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Airport Commission
September 15,2011
Page 1
MINUTES FINAL
IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 15, 2011 — 6:00 P.M.
AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING
Members Present: Jose Assouline, Steve Crane, Minnetta Gardinier, Howard
Horan, Rick Mascari
Staff Present: Sue Dulek, Michael Tharp
Others Present: Matt Wolford, Jeff Edberg, Eric Scott, David Hughes
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council
action): None
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Gardinier called the meeting to order at 6:04 P.M.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:
Minutes of the August 25, 2011, meeting were reviewed. Mascari moved to approve the
minutes of the August 25, 2011, meeting as submitted; seconded by Horan. Motion
carried 4-0; Crane absent.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
None.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION:
a. Airport Commission Meeting Format— Dulek addressed the Members about items
that are brought up and discussed at meetings, but that were not on the original agenda.
These items need to be put on an agenda for open discussion so that everyone has the
opportunity to attend the meeting and speak to that item. She also reminded them about
email rules, open records requests, and what is considered open communication.
b. Airport Commerce Park—Jeff Edberg shared with Members the latest news regarding
interest in lots. He stated that a local business is still showing an interest. This
company would have around 40 employees, according to Edberg. He added that he
recently spoke to the City Manager, Tom Markus, to see if the City had any incentives to
offer such a company. He stated that Markus was open to such an idea and would be
willing to review an offer by the company. Edberg also stated that he received a new
lead yesterday from another company. He noted that they are running advertisements in
several locations for the Commerce Park lots. Members asked some general questions
of Edberg, most notably what the market is like currently.
c. Corporate Hangar L—Tharp noted that he and Eric Scott went back and reviewed the
bids again, and bottom line is that the bids they received are most likely what they would
get on a rebid. Scott spoke next, and he noted that the person who gave them the
original figures is no longer with the company. He briefly explained the various reasons
for the cost differences, noting that the overall hangar size had changed. A discussion
Airport Commission
September 15,2011
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ensued, with Mascari asking if Scott's company could possibly do a re-design for the
hangar. Scott stated that he would not recommend a new set of plans, that he does not
believe this is needed. Members discussed the core issue with this, that being that they
were given a false set of numbers in the beginning on what this hangar would cost.
Mascari and Gardinier voiced their unhappiness with how this project has gone off track.
Horan stated that he is concerned with how the State will perceive this if they have to
turn back grant money again. The discussion continued, with Members reviewing their
options on how they want to proceed with this. Assouline weighed in, stating that if they
can still build the smaller hangar, he believes they should go ahead with this. Scott
stated that the 'smaller' hangar costs were based on the conceptual numbers, and
therefore this is not an option. Tharp noted that they also need to be aware of rental
rates on a small hangar versus the larger one. Assouline asked if Tharp were
recommending they terminate the project, and Tharp stated that as it currently stands,
yes, he would recommend that. Gardinier stated that she wonders if Scott's company
shouldn't go back to the company regarding the 'false' numbers, in light of the amount of
time and money spent so far. Members continued to question Tharp and Scott about the
hangar plans and timelines, trying to figure out how they got to where they are with a
project they cannot afford. Scott tried to clarify why the size of the hangars changed and
how they went from conceptual to the final plans. Mascari stated that he believes this
was a waste of taxpayer money and that the Airport should pay the $90,000 themselves.
He continued, stating that he believes the engineering company that Scott works for
bears some responsibility in this, as well. He even suggested that one of Scott's
supervisors attend a Commission meeting to further discuss this issue. Gardinier stated
that she believes they should go to Des Moines for a face-to-face meeting with the State
to discuss their needs for a hangar and how they may be able to proceed. Members
turned back to discussing whether or not they can use these plans at a later date.
Mascari again suggested they invite one of Scott's supervisors to the next meeting.
Gardinier stated that she would agree to this, but that she believes they need a set of
questions to follow. The other Members agreed that this would be a good idea. Scott
spoke again to Members, stating that a rebid situation is what is needed here, not a
redesign, which would be costly.
d. Terminal Building Brick Repair—Tharp noted that there is not much to update
Members on regarding this. Gardinier and Tharp briefly went over where they are with
this project, noting that once the planter is torn out they will have a better idea of what
they need to do here. Tharp questioned if the Members would like to have a sub-
committee deal with this, and Members agreed they would not.
e. FAAIIDOT Projects—AECOM:
i. Runway 7/25 & 12/3—David Hughes addressed the Members next,
stating that there is nothing back from the FAA yet on this.
ii. Obstruction Mitigation— Hughes stated that he met with Dulek and a
letter was sent out on this issue.
iii. 7/25 Parallel Taxiway—Construction has started, according to Hughes,
with storm sewers being done next, after the initial work is completed. Hughes
added that they had a progress meeting today and went over the schedule. He
then responded to Members' questions.
f. Airport "Operations":
i. Strategic Plan-Implementation—Tharp noted that he is working with
Purchasing on putting together a preventative maintenance plan for the hangars.
