Airport Commission

Fitchburg Municipal Airport Commission Meeting Minutes October 25, 2017 PLACE: Terminal Building METTING TIME: 6:00PM ATTENDEES: Airport Manager Scott Ellis, City Solicitor Vincent Pusateri, Assistant Solicitor Christine Tree, Airport Commissioners: Chairman Naylor, Comm. Clayton Raymond, Comm. John Early, Comm. Richard Liberatore Note: Comm. Peter Kettle and Councilor Kushmerek absent at this month’s meeting 1. Meeting Protocol Motion to suspend the reading of the protocol Motioned 2nd Vote 4-1 (17-10-01)  Chair Naylor introduced the commission members in attendance.  Chair Naylor motioned request to record audio (granted) and approved Commissioner Raymond and Airport Assistant Deb Silvar request to record audio. 2. Previous Month’s Minutes Motion to accept September, 2017 airport minutes motion proposed by Comm. Early accept minute’s seconded Comm. Liberatore Vote 4-0 (17- 10-02) 3. Correspondence to the Commission  A signed Copy of Lease agreement with FCA flight center entered as correspondence to the Commission  Comm. Early submitted a letter he received from Armand Dufresne of Gale Associates The subject outlined a program called the mass works infrastructure program which could be helpful for the possibility of creating a building for a restaurant space. The window to apply for the grant is likely to be in May of next year. Ground work to apply for this grant will be on going. 4 Project review Gale Associates Matt Caron There are four (4) projects that Gale Associates, Inc. (Gale) is administering on behalf of the Fitchburg Airport Commission. They are: 1. 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: $ 2,183,850.00 (90.0%) State Share: $ 121,325.00 ( 5.0%) Local Share: $ 121,325.00 ( 5.0%) Total Cost: $ 2,426,500.00 (100%) Project Status: • There is one remaining property where negotiations are on-going. Gale met with the property and his appraiser on 7/18/17 to discussed the proposed easement area. They expect to wrap-up their appraisal by mid- August. • The property owner has received his appraisal, and the appraisal exchange has been completed. Actions Required by the Airport this month: • Discuss the status of the one (1) outstanding property in Executive Session. 2. 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: • Pending final acceptance by the Airport, all tree removal work has been completed. • Gale conduced a site walk with Mike O’Hara (Fitchburg Conservation Agent) on November 15. Mike was accepting of the site conditions, and requested that the compost log remain in place until spring. • Cook will need to return in the spring and remove the compost log mesh. The compost filler may remain on-site. • Only minor punch list items remain, most of which are administrative. • The aeronautical study is underway. After some glitches with the FAA’s Airport GIS system, we have gained access and the project has been set up. • Gale’s subconsultant (Col-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. • Compost log has been removed. Cook Forest Products has met all of its obligations and Gale has prepared paperwork for Cook’s final payment. • The Aeronautical Study is ongoing. The final design of Runway 14-32 needs to be uploaded to the AGIS system as the next step. Gale has received a preliminary survey file as part of the Runway reconstruction project, and we are currently developing the proposed Runway profile. Once complete, this will be uploaded and the Aeronautical Study may proceed. Actions Required by the Airport this Month: • None this month. 3. Runway 32 End Obstruction Removal (Off Airport Property) AIP No. 3- 25-0018-26-2017 Project Description: This project is an obstruction removal project to clear obstructions identified on up to twenty-seven (27) off-airport properties in the Runway 32 approach surface in the City of Leominster. One (1) property is partially in the City of Fitchburg. Estimated Project Cost: FAA Share: $ 1,156,500.00 (90.0%) State Share: $ 64,250.00 ( 5.0%) Local Share: $ 64,250.00 ( 5.0%) Total Cost: $ 1,285,000.00 (100%) Project Status: • FAA has made their grant offer, and City Council is expected to accept the grant at their September 5, 2017 meeting. The MassDOT grant offer was recently received. • Gale has prepared the Contracts between Northern Tree Service, Inc. and the City. These contracts have been fully executed by all parties, and