2020-02-24-minutes-check-in-with-benjamin-west

Home Browse Search

02/24/20 MINUTES 1 COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON COMMISSIONERS CONFERENCE ROOM SPECIAL MEETING MONDAY 8:00 A.M. FEBRUARY 24, 2020 Board members present: Chairman Brett Wachsmith; Vice-Chair Laura Osiadacz; and Commissioner Cory Wright. Others: Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board; Benjamin West, Director of Airport Operations; Mark Cook, Public Works Director/Interim Engineer; and 3 members of the public. SPECIAL MEETING AIRPORT UPDATE COMMISSIONERS At 8:00 a.m. Chairman Wachsmith opened a Special Meeting to meet with Benjamin West, Director of Airport Operations for a weekly update. Benjamin West updated the Board on a conference he attended over the weekend where he assisted at the Washington Airport Managers booth. He said would like to have a booth at the conference next year as there are thousands of people who attend, and it would be a good way to market the airport as well as network with others. He distributed copies of materials for the Board’s review and outlined various projects and focuses including the economic impacts and benefits to the community from the airport. He reviewed strategic/economic plans and said he would begin soliciting engineers and hoped to have plans that would begin to assist in bringing the community together. Mr. West said he has received various comments from people about the poor conditions of the airport, safety issues including wildlife and vegetation. He said he would be working on a Wildlife Hazard Management Plan and will work with wildlife experts. He would like to be able to commission an engineer to review plans for the hangars to make sure they fit with the Master Plan, and if not, look at alternatives. He said that with all of the duties and work he will be doing he would like to request at least hiring an Administrative Assistant. He said he would also like to rethink the option of a temporary trailer for his office, as he would like to have a place big enough to include at least 2 offices, a pilots lounge, bathroom facilities (including showers); as well as a kitchen. Mark Cook, Public Works Director/Interim Engineer said they could continue to assist with the administrative duties in the short term. Mr. West said he’d like to find a way to begin completely separating from the Public Works Department and would talk with Mr. Cook later to review what’s already been budgeted for. Other immediate needs he felt that were necessary to obtain was a FOD-BOSS, a high-power blower, and a