02-14-2005 APM+HUTCHINSON AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION
February 14, 2005
5:30 p.m.
Airport Arrival /Departure Building
Minutes
Members present: Chuck Brill (Acting Chair), Doug McGraw, Doug Kephart, Jeff Lux
Members absent: Dave Skaar
Others Present: John Olson, City of Hutchinson; Tom Parker, Hutchinson Aviation;
Others present: Lyle Kratzke, John Denis and Mark Pursell of TKDA Engineering; Joe
Dooley, Hangar Tenant; Tim Miller, Hangar Tenant
Meeting called to order at 5:27 p.m. There was a quorum of members present.
1. Update 2005 Capital Improvement Program
TKDA staff made a presentation regarding the proposed 2005 Capital Improvement Plan.
Electrical System Components:
New primaly power — New primary power will be brought into the Electrical Distribution Building (EDB) from the
north end of the airport property near the existing Car Shoppe. Power will be supplied to the terminal, airfield, CAP
building, and Parker's home from the EDB. Existing McLeod Power will be retained for the hangar buildings and
for the entrance streetlight.
T- Hangar LiLhting — New lighting will be installed on the ends of the oldest enclosed hangar and the open hangar to
light the apron installed in 2004.
EDB Modifications — Minor modifications will be required in the EDB to accommodate various electrical
component upgrades. A new l OKW regulator will be installed. The existing, used 7.5KW regulator installed in
2003 is undersized for the airfield, and has experienced some maintenance issues. The existing location of the
airfield safety cutout will be modified to allow staff to access the panel without climbing onto or over the regulator.
New REIL's and Dedicated REIL's Circuit — Past experience with the REIL's has proven it would be better for them
to be on their own circuit so they do not affect runway edge lighting. Existing REIL units will be replaced and
wiring will be placed so REIL's can be on a dedicated circuit. If there are problems with the REIL's after this
installation, those problems will not affect runway edge lighting.
Apron Pavement Components:
Hard Stand — A concrete hard stand of 40' x 150' will be installed on the row of tie -downs closest to the terminal to
accommodate heavy aircraft. Experience has shown on separate occasions that heavy aircraft break through the
asphalt apron during period of warm weather. Placing a concrete hard stand will eliminate heavy aircraft from
breaking through the apron and getting stuck.
Heli ad — A concrete helipad will be placed in the area of the apron. The air ambulance service proposing a base in
Hutchinson will be consulted as to the size and placement required for their operations, unless their operations
would involve using the helipad nearly exclusively. If they intend to use a helipad exclusively, they would be
required to construct their own and the airport would install a helipad north of the existing tie- downs. Commission
members discussed heliports versus helipads. Commissioners agreed that it did not seem necessary to establish a
heliport at Hutchinson. A helipad would be adequate for activity at the airport.
Wash Pad — A concrete wash pad will be installed on the east side of the apron, south of the existing maintenance
hangar /terminal. Storm water will be directed underground to the curb line on the east side of the maintenance
hangar /terminal. Wash water will be directed underground to the collection system serving the maintenance hangar.
The wash pad will line up with the footprint of the proposed building located south of the maintenance
hangar /terminal.
JetA Fuel:
JetA Fuel Tank — A 10,000 gallon JetA fuel tank will be installed just east of the existing Avgas tank.
Fueling Appurtenances — Pumps, card readers, dispensers and hoses will be replaced with systems that support two
fuel types. Each tank will have appropriate hose reels installed.
Ditch Cleaning:
The ditch on the west property line of the airport will be cleaned. It is currently overgrown with trees and shrubs to
the point that drainage may be impeded. Portions of the ditch were last cleaned in 1994.
Funding:
Engineers' estimates of the project cost are $280,000. All elements are eligible for 95% federal funding, which
places the City's cost for the project at $14,000.
Federal funds are available in the following amounts: 2003 - $66,833; 2004 - $150,000; 2005 - $150,000.
2005 Funds have not been appropriated, but are expected to be approved by Congress in April 2005. No work will
be authorized until funding is secured, but plans and specifications for the project will be prepared in anticipation of
authorization in April 2005.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program:
Because the estimated project costs are in excess of $250,000, the Hutchinson City Council will be required to adopt
a DBE policy, name a liaison officer, and establish goals for the project. Current goals are estimated at 1.2% of the
estimated project.
