HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-17-2015 Airport Commission Meeting Minutes Airport Commission
December 17,2015
Page 1
MINUTES FINAL
IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION
DECEMBER 17, 2015—6:00 P.M.
AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING
Members Present: Jose Assouline (arrived at 6:10 P.M.), Minnetta Gardinier, A. Jacob
Odgaard, Chris Ogren
Members Absent: Julie Bockenstedt
Staff Present: Michael Tharp, Eric Goers
Others Present: Matt Wolford, Melissa Underwood, Turk Regennitter
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council
action):
None.
DETERMINE QUORUM:
Chairperson Gardinier called the meeting to order at 6:04 P.M.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes from the November meeting were reviewed. Odgaard moved to accept the minutes
of the November 19, 2015, meeting. Gardinier seconded the motion. The motion carried
3-0; Assouline and Bockenstedt absent
PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
None.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION:
a. Request to use Airport grounds -
i. Iowa City Auto Club—Tharp stated that this is a continuation
basically of last month's conversation. Since that time, he has had
contact with Dan McGehee of the University of Iowa's Transportation &
Vehicle Safety group. They would also like to use the closed runway in
their work and he had planned to be at tonight's meeting to give a brief
overview, according to Tharp. Tharp stated that he has been in contact
with the farming groups involved at the Airport to get their feedback on
such uses, as well. Tharp noted that he put a memo in the Members'
meeting packet suggesting some guidelines for such uses of this area.
Ogren stated that it appears this should be two separate discussions and
Gardinier agreed. Ogren stated that she is somewhat surprised at how
often the auto club wants to use this area and that this concerns her
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December 17,2015
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somewhat. Tharp noted that it really comes down to whether they can
make it so everyone is comfortable with this usage. Ogren asked if Tharp
had checked with the FAA and he noted that anything they come up with
will need the FAA's approval, but that this type of use is allowed typically
by the FAA. Odgaard asked what the farming operators think and Turk
Regennitter stated that as long as the activities don't interfere with the
farming operations, he would not be against these types of uses.
Members continued their discussion, with Tharp responding to questions
and concerns. Gardinier stated that Ogren brings up a good point, that
the Airport is basically landlocked and that this extra runway could be
needed for airplane safety, should something occur. Assouline stated
that he thought the auto club was going to give them some further info,
such as what type of insurance they have. Tharp noted that he has
talked with the City's risk management personnel regarding this.
Assouline added that other info they had requested was how many
people could be expected at such events, so that the Commission could
have a clearer picture of what would be taking place. Gardinier stated
that she has not been persuaded yet on this type of arrangement, that
further info would be needed, that she sees security issues here. Tharp
noted some areas on the map that might be better used for auto club
activities. Members continued to discuss their concerns, especially with
safety and having people come and go at the Airport. The discussion
turned to the strategic plan and the master plan and what the
Commission envisions the Airport doing in the future. Members agreed
that security is a major issue here. Odgaard suggested they continue this
discussion and others agreed that they would be willing to do so,
especially with more info being received.
ii. University of Iowa—Transportation &Vehicle Safety
Research -Tharp then spoke to the University's request, which is
to use the same basic area of the unused runway. He gave
Members further details of just what this project would entail.
Gardinier asked about having a special meeting where the
University could give Members a demonstration of what their
research would include and how the space on the runway would
be used. Assouline stated that they need some type of application
for these types of request. This would give Members further
information on which to base their decisions. The discussion
turned to charging for these types of uses, with Tharp noting that
this type of use—by the University—is more of a publicity type of
use, in his view. He stated that the Commission can look at their
policies and set forth policies on these types of uses and requests.
Gardinier agreed that some type of application would be
appropriate here, but that not every request should be treated the
same. Members agreed that they need to continue this
discussion.
b. Airport Master Plan—Melissa Underwood spoke to Members, noting
that the final draft has been completed. She asked that Members look at
this document and give any feedback they may have. She briefly
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December 17,2015
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explained the timeframe they will be working with. Underwood then
briefly spoke to the final draft, highlighting some sections for Members,
noting how a 20-year plan is arrived at. She then responded to Member
questions and concerns, especially with having a stop-way in the future.
