HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-08-28city council minutesBoole 26 Page 161
SPECIAL MEETING
August 28, 1985
7:30 p.m.
The Meeting was called to order by the Acting Mayor Mallea.
The Acting Mayor requested that everyone stand and give the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The Acting Mayor asked for a roll call vote: Those present:
Norman, Marcus, Cowles, Raymond, and Norman. Absent: Carter.
The Acting Mayor also acknowledged the City Clerk; The City
Engineer; Mr. Steve Hosac, Consulting Engineer from Hosac
Engineering; Mr. Bill Statham, from Hosac Engineering. She also
stated that the Mayor was out of town necessitating that she
conduct the meeting tonight. Also explained was the sign up sheet
that was being passed around to those present. It was necessary
to sign this sheet if they intended to speak. when their name
was called, they do riot have to speak, but cannot speak to the
hearing if they have riot signed.
(PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT)
The Acting Mayor declared the Public Hearing open and further
commented that the purpose of the hearing was to consider the
economic, social, and environmental effects of the airport
location and its consistency with the goals and objectives of
such urban planning as has been carried out for this area. This
purpose was included in the notice of public hearing that was
published in the Press Tribune.
The City Council then determined that they would wait until after
the initial presentation was made by Hosac Engineering before
setting the time limit for those speaking. The Acting Mayor then
recognized Mr. Steve Hosac of Hosac Engineering, the firm that
was the consulting engineer for the Airport.
Mr. Steve Hosac - I am President of Hosac Engineering located in
Meridian, Idaho. My firm was retained approximately nine months
ago to conduct an update of the Master Plan Study for the
Caldwell Industrial Airport. The Study which we undertook was
best described as a two phase study. One part of the study
involved the preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the
Airport. The second part of the study, and the major work
element involved in the overall project, involved the preparation
of an Airport Master Plan. Tonight we will be discussing
primarily the environmental aspects of the project. As a result
of working the last nine months on both the Environmental
Assessment and the Master Plan, we have arrived at a series of
recommendations for future improvements at the Airport. The
primary purpose of doing a Master Plan Study is to provide what
you might call a blueprint of future needed improvements at the
Airport. Nothing is static in a community; roads need to be
built, widened or improved; and an airport is no different than
any other asset in a community. As aircraft are improved and
upgraded and the facility becomes antiquated, they need to be
improved. The primary reason for doing a Master Plan and the
associated Environment Assessment is simply to provide a plan
that can be followed as these improvements are needed.
Improvements become needed due to such factors as safety,
additional or better facilities for newer and modern aircraft
using the facility. We have some plans that we want to show you
tonight which are displayed next to the wall on the bulletin
boards. Bill Statham, from my office, will give a brief overview
of the process we have gone through. After his presentation, I
will go through and make a few comments with regard to the plans.
The testimony received this evening is being recorded and will be
transcribed and a transcript of the hearing tonight will be made
a part of the final Environmental document. There will be a ten
day time period following this hearing that written comments will
be received. These will also be made a part of the final
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document. We are here primarily tonight to hear your comments.
The preliminary environmental assessment document, for which we
are holding this hearing, has been available here at the City
Offices and also in the Library for the last thirty days for
review.
Bill Statham - I would like to take a few minutes to discuss the
planning process for an airport. The plans in front of you are
the culmination of a great many steps and planning efforts. One
of the key and most important features of the planning efforts is
the coordination we have with the City. There is a specific
Master Plan Advisory Sub- Committee, which is a part of the
Airport Commission. We have been in very close contact with
those folks to maintain constant communication. The very first
step is the information stage where information is gathered on
the geography, climate, wind data, the existing conditions at the
airport, the land use and zoning. This gives us a base of data
upon which we can see how the airport has grown and where it is
today. From this inventory, the next step is to prepare an
aviation demand forecast. Aviation demand forecast are projected
figures of the number of aircraft, the number of aircraft taking
off and landing, and aircraft mix„ These forecasts form the
basis for all of the study. The next step is called capacity and
delay which is a planning process whereby you determine from your
forecast what size of facility is needed. This will insure that
there will not be a problem with long delays for planes taking
off. From those two aspects, the forecast and capacity and delay
calculations, we go into the next step which is facility
requirements. This step helps us to develop on the initial
stages the kinds of plans you see displayed. It gives us the
information related to the runway. The next two segments of the
Master Planning efforts are called the site selection and the
environmental assessment. That is what we are here to get
testimony on tonight. Site selection is a process whereby you
decide if you need to do something and if so, can it be done on
the exiting facility or is a new facility needed. We took a
close look at four alternatives; the first was to do nothing.
