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Home My WebLink About2025-08-14 Airport Commission MinutesMINUTES IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION August 14, 2025 — 6:00 P.M. AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING FINAL Members Present: Hellecktra Orozco (via zoom), Judy Pfohl, Chris Lawrence, Warren Bishop Members Absent: Ryan Story Staff Present: Michael Tharp, Jennifer Schwickerath Others Present: Adam Thompson, Matt Reed, Matt Wolford RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: None DETERMINE QUORUM A quorum was determined at 6:04 pm and Bishop called the meeting to order. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Pfohl stated she reviewed the minutes and did not have any suggestions for changes. Pfohl moved to accept the minutes, seconded by Lawrence. Motion carried (4-0 Story Absent) PUBLIC COMMENT - None ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION 1 ACTION Lawrence moved that Pfohl be nominated as Acting Secretary for the meeting. Seconded by Bishop. Motion carried (4-0 Story Absent) a. Airport Construction Projects: i. FAA grant projects — 1. Runway 12130 Displaced Threshold — Tharp stated that he didn't have any news on the Runway 12130 project, but that he did have a contract amendment to increase the contract amount for the work order with Bolton & Menk by $6500 to cover the additional work needed for the installation of the signage at the runway intersection and for the extra coordination required with FAA Flight Ops on the flight checks for the lighting approvals a. Consider a resolution (A25-12) approving contract amendment with Bolton & Menk. Pfohl moored resolution #A25-12, seconded by Bishop. Motion carried (4-0 Story Absent). ii. Iowa DOT grant projects Airport Commission August 14, 2025 Page 2 of 4 1. T-hangar Building — Tharp stated that he and Thompson were discussion other options for funding for the hangar project. Tharp stated that the FAA will have reallocation program for infrastructure funding that hadn't been spent on time. Tharp stated that he expected the program to be highly political but that they still might take a shot with an application. Tharp stated that if they get it they have a project, and if they don't they maintain the current plans. Tharp stated that he wanted to work through if using the FAA funds up front and then going after state funds would be possible. 2. Wildlife Mitigation Study — Tharp stated the USDA is continuing their data collection. Bishop asked what they'd receive at the end and Tharp responded they would have a report showing what was seen and recommendations for mitigation. Tharp stated that they would be able to use the report as justification for asking for support for mitigation b. Airport "Operations i. Budget — Tharp stated he included the 811 month data sheet for the solar array. ii. Management — 1. T-Hangar Rates 2025-2026 a. Consider a motion setting rates for the 2025-2026 term — Bishop recused for the item. Tharp stated that he examined the rates around and most places were the same. He stated Cedar Rapids was continuing their increases they began a few years ago with a 3% increase. Tharp stated he was recommending a 2.5% increase which was in line with the inflation index. Lawrence moved to approve a 2.5% increase, seconded by Kohl. Motion carried 3-0 (Story absent, Bishop abstained) 2. Ground lease with McGrath Holdings LLC — Tharp stated that when the previous Toyota dealership had the lease the timing was in line with their sale of the business, and they let the lease expire rather than renew and transfer the agreement. Tharp stated that when McGrath inquired about updating the sign, he offered them the same lease that was previously active. Tharp stated the response was they weren't that interested in using the sign and instead suggested a lease in exchange for groundskeeping. ' a. Consider a resolution #A25-13 setting a public hearing on a ground lease with McGrath. Lawrence moved the resolution #A25-13, seconded by Bishop. Motion carried (4-0 Story Absent) 3. USAF Display Jet — Tharp stated that earlier in the week that he received a call from the Clinton Airport regarding the display jet and that Matt Reed the FBO Manager at Clinton was in the audience. Tharp stated that if the Commission wanted to move forward with Clinton that they do it very deliberately and publicly. Lawrence asked about what ideas Tharp had, and Tharp stated that he was hoping that in reaching out not only to inform groups but also to get Airport Commission August 14, 2025 Page 3 of 4 help in fundraising for a new display. Commission members discussed reaching out to veteran's organizations and by consensus agreed to move forward. Tharp stated that he would start reaching out to veterans' groups to let them know planning for this was in progress. iii. Events — Tharp stated that it's a busy month for the airport. Tharp stated that movie nights have had some of the best turn out they've ever had. Tharp noted that Young Eagles was this weekend. He stated that they had 60 signups and a waiting list and were struggling to get seats to make sure everyone signed up had a ride. Tharp stated they were getting things organized for the pancake breakfast as well. Tharp stated that Climate Fest was a weeklong event but they had one day which was going to be dedicated to solar power and the new solar array. Tharp stated that they would be giving tours of the array. 1. Summer of the Arts Movies (Aug 9) 2. Young Eagles (Aug 16th) 3. Pancake Breakfast (Aug 24) 4. Autocross (Sept 14, Oct 19) 5. Climate Fest (Sept 22) c. FBO I Flight Training Reports 1. Jet Air — Wolford stated they've had tons and tons of traffic lately. Bishop asked about the UI helicopters and Wolford responded they did a flyover for a retiring member of the department. Wolford noted that they had a door proposal in the packet. Wolford stated that the proposal would call for Jet Air replacing the hangar door on hangar M, and the Airport Commission extending the ground lease for Hangar N as a trade for the cost of the work. Members agreed that the concept could move forward. Tharp noted that they would bring back an agreement for formal approval. d. Commission Members' Reports — None e. Staff Report — Tharp stated that he would be out of the office next week for the 4 States Conference. Tharp stated that last night he had attended an update meeting at Cedar Rapids over the proposed power plant that Alliant Energy had been proposed to build in Fairfax which was a couple of miles from the existing facility and in conflict with the proposed 3rd runway. Tharp stated that at this point the Airport and Alliant had been talking to each other and they were hopeful that the situation would be resolved. Tharp noted that he was watching things because if they did something that hurt the ability of Cedar Rapids to operate, that would have effects on Iowa City as well. i. 4 States (FAA Central Region) Conference — Kansas City (August 20-22) SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING — Set the next meeting for September 11, 2025. ADJOURN — Lawrence moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:30pm. Seconded by Bishop. Motion carried( Gary Absent) -�o — 0 9 CHAIRPERSON DATE Airport Commission August 14, 2026 Page 4 of 4 Airport Commission ATTENDANCE RECORD 2024-2025 TERM o O 3 3 3 3 O _� O �' O w O �n O can O O o ono fp N O Is N W W W O co N O � NAME EXR N N P- N � N 4�- N � N al N cn N cn N an N u, N al N al N Cn Warren 06/30/26 X X X X X X X X X OIE XIE X X Bishop Christopher 06/30/29 X X OIE X X X OIE X X X X X X Lawrence Hellecktra 06/30/28 OIE X OIE X X OIE OIE X OIE X X XIE X Orozco Judy Pfohl 06/30/26 X X X X X OIE X X X X X X X Ryan Story 06/30/27 X X X X X X X X X X X X O/E Kev. X = Present XIE = Present for Part of Meeting O = Absent OIE = Absent(Excused NM = Not a member at this time XIS = Present for subcommittee meeting OIS = Absent, not a member of the subcommittee