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Richardson Airport MeetingHello All! I urge you to all attend our meeting next Wednesday, the 18th at 3 p.m. at city hall. This opposition is beginning to take shape as a formidable challenge. I understand that Jim Pierce may be developing a webpage in support of the airport. Many other ideas and discussion have presented themselves recently. I think it is in our best interest to attend the next meeting to try to get organized, informed and discuss future strategies to get the facts out. We need to stay vigilant and committed to attend every council meeting for the near future. They will be there too! Next Monday the 16th is when the advertisement for the new Environmental Assessment will be discussed. November 30th is the meeting at the Hilton to talk about the airport specifically. Please continue to be involved for the sake of a safe airport! Scott 885-2557 I am sending you a response to a news story Jennifer did on KAJ18 (http://www.kpax.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=4291259&h1=Proposed%20Kalispell%20airport%20expansion%20discussed&vt1 =v&at1=Station 6&d1=98267&LaunchPageAdTag=Search Results&activePane=info&rnd=60930631). Jennifer, I took time to watch the story that you reported regarding Tuesday's airport Tax Increment Fund boundary expansion. I have watched you before and know from past stories that you are concerned about getting the news correct factually. Given your past excellent work I thought I would pass along some issues I have with the Airport TIF story. -First and foremost, the meeting shouldn't have been about the airport, but about the expansion of the Airport Tax Increment Fund boundaries. A Tax Increment Fund (TIF) is a funding mechanism available to the City of Kalispell to address blighted areas within the municipality. Essentially, when a TIF is created by city council resolution, it keeps the money that the city and county receives constant. Because of rising land values and inflation, as tax revenues rise, the difference between the initial tax revenue (at the date of TIF formation) and actual tax revenue is deposited into a TIF. The city can then use that tax difference to fund certain projects relating to developing properties within the district to increase their values and remove the blight. These can and have included the destruction of the old armory site preparation, a 1.7 million dollar investment into the airport as ground elevation preparation and airport ramp installation. Additionally, the TIF has used the proceeds of the bond to purchase properties around the airport in preparation for the airport reconfiguration. These property purchases will be reimbursed by the FAA, that is assuming the project continues forth. The TIF was initially funded by a bond to be repaid by those future tax infusions to the TIF. When the TIF sunsets, the city will realize a boon in tax revenue because of the increased property values, the south end of Kalispell will be a much more pleasing place to visit and the TIF fund will have a barrel of money to give back to the city and county. I believe that this was the REAL story that the Interlake touched on in its article today. -The meeting was meant to discuss the expansion of the AIRPORT TIF BOUNDARYS, not the airport specifically. -The airport reconfiguration was predominately discussed at the public comment part of the meeting. -There wear about 30 people who spoke, however it was evenly split between those in favor and those opposing the airport reconfiguration. Some of those who spoke were myself, Jim Pierce of Red Eagle Aviation, Dave Hoerner, Mike Strand, Pete Gross, Keith Robinson, RT Atkins and others who I didn't know or don't remember. It was not "all in opposition" as you reported. The airport advocates spoke after those in opposition and after you left the meeting. Your story gave me the impression that no one supported the airport at that meeting. -You reported that the result of the airport TIF expansion would "result in a bigger airport, bigger planes and more flights". False. False. False. The TIF expansion would simply include additional property as part of the airport TIF district. This is totally separate from the airport reconfiguration. Now, some fiction which is rumor and the facts that that I can easily document regarding the airport reconfiguration which is a separate issue from the intent of Tuesday's discussion: -This is an airport expansion. Yes, the airport presently has a runway length of 3600'. The airport reconfiguration would increase that length to between 3700' to 4700'. This number has yet to be decided. -We will be having jet traffic at our airport. Maybe. This can be prevented by keeping the new runway length closer to the 4000' length than the 4700' length. Kalispell City Airport has traditionally serviced the general aviation community made of single engine small airplanes. The plan is to keep it that way. The FAA will require us to purchase land to accommodate a 4700' runway, but only requires us to build to 3700'. As a member of the Kalispell City Airport Advisory Council and a member of our local aviation community, I will oppose anything over 4300' to dissuade jet traffic. -The public is not being heard. Totally false. The requirement of a public hearing at each step. I have attended most of them and can provide written documentation to this fact. -The aircraft noise is a problem. This may be true for some. Did the residents surrounding the airport not know this prior to making such a large investment? I did and purposefully located my offices in close proximity to the airport. (I have two!). There have been studies done documenting the noise at the airport (Environmental Assessment) as within acceptable limits. Additionally, pilots have taken pains to limit the noise to surrounding residents by altering traffic patterns and takeoff direction, wind dependent. -The airport is unsafe. Totally false again. This airport has upwards of 40,000 operations per year. In the last ten years, we have had, I believe, two incidents, one involving fatalities. How many accidents occur on highway 93 every month? THE AIRPORT RECONFIGURATION WILL MAKE THE AIRPORT SAFER FOR RESIDENTS AND PILOTS. It will move the runway 1000 feet to the south and rotate it clockwise approximately 5.6 degrees clockwise (from the air). This will allow for better runway protection zones. The airport does need an upgrade to enhance safety. -The land is not being put to its "highest and best use". Maybe not, however an economic study found that that airport directly and indirectly impacts our local economy by 24 million dollars. The city has already made an investment into the ramp of 1.7 million not to mention the additional 2 million dollars by private individuals. It supports at least 30 high paying jobs and is a boon for local tourism services. How much sense does it make to vacate a $4 million investment? I have yet to see an idea for higher or better use of property which is located in wet marshland next to the city waste treatment facility. -We should move the airport. This decision has already been made to keep the present location. The decision was made with public input. Please see the July 2001 site selection study. -The airport should be stationed 24 hours per day and charge take off and landing fees. This is crazy. The airport has a budget of $100,000.00 per year and is totally self supported, self sufficient and in the black. It is funded by land leases, commercial fees and fuel taxes. There is no need to add additional bureaucracy for a system in place and working successfully. Here again is a non-pilot requesting things he knows nothing about. -The FAA will control the airport. FALSE!!! The FAA will require assurances be met, but only to protect their $14 million dollar investment. Look at any other airport. The FAA does control airspace, not airports. I am frustrated that no one seems to be doing their homework on this very important project which will positively affect the city of Kalispell for years to come. The self appointed "Quiet Skies" committee has a total disregard for fact, the history of this long process or knowing what is really happening here. The media gets its information from people who are ignorant of the facts and content to spread rumor and ignite emotions. I am in disagreement with people on several issues regarding the airport, but also in agreement on others. I do not want to see jet traffic here. I want a safer facility. I want to be a resource for those trying to get to the bottom of an important topic so that everyone who has concerns whether I agree with them or not in the end are able to make an informed decision. I am always available to discuss this and any questions that you may have regarding our airport. You may call me anytime. Sincerely, Scott Richardson 406-885-2557