Aviation aspirations: Wasilla City Council approves acceptance of funds for airport project

WASILLA — The Wasilla City Council unanimously approved the acceptance of funds from the Federal Aviation Administration for the Apron E project at the Wasilla Airport for more than $3 million.

“I like the 9 percent match, 91 percent is coming from the federal side,” Wasilla Mayor Bert Cottle said.

The current runway occupies approximately 500 acres and stretches 3,700 feet. Members of the community also came to voice their support, especially for continued expansion of the airport runway.

“Along that theme of development of the airport, and as I stated just a moment ago in my opinion, it’s the most valuable asset for the city of Wasilla, we encourage you to continue to work on that plan and especially and specifically to extend the runway to 5,100 feet. The private sector in the community is poised and waiting to invest our dollars to enhance the airport economy, creating high paying jobs and a tremendous economic effect for the whole community,” Dan Kennedy said. “In accordance with the vision that the private sector has developed, and this is a vision of the future of an industrial park on the south side of the airport.”

The council voted unanimously to amend the 2019 budget by accepting and appropriating $3,735,100 from the FAA for the Apron E project. The contract for the work was awarded to Scarsella Brothers, Inc. for $3,436,668. The council also voted to amend the contract with HDL Engineering Consultants for $270,063 for the Apron E project.

Cottle said he was excited about the possibility of expansion of the airport, and Public Works Director Archie Giddings was already hinting at federal funding that the city would be applying for in the future. The Apron E project will begin construction in May 2019 and plans to add 18 new tie-down spaces and one commercial lease lot. The new apron will be 531 feet by 332 feet and excavate approximately 233,000 cubic yards of material. Giddings expects for the fill to be used on a second apron that will be 531 feet by 75 feet.

“We’re actually getting two apron spaces built out of this dollar amount and it’ll be exciting to see this happen,” Giddings said.

Cottle stated that the need for more space at the Wasilla airport is there, specifically for maintenance that pilots can’t afford to do in Anchorage. Cottle said that people are waiting in line to get more space.

“This certainly has the long term potential to drive growth in the city and keep us growing, so I am very happy,” Councilman Stu Graham said. “This is a great project, great timing for a great asset.”

Councilman Tim Burney hinted that not everyone in the community is happy about airport expansion, but joined in speculating that further airport expansion would be a win-win for the city.

“It leaves us about 25 to 26 million short to have everything we want,” Cottle said. “We start pushing that airport out another 15 to 1,600 feet, there will be some people that are not happy. That’s just part of doing business.”

The council moved resolution 18-25 to new business for further discussion, rather than just approving it along with the rest of the consent agenda. Councilman Stu Graham took particular interest in the ordinance, noting that the seven members of the Wasilla Airshow Advisory Committee would not be compensated for their service. Cottle said he has hoped that an airshow would help boost the economy in the summer, and expects to hand off the supervision of the show to a non-governmental agency within a few years. The committee is required to meet twice a month. Graham speculated that each meeting may take more than two-and-a-half hours, and the board would meet more than the council, more than the Planning and Zoning Commission, and more than the Parks and Recreation Board, or the Airport Advisory Commission.

“We’re asking people to commit a very substantial part of their lives not just for a short period but for an indefinite period,” Graham said. “We are asking a lot of these people and there should be some sort of stipend for their commitment to the city, and the city should be willing to do that if this is a priority to get this airshow up and running.”

Cottle argued that it would not be a problem to fill the seven slots. Cottle said he plans to have the first airshow in June. Cottle spent time as a police officer and mayor in Valdez, where they average between 125 to 150 airplanes, and hopes to hand the airshow responsibilities off within three years.

“There’s other people too, that have come and talked to me. Everybody’s excited about wanting to put this together. I’m hoping to have an air show this June, I don’t care if it’s five airplanes, it’s a start and it will go from there. But I’m estimating we will be well over 100 airplanes just this year,” Cottle said.

Councilwoman Glenda Ledford argued that there was no stipend for members of the centennial committee, which she served on for over two years. Councilwoman Gretchen O’Barr said that she envisions aviators who are passionate about the airshow being willing to donate their time to help the cause. Cottle planted the seed that the budget cycle is upcoming and hinted to Graham that that would be a good time to bring it up.

The ordinance passed unanimously.

Cottle read a proclamation declaring Nov. 11 to be Veterans Day. Cottle will attend a ceremony at the new Veterans Wall of Honor at the old Iditarod Elementary School site on Wasilla-Fishhook that will start at 11 a.m.

“We promise to honor their memory never taking our freedoms for granted,” Cottle said. “Let’s take the opportunity to show our gratitude to our veterans and their family members who call Alaska home.”

Wasilla High School student representative Sophie Morse detailed a spirit week happening at Wasilla where students dressed in all white on Monday to scare away drugs. Louise Eaton, representative for Burchell High School, stated that the Burchell Esports team had its first competition and more than 30 students participated.

Councilman Tim Burney asked for prayers for fellow Councilman Mike Dryden, who was absent due to illness. Both Dryden and Burney won re-election last week and Burney was sworn in prior to the official business.

The council will not meet again until Nov. 26 due to the Alaska Municipal League meetings in Anchorage.