Sunday, June 12, 2016

Suspicions Confirmed - Heber's Airport is Park City's

Heber residents own 12% of Hangars (perhaps less), 
and 1 resident owns nearly 50% of the value.  
Over 50% of hangars are owned by Summit County residents
14% of the total Hangar Value is owned by one entity.

(This is a rough overview of ownership, as noted in the property owner's listed addresses.  Some owners listed as "Heber" are known to reside elsewhere.  Nothing is intended here to indicate anything improper about the ownership.  
But it should be noted that Heber City taxpayers have invested over $700,000 in the airport in the last 20 years, and revenue generated at the airport must be spent at the airport, except property taxes,   Note also the taxes listed are for Wasatch County, Heber City's are only a small proportion.  This  is po)  

Source 2015 Property Tax Reports:
(If more detail is desired, to search the list enter "*HG-003" in the "Serial Number" box "contains")

Total of 74 Hangars, 7 still listed as owned by Heber City Corporation, (possibly 8?)   Of the 15 larger Hangars (5,625 sq ft), none are owned by Heber residents.


number
Value
Tax pd
sq.ft.
Heber 8 12% $701,627 10% $8,562 10% 29,014
Midway 3 5%




     Wasatch Co
17%




Heber City Corp 8 NO TAXES   (maybe 7?)
    $3,026?

Park City 33 50% $4,099,410 57% $50,044 57% 137,229
Kamas 1





Francis 1





     Summit Co
53%




Provo 2





Draper 1





SLC 3





Ogden 1





     Other UT
12%




Vegas 2





WY 1





Helena 1





Texas 5





CA 2





FL 1





HI 1





     Out of state
20%




TOTAL 74
$7,234,601
$88,332
245,923





Saturday, May 07, 2016

City Resolves NO Airport Upgrade

City Resolves NO
Airport Upgrade
The Heber City Council has passed a resolution "opposing the . . . Airport becoming a CII. . . "
WHEREAS, the Heber City Council, as well as our Airport Advisory Board, are in the process of several actions and decisions that are affected by whether or not we, as the sponsors of the Heber Airport, are willing to expand our airport from a BII to a CII standard, (such as existing and potential FBO, SSO and hanger leases, funding needs from the airport operations and potential shortfalls needing funding loans from Heber City, etc.), and
WHEREAS, many among our citizens want us, as the sponsor, to take a position, for or against said expansion, and
WHEREAS, there are many, yet to be determined or affirmed, financial implications both from expansion to CII or remaining a BII, and
WHEREAS, we need to get final determinations of these implications (as soon as possible), in order to become better informed in our council airport decisions, as well as being able to better inform our citizens and others who are making decisions for activities at our airport,
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby resolved by the Heber City Council, of Heber City, Wasatch County, Utah, the Heber City adopts Resolution No. 2016-9- A Resolution Opposing the Heber City Airport Becoming a CII Airport and Asking our Congressional Delegation and Governor for Assistance in Confirming with the FAA the Financial Ramifications of our Choosing to Stay as a BII Status Airport. 

A Further Motion . . . 

was discussed in the same meeting to require a citizen's initiative to approve such a decision. That motion was tabled for further consideration.
As reported in this newsletter some months ago:  "Recently an online petition was posted (click here) requesting the Heber City Council to pass a resolution or ordinance declaring non-support for a expansion to a CII airport allowing (encouraging) more airport traffic."    (Thanks to the Council for their consideration And ACTION)


Wasatch County Council also weighs in on the Airport Discussion
 In a "public Information Meeting," the Council heard input and asked questions about Airport Expansion, (View Here), pointing out the County Master Plan did NOT favor airport growth.

Why is a Petition STILL needed?
This was an excellent step in the RIGHT direction.  A further analysis should support what the Valley residents already seem to understand.  An Airport expansion is neither wanted NOR needed. 
Currently there are nearly 300 signers of the on-line NO EXPANSION petition, with nearly half adding personal comments.  
The Council may need more encouragement to follow the wishes of Heber valley residents!!!!    ASK FIVE OF YOUR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS TO SIGN THE PETITION!!!!



