Airport authority hires consultant
The Fayette County Airport Authority voted Tuesday to enter into an agreement that will allow the authority to tap into the available expertise of a neighboring county. The authority approved a motion to enter into an agreement with the Westmoreland County Airport Authority and executive director Gene Lakin on a consulting/contract basis. The one-year agreement officially began on Aug. 1 and can be renewed for additional one-year terms.
Any work Lakin does will be considered as an administrative expense. Lakin said the authority may be able to receive up to 95 percent reimbursement.
In approving the agreement, vice chairman Robert Schiffbauer commented that the agreement may be the first between airport authorities in the state. “I think we struck new ground,” Schiffbauer said. He added that all of the county commissioners in the two counties are aware of the cooperative agreement.
Since retaining the services of Lakin, the authority has not taken steps to hire a new airport manager. Diana Wally departed in July after nearly eight years with the authority.
Authority chairman Jesse Wallace said he thinks the authority has made “big steps” with retaining fiscal assistant Mandy Zimmerman, maintenance supervisor Samuel L. Cortis and Lakin as well as consultant William Piper. “There is a level of professionalism we didn’t see,” he said. Wallace said he believes the authority is headed in the right direction and “on track to do something great.”
Scott M. Frederickson of airport engineer Benatec Associates reported that he is waiting for final approval from the federal Bureau of Aviation for the access road, main hangar, pilot control lighting, vault connector and REIL (Runway End Indicator Lights) projects. The authority voted to extend the projects until approval is received.
The authority voted to award a contract to CH&D Enterprises for $172,000 to complete the Phase I storm water management plan. The contract is subject to approval from the BOA.
Frederickson said Master Plan Phase II is on target and he anticipates that in early October there will be a submission of the “purpose and need.”
He said the scope and price for the storm water inspection service is needed. Lakin said the BOA is anticipating a grant will be available for the storm water project in the next few days and he would like Frederickson to assemble all costs for the project to submit it to the BOA. Lakin said a cost estimate is needed so the BOA can release the grant funds.
The authority voted to add in its master plan a drawing of the proposed FACT (Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation) complex. Lakin said a letter needs to be sent showing that the proposed development is in an area that wasn’t previously designated for aviation related development.
Following the recommendation of Cortis, the authority voted to hire Frank T. Sero of Uniontown as a “line person” to service airplanes. Cortis said Sero was in the U.S. Air Force for five years and is a trained mechanic.
Cortis reported that the airport can enter into a cooperative program to purchase snow removal equipment with the state. The authority voted to allow Cortis to move forward with the program and purchase equipment. The authority previously received a $90,000 grant to purchase equipment.
After Cortis gave a preliminary estimate on insurance costs to have an air show, authority member Tim Mahoney said the authority needs to get the pilots involved.
Cortis said an estimate of insurance costs he was given was $3,500 for liability and approximately $1,800 for weather insurance. An air show was not held this year following increased insurance rates in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.