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1997/02/10 Schedule Airport Authority MeetingsAgenda -February 10, 1997 AGENDA ITEM 12 - SCHEDULE AIRPORT AUTHORITY MEETINGS BACKGROUND/CONSIDERATION: Since the Council is the Airport Authority, I would suggest we schedule airport discussion in conjunction with other meetings on a regular basis. However, I would suggest that we wait for a written response to my letter to the FAA before we hold the first discussion. Mr. Dave Gabbert February 4, 1997 Page 2 I have enclosed a copy of the Kalispell City Airport Neighborhood Plan, which was adopted September 19, 1994 for your review and/or comment. I understand your concern about an Airport Master Plan. Please review all of the current plans and documents from the City of Kalispell. These may address your key points of concern. At our December. 2 meeting, Mr. Johnson and you had expressed a concern over who to deal with on airport matters. Due to the airport improvement financing strategy, the City of Kalispell currently has to maintain direct control over the airport. In January, the City Council of Kalispell reconfirmed that they will act as the official airport administrative board. The City Manager was appointed as the official representative in all business dealings with your agency. The Airport Advisory Board will continue until such time as all of the improvements are complete. At that time, the Council may consider an independent Airport Authority organization. The City Council has authorized us to create an Airport Manager's position to assist in the administrative duties at the airport. We will proceed with this as soon as possible. We have discussed the tower locations and/or lowering with the present owners. They have indicated their willingness to discuss this issue whenever we can move forward (I have enclosed a copy of their letter directed to Mr. Bissell). After the discussions concerning the tower, it appears that the two towers work in cooperation with each other with numerous conductors radiating underground. Lowering of one tower is not an acceptable option. Moving one tower may work but would probably cost around $600,000 with engineering costs and FCC tests requirements. Needless to say, this is extremely expensive. Before the City could commit to this, we would need a guarantee from FAA that funding was authorized for the on -airport improvement projects. I would also want to know that the tower relocation is a higher priority than any land acquisition. In terms of community support, the City Council has held numerous Work Sessions, City Council meetings, and specific formal public hearings regarding the Kalispell City Airport Neighborhood Plan (adopted September 19, 1994) and the Kalispell City Airport/Athletic Complex Redevelopment Plan (adopted January 23, 1996). During the discussion no opposition was raised and, in fact, strong support was received for the improvements as authorized in these plans. A call from one person stating opposition to the airport is certainly not overwhelming opposition to the project. The Master Mr. Dave Gabbert February 4, 1997 Page 3 Plan process will not be any different than what has been completed over the last three years in terms of public input. It appears to me that your agency is overly sensitive or concerned about an extremely small amount of opposition. The City received on January 30, 1997 two bids to sell the "Haven Field" portion (4+ acres) of the airport property to begin the improvement projects. On February 3, 1997, the City Council authorized the staff to proceed with the "public offering" process for the "Daley Field" portion of the plan. As you see, we are moving ahead with our commitments as planned. Each of these steps require additional public input and support. At this time, we have not received any opposing views or comments. With this process we are providing the financial capability of the City to begin projects in the near future. In terms of the airport private access questions, the City is as concerned as your agency (possibly more concerned) with the safety aspects of control and limited access to the airport grounds that require a major degree of safety restriction. We will control this access as required by your agency when the projects are planned and constructed. In our December 2, 1996 meeting, Mr. Gallagher (City Development Director) indicated that we would purchase the additional property that may need to be under our control. As I recall, the reason that you desired the City to complete this process was to eliminate the required Uniform Act acquisition procedures. Have you determined that this is not the case or that you prefer to utilize your funds for the land acquisition? At the December 2, 1996 meeting you and Mr. Johnson indicated that the airport would move ahead to complete the listing of the Kalispell airport in NPIAS? Has this been initiated or completed? What is the exact status of our NPIAS rating? The City of Kalispell City Council is fully committed to this airport improvement. The Advisory Board is frustrated with delays that may be the result of the current plan compilation process completed by the City Council. They are also frustrated over the "moving targets" that your agency has, historically, presented them. I want to move beyond the history and reduce the frustration levels. Specifically; 1. What are the FAA requirements we must fulfill to move ahead? 2. Are you requiring the City complete an Airport Mr. Dave Gabbert February 4, 1997 Page 4 Master Plan prior to any funding considerations? 3. If the City cannot "move" or lower the towers, is the project, from the FAA standpoint, dead? 4. Will the Uniform Act procedures be required if the FAA is not involved in land acquisition? 5. What do we need to do to get the "ball" rolling again for the desired improvements at the airport? Please be specific to assist us. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to give me a call. Respectfully, Clarence W. Krepps City Manager CWK/ksk p.c.: Lowell Johnson