01/22/1973 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. Further discussion took place between councilmen and Mr. Shelby with regard to fares terminating at Portland and conceivability of mass transit at some future time cutting down on air fares between Eugene and Portland, ratio between general air traffic and carriers, maintenance of runways and construction to accommodate larger aircraft, possibility of this airport's becoming a regional air center with discontinuance of air service to other communities in this area. Mr. Shelby said the Airport Commission has a task force at work on ways and means of a regional air center and will be bringing a recommendation to the Council in that regard. With regard to vertical takeoff aircraft, he said it would not seem likely provision of that type aircraft for transportation of passengers could be accomplished by 1975. Mrs. Beal wondered whether the City should embark upon a program requlrlng the finances set forth in this Plan. Mayor Anderson called attention to the proposed ordinance which would charge an enplaning fee and said that would partially take care of financial considerations. Mr. Shelby commented on the importance of beginning planning and engineering of runway strengthening because of the considerable lead time necessary for such a project. Manager said adoption of this Master Plan does not commit the City to expenditure of money nor would it prohibit attempt to get someone else to share the burden. Mr. Shelby in answer to Mrs. Campbell said there are only about 70 of some 530 airports in the United States which are not receiving subsidies from general tax base funds. . John Alltucker, member of the Airport Commission, commented on the Master Plan in general. He said each of the objections raised had been discussed by the Airport Commission in its deliberations and projections used in the Master Plan are those believed to be necessary. He said air travel is being used increasingly by an increasing percentage of people and can be considered one form of mass transportation. With regard to statement about use of tax monies for parKing facilities, Mr. Alltucker said there were no tax monies used for that purpose, the people operating the lot paid for its construction. At the time it was built consideration was given to the City's paying for it to provide free parking, but it was decided the facilities should be paid for by those who use them. Manager called attention to letter from Mr. Alltucker, copies of which were previously dis- tributed to Council, in which he expressed concern about construction on private properties in the vicinity of the Airpo~t~and tne need for equitable solution to the zoning process in order to protect those lands from development or encroachment upon airport uses. Mayor Anderson expressed his confidence in the Commission's being aware of environmental problems faced. He feels the Master Plan submitted is satisfactory to keep abreast of air transportation needs in this area and that there will be opportunity to discuss individual recommendations before they are implemented. He feels it important at this time to adopt the Plan as a blueprint for air transportation facilities in this area. e Mrs. Campbell asked if problems are anticipated in redesignation of the industrial property to agricultural, whether homes will be allowed in that .area and the residents then disturbed by planes. Manager replied that the'property in question is owned by the City and will be used as airport property. Mrs. -Beal moved seconded by Mr. Williams to adopt the Airport Master Plan and Airport Layout Plan with changes recommended by the Airport Commission. Motion carried unanimOUSly. 2. 'Ordinance, Airport Boarding Fee - Copies of proposed ordinance which provides 'for $2.00 enplaning fee at Mahlon Sweet Field commencing February 15, 1973 were previously distributed to Council members. The Airport Commission. recarn- ,mended its adoption. Manager explained that imposition of the fee was dis- : cussed prior to this time but Congress enacted legislation making it illegal. : The President subsequently vetoed the bill. Security at the Airport lis are'" : suI t of Federal action wi th no provision xor financing required a source of ,l'funds, and it is felt the boarding fee wiJl meet that need as well as provide : money for other needs at the Airport. I I In answer to Councilman Williams, Airport Manager Shelby said collection of , the fee would be made at the terminal building, wi th some type of boarding pass issued which cannot be reused. It is planned to make the process reasonably simple in order not to delay passengers. . ; Councilman Keller asked about allocation of funds. by the Budget Committee to : provide protection at the Airport. Manage,r explained that the recommendation : was to use Federal revenue sharing funds for security at the Airport w.i.th the , conal tion made verbally at the Budget CoJll.lll:i ttee meeting that if th. b(Jardi~g fee were e,stablished the allocation Wbuld be deleted from revenue sharing funds. I Administratively, he said, it is pt'eferable to use th.e boarding fee as a sou.t'ce ; of funds as it reflects directly on the utler rather than taking from revenues j of the entire City. 14 1/22/73 - 5