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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-14-1993 Airport Commission Meeting Minutes MINUTES IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993 - 5:30 P.M. IOWA CITY TRANSIT FACILITY MEMBERS PRESENT: John Ockenfels, Howard Horan, Pat Foster, Richard Blum, Robert Hicks STAFF PRESENT: Anne Burnside, Ron O'Neil CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Ockenfels called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. A quorum of the Commission was present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Hicks asked for a clarification on what study was referenced on the first page. Ockenfels said this was the Feasibility Study that was completed in February. The minutes of the September 21, 1993, Commission meeting were approved as submitted. AUTHORIZATION OF EXPENDITURES: Blum made a motion to pay the bills as presented. Horan seconded the motion and it passed 5 - 0. PUBLIC DISCUSSION - ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA: No items were presented. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION: a. AIP Project 3-19-0047-03/Master Plan - Ockenfels stated it was discussed at the last meeting that a Master Plan decision would be made at this meeting. Since that time, questions have been raised that will delay making that decision. Blum made a motion to table this item until after the economic impact study is completed by the Iowa City Planning Department. Foster seconded the motion. Blum said his reasoning for waiting is that the general public views the economic impact study as being an important part of the decision making process. He said that the Commission and those who have followed the Feasibility Study closely know that the economic impact study is a separate issue, but those who haven't attended the meetings and get all their information from the news media are not aware of the difference. Ockenfels was concerned that the delay will cause Iowa City to miss a deadline for funding for a Master Plan. In order to have a project scheduled in the last quarter of 1994, applications must be submitted to the IDOT for review by October 29, 1993 . FAA AIP preapplications must be channeled through the IDOT. Hicks thought the Master Plan study decision should be made now. He stated that in his discussions with the FAA, he was told that this airport is very safe. But if the airport is to remain in the current location, some additional safety areas will need to be purchased. Hicks said that he knows the airport has a positive economic impact on the community, he just doesn't know how much. Hicks said the Commission should just be concerned with planning for the next few years, not long term. He said businesses are concentrating on short term planning as opposed to long term planning. He also said the airport will probably not be viable in the present location in the next few years. He just does not want to spend any money at this time. Other Commission members stated that it is more responsible to develop a Master Plan to include long term as well as short term planning. There was concern about investing several million dollars at the current site if there is a probability the airport would be moved in the next few years. It was stated that less local funding would be required for a new site than upgrading the current site. Ockenfels did not want to eliminate the option of voting for a Master Plan study before the economic impact study is completed. He was concerned about missing funding deadlines and not being eligible for funding until 1995. Ockenfels called for the question on the previous motion. The motion passed 3 - 2, with Ockenfels and Hicks voting no. b. Capital improvement projects - O'Neil presented a partial list of capital improvement projects for the Airport. He said the Commission should prioritize the projects and decide what projects should be including in the FY 1995 budget process. The Commission discussed several projects, including roof replacement on three buildings, ADA requirements and pavement repairs and replacement. Some of the projects are fundable through the state and federal AIP programs, but a current Airport Layout Plan is required before a grant can be applied for. The ALP is part of the Airport Master Plan. c. FY95 budget - O'Neil discussed the Finance Department's projection for the 1995 budget. The Commission reviewed the budget line item by line item and made a few changes. A comment was made that the operations budget has remained consistent over the last few years, with the largest changes due to capital improvement projects. O'Neil said that a capital improvement project list will be included in a new Master Plan. Because it will be a couple of years before a new Master Plan is completed, capital improvement projects normally eligible for AIP grant funding may have to be funded entirely with local funds. l There may be an opportunity for state funding, but that is a 70/30 split, as opposed to the 90/10 split from the FAA. The local matching share could be substantially more. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT: Ockenfels questioned why there was a boat in the parking lot by the United hangar. O'Neil will discuss the issue with Van Winkle-Jacob Engineering, who lease the building. Ockenfels said that several council candidates contacted him after it was reported in the Press Citizen that all the candidates were sent an agenda for the September Commission meeting but none attended the meeting. They explained their reasons for not being able to attend. COMMISSION MEMBERS' REPORT: Blum reported on the city council candidate night on October 6. There were only a couple of questions concerning the Airport. Horan said that while in Davenport last week, he took some time to tour the Davenport Airport to get a perception of what other general aviation airports are doing. Horan spoke to a planning class at the University of Iowa concerning current issues at the Airport. Horan, Foster and Ockenfels will attend the FAA Central Region AIP Conference in Kansas City on October 29. Burnside will research whether or not this requires a notification of a public meeting since a majority of the Commission is going. Hicks asked about the progress of Menards. O'Neil stated that Menards has had their plan reviewed and approved by the FAA. Fill dirt is being hauled to the site now. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: O'Neil said the economic impact study survey is being conducted this month. Council candidates were sent some resource material concerning the Airport. Fuel prices for equipment used at the Airport will increase because of new emission standards. The recodification process for the City Code of Ordinances is progressing on schedule. The Cedar Rapids Airport has received a $ 200,000 grant to conduct a new Master Plan Study. SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING: The next regular meeting was set for November 16, 1993 , at 5: 30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: Foster moved to adjourn the meeting at 8: 18 p.m. Blum seconded the motion and the meeting was adjourned. o n Oc� fels, iairperson