11-14-01 Airport MinutesCity of Kalispell
Minutes from November 14, 2001 Public Dearing
A Public Hearing was held at 3:00 p.m. and then again at 6:00 p.m. Present at either one or both
meetings were: P. J. Sorenson, and Kathy Kuhlin (staff), Gib Bissell, Fred Leistiko, Mike Manion,
Scott Richardson, Keith Robinson, Art Thompson, and Tom Weaver. The meeting was presented
by Robert Peccia and Associates representatives Phil Porrini, Project Manager; Bill Burkland,
Project Designer; and Dan Norderud, Division Manager of Environmental Studies.
Many citizens and Council members were in attendance. Phil Porrini, Bill Burkland, and Dan
Norderud from Peccia and Associates presented background information as to the airport history,
other studies that have been done, FAA requirements and federal funding available for operating and
maintenance of the airport to bring to FAA standards. Phil Porrini covered The Airport
Improvement Program (AIP), and the NPIAS status (National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems),
a status we must obtain to be eligible for Federal funding, was discussed. The Site Selection Study
was discussed. The present site is still the preferred site. Peccia's job is to provide technical
information for this project. The study will find out what the environmental concerns are, and leave
the decision whether to continue the project to the City officials. Cost and impact will be
considered. And presented to the FAA as to what their intentions are. The money available would
be 90% federal money and 10% City money. The funds could go toward land acquisition, relocation
assistance, and the radio towers. The available funds are in the range of eight million dollars. our
airport is the most largely used General Aviation airport in the State of Montana.
Bill Burkland presented the Site Selection Study, which was based on sites all around the valley.
Two sites at our present airport were chosen. All sites and a map of the various areas were
discussed. The study was based on FAA driven standards.
Dan Norderud stated that the FAA requires that an Environmental Assessment be done according
to the National Policy Act, and should discover whether there is no significant impact or , if there
is potential impact, an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) would need to be completed. They have
just started on the E.A. process. The E.A. should be done by late winter or early spring, with the
whole process being completed by the summer of 2002.
The next regular meeting will be Wednesday, December 12, 2001 at 3:00 p.m.
Kathy Kuhlin
Recording Secretary