1. CALL TO ORDER Tony Follett, Commission Chair, called the meeting to order at 12:00 PM; introductions were made.

Transcription

1 MUNICIPAL AIRPORTS AVIATION ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday, July 10, 2008 Anchorage Fire Department Training Center 1140 Airport Heights Road Anchorage, Alaska ATTENDANCE COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT Dick Armstrong Rick Davis Don DeVoe Tony Follett Allen Kemplen Jim Powell COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT Erin Marston * ORGANIZATION REPRESENTATIVES MRI Air Traffic Control Tower, Kent Wheeler UAA Aviation Technology Division, Rocky Capozzi Elmendorf Airfield Operations, Kevin Cramer AIRPORT STAFF PRESENT David Lundeby, Airport Manager Alex Jumao-as, Assistant Airport Manager Patrick McCormick, Airport Finance Manager Darlene Sivyer, Commission Secretary ( ) 1. CALL TO ORDER Tony Follett, Commission Chair, called the meeting to order at 12:00 PM; introductions were made. 2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING Minutes of the May 1, 2008 meeting were unanimously approved as submitted. 3. AIRPORT MANAGER S REPORT Dave Lundeby reported that two Vehicle Pedestrian Deviations (VPDs) occurred in June. Both vehicles entered the Runway movement area through the south Taxiway Golf barrier gate, and both violators were pilots. Anchorage Police responded to the incidents; each driver received a citation and fines. These were the first VPDs of the year. Three aircraft noise complaints have been logged over the past two months. One complainant noted an early-morning disturbance; Dave s investigation revealed the pilot was a new owner of a Cessna 185 who was not aware of his excessive noise as he departed the north/south runway. One caller noticed the Grumman Albatross as it departed the field and wondered what type of aircraft it was. The third complaint was a result of late night touch-and-goes; Dave was not able to contact this pilot. * excused absence

2 Page 2 of 5 3. AIRPORT MANAGER S REPORT (continued) One pilot noticed raven damage to his aircraft last month. The bird(s) pecked a two (2) to three (3) inch hole in the wing. Dave noted that we contract with USDA Wildlife Services for assistance with wildlife. They have taken action to remove nuisance birds from the airport. Approximately ten (10) gallons of fuel was reported stolen from an aircraft sometime between the end of April and the middle of May. The aircraft is tied down in the Golf apron; no other reports of fuel theft have been reported. Dave reported on several airport capital improvement projects. Alaska Interstate Construction was awarded the contract for the Block 5 Rehabilitation Project, and they plan to start Phase III of this project next week. The project which involves dynamic compaction in the lot south of Merrill Field Drive and North of Taxiway Quebec is expected to be completed in two months. The Speaker System Upgrade project will add two new speakers to the west side of the field. The speakers will project toward Runway and will be used to warn pedestrians not to enter the movement area. Three Taxiway barrier gates are located on Merrill Field. The newest one which is a cantilever style is located at the south end of Taxiway Golf. Two scissor style gates are located where Merrill Field Drive intersects Taxiways Quebec and Golf. Currently the sensors that actuate the scissor style gates are being replaced; plans are being developed to replace these gates with cantilever gates next year. The 99s Alaska Chapter plan to repaint the Merrill Field marking next Saturday, July 19. Plans are also being made for the 99s to repaint the Compass Rose later this year. Dave provided an update on the 5 th Avenue Reconstruction project. Following a few minor problems, access has been provided to Merrill Field businesses along the construction corridor. The project is moving forward. The utility relocation work is done, and the base work for the cul-de-sacs is complete. The new hangar development is slated to begin on the west side of the field between 9 th and 10 th Avenues along Orca Street. A public hearing on the Assembly action to enter into a lease agreement with Janssen Hangars, LLC is scheduled for Tuesday, July 15. Dave will present the hangar development plans to the Fairview Community Council during their meeting tonight. The Invitation to Bid requirements are the same as those used for the hangar development on the south end of Orca Street. Replatting action affecting the lease lots along 5 th Avenue and for the Orca Street hangar development area was approved by the Platting Board on July 2. Airport Management can now move forward with executing new lease agreements for these lots. Lastly, Dave mentioned that if the Airport Commission would like to sponsor an Airport picnic, a date will need to be set soon. Rock Capozzi asked for confirmation that the runway incursions Dave reported on were the first two so far this year. Dave confirmed that so far these are the only two VPDs in 2008 and added that incursions typically happen during the summer months.

3 Page 3 of 5 3. AIRPORT MANAGER S REPORT (continued) Jim Powell asked how access to airport lots along 5 th Avenue will be maintained as the area near Northeast parking seems to be very torn up. Dave explained that the contractor has flaggers staged along the work corridor. The flaggers are there to provide assistance and coordination when the contractor is excavating. It will also be challenging when concrete is poured for gutters and the new barrier wall, but access to the lots will be maintained. An inquiry was made about how the 5 th Avenue construction will impact airport security and visitors coming to Anchorage this October for the Alaska Federation of Natives conference. Dave noted that the project does not greatly impact aircraft movement and that keeping gates intact at all times is in the project plans. 4. ORGANIZATION REPORTS A. MRI Air Traffic Control Tower Kent Wheeler reported that three new controllers are on board at Merrill Tower and three more are expected toward the end of summer. A recent evaluation of the tower procedures revealed some administration issues that need to be resolved; however, no operational problems were noted. Kent also mentioned that he did not know the status of permanently filling the Tower Manager position. When Heather Hasper asked what was pending, Kent replied that the position will be put out for bid and the normal hiring process will proceed. Dick Armstrong noted that the number of traffic operations is down 7% and asked if Merrill tower is nearing the threshold to be downgraded. Kent replied that the number of operations has put Merrill in a lower category; however, no action is currently being taken due to the economy and uncertainties in the aviation industry. B. UAA Aviation Technology Division Rocky Capozzi reported that there is not much activity at the Aviation Complex this summer. Dick asked Rocky if he thought the number of students would increase this fall. Rocky stated the flight training classes are full and they are looking for flight instructors. Heather inquired about the status of the former ERA Aviation building. Rocky responded that most of the structure is slated for demolition. Dave added that Rocky presented a long-range development plan for the facility to the Commission in January. Dave then asked if there were any difficulties with the B-25 operating out of the apron this summer. Rocky reported that the staging area worked out well and the coordination effort was appreciated. When Tony Follett asked Rocky about the possibility of paving the vehicle parking areas, Rocky responded that leaving the parking lot with a gravel surface is a result of the landfill gas remediation. C. Elmendorf Airfield Operations Kevin Cramer reported that the main runway at Elmendorf will be closed on June 19 and is scheduled to reopen August 27. Four more F22s will be arriving today. Jim Powell asked if the ILS is available while the runway is closed. Kevin responded that the ILS is still operational.

