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WINTERSVILLE -- During its regular meeting last Monday, the Jefferson County Regional Airport Authority discussed needed repairs to the STAT MedEvac crew quarters and scheduled a special meeting to address the issue.
Repairs to the crew quarters building, which is located at 500 Airpark Drive, include a minimum of new windows, siding and down spouts, according to meeting minutes submitted by Secretary-Treasurer Gary Folden.
Board member Geary Bates recommended that the board engage with Gary Dellapenna to carry out the work, though board member Rich Stenzel also had researched contractors for the job. Debate followed regarding what work needs to be done and who should be the contractor to carry it out.
In the end, the board agreed to schedule a special meeting for 6 p.m. Monday in the Ralph Freshwater Terminal building at the Geary A. Bates Jefferson County Airpark, 600 Airpark Drive, to further consider the renovation, among other issues.
Separately, Stenzel provided information about a key system emergency response personnel could use to access the airport's runways.
Stenzel identified the KnoxBox 3200, Model 3261, Surface Mount, Hinged Door, Black key system and requested that Folden be authorized to purchase two for installation once the airport's wildlife exclusion fence is complete. The project was submitted in a grant application July 15.
The board subsequently gave Folden the authorization to make the purchase, totaling $974 without shipping costs for both units at $487 each.
Additionally, airport Manager Brian Thaxton reported that he had received a quote on work needed to repair the Hirkala Hangar's door, which needs to have a motor replaced and the hydraulic cylinders rebuilt. The quote came in at $12,000.
The board further discussed the repair issue and determined not to go with the quote, choosing instead to have Dover Hydraulics repair the cylinders.
In other business:
Thaxton reported there were 1,079 operations in July, and the airport sold 5,525 gallons of Jet A fuel and 1,286 gallons of Avgas. Thaxton also reported that Advanced Fuel Systems is tentatively scheduled to install a new manway into a 4,000-gallon fuel tank Wednesday, the airport's new pressure washer has been delivered and is awaiting installation and Davis Enterprises has given a $1,550 quote to crack seal and coat the ramp by the Anthony Mining building.
Following an e-mail from the Jefferson County commissioners asking for instruction, the board voted to send a letter to the commissioners recommending they approve and sign an American Electric Power easement and right of way request to place utility poles on airport property, which the commissioners own. The proposed poles were noted to be below height limitations and posing no interference with airport traffic.
The airport had previously submitted applications to the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Infrastructure Grant and Airport Improvement Program July 15. Due to funding limitations, the FAA requested the Jefferson County airport hold back on the grant and move the construction for its wildlife fence to the AIP, reported Lance Wanamaker of the airport's consultant Michael Baker International. The application was subsequently received and resubmitted Aug. 1, he said.
The board authorized the payment of $27,475.47 to Michael Baker International for its services on the wildlife fence design project. About 90 percent of the project, $24,727.92, was paid for by the FAA. The Ohio Department of Transportation covered $1,474.77, or 5 percent, and the remaining $1,373.78, or 5 percent, was a local match.
The board approved sending a letter to inform a tenant that his unpaid account balance of $1,045 in hangar rental and late fees must be paid no later than Wednesday or his possessions and airplane will be removed from the hangar.
The board authorized Folden to transfer $100,000 from the airport's Natural Resources Fund to the Airport Operations Fund as a supplement to cover yearly expenses. The same move is done every year, Folden noted, and expenses have already been budgeted with the supplement in mind.
The board adopted the updated, three-year Disadvantaged Business Enterprise plan, required by ODOT and prepared by Michael Baker International. Folden noted the plan is meant to show how the airport intends to give small businesses controlled by historically disadvantaged individuals a fair chance at obtaining grant-funded contracts.
Bates asked the board to consider how it would approach marijuana use by pilots. It was noted that the issue requires further research in conjunction with current county policies.
Airport user Kenneth Kramarek reported a large number of birds on the runway recently and asked what could be done about it. Thaxton said he would work on the problem.
Cathy Cucarese, former board member and current ex-officio member, updated the board on the status of interior upgrades to the Ralph Freshwater Terminal's lobby.
Mary Ann Freeze, president of resident Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 859, reported that the chapter's recent Touch-a-Plane event for individuals with disabilities was a success, and she indicated that another event is being planned.