Here are the minutes of our last meeting. ================= Minutes of the Member's Meeting of LITTLE RIVER AIRPORT PILOTS' ASSOCIATION a California nonprofit public benefit corporation OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD AT COAST FLYERS ON SAT. May 15, 1999 AT 9 O'CLOCK A.M. A regular meeting of the Directors and Members was held on April 17, 1999, at nine o'clock A.M. at the Airport Office, for the purpose of conducting all proper business of the corporation. The meeting was called by those present at the last meeting. Written notice of this meeting was sent to interested parties. Notice was publicly posted. There were present, the following persons: Dick Ahrens Joel Bornstein Tim Scully Dave Brewer Dave Thorpe The meeting opened with a brief discussion of the previous day's Little River Airport Advisory Committee meeting. Tim Scully announced that he had visited with Stan Townsend and Chuck Boyer, in Ukiah. He asked about the upcoming Little River Airport Master Plan revision. He was told that the County would definitely support the Little River Airport Advisory Committee producing an updated plan. DPW is open to the idea of new hangar locations. They said it would be good if the AAC could produce a plan for location, funding, etc. of new hangars. Dave Brewer asked about funding? Tim Scully replied that there isn't any money to fund an AWOS and thus there probably isn't money for hangars either. Chuck Boyer spoke with him of the $8000 annual payment for the new fuel system. He confirmed that it will be a cardlock system with 24 hour availability. Tim reported that Chuck said that the Dept. of Transportation is happy with the way the Airport Advisory Committee is progressing. Dave Thorpe said that some new airport information signs might be helpful. Tim said that Chuck had mentioned that the large airport sign is needing restoration. Joel Bornstein said that Les Proctor and Dave Thorpe had painted the sign. Tim said that might have satisfied the need. Tim Scully continued with other Little River Airport income items: The automobile parking was mentioned. Are the rates too high? Perhaps we should do a study of the rates being charged elsewhere. Chuck feels that we can make minor improvements at the airport and simply notify him. Regarding possible grants, Tim said that they take years before approval is to be expected. The Airport Advisory Committee could write proposals. Dave Brewer said that there are professional grant writers. He mentioned a paving grant that took eight years from start to approval. Dick Ahrens said that the professionals expect 10-15% as an "up front" fee. Tim suggested that we contact the California Pilots Association for assistance. He fears there might be neighborhood resistance to improvements as well as to the obligations that are attached to grant money. Dave Brewer brought up the recent timber harvest, saying that FAR 155 didn't apply to the funds derived from it. Tim said that the intent of FAR 155 was to support airports with income from both aviation AND non-aviation uses of airport lands. Dave asked if the County could remove some land from the airport? Tim responded that there would be problems with current obligations and also that the Dept. of Transportation is getting friendlier. Dave Thorpe said that there is presently no system for billing those who park their cars on airport property; many of the cars are unaccounted for. It is difficult to trace the ownership. We must bill, before we can have the cars removed. He mentioned that he has been placing envelopes with payment requests on the windshields and getting good results. He has also been placing payment requests on overnight aircraft, with similar results. Dave Brewer noted that most other airports place notices on the aircraft. If we don't make the effort to collect monies due, why should donors bother to make contributions? Tim suggested an inventory of the parked vehicles. Dave Thorpe said he is working on that. Dick Ahrens suggested that the notice be placed on the tiedown chain, thereby preventing any possible damage claims that might otherwise be made. Dave Thorpe said that many users don't pay their fees. Dave Brewer commented that there are fewer parked vehicles. Dave Thorpe said we may be charging too much money. Tim pays $7.00/month in UKI. Dave Brewer pays more there, but less than the $300/year charged here. Joel Bornstein noted that parking in Santa Rosa is free. Regarding the GPS approach, Tim said that he has approval to write the FAA to ask when we might have it certified. Joel Bornstein said that Dave Thorpe is awaiting word from the County on his application for the Little River Airport Supervisor position. Tim Scully said the Dept. of Transportation is busy with budget work, but he anticipates a positive decision. Dave Thorpe said that Les Proctor is officially leaving the position on April 30th. He said the job description isn't totally clear. He plans to confer with the Dept. of Transportation to work on it. Joel said he thinks that Les Proctor was disappointed that he couldn't do all that he wanted to improve the airport. Tim Scully said that there will soon be an email address for the airport. Dave Brewer suggested that Dave Thorpe start making changes and keeping record of the results. Dave Thorpe is keeping records now. Dave Brewer observed that the Little River Airport Pilots' Association is more involved with the Little River Airport than the Airport Advisory Committee. Joel agreed. Dave Brewer asked about procedures. Dave Thorpe said he should just do it and then notify Chuck. DPW doesn't like surprises, they like to be aware of what is planned and what is going on at the airport. It is embarrassing to them if something major, such as the office renovation, takes place without their knowledge. And unbudgeted expenses are also an issue... (Dave Thorpe was informed by Chuck Boyer on Thursday, the 22nd that the position is his!) The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 am. As Tim Scully was obliged to depart. Joel Bornstein, Secretary