Airport – January 3, 2023

Meeting Minutes

Boundary County Airport Board Meeting January 3, 2023.

Present: Don Jordan, Pat Gardiner, Rick Durden, Bob Blanford, Jay Wages, Travis Wisberg, Caleb Davis, Kambiz Kamiab, Scott Hittle and Trey Dial.

Manager: Dave Parker

The meeting was called to order at 5:28 PM by Jay Wages.

Dave Parker read the draft minutes of the December 2022 meeting. Pat Gardiner moved to accept the draft minutes of the December meeting as presented. Don Jordan seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Old Business

Hangar B, Kambiz Kamiab

Kambiz Kamiab told the Board that he had made an offer to buy Hangar B that was not accepted. He is no longer pursuing a purchase. Instead, he desires to lease land on the airport at spot D-4 and erect a hangar 35x85x12 feet that will have an interior wall and two doors so that it can house two airplanes. There was discussion regarding snow removal, whether enough space is available and whether a hangar of those dimensions will be able to handle the necessary shear loads in high winds. The consensus of the Board was that those questions can be answered during the land lease application and approval process and if the D-4 site is not satisfactory that another suitable site can be located. Pat Gardiner moved that the D-4 spot be reserved for Kambiz Kamiab subject to hangar design decisions. Rick Durden seconded the motion. It passed unanimously.

Hilt Hangar Update

Dave Parker reported that the hangar is nearly complete and that the jet will move in on Friday the sixth.

Grant Updates

The Scope of Work for stabilization of the slope that is eroding badly on the east side of the airport was returned by the FAA with comments. The revisions to the Scope of Work were then prepared by Trey Dail and Dave Parker and sent to the FAA. It is expected to be approved so that Trey Dail can prepare a fee proposal and work with a consultant for an IFE (Independent Fee Estimate) for the engineering work required. Time is of the essence because we are approaching an April 1 deadline for project bids. Trey Dail is continuing to work with the landowner to arrange for an easement to allow the physical slope stabilization work.

The tractor and attachments purchased with Idaho Initiative money are all expected to be delivered within the next week. Dave Parker is awaiting the final invoice—the amount will be within the Idaho grant money provided and the leftover money will be applied to building leantos on the Snow Removal Equipment building.

The SRE Lean-Tos are set to begin construction in early spring. They will be paid for with the left-over Idaho Initiative money and the $22,801.18 received from the U.S. Forest Service for use of the airport last summer.

Precision Helicopter Hangar Update

Nothing new since last month’s report.

Airport Manager Update

Dave Parker reported:

He had received a message from the FAA’s Helena Office that there had been a complaint made regarding a hangar sale on the airport. He is scheduled to talk with the FAA tomorrow to learn the details of the complaint.

The ongoing issue of the Fire Hall that is on airport property is being addressed by the County Attorney and the FAA with Dave Parker’s assistance. Options for getting the Fire Hall moved off of airport property are being discussed.

Trey Dail’s employer has been acquired by another engineering company—it will not change the work that Mr. Dail is doing on behalf of Boundary County and the airport. In addition, Dave Parker advised that the Gary Gates, the long-time FAA project engineer for projects involving Boundary County Airport will no longer be the project engineer. The FAA has hired an new person in the department and Gates’ Boundary County Airport work will be passed to the new
hire.

The amount received from the Forest Service for airport use last summer was revised upward— the County is receiving $28,801.08—which will go toward the construction of the lean-tos on the SRE building this spring.

There was an extensive discussion of Idaho law regarding whether the Airport Board can go into executive session regarding the recommendation of an individual to fill an open Board position. While it can be regarded a personnel or staffing matter, the results of conversations with the County Attorney and a review of the precise language of the statute indicates that going into executive session for that purpose may not be appropriate. Accordingly, going forward, the Board will not go into executive session when considering new Board members.

During December an underground water line in front of the terminal fractured, flooding the area. Repairs cost $788.63. Dave Parker reported that several thousand gallons of water flowed through the break, causing the most recent water bill to exceed the annual budget for water use. He also reported that the water supplier has a fund for reimbursement of users for such situations and he is writing a letter to apply for relief.

New Business

Hangar Use Rules Question

Dave Parker reported that an aircraft owner based in another state but with family here inquired about building a hangar that would house the owner’s airplane when visiting family and would house a truck and travel trailer the remainder of the year. Board members expressed discomfort with the concept. However, the Hangar Use Rules as written require a hangar owner under such conditions to have the airplane in the hangar only a minimum of one week per year. Board members expressed surprise and concern regarding that number and whether it was a typo. Accordingly, the Board will be reviewing that section of the Hangar Use Rules at the next meeting.

Potential New Airport Board Member

There were two applicants for the single vacancy on the Airport Advisory Board, Travis Wisberg and Scott Hittle. Both had provided resumes to the Board. During discussion Mr. Wisberg said that he probably would be unable to attend as many Board meetings during the year as Mr. Hittle and withdrew his name from consideration.

Pat Gardiner moved that the Airport Advisory Board recommend to the County Commission that it fill the vacancy on the Board by appointing Scott Hittle. Bob Blanford seconded the motion. It passed on a 3-1 vote.

Presentation to New County Commission

Pat Gardiner pointed out that Dave Parker had made presentations regarding the workings of the Airport, the laws and regulations regarding the airport and its relationship to the community to previous County Commissions. He recommended that Mr. Parker ask for time on the Commission agenda soon and prepare another educational presentation. This required no motion. Dave Parker will work with Part Gardiner and Rick Durden to put together a presentation and arrange for time with the Commission as soon as possible.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 pm.