PORT OF ORCAS
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
July 9, 2009
Approval of minutes
McCoy moved, Thurman seconded approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of June 11, 2009 as presented and the motion was unanimously carried.
McCoy moved, Thurman seconded approval of the minutes of the special meeting of June 25, 2009 as presented and the motion was unanimously carried.
Public access time
Dwight Guss noted that it was good to be back after an absence, and was looking forward to the fly-in.
Unfinished Business
1. Looking Down the Runway
Information regarding the two northerly outfalls was contained in the airport manager’s report.
2. Through-the-Fence Matter---continuing discussion
Chair Eimers began the discussion by distributing copies of the e-mail from Tim Shaw, FAA, and a letter from 2005 from Carol Suomi (Key) regarding the FAA’s position on TTF items. Eimers also relayed information from WSDOT/A head John Sibold, who had relayed to the airport manager that the state would most likely adopt the FAA’s position on TTF matters for awarding of state grant monies. It was also noted that neither federal nor state monies would most likely be available for land purchases to deal with TTF matters.
Eric Gourley related a conversation he had with Tim Shaw in which Shaw had said that monies would be available for land purchase.
Bob Waunch, quoting from the Key letter, said that deed-holders would comply with all safety rules to meet the FAA’s wishes, but that the amount of property taxes abutters pay is equivalent to the amount of support the FAA requires.
Eimers noted that taxes are based on comparable property values established by real estate sales, and that the structure uses the replacement value of the structure to ‘back into’ the cost basis. The land value is then also ‘backed into’ and then the structure replacement is subtracted to determine the land value. Data is available for stripping out the land, at which point the county could arrive at a value for airport access.
Waunch added that lots of <½ acre in Aeroview are assessed at higher rates.
Gourley said that there is a ‘no-win’ situation re taxes with the FAA, which wishes to get rid of TTF agreements. This arrangement will ignite potential lawsuits. With regard to a possible fee structure, he asked what the property owners might get in return.
Eimers stated that any fee structure is subject to annual review prior to budget adoption, but can’t be (for example) one cent/year, but is also not open-ended.
Waunch restated a previous offer of a percentage of what is approved, using the port’s 10% contribution to FAA funding as an example.
Gourley stated that the value of land donated to the port (Bill Anders and Eric Johnson, for example) should be worth enough to offset FAA fees.
McCoy added that in conversation with a SJ Preservation Trust official, he had stated that ‘the government can do whatever they want’ regarding land.
Eimers also noted that there needs to be a time horizon for constructing an acceptable plan.
Paul Vierthaler stated that he thought the budget would support the airport without FAA funding.
McCoy wondered whether other stakeholders (the community at large) should be drawn into the discussion.
Thurman noted that the entire issue is about land-use compatibility, and wondered what would be the picture twenty years from now (regarding the FAA’s position).
Eimers wondered about the liability issue with the port’s present insurer. He also wondered about financial projections without funding available from the FAA.
Gourley stated that it would be utopia here without the FAA.
P Vierthaler added that the FAA is partly to blame re through-the-fence issues, mentioning the fence, Eric Johnson’s mid-field access and Mike Parnell’s house.
Eimers closed discussion for the present meeting.
3. Update of Off-Leash Dog Area Lease
McCoy moved, Thurman seconded approval of the lease update document, and the motion was unanimously adopted.
Eimers and McCoy signed for the port, and the document will be forwarded to Jeff Hanson for signing and recording with the county auditor.
4. Mowing Update
McCoy reported on the airport tour with Eric Lum, Kim Middleton, the airport manager and herself, at which time suggestions were made about mowing patterns/times to discourage waterfowl presence. An experimental pattern is to be tried for the rest of this season and next, and will be re-evaluated next summer.
New Business
1. Sale of Hangar #5
No action was taken on this item, due to a lack of paperwork from the present owner.
2. Consideration of Presence at SJC Fair
None of the commissioners present were available to attend the fair. The airport manager was asked to relay this to Marilyn O’Connor at the Port of Friday Harbor.
3. EPRC Open House Report: Commissioner Thurman
Thurman reported that a very small crowd (mostly presenters) was at the July 3 forum, and blamed poor scheduling during a holiday weekend. He related that he talked about the upcoming fly-in, the plans for stormwater repairs, and explained a bit about the current TTF matter under discussion.
Airport Manager’s Report
Communications were received from: 1)Diana Hancock: e-mail re revised Off-Leash lease; 2)WDSOT/A: State Airport System Plan; 3)Port of FH: e-mail re SJC Fair; 4)EWUA: letter 6/26 re shoreline parcel; 5)Eric Gourley: e-mail 7/7 re access.
The airport manager reported on
1. Around the Port
a. Mowing #3 & Survey
b. East Outfall
c. North Outfall
d. PAPI Repair
e. Larson Gate Travails
f. Cessna Rd Gate
g. Summer Work
2. Presence at SJC Fair
3. 2nd Quarter Reports
Approval of Payroll/Vouchers
Thurman moved, McCoy seconded approval for payment of June 2009 general fund vouchers in the amount of $6,779.23, and the motion was unanimously approved.
Thurman moved, McCoy seconded approval for payment of June 2009 capital fund vouchers in the amount of $10,819.55, and the motion was unanimously approved.
Next Meeting and Adjournment
The next regular meeting of the Commission was scheduled for 7:00P.M., August 13, 2009 in the Port conference room.
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Ulanah McCoy, Commissioner and Secretary
Prepared by
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Bea vonTobel, Airport Manager