the and insurance are in place. • Gale has also prepared notification letters to the property owners. These letters include an invitation to meet with Gale to gain a better understanding of the project and what they can expect. A contact list will be given to each land owner so they know who to call if they have questions. • Tree work began on September 11, 2017. The work is on-schedule as of today. • Contracts for the building modifications at 180 Crawford Street have been fully executed. We will begin the scheduling of work with the Contractor (Goguen Construction) upon receipt of their correct insurance information. • Attend pre-construction meeting. 4. Shift, Rotate, Reconstruct, Mark, Light, and Sign Runway 14-32 and Parallel Taxiway ‘D’; Construct Stub Taxiways ‘E’ and ‘F’; Install REILs and PAPIs on Runways 14 and 32; and Install New Airfield Electrical Vault AIP No. 3-25-0018-27- 2018 (Pending) Project Description: This project is to reconstruct Runway 14-32 with a 1.55-degree clockwise rotation, reconstruct parallel Taxiway ‘D’, construct two (2) new stub taxiways, install Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPIs) and Runway End Identifier Lights (REILs) on Runway 14 and Runway 32, install new airfield lighting and signage, and install a new electrical vault. Runway 2-20 will be decommissioned as part of this project. Estimated Project Cost: FAA Share: $10,800,000.00 (90.0%) State Share: $ 600,000.00 (5.0%) Local Share: $ 600,000.00 (5.0%) Total Cost: $12,000,000.00 (100%) Project Status: • A scoping meeting was conducted on April 10, 2017 at the Airport. Peter Kettle, Rich Liberatore, and Richard Raymond were in attendance on behalf of the Airport Commission. Scott Ellis and Debbie Silvar also attended. • Data collection (survey and soil exploration) began on August 24, 2017. The soil exploration work is complete, and we are awaiting the design recommendations from the geotechnical engineer. Based on material excavated during test pits at the Runway 14 end, there exists a solid waste issue that needs to be addressed. Gale will be reaching out to the Airport next week to schedule a meeting to discuss this. • The survey work is ongoing; all data within the proposed Runway environment has been collected, and once processed, Gale will be able to develop the proposed Runway 14-32 profile. This will allow the Aeronautical Study (part of AIP-25) to proceed. • GZA GeoEnvironmental has flagged wetlands on the Airport. This is required for submittal of the Notice of Intent. The NOI is tentatively scheduled for the November 28, 2017 Conservation Commission meeting. • Taxiway ‘D’ will be renamed ‘A’ as part of the project, following discussions with FAA and Scott Ellis.  • Preliminary geometry and lighting layout has been completed. The preliminary drawing set is nearly complete and will be distributed by the end of next week. Gale will then conduct a design review meeting with the Airport. • Buried solid waste at the Runway 14 end is complicating efforts to finalize the,runway and taxiway geometry. The current ground conditions prohibit the construction of the Runway 14 end pavement in traditional fashion. Metal, plastic, rubber, glass, ash, etc. were all observed in most of the recent test pits. There are options to remove or cap this material in place, but development of a plan to construct pavement in this area will require further exploration and testing. The results of further exploration and testing will be used to develop a plan to proceed. Costs for additional exploration, testing, removal, capping, mitigation, and long term monitoring are NOT eligible for reimbursement by FAA. • Gale coordinated a meeting and conference call at the Airport with a solid waste management expert, to discuss the issue at the Runway 14 end. Commissioner Liberatore and Scott Ellis participated on behalf of the Airport. Actions Required by the Airport this Month: • Discuss the solid waste issue that exists at the Runway 14 end. Stuart Moncrieff of Gale associates stated that traditionally construction of scrapping three feet of soil and placing select fill will not be an option based on the preliminary exploration already conducted. Additional exploration is needed in order for the commission to make an informed decision of an action plan moving forward. Action Stuart Moncrieff will solicit GZA for an estimate to conduct more testing to identify the solid waste which will determine a course of action by the commission. 