Port of Orcas
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
August 14, 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, Jack Becker, Ed LeCocq, Jr
Approval of minutes
Cantwell moved, Hopkins seconded approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of July 24, 2003 as corrected, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Public access time
None
Unfinished Business
1. Port of Orcas Capital Projects for 2003: status report
Cantwell moved, Abood seconded that the Port of Orcas award a construction contract to D&S Electrical Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $693,271.07, subject to the receipt of federal funding.
During discussion, the following points were made:
Edwards stated that they were unnecessary for an airport with only one runway and a parallel taxiway, and also too costly. He noted that he had polled many pilots from the local community, all of whom agreed with his assessment. With no recorded historial incursions noted between aircraft, he stated that no confusion between the runway and taxiway existed, and that that proposed taxiway lights would direct pilots toward the runway. He also stated that it seemed unnecessary to 'dumb down' the signage.
McCoy added that the Port did not need to bow down to all wishes from the FAA, and that although the standardization concept was acceptable, the signs were not a part of the original request from the Port and were added afterward by the FAA.
Cantwell stated that numerous conversations between the FAA and W&H Pacific had occured to get to the final draft of what was to be included in the contract, and this was the final result. He added that the major concern at this point was the Port's acceptance of the risk involved in the good faith efforts of DBE fulfillment on the part of D&S Electrical.
Hopkins added that the additive schedule which provided this last item was something he did not find necessary, and that he was also concerned about light pollution from the signs.
The vote on the motion was Abood, Cantwell yea; Hopkins, Edwards, McCoy nay. Motion failed,
Abood moved, Edwards seconded that the Port of Orcas award a construction contract to D&S Electrical Contractors, Inc., for Schedule A, additive schedule B, and alternative bid schedule C as presented. The vote was Abood, Edwards, McCoy, Hopkins yea; Cantwell nay. Motion carried.
The airport manager was instructed to inform both David Williams and Jeff Winter of the results of this item.
2. Pending Litigation: status report
None
New Business
1. 2004 Budget---preliminary discussion
Cantwell stated that he had asked the airport manager to provide three items for use in planning for the 2004 budget: the 2003 line item budget, the 100% amount for 2004, and the 101% for 2004 (the last two items based on figures from the SJC Auditor). He noted that he thought the budget planning for this year made the budget figures too tight, and did not wish to have the Port run that close to the totals.
McCoy noted that it was OK to be on the conservative side in planning and using tax monies, and that being tight is acceptable.
Edwards stated that his experience led him to conclude that any bureaucracy spends whatever is provided, and that in times of tight budgets, everything may get provided for but at lower levels.
Abood and Cantwell volunteered to peruse figures from the auditor when they became available. Becker, candidate for Abood's seat on the Port Commission, was also encouraged to attend the budget process meetings.
2. Wings Safety Program---report
Cantwell stated that approximately 15 pilots had participated in a Wings program on August 9, in which instructors and FAA personnel had presented information and flight instruction for participants.
Communications and Airport Manager's Report
Communications were received from:
- W&H Pacific, letter 8/8/03, re bid results on 2003 capital projects;
- Jeff Winter, FAA, letter 8/11/03 re bid amount award for 2003 capital projects;
- Jeff Winter, FAA, copy of letter dated 8/14/03 in response to query from resident Ri Warren;
- Emily Rankin, conversation with Commissioner Edwards re aircraft noise in the vicinity of Mt. Entrance;
- Rebecca Bishop, WGEP, e-mail 8/14/03 re status of settlement of Stevens matter.
Discussion of items #1 and #2 occured during Old Business.
On item #3, the airport manager was asked to find out whether the question about the possible closure of the Eastsound airport was telephonic on written, and if written, to request a copy from Jeff Winter.
Item #4 was discussed briefly, as the airport manager had also had at least two telephone conversations with Ms. Rankin, and had mailed a copy of the noise abatement brochure to her.
Item #5 noted that discussions were ongoing between Port Counsel and the attorney from WGEP to reach a possible settlement. Abood noted that negotiation between the Port and WGEP was not an issue; the insurance company should either cover the cost of a gate or not---and if not, then the Port should bring suit against Stevens to settle the matter.
Airport Manager's Report
The airport manager reported on:
1. Around the Port
- 2003 fly-in report
- Deer report
- Crack-sealing
- Port mowings and contract concerns
- Aircraft/car gates---status
- Parnell taxiway widening
- Com-Steel stormwater status
- Jeff Winter visit
- Lum/Griot/Cessna Rd work
2. Capital Projects update
Information in this part of the report was discussed during Unfinished Business #1.
3. Treasurer's Report
4. Commissioner Edwards invited other Commissioners and the airport manager to visit his home to look at the renovation which now holds his model airplane collection.
5. Eric and Laurie Johnson had stopped by the Port office to discuss items related to the possible purchase of the Bellevue Mortgage properties to the northwest of the airport.
Approval of Vouchers
Abood moved, Cantwell seconded approval for payment of general fund vouchers for July 2003 in the amount of $25,078.19, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Abood moved, Cantwell seconded approval for payment of capital projects fund expenditures in the amount of $29,665.00, and the motion was unanimously carried.
Next Meeting and Adjournment
The next regular meeting of the Commission was scheduled for 7:00P.M. on August 28, 2003 in the airport conference room.
Minutes prepared by Bea vonTobel, Airport Manager
Port of Orcas July 10, 2003 meeting minutes
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