Consider the last large building project approved by the City Council - The nearly completed Public Safety Building: 
  • Heber needed a new public safety building, (and a new Justice Court??). Several public meetings were held to promote the idea. The elected official supported it and voted for it. Did the people support?  (Were the really ASKED?)
  • A few diligent, watchful citizens attempted a ballot initiative to determine support by an official VOTES, but they failed to obtain enough signers. However, the question DID end up on the ballot – but only as a "straw poll" as the vote was not supposed to be tallied. However, the actual voting results WERE posted.
  • With a similar turnout as the election, Heber City voters registered their disapproval of the Public Safety Building saying they did NOT favor the expenditure - by a 57% majority.
Only 7% of those who voted, did NOT weigh in on the issue. But 57% of those who did cast a ballot said NO thanks.  
HEBER CITY Proposition
Total


Number of Precincts
14


Precincts Reporting
14
100.00%

Times Counted
2615/5352
48.90%


Total Votes
2431
93%


Yes
1043
42.90%


No
1388
57.10%

The Moral of the Story: Make your voice heard - before the decision is made. 

ACTION
1 Read the petition,and your neighbors' comments. 
2 Read the source links in the petition and the Highlights.
3 Decide if this is a NEED and appropriate use of government money (aka tax money from various sources.
Sign the Petition requesting that no decision will be made without a vote of the people. (It would also be appropriate to delay any decision for ten years.) 
5 Add your own comments
6 Email, call or contact others to offer them the opportunity to join. 
Any airport expansion decision lies solely with a majority of the five member Heber City Council.   There is no requirement for them to approve an upgrade.



More Later, thanks for reading, feel free to PASS IT ON.  Click on the "Online Version" in the right panel for the online link.     Read the Wasatch Blog for more controversial info. 
 
 

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Wasatch County Presidential Election Results

Utah held its first Presidential Preference Poll, partly using online voting, but the majority of votes were cast at the caucus meetings.

Republican Results, with a total of 2,359 votes, showed a 65% support of Ted Cruz.  That was similar to the statewide result of 69% for Cruz; total voting seemed projected to over 200,000 votes.



Wasatch Democrats overwhelming chose Bernie Sanders with 76% with  727 votes (2 were "uncommitted")   Statewide, Sanders had 79% with projected voting of about 84,000

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Airport Ma$ter Plan$

An Analysis of the Necessity of a Heber Airport Master Plan
(planned for FY 2017, beginning July 2016 at a proposed $300,000)
Based on Airport Master Plans AC No.: 150/5070-6B Date: 1/27/2015 (quotes in italics)

It appears that the primary purpose of an Airport Master Plan is to support the modernization or expansion of existing airports. This expansion was already proposed ten years ago, and 'defeated' through the opposition of local residents. However, the issue seems to be in the process of rejuvenation.

104. FUNCTION OF MASTER PLAN STUDIES a. Airport master plans are prepared to support the modernization or expansion of existing airports or the creation of a new airport. The master plan is the sponsor’s strategy for the development of the airport.

It has now been declared this is a “safety upgrade” and NOT an expansion by the (ADVISORY) Airport Board. This push is partly rationalized as needed because jet operations are now exceeding the 'critical Design' factor of “500 annual operations”

Critical (Design) Aircraft – The most demanding aircraft with at least 500 annual operations that operates, or is expected to operate, at the airport.
Operation – The landing, takeoff or touch-and-go procedure by an aircraft on a runway at an airport.

By way of explanation, ONE aircraft making ONE five minute flight, five days a week would meet the 500 annual operation criteria. Stated another way, ONE active jet can be used to justify consideration of a $30 Million airport.
There are less onerous, and expensive, studies that could accomplish any needed purpose. It is unknown to this writer when the last Master Plan was completed, but decade old attempt toward a CII operation likely was introduced by a Master Plan of some type.

