Airport Commission

ARLINGTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AIRPORT COMMISSION MINUTES February 11, 2014 Chairperson AJ Chase called the regular meeting of the Airport Commission to order at 7:00 PM. Commissioners present included Chairperson AJ Chase, Cheri Carlson, Don Munson, Mike Hopson, Ruth Gonzales and Chuck Clark. Commissioners absent included John Swizer. Staff present included Community and Economic Development Director Paul Ellis, Airport Manager Dale Carman, Tim Mensonides and Mary Hine. Visitors included Chris Raezer, Jan Schutte, Kevin Duncan, Dick Butner, Mayor Barb Tolbert, Bruce Angell, Steve Craigle, Terry Wilcoxson, Mark Thompson, Ron Moen and Duane Wilcoxon. Motion by Commissioner Carlson, seconded by Commissioner Munson the minutes of January 14, 2014 were approved as written. Motion carries unanimously. BIDDING SERVICES & DESIGN ENGINEERING – MOUND AREA TAXILANE RECONSTRUCTION Tim explained that this project involves contracting with WH Pacific to design engineer and provide bidding services for the reconstruction of two of the mound area taxilanes: the taxilane serving Wild Blue Aviation and the taxilane serving Glasair. Bidding services will include issuing any required addendums, responding to bidder questions, and reviewing the bids received. The project is being completed as part of the airport’s pavement maintenance program. In the 2014 budget, $334,000.00 is budgeted for this project which includes construction. Part of the engineering cost is the required mitigation for the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation because the pavement is part of the Airport’s Historic District. Mitigation is required because staff is proposing to reconstruct the pavement at 35 feet wide instead of the existing 50 feet. Motion by Commissioner Clark, seconded by Commissioner Hopson to approve a contract with WH Pacific to provide design engineering and bidding services for the Mound Area Taxilane Reconstruction Project in the amount of $68,792.00. Motion carries unanimously. BIDDING SERVICES & DESIGN ENGINEERING – 2014 ROTATING BEACON REPLACEMENT Tim addressed the Commission stating that the existing rotating beacon’s current location is not ideal. Pilots report not being able to locate the beacon at night. Improving the visibility of the beacon will allow pilots flying at night to locate the airport and increase safety. The project involves contracting with WH Pacific to design engineer and provide bidding services for the replacement of the beacon. Bidding services will include issuing any required addendums, responding to bidder questions, and reviewing the bids received. In 2014 $135,000.00 is budgeted for the project which includes replacement/relocation. A portion of the engineering cost is identifying alternatives to improve the visibility of the beacon whether that be replacing the existing beacon and/or moving it to a new location. The study will provide up to 3 alternative sites on the sites on the airport for the beacon. WH Pacific will also study the potential glare the beacon may cause to surrounding neighborhoods and aircraft. The airport moved and installed the existing rotating beacon in July 1972. Over the years additional lighting has been installed in the surrounding area which increases the difficulty for pilots to see the beacon during nighttime conditions. The beacon was rebuilt in the early 2000’s. The manufacturer of the existing beacon no longer produces parts to support it. Motion by Commissioner Carlson, seconded by Commissioner Clark to approve a contract with WH Pacific to provide design engineering and bidding services for the 2014 Rotating Beacon Replacement Project in the amount of $48,212.00. Motion carried unanimously. NEW MOWER PURCHAS & SUPPLUS OF EXISTING MOWER Dale addressed the Commission stating that this item includes two components. The first component is the approval of the purchase of a new Toro Groundsmaster 5910D wide area mower to replace the airport’s existing Toro Groundsmaster 580D wide area mower. The second component is the approval of a resolution to surplus the existing Toro Groundsmaster 580D so that the mower can be traded in as part of the purchase of the new mower. The airport will be purchasing the new mower directly from Western Equipment Distributors, Inc. off of an existing purchasing agreement the company has with the City of Tucson, AZ. The airport is able to purchase from the agreement through an interlocal agreement with Tucson that is being approved by City Council. The interlocal agreement will save the airport an additional $2,342.00 over what would have been saved purchasing the mower through the State of Washington purchasing contract. The existing Toro Groundsmaster 580D wide area mower was purchased at the end of 2002. The Toro mower is one of two primary mowers used on the airport for wide area mowing. In recent years the airport has had to dedicate increasing amounts of funds to keep the Toro going as various parts have continued to wear down requiring replacement. It has gotten to the point where the mower is consistently down for substantial repairs a couple of times each mowing season causing mowing to fall behind. Motion by Commissioner Clark, seconded by Commissioner Hopson to 1. Approve the purchase of a new Toro Groundsmaster 5910D from Western Equipment Distributors, Inc. in the amount of $104,792.00. 