The second was to increase the current runway in width and
length; the third was to build a transport class runway; and the
fourth was to construct a new transport runway. As you can see,
the fourth alternative was selected.
The Environmental Assessment is a document put together to gather
comments from professional and public communities in order to
make sure that any developments at an airport are consistent with
the environment. The document describes the environment and also
includes a number of letters received and comments from
professionals in the area.
Upon the completion of the environmental and pulling all of the
information together, we prepared preliminary airport plans. The
first was an airport layout plan, which was the conceptional
drawing of what we recommend based upon forecast, the capacity
and delay calculations, and the facility requirements. The next
plan is called the approach and clear zone plan which is a plan
based on Federal Aviation Regulations regarding imaginary
surfaces on arid around an airport. The third plan is the noise
and land use plan. Aircraft make noise which is a concern which
is not only acknowledged, but is something that we have spent a
good of time and money studying. The third plan is the noise
contours as they exist today and as they are projected to exist
in the year 2005. The use of noise contours is a concept which
assists the airport owners and local jurisdictions in setting up
land use arid zoning in order to protect riot only the air traffic,
but also the people living around the airport. The last plan is
the property acquisition plan which is for the full twenty year
planning horizon based solely on recommendations from F.A.A.
guidance.
Once these plans have been prepared and reviewed, then we develop
a schedule of the airport improvements which are tentatively
shown on the airport layout plan in the different colors. The
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final aspect of the Plan is a financial study in which we
determine if the airport is financial feasible to construct over
a twenty year period and if it is we make recommendations as to
where the money could be secured and used to best accomplish this
type of development. Also, when necessary we make recommendations
regarding the management and operation of the Airport. The
Caldwell Industrial Airport is a very well managed facility and
it has been a real pleasure to work with all aspects of it. I
will now turn the discussion back to Mr. Hosac.
Steve Hosac - At this time, I will go through the plans and point
out on the displayed maps the existing facilities and all of the
proposed future improvements and additions. (At this time, Mr.
Hosac went over the maps for the benefit of the public.)
The Acting Mayor Mallea read over the rules that must be followed
during a public hearing and explained that these regulations were
established by State Law. She then asked the Council to set a
time limit for those speaking.
MOVED by Cowles, SECONDED by Norman that a maximum of eight
minutes be allowed for each person speaking.
MOTION CARRIED
The Acting Mayor called on those who designated a desire to speak
as follows:
Lorraine Schimmels, 1807 South Montana - My reason for speaking
is that I feel very strongly that the Federal. Government should
not be asked for Federal funds to help communities, individuals,
no matter how worthy the cause. I noticed that what the Airport
seeks is two and a half million dollars to expand. I would like
to go back to ten years ago, and I realize that you members were
not on the Council at that time and I do riot know what was
responsible, but where was the Master Plan then? When Caldwell
built this Airport, Nampa built an airport - why couldn't a
Comprehensive Plan be initiated at that time so that the airports
could have been combined and easily have served both cities. In
the Cities of Seattle and Tacoma, both much larger than ours,
they have one airport. It just seems to make sense. I think
sometimes with people feeling that Federal funds are available,
it is like asking your Dad for money to buy a car. If you are
not doing it yourself, you would all want a Cadillac or Lincoln.
If we have to dig down in our pockets,, we become more realistic.
Just after the notice in the paper seeking these funds, there was
a letter from a Mr. Waite from Nampa saying that the Federal
Government must balance the budget as they have far exceeded
their receipts and we all are aware of it. Why ask them for
anything more. On August 8th, the newspaper mentioned a lot of
difficulties the farmers are having. Many things were mentioned
that were a direct result of Federal Government sharing funds and
actually hurting the economy. There was too much red ink for our
Government and I think each citizen should do what they can to
bring this amount down. It is difficult for our Legislatures to
turn down requests as they are depending on votes. I think we
could put Caldwell on the map by saying we would like the
airport, but are going to get by without it because we are not
going to ask Uncle Sam for any more money.
