Airport authority discusses master plan at meeting
The Fayette County Airport Authority took action Tuesday to move forward with facets of the master plan for the Connellsville Airport. The master plan, which includes making infrastructure improvements, addressing storm water issues, building a new hangar, moving a runway and ultimately extending a runway, is expected to take years and millions of dollars to complete.
As a way to foster better relations with the federal Bureau of Aviation (BOA) while completing the plan, the authority has hired Gene Lakin, executive director of the Westmoreland County Airport Authority, as a consultant, along with former state Department of Transportation intermodal coordinator William E. Piper.
Based on Lakin’s recommendation, the authority voted to approve a five-year draft scope environmental assessment for Phase II of the runway extension project, subject to BOA approval. Lakin said the document will include general guidelines, and not length or cost, for the runway extension, and it pre-empts a consultant selection.
The authority also voted to advertise for requests for quotes for the environmental assessment Master Plan Phase II. Lakin said potential consultants should be able to see the scope so they have a better idea of the project, and he anticipated that the authority could select the consultant at next month’s meeting.
Scott Frederickson of airport engineer Benatec Associates reported that the contract documents for the pilot control lighting, vault connector and runway end indicator lights project for Schultheis Electric are being finalized and the project can begin as soon as that occurs. Frederickson said the $82,112 project will take 30 days, and he estimated it will be completed by mid-December or Christmas, once the documents are finalized.
Frederickson announced that Benatec is awaiting documents from the BOA for the Phase I storm water management plan. He said the environmental documents have been approved and the project can commence. The contractor for the $172,000 project, CH&D Enterprises, has agreed to the time extensions, he said.
Frederickson also reported that the existing road and main hangar project has been delayed due to the weather and other setbacks; however, he said that paving should be completed by next Friday. A $25,561.04 contract was previously approved for inspection services for the project, subject to BOA approval.
The authority voted to seek quotes for a consultant to assist in completing the priorities for the airport outlined in the 12-year plan. Authority member Robert Schiffbauer said the plan will include all projects slated for completion at the airport, and their order of importance.
Authority member Tim Mahoney reported that he recently met with members of the Fayette County Haz-Mat team to discuss construction of their new metal building at the airport. He said the $250,000 for the building has been secured, and plans are to build it next spring.
Schiffbauer expressed appreciation to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ed Rendell for recently visiting the airport, and he urged the authority to send a letter thanking Rendell for his visit. Schiffbauer also announced that U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Bedford) will hold a press conference at the airport at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 29.
Fiscal analyst Mandy Zimmerman reported that she has begun to work on the 2003 budget for the airport. She said that in the past, budgets were completed to have the airport break even; however, she said her preliminary estimates show an $18,000 loss.
Authority member Martin Griglak said he would like to know exactly what the financial status of the airport is, no matter whether it is in the black or red. Board member Fred Davis agreed.