He stated that by having such a maintenance plan, they would save money in the
long run by getting to things before they break. Members spoke briefly to this,
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September 15,2011
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stating that they would like to see some figures on what they are spending
annually to fix and replace these types of items.
ii. Budget—Materials for the FY2013 budget have arrived, according to
Tharp, and the budget subcommittee will be meeting next week to begin this
process. Tharp stated that documents are due back to the Finance Department
by the end of the month, which will require a special meeting in order for the
Commission to adopt the budget. He added that they can meet the first week in
October in order to do this. Members discussed this briefly, with October 13th
being looked at for a meeting. Due to a number of conflicts, a meeting date of
Tuesday, October 11th was chosen instead.
iii. Management—
1. Airport Operations Specialist Position—Gardinier stated that
she will draft a letter now that she has received Members' comments and
will arrange to meet with the City Manager to discuss this position being
full-time. Members then discussed what Tharp's additional duties would
include, with marketing being a major one. The discussion then turned to
how often the Commission would review this position, with Members
looking at possible scenarios.
g. FBO/ Flight Training Reports:
i. Jet Air/Air Care—Matt Wolford spoke to Members next. He reviewed
what Jet Air worked on in August. He added some additional items, such as
mowing, that had not made it to the report. Horan asked if they were using the
newer light bulbs (CFLs) yet and Wolford stated that they still have the older
bulbs in stock. Wolford continued, stating that Jet Air is seeing an increase in
business. He then responded to Members' questions on fuel prices. Wolford
shared with Members that they have been in contact with a company that has a
Falcon 2000, and they are planning to be coming into the airport soon, while
looking for some land to buy in the area.
ii. Iowa Flight Training—Gardinier asked if Tharp had heard from IFT, and
he shared what he was able to find out. He added that IFT is going through a
transition right now. Members agreed that they would like to have IFT attend
Commission meetings on a quarterly basis just to keep in touch.
iii. Whirlybird— None.
h. Subcommittee Reports:
i. Community Liaison Subcommittee—Tharp noted that the
subcommittee, which consists of himself, Assouline, and Crane, met recently.
They are in the process of inviting the City Council candidates out to the Airport
for a tour.
i. Commission Members' Reports— Horan shared that he took pictures of the Tri-Motor
while it was at the Airport. He shared these on the Facebook page. Mascari asked if the
idea of a sidewalk on Riverside Drive is still going around. Members noted that Janelle
Rettig had been a proponent of this when she was on the Commission. Tharp noted that
there is a sidewalk planned for the east side of Riverside Drive, but no definite dates for
it to be completed. Gardinier noted that when the Tri-Motor was here they unfortunately
were not able to get as many rides in as they had hoped. She added that the event did
go well, and she hopes they can bring even more such events in the future.
j. Staff Report—Tharp reminded Members that he will be gone to the FAA Conference in
Kansas City.
SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING FOR:
Airport Commission
September 15,2011
Page 4
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, October 11, 2011, at 6:00 P.M. at the Airport
Terminal building.
ADJOURN:
The meeting adjourned at 8:12 P.M. Mascari made the motion to adjourn the meeting at
8:12 P.M.; seconded by Horan. Motion carried 5-0.
eed. //417ZO1/
CHAIRPERSON DATE
• ' Airport Commission
August 25,2011
Page 5
Airport Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2011
TERM N N) CO a a cn 0 CO CO Co
-1. N -s N j rn N ? N — 9.
NAME EXP. o j
03/01/13 X XXX X X X X X/E X X X
Rick
Mascari
03/01/14 X XXX X X X X X X X X
Howard
Horan
Minnetta 03/01/15 X XXX X X X O/ X X X X
Gardinier E
Jose 03/02/12 XXX X O/ O/ X X X X X X
Assouline E E
Steve 03/02/14 O/E X X X X 0/ X X X X X X
Crane E
Key:
X = Present
X/E = Present for Part of Meeting
0 = Absent
O/E =Absent/Excused
NM = Not a Member at this time