HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_GTAB_07.14.2017Minutes of the Meeting of the
Georgetown Transportation Advisory Board and the
Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas
July 14, 2017
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Board Members: Steve Johnston - Chair, Ron Bindas - Vice Chair, Donna Courtney -
Secretary, Mark Allen, Doug Noble, John Marler and Sheila Mills
Board Members Absent: Troy Hellmann and John Hesser
Staff Present: Cindy Alejandro, Jim Briggs, Octavio Garza, Wesley Wright, Mark
Miller, Ed Polasek, Russ Volk, Paul Diaz, Michael Hallmark
Others Present: Terry Reed, John Milford, Wendy Dew, Richard Balentine, Carl Norris
- ACC, Ben Lake, Patrick Hubbard - Steger Bizzell, Kris Keith - HNTB, Jacob Walker -
HDR, Trae Sutton - KPA, Robert R. Williams - Dynatest, Johnathan Terrazas - LAN,
Lisa Vega
Regular Session
A Call to Order: Mr. Johnston called the regular GTAB Board Meeting to order on
Friday, July 14, 2017 at 10:00 AM
The Board may, at any time, recess the Regular Session to convene in Executive
Session at the request of the Chair, a Board Member, the City Manager, Assistant
City Manager, General Manager of Utilities, City Council Member, or legal
counsel for any purpose authorized by the Open Meetings Act, Texas
Government Code Chapter 551, and are subject to action in the Regular Session
that follows.
B Introduction of Visitors
C Industry/CAMPO/TXDOT Updates - Ed Polasek, Transportation Planning
Coordinator
By September, the CAMPO Policy Board hopes to have developed new criteria to
utilize Transportation Development Credits (TDC's). TDCs are a financing tool
that allow the states to earn credit when the State or toll authority fund capital
transportation project with toll revenue. The Texas Transportation Commission
have distributed a portion of those credits to MPO's with toll projects across the
State. CAMPO currently has over 50,000,000 in unused TDCs. TDC's can be
used to fulfill some or all of the federal matching fund requirements usually
provided by a non-federal partner. Current TDC criteria make it difficult to
utilize credits on construction projects because of TxDOT/FHWA auditing
procedures that audit actual construction cost and cash expenditures, not taking
into account TDC's. CAMPO is working to develop a policy and procedures that
would allow more flexibility to local jurisdictions to apply for, receive and use
TDCs in construction projects. We hope that this policy will be in place later this
year or early 2018 when CAMPO expects to make their next call for projects.
D July 2017 GTAB Updates - Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems Engineering Director
E Discussion regarding the Airport Monthly Report and Project Time Lines. - Russ
Volk, C.M., Airport Manager and Octavio A. Garza, P.E, C.P.M., Public Works
Director
Ms. Dew spoke on this item, her comments are at the end of these minutes.
Legislative Regular Agenda
The Board will individually consider and possibly take action on any or all of the
following items:
F Review and possible action to approve the minutes from the regular GTAB
Board meeting held on June 9, 2017. - Cindy Alejandro - GTAB Board Liaison
Motion by Marler second by Allen to approve the minutes as presented.
Approved 7-0-2 (Hellmann and Hesser absent)
G Consideration and possible recommendation to approve the Airport Ordinance
12.32. - Georgetown Municipal Airport Use Regulations - Russ Volk, C.M.,
Airport Manager and Octavio A. Garza, P.E, C.P.M., Public Works Director
Motion by Marler second by Bindas to remove this item to the August 11, 2017
GTAB Board Meeting. Approved 7-0-2 (Hellmann and Hesser absent)
Mr. Norris spoke on this item, his comments are at the end of these minutes.
