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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAirsports SkydivingOctober 19,2003 ~IL~oct ~ [~2 3 ~ 2003 ~ CITY OF L UREL ~. Bud Jo~on ~yor of La.al P.O. Box 10 La.al, ~ 59044 Dear Mr. Johnson: Airsports Skydiving has been in operation at Laurel Airport for sixteen years. Skydiving has been allowed at Laurel Airport since 1983. During this time, our operation has never had a aviation safety issue. On September 6, 2003 John Smith told us we no longer had permission to conduct parachute operations at Laurel Airport. Federal Aviation Regulation 105.23b states, "Prior approval must be obtained by the management of the airport to conduct parachute operations over or on that airport,." We obtained and reviewed copies of all available records of the Airport Authority's monthly meetings. March and June of 2003 were not available We found no indication in these minutes that this decision had been presented to or voted on by the elected Airport Management. I am sure you are aware that this consists cfa five member board. We have enclosed the documents for your review. Safety concerns were presented as the major consideration in the repeal of our long standing access to the airport. The minutes of February 2003 state, "The F.A.A. considers skydiving into Airport property a hazardous operation and it must stop until specific criteria including insurance are met." To my knowledge, no survey was conducted by the F.A.A. Therefore, the F.A.A. cannot conclude that a parachuting operation at Laurel is hazardous. During the mentioned safety meeting, Roy Speeg, Director of Flight Operations at Rocky Mountain College was the first to stand and speak in the defense of our operation. Many other attending pilots expressed opposition and contention with the presentation of the alleged parachuting safely issues. Insurance was not mentioned. I believe the issue is not one of safety, but hidden agendas. As no record of an Airport Board Authority vote presently exists, it would appear John Smith acted outside his authority. Should they suddenly manifest themselves, the credibility of March and June 2003 minutes of the meeting are lost. It would also appear that the F.A.A. advisor has been bias in the support of John Smith and associates. The decision to ban our operation has cost our operation thousands of dollars. The City of Laurel has lost the patronage of parachutists that visited Laurel for recreational purposes. I respectfully request that action be taken immediately to rectify this situation. Sincerely, David Donovan Airsports, Inc. LAUREI. AIRPORT AUTHORITY January 22,2003 Meeting called yo order at 1905 by Chairman John Smith. Members present;Br~anan, Z abra, androgens. Guests present, F elke, Reddind, P.fieffie,Canfield. Minutes of the Oct.2002 meeting were approved as read. Bills wer~ presented and approved. ..... Jolm reported he had.gon~ to_ -ameoting of-t~ Aer~mm~fio~e. tt~ard to apply far g gr_a. nt and loar~We were turned down. Our local member of the board was absent. We billed Metz $1,350 for lease tr'~sfer to R.M.C. g_~L'~ ~rants ua to 'gay.. for their_dralnileld reptacement~The_drainfield was improperly · . /nstalled zr ~."' years agoby then owner.Mike Vissersnd ~a,~bar01y adequate for use by one (Ir t~a~.pt~Ollim_sc '-,hlffi R.htLC ~igka'school.rnovex:[ill.it. was immediately · overloadad. Motion maae ~. j-?'q Randy bill ttm. pr~Jious owner, Will Metz, and we will proceed from there.. We will advertise forbids on an audit. Craig_Cnfielcloflmerstate EnginemSng.regortec[ ttm.lmhas, submitted the final report on d~ed:.pr0jects to the F A.A..H~ is still x~orldng.onAirpor~ la, out plan update and ~2 ,(**,* ~ ' . flnlqhin~.0o~iI~n vmrk_on .aur. next.pra~cCa'.'jag, handle" on 22,taxiway signs on 4,and a 'F~,,~'~ ( .culveaX.oa west end..W'_dlalso_in~lude nm~ sno~o~plow on grant appllcation~ Need to fix "birdbath"on taxiway and by Northern Skies hangar. Qualifications for consulting engineering services.to be published. P,.~re~entativa. ikom John D.e~mpresented us with information on using a front end loader £or snow removal. Could.have up.to 18, blade.for snow..plowing plus blade can be quicklg be replaced .with loader bucket wtfich would make it a very versatile unit. Craig will prepare specs for publication for bid. Meeting adjourned at 2020. LAURF. L A.I~,PORT AUTHORITY February 25,2003 Meeting called to order at ~900 by Chairman John Smith. Members present were;Bob Wiens,Roy Zabm, and Bill Brennsn~ Guests present were Craig Cactrfield,Randy Pfieffie,etal. Nfmtes of the January meeting were approved as read. Bills were presenl~t and approved. , As there were.no other bids We will retain haterstate Engineering as our co~ksult/ng engineers of record. A safety meeting was held by the F.A,A. e,:zfier thi~.month at Northern Skies. They proposed a new 'hfltra lite"pattero_ The F.A.A.considers skydi~g 'znm Airport property a hazardous operation and it must stop until specific cffte:'i~ m clnding insurance are met. Craig Canfield reported that.bypa~ taxiway (jag handle)projeet has been submitted to the i,.A,A, for approval.We should be able to advertise for bids in March or April. He is also preparing specifications for bid on a new snowplow. Discussed possible fixture development of Runway 34/14,I1 