Delta Heritage Air Park Delta Heritage Air Park Operating Committee (DapCom)
Meeting 194 Date: February 12, 2015
Call to Order: by Chair, Trevor Skillen Call to Order: 19:26 Members and Guests Attending: Trevor Skillen, Tom Boulanger, Gerard Van Dijk, Bruce Prior, Ron Zeleschuk, Chris Hodgson, Ginny Ivanicki, John Macready, Gerald Ohm, Les Mitchell, Jeanette Mitchell, Phil Whitehead, Terry Petersen, Dave Browning, Ray Griffin
Corrections or Additions to Minutes: Chris wanted it added to the December minutes that the word ‘grandfathered’ was used in that meeting. Trevor is not aware of anything actually being grandfathered. If the rules are unclear, we should go over them and be clear about the policies.
Correspondence: The Parks Board is presenting a tour of a number of parks, including us, for 14 participants. It will be called ‘Celebrating Partners’. They plan to ride down the dyke on bikes. It was suggested we could put on a little show. Gerald offered to put on some nibbles to show a bit of Delta Airpark hospitality. Date is TBA.
Embree house update - see below in Embree section.
We have the CPI rates from Stats Canada for use in determining annual hangar rates.
Tom received the insurance policy to be filled in and returned.
Metro Vancouver Parks/Management Committee: On January 26th, Trevor met with Parks about renewing the five year agreement. It was a short meeting as they had only a few minor changes to discuss and there were no major changes from either side. They went through the entire agreement together, mainly for clarification. Trevor will be consolidating both sides’ comments and Parks will take the agreement and comments to the Parks Board Committee sometime in late April, in time for renewal in July. They are quite happy about the airpark arrangements. There will be the usual reference in the final agreement regarding a further five year renewal clause.
Budget, Revenues and Expenses: Mogas will be here in a few days, at a cost of $.85. per liter and it will be sold for around $1.20 per liter. Our latest delivery of Avgas was at a cost of $1.26 per liter and will be charged out at $1.45 per liter (including GST and the 10% cost allowance)
This year, Tom will try to arrange the data regarding the costs of maintenance of the gas pumps, in a way that is easier to total. He will go through the books, month by month from last year, to arrive at a figure for last year. Les offered to help. Les thinks it would be good to know in case we would be better off, financially, to get new pumps instead of repairing the old pumps if the costs are accumulating.
Gerard said that according to Western Oil, we would need $35,000 to get a new pump.
Hangers and Tie-Downs revenues: $23,000.00 DAPCOM 65%: $15,000.00 RAA: $ 1,150.00 METRO: $ 6,900.00 Embree Heritage House Project: Marcel (Parks Board) sent a note to the Corporation of Delta regarding interior renovations. In order to restore the building, two of the additions - wall partitions, upstairs - would have to be removed, according to the consultant, Brian Hart’s, recommendation.
Buildings/Hangars: (Note: The writer of these minutes wishes to apologize beforehand, for any omissions of verbatim discussion during this part of the meeting. To transcribe all of what was said would require the training of a court reporter, of which I have none! However, I have endeavored to render a concise translation of the pertinent points made and answered by the individuals.)
Hangar Rates:
Trevor talked to the Parks Board (Marcel), regarding the clause in the agreement that references the methodology for the yearly updating of the rates for the hangars. Section 3.15 was reviewed Jan. 1, and states that the rate increase will be equal to CPI (Stats Canada’s National Indicator) OR Market Rates, whichever is the greater. Trevor discussed acquiring the market rate figures with Parks and they understand our difficulty with being able to establish that rate without professional help. They are happy with our solution of hiring an outside consultant each year to give us a rate.
Chris Hodgson wanted to know why we have to use a consultant which costs money and may not be a legitimate appraisal. Chris thinks we are capable of doing our own comparable rate analysis. Trevor suggested it is an extremely divisive issue and would be difficult or impossible to come to an agreement ourselves, let alone have the expertise to amalgamate a report of wide ranging market rates.
There were some members who were upset about the issue of pricing hangars and how rates were and are determined, and felt changes were needed (further discussed below).
------Motion is on the table to hire a consultant for $2000. as discussed with the Parks Board, said consultant to be selected asap. The results would be brought to the meeting for acceptance or rejection. Trevor suggested bringing in the Parks Board to the deciding meeting, as well.
VOTE: ‘6’ yays, ‘0’ nays - to hire a consultant. Motion passed.
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Les brought up that he believes everyone should pay the same rate per square foot.
It was noted that the agreement talks about hangar rates, not tie down rates, so tie-downs are not at issue here.
Chris would like to bring up ‘furniture stored in a hangar’. Is there a policy regarding storage of non- aviation items in hangars? Bruce says that the rental agreement says that you can’t store anything but your airplane. Chris would like to pass a motion that we stick to that. Terry asked if bicycles are allowed, as he enjoys having his there. Apparently they would not be - only maintenance related items. So if we voted to strictly adhere to the tenant agreement, bicycles and any other item would have to be removed.
Les said that Chris was offered the hangar where the CJ was moved to, and Chris stated that the place where the CJ was moved from, now contains furniture. Trevor suggested Les, Hangar Manager, seek clarification of when Jerry Janes is going to bring another plane to go in that spot (though there was some discussion that the spot containing the furniture is not big enough for an airplane). Apparently, he is waiting for the opportune time, weather-wise, to do so. Les agreed to ask him. Chris would like clarification on how the hangar waiting list works. Les said that Jerry Jane’s grandson would be using the CJ but was not a member any more of the Aerobatic Club who is in control of the hangar in question. The Aerobatic Club chooses who goes in to the hangar they rent, so that various pilots can have planes there for a time.
