New airport manager named

Portland Municipal Airport has a new manager.

Harold "Hal" Tavzel, 31, Portland, was chosen as the airport's new manager during a Portland Aviation meeting on Wednesday. He will replace longtime airport manager Dave Miller.

Tavzel was selected by the board pending an agreement on the manager's contract.

Miller, who has served as manager for 20 years, had said previously he would move his multiple businesses to a new location if he was not manager.

But he said Wednesday he would take time to make a decision about whether he would continue as a fixed base operator, or operator of Miller Avaiation out of the airport terminal.

Miller was presented a draft of a new FBO contract on Friday.

During the meeting, Barber informed him that he needed to contact city attorney Bill Hinkle with issues he has with the contract - such as the amounts that Miller should pay in hangar fees. For several years, Miller has had one contract for being the FBO and the airport manager.

For the first time, a proposed fuel flowage fee, or per-gallon surcharge charge, has been added to the FBO contract. The board has not approved the contract.

Tavzel's contract also has not yet been approved by the board. According to an agenda for the aviation board meeting, his pay will be commensurate with experience.

Tavzel graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 2000, with a minor in airport management. He is a professional pilot and has completed several internships, board president Glynn Barber said after the meeting. He is the brother of former United Way of Jay County director Ginnette Tavzel.

Before voting, Barber asked Tavzel if he could address the fact that there is a chance that conflicts of interest could arise, since Tavzel is an employee of Miller Aviation.

Tavzel said he do try his best to prevent situations of conflict of interest.

After the meeting, Miller, who was one of the four applicants interviewed for the manager position, commented on Tavzel. "I think Hal would be a fine manager. He's worked for me for five years. He's very honest ... and a good Christian."

The other two candidates who were interviewed for the position are Bill Fisher and Jennifer Oetting. The board received a total of eight applications.[[In-content Ad]]Discussions on the cost of repairing several hangars at Portland's airport had some tense moments.

Dave Miller, whom members of the Portland Aviation Board voted to replace on Wednesday (see related story), a Miller Aviation employee and members of the board had a heated discussion about repairs made to several hangars at the airport on Wednesday.

Josh Weitzel, a local pilot who works part time for Miller, addressed the board about the fact that more than $68,000 was spent to repair several hangars at the airport.

Weitzel said the work done by Done Right Construction, owned by Aaron Huey, was "pretty shady." He asked who would pay for the electrical work that he believes needs to be corrected.

"We (taxpayers) shouldn't have to pay for this to be fixed," Weitzel said.

Board member Bob Sours, becoming agitated with the way Weitzel was addressing the board, asked Weitzel if he lived in the city and paid city taxes.

Weitzel said that although he lives outside the city, "I believe Mr. Huey needs to pay to have this work done correctly. You have proof of this Mr. president," he said to board president Glynn Barber. "You signed this (invoice)."

Miller stepped in and agreed with Weitzel. "Doesn't the board want to support me and go after this?"

"It was the airport manager's responsibility to scrutinize the work," Barber said, also getting upset. "I suggest you have a meeting with Mr. Huey," he said to Miller.

Board members then agreed to meet with Huey and Miller to review the invoices and the quality of the workmanship.

In other business, board members took no action on Miller's previous request to build a 90 x 110-foot wood-framed hangar on lot B at the airport, where a Naas Foods hangar previously stood.

Miller said Wednesday he plans to build an office for his business in the hangar. He said he would like to give ownership of the structure to the city after 49 years have passed.

Barber said he felt board members should have more information about covenants and restrictions on new terminal buildings before making a decision on the request. Barber said he will contact Hinkle.

Mike Evans of Woolpert Inc. said that the Federal Aviation Association must approve the construction of hangars at airports. In order to get the nod from the FAA, Miller would have to prove that the project will not disturb existing wetlands.

Also Wednesday, board members:

•Learned that the city must provide the FAA with a letter of intent to use its Non-Primary Entitlement funds by about May 1, or the city will lose the funds.

Evans said at least $150,000 must be used. The city is granted $150,000 each year for the airport.

"You need to take action on the land acquisition (for the runway and taxiway extension projects)," he told the board.

Barber said James Forcum, who is serving as the airport's attorney in the land acquisitions, said he plans to immediately submit offers for the 55 acres needed for the projects to the property owners.

•Learned that a AIPO 7 Design Grant the city was awarded about four years ago to design the runway and taxiway extension projects needs to be used by the end of the FAA's fiscal year, which is Sept. 30.

If the deadline is not met, the city will lose the funds, Evans said.

•Tabled a request by Miller for the city to donate $500 to purchase promotional items for the 21st Annual Fly-In at the airport.

The funds would be used to purchase items such as hats, toy airplanes and flying plastic discs for the event, which is scheduled for Aug. 28.

•Gave the city's clerk-treasurer authority to pay claims for monthly utility bills without board approval.

•Took under advisement a request by Miller to replace an old rotating beacon at the airport.

The beacon is about eight years old and is out of service. Replacement parts for the beacon are no longer available, Miller said. He presented a quote of about $5,000 to replace the beacon.

Board members decided to get more quotes.

•Approved a total of $236.81 in claims for new lighted exit signs at the terminal building, drinking water for pilots, a county ditch tax, a floor mat and rags.