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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/14/2020 - Minutes Renton Airport Advisory Committee Meeting Tuesday, January 14th, 2020, Council Chambers 5:32pm Chair Marleen Mandt called the meeting to order and announced that going forward RAAC meetings will be recorded. A change was made to the agenda, adding a 10 minute Tenant discussion to follow the neighborhood communications. It was also noted that Bob Ingersol would be giving the BEFA presentation in place of Wes McKechnie. Councilmembers, Randy Corman and Ryan McIrvin were in attendance, along with PW Administrator, Gregg Zimmerman, and Transportation Director, Jim Seitz. AOPA Northwest Mountain Regional Manager, Josh Pruzek, travelled from Portland, OR and was in attendance as well. Review and approval of Minutes from November 12 th, 2019: Chair Mandt asked if a motion could be made regarding the minutes. Steve Beardslee made a motion to approve the minutes from November 12th, 2019. AIF. Neighborhood communications:  Discussion and clarification was made regarding helicopters flying over Boeing and the airport on Tuesday, November 12th. Tenant Discussion:  Casey Boatman, Airport Business Coordinator, gave a brief update regarding the Tenant Forum that was held earlier that day. A number of issues had been raised regarding the Master Plan and the ROFA changes, and the effects it will have on airport businesses. Mr. Boatman explained that the power is in the people to reach out to representatives to potentially push back on the FAA for their category change. Mr. Gregg Zimmerman, PW Administrator, assured the RAAC members that the City and administration are receiving the letters and listening to the concerns of the businesses, and this information is getting to the council members. Mr. Zimmerman went on to say he believes it’s important to get additional time and to take a ‘pause’ to make sure there is a process that works for everyone. A question from the RAAC was raised regarding the tenants that are currently receiving notices to evict at the end of their lease due to enforcing the ROFA. Mr. Zimmerman confirmed that the city will put a pause on current Page 2 of 4 January 21, 2020 evictions while the city goes back to the table with the FAA. Councilman Corman explained that it is very important the City does not act independently of the policy makers, and that it is important that our policy makers endorse the City in its attempt to talk with the FAA reversing their designation. Councilman Corman agrees with Mr. Zimmerman in putting a pause on the current evictions. It was also noted that extensions have been given since April of last year (*last year meaning 2018), and the City needs the full weight of the policy makers in requesting a formal pause from the FAA. Discussion continued regarding revisiting this topic with the FAA and preparing and gathering fact s to assist the Council and Legislation going forward.  Comments were made regarding the minutes not reflecting the RAAC vote for Option 4. The RAAC took a vote to recommend an airside alternative to City Council. Alternative #4 was voted by the RAAC as the preferred option, with a no vote for Option #5. **. Councilman Corman clarified there were several options and that City Council took all community impacts into consideration prior to selecting the option that was supported by administration. Old Business:  Master plan update – Landside Alternatives / Object Free Area (OFA) Jason Anderson, Assistant Airport Manager, gave an update regarding the status of the project. He advised the RAAC that the City has appro ved the contract with Mead and Hunt to continue the analysis portion of the project and will continue consolidating the information for presentation to the FAA. Mr. Anderson confirmed this is a priority to Council and Administration, and will be discussed at the Council Retreat in late February. Mr. Zimmerman went into more detail regarding the scope of work and how it ties into the Master Plan and he reiterated the importance of tenants submitting information for a modification request. It was explained to the RAAC that the FAA had asked the City to comply with relocating the aircraft that are tied-down in the ROFA. More time is being given for the buildings. Mr. Anderson confirmed that the notices to move aircraft were sent to the Leven tiedown tenants because it was a new lease: the lease had expired, so the Airport needed to implement the ROFA with the new lease. Mr. Anderson asked directly “Is the Pause in effect? As airport staff, do we need to (be) hands off (and) pause” Administrator Gregg Zimmerman confirmed that we will take a pause and provide more time to the tenants. Page 3 of 4 January 21, 2020 Administrator Zimmerman clarified some information regarding grant funding provided from the FAA. He also cautioned that Mods are not permanent – they are extensions of time. Councilman Corman encouraged the value in sharing modification expectations, but also expressed caution that everything will be public record. Discussion was made in regards to hiring a consultant to assist with the financial and economic impact to the airport, and to the city and region as a whole. Mr. Zimmerman asked airport staff to check the scope of work with the Mead and Hunt contract regarding overall fiscal and economic impact. Mr. Zimmerman confirmed it is very clear there are significant operation difficulties due to the classifications and that the City is seeking a balance with FAA regulations, safety, and fiscal impacts to tenant’s businesses and airport revenues. It was decided to add another meeting to continue this discussion on February 11th, 2020.  East Channel Navigation Procedures for Mercer Island – No response was received from the FAA therefor this topic will be revisited.  Drone Operations – Assistant Airport Manager, Jason Anderson, gave an overview regarding Drone operations and the different types of licenses. Mr. Anderson explained that the biggest concern regarding the operation of Drones is the loss of link. BEFA Presentation: Bob Ingersoll, president of BEFA, gave a great presentation and overview of what BEFA (Boeing Employees Flying Association) contributes to the community. BEFA was incorporated in 1954, and is a nonprofit organization with approximately 500 members. BEFA is a culture of volunteerism with a mission to foster, promote, and engage in, and conduct all phases of flying and related activities. BEFA aircraft flew 7,000 hours in 2019. BEFA is very community oriented and also offers scholarships to students in the Renton School District to attend the ground school. Mr. Ingersoll also shared with the RAAC the future vision and plans of BEFA at the Renton Airport. Page 4 of 4 January 21, 2020 7:27 Meeting Adjourned Next meeting will be Tuesday, February 11th, 7th Floor City Hall Council Chambers, 5:30pm ** Note: The RAAC vote for Option 4 can be found in the RAAC minutes of October 16, 2018. It was confirmed by City Clerk that there was a Quorum in effect.