Audrey Farris, Floyd Farris, Ray Smith, and Jerry Aberasturi
either passed or asked to comment later in the hearing.
Camilo Lopez, 1721 Roosevelt - I have a number of concerns. Some
of the concerns expressed the day before in discussing the budget
apply today. If we are looking to expand the airport in the
future, then we have to look at the finances to see if can pay
for the services in the future. I have been attending a number
of census meetings and I am sad to say that Caldwell is still a
18,000 person City and by the year 1990, it is still going to be
close to 20,000 population. We are not predicted to grow that
much. The one percent initiative of 1978, the 50/50 two years
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ago are problems that concern us and the taxpayer is still. on
this course asking for some accountability, Will Caldwell with
that population predicted be able to support this project. If we
were talking about a park for the whole community or a golf
course, I have no problem. when dealing with an airport, I am
concerned. Caldwell is rapidly becoming a bedroom community to
Boise. If the Airport is going to serve those industries located
in Boise and become a bedroom airport to Boise's Airport, someone
will have to subsidize it and that will be the taxpayers. We
will not have that many taxpayers available.
Another concern is the inpact to the community with regard to the
noise level caused by the spray planes. The surrounding property
owners will be immediately effected. One comment was that twenty
years from now they will make money selling it to the City, but
will the City have the bundle of money to buy it with? we are --
projecting twenty years into the future to people who are there
right now. Restrictions will be imposed upon them right now so
there is some concerns. Are we looking at a status symbol or a
real need. Nampa is doing well with their airport and the wise
thing might be to let them continue. When they have financial
problems, we can sit back and pat ourselves on the back. I would
ask the City Council to look at this closely.
The Acting Mayor informed Mr. Lopez that no decision would be
made tonight as the meeting was only for public input. She then
asked Mr. Ilosac to answer some of the concerns that Mr. Lopez
stated.
Steve Hosac - The finaricing of the airport improvements are the
subject of the Master Plan which is not yet completed. Both Mrs.
Schimmels and Mr. Lopez commented as to the funding. The Federal
funds available for airport improvements are riot general taxpayer
funds and they do not in any way have anything to do with the
Federal deficit. The funds available for airport construction
come from users of the airport facilities. The funds come from a
tax on aviation fuel and air line tickets which go into a Federal
Trust Fund set aside for improvements to airport on a national
basis. Airports compete throughout the Nation for these funds
and they are not general taxpayer funds and riot contributing to
the deficit. The City would be matching with ten percent local
money and the F.A.A. from the Trust Funds will pay up to ninety
percent of the total cost.
Mr. Lopez commented about the flat growth in Caldwell and stated
that Caldwell could become a bedroom community to Boise. It is
assets such as a fine airport that can reverse that kind of
situation. Bedroom communities do not pay for themself very
well. Business, commercial and industrial growth is what will
broaden the tax base so the community can support itself and its
growth. If Caldwell is becoming a bedroom community, then a good
healthy airport that can promote industry coming in can be a
great asset in reversing the trend. Part of the study involves
looking very closely and in detail to the industrial aspects of
development around the airport.
With regard to Nampa providing the airport, Nampa is an active
and growing airport and the reason is that the community has been
very progressive about its growth. You cannot have the activity,
business or otherwise without a safe, modern facility.
Bob Nicholes, 1602 Idaho - You have to have an Airport before you
see what it really does. One of the disadvantages would be that
the ground out there would not be on the tax rolls, but it would
raise the value of property all around the airport that would
more than offset that. Some of the most valuable ground in the
Boise valley is the industrial and commercial property around the
Boise Airport so the tax roll does actually increase. An Airport
is sort of like a telephone - one phone is not worth very much.
Pverytime a new Airport is added with the right property and
safety, it makes every other airport within range of it more
valuable. We really don't have any choice whether we want to
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improve that airport because we do want to stay competetive. A
lot of booming areas in the United States are because of
Airports. This is a farming community and we need markets for
our farm produce, production, and :Livestock. One of the ways
that these come about is through aircraft by people traveling who
spend money, promote, and develop. 'The airport actually produces
tremendous income.
Mack Kreizenbeck - 916 Teton - Would like to delay.