H Consideration and possible recommendation to approve the Airport Minimum
Standards - Russ Volk, C.M., Airport Manager and Octavio A. Garza, P.E,
C.P.M., Public Works Director
Motion by Marler second by Bindas to remove this item to the August 11, 2017
GTAB Board Meeting. Approved 7-0-2 (Hellmann and Hesser absent)
Consideration and recommendation on Task Order SBE -17-001 with Steger
Bizzell of Georgetown, TX in the amount of $101,687.00 for 2017 Drainage
Improvements - Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems Engineering Director
Motion by Noble second by Marler to approve Task Order SBE -17-001 with
Steger Bizzell of Georgetown, TX in the amount of $101,687.00 for 2017 Drainage
Improvements Approved 7-0-2 (Hellmann and Hesser absent)
Consideration and recommendation on Task Order SBE -17-002 with Steger
Bizzell of Georgetown, TX in the amount of $173,124.00 for professional
engineering services related to the Old Town Northeast Sidewalk Improvements
- Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems Engineering Director
Motion by Courtney second by Noble to approve Task Order SBE -17-002 with
Steger Bizzell of Georgetown, TX in the amount of $173,124.00 for professional
engineering services related to the Old Town Northeast Sidewalk Improvements
Approved 7-0-2 (Hellmann and Hesser absent)
K Consideration and recommendation on award of a bid to Jordan Foster
Construction of Pflugerville, TX in the amount of $5,599,200.86 for construction
of the Southwest Bypass, Segment 1- Wesley Wright, P.E., Systems Engineering
Director
Motion by Noble second by Mills to approve an award of a bid to Jordan Foster
Construction of Pflugerville, TX in the amount of $5,599,200.86 for construction
of the Southwest Bypass, Segment 1 Approved 7-0-2 (Hellmann and Hesser
absent)
Adjournment
Motion by Marler second by Allen to adjourn meeting Approved 7-0-2 (Hellmann
and Hesser absent) Meeting adjourned at 10:55 AM
A proved:
Steve Jahn ' n - Chair
Attested:
Donna Courtney - Secr ry
Cindy Alejandro TABo rd Liaison
Georgetown Airport Advisory Board's Airport Closing
Project Oct 2002 (Airport Closing Report)
Hello Mr. Chairman members of GTAB and ladies and gentlemen.
My name is Wendy Dew I live at 30109 spyglass circle Georgetown Tx 78628 and I am an ACC
member.
I am speaking today about Coffman Associates new airport master plan describing a cost for an
alternative location for the airport.
Since I can remember the city has used the Airport Closing Report, and the city has been
referring to this study like it's the Bible, we can't do anything because the Airport Closing
Report says so. We have maintained for years that this report is a complete joke and not
professionally done. The city still throws it out there and quotes verses from their bible regularly
as a reason why they can't do this or that. Ever since I joined the ACC we have had the Airport
Closing Report shoved down our throats repeatedly by the city with the guise of the quality of
this report.
Then at the Coffman Associated show where they showed us what they are doing whether we
like it or not, I mentioned that the Airport Closing Report stated that to move the airport was
estimated to cost around 50 million and they stated that "It was not a professional report and has
no validity and that it would cost at least 321 million".
We asked for a break down on that by Coffman and Associates, but nothing.
The city has been standing behind a report that is "as Coffman says" 270 million off on their
estimate? Where did Coffman and Associates get that number? and why can't we see this report?
OH I know because it is a lie too. If they make the moving of the airport number large enough
321 million seems so unobtainable that most will just once again throw up their hands and say
"well that does it, it can't be done".
Once again more smoke and mirrors from the city and their associates.
Where is the apology from the city for their misrepresentation of the Airport Closing Report,
then again we get nothing from the city just silence.
St. George Utah (GSU) just built an international airport, so I called them and asked how much it
cost, They said 158 million.
That is for a Regional Commercial Airport, So why does it cost more than twice as much to build
a Reliever airport in Georgetown than a Regional Commercial Airport in St. George Utah. In
addition FAA provided 123 million dollars in grants for the new airport and the FAA not only
approved the moving of the airport but gave them funds to do so.
It seems to me that every platform the city stands on is a lie, everything they do is back handed
or double standard. In this community there is no truth just their truth.
