Alva Review-Courier -

A move to limit the airport manager’s spending authority sparked discussion and a split vote at Monday’s Alva Airport Commission meeting. Oddly instead of stating his proposal out loud, Commissioner Terry Turner passed around papers to other members with his suggested wording of the motion.

The Alva City Council recently amended the spending limits for department heads to $10,000, down $5,000 from the previous limit of $15,000. Expenditures above the limit must be approved by the city council or the city manager whose limit is $25,000. The airport manager was considered a department head thus setting his limit at $10,000.

However, Turner considered this far too high and wished to reduce the limit to $1,000. Any expenditure above that would have to be approved by the airport commission.

Commission Chairman Cory Washburn said he thought that was too low. He said if the tires on the fuel truck needed to be replaced, that would cost over $1,000. If the fuel truck were inoperable, pilots would have to taxi planes to the fixed refueling area. He suggested a $2,000 limit.

Turner said with only five members, the commission could easily call an emergency or special meeting to address a spending issue. Mayor Kelly Parker, a member of the airport commission, reminded him that 48 hours of notice is still required for special meetings. While an emergency meeting does not necessarily require that much notice, Parker said he didn’t see most spending issues as qualifying for an emergency.

Turner challenged the other members to suggest examples of problems that might need a higher limit. He said possibly having a plane stalled on the runway might qualify, but Dale Logsdon said Federal Aviation Authority rules state it’s the responsibility of the pilot to remove the plane. The airport should not incur any expense. The only other commission member, Paul Kinzie, was absent.

Discussion continued with Parker stating strong opposition to the idea. Turner then read off his motion, and Logsdon seconded it. The motion was that all expenditures per occurrence be limited to $1,000 unless approved by the airport commission, excluding salaries, utilities, insurance and aviation fuel. The motion passed with Turner, Logsdon and Washburn voting in favor. Parker voted no.

Access Road, Lighting

Two agenda items on construction of an access road and outside lighting for the new T-hangar were both tabled. Turner proposed an access road from the highway to the hangar while others thought it would be better to come off the existing access road to Plane Plastics. It became obvious that more information was needed so the item was tabled. Airport Manager Greg Murray was asked to discuss the access road with Benny Perks, city street supervisor.

The access road matter sparked discussion about controlling vehicle traffic on the airport. Concern was expressed about non-pilots and those unfamiliar with the airport straying onto taxiways. Murray was asked to investigate signage.

Again, the outdoor lighting question required more information on costs, possible placement and type of lighting. Murray was asked to check options with Northwest Electric who did the interior wiring on the T-hangar building.

Other Hangar Matters

Phil Prigmore was present to explain how he wished to modify the new hangar he is leasing at the airport. He said he wished to paint the floor with white epoxy to make the interior brighter. He also wants to install electrical outlets in addition to the two already provided. Prigmore assured the board he would use a license electrician to make sure the work was up to code. The commission approved the specified modifications.

Max McDermott arrived a little late for the meeting but before his agenda item. He requested that the board waive the 30 day time limit for obtaining an aircraft for his leased hangar. He was unsure when he would make the purchase, saying it could be six months or a year. Logsdon made a motion to extend the time to six months, and the motion passed by unanimous vote.

Damage to Crop

Plans for an east-west turf runway at the airport will damage an area now under an agriculture lease. City Manager Joe Don Dunham met with HE Land and Cattle Company and came up with a figure of $3,930 as a settlement of damages and returned rent. However, the company said if the construction could be put off a couple of weeks, the crop will be ready for harvest and the airport can avoid this expenditure.

Commission members decided it would be worth the wait. They voted to delay the project until after the crop is harvested.

Manager’s Report

Fuel sales were a little better than average in April, according to Murray, who provided a fuel report. The airport sold 2,659 gallons of 100LL fuel and 1912 gallons of Jet A for a total of $15,039.82 in fuel sales. In March the total was $13,483.86. Murray said fuel sales seem to be picking up for May judging by the quantity already sold.

Northwest Electric has finished wiring the individual hangars in the new building. FulFab has yet to return to complete the punch list on the new T-hangar building. The company indicated it would be at least another week before they could make it to Alva.

Murray said he had reached agreements with three individuals who wish to locate in the new T-hangar building. One has signed a lease. He is waiting for signatures and payments on the other two. He is also waiting for a response from a fourth person who is interested.

Murray discussed some maintenance issues at the airport. He tried to get the sprinkler system going for the season, but some heads are leaking and the automatic timer does not shut off the system. He called Cooper Landscaping, the company that installed the system, to come and troubleshoot the problems. When asked if the system had been winterized last fall, Murray said that Cooper did it.

Murray reported the ramp for the 100LL truck has been crafted, and he is getting things reorganized on it.

He and the other airport employee have been spraying ground sterilant on the weeds in cracks. They are also spraying Round-Up where possible.