PORT OF ORCAS
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
January 14, 2010
Approval of Minutes
Thurman moved, Wells seconded approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of December 10, 2009 as presented, and the motion was unanimously carried.
As a prelude to the annual election of commission offices, Hopkins noted that he wished Eimers to remain as chairman until the through-the-fence matter had been settled.
Eimers added that since no one had registered to run for his position, the SJC elections board had notified him that he would remain in office until the next election cycle, but that he had no feeling either way about remaining as chairman. Eimers then opened nominations for officers.
Election of Chairman and Secretary for 2010
Thurman nominated himself as chairman for 2010. With no other nominations forthcoming, Eimers closed nominations, and Thurman was elected by acclamation.
Hopkins nominated himself as secretary for 2010. With no other nominations forthcoming, Eimers closed nominations, and Hopkins was elected by acclamation.
Public Access Time
Eric Gourley was present to report on a meeting with Mike Adams (Alaska Airlines and part-time resident) and the airport manager about designing a special WAAS-enable GPS approach to RW 16. This type of approach should be possible and bypass some of the bureaucratic roadblocks posed by the FAA. The airport manager will investigate further, and attempt to ascertain cost to the port.
Margie Doyle was present to thank the community and port for finding a flight for Dan Stevens to visit his son, who was in hospital in Bellingham on December 22. Commissioner Wells had been able to suggest arrangements for the flight.
Unfinished Business
1. Looking Down the Runway
The airport manager reported on the status of the north outfall repairs. She noted that the contractor was ready to begin work as soon as the Army Corps of Engineers permit was obtained. Once the permit is in hand, a pre-construction meeting will occur (tentatively scheduled for January 20), neighbors will be notified of impending work, and a NOTAM will be issued.
2. Through-the-Fence Matter
Chair Thurman reported that he had met with several Ferris deedholders, and discussed possible strategies, but the group had come to no consensus. He added that the assertion that those properties had a 50% increase in taxes because of their 'special use' categorization needed to be quantified. At this point, the port needed to set a timeline and move forward.
Edwards noted the local public interest and growing countrywide support for dealing with this issue in defiance of FAA policies, and suggested that the port 'make noise' (writing to congressional representatives, for example) and stonewall the FAA's mandate.
Thurman stated that although he disagreed with the compliance standards adopted by the FAA, the port needed to show some progress to maintain FAA-eligible funding. He distributed copies of letters that had been written to the FAA by various aviation-related alphabet groups (EAA, AOPA), and asked to have the documents scanned, saved and forwarded to the commissioners.
Thurman added that the Ferris deed issue needed to be separated from the through-the-fence agreements. The port did not intend to nullify any legal documents.
Edwards stated that the FAA's position must be stated only from the safety standpoint, and reiterated his previous statement re the port possibly being protected by arguments from the SJC prosecuting attorney. Eimers added that attempts to contact the PA were only recorded by voice mail, with no answers received.
Thurman asked whether it would be appropriate to draft a letter from the port to our congressional representatives, and this question was met with consensus in the positive.
Hopkins reiterated that the port had no revocation designs on Ferris deed access, and the question was really whether there would be a fee or no fee for crossing the airport boundary.
Thurman wondered whether an annual landing fee equivalent to what Rod Magner/Magic Air pays might be appropriate.
Hopkins suggested that a fee (tariff) be established.
Eimers noted that this entire discussion was precipitated by FAA action/revision of policy, and comes down to a discussion of fees of users v. the general tax base. A balance between those two groups needs to be put into place. He also added that in discussion with various citizen groups, there was the question of 'why do we need an airport' prevalent.
Edwards added that we should 'wait out' the FAA, see what happens, and above all not fight alone.
Thurman stated that the commissioners have a February 1 deadline for submitting the port's 5-year plan for capital improvements which might be funded by the FAA to the organization. The port needed to pursue both paths (with or without FAA funding) and come to some consensus on a fee structure for through-the-fence abutters.
Eimers volunteered to draft a revision of tariffs #7 and #8 before the next meeting, which he will miss. That would give the commissioners a month to discuss, with a vote to occur in March of 2010.
