11/16/09 Hafferman/Airport EAAirport EA
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(Bob Hafferman, member, Ward I)
We are at square one. To hire a consultant now will be doing exactly what we have been hearing —
they already have their minds made up.
When we must hire a consultant for a new EA, the Council needs to set some parameters for the
Scoping sessions for what the Council is asking to be accomplished, based on citizen input. As
examples:
a. some people have urged that consideration be given to eliminating the airport and developing
the property for other uses. I don't know if that is even possible. While the City
purchased 135 acres in 1928, the staff should obtain and make known if the original
1929 dedication had stipulations if the airport was abandoned, or other limited factors.
b. we have heard prominent land owners state THEY WILL NOT SELL. These are people
highly respected for their active part in the community. Does the Council want to
consider condemnation of citizens' property?
c. we have heard that acceptance of FAA money means strings attached that may NOT be
beneficial to the well being of the citizens of Kalispell and the surrounding
neighbors. What are these limitations? Do we want to accept FAA money with
these limitations?
d. we know the expired EA stated that an ultimate length of 4700' may never be built.. We
heard several pilots stating that a 3700' runway is ample. We heard a number of
commenters state they do not object to airport improvement as long as the runway is not
expanded beyond 3700'. If the airport is to remain at its present location, the Council
should be very clear what length of runway is acceptable. Let's quit beating around the
bush or using such terms as reconfiguration..
e. in the letter of August 19, 2004, the Director of GPI wrote that they would only be
interested in managing the Kalispell City airport if it were relocated "2-3 miles south
and east of the current location". Depending on the findings in the dedication, the
Council needs to decide if moving the airport, with 90% FAA, 5% State
Aeronautical Division of MDOT and 5% taxpayer funds is an option to consider..
f a letter -to -the- editor in the DIL made the comparison to the vote on the Golf Course lease
and asked the question — why doesn't the Council put the city airport to the vote of the
residents? That's a good question.
This is a vital part of the future of Kalipell. The FULL Council needs to provide leadership. We should
be guided by the public's concerns and opinions. This is NOT a situation for the staff to decide nor for a
consultant to come up with all sorts of alternatives in areas the Council has no intention of following.
CONSULTANT SELECTION IS PREMATURE
Before making a motion to table, which will cut off discussion, I want to hear other members.