Airport Committee Hashes Progress, Problems, Potentials

By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY

Cleaver Senior Staff Writer

HARRISON – The August meeting of the Clare County Airport Committee began with approval of the agenda and the July minutes with corrections. As Gale Bensinger absent, there was no Airport Manager’s Report, the meeting moved quickly to Old Business where Gabe Ambrozaitis, committee chair, informed that closure of Runway 23/5 was still awaiting FAA authorization. He said leveling, fertilizing and seeding work on Turf Runway 9/27 remained on hold, pending discussion.

That led to the topic of airport lighting, and Ambrozaitis informed that he had found an old 2021 quote from J. Ranck Electric for runway lighting. It was comprised of two options: one with mounting base mounts in each light, and another for mounting with stakes.

“The bids are no longer valid because they’re three years old,” Ambrozaitis said. “But at least it gives us an idea what amount of materials we’re going to need.”

He went on to say the person he spoke to at J. Ranck was very helpful and accommodating, which led him to feel the business would likely provide some expertise as the project moves forward. Ambrozaitis also said he would speak to J. Ranck to get the quote refreshed, as well as speak to Heckman Electric in an effort to determine how to move forward.

Unfortunately, one hitch going forward will be the need for a 7.5 kilowatt constant current regulator which, if purchased new, would cost roughly $18,000. Ambrozaitis said that amount would consume most of next year’s budget, and emphasized the importance of prioritizing first, second and third steps.

Next was the terminal office building repair, and the fact that no contractor bid had been received. Ambrozaitis added that if no local contractor bid materializes, he proposed the project become one of self-help.

Also present at the meeting was Gary Rea of FED Builders who had previously provided a vision agreement outlining what a terminal with a 50-seat restaurant could look like. Rea spoke of Ambrozaitis and himself having walked the site, learning of some of the airport’s current needs, and noted the agreement provides a site plan layout, a floor plan layout, and renderings of the exterior.

Ambrozaitis further spoke of the agreement’s cost proposal and its validity roughly through the county’s fiscal year, coupled with lighting being the No. 1 priority. Also noted was that the J. Ranck quote was a significant amount, but also was turnkey with the company doing all the work – no self-help. Ambrozaitis said he needs to figure out how the project can be reduced to materials only, and then move on to the vision agreement.

In response to a question about the increase in restaurant seating [from 44 to 50], Ambrozaitis explained that the realization of the vision would enable a larger square footage enabling more service and room for a buffet. Also, the terminal building with restaurant concession would mean moving things westerly, taking the restaurant out of the road right-of-way.

It was noted that the Airport is again seeking $20,000 for the 2024-2025 budget, with any remaining monies able to be rolled over into the next year’s budget.

Ambrozaitis reported having spoken with Allison Heinrich of the Middle Michigan Development Corp., as well as Lee Shirey, state representative of the Economic Development Administration. He said Shirey indicated the first step is always the Economic Assessment: what does the airport bring; how does it fit into Hayes Township and the county, the City of Harrison and the greater area. Again, money is a barrier, because that assessment would cost $40,000-$50,000, the cost split for that next year being 50:50. This year was 80:20, but the deadline for application had passed. There is, however, the potential for a 60:40 split, depending on how appropriations go.

Shirey did inform that money is available for hangars, taxiways and hangar aprons.

Ambrozaitis said he is still working on the possibility of NPIAS [National Plan for Integrated Airport System] designation, but has bumped up against the seemingly solid barrier of the 30-mile radius limitation [distance from an existing NPIAS airport]. He said he will continue to press the question of who [FAA or Congress]/how/why that rule was set and seek a variance.

“I’m not going to give up on that,” Ambrozaitis said. “We’re going to continue to fight on that front. If it’s a rule that the FAA promulgated, then we can change that rule. And I think we have plenty of justification to change that rule.”

It also was reported that the airport tetrahedron had been repaired and repainted, and Ambrozaitis expressed his appreciation for Bensinger’s efforts to complete that work.