Airport Commission

Fitchburg Municipal Airport Commission Meeting Minutes April 26, 2017 PLACE: Terminal Building METTING TIME: 6:02PM ATTENDEES: Airport Manager Scott Ellis, City Solicitor Vincent Pusateri Commissioners: Chairman Naylor, Vice Chairman Peter Kettle, Commissioner Clayton Raymond, Comm. Richard Liberatore and Comm. John Early 1. Meeting Protocol was entered into the meeting by Chairman Jack Naylor  Chair Naylor introduced the commission members in attendance.  Chair Naylor motioned request to record audio (granted) approved Commissioner Raymond, Comm. Kettle, Airport Manager Scott Ellis  Public opportunity to speak: Dave Murphy Boylston MA F.A.C.T inquired if FACT would be on the agenda. FACT is not on tonight’s agenda. 2. Correspondence to the Commission  Scott Ellis has letters from Solicitor Pusateri for orders of taken on two properties. It is recommended by the solicitor these properties be voted on tonight immediately after a public hearing 3. Previous Month’s Minutes  Motion to accept March 29, 2017 airport minutes motion proposed by Comm. Early to accept minute’s seconded Comm. Liberatore Vote 5-0 (17-04-01) 4. Avigation Easement Public Hearing.  Paul Murphy: 76 Mooreland Avenue Noted: he has a maple tree that he would like to have Gale associates review. Mr. Murphy expressed concerns over rumors of the existing runway being lengthened, expanding the footprint of the airport. It was explained the airport is basically wedged in between the Nashua River on three sides and Crawford Street on the other side making it virtually impossible to expand the airports footprint. Scott Ellis explained the increase of the runway length is to create a safety buffer to allow some aircraft to utilize the airport without jeopardizing their safety and minimum runway lengths governed by their insurance policy.  Ms. Belliveau: 132 Crawford Street would like clarification on the taken of the properties. Attorney Pusateri clarified that he was expecting a vote this evening on two properties. Depending on the outcome he would be filing the papers with the registry of deeds this week. Predetermined damages would be paid by the city with in the week and likely be mailed to the property owners. Solicitor  Pusateri stated this does not mean they are without rights to continue to seek further compensation. Solicitor Pusateri reiterated an independent separate appraisal needs to be presented to the FAA to be considered for review.  Janice Constant: 16 Mooreland Ave is concerned the tree cutting is leading to lower aircraft approach. Matt Caron explained the aircraft have a specific flight path, pilots are required to follow. The tree clearing is required to assure the pilots are obstruction free to a certain level as required by the FAA. In the event an aircraft seems to be flying lower than normal the property owners were encouraged to call the Airport Manager so he can follow up with the pilot. Chair Naylor closes the hearing on the subject of Avigation Easement Public Meeting Property Fort James Operation Company (Hamilton Street Rear, Leominster MA) recording of registered land order of eminent domain for avigation easement Motion Chair Naylor Seconded Comm. Kettle voted 5-0 (17-04-02) Property Crawford St, Mooreland Avenue & Main street Leominster order of eminent domain for purpose of avigation easement ,Motion Comm. Liberatore seconded Comm. Kettle Vote 5-0 (17-04-03) 5. Project review Gale There are five (5) projects that Gale Associates, Inc. (Gale) is administering on behalf of the Fitchburg Airport Commission. They are: 1. Phase I Avigation Easement Acquisition (AIP No. 3-25-0018-22-2013)/(ASMP #: FIT ACQPH1) Project Description: This project is a Phase I avigation easement acquisition project to acquire avigation easements over parcels in the Runway 14 and Runway 32 approaches, adjacent to the Airport. Acquisition of all easements necessary to clear obstructions is a multi-phased effort to occur over the next few years. Estimated Project Cost: FAA Share: $503,889.75 ( 90%) State Share $ 41,990.81 ( 7.5%) Local Share: $ 13,996.94 ( 2.5) Total Cost: $559,877.50 (100%) Project Status: ve been sent to the FAA and MassDOT/AD. Actions Required by the Airport this month: None this month. 2. Phase II Avigation Easement Acquisition (AIP No. 3-25-0018-23-2014) Project Description: This project is a Phase II avigation easement acquisition project to acquire avigation easements over parcels in the Runway 14 and Runway 32 approaches, adjacent to the Airport. Acquisition of all easements necessary to clear obstructions is a multi-phased effort to occur over the next few years. Project Cost: FAA Share: $ 620,000.10 ( 90.0%) State Share: $ 34,444.45 ( 5.0%) Local Share: $ 34,444.45 ( 5.0%) Total Cost: $ 688,889.00 ( 100%) Project Status deeds. maining two properties will be taken by eminent domain and recorded by April 28th. original deeds for the 5 previously recorded easements. Actions Required by the Airport this month: None this month. 