Meeting Minutes from the 6-3-2020 Zoom meeting

EAA Chapter 31 Meeting, June 3rd, 2020*

There was no dinner portion of the meeting nor did we have a pledge of allegiance at the 7:00 PM start of the Zoom meeting. President Pat Dodson, V.P. Rod Johnson and Secretary/ Treasurer Randy Stout as officers were present. The business portion of the meeting was called then to order. There were 9 members total in attendance.

  • Checkbook balance was $3420.41 as of the date of the meeting.

Next Chapter breakfast is hoped for on Saturday, July 18th, but we cannot confirm that at this time. There is a seminar put on by EAA national about the proper way to handle food service during the pandemic. Hopefully we will get some ideas that will keep us all safe and still have a good meal.

Pat mentioned that the EAA Flying Start program which would have been held on May 16th is cancelled.

Our super airport manager, Shelly Humble then spoke about several issues.

Here is a breakdown of what she discussed at the EAA meeting.

  1. Taxi-lane project – City received final grant offer on 6/3/2020 in the amount of $222,222 to complete the final construction phase of the Taxi-lane project.
    1. No City match will be required for this AIP grant due to CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act.
  • CARES Act – the airport received $30,000 grant from the airport portion of the CARES act.  This is in addition to the match for the AIP grant.  The City has chosen to use this money for maintenance and operations.  In other words, we will be using these funds to complete additional pavement resurfacing/maintenance on the entrance way. 
  • COAR (Critical Oregon Airport Revenue) grant.  The COAR grant funding system contains 3 “priorities”, the first is to utilize the money for match to the AIP grants, priority 2 are grants that assist with emergency preparedness and priority 3 are for economic development.  The airport applied for one priority 1 grant – AIP match, 2 priority 2 grants – install emergency generators at EOC and airport building/runway lights, and 1 priority 3 grant – upgrade fueling self-service terminal. 
  1. In January, the airport was awarded a grant to be used for the match of the AIP grant and a priority 2 grant to install a generator at the EOC (G4 hangar).  Due to the CARES Act none of the priority 1 grants are needed so today at the ODA board meeting they will be discussing whether or not to award the monies to the priority 2 and 3 grant applicants.  If this is the decision that is made, the airport will receive the additional grants for the airport building generator and the fuel self-service terminal upgrade.  I will update when I know the status.
  • Within the next few weeks, we will be installing a QT Pod M4000 self-service fueling terminal.  This is an upgrade to the current system.  Fuel will be available during this time via the override system.
  • The airport has purchased a workshop for the maintenance staff.  The shop will be delivered within the next 4 weeks and will be placed in front of the open airport/tractor shed to enclose the equipment.
  • The airport main FBO will be getting a new roof this summer due to damage from the snowstorm two years ago.
  • Airport Manager, Shelley Humble, had a request to see if the EAA would fly a “flyover” over the city on the 4th of July.  The Jet flyover has been approved, which is great, but the citizens would also like to see the Creswell Airport flyers also.
  • The airport staff will continue to help/assist the EAA volunteers (Bill Dewey and Pat Dodson to name a couple) to complete the retaining wall.

She also noted that there will not be a Creswell parade this 4th of July but asked us if we could still organize a fly-by. Since Gary in not able to lead it this year, the President will ask Chapter 1451 to lead this effort, as they have the 3 RV’s with smoke that make it quite a show. They intend to have a computerized light show instead of fireworks in the evening.

Also, it needs to be noted that the ANG will be flying the Jets over Creswell as they normally do on the 4th, so we need to be out of the air when we confirm the time.

Also of note: Fuel prices have come down a lot but are on the way up and there is a new thermostat coming for the sign by the freeway. Thanks Shelly- you are amazing!!

The annual Wings and Wheels at Cottage Grove has been postponed and will probably be merged with the Great Oregon Homebuilt fly-in on the last weekend of August. Watch for info on these fun events.

The subject of replacing the lights in the clubhouse with LED bulbs then was discussed. President Pat Dodson along with local pilot Jeff Forest will get this done in the next week. Total cost is $346.04. When we meet again, check out the new bright lights!!

President Pat then asked the group for ideas that we can present to the membership about a project that the club can start. He knows that it needs to be a great idea, have a sparkplug member to spearhead it and lots of participation. Please contact him if you can think of something that will really appeal to a lot of aviation minded folks.

It was noted that life member Larry Davis had a bad fall while helping (what else) another pilot weigh his airplane. He is recovering well, but his family asked everyone to limit their request for his help to consulting or supervising only.

Next meeting will be at the clubhouse (Hurray!!!) on July 1st. We will let you know if this is a meeting and dinner, or just a meeting at 7:00. Gary Ludeke will give us a tour of the progress (which is significant) on the Zenith CH-750-STOL. Please come and join in the fun!!

There being no other new or old business, Past President John then showed the Monthly Chapter Video along with the Tech Tips from EAA national.

The meeting was then adjourned at 8:08PM 

Respectfully submitted,

Randall Stout, Secretary/ Treasurer

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