PORT OF ORCAS
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
March 27, 2008
Approval of minutes
McCoy moved, Hopkins seconded approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of March 13, 2008 as presented, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Public access time
None
Unfinished Business
1. Looking Down the Runway
No report
2. Master Plan Signoff
Hopkins moved, McCoy seconded signing the revised ALP and forwarding the three required copies to Mary Vargas, FAA, and the motion was unanimously carried.
3. ASI Lease: Status
Commissioner Hopkins reported on the letter to Port Counsel Hancock from ASI attorney Eton, and expressed his exasperation at the lack of progress regarding arbitration of the lease. Chairman Eimers asked the commissioners what position the port should take at this point. After further discussion, Hopkins moved, Eimers seconded asking Port Counsel to send a letter to Eton giving three choices for action: 1)vacate the premises; 2)complete the arbitration process; 3)extend the lease at the port-proposed rate of $1,300.00/mo, one of which to be chosen within 30 days of the mailing of the letter from port counsel, and the motion was unanimously carried.
4. Helipad Renovation: Status
The airport manager reported that in a phone conversation with Terry Gillespie of Sound Construction, he was ready to begin the renovation, part one. He said he would contact the port when dates for dirt work had been scheduled so that the helipad could be closed.
5. 50th Anniversary Plans: Update
The airport manager reported that Carol Sutton had volunteered to make a quilt for raffling for the Mercy Pilots. June 1 was tentatively chosen as the date for the past-commissioner BBQ, and notes were scheduled to be sent to the commissioners and/or their spouses informing them of the event, with formal invitations to follow. ‘Take-away’ items were discussed, and a search was to start for such an item.
New Business
1. Mowing Solutions
Commissioner McCoy noted that, in light of the costs for contract mowing, perhaps portions of the airport could be mowed less frequently or perhaps not at all. This concept might discourage geese, since they appear to favor shorter sprouts. The airport manager was asked to research the FAA position and possible mandates.
2. Hangar Land Leases
Commissioner Thurman, apologizing for missing the last meeting at which this topic was discussed, posed the question of whether the port wanted to be landlords. Eimers replied that the decision needed to be made based on economic grounds. Thurman answered that if the hangars were not maintained because current owners felt no responsibility due to the upcoming lease expirations, there could be less return even if the leases were renewed. Eimers suggested that perhaps the hangar doors could be removed completely, since they appeared to be the main problem with the hangars. Eimers also noted that the closer to the end of the lease a decision was made, a better idea of repair costs could be made, and future rent/lease rates determined. Thurman replied that he saw the delay as fostering bad will for the port, and that by seizing the opportunity for extending the leases now while the current owners were ready to do so made more sense to him.
3. Personnel Policy Manual
The airport manager distributed copies of the current 1998 personnel policy manual, and asked the commissioners to look it over with the intent of possible revision since it had been ten years without change.
4. Aircraft Fuel
Chairman Eimers reported that the fuel was empty, and the airport manager was instructed to notify ASI the next morning.
Airport Manager’s Report
Communications were received from: 1) BWR, e-mail 3/20/08 re ALP sign-off; 2) Port of Bellingham; press release 1/29/08 re Allegiant Air service; 3)WPPA; e-mail 2/24/08 re spring meeting; 4)Invitation to bestowing of Spanish Knighthood on Lt. Gov. Brad Owen; 5)Museum of Flight; e-mail 3/24/08---April events calendar; 6)WSDOT/A: e-mail 3/25/08 re Aviation Planning Council meeting
The airport manager reported on
1. Around the Port
a. Field Lighting Repair
b. Mowing
c. Fence Repairs
2. Parking Complaints
3. Bids for Services
4. Hangar Land Lease Receipts
5. ALP Signing
The commissioners agreed by consensus to award bids to qualified bidders. All other items were informational in nature.
Approval of Payroll/Vouchers
McCoy moved, Hopkins seconded approval of March 2008 general fund vouchers in the amount of $642.02, and the motion was unanimously carried.
After perusal of the payroll voucher, the airport manager was instructed to note a correction to the March 2008 payroll and report at the next meeting.
Next Meeting and Adjournment
The next regular meeting of the Commission was scheduled for 7:00P.M., April 10, 2008 in the Port conference room.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15P.M.
____________________________________
Ulanah McCoy, Commissioner and Secretary
Prepared by