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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcoa.cclc.min.08202008COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF AUGUST 20.2008 Chairperson, Terry Butler called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Commissioners in attendance: Bill Dinsmoor, Mark Goodman, John Starr and Fred Ayarza. Don Sheeley and Roger Haneman where excused. Staff present: Kathy Strickland, Chief Deputy City Clerk Jim Elwood, Airport Director -Airport runway extension proposal Issue: Make sure the community is aware. What the runway will. What the runway will not do. In 2004 the county adopted an airport master plan. At that time they discussed the possibility of a 1000 foot extenstion. Since then we started a group to discuss preliminary planning. We are kicking off the environmental assessment phase. The runway extension has to go on the south end of the airport and that is why it is limited to 1000 feet. The runway pitches at 2% upgrade. In lieu of building a taller tower we are working with the FAA to see what kind of equipment will work to keep the tower lower and so that the airport controller has upgraded equipment. We are preparing a plan. We will review the gains we get from increasing the runway and what the environmental impacts are. In essence we are not looking to changing the number or size or the planes coming in. We are looking at performing the efficiency and allowing more people on the planes. If temperatures are higher or winds higher the only way to compensate is reduce the fuel, baggage or people. Our intent is to improve the efficiency of the aircraft that are currently offered. The extension would allow the selling of more seats. Delta will fly nonstop to Atlanta this winter. The weight limitations are 55 seats out of 75 seats to get out of Aspen. With the extension the runway will be safer. The FAA will help us with funding after the decision is made. The FAA will not get involved with the planning stage. This is a community decision. Terry asked if the plan will go to a vote. Jim Elwood said we hope not. COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF AUGUST 20.2008 One of the key points is the existing 1995, 1000 weight limit remains the same. The size of the planes will not increase. It will also not increase the number of airplanes in and out. The airline capacity right now is what is it. There is a limited amount of airspace to get in and out of Aspen. Jim said the airport does have a carbon issue. We are looking at investing in a wind farm for electrical needs. The FAA controls air space and we have a limited control Jim said there are other issues that need addressed. 1. There is a domestic water well system at the end of the runway that supplies Buttermilk. 2. In addition there is a bike path. 3. There are also visual impacts with the additional runway. We intend to have final documents in a month and then go to BOCC. The earliest construction would be 2010 and the pavement in 2011. The contract would cost 14 million dollars. 95% of the funding would come from federal funds. The other 5% would be local. The airport is an enterprise fund and the 5% funding would come from that. Jim reiterated that the airplane size would not change. Terry said her most frequent problem is that her clients can't get into Aspen and there are not enough airplanes. If it will increase 8,000 seats per year it will be great. Bill said years ago we talked about 500 feet at each end of the runway. Is it the terrain or what? Yes there are issues with the terrain and 82 highway. Jim Elwood said we started about 7 years ago and got the CRJ700 into Aspen. We had to address issues such as electronics and snow removal equipment. That airplane is sensitive to water and snow. Last year we had only two delays due to the weather. Bill said he noticed a lot of agencies don't talk to each other. Is anyone talking about other transportation issues. We have ground transportation issues from Denver to here. Is this too far down the road to contemplate? COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF AUGUST 20, 2008 Jim said this country's pure scope is air transportation. The impacts on the economy without air are tremendous. We have also been working with RFTA as to how to join together. Fred said limited airspace is an issue. How much cargo is involved? Jim said our airport has 3.6 bags on average per person coming into the airport. Mark said the airport is the lifeline to our community. The biggest complaint from the tourist is the fact that they have trouble flying in and out. We loose a tremendous amount of tourism for just that one issue. Mark asked who is opposing this. Jim said we have not noticed any resistance at this point. The ACRA has been hired for customer service. Mark said in terms of improvement 1000 feet will be an improvement as well as winter clearance improvements. I have been thinking of a high end jitney like Hampton jitney from Denver to Aspen. Jim said we are never going to be the easiest locality to get too. We have been in discussion with Greyline to do a scheduled service with bathrooms, videos etc. We want to be the airport the community wants us to be. Fred pointed out that the airport needs a softer look. The plan should address landscaping and environmental issues. The airport is stark and this is something that we need to think about. John said the two choke points in the resort communities through the world is hot beds and airline capacity. Jim said we have been working with TSA to get another screening machine for the bags. The building itself is an issue. There is a three step elevation. We are in a terminal area planning stage. Fred: I have been catching flights and it takes one hour to warm up the planes. They should be warmed up earlier so that the planes are not delayed. COMMERCIAL CORE & LODGING COMMISSION MINUTES OF AUGUST 20, 2008 Lift I Chris Bendon presented the plans for Lift I. The site is 8 acres. There is a 27 person task force. The project encompasses both sides of Aspen street. Recycling Letter: Ashley Cantrell presented the board with three letters that go out to customers regarding recycling. There are 120 new customers coming under the program. Ashley pointed out that she can help businesses find space for compactors etc. The Environmental health wants businesses to be favorable. Bill said some haulers are not willing to work with you. John and Bill said the city should create a special district for hauling. Ashley pointed out in Colorado there are a lot of legal issues. Bill said the city controls the right-of--ways. The city would have to do it cheaper and better. Ashley pointed out that Ben Gagnon did a report on the viability of alley retail opportunities which might be interesting for the CCLC. Commissioner comments: Mark asked about Aspen Goes Bazaar. The board asked staff to contact Andrew Kole to see if he would be interested inputting it together. Bill said we need to concentrate on a market survey. In the survey we should ask the vendors about expansion. Mark brought up the ACRA booth. There should be signage on the booth and the ACRA should purchase their own tent. Meetin adjourned at 11:0 a.m. ' _ ~ -_ _ . _ Kathleen J 'c land, Chief Deputy Clerk