2. Declare the existing Toro Groundsmaster 580D as surplus and to forward a recommendation to City Council that they approve a resolution stating such and authorize the mayor to sign it. Motion carries unanimously. AIRPORT APPRAISAL CONTRACT APPROVAL Dale explained that the services provided by Valbridge will identify the lease rates for 2015-2019. The study will determine the ground lease rates for the Northeast Quadrant (Eastside Industrial), Flightline Dependent Areas (Runway frontage sites, Ultralight area and T-hangar areas), Northwest Quadrant (Copart site), the Business Park (BP zone and commercial), and the existing Commercial property. The study will also provide a range of improved rental rates for use with airport owned buildings. The contract cost is identified as $18,925.00. This proposal does not include costs for any arbitration that might result from the study. That will have to be included in another contract or a change order to the existing one if needed. Airport staff earmarked $20,000.00 in the 2014 budget for the appraisal. The airport is obligated to obtain fair market value on its ground and building rates. The airport accomplishes this by obtaining an appraisal every 5 years. The last appraisal was completed in 2009 and all tenants have reached the identified appraised value. Staff looked at statements of qualifications from three firms and selected Valbridge Property Advisors/Allen Brackett Shedd because of their past work for us and other airports in the region. The company has completed the past two airport appraisals. Motion by Commissioner Carlson, seconded by Commissioner Munson to approve a contract with Valbridge Property Advisors/Allen Brackett Shedd for completion of the airport appraisal in the amount of $18,925.00. Motion carries unanimously. AUTHORIZATION TO OFFER A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT OF THE OPAL PROPERTY Dale explained that the Opal property is located adjacent to the airport at the north end off of Cemetery Road. In 2009 the owner of the Opal property expressed interest in selling the property. Staff completed an appraisal and environmental study of the site. In 2009 the property, which does not have any structures on it, was appraised at $292,000.00. At that time the owner decided not to proceed with the sale. In late 2011 the property owner decided they were once again interested in selling the property. In 2012 staff had a review appraisal conducted on the property and obtained approval from the Airport Commission and City Council to offer a purchase and sale agreement. The property was appraised at $260,000.00. On August 1, 2012 the airport and property owner entered into a purchase and sale agreement. Additionally, the airport was awarded an FAA grant to pay 90% of the cost of the property. A title report on the property showed liens against the property. The seller was required to provide a clear title before the airport could purchase the property. Ultimately the seller was unable to provide a clear title within a reasonable time period and in March 2013 the purchase and sale agreement was rescinded. At the end of 2013 the seller notified staff they had resolved the issue with the liens and were now able to provide a clear title. The FAA indicated they were still able to fund the purchase of the property but a new appraisal was required. Staff had a new appraisal completed in December 2013. The current appraised value of the property is $285,000.00. Staff has budgeted $270,000.00 in the CIP Fund in 2014 to purchase the property. There are adequate available funds to cover the increased cost. The property is being purchased because it is within the future Runway Protection Zone for Runway 16. Motion by Commissioner Hopson, seconded by Commissioner Munson to approve an offer to purchase and sale agreement for the Opal Property and forward the recommendation to City Council. Motion carries unanimously. INFORMATION / COUNCIL LAISON UPDATE Dale noted that that Restaurant NASA has closed and that the tenant is looking for a buyer. The taxiway lighting project will be starting next week. Phase 1 will require closing the main runway during the day for the next 3 weeks. Mayor Tolbert made a presentation on the Levy Lid Lift, this request to the voters will ask for a property tax adjustment. Motion by Commissioner Carlson, seconded by Commissioner Munson to adjourn the February 11, 2014 Airport Commission Meeting at 8:45pm. Motion carries unanimously.