TAPE/#

Speaker

Comments

TAPE 3, A

003

Chair Verger

Opens the meeting at 3:04 p.m. Asks the members to introduce themselves.

INTRODUCTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS - ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

015

Sen. Bruce Starr

Introduces himself to the audience and expresses his interests and concerns regarding issues in transportation.

024

Sen. Metsger

Introduces himself and outlines his district and areas of interest.

040

Sen. Whitsett

Introduces himself and summarizes his background.

047

Chair Verger

Introduces herself and her history with transportation-related issues. Outlines the committee’s initial goals. Submits rules to the committee (EXHIBIT A). Asks the committee to adopt the proposed rules.

ADOPTION OF COMMITTEE RULES - ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

053

MOTION:  Moves to ADOPT the proposed Committee Rules dated 1/25/05.

VOTE:  4-0-1

EXCUSED:  1 - Prozanski

054

Chair Verger

Hearing no objection, declares the motion CARRIED.

058

Chair Verger

Closes the organizational meeting, and opens an informational meeting.

AIRPORT SYSTEM OVERVIEW - INFORMATIONAL MEETING

071

Michael Burrill

Chair, State Aviation Board. Makes opening comments in regard to the current state of the Oregon Department of Aviation (ODA).

092

Chair Verger

Asks for an overview of the future.

094

Burrill

Responds that transportation is important to any real estate development in Oregon. Notes the need for a strong relationship between the ODA and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).

120

Charlie Riordan

Acting Director, ODA. Presents EXHIBIT B (written testimony) and begins PowerPoint presentation (EXHIBIT C). Walks through the presentation providing information on aviation and the airport system. Outlines the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS).

185

Sen. Prozanski

Wonders how an airport becomes a NPIAS airport.

190

Riordan

States it is decided by geographic importance, activity and size. Continues with presentation outlining the department’s responsibilities.

235

Riordan

Talks about funding and airport improvement projects. Outlines current issues for 2005, to include air cargo, which is the fastest growing segment of the aviation industry.

285

Chair Verger

Asks for clarification regarding economic impact studies.

290

Riordan

Clarifies the purpose and methodology for the economic impact studies.

295

Chair Verger

Asks about growing airports like Medford and Redmond and their economic impact on the community.

300

Riordan

Replies that they will study each airport in turn, looking at them “as a snapshot in time,” and finding out what trends are in the community.

325

Chair Verger

Asks if the economic studies will also be done on the seven airports that have commercial airline service.

330

Riordan

Replies that the studies will be done at those airports.

345

Chair Verger

Asks if the economic studies will be done at all the “public” airports.

350

Riordan

Responds that they will. Reviews activity at the seven airports that have commercial air service. Notes that Klamath Falls, Pendleton and North Bend are all in jeopardy of losing some of their services.

390

Chair Verger

Comments on North Bend airport being down to three flights a day at a time when passenger demand has increased. Wonders why airlines would not address growing demand.

400

Riordan

Replies that it is an economic decision.

TAPE 4, A

005

Riordan

Explains that flight route decisions are based on where the airlines can realize the greatest yield.

025

Chair Verger

States her concern over rural Oregon’s ability to obtain investments without having infrastructure in transportation.

040

Riordan

Continues with his presentation on commercial airline service.

076

Riordan

Summarizes a proposed interstate air service development program. Presents information on air cargo, pointing out it is one of the fastest growing industries.

095

Sen. Prozanski

Wonders about smaller airports “buying service” to their communities.

105

Riordan

Responds that it is a practice called “ticket banking.” Explains that communities commit to purchasing so many seats so an airline is guaranteed revenue.

141

Riordan

Continues with his presentation, discussing trends like the new Airbus 380, and notes that cargo activity will triple in the next ten years.

156

Riordan

Details the general aviation segment. Discusses security issues in aviation.

180

Chair Verger

Asks if the witness is familiar with the project at the North Bend airport, and whether he has been involved in that project.

190

Riordan

Replies he has not worked personally on that project, which is to get a new terminal building at the airport.

200

Chair Verger

Points out the problems being experienced at the airport. Outlines how community involvement can contribute.

215

Riordan

Concurs with her comments and elaborates on means of improving public/private partnerships.

240

Sen. Prozanski

Inquires about the size of the Airbus 380 and whether it compares in size to the C-5A.

245

Riordan

Replies that it is quite a bit larger.

250

Chair Verger

Asks if the Airbus 380 is built by Boeing

Riordan

Replies it is built by Airbus in Europe.

260

Sen. Starr

Wonders what is required to build one’s own airstrip.

265

Riordan

Replies that the aviation department can come out and inspect the location and it can be built.

270

Sen. Metsger

Inquires about problems with private airstrips and “glide slopes” and being placed in risky areas.

280

Riordan

Responds that airstrips are sometimes built and then adjoining property begins building too near the airstrip. Outlines some of the solutions the DOA can provide.

300

Chair Verger

Reviews past efforts to find funding for roads and bridges. Closes the informational meeting on aviation and opens an informational meeting on the ODOT bridge update.

OREGON DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BRIDGE UPDATE - INFORMATIONAL MEETING

336

Bruce Warner

Director, ODOT. Notes that the department has been involved in getting the best information they can regarding the need to repair or replace the bridges in the system.

380

Paul Mather

Region 3 Manager, ODOT. Begins PowerPoint presentation on Oregon State University bridge study (EXHIBIT D).

TAPE 3, B

005

Mather

Continues with presentation regarding bridge options and status.

030

Sen. Prozanski

Asks for clarification on the color coding on slide two of the PowerPoint presentation (EXHIBIT D).

040

Mather

Explains the color coding on the map and their meaning in regards to route stages. Continues presentation with discussion of the objectives of an Oregon State University (OSU) study done for ODOT.

105

Chair Verger

Asks if ODOT has illustrated the differences between the OSU study and the national standards. Expresses the need for “transparency” in the process.

115

Mather

Summarizes how ODOT is applying the new criteria to bridges. Reviews the challenges of maintaining momentum for the program.

170

Chair Verger

Expresses her appreciation for the summary. Asks about freight routes and how they were chosen, and feels that it should be addressed at a future date.

190

Sen. Starr

Notes the lack of detail in the presentation. Wants to see if anything has changed since the OSU study, or how many bridges have been moved into other categories (page seven of EXHIBIT D).

220

Mather

Points out this is the same information given to the interim committee in December, and that he had hoped to have additional information. States he has some draft reports that they are working to complete.

230

Sen. Starr

Reiterates his desire to see more information.

240

Warner

Comments that they would be happy to return and provide information on the freight routes, how they were chosen, and the decision-making process.

290

Warner

Talks about the federal bridge standards and that the OSU study has been an essential new tool for determining bridge strength.

300

Chair Verger

Points out the economic problems with closing bridges to freight. Talks about going on the road on February 11, 2005, and upcoming meeting topics.

325

Sen. Prozanski

Asks about the meeting time on February 11.

330

Chair Verger

Replies she would like to make a stop at the Port of Umpqua. Closes the informational meeting and adjourns the meeting at 4:23 PM.