June 15, 2011
06/16/11 Members of the Plymouth Board of Aviation Commissioners (BOAC) have spent the last several months renovating, repairing and replacing areas of the airport buildings and property in an effort to make them as safe and long-lasting as possible.
At the May meeting of the board, they received seven quotes for a terminal building re-siding project which they took under advisement. But what was originally thought to be a $30,000-$40,000 project may end up costing a great deal more if or when the board proceeds.
Bids on the project became difficult to compare since some of the quotes received were for re-siding only of the 45-year-old terminal building, while others included the installation of windows.
During the May meeting, Board President Tom Flynn said, “The two windows on the south side of the building were an aluminum grade and, over the years, they have leaked and caused rotting on all sides of the areas around the windows.” Flynn explained that they would like to widen the windows so that airport personnel would be able to see the runways from inside the terminal.
On Tuesday night at the regular BOAC meeting, the matter was revisited since three of the quotes received were over $50,000 and propelled the project into other parameters of public bidding laws. According to Flynn, the quotes ranged from $32,000 to $41,000 and then to $61,000.
Quotes were received from Heets Home Restoration (no address announced during the meeting), MTC Quality Exteriors (Tippecanoe); Johnson Builders (Knox); Hammer Enterprises (Plymouth), Custom Disaster Restoration (Florida address); and Easterday Construction (Culver).
In order to stay within the laws concerning such projects; the board authorized Mark Shillington of Woolpert, Inc. to draft the documents for re-bidding. Shillington presented billing on June 14 for the work in the amount of $2,400, which the three board members present voted unanimously to pay.
Commissioner Kevin Morrison was absent from the meeting.
Because of the length of the final paperwork drafted by Woolpert, Flynn questioned whether any bidders would take time to complete it and submit another quote. Phil Bockman, BOAC commissioner, said, “None of this is by choice.” After a discussion on the pros and cons, Flynn said, “I guess it doesn’t hurt to send out.”
The board agreed by unanimous vote to reject the previous quotes and advertise for new bids.
Shillington said they have set a pre-bid meeting approximately two weeks before the next regular meeting of the board and will accept bids until June 12.
In other matters, the board will pursue a review appraisal for property and two buildings just north of the airport driveway. Following an explanation by Shillington, the board clarified that there could be a need for the property (commonly known as the Neidig property) in the future to erect private hangar space. According to Shillington, the property does fall within the runway protection zone.
Currently there are “for lease” signs in the two empty buildings. It was also noted that the purchase of the property would allow the entrance to the airport to be moved.
City Attorney Nelson Chipman indicated that there is nothing in the BOAC’s five-year plan on the purchase of the buildings. He said, “Basically you (board) are just doing things that come up.”
Flynn agreed with Chipman, but indicated that he felt the board is making progress in upgrading the airport. Flynn said, “City Hall would like us to have a crystal ball.”
Shillington reported that the FAA has approved the placement of proposed signage at the airport. The matter will still have to come before local boards since the size and location do not conform to limitations set by local regulations. The deadline for getting the matter on the June agenda for local boards is June 15.
In earlier meeting, the BOAC had some discussion on land leases for private hangars’ following some inquires. During the June 14 meeting, Chipman said the previous board had researched the matter in 2000 and that there were records of their findings available. Chipman indicated that his recommendation would be for the current members to research the matter and other matters in previous meeting minutes.
Carol Anders Correspondent