07-20-05 Airport MinutesCity of Kalispell
AIRPORT ADVISORY COUNCIL
Minutes —July 20, 2005
Present were: Airport Advisory Board Members Keith Robinson, Torn weber, Scott
Richardson, Dan Snyder, Rod Bitney; Absent: Toni. Allison, Gib Bissell; City of
Kalispell Staff Jim. Patrick, Becky Spain; Guests Fred Leistiko — Airport Manager
Guest Present: Dick Brady, Chuck Manning, Dennis Carver, Jay Billmayer, Pete Gross,
Dave Downing, Brett Good, Greg Good
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. by chairman Scott Richardson. The June
minutes were approved as written.
HEAR THE PUBLIC
Dave Downing stated that he has been flying at the airport for 20 years and would like it
to stay the same with not so many restrictions as proposed.
Dick Brady stated that he has been at this airport for over 30 years and would like to keep
as much the same as possible. He has donated time and money to construct and maintain
this airport and it is the best airport in the northwest and would like it to stay that way.
Dennis Carver stated that he agrees whole heartedly with Dick and Dave and would like
to minimize the restriction to as few as possible.
Chuck Manning stated that he concurs wholeheartedly that many of the rules and
regulations are restrictive. He would hope that this council, the city manager and airport
manager would allow more input and hearings before putting these rules and regulations
in to place.
Pete Gross stated that he owns two hangars and was dismayed that the individuals
actively using the airport had nothing to do with forming the rules and regulations. He
agrees that everyone is excited about the expansion of the airport but does not want it to
be regulated. He stated that everyone likes the airport because of the way it is and that is
appealing to them..
Jay Billmayer stated that he has had a hangar lease since 1984 and just renewed his lease
last year and negotiated rent with the five hangars he rents out, then the city surprised
him with an additional monthly commercial fee of $150. He is please to see the
improvements being made to the city airport but would like the general courtesy of being
notified when things are happening. I am being cut off. Am I going to be relocated and
where? I would like to see an information packet handed out at lease signing so we know
what to expect. I have not seen any rules and regulations. I believe this is all a matter of
lack of communication.
WEB PAGE DESIGN — To construct a web page under the city site with pop -ups would
cost between $500 to $1000. The council would like to see a web cam at the airport with
links. Council talked about getting an artists rendition of the airport when complete and
posting it. Keith, Gib and Fred will work on the creation of a web page and we will talk
about it at the. next meeting.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Dan Snyder made a suggestion to the council that they take time to study the rules and
regulations, have the people write in with there concerns, then have a work session to
discuss concerns and weigh different options.
Scott would like to suggest that we form a committee after we first get initial updates
from Fred and some comments from Rod.
Fred stated the when he drafted these rules, he did not make them up himself. He used
the Rules and Regulations from: Glacier Park International, a Colorado Airport, a Utah
Airport, a California Airport, the Airport Managers Guide to establishing Rules and
Regulations, and Airport Managers Association Guide to Operating a successful airport.
Fred stated that he took what he thought was the least evasive rules to establish a set of
rules for the City Airport.
AIRPORT MANAGER UPDATE —
The City is continuing negotiations with Red Eagle and Robert Monk. We are currently
waiting on the appraisals of Pete Gross's two hangars. Mike Barrett is now paying a
commercial fee. S chellinger construction is moving along well. We are keeping them on
the watering down for dust control.
Airport Affected Area held its second meeting, all went well. At the next meeting in
August we should have a draft set of rules.
DNRC hangar is in play, they want to be located at the City Airport but they need a larger
hangar than the one built by Dennis Carver. The City is looking for a developer who will
build a 75'x75' hangar for them.
Approval for the rewrite and expansion of the Airport TIF passed second reading and is
moving forward.
The City will be cutting grass along the taxiway to try and accommodate the overflow of
aircraft from the airshow.
Fred stated that he has applied for some of the fencing grant money for the State
Aeronautics.
NEW BUSINESS
The Advisory Council discussed possible ways to contact the current airport users and
tenants. They asked that we send out notices to all users and tenants on changes that
would affect them and let them have time to comment on any issues.
The Advisory Council has agreed to hold a work session on .august 17t` from 9.-00 a.m.
to noon to discuss any concerns the users and tenants may have with the proposed Rules
and Regulations and Minimum Standards Requirements for doing Business on the
Airport. All comments must be submitted in writing to the City Manager by August 14,
2005.
The City will be buying Pete Gross's two hangars and when the lease runs out, they will;
be asked to leave.
The Airport Affected Area Committee held its second meeting. They have completed a
draft set of rules and hope to have them to a public hearing in September.
DNRC would like to have hangar space located at the City Airport.
Dave Hoerner will be cutting the grass in preparation for the Airshow. No one will be
directed aircraft where to park due to liability issues.
Rod asked if provisions have been made for when it is wet. Fred stated that the trench
storm drain is in and backfilled. The rocks need to be swept and kept wet. The
contractor needs to contact us or the hangar owners if they will be inconvenienced and
for how long.
The taxiways will be complete on the 26'n of August.
Dan asked where we stand with the whitefish Credit Union. Fred stated that the City is
still waiting to enter into an agreement to buy Red Eagle and until that is a done deal, we
cannot close on the wFCU property.
Dan adjourned, Scott second.