Marty Koch, 1411 North Locust - I would like to state that Hosac
Engineering has done a super job with the work they have done in
compiling information. An airport does have a positive
atmosphere in the commmunity as there is a lot of activity at the
facility. There is records on file that if Caldwell does provide
a larger runway, there will be business attracted to the
community.
There needs to be a lot of maintenance done at the airport and at
some point it will have to be done. We can really help the
Community by continued development of the airport.
Wayne Pickerell - I represent the State Transportation
Department, Aviation Division, and would answer any questions if
necessary.
Larre Robertson, 105 Crestline - On August 2, 1985, an air
disaster killed 131 people at Dallas. On Aug 4, 1985, a crop
duster crashed into a field near the Mall. Just a few days ago a
creash in England killed over 50 people. On Aug 9, 1985, two
persons were killed in Oklahoma when an airplane crashed into a
home. This year alone 16 crashes and over 1,500 people have lost
their lives. These were scheduled air flights. There have been
over 100 people killed in chartered flights and countless others
have died in private crashes. Just a few years ago a scheduled
air flight crashed just after take off into a crowded residential
neighborhood and hundreds were killed. How can you as Mayor and
Council members bear the burden of even one death by whimsically
expanding the current runway ever dangerously closer to Canyon
Hill and residential subdivisions. This City Council recently
rebuked an office complex on Cleveland because neighbors
complained that it would reduce property values and cause noise
at inconvenient hours. I wonder what the end of a runway at your
back door would do to property values; not to mention noise. How
much noise can slamming of car doors make compared to roar of
airplane engines and helicopters ascend and descend over our
homes. I have read where this governing body says that a larger
airport will help in the growth of Caldwell by enticing new
industry into this area. I could not disagree more. Industry
brings people, but people must have a home in which to live. I
do not believe that industry will bring their people to Caldwell
if they know that aircraft will be flying dangerously close to
their homes. Caldwell has an enormous airport with modern, up to
date equipment which handles a huge amount of air traffic and
aircraft. It is called the Boise Airport. I doubt that industry
would turn their head to Caldwell as a viable location which such
a modern facility just twenty -five mi:Les away. The move from the
old airport was a mistake. The proposed expansion of the current
airport could be a deadly mistake and it is certainly a waste of
taxpayer's money. Two hundred thousand dollars has been placed
in the Airport Budget for expansion purposes. I can see a lot of
Departments in the City that could use this kind of money;
irrigation, Interstate Landscaping fund, streets and bridges, and
on and on. The Residential neighborhoods of Canyon Hill have
lived in serenity a good many years. Let not this governing body
ruin the lives of so many for the gains of so few.
Regina Broadbent, Route 3 - I live a little less than a mile from
the Airport right in the path. I speak for myself and my
neighbors. We are all ready for retirement and our homes are our
livelihood. This is what we have left and I am sure it puts us
all in the path of this. I appreciate Caldwell wanting a new
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airport and if it would make our property go up and give us
reasonable revenue for what we have, it would be nice. I depend
very much on what I have there in a home.
Roy Kapica - Chose to pass.
Fred Houston - Pass for now.
Dale Oellien, 1506 Sunset - There has been an airport in Caldwell
since 1920. I have had a home in the landing pattern of the old
airport since 1950. How we avoided a dangerous situation is
beyond me as many times planes have almost taken off our roof.
When I called to ask who it was, I was told that no landing fee
is paid so they ]gad no way of knowing who the person was flying
over my home. In talking to the former Mayor, he was not aware
whether a fee was charged or not, but found that none was charged
after calling the airport. According to the articles regarding
the budget, Caldwell is planning to spend two and a half million
more dollars this year. There is probably only about one hundred
people that use Caldwell's Airport. You tell me if those people
using the Airport would pay in many, many millions of dollars in
gas tax. It is not possible. The men failed to say that a lot
of -that money from gas tax is used to pay people who operate the
weather bureau which is necessary. Someone also has to pay the
F.A.A. costs so it is hardly possible for the gas tax to pay this
cost. I have lived here some time and I like our Parks and Golf
Course and I submit that before anyone plays golf, they pay their_
fee. The Golf Course is self- supporting or nearly so or at least
people have to pay to use it. Only about 100 people out of
13,000 will use the Airport. The industrial part of the Airport
is a very small thing; most are used for recreational purposes.
