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Home My WebLink About07-19-2007 Airport Commission Meeting Minutes MINUTES FINAL Iowa City Airport Commission July 19,2007 Iowa City Airport Terminal—5:45 PM Members Present: Howard Horan, Chair; Randy Hartwig;John Staley; Greg Farris Members Absent: Janelle Rettig Staff Present: Sue Dulek,Michael Tharp Others Present: Jerry Searle,Dan Yeager,Jay Honeck,Mary Honeck,Rick Mascari, Gary Lust, Sharon Lust,David Hughes,Minnetta Gardinier DETERMINE QUORUM: The meeting was called to order at 5:45 P.M.by Horan. RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 7,8,and 28,2007 and JULY 9, 2007 MEETINGS: There were no changes/additions/corrections to the above noted minutes. Hartwig moved to accept the June 7,8,and 28,and July 9,2007 meeting minutes as presented; seconded by Farris. Carried 4-0; Rettig absent. PUBLIC DISCUSSION: None. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION: A) Runway 18-36—Rick Mascari addressed the commission and thanked them for including this agenda item request. Mascari commented that Jerry Searle from Snyder&Associates would be attending the meeting, but hadn't arrived yet. Mascari addressed the commission regarding the possibility of re-opening 18-36. Mascari discussed the question of"Why do we want the runway reopened?" Mascari discussed the issues of crosswind landing at the airport. Mascari stressed that the airport has not had a crosswind landing accident due to the three runway configuration. Mascari then addressed the current VOR A approach procedure which currently brings aircraft to the center of the airport and makes them circle to land. Mascari discussed the potential hazard of flying the circle to land while trying to keep the 1 • Airport Commission July 19,2007 Page 2 of 8 runway environment in sight. Mascari commented that with the runway open, an aircraft could instead fly a straight in approach and land and 36. Mascari then addressed the potential cost of the runway, stating that in 1996 the Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) declared they would no longer support three runways at Iowa City. Mascari expanded on that stating that meant the FAA would no longer provide grants for major improvements and rehabilitations of the runway,minor repairs such as fixing cracks were the responsibility of the Airport Sponsor. Mascari addressed the cost of upkeep on the runway stating he compared the city contributions of the general levy to the airport in a year when the runway was open,to a year when the runway was closed. Mascari stated that in 2003,the general levy contribution was$129,524,and in 2006,the contribution was $112,000. Mascari stated that in 2004 they had expenses from the cost of the full time manager, as well as more hangar debt. Mascari then concluded that it shouldn't cost much to maintain the runway. Mascari then addressed the displaced threshold that was put in place when the north commercial park was designed. Mascari also mentioned the ASOS weather equipment that was placed in the field and required the removal of part of the runway. Mascari then discussed the steps that would be required to re-open the runway,which included painting the runway with chevrons for the areas that would be closed, and updating the Airport Layout Plan. Mascari addressed the potential drainage issue using only one-half of the runway. Mascari addressed the conflict with the ASOS equipment which he felt didn't conflict with any zones. Hartwig commented that he would be skeptical that the ASOS in its current location would not be a hazard. Searle discussed the FAA criteria regarding some of the protection zones and Part 77 airspace. Searle discussed the need to clear the road(Mormon Trek)and the threshold would be displaced based on that. Searle stated that the north end was marked as relocated and not displaced. Searle stated that the runway would not have a published approach. Hartwig commented that in terms of safety that all areas of the airport have something on the end that is a potential hazard. Hartwig then asked Searle about a runway with 2 displaced thresholds,to which Searle responded the FAA doesn't like that scenario and would not look favorably on it. Hartwig commented on the displaced threshold and how pilots have trouble landing past the displaced threshold and this negates the safety measure that the threshold itself is put there to correct. Mascari confirmed some of the costs with Searle regarding pavement markings and the ALP update costs. Hartwig responded to the costs,and stated that because of the age of the runway it would be reasonable to assume that the there would need to be money spent on the runway. Mascari commented on the runway 2 Airport Commission July 19,2007 Page 3 of 8 conditions referring to one of the pavement condition reports showing 18- 36 rated as poor to good and the other 2 runways were rated as good. Hartwig commented that he was frustrated with this discussion taking place now after the airport has confirmed with the city, state,and FAA that this was the direction they were going to,and stated that the credibility of the Airport is also at stake if they choose to go back to altering the plans. Mascari addressed the understanding with the city that the runway would be able to stay open until the other improvements were