Council hears annual reports from airport, bond oversight, human relations and transportation commissions; Human Relations Commission urges reengagement

Council members received annual reports Tuesday from the Airport Advisory Commission, the Citizens Bond Oversight Commission, the Human Relations Commission and the Transportation Commission.

Airport representatives highlighted recent FAA grant awards that will fund safety-related projects and update the airport master plan, including an economic-impact study and capacity planning for larger (non-commercial) aircraft. The airport said it remains a self-sustaining enterprise fund and invited the public to a master-plan open house on Nov. 13.

The Citizens Bond Oversight Commission reported routine oversight of the 2019 bond program, described transfers of savings between projects within bond questions and said interest earnings had been allocated to projects to address shortfalls. The committee chair thanked staff for support and said project delays and inflation continue to present challenges for some bond work.

Human Relations Commission Chair Tina Drews urged the council to reengage the commission after a recent ordinance was passed without commission consultation. “When the council bypasses the commission on matters of such importance, it sends a message that the voices we represent are not valued,” Drews said. Several council members acknowledged the commission’s work and said they would seek better collaboration.

Transportation Commission members reviewed completed capital projects including the Jackrabbit/Miller pedestrian crossing, the 124th and Shea underpass, and the Miller Hayden Road Bridge and Rawhide Wash project. The commission and its Paths and Trails Subcommittee described ongoing work on the Transportation Action Plan, safety planning, and gap analyses for unpaved trail connections.

Council members thanked volunteers and staff for the multi-month series of board-and-commission presentations; staff noted the presentations will be added to the Oct. 21 consent agenda for formal acceptance of the 2024 reports.