The person doing a great deal of crop dusting has his own landing
field. I don't need to remind you that you took up some of the
prime farm land of Idaho. There was scrub land that could just
as well been used for it. When you add all of these things up, I
think we should take a long look at any further expansion of the
airport.
Audrey Farris, Route 3, Box 363 - We live at the Northwest end of
the Airport and are in the twenty year episode of the situation,
When we purchased that land ten years ago, we were not aware of
the fact that it was to be involved with an Airport. I think it
all started about the same time. Consequently, we bought land
which we thought would finance our retirement. As it looks now,
we will dead and gone before this ever takes place. The City has
set its rules and regulations as far as zoning is concerned. The
last thing I have heard as to the height of any building that
would be allowed is about: ten feet. In 1979, the Council of
Caldwell passed that Light Industrial property could be used as a
Mobile Home Park. As it stands now, we are paying taxes on
property listed as 'Rural Residential and it is part of Park
Orchard Tracts which has been divided. The sections that we have
are of two five acre plots. Therefore, it was our feeling when
we bought it that those two plots could be divided and we could
have our money to retire on. It looks pretty bad right now as we
will have to listen to the noise caused by the crop dusters. The
crop duster has one way of doing it; if he is up, he wants
everyone else up too. There is another man that handles the same
aircraft that is not of this opinion. I could appreciate him if
necessary. If the expansion takes place, we will have to stay
there for the next twenty years. There is someone teaching
flying now and I don't what the rules are as far as taking off
and landing, but there must be a certain number. If they would
stick to the pattern, I would appreciate it. A lot of them
don't. I would like to know when the City, if it is the City, is
going to appraise the property involved. Is your intention that
we should sit there and have all the noise. The beacon at the
present time hits the bedroom window and less than half way up a
utility post. If you want more planes and you think it is going
to expand, I don't think we should be forced to live there. If
Book 26 Page 167
it is not going to expand, I would like the zoning to be changed
or if not changed, then allow us to do something with our
property.
Mr. Farris - Did not want to speak.
Jerry Aberasturi - Pass
Mack Kreizenbeck, 916 Teton - I am a pro advocate for the
expansion of this Airport and there is several reasons why.
Hardly a day goes by that an aircraft doesn't land here foreign
to this City to use the facility because they have business here.
Some of the people I have been in contact with are the Sanders
people from Utah, Ore -Ida, Les Schwab, May Trucking, Albertsons,
three of the five local banks, ConTel. These people are using
such aircraft that they need a larger airport in order to land
here all the time. They can't use our airport during the hot
summer months due to a need for a longer runway. I have heard
other corporations saying they would use our airport more if the
safety factor was there. Yes, Caldwell has been called a bedroom
city. I have been here for fifteen years and I think that
Caldwell has a lot to offer people and I think it is going to be
done through our airport. There is property around there that
can be developed to bring businesses in that are not necessarily
aircraft oriented. Seventy -five percent of aircraft based at the
airport now is used primarily for business by local people.
We took a trip to Scottsdale, Arizona a year ago to look at their
airport. This airport is one of four airports in that vicinity.
It is used mainly for business corporations and has come from a
small d'art field to a 75 foot runway which accommodates business
aircraft. Mr. Hosac did not make mention of the size of
aircraft. We are looking at transport runway, but are not
looking at a runway that would accommodate the big jets such as
the 727. We are looking at aircraft; twin engine or smaller jets
that would accommodate five to ten passengers or some for freight
transportation. Scottsdale is located right on the edge of the
City Limits with people living all around it. There is mainly
small jet aircraft that use the airport and business corporation
jets and the people do not have any problems with noise
pollution. They have a citizen's committee made up of all the
land owners living around there. They meet once a month and also
meet with the Airport Commission once a month. If there is any
problems, they take care of it and nip it in the bud. They do
have a definite plan for taking off and landing. I can identify
with the problem of the noise from the crop dusters. There is
another airport two miles on the other side of Canyon Hill and a
lot of the dusters come off that airport. The Ag people are
converting their planes to a less noisy aircraft as they can. It
is an expensive process, but do plan to make the change.
The Acting Mayor again called on three people who passed
previously, but they again stated that they did not care to speak
at this time.
