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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-20-2014 Airport Commission Meeting Minutes Airport Commission February 20,2014 Page 1 MINUTES FINAL IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION FEBRUARY 20, 2014—6:00 P.M. AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING Members Present: Jose Assouline, Minnetta Gardinier, Paul Hofmeyer, Howard Horan, Chris Ogren Staff Present: Sue Dulek, Michael Tharp Others Present: Matt Wolford, Jeff Edberg, Ron Roetzel RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council action): None. CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Horan called the meeting to order at 6:05 P.M. Two members, Gardinier and Ogren, were not yet present but were expected to attend the meeting. At this point, Horan moved that Items 6a, 6d, and 6f be moved to this point in the meeting so that the attending parties can leave prior to the Commission adjourning into Executive Session. Horan made the motion to move Items 6a, 6d, and 6f forward to this point in the meeting, seconded by Hofmeyer. Motion carried 3-0; Gardinier and Ogren not yet present) ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION: a. Airport Commerce Park—Jeff Edberg addressed the Airport Commission Members at this point. He stated that they did close on Lot#9 recently. He gave Members some background on the party that purchased this lot. Edberg noted that this person may also buy Lot#8, but that he is awaiting the closure of another piece of property that has to sell before considering this other lot. (Gardinier and Ogren arrived at this point.) Edberg continued speaking to Members, noting that they are now down to three lots for sale in the Commerce Park. Hofmeyer asked if this is considering Lot#8, which may be sold to the same party as Lot#9. Edberg responded that actually Lot#s 11, 12, and 13 are open, as are Lots#s 7 and 8, for a total of five lots. Edberg then spoke to what other types of lots are available in the Iowa City area and what types of zoning they are under, compared to the lots available in the Airport Commerce Park. d. Airport Master Plan—Tharp introduced Ron Roetzel of Bolton & Menk as one of the team members who will be working on the Airport's Master Plan. Tharp noted that Members received a draft of the full task order in their meeting packets, and that the idea tonight is to walk Members through what the Master Plan will consist of. If Members have any questions, this will be the time to ask them. Roetzel noted that this is a time for information gathering so that they incorporate everything the Members want in their Master Plan. He noted that the FAA does have some mandatory items, but that each Master Plan is tailored to Airport Commission February 20,2014 Page 2 the specific airport. Roetzel then spoke to the seven key points that the Master Plan will cover. Briefly reviewing these key points, he noted that one of the first ones is runway alternatives. This refers to such things as runway length, approach surfaces, and runway ends. Hofmeyer asked questions of Roetzel regarding such alternatives and how feasible some of these may be for the Airport. Roetzel responded, further explaining how the processes and evaluations would be handled in the Master Plan planning. Roetzel continued, stating that another key point will be a comprehensive obstruction evaluation. With the last Master Plan having been done in 1996, he noted that there have undoubtedly been some changes in the area with building and development, making this type of comprehensive analysis very important. He continued, briefly reviewing the key points, as well as the processes and evaluations used to address each one. Another major area is financial feasibility, according to Roetzel. This analysis is not meant to be a marketing plan, per se, but the FAA does want each airport to review what their existing revenue and expenses are, and what plans they have to increase their revenue in order to become more self-sufficient. Public involvement will be crucial, according to Roetzel. He stated that they will start with a Master Plan advisory group, consisting of representatives from a multitude of groups in the community. Assouline questioned Roetzel on how they use this public input in creating the Master Plan. Roetzel spoke to this and also how they have outreach meetings where they go to the local businesses and neighborhood groups to share and gather information, basically letting the public know what is going on at the Airport. In addition to these meetings, there are also public open houses where information gathering and sharing are again key essentials for creating the Master Plan. Roetzel then spoke to the GIS portion of the plan. He noted that it will be completely compatible with the City's system, and will also meet the FAA's criteria. Hofmeyer asked for some clarification of the GIS system, to which Roetzel responded. Members then asked questions of Roetzel and Tharp as to how they will be proceeding with the Master Plan process. The next step in this process, according to Roetzel, is that the FAA receive a copy of the draft document. He briefly explained this part of the process. Tharp spoke briefly to cost estimates, further explaining how this will be handled for the plan. Roetzel added that an independent cost estimate will be required by the FAA in order to compare the two cost estimates. Horan moved that the meeting minutes portion of the meeting be moved up before they adjourn to the Executive Session; seconded by Hofmeyer. Motion carried 5-0. