Port of Orcas
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
March 13, 2003
Call to order and confirmation of a quorum
The meeting was called to order at 7:00P.M. in the Port conference room by Frank Cantwell, Chairman. A quorum was present. Attending were: Frank Cantwell, Steve Hopkins, Al Edwards, Gary Abood, Ulanah McCoy, Bea vonTobel, Myrna Fant, Paul Vierthaler, Robin Watson, Edward A. LeCocq Jr., Barbara LaBrash, Eric Gourley.
Approval of minutes
Cantwell moved, Edwards seconded approval of the minutes of the February 27, 2003 regular meeting as presented, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Public access time
Myrna Fant asked whether she might speak about information she had heard about a proposed private property access agreement. Chairman Cantwell noted that she may wish to wait until that agenda item was scheduled, to which she agreed.
Unfinished Business
1. Port of Orcas Capital Projects for 2003: status report
Much of this information was contained in the Airport Manager's report, and was scheduled for reporting out at that time.
2. Pending Litigation: status report
Chairman Cantwell reported that in the matter of Lunde v. Port of Orcas and Lunde v. Abood, the first item had been settled; the second item had not been settled.
In the Kihlstrom matter, Chairman Cantwell reported on a meeting on March 12, 2003 with himself, Port Counsel Hancock, Bob Kihlstrom, and his Counsel, Bill Fleming. At that meeting, Port representatives asked Kihlstrom and Counsel to present their options for solution of the problem to the Port. The Port was scheduled to reply within two meetings of their receipt.
In the Stevens matter, no additional news was forthcoming.
3. Private Property Access: subcommittee report
Chairman Cantwell prefaced this item by stating that the Port currently has neither policy or procedures in place for those landowners with deeded access to the airport about how they might accomplish access. This was important to address at this time because of the recent completion of the wildlife perimeter fence. It was noted that any adopted policy must also satisfy FAA requirements. Any proposed tariff issues would be dealt with at a later time as a separate subject. Commissioner Hopkins was appointed as the Port's representative in this matter and would work with the Airport Manager to bring a proposal for discussion and adoption at a later meeting.
4. Logo Contest: subcommittee report
Commissioner McCoy reported on the rules for the contest, and noted that no information had appeared in the current issue of the Sounder. Schools, the library and other locations had been notified of the contest.
5. Property Acquisition: status report
Commissioner Hopkins reported that because of research he needed to complete, he would report at the next regular meeting.
6. Safety Seminar: status report
Chairman Cantwell and Myrna Fant, OAA representative, discussed the upcoming seminar, scheduled for March 25, 2003 at 7:00P.M. at the Eastsound Fire Hall. It was expected that up to 50 participants might attend.
New Business
1. Lease rate of Port hangars: discussion
Chairman Cantwell proposed extending the current leases for hangars 1-23 and changing the current lease rate, in order to generate greater value for the owners and increased revenue for the Port.
Commissioner Edwards noted that when the leases expire in 2013 and 2015, ownership reverts to the Port, at which point the Port becomes the Lessor, and can establish lease rates which reflect their value, thereby generating substantial revenue to the Port. He noted that the history of those hangars was that they would help sustain the Port, thereby drawing fewer tax dollars from the public.
2. Resolution #03-13-03
Cantwell moved, Abood seconded approval of resolution #03-13-03, which created a new general fund expense line item and transferred an amount from an existing line item into that new line item, and the motion was unanimously carried. It was noted that this action did not change the bottom line of the general fund budget.
3. Bob Schoen memorial: discussion
Commissioner McCoy offered to work on a suitable item which would recognize the contribution to aviation in the northwest and Orcas Island in particular.
4. Proposed frequency change: discussion
This item, which had appeared on the agenda at the last regular meeting, and which had generated no action, resurfaced when members of the public who were present noted their strong safety concerns about the proposed change.
Myrna Fant reported that the OAA had written to the legislators about the change, and that additional support from the Port was requested. Robin Watson noted that the FAA was being particularly mysterious about which frequency might be assigned. Chairman Cantwell, with agreement from the other Commissioners, asked that a letter be composed which supported retention of the present frequency.
Communications and Airport Manager's Report
There were no communications to report.
The Airport Manager reported on:
1. Around the Port: gate malfunctions; utility line placement for new hangar project
2. Upcoming Conferences: CAA, April 5; FAA, April 7
3. 2003 Capital Projects: RW/TW lighting; work schedule; Bidding process; GPS approach; Electrical building siting
4. Drainage: status of Port project
5. Financial report: February 2003
6. Logo contest: status report
Operational Issues
None
Approval of Vouchers for February 2003
Abood moved, Cantwell seconded approval of general fund vouchers for February 2003 in the amount of $2,317.66, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Abood moved, Cantwell seconded approval of capital fund vouchers for February 2003 in the amount of $15.08, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Next Meeting and Adjournment
The next regular meeting of the Commission was scheduled for 7:00P.M. on March 27, 2003.
Chairman Cantwell adjourned the meeting at 8:10P.M.
Minutes prepared by Bea vonTobel, Airport Manager
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