The International Falls-Koochiching County Airport Commission met Wednesday to discuss a temporary runway repair and future construction projects.
Benita Crow, an aviation project manager with the airport’s engineering firm, Short Elliott Hendrickson of St. Paul, spoke via conference call with the commission to update them on work to repair a depression, or “dip,” which began forming last fall under the Runway 13/31 extension and parallel taxiway. The goal is to make a temporary fix to avoid shutting the runway down for an extended time during the busy summer months.
Crow said that contractors Wagner Construction and Bowman Construction have agreed to inspect the dip and perform an overnight, temporary fix with bituminous fill and complete the project by 7 a.m. The contractor would also use a mini camera to inspect an underground culvert and drainage pipe in the area of the compaction and determine if the bigger repair project is necessary.
Thor Einarson, airport manager, said he suspects the dip is worsening. He attributes growth of the dip to a rainy spring and called the temporary repair a “band-aid.” He said the major repair would happen this fall when air traffic is lower and the runway could closed for several days without much impact to business.
Einarson said that as soon as the schedule is finalized, then the major airlines should be notified to avoid the chance of having to reroute incoming flights to other airports and having people bussed here.
“We need prior notification or we risk canceling flights in flight,” he added.
In the secretary’s report, Susan Baratono said that meetings for improvements on the terminal parking lot and road have been discussed with Wagner Construction and Bowman Construction, and that work is set to begin on Aug. 1.
The commission approved funding for the projects, with some contingent on finalization of grant requests to be signed at a later date.
Baratono said that the airplane taxi lane project ran into a federal grant funding snag after the FAA reviewed the proposed 35-foot width. The FAA will fund a 20-foot width and Baratono said it will allow for a “special condition” letter to justify the additional 15 feet. She noted that feedback on the justification is positive, based on the types of aircraft that would use the lane and ease of snow removal.
Einarson credited Mark Meister, an engineer with Bartlett & Associates, with helping to get things moving with the taxi lane.
Baratono updated the commission on the plan to purchase property adjacent to the airport road entrance that once belonged to the Joe Early, who has since died, and currently to his sister Barb Johnson. Johnson said the purchase would require a survey by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. It would be included in the updated airport layout plan to ensure proper long term zoning for existing or future conditions. It would also keep the airport eligible for federal and state apportionment funds.
There would also need to be an appraisal before the airport could negotiate a sale with the owner, Baratono added.
The commission agreed to secure the services of an attorney and appraiser to prepare for the purchase of the property in the coming months. Baratono said she is also working to obtain city and county funds for up front costs until loan reimbursement funds come through.
Baratono said that although the grant request for a lawn mower did not get into the state request in time, she was able to include the amount in the final budget request. She said that if it doesn’t go through, then the mower and additional pressure washer request would be moved to fiscal 2009.
The commission approved a motion to apply for additional reimbursement payments from the Transportation Security Administration. The money would be used to fill gaps in funding a security officer position.
In his commission chairman report, Bob Anderson offered an overview of his “talking points” meeting with U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar and other Local Airline Service Action Committee representatives June 25.
Oberstar shared the commissioner’s disappointment in the state Legislature taking funds from the LASAC fund that is made up from fee’s, interest and securities that are distributed to LASAC airports for construction, improvements and operations.
Oberstar reportedly called on the governor to return the funds to be used for expressed purposes. Anderson said that options are being explored to borrow from the state’s rainy day fund.
Anderson expressed concern for a new LASAC air service vision that does not include commercial airline service to smaller communities.
“I would like to have that discussion and it will come to LASAC members to decide,” said Anderson.
Einarson agreed, adding that to start a small, regional carrier in this market would be cumbersome and a take a lot of time to accomplish.
Because of the extended time needed for discussion, some of the agenda items were moved to a special meeting at 8 a.m. July 2.