needs to be 4,200 feet long w/th ~r maxirrn~m grade of2.2%.The trill north ofthe Airport may be'consider, ectaa , obstruction. M~g adjoumea at 1945. LAUREL AlltPORT AUTHORITY April 23,2003 Meeting called to order at 1900 by Chairman John Smith. Members present wereBeb W-estem and Bill Brennan. Minutes of the previous meeting were approved as read. Bills were presented and approved. Discussed F.A.A.'s opinion of slcydivers operating on the Laurel Airport. We are not covered by our liability insurance, for this,at this time. Appropriate insurance_w~_'~ cgst us approximately $800 more a year~ The F.A.A. gave us an additional $7,966 to cover expenses. Specifications for the snowplow/loader are available for bidders. Rocky Mountain College Flight School aired some complaints. They assumed that we had notified the County Assessor so they would raise their taxes. We did not. · They blamed us for the failure of the septic system on the building that they lease from: . :. Will Metz::This system was installed many years ago and was comparable to that suited for a single bedroom home and of course is inadequate for the purpose now in use:We . .: : · agreed to pay one third of the $2,700 cost-of replacing the dra{ntleld I~M.C: and Metz are ' : ~ : . responsible for the balance. It was moved and passed to pay the $1,700 legal fees billed to them for their sublease. Discussed the cost of fire protection from the Laurel "Volunteer" Fire Dep~t.:The price went from $934.52 to $2,434.52.Lenseholders may meet with Fire committee to protest or discuss this prim raise next week. · It was reported that the sky divers are not contributing to the upkeep of the pilots lounge or keeping it clean although they monopoliz~ it nearly every weekend. Meeting edjoumed at 2005. Secretary. LAURel. AII~ORT ALYrI-IO~TY May 26,2003 Meeting called to order at 1900 by Chairman John Smith. Members present were;Bin Brerman, Bob Western, and Bob Wlens Minutes of the previous meeting were approved as read. Bills were presented and approved. We discussed our futile meeting with the Fire Dep't. to negotiate an equitable rate. · - NeW budget is Coming up:W~-~ow have t6 budget for future maintainence and ?e4p~i?~-. ~- - Moved by Western, seconded bY Brennan to have J.T.L.put a double shot chipseai on the acess road fi.om the gate to the east end.[$6,250.].and to spend up to $5,000 to repair and chipseaI road fi.om gate to county road. Passed Koy Williams, an intemet provider, wants to put an antenna on our beacon tower. We will check into th~ legality and also what we would charge him. Someone is driving in the mud and then onto the taxiways leaving mud'and gravel on the taxiways. Craig Ckuffeld discussed' future projects. These [nclude new taxiway paralelling runway4/22,new tax/way for runway t4/32, etc. The F.A.A. is a little short on funds fight now so some of these projects may be delayed. We probably will gets 150,000 to purchase a new mowplow. . ' ' We had a long discussion concerning options we want on the plow. Plastic blade,wing plow, sweeper option,otc.We will submit our preferences for bidding. We will bid for a new gate at Weber's Machine Shop. We need t budget $2,000 per year for runway and taxiway repair and mainminence. Meeting adjourned at 2020. Secretary LAUREL AIRPORT AUTHORITY July 22,2003 Meeting called to order at 1900 by Chairman John Smith. Members present were Bob Wiens and BillBrennan Guests presentb were Bob Kedding. Dick Clayton,Randy Pfieffel, and Craig Canfield. Minutes of the June meeting were approved with one correction, runway repair will be $7,000.00. No bills were availabte, t_~) be presented We have paid an extra $675.00 for liability insurance to cover ourselves fo skydiving. Donavan said he will reimburse us. The F.A.A. wants to observe and inspect. the skydiving and will no doubt make "suggestions". R.M.C. wants tm to limit vehicle traffic in front of their hangars.We will put a portable sign in the taxiway. We still need to erect our hullotin board. Craig Csnfi~Id reported that the snoxvplow is out £or bid. We will open the bids at 1900 next Tuesday. Projects are now o/ficiatly "closed out". Gate repair at Weber's ,still pending. Tumble weeds have been sprayed and hopefully they will die. M~eting adjourned at 2020. Bill Brennan Secretary LAUREL AIP,~ORT AUTHORITY August 26, 2003 The meeting was called to order by chairman John Smith at 7:00 p.m. Merabers present were Bob Weims and Roy Zahm. Guests were Bob Redding and Craig Canfield. No bills were presented. Resolution: 08-26~03 #1 Cash for Airport maintenance to be budgeted every. September, motion made byBob Weims? s??nded_b.y Roy Zahm. Resolution: 08-26-03 #2 To accept the grant bom the FAA,. motion made by Bob We/ms ,seconded by Roy Zahm. Resolution: 08-26-03 #3 To purchase John Deem 544 loader & snow plow, motion by Bob Weims, seconded by Roy Zahm. Sk-y divers activities were discussed. Dave Donovan agreed to pay one half.. Directors mid office~ insurance was discussed. Hanger owners and users driving in fi'ont of the Rocky Mt. Hanger was discussed. Explore the possibility of a larger apron for Rock3,. Accountant candidates were discussed, motion was made to appoint Steve Kosher as pay roll clerk by Bob We/ms, seconded by John Sm/th. Meeting was adjmumed at 7:45 p.m. Sub. Sec. Roy Zal~n