2. Approve Minutes of December 14, 2004 meeting
Motion made by McGraw, second by Lux to approve December 14, 2004 minutes. Unanimous approval.
3. Consideration of Applications for Private Hangar Construction — Mr. Joe Dooley & Mr. Tim Miller
Review application for construction of private hangar by Mr. Joe Dooley:
Motion made by McGraw, second by Kephart to allow Dooley, the first party to apply for permits, to have
preference of placement of a private general- aviation hangar in the area designated for general- aviation hangars.
Discussion surrounded the fact that Mr. Miller had approached the Commission in July for consideration of the first
lot.
Vote was not unanimous. Brill, acting chair, called for roll. Brill — Aye; Kephart — Aye; Lux — Nay; McGraw
Aye. Motion passed.
Review application for construction of private hangar by Mr. Tim Miller:
Motion made by Lux, second by McGraw to allow Miller, the second party to apply for permits to have preference
of placement of a private general- aviation hangar in the area designated for general- aviation hangars after Dooley.
Unanimous approval.
Olson updated Airport Commissioners regarding status of RAM Builders, Winsted for construction of private
hangar. No application is pending for construction of a hangar by RAM Builders.
4. Request from Life Link III, Mobile Intensive Care Services
Olson presented a proposal by Andrew Kirchoff, RN, CEO of Life Link III, Mobile Intensive Care Services to base
an air ambulance helicopter and related office space at Hutchinson Municipal Airport.
Their request to place temporary office structure on the airport until private hangar can be constructed, which will be
part of the conditional use permit considered by the Planning Commission on February 15, 2005, was reviewed.
The conditional use permit is expected to the in force for 18 months, allowing Life Link III the time necessary to
prepare for construction of appropriate facilities.
Commissioners expressed their support for bringing this important service to Hutchinson.
The temporary location is planned for the area between the EDB and the Civil Air Patrol building. This will allow
for temporary access to utilities, including water, sewer, telephone and electricity.
Motion made by McGraw, second by Kephart to approve the request for Life Link III to place a temporary office
structure at the airport for a period of 18 months, upon receipt of a conditional use permit. Unanimous approval.
Commissioners and attendees had general discussion regarding this opportunity for development at the airport and
the benefits to the community. Commissioners directed Olson to contact Mr. Kirchoff regarding several operational
issues, including use and location of the helipad, traffic patterns for ambulance traffic, and methods of operation
during emergency flights. Olson will prepare a memorandum to Commission members.
5. Operational Issues
Parker reported the floodlight at the fuel pad was out. This will be reported to maintenance staff.
6. Other Discussions
Lux requested information regarding the succession of available hangar space if Dooley constructs a private general -
aviation hangar.
Commissioners requested City staff update the current hangar waiting list by contacting those on the list. If
individuals desire their name be removed from the list, the City will refund their $50 deposit.
Copies of the existing Airport Hangar policy will be forwarded to Commission members. Succession for hangar
space that could potentially open up as a result of constructing private hangars will provide opportunity for several
movements. Commissioners expressed desire to have orderly movement between hangars and allowing access to
unoccupied hangars in an orderly fashion.
Discussion was held regarding occupation of the largest hangars in the newest enclosed hangars. Precedence was
set when these hangars were originally occupied. To gain access to the largest enclosed hangars, aircraft owners
either had to have a large aircraft that could not fit in other City -owned hangars, or had to give up two occupied
hangars for the one large hangar. Commissioners reviewed the existing hangar waiting list. The only parties that
currently have two hangars and would be eligible to consolidate two hangars and move into the large enclosed
hangar would be Mr. Parker and Mr. Miller. Mr. Parker, who currently occupies one large enclosed hangar,
indicated that he did not want to move into the other large hangar,
At 7:20, a motion to adjourn was made by Lux, second by Kephart. Unanimous approval.
NEXT MEETING: Tentatively scheduled for April 12, 2005, upon return of Dave Skaar, Chair. Meeting
will focus on hangar policies and potential movements between hangars resulting from
private hangar development.