3. Phase III Avigation Easement Acquisitions and Permitting (AIP No. 3-25-0018-24- 2015) Project Description: This project is a Phase III avigation easement acquisition project to acquire avigation easements over approximately 22 parcels in the Runway 32 approach surface, adjacent to the Airport. Additionally, this project includes permitting efforts necessary to remove obstructions from the Runway 14-32 approach surfaces. Project Cost: FAA Share: $ 2,138,850.00 (90.0%) State Share: $ 118,825.00 ( 5.0%) Local Share: $ 118,825.00 ( 5.0%) Total Cost: $ 2,376,500.00 (100%) Project Status: Easements: by the end of the week. The Tree Clearing Agreement needs to be executed by the Airport Manager. Crawford street which will require two obstructions lights. This easement needs to be completed by July 1st in order for the FAA to issue a grant for the tree clearing project in the Runway 32 end for winter of 2017/2018. within the original grant amount. Due to underruns in the original grant there is money available to acquire this avigation easement. Certificate of Vote on Land and Easement Acquisition confirming all previous votes. This is strictly for Gale’s and the Commissions records. Permitting/Historical: Airport, FAA, and Massachusetts Historical Preservation Officer, draft scripts of the interpretive display have been submitted to each agency for a 30-day comment period. The 30-day public comment period ended on April 20th. Minor comments were received from the Fitchburg Historical Commission and have been addressed. Action Matt Caron will look into an incorrect caption on one of the displays. Actions Required by the Airport this month: a-Pacific Corporation. the Clerk to execute it. Motion Comm. Early to adopt the votes and authorize the clerk to execute seconded Comm. Liberatore Vote 5-0 (17-04-04) 4. Runway 14 End Obstruction Removal and Aeronautical Survey (Off Airport Property) AIP No. 3-25-0018-25-2015 Project Description: This project is an obstruction removal project to clear obstructions identified on nine (9) off-airport properties in the Runway 14 approach surface, and to complete an Aeronautical Survey. Project Cost: FAA Share: $ 675,000.00 (90.0%) State Share: $ 37,500.00 ( 5.0%) Local Share: $ 37,500.00 ( 5.0%) Total Cost: $ 750,000.00 (100%) Project Status: November 15. Mike was accepting of the site conditions, and requested that the compost log remain in place until spring. filler may remain on-site. After some glitches with the FAA’s Airport GIS system, we have gained access and the project has been set up. -East) has uploaded the statement of work and technical plan, for review and approval by FAA and National Geodetic Survey. We are currently awaiting their response. June. This includes all work areas within the cleared areas. Gale can adjust the work areas as needed, pending potential litigation from property owner(s). Actions Required by the Airport this Month: 5. Runway 32 End Obstruction Removal (Off Airport Property) AIP No. 3-25-0018-26- 2017 (Pending) Project Description: This project is an obstruction removal project to clear obstructions identified on up to twenty-six (26) off-airport properties in the Runway 32 approach surface in the City of Leominster. One (1) property is partially in the City of Fitchburg. Project Cost: FAA Share: $ 1,125,000.00 (90.0%) State Share: $ 62,500.00 ( 5.0%) Local Share: $ 62,500.00 ( 5.0%) Total Cost: $ 1,250,000.00 (100%) Project Status: analysis and prepared a cost vs. benefit analysis of removing and/or lowering the hazard beacon poles and utility poles on Crawford Street, and the chimney/roof at 180 Crawford Street. -25 was used as part of the additional obstruction analysis. This analysis showed that further rotating the future runway by an additional 0.55-degrees (to 1.55-degrees total) would provide the maximum benefit in terms of eliminating any displaced threshold. include the chimney/roof work at 180 Crawford Street, and the utility pole work. d on April 4, 2017, and a Central Register ad appeared on April 12, 2017. Bid documents were made available to the City for distribution on May 11, 2017. -bid meetings for each Contract were held on the following dates: o Contract No. 1 (Vegetative Obstruction Removal): April 20, 2017 at 10:30 AM o Contract No. 2 (Airport Obstruction Lighting): April 19, 2017 at 10:30 AM o Contract No. 3 (180 Crawford Street): April 18, 2017 at 10:30 AM All meetings were held in Room 106 A/B at the Airport. ds were opened today, April 26, 2017 at 11:00 AM, also at the Airport in Room 106 A/B. apparent low bidder was Northern Tree Service, Inc of Palmer, MA. Their bid amount was $327,963.25. The Engineer’s final estimate of cost was $ 364,000.00 apparent low bidder was KOBO Utility Construction of Sandwich, MA. Their bid amount was $110,552.50. The Engineer’s final estimate of cost was $152,400.00. received. The bidder was Goguen Construction of Leominster, MA. Their bid amount was $164,500.00. The Engineer’s final estimate of cost was $150,000.00. bidding