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Airport Advisory Board's Preliminary Report to City CouncilAirpor Advisory Board's Preliminary Report to the City Council It is the contention of this committee that the city airport is not only a valuable community resource, but also a viable economic asset bringing annually an estimated $1.1 million in business revenue to the Flathead Valley. This committee has been charged with making recommendations to enhance the airport's value to the community. Although it is felt that a number of improvements are needed to be made to the airport to better serve this community in the future, the committee needs more information to better prepare a comprehensive airport management and operation plan. 1. The city should pursue the purchase of additional land to allow for a runway extension of 1100 feet. This would yield a runway 4700 feet in length providing safe service for aircraft up to business turboprop size. Additionally, a longer runway would provide an approach path that would reduce the noise to surrounding areas. 2. The lack of security at the airport has been a continual problem and has resulted in not only the theft of property, but a loss of revenue to Glacier where adequate security exists. Thus, adequate fencing must be installed and airport access must be limited. 3. To improve safety, consequently limiting the cities liability, adequate lighting, pilot ap- proach guidance, and improved taxiways and ramps for taxi and tie down must be provided. 4. A full time Airport Manager, who is also a pilot, should be hired to oversee the maintenance and management of the airport and insure the implementation of the above items. i � 1 ' As a minimum, the city should continue to pursue FAA money and apply for any state moneys that are available. To better allow this committee to analyze all options the following information is requested. 1. The future plans concerning the disposition of the ball fields. 2. The appraised value of the city land. 3. Guidance as to whether or not the airport must be self-sustaining or can be treated as a city asset, such as the golf course, and partially subsidized. 4. Alternative to a tax increment district for funding. 5. The value of any left over money from the last tax increment district that might be used for airport imporvement. Elm' i I I I I I 111111111111111! - I 1 11 To fund the needed improvements public support will be required. The benefits the airport brings to the community must be made known. The city council must be a proponent for this effort and convey to the voters the economic benefits derived from the airport. Tenant Diamond Aviation Business and Current Holdings Date 10/17/95 2 aircraft - both CESSNA Skymasters, one experimental under development Modifying Skymasters with a single turboprop engine and extended baggage compartment. Five pre -sold contingent upon FAA certification. Expects certification next Spring Will modify 10-12 aircraft per year thereafter Sells Jet A and 100LL fuel Owns 24,000 square foot hangar on 1.66 acres No tie -downs on property Expansion Plans Would like to expand to highway and double floor space Wants additional hangars Would like to add amenities for visitors, new restaurant, showers for those choosing to camp out. Feels that amenities are needed. Thinks new T-hangars will generate money and is interested in building. Feelings on Airport Manager Would like to see one that is full time that would see to maintenance, upkeep, and administration. Problems Seen Need full length taxiway Recommends moving towers Believes an instrument approach is needed, suggests a GPS approach with a 500 foot DH Fee Recommendations Would not mind paying a landing fee, if getting something for it. $5 reasonable.. but says FBOs usually pick them up if pilot buys fuel from them. Sees $804110 per month reasonable for hangar rent. Miscellaneous Says Enterprise Car rental would like to have office here if it was a viable operation. Tenant Winston Major - Aircraft Painting Date 10/17/95 Talked to in conjunction with Diamond Aviation Expansion Plans Would like to build a state of the art paint facility Would like frontage road access (Hwy.) Tenant Eagle Aviation Business and Current Holdings Date 10/17/95 4 aircraft Wild life Surveys Forest Service Contracts - 100 hrs this year in comparison to 600 hrs last year 5-10 students per year Sells gas to government (Patty) Sells Jet A plus 100LL 4800 sq. ft hanger on leased land (only tenant to lease from the city) Expansion Plans None - Sees only room for 1 FBO, would like to get out of the FBO business Would like to get the hanger Winston Major has back Feelings on Airport Manager Need one or share the duties between 2 or 3 people Should also collect fees Problems Seen Security is number 1 People won't park here because of lack of security Has had gas stolen in the past 15 foot taxiway is too narrow Airport needs a professional look with an instrument approach Needs new T-hangars, would bring aircraft down from county Fee Recommendations Sees gas tax as the major money maker. A lot more revenue if more aircraft were here. Also good revenue in a good fire season. Hangar rent $100 per month, says Holman is getting $250 per month plus Tie downs could bring $5 per night if improved. Miscellaneous Doesn't think the airport will pay for itself. Should be subsidized like the golf course, ball fields, etc. It brings money to businesses Tenant Strand Aviation Business and Current Holdings 7 aircraft plus 1 glider ATC 710 Instrument Trainer Air Taxi Forest Service Contracts, although did not bid last one Aircraft Insurance 6-12 Students in training Sells 100LL fuel Date 10/18/95 14,470 square feet of total building space in 4 buildings on 3.2 acres of private property Tie downs - $2.50 per night, 10-12 on property, has installed 10 on city property - collects for city too. Expansion Plans Would like to build T-hangars ($150 to $200 per month Has just spent $30K on fuel system Did have his property on the market, but has pulled it while waiting on the city to do something Feelings on Airport Manager Would like to see an airport manager with duties of both management and maintenance of the air- field Sees the possibility of making one of the FBOs a part time manager if it could be coordinated with the other tennants Problems Seen Biggest problem is the lack of security for the aircraft Sees the runway and particularly the taxiway as too narrow Would like to see some instrument approach - possibly an NDB now (cost and expediency) and GPS in the future Need weather reporting for the approach (automated would suffice) Possibly move the towers Says he has paid rent in the past, but no one else has Doesn't like the idea of a landing fee. Public doesn't like and it would nm business away Improved tiedowns could bring more money (no figure given) Hangar rent could go for $200 + per space Tenant Linda Stevens - Aircraft Painting Date 10/23/95 Business and Current Holdings Aircraft Painting. Owns land (100 ft by 190 ft) and hangar Paints 25-30 aircraft per year Has not advertised for 5-6 years, goes on reputation Colorado or Coast next closest paint shop Expansion Plans Not to increase in size, but would like to get in to restoration and home builders market Feelings on Airport manager Would like to see a pilot be the manager Sees past problems communicating with City Council Manager must be able to talk the problems of a pilot, city doesn't understand operation Problems Seen Security a big issue, but doesn't want to be fenced out More T-hangars are needed. Have lost a lot of business in the past because of lack of hangar space. VASI would be nice, but not necessary Lighting should be improved Need a transient area with restroom for staying Fee Recommendations Opposes Landing Fee - drives business out to County Says we are currently lax on collecting tie down fees Does not see a need for the airport to be self supporting - ball fields are not Would like to see the majority of the revenue come from gas tax, T-hangars, and tie downs Miscellaneous May take a break and go to A&P school 1-2 years down the road KALISPELL CITY AIRPORT NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN Implementation Costs Land Acquisition (South) $345,396.00 Excavation and Pavement Runway $92,000.00 Taxiway $25,000.00 Increase Taxiway Width $13,000.00 Overlay $55,000.00 Strobe KGEZ Towers $3,400.00 Install PAPI System $15,000.00 Install New Lighting $120,000.00 Fence Airport Perimeter $136,200.00 Land Acquisition (North) $180,000.00 Remove Objects in RPZ $15,000.00 Neighborhood Plan Preparation $5,000.00 Surveys $6,065.00 Appraisals $9,500.00 Advisory Board Expenses $500.00 Relocate Ballfields $827,369.00 subtotal $1,848,430.00 10% contingency $184,843.00 TOTAL $2,033,273.00 uynA . 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