Fred Houston, Route 3 - I am not a resident of the City of
Caldwell, but I do have property within the City Limits. I also
own farm property that is quite adjacent to the present airport;
in fact, across the road from it. I came as a concerned citizen
regarding this. I have been concerned for years about the
instrusion of commercial enterprises into farm property,
particularly prime agricultural land. I think it was a mistake
to move the airport where it is now for that reason. There was
certainly much less productive land that could have been used.
That is water under the bridge as the airport is there now. The
land that you need to acquire for the expansion is really prime
agricultural land so I have a question as to what your
acquisition plans are as far as years - five years, ten years? I
wondered if you could give me an answer on this.
Mr. Hosac - Mr. Houston, just where is your property?
Book 26 Page 168
Mr. Houston - It is across the road, on the north side of Linden.
One of the concerns some of us have had out there was one
proposal was to close Linden and we are very much opposed to
this as you can probably understand„ Linden has been for many
years more or less an arterial .leading into Caldwell. When I was
a kid, it was more of an arterial than Highway 26 is. It is a€)
important road and the Highway District has just completed an
improvement project on that within the last couple of years and
made a good road out of it. We would definitely hate to see it
closed. The closure of K.C.I.D. road has already caused some
problems locally for some of the farmers.
Mr. Hosac - I think I have a general idea of where your place is.
If it is within the yellow on the map, that would be in an area
that would be slated for possible acquisition in the time period
of 1900 -95. I say possible because again, we are just making
future projections based on what we anticipate the needs in the
growth to be. There is no way of being certain about those
forecasts. With regard to Linden Road, it would not be our
recommendation in the study that it be abandoned. Rather, when
future exterisions - beyond phase I - or runway extension become
necessary, we would be talking about a relocation or re- routing
of Linden around the end of the runway.
Mr. Houston - That would not be possible in the final phase of
the plan because in your final phase, you go clear into the
Pioneer Canal as I remember the map.
Mr. Hosac - Are you talking about the Canyon Hill Lateral?
Both gentlemen studied the map to determine the location of the
canal. Mr. Houston stated that his questions were more or less
answered.
Acting Mayor - Mr. Hosac and Mr. Statham, do you have anything
more to add to the questions directed to you? I would like you
to reply to the gentleman's concern about the amount of local gas
tax which went into the airport, I would like a reply to the ten
foot structure limitation mentioned, and as to the determination
whether the twenty year phase takes place.
Mr. Lopez - Would it be property to ask one more question?
Acting Mayor - State it.
Mr. Lopez - This was with regard to the maintenance of this
facility once the improvements are made.
Steve Hosac - During this twenty year planning horizon, who is it
that decides when these improvements are necessary and when they
can be accomplished. The answer is very simple and that is that
your City Council makes all decisions totally with regard to
these improvements as to whether they go forward or riot. We, as
the City Consultant, were retained to provide the City and the
community with our recommendations based on our experience as an
airport consultant. Once we have completed our work with both
the Environmental Assessment and Master Plan Report, we will
present those documents to the City and they may wish to adopt
them as a future planning policy, but all decisions including the
first phase of this project rests solely with the City Council.
Over the twenty year planning period, the improvements
recommended - it would only make sense to construct those as
there is a need for them at the airport. For example, the mix of
the aircraft that five years from now might utilize the facility
that are riot utilizing it today might be a reason for going into
a phase two runway extension. Of some of the parking apron
expansion might be initiated by the Council because of running
out of room to park aircraft. It is totally the City's decision
and based on demonstrated need at the airport.
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The gas tax - the trust fund that I explained previously is
funded through a tax on aviation fuel as mentioned and also a tax
on airline tickets. These are collected nationally and they are
a set percentage of an airline tickets and also a set number of
cents per gallon of aviation fuel sold. A pilot that buys fuel
at the Caldwell Airport for his plane is paying so many cents a
gallon into this Federal Trust Fund. That rate is the same as a
pilot in California or anywhere else. These funds go into a
national pool and even though everybody connected with aviation
and using the system is paying these taxes, not all of the
airport throughout the Nation are receiving the funds back. The
funds are distributed by the F.A.A. based on what they feel the
needs are. It is probably a true statement that the pilots at
Caldwell have not paid into that Fund the amount that has been
and will be derived for airport improvements, but on the other
hand ten years ago it was determined in experts in aviation, the
F.A.A. and local community that a safer, more efficient facility
was needed. Perhaps more funds have been utilized in this
community than have been put in. There was other communities
that have paid in that may have already had a safe, modern
facility that did not need as many funds back. it is really a
National pool that is spent as funds are needed.