Ogren asked why this was removed from the master plan to begin with
and Underwood responded, noting that it would not lower minimums as
being the main reason. Underwood stated the final piece was the
financial section. Underwood described the section to members.
c. FAA/IDOT Projects: AECOM (David Hughes)
i. FY15 Obstruction Mitigation—Tharp stated that Hughes is
traveling and unable to be at this evening's meeting. He noted
that the obstruction mitigation FAA pre-application has been
submitted. He gave Members a brief rundown on those issues the
FAA is looking at. He added that right now there is $300,000 in
entitlement funds, but where the remainder would come from is
unknown at this time. He stated that he and Hughes are
continuing to review this situation, trying to come up with other
options. Underwood provided some information, as well, on
obstruction mitigation and how the FAA may deal with this
particular mandate.
ii. Fuel Tank Rehabilitation—Tharp stated that there is one minor
outstanding issue and the resolution should be ready for next
month's meeting. Ogren asked if everything was still running well
and Wolford stated that it is.
iii. FY16 Apron Expansion—Tharp stated that this is still going to be
a first of the year bidding process with a start date in the spring.
d. Airport Operations—
i. Strategic Plan-Implementation—Tharp stated that in January
they will be speaking to how they want to start the new planning
process for the strategic plan. He noted that he can check with
City Hall on who might be available to help them with this process.
Members briefly discussed this.
ii.
Budget—Tharp stated that not much has changed here. He
added that the City Council starts its budget process in early
January and that he will be at City Hall to present for the Airport.
He invited Members to join him if they have an interest in the
process.
iii. Management—None.
e. FBO/Flight Training Reports
i. Jet Air—Matt Wolford shared the monthly reports with Members.
Everyone noted the lack of snow this December and therefore not
much plowing has taken place. He noted that the snow they did
get was on a football weekend so they made sure to get the
runways cleared right away. Other than that, the usual picking up
of trash and branches, replacing of lightbulbs, and some basic
maintenance. Gardinier asked about the fuel filter usage, asking if
these weren't fairly new. Wolford explained how sand and
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December 17,2015
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sediment were high during this timeframe and that several sets of
filters were gone through as they attempted to clean out the
system. Continuing, Wolford noted that they hired several new
employees recently. He stated that they recently sold off the last
of their piston powered planes and plan to go to all turbo. Wolford
added that he has talked with Tharp recently about the need to
discuss further hangar space for Jet Air. Gardinier asked for
some clarification on the hangar needs and just what the issues
are here. Tharp and Wolford responded, noting that possibly
some modifications on current hangars would meet the needs,
versus building new hangars. Gardinier asked how Jet Air's flight
training is going and Wolford responded. He stated that they are
hoping to finalize plans for a full-time instructor soon and that
Odgaard has several things going on. Odgaard stated that he has
a few students at this time, but that it ebbs and flows.
f. Security Subcommittee Report—Gardinier spoke to Members
regarding the security report, stating that she took the document that
Ogren sent her and made further changes. She then met with Tharp and
reviewed some of the documents, noting that there were some
redundancies seen, and that Tharp is working through these changes.
Members should get a draft prior to next month's meeting for further
review. Gardinier added that they also talked about having an annual
review of this document, such as when the Chair position changes.
Others agreed that this would be a good idea. Members also spoke
about having some type of drill at the Airport,just to make sure they are
prepared.
g. Commission Members' Reports—Ogren stated that she flew
commercial the day of the snow storm and she shared her experience at
O'Hare Airport. Assouline shared that he now has a second grandchild.
Gardinier stated that she flew out the afternoon of the snow storm, once
everything was cleared. She shared how her flights to and from Florida
went. Odgaard shared that he will be leaving for Florida soon, as well,
with his family and then is headed to Europe.
h. Staff Report—Tharp reminded everyone that he will be out of the office
from December 23 through January 4.
SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING FOR:
The next regular meeting of the Airport Commission will be held on Thursday, January 21,
2016, at 6:00 P.M. in the Airport Terminal Building.
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December 17,2015
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ADJOURN:
Ogren moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 P.M. Assouline seconded the motion. The
motion carried 4-0; Bockenstedt absent.
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CHAIRPERSON DATE
Airport Commission
December 17,2015
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Airport Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2015
TERM - N A fir m A 0
— -
Ca fV CO CD O
-1.
—S N N -� N -� — -a
NAME EXP. Of fc fc V O h' m m O -i m fc fc
m cr N N m m cn m cn N m m m
Minnetta 03/01/19 X XXX X X O/ X X XXX X
Gardinier E
Jose 03/01/16 O/ X X 0/ X X XX X X XX X
Assouline E E
Chris Ogren 03/01/18 X X X X X X XX X X X0/ X
E
A.Jacob 03/01/18 X XXX X X X0/ X X XX X
Odgaard E
Julie 03/01/17 NN NN NNNN NNNX O/E
Bockenstedt Mm MNIMMMM MMM
David Davis 03/01/17 X0 XX 0 X 0 0 N N NN NM
M M MM
Key:
X = Present
X/E= Present for Part of Meeting
O = Absent
O/E =Absent/Excused
NM = Not a Member at this time