HomeMy WebLinkAboutAirport Minutes July 2021ASHLAND AIRPORT COMMISSION
MINUTES
July 6th, 2021
Ashland Airport Commission
June 1st, 2021
Page 1 of 4
CALL TO ORDER: @ 9:30am
Roll Call: Meeting Recorded
Members Present: Andrew Vandenberg, Jeff Dahle, Jerry Campbell, George Schoen, Patricia Herdklotz,
Daniel Palomino, Bernard Spera, David Wolske
FBO Present: Bob Skinner
Members Absent: None
Council Member Present: Shaun Moran
Staff Present: Chance Metcalf
Guests: None
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - 06/01/21
Wolske moves to approve minutes as corrected by Herdklotz that “the Airport Emergency
Plan would also be shared with other Airports”. Herdklotz seconds, All ayes, motion carries.
2. Commissioner Announcements – Herdklotz mentions that she would like to see Ashland Airport provide youth
programs similar to Medford in the future. Wolske apologizes for missing last meeting.
3. Public Forum – None
4. Unfinished Business
A. Airport Security – Dahle stated that this topic has been brought up due to theft on the airport
premises as well as non-airport personnel/users on the airfield side of the airport. Dahle Mentions
that he knows the Airport Master Plan addresses security in future projects but asks the
commission if anything needs addressed now. Skinner states that he doesn’t think there has been
major issues with Security but mentions that he has noticed smaller incidents such as the dumpster
getting filled over the weekend. Skinner suggests if we had usable video footage of these incidents
it would help. Skinner states that they are equipped with alarm systems but have no video.
Palomino Sates that we should pursue this further and mentions that they have had incidents at
Brim Aviation as well. Dahle agrees that we should keep this on the agenda and suggests that
Commissioners review the Master Plan and come back next meeting to discuss creating a work
group to move forward with this topic. Skinner asks if the City can confirm the Airport patrols with
the Police Department. Metcalf states he will reach out to confirm and get back to the
Commission. Wolske reiterates that gates have been brought up in the past but thinks its not an
attractive solution and would like to see more effort with the electronic surveillance solution.
B. Action Item List-
a. Commission Member Vacancies – Spera states that he worked with Elizabeth Taylor to
provide information in the July City Source to recruit for the Airport Commission. Dahle
reminds the Commission that we still have one opening and to continue with public outreach.
b. Airport Maintenance Plan – Metcalf mentions that he spoke with Administration and they
stated they would not be able to provide a resolution to this agreement at this time or in the
near future as we have had too much staff turnover as well as multiple other hurdles for the
pandemic. Metcalf mentions that Administration stated that it is not just with the Airport
agreement as its with all things regarding the City. Their priority is to get through the
ASHLAND AIRPORT COMMISSION
MINUTES
July 6th, 2021
Ashland Airport Commission
June 1st, 2021
Page 2 of 4
pandemic changes and bring the staff level back to maintain City infrastructure then they will
come back to the agreement discussions. Metcalf states he was reassured from Parks that
they will maintain the level of service they have been able to provide thus far. Skinner
mentions he would like a document including a schedule to follow but states the service has
been managed well thus far. Dahle states he doesn’t want it to be forgotten about and would
like to revisit the agreement sooner rather than later but understands the Cities situation.
Herdklotz asks if a volunteer group can assist with maintenance. Metcalf answers yes but
would be required to fill out forms with the City to do so. Metcalf suggests giving Parks the
opportunity and see how it goes.
c. Flight Path Trees - Metcalf presents the completed survey and states that it just has basic
information in it. Metcalf mentions that he was presented with old information that could help
put specific tree data on our survey and suggests moving forward with it. Dahle asks if It will
impact the original financial agreement with the surveyor. Metcalf states that it will but it
shouldn’t be a significant increase as he already has some of the data.
d. Airport Emergency Preparedness – Campbell mentions that after review and edits of the
Airport Commission it would then go to the City for review. Wolske suggests naming CERT
as a possible stakeholder within the document. Wolske also mentions that because the Fire
Department and Police Department play a large role in the document, he would like them to
review it as well. Dahle mentions that we should add the Airport Commission as an
additional reviewer every twelve months. Schoen asks for clarification on who gets to decide
whether the runway gets closed. Skinner wants to make sure its better defined that the
Incident Command role would work in conjunction with him on the needs of the Airport.
Schoen asks if the radio communication would be maintained in an emergency situation.
Skinner confirms that yes, they would maintain some form of radio communication. Dahle
confirms next steps are to make the recommended changes and bring back to the Airport
Commission. Dahle states that after next meeting with the Commission support it would go
to the City for review.
e. Airport Riparian Restoration – Wolske states his intention with this is to get the City to
recognize and take action with the needs of the Riparian area along the Airport Property.