Thurman asked to hold a special meeting to work on the 5-year capital projects plan. He then opened the meeting to general comment from members of the public present.
P. Vierthaler urged the commissioners to read the new literature, and added that a fee is merely a smokescreen from the FAA.
Gourley asked whether the AIP funding is related to the tariffs.
Eimers replied only that the tariffs would be revised and submitted as part of the plan submitted to the FAA.
Dwight Guss remarked that 'trailerable' aircraft were omitted from the FAA revisions, that the FAA was insistent on hangars being only 'airplane garages' and that camping on airports was being eliminated.
Gourley seconded comments made earlier about the airport not being viewed favorably by the general island public.
Guss noted that the same arguments were heard about schools.
Mike McKinstry stated that he had chatted with the SJC assessor, and that those properties with airport access were put into a special category of land use, and assessed more in taxes.
P. Vierthaler added that those special use properties were assessed that higher rate whether they used their access or not.
Thurman stated that his role was to cover all the bases and follow all the leads in addressing this matter.
3, Pearson Matter
After discussion, Timers moved, Hopkins seconded approving the grant of easement prepared by Port Counsel Hancock to Steve and Patti Pearson, and the motion was unanimously carried.
New Business
1. State Audit Update
The airport manager noted that the auditor has asked the port to provide more oversight on the financial matters of the port. To that end, Commissioner Hopkins volunteered to peruse the documents and records prepared by the airport manager and to report to the commissioners.
An exit conference has been requested, and possible dates will be suggested by the auditor. If more than two commissioners attend that teleconference, a special meeting will be needed.
2. Port Credit Card Policies: Discussion/Adoption
After discussion, Hopkins moved, Eimers seconded adoption of the port's credit card policy as presented, and the motion was unanimously carried. This policy will be attached to Resolution #07-13-06B.
3. Special Meeting
After discussion, Wells moved, Eimers seconded holding a special meeting on January 28, 2010 at 7:00P.M.to discuss and vote on a 5-year AIP funding plan, to include an auditor's exit conference if possible, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Airport Manager's Report
Communications were received from: 1)SCJCDP: staff report re Gerard; 2)Enduris: annual report; 3)WPPA: letter/invoice; 4)Outside magazine: Colton-Harris article; 5)ESW: Letter re N outfall; 6)PoO: letter to ESW re N outfall
The airport manager reported on:
1. Around the Port 5. Airspace Issue re Class E
a. Rabbit Traps 6. Hangar Appraisal
b. Gates 7. Audit Report
c. Rent Barter 8. FAA 5-year Capital Projects Plan
2. North Outfall Update 9. GPS Approach
3. Gerard Appeal 10. E-mail Switchover
4. Pearson Matter 11. Griot Swap
12. Pay Phone
Most items were informational in nature. Items awaiting resolution were #3 and #10. Item #11 awaits an executive session. Item #6 will appear on the February agenda. The commissioners declined to participate in the WPPA 100-year celebration and will choose not to pay the invoice submitted by WPPA,
The treasurer's report and transmittal summary for December 2009 were accepted without comment.
The airport manager was commended for judicious use of port funds, and coming in under budget for 2009.
Approval of Payroll/Vouchers
Eimers moved, Hopkins seconded approval for payment of December 2009 general fund vouchers in the amount of $4,707.75, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Eimers moved, Wells seconded approval for payment of December 2009 capital fund vouchers in the amount of $6,804.10, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Hopkins moved, Edwards seconded approval for payment of the December 2009 payroll, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Next Meeting and Adjournment
A special meeting of the Commission is scheduled for January 28th at 7:00P.M.
The next regular meeting of the Commission was scheduled for February 11, 2010
Chair Thurman asked to have the March and April regular meetings moved to the 3rd Thursday of the months so that all staff and commissioners can attend. This was approved by consensus.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35P.M.
____________________________________
Steve Hopkins, Commissioner and Secretary
Prepared by _____________________________
Bea vonTobel, Airport Manager