PORT OF SEATTLE
MEMORANDUM
COMMISSION AGENDA
Item No.
5d
Date of Meeting
April 5, 2011
DATE: March 25, 2011
TO: Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer
FROM: Dave Soike, Director, Aviation Facilities and Capital Program
Wayne Grotheer, Director, Aviation Project Management Group
SUBJECT: Design of Bag Claim Device 14 and Lower Inbound Conveyor Replacement
(CIP # C800374)
Amount of This Request: $539,000 Source of Funds: Existing Revenue Bonds
Total Estimated Cost: $3,900,000
ACTION REQUESTED:
Request Port Commission authorization for the Chief Executive Officer to proceed with design
of the Claim Device 14 and Lower Inbound Conveyor Replacement at Seattle-Tacoma
International Airport (Airport). The amount of this request is $539,000. The total cost of the
project is $3,900,000.
SYNOPSIS:
Baggage claim device 14 is used exclusively by Alaska Airlines and Horizon and experiences
constant, heavy use since these airlines represent about half of the passenger traffic using the
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The useful service life of this claim device is fifteen years.
Claim device 14 has been in use for eighteen years and is worn out to the point of requiring
major repair to maintain reliable customer service. Original manufacturer replacement parts are
unavailable. Access to the lower feed conveyor for maintenance and jam clearing is difficult and
poses a safety hazard.
This project will replace the slope-plate bag claim device 14 and associated controls, in addition
to removing the lower feed conveyor and replacing it with a new overhead feed. Doing so will
avoid emergency repair costs and service disruptions due to downtime for repairs. Updating
claim 14 will help to improve baggage delivery times for the airlines. The amount of this request
is $539,000 for design, and the total cost of the project including future construction
authorizations is $3,900,000. The design should be completed in August 2011.
COMMISSION AGENDA
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer
March 25, 2011
Page 2 of 5
BACKGROUND:
The claim device 14 slope plate, lower feed conveyors, and associated controls will be replaced
with an overhead feed conveyor. The existing overhead feed conveyor and associated controls
will be updated to current technology. The existing lower feed conveyor is routed through the
overhead of the satellite train maintenance facility transfer table area and over an electrical
power center in the north service tunnel. Access to these conveyors for maintenance and jam
clearing is difficult and dangerous due to their location and lack of adequate catwalks. The
existing layout of these conveyors causes excessive jams. To clear jams on these conveyors,
maintenance personnel must crawl down the decline conveyor. In addition, these conveyors were
installed in 1971 and are older, narrower conveyors that have unavailable or hard to find parts.
The lower feed conveyer will be removed, a new upper feed will be added and to serve claim
device 14.
PROJECT JUSTIFICATION:
This claim and its associated feed conveyors are used exclusively by Alaska and Horizon
and experience constant use that has worn out the equipment. Also safe access for Airport
maintenance worker needs to be improved.
Project Objectives:
Replace slope plate bag claim device 14.
Replace control system to eliminate obsolete equipment.
Reduce emergency repair costs.
Reduce baggage jams and decrease the maintenance response requirements.
Updating critical system redundancy to ensure availability for use by the airlines.
Improve air carrier baggage delivery times.
Add overhead feed conveyor to accommodate larger luggage and provide a safe working
environment for maintenance.
PROJECT SCOPE OF WORK AND SCHEDULE:
Scope of Work:
Replace existing claim 14 slope plate unit with a new slope plate unit of similar size and
configuration. Replace existing lower inbound conveyor system with new and rerouted inbound
overhead conveyor. Work will include demolition, structural, fire protection, lighting, heating,
ventilation and electrical upgrades.
COMMISSION AGENDA
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer
March 25, 2011
Page 3 of 5
Schedule:
Commission Authorization to Start Design April 2011
Start Design April 2011
Design Complete August 2011
Commission Authorization to Bid September 2011
Bid Advertisement October 2011
Construction Start January 2012
Construction Complete May 2012
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Budget/Authorization Summary:
$3,900,000
$3,900,000
$0
$539,000
$539,000
$3,361,000
Project Cost Breakdown:
This Project
Total Project
Construction Costs
$0
$2,700,000
Sales tax
$0
$254,000
Port engineering professional services
$285,000
$285,000
Aviation PMG and other soft costs
$254,000
$661,000
Total
$539,000
$3,900,000
Budget Status and Source of Funds:
This project is included in the 2011-2015 capital budget and plan of finance as a committed
project, CIP # C800374. The funding source will be existing revenue bond proceeds.
Financial Analysis and Summary:
CIP Category
New/Enhancement
Project Type
Infrastructure Renewal/Replacement
Risk adjusted Discount rate
N/A
COMMISSION AGENDA
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer
March 25, 2011
Page 4 of 5
Key risk factors
N/A
Project cost for analysis
$3,900,000
Business Unit (BU)
Terminal, airline equipment
Effect on business performance
NOI after depreciation will increase
IRR/NPV
N/A
CPE Impact
Will increase CPE by $0.02 in 2013.
However, no change to 2011-15 business
plan forecast since this project was
included.
Lifecycle Cost and Savings:
Annual Operating and Maintenance costs are not forecasted to appreciably change, and will be
analyzed after the design is complete, and more specific information is available.
ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY:
This project demonstrates environmental sustainability by improving existing Port assets and
better utilizing existing resources. This project has a generally positive effect on the environment
to the extent that automated baggage handling systems reduce airport and airline reliance on less
energy efficient baggage conveyance systems. Passengers will benefit from faster, more reliable,
conveyance systems.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES:
This project promotes the Port’s strategic goals to “Ensure Airport and Seaport Vitality” and “Be
a Catalyst for Regional Transportation Solutions” by providing the airlines with greater facility
flexibility. Flexible operations will allow for greater and more efficient utilization of the
Airport’s existing facilities. The project provides enhanced capacity and flexibility in critical
baggage infrastructure, especially for the Airport’s largest customer.
BUSINESS PLAN OBJECTIVES:
The aeronautical business strategy aims to strike a right balance between meeting the needs of
our airline customers and the traveling public through cost effective means. Minimizing new
construction by making new operational improvements with up-to-date equipment and
technology helps to minimize costs to the airlines. The use of technology and thoughtful long-
term planning are key elements of the strategy.
COMMISSION AGENDA
Tay Yoshitani, Chief Executive Officer
March 25, 2011
Page 5 of 5
TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE SUMMARY:
This project saves the Port the future cost of repairing obsolete conveyor equipment, supports the
Port’s goal to standardize conveyor equipment, and provides the flexibility the Airport needs to
operate more efficiently. The traveling community will also benefit from increased airline
availability to modern, functional baggage equipment.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS:
ALTERNATIVE 1: Proceed with design for Claim Device 14 and Lower Inbound Conveyor
Replacement. We will return to the Commission to request authorization to advertise and award
after completion of design. This is the recommended action.
ALTERNATIVE 2: Do nothing: Leaving the baggage systems as-is will negatively impact
daily airline baggage operations, maintenance repairs, safety and the travelling public since
baggage deliveries will become less reliable. This action is not recommended.
OTHER DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS REQUEST:
None
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTION:
None