5. Other Items:  Other Items: None. 5. New Business  Emergency and security Plan update Scott Ellis is developing a plan for the airport that will include emergency procedures that pertain to the airport and conforms to regulations required by local and federal authorities Scott will work with comm. Liberatore to update the current plan the old plan shows some building which are no longer at the airport.  Bullock Lease Scott Ellis requesting from the commission to implement the terms of the Bullock lease to increase the monthly rent as stated in the current lease agreement. Comm. Early, Motion to instruct Scott Ellis to send letter to request increase monthly rent by the amount of the (CPI Urban wage earners) as stated in the lease. Currently the CPI is 1.9%. Additionally all lease agreements with similar clauses with regular annual increases should be executed by the Airport Manager without the permission of the commission Seconded Comm. Liberatore Voted 4-0 17-10-03  Nov-Dec Commission meeting dates Chair Naylor Would like to confirm dates for the November and December Airport Commission meeting. Dates are November 29, 2017 and December 27 2017.  Proposed Airport events regulations The commission is requesting a check list be developed for events planned at the airport. The commission is asking  the Airport manager to present to them a detailed check list for review at next month’s Airport Meeting. The list should help standardize the requirements for applicants who wish to hold events at the airport. Previous procedures for events have resulted in misinformation between event promoters, city offices and permitting committees. Chair Naylor will be the point person for the development of the list. Action Item Scott Ellis shall draft check list for the commission to review. 6. Old Business A. Hanger 7 repair status Some small items are being completed and an occupancy permit should be issued soon. B. FCA Lease status A lease agreement has been agreed upon and signed by the Mayor. Note: some arrears are still outstanding these issues are in progress Comm. Early is the point of contact on this item. C. Administration Building Ribbon Cutting-Final Report  Scott Ellis received positive feedback over the outcome of the event. Special thanks went out to Deb Silva and Scott Ellis for their work to help make the event a success. . 7. Financial Review Scott Ellis provided the MUNIS report to each commissioner and questions are welcome anytime during the week. Motion to accept Chair Naylor seconded Comm. Liberatore 4-0 (17-10-04) 8. Subcommittee Reports  The amended FACT lease status is still under construction items of contention are as follows:  Rent increases currently understood to be 1.75% or .5% of the CPI (urban wage earners) if greater.  Snow plowing rate increase was treated different stated at 1.75% or 100% of CPI whichever is greater.  The term of the amended lease will be 60 years from date of ratification Chair. Naylor Motion to accept the amended lease with the corrections mentioned above for approval by the city council. 2nd Comm. Liberatore Vote 4-0 (17-10-05)  Motion by Chair Naylor to accept $9,000.00 for snow plow removal for the 2017 2018 season in case the amended lease is not signed by spring, if the amended lease is signed the new rate will apply 2nd Comm. Early Vote 4-0 (17-10-06) 9. Managers operation report Scott Ellis  Scott Ellis is expecting the new HVAC unit to be installed for the FCA space  Scott Ellis fuel sales are up and Scott Ellis anticipates a price increase. Scott Ellis Comcast will be installing high speed internet at the airport Motion by Chair Naylor, 2nd Comm. Early to send thank you letter to Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito for her help in securing $250,000.00 to make this possible . (Vote 4-0 17-10-07)  Scott Ellis light issues are being repaired  Motion to instruct the Airport Manager to solicit fuel suppliers to supply fuel at the airport to include a self serve pump Motion Comm. Early Seconded Chair Naylor Vote 4-0 (17-10-08)  Motion to adjourn Comm. Naylor seconded Comm. Raymond vote 4-0 (17-10-09)  Executive session Roll Call Vote 4 yes  Conclusion 8:15pm  Next meeting will be Wednesday November 29, 2017 6 pm Recording Secretary Commissioner Clayton Raymond