1. CALL TO ORDER

President Rosenthal called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were: Directors Linda Bozack, Mike Mohn, and David Rosenthal, Airport Manager Scott Seymour and Administrative Assistant Suzanne Turner. District Counsel Scott Nave participated via telephone conferencing. Director Arden Wallum and Director Farris were not in attendance.

Members of the public were in attendance.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

Director Mohn led the assembly in the pledge of allegiance.

3. MIKE MOHN SPBMITTED HIS LETTER OF RESIGNATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Directors Rosenthal and Bozack accepted his letter and expressed their regret to see him step down. Director Mohn’s letter of resignation becomes effective February 2, 2006.

4. CONSENT CALENDAR

A. Approval of the Minutes for the special January 12, 2006 meeting and waiver of further readings.

B. Approval/ratification of the Payment Register of January 12, 2006.

C. Acceptance of the November Financial Report.

A motion to approve the Consent Calendar with changes was made by Director Bozack and seconded by Director Mohn.

The motion was passed by voice vote: 3 ayes.

5. APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT WITH MEAD AND HUNT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR VARIOUS AIRPORT PROJECTS

Director Rosenthal led the discussion and outlined the changes he was proposing be made to this contract. They are as follows:

a. Section A under the Scope of Services paragraph (2a), he requested that the Planning Committee of the District be changed to read the Facilities and Planning Committee of the District. The District does not have an official planning committee.

b. Page 2, item 5, he would like the word “upon” stricken because it is unnecessary.

c. Page 6, item 5: District Counsel stated that it should read: “The agreement may be assigned only with written approval.” Counsel explained that this means that if Mead & Hunt were going to shut their doors or were bought out by another engineering company, the Board would have to approve before the new company could proceed with work under the contract. Also, the same would be true if it were decided by the District not to operate the airport anymore and assign it to the County. Mead & Hunt would have to approve the change.

d. Director Rosenthal would like the period changed to a colon after the words Attorney Fees and at the bottom of the page where it mentions Attachment 1- Standard Billing Rate Schedule, he would like to see a copy of this schedule. Director Bozack asked that a copy of the schedule be put in all Directors’ boxes.

A motion to accept the Contract for Services between the Indian Wells Valley Airport District and Mead & Hunt, Inc. with changes as noted in the discussion was made by Director Bozack and seconded by Director Mohn.

The motion was passed by a voice vote: 3 ayes.

B. APPROVAL OF THE WORK ORDER WITH MEAD & HUNT

The Board of Directors approved the work order with Mead & Hunt, Inc. authorizing them to do the project management of the Airport Capital Improvement Plan (ACIP) and Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) application in an amount not to exceed ten thousand dollars.

A motion to approve the Work Order with Mead & Hunt, Inc. was made by Director Mohn and seconded by Director Rosenthal.

The motion was passed by voice vote: 3 ayes.

C. APPROVAL OF THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (ACIP) FOR A FEDERAL AVIATION GRANT

Airport Manager Seymour explained that the Airport Capital Improvement Plan (ACIP) data sheet presented was for 2007 and the funding for the Airport share would come from the Passenger Facility Charges (PFC). The local share on the sheet refers to the Airports’ required matching funds of 5% for each projected funded by the grant. Scott told the Board that the Airport’s share did not have to be paid prior to completion of the projects. This would allow time to collect the necessary funds needed from the PFC charges.

Director Bozack asked why the 5% match did not come out to an even amount. Manager Seymour responded that he would consult with Mead & Hunt to clarify the amounts.

Directors Rosenthal and Bozack both expressed their appreciation at how Manager Seymour has remained on top of the AWOS project for the airport.

Director Rosenthal asked if the fuel farm containment should read “fuel farm containment structure”. Manager Seymour replied that what is being built is only a containment area. Director Rosenthal wanted “structure” added so that Mead & Hunt, Inc. is not in doubt as to what we are requesting.

Director Mohn told Manager Seymour that they have been waiting for years for the AWOS and that everyone will love him for it. Directors Rosenthal and Bozack both agreed.

A motion to approve the Capital Improvement Plan with FAA Grants was made by Director Rosenthal and seconded by Director Bozack.

The motion was passed by voice vote: 3 ayes.

D. DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL OF PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES TO RECRUIT AND APPOINT A NEW DIRECTOR TO THE BOARD

Mike Mohn’s letter of resignation led to a discussion of how to proceed with the appointment of a new Director. District Counsel Scott Nave told the Board that with Director Mohn’s resignation effective February 2, 2006, on February 3, a letter must be submitted to the Kern County Election office informing them of a vacancy on the Board of Directors.

District Counsel Nave described a sixty-day period allowed by law. First, a public announcement of the vacancy is posted for fifteen (15) days, during which time no action can be taken. During the remaining forty-five (45) days, any action necessary to appoint a new Director is authorized as long as it remains within public view. If no action is taken, or the action is unsuccessful, then the task of appointing a new Director defaults to the County Board of Supervisors.