Before F.A.A. issues a grant to any airport for any project, they
make a determination on their own as to whether that is an eligible
project and whether or not it is needed. The issue of safety is
one of the major criteria involved in those decisions.
The ten foot building height limitation I think is probably not
correct. I would have to see just exactly where the property is,
but I can almost assure you that you would not be under a ten foot
limitation. There really isn't a ten foot limitation that would
apply unless you happen to be right adjacent to a runway. Even the
hangar buildings and the terminal itself have roofs higher than ten
feet that do not interfere. If you are removed from the Airport
property as a minimum, your limitations would probably be as much
as 150 feet as example. It could be less if it happens to be in the
approach surface. The answer to the question would involve what
phase we are looking at.
Mrs. Farris pointed out the property for Mr. Hosac.
Mr. Hosac - You are in an area that is scheduled for possible future
acquisition - many, many years away.
Mrs. Farris - If we are allowed height and structure, are we allowed
since it is a rural residential with the City's approval, to put any
buildings on there other than what is there now?
Acting Mayor - You would have to check with Planning and Zoning as it
would be an entirely different issue than the airport.
Mr. Hosac - With regard to maintenance. The maintenance figures are
the subject matter of the last chapter of the financial aspects of the
.Airport in the Master Plan Study and are not even discussed in the
Environmental. We are really not prepared. I can tell you that
Caldwell Industrial Airport currently does quite well - in fact, very,
very well compared to most of the airports in the.State of Idaho with
regard to supporting itself. It does not totally support itself.
There is only one airport in the State of Idaho that is totally self -
supporting and that is Boise Municipal Airport. It took a lot of years
for it to become totally self- supporting. Now, it not only is self -
supporting, but is considered to be one of the greatest economic assets
that community has. Though Caldwell Airport is not totally self -
supporting, it comes quite close and ranks very well in the State.
Those figures will be detailed - maintenance, financing costs in the
Master Plan when it is published.
Larre Robertson -I think we are skirting the question when we say that
we are comparable to other airports in the State. I don't really care
if we are comparable or not. I don't want to pay any maintenance bills
for that airport. To be comparable is irrelevant. Where is the money
going to come for the maintenance of that Airport.
Book 26
Page 170
The Acting Mayor then stated that at this time she would close the
Public Hearing and ask for questions or comments from the City
Council.
Councilwoman Marcus - Do you have any type of ratio of figures as to
what size and quality of airport is usually self- sufficient?
Steve Hosac - I really don't. It usually is not related to the size
of the facility as much as it is the level of activity and the type of
activity. There is virtually no activity on the Caldwell Industrial
Airport that does not pay some type of a fee for being there. Even
private aircraft that have planes parked out there are paying a fee to
the City for parking. Also a fee is charged when buying fuel. It is
a very individual thing as some small airports in communities are
totally self - supporting because they worked through progress, growth
and so forth to get themselves that way. There is some other airports
that are not so it just depends.
Councilman Cowles stated there has been so much testimony that he had
many questions going through his mind and it would be foolish for me
to try to ad lib what I need to digest first. The one question I do
have is if the Council does decide to go with this program, is there a
possibility that an interchange will be built in that area. The
problem I see now is very little access if any to that airport without
going down County roads and farm land. How does this all tie in
together.
Mr. Hosac - One of the major problems that we could see as Airport
Consultants with the existing airport was the issue of access. It is
very poor. This is one of the items we were asked to study for the
airport - how could we get better access.. The first and most obvious
answer would be a new interchange on the Interstate at where Ustick
Road crosses. We have had conversations with the State Transportation
people, and the Airport Advisory Committtee has talked to them, and
Wayne Pickerell, representing the State Division of Aeronautics, has
met with them because their Department is part of the Transportation
Department. It is very difficult to get specific answers from them
with regard to when that Interchange might be constructed. We really
don't know. They sort of have it in their plans, but it has riot been
funded and could be many years away. We are hoping that this study
can be used as a vehicle to encourage the State Transportation
Department to move consideration up in their schedule. We feel that
improving access to the Airport is important to implement the
industrial and commercial aspect. The Freeway, itself, is a buffer
between the Airport and most of the higher density City population.