Les’s opinion is that the hangar should not be used for storage and that we should stick strictly to the agreement. John said that the EAA has looked into the issue in the States and that many people use hangars for other things, getting a preferential rate for storing those things. EAA is trying to make the hangars intended for airplanes and not household goods. The RAA has added an addendum to their hangar policy to reinforce the idea that the hangars are only for airplanes. They’ve had some problem implementing it, especially in keeping areas tidy, and this was not a popular policy. The agreement is printed out and put up in the hangar for the benefit of new tenants, and they’ve tried not to be too confrontational for those who are not complying. Discussion about this has gone on for a long time. Trevor agrees that it is a priority if there are airplanes waiting for space. Trevor said that we need to go through our tenant agreement.
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Trevor would like to put through a motion that we (Les, as Hangar Mgr) go to all tenants and seek a time limited compliance. John recommends that we don’t do that. ‘1’ Yay. ‘Multiple’ Nays. Motion is defeated. Les will instead remind people of the agreement.
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Ron says that there are two areas of deficiencies in his hangar, from the original contract with Kyle. The flashings over the rails are not complete. He would like it fixed before the birds are looking to nest in Spring. Kyle hasn’t returned Ron’s calls. He will cc Trevor on an email to Kyle.
Regarding the tent in the back area that damaged some siding; Les forwarded an appraisal for materials (not including labour) and Les was not sure if the tenant in question would pay through insurance or directly, himself. The tenant should be vacating the interim hangar situation soon.
The following section was added in ‘Other Business’ but is included here as it is on the same subject:
Les had another point to make, under ‘other business’; He read out Section 1.3 of the agreement that refers to ‘no preferential treatment….including fees’. He stated that means the RAA can’t pay less for their hangars than anyone else. Trevor says that once we have the market rate established, we can evaluate if they are below market rate. Tom says that when the airpark was taken over, all the hangars were charged the same rate as they were before. RAA was, and is, paying a rate of $1,322.00 for their whole building, to the GVRD, and then sublet to their tenants. They have never paid anything to Metro Vancouver.
The consultant will recommend what the current market value is on the whole structure. Gerard said that when Parks bought the property, they were going to give notice to vacate or sell their building to them. RAA paid for their building and to build the roundhouse. John says that the RAA looks after their own affairs. They don’t report to DAPCOM. There is a lot of history about the rates. The GVRD knows what we’re doing and are happy with it.
Trevor reiterated that it is out of our hands. The consultant will decide market rates. The agreement will be enforced.
Les made note of Section 9.3 of the agreement - ‘re any improvements….’ pertaining to code. It was agreed we should definitely review future improvements as to code, in the future.
Runway, Grounds, Tie Downs: Ray Roussy is waiting for the quote on the signs. He sent a jpeg of the design. When we have the signs, he’ll bring out a drill rig to dig the holes for installing them. Could Metro bring out signs with a ‘bicycle with a cross across it’ to put by the runways as well? Terry Petersen (Hangar 209) brought in a letter regarding some leaks in his hangar. Gerald let him know what was done to stop the leaks in his area. Terry is worried that the wood could be compromised. Les said he could take a look at it. Gerald said all the leaks were coming from cracks in the metal around where the screws went through and caulking them helps. Les suggested getting a large box of screws. He has some he can donate. Gerard has some left over as well.
Flight Operations: Ray Roussy is out of town today. No issues were reported in the last month.
Fuel Management: Les said that they put in Mogas at Abbotsford airport and it didn’t work for them there. Trevor said that through a poll, it was found that 75% of the tenants here would use Mogas. We will also be the only supplier of Mogas at an airport in the lower mainland.
Approximately 30,000 liters of Avgas sold last year. We will be saving 10% of that amount each year, minus repairs to pumps, to help with any future purchase of equipment. Last time the Avgas price was this low, we were selling 50,000 liters a year, as it encouraged more flying. We’ll probably make more profit on the Mogas.
We’re waiting for a nice day to pull the tank. It looks like possibly next week will have suitable weather. Mogas should be in the tank within a week and Tom will send out an announcement. Shell has warranted that it will be alcohol free. There won’t be any additives in it. We will publish the rules for using Mogas.
Environment Protection and Enhancement: Bob Sisler is not here for a report. There is still the ongoing issue with root damage on Canadian Air Parts driveway. Have not received an answer yet.
Coffee Shop Operation:
Breakfast Net: Dec. $ 3. Jan. $11.
New Years Day was a success. Gerald bought 30% more food than last year, but used it all. There were 150-175 people here. Some people donated money and that amounted to $60.
This year we’ll try to put on a Volunteer Day where we have a meal for them.
The events last year were a great success.
Breakfast Dates:
BBFC March 8 RAA April 12 DAPCOM May 10
Events Calendar: Spring Event? It was suggested we have a Pig Roast/Clean Up Day, on Saturday, May 30. John Mrazek will be asked to provide his pig roasting equipment.
Motion to adjourn: Trevor Skillen Adjourned: 21:08
Seconded: Tom Boulanger