The meeting was called to order at
The meeting was called to hear from resident Ron Singh on his discussion with the ODA on the airport fencing issues. Ron was appointed by ISAS to be the spokesperson to ODA on the fencing proposal.
Ron prepared a PowerPoint presentation for the ISAS Group. The following is Ron’s comments and a written explanation of his meeting with the ODA that was presented along with the PowerPoint presentation:
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This morning I met with Betty Stansbury
(ODA Director) and Tony Beach (ODA Airports Manager) for about 90 minutes on
the subject of the
I
explained that I was in a unique position having worked for ODOT for 40 years
(where Aviation was part of ODOT for half my career) AND I was a home owner at
the
I
discussed the concerns ISAS members have about the process ODA followed while
developing this project; the concerns about the design and location of the
fence; and the fact that ODA didn’t appear to follow the recommendations of
their own Independence Airport Master Plan.
My talking points are attached if you want to see what I discussed with
them.
To
summarize the outcome of the meeting:
1. Betty understood that our biggest concern
was the location of the East-West fence line at the north end of the
runway. As per ISAS recommendations, I
suggested moving it north to the property line.
However, I went further and suggested that she defer construction on of
that sec on of the fence until further development of the airport. This would
give all parties me to discuss that section’s fence layout in the context of
the overall future development. She told
me that she was considering moving the fence contingent upon the FAA funding
the extra work and that they didn’t run into environmental issues. She also said she would consider not
installing that
section,
but didn’t want to simply delay the inevitable.
She will research this issue and get back to me by mid October.
2. The second biggest issue I raised was the
aesthetics of the North-South fence along
3. I raised the issue of the fencing around the
restaurant. It appears that the drawing
I circulated at Monday’s meeting is fairly accurate. I asked them to look into any ADA issues
relating to fencing around the restaurant.
They will do so. I also asked
about the fence connect on to the new (Larson/ Bartle) hangar and its effect on
the restaurant parking. Their plans
appear to be fairly accurate, but they will get back to me.
4. I also brought up the concern (pointed out
to me by Rich Paulsen) about the fence creating an obstacle between the 5 fire
hydrants on Airport road and facilities/aircraft on the airport. I told them that Rich’s discussion with the
Fire Department revealed that they were not informed of the fence
construction. ODA will make contact the
Fire Department and resolve any issue raised.
I suggested
to Betty that if she could agree to two items, I feel I could convince ISAS to
support the project:
1. Defer construction on of the East-West sec
on of the fence at the North end of the runway until airport expansion.
2. Omit the barbed wire sec on (top) of the
fence along Airport road.
She needed time to research this, but
assured me that she will get back to me by mid October with further answers or
decisions. She also asked if anyone had
concerns about anything to please contact her before escalating it to the Board
or a legislator. She can be reached at
(503) 378-2340 or betty.stansbury@aviation.state.or.us. I feel that we should extend that
professional courtesy and that’s partly why I went to meet with them.
Betty also asked that we (Airpark Residents)
do our part to abide with airport rules… specifically as it relates to
unleashed pets. I wanted a very clear
understanding of this issue, because my wife and I often walk around the
apron/ramp and hangar taxiways with a leashed dog and see no harm with
that. Betty concurred and we concluded
that ODA’s policy is:
1. No unleashed pets/animals anywhere on
airport property.
2. No pets/animals (leashed or not) on the
runway, taxiway alpha, or the grassy areas adjacent to them.
3. It’s okay to have a leashed and controlled
pet on the ramp/apron; hangar taxiways; or areas other than item 2.
Not
everyone may agree with me, but I would like to maintain a strong tie to ODA
and I strongly agree with the statement in the Independence Airport Master
Plan:
“The
Independence State Airport and the Independence Airpark have a symbiotic
relationship in that one could not achieve it’s potential without the other’s
existence”.
Regards, Ron Singh
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After
the presentation a discussion was had on Ron’s meeting with the ODA and what
our path should be in moving forward. After much discussion it was decided to
give the ODA Director, Betty Stansbury, time to do her research and wait for
her mid-October response to ISAS on the fencing issues.
Another
ISAS meeting will be held shortly after the next response from ODA. Hopefully
around Oct 20th.
As
this was a special meeting called for the 7S5 fencing issue, no other business
was discussed. The meeting was adjourned at