Pg 6 An airport master plan is a comprehensive study of the airport and typically describes short-, medium-, and long-term plans for airport development. Master planning studies that address major revisions are commonly referred to as “Master Plans,” while those that change only parts of the existing document and require a relatively low level of effort tend to be known as “Master Plan Updates.”
As to an update, a even less complex plan could be an appropriate alternative. Under the recent situation of the $1 million plus purchase of the Maverik property might have been accommodated through an Airport Layout Plan Update to study the use of a displaced threshold to create the desired runway safety area improved.

Airport Layout Plan Updates –
An update of the ALP drawing set will reflect actual or planned modifications to the airport and significant off airport development.
. . .An ALP drawing set update is an appropriate alternative to a full master plan whenever the fundamental assumptions of the previous master plan have not changed.

Pg 7 If there have not been any major changes in airport activity or improvements that have had unanticipated consequences, a master plan update is not necessary. Another situation where only an ALP update would be appropriate is the examination of a single development item, such as runway safety area improvements.

Determining Type of Study – Deciding whether the study in question will lead to a master plan or to an ALP update largely determines the elements to be included and the required level of effort. Even at this early stage of the process, the airport sponsor and the FAA should be able jointly to determine what type of study is appropriate. The sponsor usually will not make decisions regarding specific variations on the basic study type until the consultant has come on board. Although a master plan study will always include a technical report and an airport layout plan drawing set, supplemental products, which may often be related to public outreach efforts, will usually be determined during the scoping process.

Rather than a STUDY of any possible safety solutions, Heber City simply phoned the FAA who dismissed the idea with little consideration. The result was the loss of a tax-paying business and the purchase of the land to facilitate more weed growth, and the expense of $30,000 allocated tax money to determine a price.

Pg 17 The first task in a master plan study, after the consultant receives a notice-to-proceed, is the creation of a public involvement program

If, or when, Heber opts to continue with the $300,000 study the public will witness new promotions of the benefits of spending $30 MILLION tax dollars on a new expanded CII airport. Most benefits, if any, will be calculated using generous 'multiplier' effects. In reality some benefits might accrue to VERY FEW individuals or businesses.

What type is Heber 36U? One report says “regional.” As the table included in the footnotes demonstrates, it is a very small operation. This reference indicates not much of study should be required for an entity of this size:

Pg 42 3) General Aviation and Reliever Airports
Where the 5- or 10-year forecasts exceed 100,000 total annual operations or 100 based aircraft:
a) Forecasts differ by less than 10 percent in the 5-year forecast and 15 percent in the 10-year period, or
b) Forecasts do not affect the timing or scale of an airport project, or
    1. Forecasts do not affect the role of the airport as defined in the current version of FAA Order 5090.3, Field Formulation of the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.
When the 5- or 10-year forecast is for less than 100,000 total annual operations or 100 based aircraft, the forecast does not need to be reviewed at FAA Headquarters, but the data should be provided to the FAA for the annual update of the TAF.

AFTER the Master Plan (to support) has begun the public will be brought in to express their “concerns” I would suggest the appropriate time to express those concerns is BEFORE the $300K Master Plan is ever begun.

401. TIMING Public involvement has its greatest impact during the early stages of the planning process, before irreversible decisions have been made and while many alternatives can be considered. When the stakeholders become involved before major decisions or commitments are made, the planners can better deal with issues of community concern and improve the chances of reaching a consensus on controversial matters. If stakeholders become aware that the important decisions were made before they were invited to participate, they may distrust the planners. In addition, when public involvement opportunities are not provided until late in the planning process, there may not be enough time to make significant changes. The tendency, instead, will be for planners to merely defend previously determined courses of action, rather than exploring any new alternatives. An effective public involvement program will usually avoid such an undesirable outcome.

Propaganda meetings will come with push polls, etc. finance with the Master Plan expansion promotion (The public can give them some opinions up front! Ipetitions.com Heber Airport)

Pg 79 The emphasis in airport planning is normally on the expansion and improvement of existing airports

Pg 123 Information on the future airport expansion and improvement contained in an airport master plan should be incorporated into the development of comprehensive land use plans to ensure land use compatibility around airports.

