CCMinutes - 06/14/04 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

hearing on the hospital's certificate of need. Mr. Vishanoff asked if the privatization of fire services at the airport was a part of "Smart Growth." He thought there was much in the idea of "Smart Growth" that was not being brought to light. In closing, Mr. Vishanoff asserted that the former Condon School could be razed and asked that it be designated a historic building instead. Ken Martz, 3077 Willakenzie Road, related that the Monaco company jet had dropped a wheel off the tarmac in January 2004. Airport fire services had arrived quickly and had leveled the aircraft and prevented a large and potentially dangerous fuel spill from occurring. He stated that the aircraft had been pulled back onto the tarmac without incident. He attributed this to the skill of the ARFF personnel at the airport and stated that they expected this same level of safety and service to continue. Mike Blomm~, 1634 Lorane Highway, director for Monaco Coach Corporation, stated that the company had a large investment at the airport. He related that the company wished to be assured that the airport fire department training, coverage, and support would not be diminished in the future. He questioned whether a contractor's crew would have been as attentive to or as able to handle the incident related by Mr. Martz. Major Dafoe, 93370 Highway 99 North, Junction City, owner of the Oregon Horse Center, commented that the City was working with the McDougal brothers on annexing and trading a large piece of farm land behind his property to build houses and a City park. He predicted future residents of such a development could decide that they did not want a horse facility in their neighborhood and he could be evicted from the area. He said his center was booked for 49 weekends of the current year and was a huge success. He said it provided activities for young people and brought people to the community who paid for hotel rooms and ate at restaurants. Major Dafoe stated that he had devoted much of his life and his money in the venture and asked that the council consider keeping it rural. Vicki L. Walker, PO Box 10314, State Senator for District 7, recalled that the Eugene firefighters had received a letter from then City Managerpro tern Jim Carlson in March 2003, that said that airport finances were in dire straits and the airport was at risk of losing airlines if there was not a substantial reduction of expenses and lower landing fees charged to airlines. On January 21, 2004, the City Council met in a work session to discuss the concept of a regional airport. At that time, Airport Manager Bob Noble and Public Works Director Kurt Corey were both optimistic about the future of the airport, particularly the financial picture. She did not know why the airport would choose to privatize ARFF services as it would not be in the best interest of the public nor the eight family-wage jobs it provided the community. She underscored that this change saved money for the airlines and did not benefit the taxpayer in any way. Gary Henry, PO Box 2592, provided a packet of information in writing to the council. He related he had the option to buy property adjacent to the Eugene Airport outside of the urban growth boundary (UGB). He proposed that the council consider bringing the property inside of the UGB for future development. He suggested that the Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) could move there. He asserted the properties in this area were currently being neglected and the change would "clean up" the area around the UGB. Phil Barnhart, 182 Sunset Drive, State Representative for District 11, considered the possible privatization of fire and emergency services an important policy issue as it involved an essential service for public safety at the Eugene Airport. He asserted that maintaining current services at the airport was in the best economic interest of the facility as well as a perception of lower safety standards could make people disinclined to utilize the local airport. He encouraged the council to act to prevent privatization and maintain the growth of the airport and its contribution to the local economy.