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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-15-2015 Airport Commission Meeting Minutes a Airport Commission January 15,2015 Page 1 MINUTES FINAL IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION JANUARY 15, 2015—6:00 P.M. AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING Members Present: David Davis, Minnetta Gardinier, A. Jacob Odgaard, Chris Ogren Members Absent: Jose Assouline Staff Present: Michael Tharp, Eric Goers Others Present: Matt Wolford, David Hughes, Melissa Underwood RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council action): None. DETERMINE QUORUM: Chairperson Ogren called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ogren asked if everyone had had a chance to review the minutes. Odgaard moved to accept the minutes of the December 15, 2014, meeting as presented. Ogren seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0, Assouline absent. PUBLIC DISCUSSION: None. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION: a. Airport Commerce Park—Tharp stated that the two land sales are progressing. One is due to close by the end of this month, and the other has asked for a 30-day extension. b. Airport Master Plan—Melissa Underwood gave Members a quick update. She stated that today she sent everyone the draft document of chapters 1 through 3. These sections have also received the FAA's comments. The next meeting will be the first week of February, where the first public open house will be planned, and hopefully held mid-to late-February. Underwood asked that Members send her emails if they have questions or comments they would like to share. Tharp noted that they will get the word out through every means possible so that the public is well aware of the open houses they plan to hold. Ogren suggested they have a Member or two present at these open houses. Gardinier asked if the number of commercial respondents is too low for the survey. Underwood stated that typically they see a 10 to 12% response and she thinks Airport Commission January 15,2015 Page 2 the response here is good. The conversation turned to the upcoming open house and how it will be laid out. Members also discussed the various departments at the University and what their uses are, or could be, at the Airport. Gardinier suggested they get feedback from these users as well. c. FAA/IDOT Projects: AECOM (David Hughes)— i. FY15 Obstruction Mitigation—Hughes stated that they have been working with the FAA the last few months as to the scoping on the basic EA for the environmental assessment. Ogren asked for some clarification on the 'part 77 surface' noted in the report. Hughes responded, stating that it is the approach surfaces to the Airport and is defined by a federal regulation. Basically it is the 'imaginary surfaces off the end of the runway,' according to Hughes. Hughes continued to explain this item and responded to Members' questions. Tharp stated that there will be more discussion regarding the obstructions once they get to that part of the process. The issue of landings and approaches at the Airport was also discussed at some length, with Gardinier recommending that they post clearly what is expected of pilots at this time due to the obstructions they are dealing with. Gardinier asked if they could approach the FAA with the issue of nighttime approaches, which impacts traffic at the Airport, and try to get things moved along faster. Hughes and Tharp both noted that once the environmental assessment is done, they can do just this. Tharp further detailed for Members how they will handle the obstructions on private property and how things have typically been handled in the past. 1. Consider a resolution approving contract with AECOM — Gardinier moved to consider Resolution #A15-01, approving contract with AECOM. Odgaard seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0, Assouline absent. ii. Runway 7/25 Parallel Taxiway—Hughes stated that since the December meeting they have received the necessary paperwork from Metro Pavers. Gardinier asked if there will be checking of the pavement on a regular basis. Tharp stated that he will put a formal plan in place, and that he himself has been out there at least every other month taking a look around. Gardinier asked that they make this something formal. Gardinier asked how long the maintenance bond is for. Hughes and Tharp both thought it was a 10-year period. Tharp stated that he will find the exact wording for Gardinier, however, before the next meeting. She asked that they summarize this at the next meeting and include this information. 1. Consider a resolution accepting work as complete—Ogren moved to consider Resolution #A15-02, accepting work as complete. Gardinier seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0, Assouline absent. iii. Taxiway B lighting— Hughes stated that the contractor has ordered some parts for this and once they arrive, this project will be ready for completion, as well. Airport Commission January 15,2015 Page 3 Gardinier asked if there wasn't a project they were going to be working up bids for, something early in the spring. Hughes stated that early on in the spring they have some state projects, and he briefly described those. d. Airport Operations— i. Strategic Plan- Implementation — 1. Review of Strategic Plan—Tharp began a review of the strategic plan, noting that it is a five-year plan that basically takes the Master Plan, and some of the things that have happened with the Airport before, and creates a more 'digestible chunk of goals and objectives.' He noted that this plan was put together with the help of Jeff Davidson with the Economic Development office at the City. Tharp gave Members a brief history of the plan and how they got to this point. In relation to the first goal of communication with City Hall and the Council, Members spent some time on the topic of having Council Members visit the Airport. Tharp explained that they do invite the Council to various events and make an effort to get them out to the Airport. The second goal of looking at funding and developing adequate funding for the Airport was discussed next. Tharp stated that he often shares this information, that when he first arrived at the Airport the debt was around $3.5 million, and the operating levy was about$170,000, with an operating budget of about$400,000. This past budget cycle, Tharp noted that the operating levy was $29,000, debt is $600,000 before the pending land sale purchase agreements, and the operating budget is still around $400,000. So in terms of about a decade, Tharp noted, operating budget and expenses have been streamlined and have remained flat for 10 years. During this time they have been able to put money back into the buildings with new flooring and new restrooms in the Terminal, and improved maintenance in some of the