Minutes from Thurs., June 22, 2000 Board Meeting

 

Board Members Present:

Rick Bryant, Chair                 Jerry Sherman

Rod Bremby                          Dale Willey

Dave Downing                      

 

May Minutes were approved as presented; Downing moved, Sherman second for approval.

 

Airport Update:

Debbie Van Saun, Airport Manager provided the following updates:

·        Announced that a revised CIP/Airport Layout Plan (ALP) was sent to Joyce Coates, FAA Regional Office, on June 20. It included concepts and language related to KDOT’s Hwy 24/40 realignment south of the airport property.

·        RFPs had been approved and circulated for water/sewage projects and the selection of an airport consultant firm to handle the construction project list for airport improvements.

·        That $3,000.00 was included in the Airport Budget for FY2001 for marketing and promotions. The original request was for $5,000.00 but lowered to the budget figure. This is the first time that specific funding has been allocated for airport marketing and promotions.

·        That work will begin on an airport link to the city’s website. Rick Bryant, chair, will work with the City’s Communication Coordinator, Gayle Martin, on content and format.

·        Advised board of response to FAA advisory for relocation of radio tower north of McLouth, KS. Reasons cited for disapproval included impairment of missed approach sequence for ILS on runway 33.

·        Discussed poor to no cab service at airport. Debbie would discuss with cab vendor about resolution.

·        DreamWings had sent letter of complaint to city regarding water leaking into building again. City, General Contractor to meet with DreamWings to resolve.

 

Lloyd Hetrick Update

·        New hangar still leaking at roof and ductwork, insulation sagging -  trying to remedy with City and Penny Construction. Debbie instructed Lloyd to send her a written shopping list of problems to assist in resolution of situation.

 

Regular Agenda

 

Summer Chamber Mixer

Board finalized plans for mixer. Decision made to limit rides to first 30 passengers signing up at 5:30 p.m. with rides beginning at 6:00 p.m. A drawing for five helicopter rides will be held, and the rides given by Hetrick Aircraft. Four - five volunteer pilots are required to fly chamber members. Jerry Sherman agreed to help coordinate displays of aviation companies and their products/services at the mixer.

 

Ethics & Open Meeting Laws

With a new board installed, Chair Bryant asked Dave Corliss, Asst. City Manager, to address the board on ethics and the Kansas Open Meetings Law. Dave handed out copies of the City’s Ethics agreement and a highlight sheet of the Open Meetings Act.

He discussed potential areas where the board could come into conflicts of interest that would compromise ethics; and areas where the Open Meetings Law could be violated, intentionally or innocently. He stressed to board members to call him, Debbie Van Saun or Mike Wildgen if they ever had a question or concern regarding application of these laws.

 

Airport Platting / Planning

City Planning staffers Linda Finger and Brian Dwyer presented a short program of the North Lawrence Plan their office was developing for the city. Linda also discussed the platting process for the airport grounds that was part of the RFP for the water / sewer project. This discussion provided board members with an overview for North Lawrence growth and development, and the impact airport growth and development could affect this region.

 

Union Pacific Railroad

The Board welcomed Jim Terry, Director of Railroad Operations, Union Pacific Railroad out of Kansas City.

Terry reviewed how UP was sending, on average, 83 trains daily through Lawrence. These trains slowed from 60 mph to 30 mph while traveling through North Lawrence and passing 19 different crossings. In recent months, UP has suffered multiple fatality accidents at various crossings. He was searching for a plan that would enhance safety, efficiency and profitability.

He presented the Board a different approach to serving Lawrence by train.

UP wants to explore a partnership with the airport that would allow UP to build a rail-line through the north end of the airport property, just inside the creek levee, and exiting out the east side of the airport property by Grant School and reconnecting to existing UP lines east of Lawrence.

This realignment would eventually allow the railroad to increase traffic volume to 130 trains daily within six years without compromising speed or service to Lawrence.

As the concept unfolded, the discussion covered many areas that would affect the airport, FAA, and Union Pacific. The Board agreed to continue conversation with UP, but involve the FAA in these preliminary discussions along with the airport’s consultant, Airport Development Group.

It was suggested that a meeting be held between the airport, FAA, UP and ADG in Kansas City at the first opportunity to begin establishing a working framework / feasibility for this project. UP’s timetable for completion is approximately four – five years.

Bryant promised Terry that ADG’s Jim Sirhall would be in touch soon to acquire background information and begin a direct dialogue with UP. Terry was given an old ALP to use in developing a proposal for FAA staff.

 

NASCAR

Bryant presented the concept of developing an operational guide for the airport regarding the NASCAR 2001 season. He named several areas he had serious concerns regarding the airport’s ability to professionally serve a large influx of aircraft and visitors.

The Board suggested several avenues to draw upon community experts and services that would help the board. A community forum was suggested for August that would invite interested businesses to attend and partner with the airport board.

More planning and discussion on place, location and direction of meeting was to continue in July.

 

 

Misc. Business:

1.      Set July meeting for Thursday, July 20 at 6:30 p.m.

2.      Bryant circulated proposed letter and survey for Jet survey. Spreadsheet data was being finalized by Lloyd’s staff for the mailing. Members approved letter and survey for mailing. Lloyd suggested offering incentive for survey completion and return, i.e. – 5 cents per gallon discount on next fuel purchase when in Lawrence.

3.      Bryant distributed letter from Congressman Moore relating to H.R. 4475 where the Congressman attempted to write LWC’s funding money into the House appropriation bill. That effort was unsuccessful, but LWC was placed on a list of Designated Priority Funding airports to the FAA. LWC was one of only three airports in the Central States Region so named, which should help with getting projects funded in FY2001.

4.      Painting the Jayhawk – Bryant spoke with D.W. Acker, local painter, and approved KU painter on the apron painting. Acker told Bryant that he had never attempted anything on such a large scale and questioned whether it could be done. Acker promised to research some options and get back to Bryant.

5.      Debi Moore, Economic Development Director for the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, presented a short video on Angel Aircraft, Orange City, IA. Angel Aircraft has developed and is marketing a twin-engine STAL aircraft for use in third world countries. Angel is looking for potential communities to relocate their manufacturing. In June, Angel executives met with Debi Moore, Debbie Van Saun, Mayor Jim Henry and Rick Bryant at the airport to discuss a possible move. Moore reviewed the present situation and logistics required to locate Angel in Lawrence. On July 5, she was to fly to Orange City as part of a State of Kansas contingent interested in assisting Angel. A follow-up report was promised after the July 5 meeting.

 

 

Meeting adjourned moved by Bryant; second by Bremby.