owner Ray Yates non-pilot, Albion businessman Fran Tucker non-pilot, neighbor of the airport manages the Woods Ad Hoc Committee alternate members: ----------------------------------- Michael Moore pilot, economist Dick Ahrens pilot airport neighbor