Data Effective Date: 02/04/2016
http://www.gcr1.com/5010Web/airport.cfm?Site=36U&AptSecNum=2
Based Aircraft
Single Engine (SE):
69


Multi Engine (ME):
4
Jet (J):
7
TOTAL FIXED WING:
(SE + ME + J)

80
Helicopters:
2
Gliders:
16
Military:
0
Ultra-Light:
0




Operations
Air Carrier:
0


Air Taxi:
1,550
General Aviation Local:
6,814
General Aviation Itinerant:
11,104
Military:
0
TOTAL OPERATIONS:
19,468
Operations for 12 Months Ending: 01/01/2012



Monday, February 08, 2016

Airport Expansion

The Airport EXPANSION has been renamed as the Heber Airport "Safety Upgrade" as part of the new push for growth.

The Heber City Council did approve the purchase of the Maverik gas station land under threat of eminent domain for ca. $1.4 Million ($70K by Heber City) plus a $30K appraisal, etc. study.

In (FY) 2017 an updated Airport Master Plan will begin (for $300,000) which in all likelihood will provide everyone with 101 ways expansion will benefit YOU, the taxpayer, and demonstrate the NEED for more safety.   FROM THE 2003 ARCHIVES   Airport Feezabiliity Study

Read the post below about an alternative 'safety' option.

An on-line petition requesting a vote of the people before spending $30,000,000 on airport
EXPANSION in the future.





Monday, November 16, 2015

Airport EXPANSION is Back??

*** Updated 2 Dec '15The agenda item proposed for the land purchase was removed from the agenda and postponed to a budget modification hearing (to fund the project, it was 'thought' -but apparently, someone thought better of the idea and merely proposed $30K for a study of the issue and an appraisal - stay tuned.) 

Many years ago when we moved to this lovely rural valley, there was an airport that seemed mainly a glider and small airplane operation. Of course that was back in the time that Deer Creek reservoir was covered with sailboats and the valley was filled with alfalfa fields, dairy farms and low density housing.

But, times change. It seems only a decade or so ago that the last proposal to expand the airport was soundly trounced by local residents in public meetings. Well, apparently that expansion plan never really died and appears to be back. 

An interesting scenario is developing.  A few weeks ago the Heber City Council, KPCW report, in a work meeting“discussion,” found a “consensus” to “Acquire Land on Heber Parkway for the Heber City Airport Runway Protection Zone (RPZ).”    Current RPZ map 

BUT, that property is under contract, or has been sold, to Maverik for a new gas station and last week, the Heber Planning Commission (Agenda) found that all of the requisite rules had been met and gave “Final Approval” to build and operate the facility.   This location may not be within the current Runway Protection Zone (apparently it IS, after further research, however. . . ) and the Planning Commission has the authority for 'commercial' approval.

However, this Thursday, 19 Nov, Heber City Council's regular meeting has this agenda item: “#11. Approve the Purchase of a Parcel of Land Located on Heber Parkway for the Heber City Airport Runway Protection Zone (RPZ).”    

If the gas station did go into operation, there is a possibility that it would be within the RPZ, IF THE AIRPORT WERE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE LARGER AIRCRAFT.

The price of the property is, reportedly, $1.5 million, and Heber has a vague Email “promise” that the FAA will refund the purchase price under the “Uniform Relocatíon Act appraisal,or reappraisal,” if the money is available, next year.

Before Heber City puts the purchase price upon its taxpayers for the benefit of The Premier Airport In Utah Serving Park City and Deer Valley,” many questions should be answered:

As the Maverik proposal has received FINAL Approval from the Planning Commission meeting, does Heber City have the authority to override that decision?(click the link below to
continue)

Friday, November 13, 2015

School Bond PASSES

After defeating the $24M pool and ball fields County bond in 2014, Wasatch voters chose emotion over fiscal savings and passed the $62 million School (and Pool) bond.  Apparently the dislike by parents and school district for the economically viable and efficient Year Round option could not  overcome the plea, "It's for the children" - C'est La Vie.

The results by Precinct (from the "NO" perspective):



 For those wondering about the comparison between the 2014 Pool vote and the 2015 School Bond Vote, see below: