CC - Agendas - City Council - REGULAR - 5/13/2014

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Prescott City Council Special Meeting April 22, 2014 Page 4 FY 15 Grant Funding Applications Fall 2014 Update to Council on progress Mayor Pro Tern Lamerson asked about the Big Chino Ranch project and the ballot language for Proposition 401. He asked whose money was being used. Jon Paladini, City Attorney, said he would get the answer to him. Councilman Blair asked Dr. Ayers, Chancellor of Embry-Riddle, Prescott campus, if Embry-Riddle would consider becoming an interim quasi/commercial airliner to fly people to Phoenix to get their pilots some hours. Dr. Frank Ayers said they are in the business of educating young people and Embry- Riddle sees growth in their pilot training and education. He said the pilots they educate only have 1000 hours to meet to fly for airliners. He said they are not looking at stepping into scheduled airline operations. Councilman Lazzell asked if the Federal Government would help pay for a new terminal instead of a renovated terminal if the City of Prescott was to choose the general aviation option. Jeff Tripp, Airport Manager, said that he did not believe the FAA funds general aviation terminals. He said the challenge as a general aviation airport is that funding priorities drop dramatically. Prescott would be competing with 70 percent of the airports for about 20 percent of the funds. He noted that staff is trying to layout a long term plan. Councilman Lazzell asked if Prescott would be able to build an air strip that would accommodate all forest service aircraft if they chose the general aviation option. Mr. Tripp said that would involve working with the FAA to determine what they would want to fund. He said getting a clear 20 year direction will be important. Councilman Kuknyo said he would like to see the City of Prescott move on the second option. He said every bomber that runs on the Prescott airport is on a special use permit, because they are too heavy. Mr. Tripp said the Forest Service likes the location here. He said the City needs to be cognizant of the forest service's future needs, as they are looking to expand at a third loading pit. The City should look at their fleet mix to determine if the runways need to be extended. Councilman Kuknyo said the terminal is too close to the active runway. He thought a small terminal should be built with plans for future additions. To increase enplanements, he suggested tourism flights to Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Councilman Arnold asked when the decision point would be. He said he did not want it to be another year before it happened. Craig McConnell, City Manager, said the initial projects will show up in the Capital Improvement Program for the FY 15 budget. Mayor Pro Tern Lamerson said he would like to move forward sooner, than later. Councilman Kuknyo agreed.