Director Bozack asked District Counsel Nave if they could discuss and set procedural guidelines for choosing the next director, as well as the information requirements the Board would like to see contained within the public notice and letters of response from prospective candidates. Counsel Nave responded that the Board needed to set these guidelines tonight. Director Mohn suggested that they just ask for brief resume and cover letter.

Director Rosenthal responded that the procedure he would like to see followed is too announce it publicly and receive expressions of interest and desire from the public. He said the responses can come to Scott, the airport manager, because he is the public contact and has the public phone number. Director Rosenthal further stated that he would be in close contact with Scott over the public’s response, and should there be an overwhelming response that the Board could narrow the field by secret ballot. Counsel Nave responded that they were prohibited from doing anything in secret; everything had to be done in open session with an open vote. He said that the Board cannot participate in secret balloting, that even in closed session votes have to be made public.

Director Mohn asked District Counsel if they could hold a committee meeting before the March 1 meeting to go over the applications received. Counsel responded with a yes, the President of the Board could appoint an ad hoc committee to review applications, narrow the field and offer suggestions. Director Bozack stated that she was not in favor of an ad hoc committee because she felt that all directors should be able to review all applications received. District Counsel said that the Board should wait and see how many applications they received before appointing an ad hoc committee.

Counsel then asked if the District had an application that could be handed out. Manager Seymour reported that there was a standard application for the Director’s position. District Counsel suggested that a notice be posted informing all interested parties that they could pick up an application at the Airport Office and that this notice should contain a cut-off date.

Director Bozack suggested that a resume, application, or statement contain the applicant’s vision for the future of the Inyokern Airport. Director Rosenthal agreed that interested parties could submit an application, letter or resume. The Directors decided the cut-off date for accepting applications should be February 20, giving them time to review all applications received prior to the March 1 meeting. If there is a need to hold a special Board meeting, Counsel advised the Board they could set one at the March 1 meeting. Counsel also informed them that the notice must state that the applicants must live within the District and be registered to vote.

The Directors discussed posting of the notices. They want them posted on the Web site, throughout the District, and published in the newspaper.

No action was taken, only discussion.

E. LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION TO SUBMIT A MATCHING FUNDS GRANT APPLICATION TO THE KERN COUNTY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT TO PURCHASE A HYBRID VEHICLE

Manager Seymour told the Board that this letter was to authorize him to act on behalf of the Inyokern Airport District in obtaining a grant from the Kern County Air Pollution Control District. The grant is for $30,000 to purchase a new hybrid vehicle for the District, replacing the existing Ford Ranger that has over 160,000 miles. The District would be required to provide $3,000 in matching funds. Scott assured the Board that we have the necessary matching funds.

A motion was made by Director Mohn to go forward with the Grant application to the Kern County Air Pollution Control District and authorizing Manager Seymour to act in the District’s behalf. Director Rosenthal seconded the motion.

The motion was passed by a voice vote: 3 ayes.

6. DISTRICT COUNSEL REPORT: Nothing to report.

7. MANAGER'S REPORT

Manager Seymour reported that no filming has taken place so far this month but that we had three days booked for the end of the month. We will initiate free wireless DSL service at the terminal, provided by Dollar Car Rental. Dollar Car Rental is providing the funding and the Airport will provide the signage. The service will accommodate five users at once.

8. COMMITTEE REPORTS: No committees have met since the last meeting.

9. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Mr. Brad Glasco, AOPA representative, said that the hot topic was safety for rescue crews from possible post-crash explosive reactions from ballistic escape rockets on military aircraft ejection seats; also, lack of knowledge about protective suits that are available. Mr. Glasco plans to meet with the Airport Fire Department and make sure they have the latest information available.

10. BOARD COMMENTS

Director Bozack commented on Manager Seymour’s nice shirt. He responded that if was provided by Air BP. Director Bozack also asked Mr. Glasco to e-mail the Board and Web master with the latest information on the safety issue and thanked him for all he does. Director Bozack commented that the office renovation appeared to be going well and when it is completed we should contact the Inyokern Chamber of Commerce: sending them pictures, writing something for their news letter, and inviting the public to the airport.

Director Mohn said that he regrets having to leave at a time when the Airport is entering a new dawn. He would have liked to have been part of all the upcoming changes. He will be around on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and is still teaching on the base. He expressed his confidence in Scott and his staff and feels that you will really see a lot of changes with his proactive management style.

Director Rosenthal thanked Director Mohn for all his help in the past years.

ADJOURNMENT: 8:05 P.M.

Disabled individuals who need special assistance to attend or participate in the meeting of the Indian Wells Valley Airport District may request assistance at the District Office, 1669 Airport Road ( P. O. Box 634) Inyokern, CA 93527 or by calling 760-377-5844. Every effort will be made to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities, by making materials available in alternative formats. Request for assistance should be made at least three (3) days in advance whenever possible.

Next regular meeting is scheduled for March 1, 2006.