Pangborn Memorial Airport
The Ports of Chelan and Douglas counties met to discuss several Pangborn matters:
Airport Manager Pat Moore addressed some long-term goals and current priorities at the airport including the terminal remodeling project. This work will be required as a result of Horizon’s replacement of the present Q-200 aircraft with larger Q-400 aircraft next spring (the Q400 carries approximately double the number of passengers than the Q200). This changeover, and potential flights to additional destinations in the future, requires the airport to accommodate a larger number of passengers who may pass through the terminal at any given time. The current plan is to renovate the passenger security holding area, modify portions of the HVAC system, and install additional seating. Most of this work (estimated tocost approximately $1,000,000) would be funded by the Federal Aviation Administration through its airport improvement grant program. It was noted that the need to accommodate larger aircraft will require a significantly higher level of FAA funding than is normally available to Pangborn. Commissioners Larsen and Spurgeon will take the lead in discussions with our Congressional delegation to secure additional funding to meet these requirements.

The airport is also working to comply with some new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security regulations. Additional fencing will be required on the south side of airport property, between the airport’s orchard property and the runway. The gate access to Airport Way is also mandated by the TSA.

Jason Wyles, the new Horizon station manager at Pangborn, shared some information about future flight schedules, saying that Horizon will likely maintain a schedule of four daily flights to Seattle during the period in which Horizon replaces its entire Q200 fleet. Commissioners from both ports will meet with Horizon corporate officials soon to document the need for additional flights in and out of Wenatchee.

Docks on the Columbia River
The Commissioners were briefed by Tim Larson of the Chelan PUD regarding potential restrictions on the development of future private docks on the Columbia River. The Ports may explore the potential for larger, public docks, if the construction of new private docks is restricted and if that restriction is shown to have significant negative impacts on public access for recreational boaters.

Advanced Vehicle Innovations (AVI) -- New Vehicle Purchase
The Port of Chelan County Commission authorized the acquisition of a 2008 Toyota Prius, which will be converted to plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) using the latest technology. This conversion is an integral piece of a PHEV pilot project associated with the Port’s Clean Energy Technology industry cluster strategy. The Port’s 2005 Prius, which was previously converted, will be declared surplus and made available for sale.

Commission Changes Meeting Dates and Time
The Board approved changing the Port’s Commission Meeting dates to the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Wednesdays of the month, and the starting time to 8:30 a.m. effective March 5th, 2008

Executive Sessions
Two executive sessions were called to consider real estate matters. No action was taken.