HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-20-2015 Airport Commission Meeting Minutes August 20,2015
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MINUTES FINAL
IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION
AUGUST 20, 2015—6:00 P.M.
AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING
Members Present: Jose Assouline, Minnetta Gardinier, A. Jacob Odgaard, Chris Ogren
Staff Present: Michael Tharp, Eric Goers
Others Present: Matt Wolford, Melissa Underwood, Dan Augspurger, Jon Ockenfels, John
Yeomans
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council
action):
None.
DETERMINE QUORUM:
Chairperson Gardinier called the meeting to order at 6:01 P.M. Tharp asked if the Commission
would object to moving item 4(d), Farm Operations, up in the agenda. No objections were
heard.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes from the July 16, 2015, meeting were reviewed. Ogren moved to accept the minutes
of the July 16, 2015, meeting as presented per the discussion. Assouline seconded the
motion. The motion carried 4-0.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
None.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION:
*d. Farm Operations—Tharp gave Members a brief rundown on the farm
operations agreement, noting the timeframes they have for making changes to
this. John Yeomans also spoke to these issues, noting that commodity prices
have been dropping, making things somewhat difficult at this time. He
responded to Member questions, stating that he sees no reason to terminate the
farm lease at this time. Members agreed with this assessment.
a. Unmanned Aerial Systems -
i. Discussion—Tharp stated that last month the Commission was
approached by Mr. Augspurger regarding unmanned aerial
systems and that the Commission asked that this be added to
their agenda. He then reviewed the information provided in the
meeting packet regarding the three types of users, noting how the
FAA views this as well. Tharp noted how Augspurger is affected
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by the rules and regulations that the FAA has in place, adding that
he is authorized at three miles and 200 feet. Augspurger added
that he just recently was approved for zero to 400 feet by the FAA.
He further explained what this means and then responded to
Member questions. Tharp stated that Ames is the only other city in Iowa
dealing with this issue currently. He briefly reviewed the meeting
packet handouts and how he crafted the Iowa City Airport policy
on this issue. Members then discussed the issue of drone usage
in the space around the Airport and asked questions of
Augspurger. Gardinier asked where the no-fly zone would be in
this situation. Tharp stated that the Commission can decide this
and he referred to a map to show the areas he is suggesting.
Members discussed the issue, agreeing that a half-mile radius
would work. Augspurger asked at what distance he would be able
to go to the 400-feet, with both notification of such and a radio at
hand. Tharp noted that this issue is covered under the second
bullet point, and he then reviewed the recommended policies.
Tharp stated that they can approve a Letter of Agreement for
Augspurger so that he can move ahead, and then Tharp will have
a resolution for the Commission's approval at the next meeting.
ii. Consider a resolution adopting UAS policy—Gardinier moved
to approve the Letter of Agreement for the UAS policy as
discussed and defer acceptance of the policy. Assouline
seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION (cont.):
A member of the public asked if the Commission would return to the 'Public Discussion' section
for at least five minutes, to which they agreed. Jon Ockenfels then addressed the Commission.
He stated that he has asked several times in the past for a windsock to be installed on the south
side of the Airport and is always told that it cannot be done for one reason or another. He asked
that the Commission seriously consider doing this, even if it is not lit up, but that he believes this
to be a serious issue and one that should be addressed. Tharp stated that they did put in a
temporary one but that the issue was never fully discussed again. Members agreed to add this
to next month's agenda.
b. Airport Master Plan—Melissa Underwood briefed Members on where
the Master Plan process is at this time. The second public hearing is scheduled
for the end of September.
c. FAAIIDOT Projects: AECOM (David Hughes)—
i. FYI5 Obstruction Mitigation—Working through the list of
projects, Tharp updated Members. The FAA is working with them
on these issues currently.
ii. Fuel Tank Rehabilitation —Tharp stated that the exteriors are
done on both tanks and the project is moving forward.
iii. North T-hangar Electrical Service & LED lighting—Tharp
stated that they are waiting for the contractor to complete the
punchlist. He added that he needs the Commission to then defer
accepting this project until the next meeting.
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1. Consider a resolution accepting project—Ogren
moved to defer this resolution until the September
meeting. Assouline seconded the motion. The motion
carried 4-0.
iv. FY16 IDOT Grant—Tharp stated that they have received
approval for the apron expansion grant, but that the hangar door
and LED upgrade projects were not approved. He then
responded to Member questions regarding these projects and why
the one was approved when the others were not.
1. Consider a resolution accepting grant from Iowa
Department of Transportation for apron expansion —
Ogren moved to accept Resolution#A15-12, IDOT
grant for apron expansion. Assouline seconded the
motion. The motion carried 4-0.
e. T-hangar Rates and Fees -
i. 2015-2016 T-hangar Rates—Tharp stated that he is not
recommending an increase at this time. He reminded Members
that last year they did increase the south hangars, and that the
north hangars are near the market cap. Tharp stated that he is
introducing a daily hangar rate and he briefly explained how this
would be handled in conjunction with Jet Air. At this point
Gardinier stepped aside as Chair and spoke as a member of the
public. She asked how this would be accounted for, whether a
hangar is used or not. Tharp noted that there is some degree of
an 'honor system' and he noted how this might play out. Gardinier
stated that there needs to be some mechanism of accounting for
these uses, a sign-in sheet or something so that Tharp can keep
track of this. Gardinier then asked how the cost of these hangars
will be divided with Jet Air and Tharp further explained the
process. The discussion continued, with both Tharp and Wolford
responding to Member questions and concerns. Gardinier
suggested one rate- $15—instead of having separate rates
depending on hangar location. Members agreed to this daily rate.
