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Minutes
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
July 16, 2012
The Weld County Council met in regular session in full conformity with the Weld County
Home Rule Charter, Monday, July 16, 2012, 6:30 p.m. at the Pierce Fire Station, 601
2nd Street, Pierce, CO.
ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by President Charles Tucker and on roll
call the following members were present, constituting a quorum of members thereof:
Councilman Charles Tucker, President
Councilwoman Ginny Buczek, Vice President
Councilman Don Mueller
Councilwoman Perry Buck
Councilwoman Marge Klein
Also present: Greeley-Weld Airport Manager, Gary Cyr and Karleen Watson, Council
Secretary.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Councilwoman Buck made a motion to approve the July
16, 2012 agenda. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Buczek and carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Councilwoman Buczek made a motion to approve the
June 18, 2012 minutes. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Buck and carried.
PROGRAM REVIEW: Greeley-Weld Airport Manager Gary Cyr provided the Council
with a poster board aerial photograph of the Greeley-Weld Airport property. He provided
general information regarding the Greeley-Weld Airport. He stated that the Greeley-
Weld Airport is a separate government entity that collects no monies from any of the
surrounding cities. The airport is under the Airport Authority Board consisting of seven
members; two from the City of Greeley, two from Weld County and three elected
members that are at-large. Mr. Cyr has been Manager at the airport since March 2011.
The Greeley-Weld Airport has six full-time employees and three part-time employees.
Four of the airport staff are certified Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting (ARFF). The airport
consists of fixed base operations (FBO) which is the fueling and handling of aircraft
during normal business hours. The airport does not have commercial airlines or TSA.
The airport is capable of landing large aircraft but limited to weight. The airport consists
of two runways.
The airport has onsite 15 businesses employing 1-35 employees. They consist of The
Barnstormer restaurant, aircraft salvage, Harris Aviation, Hangar One and aircraft '
maintenance. There are various smaller shops in business on the field.
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Weld County Council Minutes
July 16,2012
• Page 2 of 4
There are 225 based aircraft from jets to single engine planes which own hangars and
pay rent to the airport. The airport provides fixed base operators during business hours.
The airport has the longest runway north of Denver and is bigger than Ft. Collins'
longest runway by approximately 300 feet. The larger runway was put in place in 2000.
The airport's neighbors are the National Guard, which has 24-hour facility surveillance.
The Colorado State Patrol, Weld County Sheriff and Greeley Police Department operate
a gun range.
Currently, the airport is finishing a project with the 8th Avenue water line north on 47th
parallel to CR 62. It is a 16" water line and sewer line that will be used for future
development. The water and sewer line will be used for commercial or corporate use.
Mr. Cyr would like to start the asphalt rehabilitation by 2016. Typically, asphalt has a 15
year lifespan. The asphalt is 26 inches high. He stated that it was smart planning to put
the 10,000 foot runway where it is. The asphalt between the hangars also needs to be
redone due to being 35-50 years old. He would then like to keep moving east with the
rehab of the asphalt. The cost of the asphalt rehab will be $411,000.
The money to be used for the asphalt rehab will come partly from the airport and partly
from a state grant. It will cost $17 million and take 45 days. This will be done using
FAA funding by obtaining a grant. He may be able to gain $150,000 from FAA a year.
From the FAA grant $600,000 would be from Tier 2 to finish the west side of runway.
Mr. Cyr stated that $145,000 in airport revenue is collected from landings and take-offs.
The airport has been filling hangars that were previously empty when he initially came
on as Manager. Contract fuel is collected at 6% per gallon. Other sources of revenues:
rental of hangars, other airport businesses, and 14 oil and gas wells which are on
airport land. In 2011 the airport received $718,000 from the oil and gas wells. These
are separate from other sources of revenue and the money is used to pay for capital
projects. A new item of revenue since last fall is that drill mud is being trucked in and
deposited on the area parallel to the long runway. There are significant water retention
properties in this mud. In response to a public question Mr. Cyr advised that this drill
mud is environmentally safe. The revenue may reach up to $90,000 this year. Another
source of revenue is business licenses of$300-$600. The airport also leases 200 acres
of farmland for corn, onions and beans at $50 per acre. This is irrigated and three water
wells are utilized. The airport's water rights are substantial and are maintained.
Councilman Tucker asked where the farmlands are located and Mr. Cyr showed on the
aerial photograph which fields are onions, bean, and corn. Mr. Cyr stated that Randy
Knutson is a good steward of this land. This results in $10,000 in revenue. Mr. Cyr
stated that the airport is in a great shape financially with revenue in the bank and no
long-term debt. Everything at the airport is bought and paid for. Currently, the airport
has a capital fund in the amount $1M.
PUBLIC COMMENT: The program was opened up for Public Comment.
Weld County Council Minutes
July 16,2012
Page 3 of 4
Robert Winkler — Asked if airport publically owned. Mr. Cyr responded that it is an
Airport Authority and not publicly traded. Mr. Cyr stated that the airport does participate
in International "Learn to Fly Day" by offering airplane rides for $15. This information is
updated on the airport website. Mr. Cyr stated that Aims Community College offers
flight instruction and it has been doing well. This is a great asset which includes air
traffic control school preparation.
Mike Freeman — Recently ran in election for Weld County Commissioner for the seat
which will be vacated by Dave Long due to term limits. Mr. Freeman stated that he is
looking forward to working with people. Mr. Freeman grew up in Weld County and owns
a business with his wife. He also maintains an open door policy and his office is located
on Main Street in Ault. The Council congratulated Mr. Freeman. Mr. Freeman stated
that he is on the Air Traffic Control Board at Aims and reiterated that Aims has good
programs.
Robert Winkler — Asked the council how they are going about risk management
regarding the potential health hazards from oil and gas drilling and fracking.
Councilman Mueller referred Mr. Winkler to the Weld County Health Department.
Councilman Tucker stated that Mr. Winkler may want to attend a Planning Department
meeting as they too would be addressing such topics. All meetings are open to the
public. Councilman Mueller also suggested that the EPA can be contacted.
Councilwoman Buczek stated that the contact at the Weld County Public Health and
Environment is Dr. Mark Wallace.
Councilman Tucker recognized the Mayor of Pierce M Sue Spurgeon-Paris as well as
Elizabeth Van Why, Pierce Parks and Recreation.
NEW BUSINESS:
Salary Setting: After discussion, the council decided that they need to set salary for
2015 and 2016 and only set for County Commissioner salaries. Council Secretary will
email all council members the resolutions passed regarding this issue. Councilman
Mueller and Councilwoman Buczek motioned that a press release will go out that the
Council is opening this matter for Public Comment for the next meeting on August 20,
2012. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Buck and carried.
PAYMENT OF BILLS: Councilwoman Buczek made a motion to pay bills as listed
below:
Mileage for Councilwoman Ginny Buczek $ 54.91
Mileage for Councilman Don Mueller $ 19.02
Mileage for Councilwoman Perry Buck $ 25.39
Mileage for Councilwoman Marge Klein $ 46.19
Ft. Lupton Press - RTTP $ 29.50
Ft. Lupton Press Subscription $ 30.00
Weld County Council Minutes
July 16,2012
Page 4 of 4
The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Buck and carried.
ADJOURNMENT: By acclamation, the meeting was ad,' ned t 7• p. .
August 20, 2012 Cou it President Charles Tucker
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Council Secretary Karleen Watson
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