Tim Verzal

This Comprehensive Plan Update for the City of Deer Park serves as a roadmap to guide future decisions in land use, housing, economic development, transportation, capital facilities, and utilities. It adheres to the Growth Management Act (GMA) by focusing on reducing urban sprawl, promoting affordable housing, encouraging efficient multi-modal transportation systems, protecting the environment, and ensuring adequate public facilities. The plan details strategies for Capital Facilities and Utilities, Essential Public Facilities, Economic Development, Housing and Population, Land Use, Parks and Recreation, Shoreline, and Transportation, aiming for regional coordination and smart growth with a planning horizon extending to 2046.

The board meeting covered the financial status of the airport, progress on the Master Plan update including discussions on runway/taxiway alignment alternatives to accommodate C-III aircraft, and pavement maintenance plans for runway 05/23, taxiways, taxilanes, and run-up areas. The board welcomed a new member and recommended another applicant for a board position. Updates were provided on forest management, including the recommendation to obtain a new forest manager and an updated forest management plan. The board also discussed and recommended rate changes for tie downs and non-public recreational use fees, and provided updates on the CARB loan application for on-airport sewer mains and the feasibility of installing an additional Jet A fuel tank.

The board discussed the financial status of the airport, including professional services costs and lease payments. Updates were provided on AIP #26 regarding spray field relocation, with ongoing efforts to justify the preferred alternative with the FAA. CR Contracting is scheduled to begin work on the pavement rehabilitation project in September under AIP #31. The board reviewed and approved Richard Pullman's lease application for lot #13B. There was also a discussion about a real estate development company's inquiry regarding a potential private FBO. The CAP/Airport BBQ was reported as successful, and issues with mowing have been resolved.

The meeting addressed taxilane eligibility, waterline installation, and lease applications. The plan for taxilane eligibility includes the requirement for two additional tie downs. The airport will submit an application for BIL funds, and taxilane construction is planned for the spring/early summer of 2025. The construction of the waterline will be funded with a WSDOT Aviation CARB loan. The board approved a lease application for Bobby Marshall to purchase the hangar on Lot # 107. The 2024 budget was shared with the board, and several line items of the budget were discussed with an overview of some known expenditures for 2025. The Timber Management plan is completed in draft form.

The board addressed several key issues, including the completion of the bidding process for AIP 32/33, with Inland Asphalt being awarded the bid. Planning for the fly-in event was reported as mostly complete, with emphasis on community involvement and airport awareness. The airport was experiencing an average start to the fire season, with updates on fuel purchases and the late arrival of the Forest Service Air Attack. Progress on water, sewer, and electrical infrastructure for the south taxilane lots was also outlined.