Tharp stated that another aspect of this issue is a need for
himself, the Airport Operations Specialist, to be able to enter into
T-hangar contracts on a yearly basis, in lieu of having the Chair
sign off on these.
ii. Consider a resolution authorizing Airport Operations
Specialist to enter into T-hangar contracts—Odgaard moved
to authorize Resolution#A15-13, allowing the Airport
Operations Specialist to enter into T-hangar contracts.
Assouline seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0,
Gardinier recused herself from the discussion and vote.
f. Airport Commission attendance—Ogren stated that she would like to
see attendance shown correctly in the future, which is something that is already
available on the attendance sheet. The other Members agreed with this
statement and discussed what constitutes "frequent, unexcused absences."
After some discussion, Members agreed that missing more than three meetings,
unexcused within a 12-month period, should be the threshold for letting someone
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go from the Commission. Legal counsel Goers noted what the procedure will be
to make this change a part of the Commission's bylaws. It was also stated that
Members need to let Tharp know of any absences in light of this new bylaw.
Gardinier asked if anyone had any other amendments they would like to
consider. A brief discussion took place, with no other changes suggested.
g. Airport Operations -
i. Strategic Plan-Implementation—Tharp stated that he is working
on an opportunity for a private hangar. He may create a subcommittee to
discuss this further and he asked for any volunteers. Gardinier stated
that she would be interested, as did Odgaard.
ii. Budget—Tharp stated that there are a few things coming up—
replacing HVAC controls and also a need to replace the furnace in
the University hangar. The City does have a contract with a local
HVAC company, so Tharp will plan to use them for this repair.
iii. Management-
1. Application for Event—Tharp stated that the Iowa City
Area Development Group wants to hold their annual
meeting at the Airport. They will be using hangar M and
are requesting to have alcohol at the event. Members
briefly discussed what details the Airport is handling for this
and Tharp responded to Member questions. The issue of
extending internet access to the hangar was discussed at
some length, with Members agreeing that any cost to the
Airport needs to be passed along. Ogren moved to
accept the event application,with the caveat that if
Internet is available, they will have to incur that cost.
Assouline seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
h. FBO/Flight Training Reports
i. Jet Air—Wolford reviewed the monthly maintenance reports with
Members first. Grass and trimming have been the main issues
needing attention. He noted that the old airplane parked in front of
the Airport is currently being worked on and spruced up. Tharp
added that they are splitting the cost of the repairs with the
Legion. Members continued to discuss this aircraft and the
various groups over the years who have played a role in its
upkeep. They also discussed what repairs they should tackle and
what areas should be skipped for now. Continuing, Wolford noted
that he has hired a new person for the office, as business
continues to pick up. He also touched on Jet Air's flight training
business and the need to hire a couple of instructors. The jet A
fuel and the progress of this project was also talked about briefly.
i. Commission Members' Reports—Assouline stated that he was in
Copenhagen last week. Gardinier stated that she will be flying to the
Minneapolis area this weekend. Ogren stated that she will be out of town
the next two weeks and unfortunately will miss Sertoma. Odgaard talked
briefly about some of his flight training trips.
j. Staff Report—Sertoma is the 30m and Tharp stated he will be busy with
getting things ready for that. He also reminded Members of the upcoming
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Kansas City FAA four-state conference on September 20 - 22. Ogren
asked about the potential 'out of debt' party that they had discussed.
Tharp stated that he would still like to plan this, but schedules have been
so busy lately. He will look into having something and getting some
media coverage for this.
SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING FOR:
The next regular meeting of the Airport Commission will be held on Thursday, September 17,
2015, at 6:00 P.M. in the Airport Terminal Building.
ADJOURN:
Assouline moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:19 P.M. Odgaard seconded the motion.
The motion carried 4-0.
/3/V0V Z0/.\—
CHAIRPERSON DATE
Airport Commission
August 20,2015
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Airport Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2015
TERM o o 0 oA oA N GI - m m
ab it + O W !‘-3. N F N
NAME EXP. N m m oo m o 4
Or 01 cn N fn N w cn N to
Minnetta 03/01/19 X X X X X X 0/ X X
Gardinier E
Jose 03/01/16 0/ X X 0/ X X XX X
Assouline E E
Chris 03/01/18 X X X X X X XX X
Ogren
A.Jacob 03/01/18 X X X X X X X 0/ X
Odgaard E
David 03/01/17 X0 X X 0 X 00 N
Davis M
Key:
X = Present
X/E = Present for Part of Meeting
0 = Absent
0/E =Absent/Excused
NM = Not a Member at this time