PORT OF ORCAS
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
May 14, 2009
Approval of minutes
McCoy moved, Hopkins seconded approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of April 9, 2009 as presented, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Public access time
None
Unfinished Business
1. Looking Down the Runway
The airport manager (from her report) noted that: 1)the GPS approach is still under development, but publication is slated for 10/22/09; 2)the stormwater outfalls are scheduled for work at minus tides, with installation of the TideFlex gate (into the ditch) to occur during the last week of May, and the north outfall needing some survey clarification, although the method for anchoring the pipe has been designed; 3)the 2009 pavement improvements project application has been forwarded to the FAA for action.
2. Security Plan Update
After discussion, McCoy moved, Thurman seconded adoption of the Port of Orcas Airport Security Plan as presented, and the motion was unanimously carried. The airport manager will have the document posted on the website, and provide a CD copy for each of the named recipients.
3. Security System Callouts
After an unlocked door prompted a response by the SJC Sheriff, the port was informed that future incidents would elicit a billing from the county for services. The airport manager has spoken to all terminal tenants with the exception of ASI, which will occur next week, stressing the importance of making sure all doors are locked and the security system engaged when the last person leaves the terminal.
4. Mowing and Geese
McCoy read portions of an article from Audubon magazine, which noted that grass 7-14" acts as a goose deterrent, and wondered whether it was possible to leave portions of the airport unmowed or mowed higher during the nesting season. The article will be forwarded to the commissioners for their reading, and the airport manager will discuss the concept with the contract mower.
New Business
1. SJC Auditor Fees for Services
Discussion of a letter/spreadsheet from the SJC Auditor outlining services provided beyond those required by the RCWs, and billing of same to the junior taxing districts. After discussion, Hopkins moved, Thurman seconded having the SJC Auditor's office continue to provide the Port of Orcas with the services currently received, with such expenses to be charged against line item 49.2003, and the motion was unanimously carried.
2. Off-Leash Dog Area Use/Lease
Tim Shaw, FAA representative, outlined the grant assurances the port agreed to upon accepting FAA funding (which included purchase of the so-called Larson property. Although the FAA would allow temporary recreational use of the land based on an ending date to be added to the present lease document, Shaw stressed that properties leased by ports ideally should get fair market value for the lease, leading to making the airport more self-sufficient.
Jeff Hanson, representing the dog area board, noted that he felt the present lease document was clear about termination of the use of the land (a 90-day notice by either party), and asked whether a time period longer than the three years suggested by the FAA might be acceptable.
Shaw said he would discuss that possibility with the administrator, and notify the port.
Thurman moved, Hopkins seconded beginning discussion which would result in amending the present lease to expire 5 years from May 14, 2009. Eimers asked to table the motion until the next regular meeting, at which time information from the FAA would have been received.
3. Through-the-Fence Arrangements
Shaw presented the position of the FAA relative to such arrangements, which have now become a mandated priority within the organization. Briefly, the FAA through grant assurances, requires airports to design a plan to deal with TTF
arrangements and action toward completing that plan, or risk the denial of AIP funding through the FAA.
Because this topic has been actively discussed at various meetings from 1996 forward and since no group of commissioners had come to a resolution satisfactory to the FAA, it was noted by Jack Becker that rehashing the situation would only serve to drive a wedge between the current easement-holders and the port.
Shaw agreed that this was a situation in which 'people will get hurt', but noted that the easement situation at Orcas is unique, stating that he knew of no other airport at which this particular situation existed. Shaw also noted that the FAA would offer no payment for legal expenses incurred by the port should the situation progress to that level.
Hopkins noted that the FAA was essentially forcing an unfunded mandate on the port.
Shaw suggested that the port work with the easement-holders to craft an agreement, and said that perhaps an annual amount equivalent to a tiedown space be invoiced, to be coupled with adherence to the minimum standards already adopted by the port. He stated that enforcement of that agreement may prove to be difficult.
Eimers suggested that enlisting the easement-holders to help work through the issue might be the first step, and suggested holding a special meeting on May 28 with that one topic would be a start.
4. Gerard Application for Airport Overlay Zone 5 Revision
With a letter in hand from WSDOT/A, and similar support from the FAA forthcoming, and a letter from the Port of Orcas Commissioners yet to be composed, the commissioners agreed that no revision or lifting of that zone should be allowed by SJC Community Planning & Development.
Airport Manager’s Report
Communications were received from: 1)SJC Auditor re cost recovery; 2)Eric Johnson WSDOT/A re security plan revision; 3)Flannan Tam WHPacific re pavement improvements; 4)SJC Auditor re voters' pamphlet costs; 5)Tim Shaw FAA re TTF agreements.
The airport manager reported on
1. Around the Port
a. Terminal Sprucing Up f. Window Replacements
b. Sign Refurbishment g. Fant Gate
c. Telephone Bill Revamping h. Dead Deer
d. Mowing/Landscaping i. New Fuel Ladder
e. Cessna Rd Gate Diagnosis j. NOAA LIDAR Phytoplankton Study
2. Dog Area Redux 7. 2009 Budget Adjustment
3. Through the Fence Policies 8. SJC Auditor Services Billing
4. GPS Approach Update 9. Security Plan Adoption
5. Election News 10. Gerard Application for Zone 5 Revision
6. 2009 Pavement Improvement Project 11. Out of Office
All items were either on the agenda for discussion or informational in nature.
The treasurer's report and transmittal summary through April were received as presented.
Approval of Payroll/Vouchers
McCoy moved, Hopkins seconded payment of April 2009 general fund vouchers in the amount of $10,255.57, and the motion was unanimously carried.
McCoy moved, Thurman seconded approval of April capital fund expenditures in the amount of $3,036.94, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Thurman moved, McCoy seconded signing the April 2009 payroll in the amount of $4,658.07, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Next Meeting and Adjournment
A special working meeting of the Port of Orcas was scheduled for 7:00P.M., May 28, 2009, with the single topic to be through-the-fence arrangements.
The next regular meeting of the Commission was scheduled for 7:00P.M., June 11, 2009 in the Port conference room.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25P.M.
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Ulanah McCoy, Commissioner and Secretary
Prepared by
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Bea vonTobel, Airport Manager