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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-20-2014 Airport Commission Meeting Minutes • Airport Commission November 20,2014 Page 1 MINUTES FINAL IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION NOVEMBER 20, 2014—6:00 P.M. AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING Members Present: Jose Assouline, Minnetta Gardinier, Chris Ogren Members Absent: David Davis, A. Jacob Odgaard Staff Present: Michael Tharp, Sue Dulek Others Present: Matt Wolford, David Hughes, John Yeomans, Kevin Carlson, Melissa Underwood RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council action): None. DETERMINE QUORUM: Chairperson Ogren called the meeting to order at 6:32 P.M. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Gardinier noted that she found a typo under the FBO/Flight Training Reports on page 5. There was a discussion about 'Garmonizing'the planes, and she stated that this is not a real word. Below this the word 'garmonized' was used. She added that the spelling should be 'Garmin,' a producer of aviation navigation equipment. She pointed out a couple spots in this paragraph where the word was used. Ogren stated that she noticed a few things, as well. Under Item E.1, Airport Operations. The word 'forgot' should be 'forgotten.' On the next page, under Management, #3, 'locks on the gate's issue'—she noted that there is no need for an ' after gates. Ogren moved to accept the minutes of the October 16, 2014, meeting as amended. Gardinier seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0, Davis and Odgaard absent Minutes of the October 28 meeting were reviewed next. This was a brief meeting regarding the land sale. Assouline moved to accept the minutes of the October 28, 2014, meeting as submitted. Ogren seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0, Davis and Odgaard absent PUBLIC DISCUSSION: None. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION: a. Airport Commerce Park—Tharp stated that Jeff Edberg was unable to attend this evening's meeting. In terms of updates on land sales, he noted that the Council did approve the purchase agreements for the two sales they Airport Commission November 20,2014 Page 2 previously discussed. Closing dates are roughly on or before January 30, 2015. One of the sales has a 30-day extender if needed, according to Tharp, but so far everything is progressing well. Gardinier suggested they have a celebration once the Airport's debt is paid off and invite the Council and past Commission Members to celebrate with them. b. Airport Master Plan— Melissa Underwood shared with the Commission that the second meeting of the Master Plan Advisory Group was held this afternoon. Members reviewed the user survey results and also discussed forecasting methods for based aircraft and operations. Quantum has completed the aerial work and Underwood expects these results to be available shortly. c. FAA/IDOT Projects: AECOM (David Hughes)— i. FY16 CIP Pre-Application— Hughes noted that he has been working with Tharp and the FAA on the Capital Improvement Program (CIP). They have made some revisions. Hughes then spoke to obstructions and some unknowns in the area, along with lack of easements over the property. He stated that the FAA wants to push the obstruction mitigation out a year, to Federal Fiscal Year(FFY) 2016. There are some environmental factors and easement issues that will need to be dealt with first. Ogren asked if this will be a problem, and Hughes stated that the FAA is okay with it as they are aware that the Airport is working on the issue. Continuing, Hughes noted that the FAA wants to split the apron project into two pieces—one the expansion and the second being rehab to the existing apron. This is FFY17 and FFY18 in the CIP. Hughes continued, noting what FFY19 and FFY20 have slated for them, as well, with the snow removal equipment storage building and then the south Airport development area. Hughes noted that the CIP is due to the FAA prior to next month's meeting. Tharp replied that he believes it is around December 10 that it is due. He added that if there is a consensus among Members, Ogren can sign the pages that she needs to sign and they can then move forward with submitting to the FAA. ii. FY15 Obstruction Mitigation— Hughes stated that they are putting the Task Order together and that it should be ready for the next meeting. iii. Runway 7/25 Parallel Taxiway— Hughes noted that they only have a few pieces of paper yet to collect before wrapping this project up. The work is complete and looks good, according to Hughes. He then responded to