Commission backs pursuing FAA weather camera as automated weather broadcast stays offline

Airport staff told commissioners that the Federal Aviation Administration will provide a real-time weather camera at no charge if the airport supplies a mounting location, an internet connection and a 20-amp electrical outlet; commissioners voted to recommend the agreement for city action.

Pilots and airport users told the commission the airport's automated weather service has been inoperative for over a year. "They informed me that the equipment that broadcast automated weather ... is owned by the National Weather Service," said Mitch Carlson, a flight instructor and FAA safety representative, describing conversations with the FAA and the National Weather Service about maintenance responsibility and access issues inside the airport building.

Staff explained the FAA would provide equipment at no charge and maintain it, and that the camera requires a small power and internet connection at the proposed mounting site. "All they ask for is location to place it as well as a Internet connection and a, 20 amp plug in," staff said. Commissioners moved to approve pursuing the agreement and the chair called the ayes; commissioners indicated support to pursue the camera installation while the broader automated-weather broadcast issue (the ASOS/AWOS) remains dependent on resolving interior building repairs and access to National Weather Service equipment.

The commission's action at this meeting authorized staff to proceed with the recommended next step of negotiating the camera agreement; it did not by itself repair the airport's automated weather broadcast, which staff and users said will require resolving interior building remediation and coordination with the National Weather Service.