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Minutes of the January 14, 2014, meeting were reviewed first. Ogren noted that at the end, "Members continued to discuss,"the 'ed' needs to be removed. Ogren moved to approve the January 14, 2014, meeting minutes as amended; seconded by Horan. Motion carried 5-0. • Airport Commission February 20,2014 Page 3 Minutes of the January 16, 2014 meeting were reviewed next. Ogren moved to approve the January 16, 2014, meeting minutes as presented, seconded by Gardinier. Motion carried 5-0. Lastly, minutes of the February 4, 2014, meeting were reviewed. Ogren noted that at the very end it says "day off requirements," and most likely should be "day of...". She also noted four paragraphs up, "Commission meeting and possibly suggest start," should probably have ..."suggest how to start...". Ogren then showed some grammatical errors on the first page. Gardinier moved to approve the February 4, 2014, meeting minutes as amended, seconded by Hofmeyer. Motion carried 5-0. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION (cont): f. FBO/Flight Training Reports i. Jet Air—Matt Wolford of Jet Air spoke to the Members regarding the last month's maintenance and upkeep. In January there was a lot of snow removal, according to Wolford, and February is looking about the same. It was noted that snow removal is a different contract than the maintenance one. Ogren asked how this contract is handled, and Tharp noted that the last contract was for a 3- year period. This contract covers both snow and mowing, and is more of a grounds maintenance-type contract. Wolford noted that they have fixed the motor on the self-serve pump, but that people are still dragging the nozzles on the ground. Gardinier stated that it's been in the last six months or so that this nozzle has been leaking. Prior to this, it did not appear to be a problem. Wolford added that they did put up a sign, asking people to not drag the nozzle, but there still appears to be a problem. Members continued to discuss this issue with Wolford. Snow removal was also discussed at some length with Members, due to the excessive amounts this season. Wolford then spoke about Jet Air and how things are going for them. He stated that it's really just a bad time of the year for the aviation industry with all of the snowstorms. This has led to a lot of overtime for staff. With less aircraft coming through, fuel sales have dropped. He added that with warmer weather they're sure to see things picking up again. Members then spoke briefly with Wolford and Tharp about snow removal and ways to make this easier on the runways. ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION: Horan moved to adjourn to Executive Session at 7:09 P.M. under Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(c)to discuss strategy with Counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation; seconded by Ogren. Also under consider for an Executive Session is the need to evaluate the professional competency of individuals whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individuals' reputations and those individuals requested a closed session (evaluation of the Airport Operations Specialist). Motion carried 5-0. Horan made the motion to adjourn the Executive Session at 7:34 P.M., seconded by Ogren. Motion carried 5-0. PUBLIC DISCUSSION: Airport Commission February 20,2014 Page 4 None. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION (cont.): b. Fly Iowa—Tharp stated that the subcommittee met a few weeks ago and talked about the Children's Museum and their participation in this event. They also talked about fundraising. Tharp added that they have received a few checks, but nothing substantial yet. They have around $700 in donations so far. Ogren asked what their next step is, and Tharp stated that they need to begin contacting people personally. He will send out a revised roster and they can divide up the names/numbers and start contacting people that way. Hofmeyer noted that there had been some mention of having the next Fly Iowa meeting at the Children's Museum. Tharp noted that he would need to speak with Dulek about this, as it would be a public meeting. Dulek asked if it would be easily accessible by the public, and it was confirmed that the public could easily attend a meeting there. Members agreed that having the meeting at the Museum would be a good idea. e. Airport Operations—Tharp noted that the State Aviation Conference is April 22- 23 this year. He will be there for both days and stated that if