Members' questions. iv. Taxiway B lighting— Hughes stated that this work is 99% done. The contractor is just waiting for a few more light fixtures. Hughes then noted what next year's projects include: lighting on the north T-hangars, fuel tanks, and power service replaced for the north T- hangars. He added that they will get bids for these projects this winter and then be able to start on them in the spring. d. Airport Minimum Standards—Tharp gave Members some background information, noting that they also have a memo in their meeting packet. He Airport Commission November 20,2014 Page 3 noted that these standards were last updated in 2002 and were originally written in 1998. During a review of these standards, it was noted that there are some discrepancies. Tharp stated that he would like to get the Commission's input on the flight training requirements section (page 26 of the .pdf). As part of the minimum standards, it states that 'a flight instruction operator will have at least two aircraft—one capable of instrument flight instruction.' Tharp stated that the recommendation is to replace this paragraph with 'a single aircraft at minimum that is IFR capable.' It is believed that this will maintain the intent of the Commission, that IFR training be available as part of the flight training operations at the Airport. Discussion ensued on this recommendation, with Members asking for clarification from Tharp on what the original intent truly was. Gardinier stated that in the case of only one aircraft, if it is down for maintenance then all flight training stops. She noted her own personal experience when receiving flight training. She stated that she would not support having just one aircraft be the minimum. Matt Wolford of Jet Air asked if this would cover helicopters, as well. Tharp responded that they could do a sub-section for helicopters if they decide to pull this out of the section. He asked Dulek about this issue and she referred the Members to the definitions section to see what it shows. Members continued to discuss the issue, with Tharp noting that this is an opportunity for the Commission to reaffirm what their intentions are so that moving forward, the necessary changes can take place. He stated that from the discussion it appears that Members would prefer to keep the minimum of two aircraft, one IFR rated, and to split out the helicopter section to allow for a VFR operation. i. Consider a resolution amending the Airport Minimum Standards— Gardinier moved to approve Resolution#A14-10, amending the Airport Minimum Standards as discussed. Assouline seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0, Davis and Odgaard absent e. Airport Operations— i. Strategic Plan-Implementation—Ogren asked if they should hold off on this discussion until they have a full Commission. Tharp agreed, stating that he currently does not have any updates for them either. ii. Budget—Tharp stated that he and Ogren met with the City Manager's office and the Finance Director recently. He stated that they had a fairly lengthy conversation regarding the budget. A 'side effect' of having their debt paid off, according to Tharp, will be a decrease in their levy. He stated that there was discussion about changing the Airport support to somewhat of a block grant-type setup, where the City would give the Airport a certain amount of money. The Airport would then have to budget and control this set amount. In terms of what was presented for the next fiscal year, Tharp noted that their budget looks good. Tharp also spoke to what they might do with the extra funds they will have after their property sales and debt pay-off, for example updating snow removal equipment. Assouline asked if they have considered lighting up the plane that sits out by Riverside Drive. Ogren and Tharp both noted that they would need to do some work to this area before lighting it up. Continuing, Tharp noted that the window replacement is moving forward. The first week of December is when things should start. Tharp spoke to Airport Commission November 20,2014 Page 4 the issue of blinds, noting that it will be around $3,000 to put in shades and he briefly described what he is referring to. Assouline asked if the window replacements will be similar to the current ones, and Tharp responded that they will be. Tharp noted that John Yeomans was present to talk about the farm agreement. He shared that there will be a bit of a reduction in rent paid, about 6%, as commodity prices have changed. Yeomans noted that the biggest change, other than a bit less rent, will be that the farmer, Jim Slotick, has agreed to go around this winter and cut