Tulsa Airport Board Hires Noise Firm

City Councilor Roscoe Turner asked the board to meet with the neighbors.

Airports Director Jeff Mulder said performing updated acoustical studies may prove counterproductive. Newer, quieter jet aircraft could yield a lower 24-hour day-night decibel level than those recorded previously, making some homeowners ineligible for federal assistance, he said.

Mayor Bill LaFortune said the board should explore other options, meet with homeowners and pursue congressional remedies.

In other business, the board approved a professional services agreement with parking consultant Carl Walker Inc. of Atlanta. The firm, which earlier this year studied airport parking operations and recommended a $2-per-day increase in covered parking rates, will assess a potential expansion of covered parking.

After an hour-plus executive session, the board agreed to extend legal services agreements with two firms.

Trustees approved a $50,000 amendment to a legal services agreement with Foley & Lardner LLP, which has provided counsel to the board on FAA-related issues. Those issues include the suit filed by the Tulsa Industrial Authority against the Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust over the bankruptcy of Great Plains Airlines.

The agreement with Foley & Lardner has been amended three times. Before the board's action Thursday, the agreement called for fees not to exceed $150,000.

The board also amended a legal services agreement with Pray Walker Jackman Williamson & Marlar. The latest amendment increases not-to-exceed fees of $100,000 by $50,000.

The Pray Walker firm is defending TAIT in the Tulsa Industrial Authority litigation. The complexity of the legal issues involved in the case required an amendment of the agreement, airport officials said.

Trustees rejected a $100,000 amendment of a professional services agreement with the Washington, D.C., lobbying firm of Venable LLP.

In his motion to reject the amendment, Trustee Charles Sublett said Oklahoma legislators can effectively deal with Tulsa airport issues "without lawyers."

LaFortune agreed. "We have congressmen and senators fully staffed. They are very accessible and very willing to meet with us about funds," he said.

"In my world," Sublett said, "$100,000 is a lot of money."

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