Board Of Aviation Commissioners Continues Discussion On Upcoming Airport Power Line Project
WARSAW — Business at the Board of Aviation Commissioners meeting Tuesday, Nov. 13, continued the discussion on the airport’s upcoming project regarding the movement of power lines.
Ken Ross of NGC Aviation Consultants said that he and Airport Manager Nick King completed two conference calls with the FAA. The first call was a follow-up discussion on the project.
“It was a high-level discussion on how to break up the power lines,” said Ross. “It was a very positive call.”
The second conference call was described by Ross as a “tech call” with the project planners. The power line project will have two phases. The first phase is lowering the power lines, with the second phase focusing on recovery of the displaced threshold.
King emphasized that the top three priorities the airport wishes to address immediately are the lowering of the power lines, rehabilitation of Runway 1836 and recovery of the displaced threshold.
Ross said getting supplemental funds for the project is a competitive process.
“Depending on the funding, this project could start in 2019,” said Ross.
“We’re gunning for supplemental funds for the project,” said King. “The best-case scenario is if we have supplemental funding and if we qualify, we just need to finalize drawings for it.”
King said that if the airport receives supplemental funding, it would be possible to see both the power line project and runway 1836 rehabilitation start next year.
In other business, King addressed the board regarding Hangar 18G. The current renter, James Ousley, has not paid rent on the hangar in the last 90 days. King said the phone number he has for Ousley has been disconnected and that there is no aircraft currently present in the hangar. The board said to send an eviction notice to Ousley.
The board also approved the purchase of a skid steer for the airport. It will be used as a fork truck, as well as for snow removal. The cost of the skid steer will be $41,600 after trade-in.
In other business:
- The board approved a land lease for Hangar 35.
- Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer mentioned that two board members’ term expiration dates are coming up. More information will be provided at next month’s meeting.
- The board voted to extend its hangar lease with Zimmer Biomet for one year.
- The board’s next meeting will be at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11.