Palomino asks if the pedestrian bridge laying along the side of the riparian area can be
removed from the property. Palomino mentions that Brim is willing to assist if need be.
Metcalf asks about the background of how it was placed there. Wolske stated that it was
placed there years ago with the idea they would eventually use it to go across the creek, but
it has since been decided that it’s not an option. Skinner states it has been there for 28 years
with nothing done. Metcalf mentions that he will investigate seeing if it can be moved and get
back to the Commission. Dahle mentions that we need to make sure that the riparian area is
within the purview of the Airport Commission or within the Cities. Dahle asks if this is
something that should be on the action item list. Wolske responds that he has no problem
with it not being on the action item list but wants it to stay in our minds and not be forgotten.
Dahle asks if the Commission is interested in having an Airport Commission mission
statement with values and goals. The Commission provided support and in return Dahle
stated that he would start working on that and bring it back for review.
ASHLAND AIRPORT COMMISSION
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July 6th, 2021
Ashland Airport Commission
June 1st, 2021
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5. New Business
A. Airport Budget Presentation – Metcalf presents the biennium Airport budget related to material
and services off the documents provided in the packet. Metcalf states that the Airport Commission does not
oversee the materials and services accounts within the Airport budget but wanted to give the commission a
better understanding of what items came out of these accounts. Metcalf states that staff time, utility bills,
parks maintenance, surveyors, consultants, and all infrastructure maintenance are just a few bigger item
examples of what comes out of these accounts. Dahle asks what the best way to find out the background of
the material services account. Metcalf states that he will get back to the Commission after the meeting via
email. Metcalf presented the Capital Outlay budget based on the document in the packet.
B. Review Airport Capital Project List – Metcalf presented the Project list based on the document in
the packet. Metcalf listed scheduled and unscheduled projects. Metcalf mentions the backup generator
project listed on the project list could possibly be done in-house and will look into costs and bring it back.
Skinner mentions that Grants Pass received grants for their back up generator. Metcalf asks if he had a
contact. Skinner states that it is Larry Graves, and he sees him on a regular basis. Skinner states he will
catch up with him and get back to Metcalf.
C. Airport Commission Meeting Policy (virtual vs in-person) – Dahle reminds the Commission
that no matter their decision today they will need to stay virtual at least until October due to limited staff.
Wolske stated that he would like to stay virtual as it is less intrusive to his schedule. Metcalf states that
when they get staff there and trained, they could elect to do a combination of both or of all one or the other
as long as they were consistent as in all members virtual or all members in person. Dahle asks if that is a
requirement or a preference. Metcalf responds that he is not sure and will get back to the commission
following the meeting via email. Dahle asks if the commission would like to go back to in person. The
Commission was not responsive to it. Dahle suggested that he would like to see the commission meet in
person at least once a year. Dahle suggests bringing this back for a decision in September to give
everyone some time to think on it. The commission was supportive.
D. Airport: Good Neighbor Items – Skinner mentioned the Airport had one complaint about
helicopter operations on the Airport. The citizen called with a concern to the amount of helicopter use
towards the northwest section of the Airport. Skinner responded that he would contact the operator to see if
they could move their operation to the other side of the Airport and the citizen was very responsive to the
idea as was the operator. Skinner mentioned that he issued NOTAMS for the geo ex work needed for the
Taxiway Rehab project. Skinner mentioned that the City was able to mow down the majority of the higher
brush along the runway which has been a big improvement. Dahle mentioned that he responded to a citizen
that is not happy with the new approach pattern for Medford Airport as the are flying over an area of Ashland
they previously did not. Dahle stated he explained to the citizen why that is and included some approach
charts for him to reference. Metcalf mentioned that Dahle’s response was outstanding and easy to follow.
Skinner mentioned that he has been working with Cascade Approach for flyers to provide info to the local
pilots that are now available at the FBO.
6. FBO Report – Skinner states that nothing out of the ordinary to report. Skinner states that the May figure is
about the average take in per month and that it should be going up slightly in July.
ASHLAND AIRPORT COMMISSION
MINUTES
July 6th, 2021
Ashland Airport Commission
June 1st, 2021
Page 4 of 4
7. Next Meeting Agenda Items – Metcalf states that he has Airport Security and Airport mission statement and
goals. Dahle confirmed and asked the commission if there was anything to add. Heard none.
8. Next Meeting Date - 08/03/21
ADJOURNMENT: @ 11:20am
Respectfully submitted,
Chance Metcalf
Project Manager
(Recording Available by Request)