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06/23/97 Master Plan Memo1 Incorporated 1892 Telephone (406) 758-7700 FAX (406) 758-7758 Post Office Box 1997 Kalispell, Montana Zip 59903-1997 To: Mayor & City Council (Airport Authority Board) From: Kalispell City Airport Advisory Board Date: June 23, 1997 Re.r City Airport Master Plan and Progress on the Airport/ Ballfield Projects We, as members of your Airport Advisory Board, would like to state our opinions in regard to the pending FAA Airport Master Plan and progress on the City Airport project. First a little history. In 1994 you, the Council, commissioned Dave Greer to do the City Airport Neighborhood Plan, which you adopted in September of 1994. This plan unquestionably demonstrated the economic value of the City Airport as well as the feasibility of the future of the airport. In January of 1996, Larry Gallagher developed the "Kalispell City Airport/Athletic Complex Redevelopment Plan Analysis". We have been meeting as your Airport Advisory Board since August of 1995. During this time we have developed bylaws, rules and regulations, hangar leases, a job description for an airport manager and a marketing and operations plan for the airport. In parallel with our efforts, the youth sports supporters have been spending many hours developing the ballfield complex. Although at times these projects seem to have "stalled out", we are encouraged that the TIF district has been formed, Haven Field has been sold, and Daley Field is being offered for sale. From the beginning, our goal as the Airport Advisory Board has been to develop the City Airport to FAA standards and assure its long-term success. We feel that State and Federal participation are essential, not only for funding but also for expertise. We began contacting the FAA both in Helena and Seattle early on. After many years of being told "no", we are now cautiously optimistic 1that the FAA will see the importance of this project (Kalispell City is the busiest General Aviation Airport in ontana). The Montana State Aeronautics Division has whole - Douglas Rauthe Mayor Clarence W. Krepps City Manager City Council Members: Gary W. Nystul Ward I Cliff Collins Ward I Norbert F. Donahue Ward 11 Dale Haarr Ward II Jim Atkinson Ward III Lauren Granmo Ward III Pamela B. Kennedy Ward IV M. Duane Larson Ward IV Mayor and City Council Page 2 June 23, 1997 heartedly supported this airport for many years. In 1996 the FAA requested an Airport Layout Plan as the first step in their decision process which Peccia completed in September of 1996. We have heard on several occasions that the FAA's criteria for participation in funding our airport are:---- _---- - 1. that the City Airport can be expanded to a B-2 airport with a non -precision approach (to accommodate future GPS) some time in the future; 2. that the KGEZ radio towers be addressed; 3. that the surrounding land be addressed either through acquisition or zoning (which the FAA can't do) so the airport will not in the future become surrounded by houses. These and many other issues will be studied by Morrison and Maierle in formulating their master plan. Just what "addressed" means by the FAA also is yet to be defined. There are many possible outcomes from the master plan. The KGEZ towers could be sold, moved, lowered or remain. The FAA could decide that the current site of the airport is not the best location in the valley. Or, and this is our hope, the FAA could finally decide to finance the fencing, paving, lighting, etc. of our airport and the City money would be spent on acquiring surrounding land and the radio towers. In any event, in about a year we will have the benefit of a $100,000 master plan funded 90% by the FAA, 5% by the State and 5% by the City. If the FAA should decide not to participate for whatever reason, this does not in any way mean that the airport has to close. It simply means that this project does not meet their participation criteria. If this happens, we will improve the airport to FAA standards using City TIF money and possibly some State money, rather than City, State and Federal money. While the master plan is under way, your Airport Advisory Board is committed to working closely with Morrison and Maierle, the FAA, Montana Aeronautics, and the City staff to assure timely completion of the master plan. In the meantime, there is much left to be accomplished at the airport and the danger is when we say, "Let's wait until the master plan is completed". Many people have been waiting for a long time to invest in the City Airport. If only six T-hangars had been built last year (at least ten are ready to be built immediately), the City would have realized a yearly lease revenue of $1,680 (assuming $.155/square foot x 1,800 square feet). Businesses such as Strand Aviation, Diamond Air, Aero Craftsman and others have Mayor and City Council Page 3 June 23, 1997 been more than patiently waiting for a long time to invest in their businesses and the airport. They deserve to be able to expand their operations. Let's work with Morrison and Maierle and the FAA from day one and give these businesses the go-ahead as soon as possible. In conclusion, many hurdles have been overcome. Please don't delay needlessly at this point. Let's all give these projects the time and attention that they deserve and let's see them through to a successful completion.