This is not just a podunk little country town any more, it is becoming a thriving city and with the
growth of this city I expect the growth and changes in the quality of governance by our elected
and unelected officials.
Wendy Dew
GTAB STATEMENT
JULY 14, 2017
AGENDA ITEM "G"
CONSIDERATION/ RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE AIRPORT
ORDINANCE 12.32
Good morning Mr. Chairman, members of the Georgetown Transportation
Advisory Board, city staff and ladies and gentlemen. My name is Hugh C.
Norris, Jr. I am a member of the Airport Concerned Citizens (ACC).
ACC members have made multiple public statements since January 2014 to
the city council and/or the GTAB demanding compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regarding federal funding and fiscal
transparency for the Georgetown Municipal Airport (GTU). The GTU is a
documented health and safety hazard and subject of public controversy and
any action for maintenance and/or expansion should be addressed through
preparation of a NEPA provided Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). My
comments this morning relate to Item "G" of the agenda.
Item "G" requests approval by this board of Airport Ordinance 12.32, a
portion of which includes Section 12.32.230 (Section) that includes the Fly
Friendly Program (FFP) found on the City's web site. The text of the
proposed Section and FFP require significant amendments. The Section and
FFP impact the health and safety of all the ground level citizens of our
community and especially those within the two miles distant from airport
property shown on the safety and "noise sensitive areas"map of the FFP.
The Section and FFP are routinely violated on a daily basis and have been a
documented subject of significant public controversy. The extent of
amendments to the current Section and FFP demand that this item be tabled
pending a thorough review and response by Councilman Ty Gipson in whose
District 5 the airport is located and brought back for GTAB consideration
following that response.
Other communities having airports in dangerous locations within their
developed areas have dealt with the safety and noise management issues
our Section and FFP were intended to address. These communities include
those that encompass the Santa Monica Airport (SMO), the John Wayne
Airport (SNA) and many others. The flight rules established by such
communities can be used for reference for amendments to the proposed
Section and FFP.
The current Section and FFP were recommended by the Espey Huston
Engineers' 1998 Airport Master Plan Update as mitigation measures to
mollify outraged citizens objecting to endangerment of their health and
safety due to debilitating noise and dangers poised by significant expanding
aviation operations implemented by the 1980 Airport Master Plan by Bovay
Engineers. This multimillion, multi -project program included the major 900
LF extension and strengthening of Runway 18-36 from its 25,000 Lb to
60,000 Lb aircraft weight accommodation, land acquisitions, relocation of
Lakeway Dr. and a host of other construction items designed to begin
development of the airport as the primary Reliever airport for the Central
Texas region. That development process by use of state and federal funding
continued by the 2005 GRW-Willis plan and the 16MPGRGTN plan now being
developed by Coffman Associates has transformed the airport from its once
socially acceptable status to its current documented health and safety
hazard and subject of significant public controversy.
FAA documents that over 70% of air crashes occur during take offs and
landings and 30 air crashes with 9 deaths, four in the Serenada
neighborhood, are associated with our airport. Violations of the Section and
FFP by pilots who routinely use the safety and "noise sensitive areas" for
tight, noisy, dangerous, low level, turning flight patterns over homes,
schools, churches and businesses create needless heath and safety hazards
to the citizens on the ground and needlessly create additional public
controversy regarding the airport. The more adversely impacted citizens are
predominately located within District 5 although others are within Districts 2
and 3. Councilman Gipson has been sent a request to take lead and gather
an advisory panel of interested citizens to aid in development of appropriate
amendments to the Section and FFP.
Mr. Chairman, this agenda item does not need an immediate response today
from the GTAB. As the board knows, this issue has not been discussed
before you and the public by staff in any previous meeting this year. This is
a request that this agenda item be tabled for action to a future date after
your receipt of a response from Councilman Gipson and his advisory panel
which we will demand include members of the ACC.
Mr. Chairman, I would appreciate any questions or comments from the
board.