PORT OF ORCAS
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
October 11, 2007
Approval of minutes
McCoy moved, Eimers seconded approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of September 27, 2007 as presented, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Public access time
Robin Freeman, board member for the Eastsound Off-Leash Dog Park, was present to inquire whether the port might be interested in providing a piece of property to house the dog park, as the present property was for sale, and investigation was continuing for a new space. Discussion centered around adequate provision of parking and what the space would be called (re adherence to FAA constrictions). Users would be responsible for insurance, mowing/upkeep, erection/maintenance of fencing/gates. The commissioners were receptive to the concept, and will be kept apprised of future developments.
Rick Hughes, supportive person for the farmers’ market, was present to inquire whether the port might be interested in providing a piece of property for Saturday use in season by the market. A lease/rent agreement, with insurance coverage could be negotiated. The issue of parking was again raised. The commissioners were open to the concept, but several hurdles would have to be overcome.
Unfinished Business
1. Looking Down the Runway
a. Airport Development: Continuing Discussion
1) Use of AIP Funding
Approximately $130,000 of available FAA funds need to be allocated by May 2008, or they will be forfeited. Discussion included use of the funds for stormwater planning/amelioration, loaning those funds to another port for later return, purchase of easements or property. The airport manager was asked to investigate the process required to loan monies, easement/purchase possibilities and stormwater work.
2. Master Plan Update
New maps had been received, and need to be corrected before a final set is produced for signatures. The airport manager was asked to invite Charlie Riordan to the October 25th meeting to discuss the information needed for the future AIP/capital projects to satisfy FAA requirements. Chair Becker will come to proof maps before returning them to BWR.
3. ASI Lease: Status
A letter had been received from Dave Ross, noting that the lease renewal rate was unacceptable, and that arbitration seemed to be the next step. The commissioners plan to have all discussion and a new lease rate settled by the end of November. The airport manager was asked to contact port counsel for recommendations for arbitrators and possible costs, and to contact Pat Mayo at Friday Harbor to inquire about lease rates for ASI there, whether the space was a hangar or regular commercial warehouse space, and also contact the Port of Skagit for UPS lease rates there. The airport manager will also send an invoice to ASI for hangar door repairs undertaken and paid for by the port, at the request of the Eastsound manager, Linda Woods.
4. 2008 Budget: Continuing Discussion
After some discussion among themselves, the hourly rate of the airport manager was revised to $20.90 for 2008 ($43,500/yr). Other line items were queried re their projections, and commissioners will take the revised projections to work on for the next regular meeting.
New Business
1. Helipad Bid Openings
No bids were received by 1:00pm October 9. W&H Pacific will present options for completion of this project.
2. Advertisement of Budget Public Hearing Dates
The dates for public hearing were scheduled for October 25th and November 8th, with advertisement scheduled for October 24th and 31st.
Airport Manager’s Report
Communications were received from: 1)Robin Freeman: letter re dog park; 2)W&H Pacific: letter re consolidation; 3)BWR: drawing finals and chapter rewrite.
The airport manager reported on:
1. Around the Port
a. The Big Leak
b. Winter Preparations
c. Last Mowing
2. Fire Department Drills
3. Budget Work
4. Meetings for Remainder of 2007
5. FAA Change of Personnel
6. Requests for Hangars
All items were informational in nature. Regarding item #4, McCoy moved, Eimers seconded cancellation of the regular meeting of November 22, 2007, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Approval of Payroll/Vouchers
McCoy moved, Becker seconded approval of October 2007 general fund vouchers in the amount of $7,172.09, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Next Meeting and Adjournment
The next regular meeting of the Commission was scheduled for 7:00P.M., October 25, 2007 in the Port conference room.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30P.M.
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Garth Eimers, Commissioner and Secretary
Prepared by
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Bea vonTobel, Airport Manager