anyone else would like to attend to please let him know. Hofmeyer asked which day would be the better one to attend, if he can only attend one day. Tharp stated that he would have to look at the agenda, but one day is typically more active with lectures and sessions, and the other day is more networking and that type of thing. i. Strategic Plan —Implementation— ii. Budget—Tharp stated that he met a couple of weeks ago with the City Forester and he shared a letter that he received with the Members. The City Forester is setting up a plan to deal with the Emerald Ash Borer, if and when it hits Iowa City. For the Airport, this means that a fairly substantial number of trees will be affected. The City is in the process of coming up with a plan to deal with this threat and has asked if they could possibly use land to the south to house their tree removal operation. They would store the removed trees at this location, chip them up, and then ship the chippings out. Tharp asked Members for their input, and several asked questions of such an operation and how they would keep it from becoming a problem. Dulek added that the State legislature is also looking into such costs and how these operations will affect cities. Members stated that they wouldn't have a problem with this to a degree, but would want some answers about the wood chipping itself and the impact of that on the Airport grounds. Members also agreed that they would like to have the City Forester come to their next meeting so they can get their questions answered. iii. Management—Tharp noted that he and Horan were at the Council meeting recently and gave the Annual Report presentation to the Council. He stated that they did note that Horan would be ending his stint as a Commissioner. Horan stated that he mentioned that in 1992 the money from the General Fund was $180,000 and how since then they have been heading in the right direction. Dulek added that there were some claps of appreciation for Horan's service. Tharp noted that Ogren has been reappointed to the Commission, and that they will be taking applications for Horan's position. Members then spoke to who would become the Chair as this is Horan's last meeting. Tharp suggested they talk amongst themselves and decide what they would like to do. They will actually elect a Chair at next month's meeting then. Gardinier asked if the Airport Commission February 20, 2014 Page 5 Chair's duties could be split amongst the Members. Tharp noted that typically it is the Chair due to the signing requirements. He added that he will gladly meet with any of them, but that the Chair typically takes on these duties due to the signature requirements. Members continued to discuss how they might want to handle these duties in the future. g. Subcommittee Reports — i. February — Budget— (see above comment under "Management") ii. March — Community Liaison —(Ogren and Assouline) h. Commission Members' Reports — Gardinier stated she hopes for better weather by this weekend when she will be flying. Ogren shared that she successfully flew through Atlanta last week, before the storm came. Hofmeyer stated that this past weekend he drove up to Clinton and stopped at their airport. They are getting a new terminal building and doing quite a bit of work. He added that they also stopped by the Davenport Airport, as well. Assouline stated that he has not been much of anywhere this month. Horan stated that he spends a lot of time on Flight Aware online, and also spends time on Facebook. Gardinier stated that the Air Race Classic needs a head timer, with orientation seminars soon if anyone is interested. Members asked about this position and what it would entail. The Air Race Classic is June 16 -- 19, with most planes here Wednesday and Thursday, according to Gardinier. Gardinier and other Members thanked Horan for his years of service, asking that he still help with the Fly Iowa event, which he gladly agreed to do. i. Staff Members' Reports — None. SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING FOR: The next Fly Iowa subcommittee meeting is March 4, 2014, at 5:30 P.M. After some discussion, Members noted that the March 20 meeting date will not work for several of them. The next regular meeting will be Monday, March 17, 2014, at 6:00 P.M. at the Airport Terminal building. ADJOURN: Hofmeyer made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:11 P.M.; seconded by Ogren. Motion carried 5-0. , // CHAIRPERSON DATE Airport Commission February 20,2014 Page 6 Airport Commission ATTENDANCE RECORD 2013-2014 TERM -a. 0 0 0 0 0 A crit W V oCo co to 8p 0 . II; Q s N -i N NAME EXP, COI Fri o N co - m - zit A W W W W W W W W W W W W 11. 03/01/14 Howard X X X X XX X X X X X X X XXX X Horan Minnetta 03/01/15 O/E X O/E X XX O/E X X X X X X XXX X Gardinier Jose 03/01/16 X X X O/E X X X X O/E X O/E X O/E O/E X X X Assouline Chris 03/01/14 X X X X XX X X X X X X X XXX X Ogren Paul 03/01/17 X X X X XX O/E X X X O/E X X XXX X Hofmeyer Key: X = Present X/E = Present for Part of Meeting O = Absent O/E =Absent/Excused NM = Not a Member at this time