2018-06-11-minutes-public-works-study-session

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MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN KITTITAS COUNTY AND CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY REGARDING CO-SPONSORSHIP OF BOWERS FIELD AIRPORT This Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is intended to establish the basic principles Kittitas County (County) and Central Washington University (CWU), hereinafter referred to as the "Parties" or "Party", will employ in order to determine if co-sponsorship/joint operation of Bowers Field Airport is in the best interest of both Parties. L BACKGROUND The Bowers Field Airport is a public -use facility, owned and operated by Kittitas County. It is designated as a general aviation facility according to the National Plan ol'Integrated Airport Systems, and also identified by the Washington State Airport System Plan to provide a general aviation service -level role. The County is charged with maintaining and operating the airport in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant assurance agreements, to ensure continued safety and efficiency as a federally supported facility. The facility was first deeded to the County in 1947. In 1990, CWU began its Flight Technology program, a four-year degree program. The County and CWU entered into a lease for use of property at Bowers Field commencing March 1, 1992 and ending February 28, 2067 for the purpose of conducting Flight Technology or other Engineering or Technology related educational programs. CWU later assumed Midstate Aviation's lease with the County for the county -owned Main Hangar Building and ground lease for training, maintenance, and vehicle parking on November 8, 2016. Finally, CWU and the County amended the November 8, 2016 lease to include Fixed -Base Operator Services provided by CWU on December 19, 2017. CWU continues to utilize Bowers Field as its primary facility for the Flight Technology program and its operations there represent the majority of aviation - related activity at the airport. Recently, the County and CWU have been actively engaged in discussions regarding long-term operations considerations of Bowers Field and CWU's planning for expansion of the Flight Technology program. CWU has expressed concerns regarding the County's decision to close runway 7-25 and its ability to be more involved in the overall long-range planning decisions regarding improvements and operations at the airport. The County has expressed concerns about level of service demands, inadequate financial resources to sustain and improve facilities and safety considerations of current infrastructure. In addition, CWU has identified and expressed a desire to keep their Flight Technology program at Bowers Field. Likewise, the County has expressed that it is also in the County's interest that CWU's Flight Technology program remain at the Airport. In recognition of the mutual interests of both Parties, the County and CWU have decided to consider a co-sponsorship or joint operating agreement for Bowers Field Airport. Kittitas County and Central Washington University agree, as follows: