Deep freeze at the WM Airport

Deep freeze at the WM Airport

Burst water pipes cause damage

news@theeveningtimes.com

It’s called a “cold snap” for a reason, and the West Memphis Airport now knows why. As the worst of the winter season temperatures have started to rise and the thaw sets in, calls for tow truck help drops, and calls to plumbers rise.

Pipes at the airport burst during the first serious cold spell of the of the season.

Maintenance all around the airport was a topic of the monthly airport commission meeting. Airport Manager Candra Suiter told the group water could have been worse. Pipes leaked from above the main terminal entrance and spread across the ceramic tile floors. Pipe damage has been repaired but water also damaged drywall which has been set to be repaired and replaced.

“We had a broken pipe and it caused damage in the foyer,” said Suiter. “It was in the ladies room and went out toward the reception area. It’s mainly sheet rock, tearing it out and replacing it.”

The water damage was less than the $5,000 insurance deductible carried at the airport so the cost will be coming out of pocket.

Maintenance concerns inside and out also dotted the monthly agenda. The purchase of a used street sweeper was discussed. It’s been used on a trial basis for a couple of months sweeping the ramp and runways. The unit under consideration is bigger and sweeps a wider swath than the one currently used. It’s had favorable reviews from the operators but the commission decided to postpone the purchase decision for another month while comparable prices are nailed down.

Commissioners also voted a modest monthly increase rent on the T-hangers. The last rent increase was almost a generation ago and the increased funds were earmarked toward repairs.

“It’s been since 2000, 18 years since the last rental fee hike at the airport,” said Suiter. “There is maintenance we need to start doing and I think that would help. Just a $15 a month increase would give us roughly $16,000 a year to do some upkeep.”

Commissioners noted some of the exterior lighting was out around the hangers and certain overhead door chains and a motor needed attention, then the board voted for the increase. Notification letters will go out to the pilot tenants ahead of the increase.

“The manager outlined some of the items identified for repair.

“It’s like $3,500 for a motor and most of the outside lights don’t work,” said Suiter. “ It’s pretty dark. Some of the door chains need to be replaced.”

The newest T-hangers were built 20 years ago.

“”They are getting older and things are starting to happen requiring general maintenance,” said Suiter.

“It would be nice to have a little cushion to do some of that.”

Commission Chairman David Pike offered to write the rent notification letter to tenants about the increased fees and for the meantime he green lighted repairs. New LED lighting was discussed to replace some of the sodium lights.

“We have money on depreciation, let’s get the lights up and running,” said Pike.

“I’m going to check into LED’s, they are a lot cheaper,” said Suiter.

The airport manager indicated she’d contact the utility department for lighting recommendations and had asked them already for an assist on another project.

Some of the trees outside the fence are getting a little too tall for FAA standards and she noted it was time to bring some of them down.

Seventy trees had been identified on airport ground classified as wetlands and needed felled. The group decided to double check with the EPA about doing the tree work.

“I talked to Utilities Manager Todd Pedersen and they’d not have a problem cutting the trees,” said Suiter. “He said they could do it for us. I explained we’d let them stay where they fell.”

By John Rech