Board approves BFS help

With an approval letter in hand, local officials are taking the next steps toward a runway extension.
Portland Board of Aviation approved Monday for engineering firm Butler, Fairman and Seufert to help in the process of starting the land acquisitions necessary for the 1,500-foot extension at Portland Municipal Airport.
It also discussed the possibility of purchasing a sweeper to clear excess snow and ice from the runway.
Nearly a year after the board had turned in its justification study, the Federal Aviation Administration gave its OK last month for the runway at the facility to be extended to 5,500 feet from the current 4,000. That will allow for larger aircraft to use the airport, with a projected result of doubling its traffic.
The next step in the process is land acquisition and environmental studies. Construction of the extension is not likely to happen until 2017.

Board president Mike McKee praised Jason Clearwaters of Butler, Fairman and Seufert for his efforts in helping earn approval for the extension.
“I want to tell you on behalf of the board thank you personally and your company for grinding it out on that runway justification,” he said. “That took a lot longer than any of us thought. …
“It’s an exciting time for the City of Portland, for the airport and for the citizens of Jay County.”
At board member John Lyons’ request, airport manager Hal Tavzel presented information about the cost of a runway sweeper.
Currently, the airport contracts Dusty Howell to plow the runway during the winter. But plowing leaves residue that can thaw and refreeze.
Sweeping the runway after it is plowed would eliminate that problem.
Tavzel said renting a broom would cost about $1,000 ($200 per hour) after each snowstorm. The cost to buy a broom is $18,000.
The runway is plowed an average of 12 to 15 times each year.
The board took no action, with McKee noting that a sweeper is a “wish list item” that should be considered in the future.
In other business, board members Jim Runkle, McKee and Lyons:
•Noted that Bob Sours, who had served as president of the board last year, has resigned his position. Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman will name a replacement.
•Approved for Clearwaters to inform the FAA that the airport plans to spend its $150,000 in “entitlement money” this year rather than rolling it over for a future project.
•Heard from Tavzel that the airport sold 3,229 gallons of fuel in January for a total of $13,337.29.
•Paid claims totaling $1,302.52.