requirement. Gale has made an inquiry to City Purchasing to determine if this requirement can be waived, if the bidder can provide the update statement post-bid, or if the project needs to be re-bid. A re-bid requirement will affect the grant application deadline. Action Stuart will follow up. the three (3) separate Contracts. The proposed Gale fee is $635,100.00. The Independent Fee Estimate was $670,500.00. Gale will travel to meet Jack for signatures, as needed. The estimated total project amount shown above has been updated based on the bid prices received. Actions Required by the Airport this Month: the Contracts for signature. MassDOT in the amounts shown above. Motion to accept gale fee amount $635.100.00 motioned Comm. Early seconded Comm. Liberatore Vote 5-0 (17-04-05)  Motion by Comm. Early to accept total project cost of $1,125.000.00 to seek grant funding from FAA and $62,500.00 MASS Dot seconded Comm. Liberatore Vote 5-0 (17-04-06) 6. Other Items: ommendation from the Commission  Note Action Stuart Moncrieff, P.E. of gale Associates is going to inquire with the FAA representative (Shawn Reddinger) to get the night approach turned on runway 14 end. Also Stu will create a timeline to help better explain the expected project time frame for the airport moving forward. 6. New Business  FCA Rent /Lease status moved out of order by Chair Naylor/Comm. Kettle is inquiring about FCA license fee agreement of $1,500.00 per month. Solicitor Pusateri informed the commission that FCA was not paying the agreed license fee. Motion made by Comm. Kettle to terminate the license agreement for the FCA flight school due to lack of payment and would like back payment from the time the FCA moved in to the new terminal buildings if terms can’t be met a new RFP should be pursued Seconded by Comm. Raymond….. Comm. Early interjected with a request for an amendment on the motion to allow another 14 day notice to FCA before termination. Motion made by Comm. Early on the amendment to allow another 14 days seconded Chair Naylor Vote 2 yes-3 no (17-04-07) Motion to terminate license earlier by Comm. Kettle and seconded by Comm. Raymond Vote 4 yes 1 no (17-04-08)  Rodeo Scott Ellis has been in touch with Carlos Silva of Panama productions to st finalize the event. May 21 is the scheduled event. Action Comm. Naylor will send I letter to the Leominster City Hall. Comm., Kettle is requesting Scott Ellis to approach Solicitor Pusateri to start proceedings to bring Ken Churchill to small claims for the money owed to the airport. Action Scott Ellis to follow up with the city solicitor.  Airport Blvd entrance street lights Comm. Liberatore would like to see the entrance receive better lighting as it is a hazard at night. Scott Ellis would like to install better guardrails at the entrance to improve safety and appearance.  NOTAM Manager Scott Ellis sated On May 8 2017 is starting with a new website the FAA has created to publish a NOTAM this should make it very efficient and keep all request current. 7. Old Business  Update Restaurant/ Fuel Service No Action at this time  Historical Documentation discussed earlier in the evening with Gale Associates  Hanger 7 Repair Status Scott Ellis has informed the commission that the bids were opened and the lowest bid is greater than anticipated estimation around $32,000.00 above expectations. Scott is recommended that cost savings measure being offered by the architect not be taken and he is going to pursue the full amount to do the remodel as complete as possible Action Scott Ellis will follow up with procurement 8. Financial Review  A/R Rent and Action plan Autumn Air in question Action Chair Naylor will approach Autumn Air. Double tree mailing issues Scott says it is now squared away  A/R Fuel and Action plan  Motion by Comm. Early Seconded Comm. Liberatore to approve financials for month of April Vote 5-0 (17-04-09)  Draft FY2018 Budget Scott Ellis presented a draft airport budget for fiscal year 2018 Commission reviewed and is generally in agreement. Chair Naylor has questions about the line item of Reimbursement for City-Related costs of $50,000.00 Comm. Early has asked to keep this item on the agenda for next month Comm. Kettle would like to see the advertising budget to be increased for marketing purposes 9. Sub Committee Report Comm. Early met with Comm. Liberatore along with Scott Ellis and Deb Silvar to discuss possible revenue streams coming into the airport. Solar farm was discussed and Scott Ellis is in favor of this approach for additional income. The Full Committee will re convene on this subject. 10. Managers operation report  Scott Ellis has met with Comcast and is expecting high speed internet to be available for the airport soon.  Landscaping is proceeding with clean up and grass seeding will begin shortly by Stutman  Motion to adjourn Comm.Liberator seconded comm. Early vote 5-0 (17-04-10)  Conclusion 8:17  Next meeting will be Wednesday May 24, 2017 Recording Secretary Commissioner Clayton Raymond