PORT OF ORCAS
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
March 18, 2010
Approval of minutes
Hopkins moved, Eimers seconded approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of February 11, 2010 as presented, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Public access time
Cathy Vierthaler noted that on March 10, bills had been submitted to the US Congress (H.R. 4815 and H.R. 1586 Amendment #3465 via the Community Airport Access and Protection Act of 2010) to ensure access to general aviation airports.
Paul Vierthaler noted that he has spoken with Dr. Bret Blue re these pieces of legislation, and urged the commissioners to support these bills through correspondence with their legislators.
Unfinished Business
1. Looking Down the Runway
a. North Outfall Update
Except for seeding of beach grass, this project is completed, and vouchers for all work completed are on vouchers for approval at this meeting.
b. GPS Update
Chair Thurman contacted Empire Air and Kenmore Air Express re their willingness to become sponsors of a WAAS approach for KORS. Support might also be considered for San Juan Airlines. Sponsorship is one of the items needed by the FAA for planning purposes. A possible work agenda and costs might be available at the next regular meeting.
2. Through-the-Fence Matter---continuing discussion
Eimers presented a revised draft rewrite of Tariff #7 and a revision of the resolution chair Thurman had presented at the February 2010 regular meeting.
Hopkins noted that this preserves the rights noted in the Ferris deed: access, but establishes a fee for crossing the boundary between private property and that of the port.
P. Vierthaler commented that access by private property owners is not incompatible, and that some airports have established fees between airport and property owners.
Eric Gourley stated that, as outlined, the proposals had a ‘pretty good chance’ of going through.
Hopkins added that it was not feasible to operate under the present rules.
Thurman stated that a letter to all congressional representatives with signatures of all commissioners will be drafted, noting support for both bills mentioned before.
Eimers stated that the proposed resolution recognizes and reaffirms the Ferris deed.
C. Vierthaler added that neither the resolution nor the tariff recognize(d) contributions made by property owners in the past to the port.
P. Vierthaler wondered whether the port had the legal right to collect a fee.
Gourley asked what would happen if some chose not to go along with the proposed fee.
Eimers enumerated the merits of different fee structures: 1)a charge per aircraft for use of the airport; 2)a charge per property parcel. The per-parcel issues are straightforward. Eimers moved, Hopkins seconded approving tariff #7 in draft form, which was $100/yr/aircraft. Eimers and Hopkins voted yea and the motion failed.
Gourley wondered about the longevity of any tariff and its associated costs.
Eimers noted that any tariff needs to be tied to the CPI, but that the annual CPI adjustment doesn’t reflect market rates, and that comparables must be used to keep the CPI relevant.
Eimers moved, Hopkins seconded amending tariff #7 so that the CPI would be adjusted every five years to the market and the motion was unanimously carried.
Thurman moved to table the adoption of tariff #7 until more was known about the bills dealing with the FAA private property access issues had been dealt with, and the motion was lost for want of a second.
Thurman asked to move forward with the agenda and return to this item at the end of unfinished business.
3. Pearson Matter---update
The lease agreement had been corrected by Port Counsel Hancock and delivered to Pearson for signing and filing.
4. Griot Matter---update/discussion
Thurman noted that an appraisal would be needed before action could be taken.
Eimers stated that in the past the FAA had been on board with straight-across exchanges.
Hopkins added that there were some other concerns with the Larson property, notably the Pea Patch and the off-leash dog area.
Eimers added that there is also concern about having two zoning uses on one piece of property, the surveys which would need to be completed, and water memberships on both properties which needed consideration.
Richard Griot noted that he would prefer to have the property zoned as industrial use.
Eimers stated that there would be a difference in industrial use land v. residential use land.
Thurman concluded that the commissioners would work out a plan for how the situation could be worked out with both parties and the FAA.
2. Through-the-Fence Continuation
Thurman moved, Wells seconded that tariff #7, with the amendment of the market adjustment, be changed to a $100/year/parcel amount, and the motion was passed 3-1.
Thurman moved, Wells seconded adoption of Resolution #03-18-2010, and the motion was unanimously carried.
New Business
1. Extension of Hangar Leases Expiring in 2015.
Because of the length of the meeting, this item will appear on the agenda for the next regular meeting.
Airport Manager’s Report
1. Around the Port
a. Mechanical Difficulties
(1) VASI Problems
(2) Griot Gate
b. Janitorial Contract
c. Contract Services
d. Mowing
e. Olympic TFR
2. Hangar Land Lease Billing
3. Audit Materials
4. Out of Office
The treasurer’s report and receipts through February were received without comment.
Approval of Payroll/Vouchers
Eimers moved, Hopkins seconded payment of February 2010 general fund vouchers in the amount of $5,280.84, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Eimers moved, Wells seconded payment of February 2010 capital fund vouchers in the amount of $150,083.47, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Eimers moved, Thurman seconded payment of February 2010 capital fund vouchers in the amount of $11,540.76, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Thurman moved, Wells seconded payment of the corrected January 2010 payroll in the amount of $4,835.88, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Thurman moved, Wells seconded payment of the February 2010 payroll in the amount of $5,613.10 and the motion was unanimously carried.
Next Meeting and Adjournment
The next regular meeting of the Commission was scheduled for 7:00P.M., April 15, 2010 in the Port conference room.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25P.M.
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Steve Hopkins, Commissioner and Secretary
Prepared by
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Bea vonTobel, Airport Manager