4 Page 4 of 5 D. Lake Hood Seaplane Base Andy Hutzel was not available to give an official report; however, Carl Siebe noted that he knew of two aircraft that were recently vandalized at Lake Hood. Heather added that she heard of a few incidents of fuel siphoning incidents at Lake Hood. 5. SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS 6. OLD BUSINESS AND UNFINISHED ACTION 7. NEW BUSINESS A. Methane Gas Collection System - Mark Madden, Solid Waste Services Mark Madden began his presentation by defining his professional background and experience with the landfill at Merrill Field. His power point presentation provided details about the components of landfill gas (LFG) and uses of LFG such as electrical generation, direct combustion, liquid fuel, fuel cell technology and compressed vehicle fuel. Merrill Field LFG potential benefits include the large amount of refuse in place, close proximity of potential users, and the large amount of collection infrastructure already in place. However, prohibiting limitations also exist such as the age of the refuse, limited confinement of the landfill capping system, and the geometry of the refuse. Mark also explained the rate at which the LFG is produced and gave an example of the expected average LFG generation rate at the Anchorage Regional Landfill. The landfill at Merrill Field was closed in 1987, so it is easy to see that the LFG generation rate at Merrill Field is slowing considerably. Lastly, Mark provided potential applications for the LFG at Merrill Field: building heat (former ERA hangar, AFD training center, airport maintenance building and new hangar projects); micro-turbine power generation, and aircraft deicing. Jim asked Mark if he had a ball park figure of the cost of a micro-turbine. Mark suggested this equipment could cost between $20,000 and $30,000. Other questions and discussion included how the Municipality would cost-out the gas to private sector projects, the cost of operating the existing gas collection flare station, if the landfill decomposition is on target with projections, and if Solid Waste Services would be interested in developing Merrill Field LFG. Mark was also asked if the gas produced the Regional Landfill is being utilized. Mark responded that they are working on developing a project, and they are applying for grants to fund the project. Tony noted that during the last Commission meeting the group discussed the possibility of forming a Committee to investigate the potential use of this untapped energy. Jim agreed that the prospect should be studied in the interest of energy conservation. Tony asked for three Commission members to volunteer for this new committee. Jim Powell, Dick Armstrong and Don DeVoe volunteered to be on the Merrill Field Landfill Gas Committee. Mark also volunteered his services if the Committee needs additional reference material.

5 Page 5 of 5 B. Proposed 2009 Merrill Field Airport Operating and Capital Budgets Dave took this opportunity to introduce Mike Abbott. Mayor Begich appointed Mike to the Municipal Manager position in January. Dave explained that in 2006 the Municipality of Anchorage implemented a new biennial budget policy. The Assembly approved the 2008 and 2009 Operating and Capital budgets in November, This fall, the Assembly will begin the process necessary to appropriate the budgeted 2009 expenditures. Each commission member was given a draft 2009 Statement of Revenue and Expenses. Dave explained that the format of this statement is slightly different this year, and he provided information on the line items. Both revenues and expenditures are projected to increase in the proposed 2009 Operating Budget. Dave noted that an operating budget amendment will need to be submitted to the Assembly. The Capital Budget is unchanged. He asked the Commission to review the proposed 2009 Operating Budget and requested the Commission pass a Resolution recommending the Assembly approve the 2009 Proposed Operating Budget as amended. Dick asked if there is a plan to cut back services for next year to remain competitive with other airports. Dave noted that at this time we are not planning to cut back on service in He added that the Sate of Alaska airport lease rate increases are on hold now but may be implemented next year. Dave added that there is not a proposal to increase Merrill Field rates in 2009, but we are planning for possible rate increases in Jim asked about the budget approval time line. Dave responded that the draft presented to the Commission is very preliminary and has not yet been presented to the Administration. He would like the Commission to pass a resolution during the September meeting. Dick recommended the Commission accept the draft proposed 2009 budget as final with the stipulation that it doesn t change by more that one percent (1%). He then explained that perhaps the Commission should issue a statement of intent. A brief discussion followed and the group decided that no action is necessary at this meeting. The Commission will act on a Resolution during the September meeting. 8. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AVIATION 9. COMMISSION COMMENTS Dave commented that Merrill Field Management and Maintenance would host the annual Airport Picnic if the Commission would sponsor the event. Hearing no objections, Tony advised Dave that the Airport Commission would gladly sponsor the picnic. Dave expressed his appreciation to the Commission; notices will be sent when a picnic date is set. 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 1:20 PM.