Port meets new aircraft rescue staff

by Matthew Weaver<br>Herald Senior Staff Writer
| July 26, 2007 9:00 PM

Outlook positive following ASPI meeting

MOSES LAKE — Port of Moses Lake commissioners were introduced to their new aircraft rescue unit during their board meeting Monday afternoon.

Rural/Metro Command Chief Allen Ward introduced the commissioners to the six full-time employees who take over aircraft rescue and firefighting duties beginning Aug. 1.

The port district decided to contract with Arizona-based Rural/Metro for the services earlier this year, after determining it would be saving $238,000 by switching from its long-standing public safety department.

"It's a pleasure to become a partner with the port and we look forward to serving everybody with our level of airport experience," Ward told the commissioners.

Rural/Metro is in the process of hiring several part-time employees to supplement vacations, Ward added.

Also at the meeting Monday, commissioners Kent Jones and Larry Peterson said the port district's quarterly update July 18 with Seattle-based Aero-Space Port International Group, or ASPI, had gone well.

"I thought it went fine," Jones said. He said the port district and the group explored things happening within the district and what they could be doing together.

"Since we're both trying to promote the area so hard, it's fairly important we get together once in a while, compare notes and talk strategy," Peterson echoed.

Group corporate counsel Kim Foster agreed with the commissioners' assessment regarding the meeting.

The update with ASPI included talk about general infrastructure issues, the status of rail improvements and how general permitting issues affect the port's development ability.

Foster said the port and ASPI are going to contact the City of Moses Lake to get an inventory of current water and sewer availability in certain areas to determine the upgrades necessary to be in permit-ready status.

"So there aren't any delays between identifying a user and getting service to a particular site," Foster explained."

ASPI and the port district are also planning an update with Grant County to ensure the information conveyed to their prospective users is consistent with the county's current permitting status.

At their meeting Monday, commissioners approved a modification of their contract with McChord Air Force Base to include a line item for reimbursement of damages caused by C-17 landings and take-offs.

Port Administrative Services Manager Bonnie Lamb explained the aircraft in some instances may damage runway signs as they turn in preparation for take-off. The port had previously had some difficulty collecting reimbursement because there was no line item in the contract.

Other actions the board of commissioners took at the meeting included approval of a request for an upgrade and expansion of the Genie Manufacturing parking lot and discussed procedure for requirements of aerial navigation easements on requests for comment from county or city planning departments.

The meeting recessed into executive session to discuss personnel and union matters.