PORT OF ORCAS
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
March 13, 2008
Approval of minutes
Hopkins moved, McCoy seconded approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of February 28, 2008, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Public access time
Representatives of owners of hangars 1-23 were present to inquire about the disposition of said hangars at the end of the lease period, which occurs in 2015 and 2017. Comments are summarized below.
J. Suthergreen: uncertainty of port action puts owners in a quandary as whether to sell now, ask for a lease extension now
Chairman Eimers: noted the port’s action earlier in the year to table any further discussion re hangar leases until the leases are at the 5-year mark of expiry.
J. Suthergreen: inquired about maintenance, especially re sliding doors, and stated that there was no incentive to current owners to maintain hangars
Eimers: reiterated that each hangar is individually owned, and at the end of the current lease period ‘it is what it is’ so far as condition is concerned.
J. Boyd: offered to perform work now if the leases could be extended now.
Eimers: the manner in which the leases are written leaves no mystery in terms of the options available to the port.
P. Vierthaler: related experience from Paine Field, in which the port took ownership of hangars at the end of the lease. The hangars were not worth fixing, and razed.
Eimers: the port has very little investment in the buildings, but they do provide a revenue stream for the port.
J. Boyd: if hangars revert to port ownership, the personal property taxes paid by the current owners will not be included in taxes to SJC.
Commissioner McCoy: all factors regarding lease arrangements v. taxpayer support will need to be balanced in coming to a decision.
J. Becker: it is well within the port’s interest to be landlords.
B. Franklet: waiting until 5 years before expiration would seem to be a ‘kiss of death’.
Eimers: countered with the concept that 5 years out may not be close enough to the end of the lease period, as rent, valuation, costs of refurbishment, etc., are so volatile.
Commissioner Edwards: since the port is under scrutiny via the state auditor, it behooves the port to get the best deal for all the taxpayers of the port district.
With no additional new information offered, Eimers closed the discussion, and thanked the members of the public for their interest and input.
Unfinished Business
1. Looking Down the Runway
a. Airport Development: Continuing Discussion
No communication had been received from Enderleins.
2. Master Plan Update
Final drawings and the narrative are scheduled to be delivered this week. Next steps re the proposed GPS approach need careful attention.
3. ASI Lease: Status
Commissioner Hopkins stated that Port Counsel Hancock had evidently not received any communication from ASI’s attorney re mediation meeting time. Hopkins moved, McCoy seconded tabling any further action for two weeks, and the motion was unanimously carried.
4. Helipad Renovation: Status
Dirt work awaits the 50º mark for starting.
5. 50th Anniversary Plans: Update
Audrey Wells was present, and noted that some useful information had been found in the AOPA materials. She suggested open houses, to coincide with the fly-in and other dates TBA during the summer and fall. Meeting the commissioners, hosting general aviation, scheduled and nonscheduled carriers, emergency services, economic impact were suggested as reasons for the open houses.
Wells suggested perhaps coming up with a slogan for use, possibly incorporating the sticker design into the t-shirts that might be shared with the fly-in.
Hosting open houses could mean provision of food, sani-cans, etc., and warned of compliance with county regulations. Perhaps a vendor might be interested in providing food service. School classes were mentioned as being possible invitees for tours.
Re possible airshow participation and local aircraft on display, each has some regulations to be met.
Speakers into the community was discussed at an earlier meeting, and Eimers is working on updating a possible presentation, and using a list provided by OICF of nonprofit groups who might be interested in hearing from the port.
The EAA and OAA need to be part of the process.
Photo displays of various stages of the airport and the port’s development were suggested.
New Business
None
Airport Manager’s Report
Communications were received from: 1)BWR, e-mail/phone re final maps and narrative of master plan; 2)enduris Washington, letter re new name of WGEP; 3)FAA, announcement re NWM conference; 4)Port of Vancouver, tour announcement; 5)WPPA, announcement of seminars and meetings; 5)Port of Orcas, spring newsletter.
The airport manager reported on
1. Around the Port
a. Rejuvenation of Chlorophyll
b. Hangar Door Woes
2. WPPA Dates
4. 50th Anniversary Work
All items were informational in nature; some had been discussed earlier in the meeting.
Approval of Vouchers
Hopkins moved, McCoy seconded approval of February 2008 general fund vouchers in the amount of $2,423.75, and the motion was unanimously carried.
McCoy moved, Hopkins seconded approval of February 2008 capital fund vouchers in the amount of $3,864.65, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Next Meeting and Adjournment
The next regular meeting of the Commission was scheduled for 7:00P.M., March 27, 2008 in the Port conference room.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10P.M.
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Ulanah McCoy, Commissioner and Secretary