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Home My WebLink About11/12/2019 - Minutes Renton Airport Administration Office Clayton Scott Field and Will Rogers-Wiley Post Memorial Seaplane Base 616 West Perimeter Road, Unit A, Renton WA 98057 425-430-7471 1 Renton Airport Advisory Committee Meeting Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 5:31pm Chair Marleen Mandt called the meeting to order. New Benson Hill Member: Josephine Medenilla-Bayan (Benson Hill – Prime) was introduced & told the Committee about herself. Review of August 13 meeting minutes: It was moved by Steve Beardslee and seconded by Kurt Boswell to approve the minutes: It was unanimously approved. Neighborhood Communications  The Saturday night loud helicopter noise was reported by Marcie Palmer, as there were many online complaints as it was occurring. Casey responded to Marcie’s question saying Airport Staff was unaware of what/who was conducting the operation.  Marleen Mandt said her neighbor who is a commercial pilot was concerned with a drone flying low over their homes on Oct. 26th. Harry said recreational operations aren’t required to report to the airport.  Lee Chicone, N. Renton representative said Boeing continues running planes on the weekends and nights past agreed upon times. Boeing Rep. said Jason works with Boeing, Airport Staff usually gets notice. City Public Works Renton Airport Administration Office Clayton Scott Field and Will Rogers-Wiley Post Memorial Seaplane Base 616 West Perimeter Road, Unit A, Renton WA 98057 425-430-7471 2 Administrator Gregg Zimmerman asked how often this is happening; Harry said about 4 times a week.  Jeff Dineen, South Renton Neighborhood rep. asked: In 40+ years why hasn’t noise been addressed? Harry said due to the small size of our airport not much can be done. Old Business  Master Plan Update  Captain Thomas Imrick, Mercer Island Representative asked for an update on the East Channel procedures. Airport Manager Harry B. said it’s being studied by PSRC (Puget Sound Regional Council). Harry is monitoring their work. Tom said this is normally airport coordinated and it is the Renton Airport’s responsibility.  Captain Thomas Imrick, Mercer Island represented read from the FAA website regarding drones. https://www.faa.gov/search/?omni=MainSearch&q=drones Old Business (continued)  The Master Plan is closed out. Staff has been working with Mead & Hunt. As of today, they received legal approval for contract with Mead Hunt for final work. The scheduled completion will be late July or early August. Airport tenants Diane Paholke of ProFlight said if the plan moves forward as has been presented, there will be no ramp space. Harry said the FAA is in conversations with Airport Staff regarding the economic and operational impact. A survey was sent to tenants. Diane Paholke said it will economically ruin the airport, and the rules say businesses have to be “economically viable”. Karen Stemwell said only tenants received the survey, not all RAAC Members and requested it be sent to the full Committee.  Rob Spitzer, AOPA (Aircraft Owners Pilot Association) Representative requested clarification on the airport’s new classification. Harry said the Airport Staff supports the Mead & Hunt recommendation. His job is to keep the airport safe. Renton Airport Administration Office Clayton Scott Field and Will Rogers-Wiley Post Memorial Seaplane Base 616 West Perimeter Road, Unit A, Renton WA 98057 425-430-7471 3  Council Member Randy Corman said the City Council is concerned with safety as well as the Airport being economically viable and keeping Boeing here. With the loss of lease space, rates will go up. The policy makers in Washington DC don’t understand it like we do. Randy said he believes we are headed in a dangerous direction with the proposed Master Plan.  Stephen Ratzlaff, President of the Washington Seaplanes Association said 70% loss for seaplanes. Gregg Z. said the City has been in continual communication with the FAA, “We need time.” The City Administration is getting a better understanding of timing. We’ve got leases in the ROFA. We need to talk about modes and wait till a lease is up. Harry said the Airport Classification is done.  Shane Carlson of NW Seaplanes said: at the June RAAC meeting it was agreed that Renton would push back on the new Classification. We need to fight, not mitigate, like Boeing Field and Port of Seattle have done.  Harry asked how we should proceed. Karen Stemwell asked who specifically in Washington DC is the City talking to? Rob Spitzer said our position is the Renton Airport is currently safe as it is. The RAAC Members are looking for the Airport and City to support the RAAC position of not reclassifying. We have data, we want the Airport Management to support the Committee. A delicate balance exists now, change will bring a massive tax impact. Past history is important, as is economic impact. We want Airport Staff on our Team. There was discussion, and requests that this isn’t a safety issue, it’s a bureaucratic issue. AOPA has data, and they want to share it to bolster our case. Captain Thomas Imrick (of Mercer Island) said it is a departure issue, NOT a landing issue. Captain Thomas Imrick stated it is not a rule, it’s a policy. We need to present to FAA why the policy is outdated and ineffective for Renton Airport.  Randy said the FAA wants us to “just adjust” to the new Airport Classification. It doesn’t benefit Renton. The issue needs to be elevated collaboratively. Various member including Imrick, recommended forming a committee to get the ball rolling. Randy Corman will take to Council. Renton Airport Administration Office Clayton Scott Field and Will Rogers-Wiley Post Memorial Seaplane Base 616 West Perimeter Road, Unit A, Renton WA 98057 425-430-7471 4  Marleen Mandt said she senses a lot of frustration. Gregg Z. said we’ve bought time with the FAA. Casey said the survey was sent to gather data to support the economic impact. Karen said better communication between Airport Staff and RAAC Members is needed, we want to be helpful to the process. Stephen Ratlaff said we need a driver to get exemption. Randy said we’re talking POLICY, it needs Council involvement and possibly a Public Meeting. Jeff D. said the Community needs to include residents, there is a lot angst out there.  Ryan Tomasich, Boeing, said we need to know about challenging the new classification (1) the cost, and (2) the possibility of winning.  Captain Thomas Imrick (MI) said and (3) the consequences!  Randy Corman said it will probably be February before City Council will look at the Airport Classification issue. Airport Lines of Business update: Due to the long discussion (above) it was agreed RAAC Members would read through the handout. Minimum Standards Update: Susan Campbell, former Airport Staff, was given the final draft to take to legal. Once it comes out of legal goes back to sub- committee for review, sent to RAAC for approval for forwarding to Council for approval. New Business  Tower Remodel Status Update: $1.3 million “emergency” bid. Staff is seeking a FEMA $4 million grant, at “life safety” issue. They are working with consultant KPG to re-do the original estimate. In mid-January it goes to FEMA. May have a City diversion of funds, $800,000 loan. Budget Plan: Marleen said what was handed out was not what she requested. She would like a 2020 Budget for the next meeting. Renton Airport Administration Office Clayton Scott Field and Will Rogers-Wiley Post Memorial Seaplane Base 616 West Perimeter Road, Unit A, Renton WA 98057 425-430-7471 5 Airport Business Presentation: Tom Anderson of Landing Gear Works gave an interesting presentation of what his business does (handout) 6:40pm Meeting Process Check/Future Meetings Discussion  Marleen Proposed 2020 meeting dates: January 14, May 12, Sept. 8, and November 10. 6:48pm Meeting adjourned