brush. This is something that was not done in the spring. Tharp noted that everything else will remain the same in the agreement. iii. Management— None. f. FBO/Flight Training Reports— i. Jet Air— Matt Wolford with Jet Air reviewed the monthly reports with Members. All of the snow equipment has been checked out and has been used already. He noted that they also painted a yellow box around the self-service pump so pilots can see this better at night. Gardinier stated that she called in about the fire extinguisher box by her hangar— the door to it was lying on the ground. She noted that it looked like the door had been replaced but that the glass had not been. Wolford stated that he would check into this. Gardinier also spoke to the collection of N numbers, asking if they are downloading the data periodically. Wolford responded that the data is downloaded every night. She added that in terms of the annual report, the idea was to run these N numbers so they could identify where aircraft are coming from. Wolford stated that he will find out what reports he is able to get from the data. Continuing, Wolford reviewed the maintenance reports, noting that the screen on the self- service pump had to be replaced recently. Wolford then spoke about Jet Air's business, stating that they have been receiving quite a few requests for new airplanes on the field, increasing the need for more hangar space. He shared that they are subleasing space at this time, and that things are filling up. He shared that their maintenance shop is in the process of becoming a 'repair station,'with an FAA inspection coming up soon. Jet Air's flight training business is up and running, according to Wolford, with one full-time instructor currently and plans to hire several more in the next year. ii. Iowa Flight Training—Tharp stated that he received a letter from Tim Busch yesterday, stating that Iowa Flight Training will be discontinuing operations in Iowa City. With Jet Air's instruction program now up and running, it should not be a problem as this still meets the FRO requirements. Members briefly discussed the issue, noting that they were somewhat surprised, as Busch appeared to be agreeable to stay at the last meeting. g. Ad Hoc Committee Discussion—Ogren spoke briefly to the discontinuation of subcommittees and how they can create Ad Hoc committees as issues arise. The Budget subcommittee will remain a standing committee. Airport Commission November 20, 2014 Page 5 Tharp agreed that he currently does not see a need for any subcommittees either. Gardinier stated that they may want to create a subcommittee to deal with the viewing area and some possible upgrades there. h. Commission Members' Reports—Gardinier stated that she flew to Virginia and back recently. She shared that she hit some of the worst turbulence she has ever experienced during this flight. She also flew to Oklahoma City a few weekends ago. i. Staff Report—Tharp stated that with the upcoming holiday the office will be closed Thursday and Friday. Next month, Tharp stated that he may consider taking off the time between Christmas and New Year's, depending on how things are going. SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING FOR: The next regular meeting of the Airport Commission will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2014, at 6:00 P.M. at the Airport Terminal Building. Tharp noted that Odgaard has already noted that he will not be able to attend, and Assouline has also shared that he cannot attend the December meeting. Gardinier stated that she will be available to attend, as will Ogren. Tharp will check with Davis to see if he was able to attend. ADJOURN: Assouline made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 P.M. Ogren seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0, Davis and Odgaard absent. //-5 CHAIRPERSON CHAIRPERSON DATE Airport Commission November 20,2014 Page 6 Airport Commission ATTENDANCE RECORD 2014 TERM o 0 on o 0 o o o o o o o 0 1 -• Ni N) W A C)1 0) J CO CD O -+ N) NAME EXP. 0 N -4 Na N CO 0) o cn J ? 0) a 0) A O V J CM CO V N A a a a A a A A a A A a A A A A A 03/01/14 X X XXX XXNNNNNNNNN Howard Horan MMMM MMMMM Minnetta 03/01/15 X X X XX XXX X X 0/ X X X O/ X Gardinier E E Jose Assouline 03/01/16 X X X X X X X X X X XX XX O/ X E Chris Ogren 03/01/14 X X X X X X - X X X X XXXXXX Paul Hofineyer 03/01/17 XX XXX XXX N N NNNNNN M M MMMMMM A.Jacob Odgaard 03/01/17 N N NN N N NN N N N X X X X 0/ MM MMMMMM MMM E David Davis 03/01/17 N N NNN NNN N N N N O X X O/ MM MM M M MM M M MM E Kew X = Present X/E = Present for Part of Meeting 0 = Absent O/E =Absent/Excused NM = Not a Member at this time