buildings. Increasing use of the Airport for aviation and other community uses—Tharp noted that one of the big things the Airport did from the last Master Plan was to increase part of the length of the runway, giving better take-off distances. This Master Plan is working on landing distances and trying to reclaim some of that area. The jet fuel 24-hour system was installed, thus eliminating the overnight phone calls, according to Tharp. Continuing, Tharp noted that the Airport still offers use of the conference room to the public. Odgaard asked if the public is aware of this, and Tharp noted that it is on the Library's web site as an alternate site. He added that they have not done any overt marketing of it though. Increasing usefulness of the Airport for economic development— Tharp noted that this addresses things like building hangars, building facilities that people will use. He noted that they have hosted such groups as the Chamber of Commerce with a luncheon. Members also spoke to having a flight tracker screen V Airport Commission January 15,2015 Page 4 put up in the Terminal building. Tharp then spoke to the idea of marketing 'hangar lots' at the Airport, and having a hangar model designed beforehand that they would work from. Upgrading taxiways, runways, Airport infrastructure—Tharp stated that they are working with the state in their pavement condition index program. This occurs every three years and was last done in 2011. Tharp stated that they are working with both the state and the FAA on grant opportunities as they become available. He also noted the HVAC system upgrades, and budgeting for hangar maintenance. Lighting has been increased on the airfield, and there is now 24-hour access to the Terminal building. Odgaard asked how pilots would know this, and Wolford and Tharp responded. This led to a discussion about noise abatement, as well, and how to get this information out to the flying community. Lastly, Tharp covered 'curb appeal, looks of the Airport,' noting that at one time a viewing area was being developed, and a shelter and sidewalk were installed. He stated that he occasionally does see people using the space. Members briefly discussed some of the plans that had been discussed in previous years, such as adding some educational pieces to the viewing area. Odgaard suggested they collaborate with the City's Parks and Recreation department to make the entire area an attractive recreational area. Tharp stated that he will check with Jeff Davidson to see if he can walk the Airport Commission through this process again. He will try to get something set up over the next few months. Gardinier asked Underwood how the strategic plan plays into the Master Plan at this point. She asked if it would be better to have them further along with the Master Plan before they embark on another five-year strategic plan. Underwood responded that actually it would be best to have them both in draft form together, as they can then play off each other. She noted the difference between a strategic plan and a master plan, in terms of the FAA. Gardinier asked how far behind they are in updating the strategic plan, noting that the minutes at the end of the plan are dated December 2009. Tharp noted that they are somewhat behind, but that the plan is referring to fiscal years, not calendar years. ii. Budget- 1. Annual Report—Tharp noted that he did do the budget presentation for the Council recently. He talked about what is happening at the Airport, and he noted that the Council was happy to hear about the land sales in the commerce park and the lowering of the Airport's debt. He noted that there are no anticipated changes to the budget from what was presented. Tharp stated that a draft of the Annual Report was ready for Airport Commission January 15,2015 Page 5 review. He asked members to review the report for comments by February 12th. iii. Management—Tharp stated that his annual evaluation is due next month. He will need to meet with the Chair to begin this process. e. FBO/Flight Training Reports— i. Jet Air—Wolford addressed the Commission next. He shared the monthly reports with Members, noting some of the highlights. One of the bigger projects has been replacing light bulbs in various buildings and hangars. January brought snow removal, with drifting becoming a problem at times. Wolford noted that fuel prices continue to drop. He stated that Jet Air is now an official '145 repair station.' Flight training is up and going well already, according to Wolford. f. Commission Members' Reports—Odgaard asked about the lock issue on the gates, and Tharp noted that he did follow up with the fencing contractor, but has not yet heard back. He also asked about the door to the Terminal building, and Tharp noted that this has been fixed. Gardinier stated that she hasn't flown since November, but hopes to fly this coming Sunday. She also spoke to an email received regarding the Girl Scouts. She stated that she would like to do something to participate in the World Aviation Day for Girls event. Tharp stated that he can respond to this email to let them know of their interest to participate. Gardinier further explained what typically takes place on this particular day at participating airports. Ogren noted the Children's Museum's interest, as well. g. Staff Report—Ogren asked about the status of the new blinds. Tharp stated that he needs to follow up on this, but that it will be happening soon. Another project is a partnership the City has with the University, the Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities. As part of this, the Airport will be part of the class study, and Odgaard is one of the mentors in this project. Tharp further explained how the goal will be to look at the flood mitigation for the south area, and come up with a newer, revised concept plan for this area. Odgaard stated that he will probably bring about five students to the Airport for Tharp to give them an update on where things are and what they are looking at doing. SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING FOR: s meeting the Airport Commission will be held on ThursdathiFebrumeeting. g 19 2015eatMnext r ng in the Airport Terminal Building. ADJOURN: Odgaard made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 P.M. Ogren seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0, Davis and Assouline absent. • Airport Commission January 15,2015 Page 6 3 // CHAIRPERSON DATE Airport Commission _ January 15,2015 Page 7 Airport Commission ATTENDANCE RECORD 2014-2015 TERM Ili ? o m o • li N EXP. ;r‘,3 A a X X OIE X X X Minnetta Gardinier 03101119 X O/E X X O/E 03/01/16 X X X X X O/E X Ma Chris Ogren 03/01/18 X X X X X X X X A. Jacob Odgaard 03/01117 NM NM X X X X O/E X X David Davis 03101/17 ® NM NM 0/E X X O/E X X Key: X = Present X/E = Present for Part of Meeting p = Absent O/E =AbsentlExcused NM = Not a Member at this time