Councilman Cowles said that he did have several other questions, but
would submit them in writing with the hope that they would be
answered.
Councilman Jack Raymond - Mr. Hosac, from the testimony that was
received tonight, will questions be picked from that tape and will
they be answered as part of your study. What happens after tonight?
Mr. Hosac - Yes, they will be addressed. I can't say that every
specific question will be addressed. The Environmental Assessment
Document for which we are holding the public hearing tonight is in
draft form only currently. One of our responsibilities is to listen
and study the transcript of tonight's hearing and respond to questions
as appropriate as they effect the Environmental Assessment document.
Some of the questions, as an example, regarding maintenance costs,
funding, and that type of thing are not part of the Environmental
document so they would not necessarily be! addressed in that document.
We will be taking those kinds of questions into account in completing
the Master Plan report. A total transcript of this hearing and the
written comments received will be included in the final Environmental
document arid those that are appropriate will be addressed and
revisions to the document made as appropriate.
Book 26 Page 171
Councilman Raymond - I was taken with the comment of the lady signed
up to testify and then declined to speak because she had more
questions. I hope she will develop the questions and turn them in. A
reminder of the ten day time frame which is applicable to the public
as well as the Council. Hopefully, questions that can direct us to
better answers can be developed and applied. I appreciated Mr.
Houston's comments. He probably, more than any other single person
that I am aware of at least, was directly effected when the Airport
was moved from the old site to the new site. This was not the ones
who were bought out; this is the man who had to live there and give up
part of what he was used to. His comment was something to this effect
- it is there and we have to make it work. whether it needs to be
expanded, I really don't know. I came on the City Council ten years
ago and the new Airport was just being developed. I did not sit in on
the decision making as to why that location was selected, but we have
to live with it. I didn't sit in on the decision that allowed that to
be built without a freeway access. I think that was a terrible
mistake. Now, we have to do the best we can to improve that. We were
in danger of losing an Airport in Caldwell, Idaho. The old Airport
was going to be closed down. It just was not safe. You talk about
Canyon Hill and the residents there being in the flight pattern -
Caldwell Memorial Hospital was directly in the flight pattern of take
off and landing from the old Airport. I don't know how it was allowed
to exist as long as it did. It would not have been a very positive
action for Caldwell to have lost their Airport. F. A. A. wanted to
fund and had need for a reliever Airport which gives us a little
different sEatus than Nampa and other airports. We are a reliever
airport. What that means is that when Boise gets bottled up and they
are with a lot of freight operations over there, we are the reliever.
I think if we did have better freeway access, we could see a lot of
improvement in our Airport traffic over here and perhaps get some of
those freight companies. There is a lot of things that go into that
which the Council has to weigh. We appreciate hearing from the public
and appreciate engineers that study and help us. Caldwell does need
an Airport and in my opinion, is a very necessary part of our business
community and our future growth pattern.
Councilman Norman - I concur with what Councilman Cowles and
Councilman Raymond have said. I would like to study what I have heard
and submit my written questions. It is a very involved and I am too
new to be too energetic in my questions at this time.
Acting Mayor Mallea - We have established a ten day period. We have
arbitrarily set the time as the close of business hours on September
9th, when all written testimony and /or questions should be sent to
City Hall and they will be forwarded to the Engineers and made part of
this study. Mr. Hosac advised me earlier that all of this material
then will be taken with the Preliminary and sent to Seattle where it
will be reviewed by the F.A.A.
The Acting Mayor further said that she would like to thank everyone
for coming. often times we hear that it doesn't do any good that
everyone's mind is made up. That is riot true. We do riot know a whole
lot about airports either and we appreciate your testimony; we
appreciate you coming. Mr. Hosac has advised me that they have a film
which takes twenty to thirty minutes on airports if anyone is
interested in staying to see that.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25
p.m.
APPROVED AS writte
1985.
THIS 3rd DAY OF September
Co ,u,ncilperson
Councilperson
Councilperson - --
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Councilperson