completed. Horan asked about the ASOS equipment and the impact of activity on the equipment. Hartwig stated that part of the reason it was located at its current position was because that was the best spot that kept it within all the sighting and alignment criteria. Searle commented his initial thought would be that the ASOS would need to be relocated. Dan Yeager commented on the safety of the takeoff on 18 that there is a roadway that runs parallel and could be used in the event of an engine failure. Staley questioned the approach procedure and the wind effects and the risk factors there. Mascari responded and stated that his concern is with turning with a cross-wind when he's flying low and slow on the approach. Yeager expanded by noting that there is low level wind turbulence coming from nearby buildings. Gary Lust commented on the approach that there was a VOR-36 approach that was a straight in approach that took pilots to the end of the runway, and the VOR-A now takes pilots to the center of the airport. Horan stated his concerns regarding the ASOS and potential reporting impacts by aircraft near it. Farris stated that there are more costs with having 18-36 open because that would remove southern areas from possible development,and there would be opportunity costs lost there,as well as the FAA paid study that is going on for that area. Tharp questioned how long the north area had been on the market. Mascari responded that it was placed on the market in 1998. Horan asked for any other comments from the public in attendance or any other comments from the Commission. Tharp stated he would like to expand on some of the maintenance costs. Tharp noted that the last pavement condition report was done in 2005, and at that time runway 18- 36 averaged a 52 rating which put it in the category of major rehabilitation. Tharp stated that with the costs estimated in the book that the airport should be spending roughly$2.75 per foot for runway repairs. Tharp expanded his remarks to clarify the costs are increased because the pavement failures are more dire. Tharp stated that he felt it would take more money than had been discussed to re-open the runway. Staley asked that with the airport budget,where does the airport come up with whatever money is required to reopen the runway? Mascari 3 Airport Commission July 19,2007 Page 4 of 8 suggested that with the money the airport spends in relation to improving hangars,and that perhaps re-prioritizing some of the projects would be a possibility. Horan asked for any comments and not hearing any stated he felt that he is comfortable with the current airport plans for completing the runway 7-25 extension,which included the removal of the United Hangar. Horan expanded that he hoped the airport would be paving and lighting this building season, and when that project is funded the need to remove the United hangar could no longer be pushed out. Horan asked if anyone had any other ideas, and hearing none,suggested moving on to the next item. B) Aviation Commerce Park-- Horan stated Harry Wolf was unable to attend,but stated that he had some new interest in lots, and that the airport commission should stay on their toes for some special meetings. C) FAA/IDOT Projects—Earth Tech—David Hughes— Hughes made sure that the Commission did receive the monthly update that he sent out. Hughes then went through the items for updates I) Runway 7/25—Grading has been completed,and there are a couple of punch list items left to finished. Hughes noted that the Paving and Lighting is out to bid, and that the FAA has said that currently there is no discretionary money available,and they hope to have some by the time the project is bid. II) South Aviation Development Study—Hughes stated that this is also waiting on the drainage study which is being reviewed by the city. The Drainage study would contain dollar estimates that might affect some of the south planning layouts III) South Taxilane Rehab—Hughes noted there were some water issues with the taxilane,and that they would be getting with the contractor to correct the deficiencies. IV) Hangar A Rehab—Consider a resolution accepting work for Hangar A Floors—Hughes noted that they had been told earlier in the week that there was a issue with some raised concrete and a door not closing. He will get with the contractor to repair this, and hopefully close the project at the next meeting. Commission deferred the Resolution to August meeting. V) Hangar A&B Doors—No discussion VI) Terminal Apron Rehab—Hughes commented they are finishing the plans for this project and noted that construction on that would still be this construction season. VII) Obstruction Mitigation—Hughes noted that most of the MidAmerican lines can be placed underground in the DOT right of way. He noted that MidAmerican would like an easement to place a piece of equipment on airport land. Horan 4 Airport Commission July 19,2007 Page 5 of 8 questioned that if this work was to be completed by the end of this construction season,to which Hughes responded that was correct VIII) 405 Approach Surveys—Hughes noted they are addressing some more FAA comments and are working towards completion D) Acrobatic Flight Training Operations—Tharp noted he hadn't heard anything from the operators, and didn't have anything new to add. E) University of Iowa/Operator Performance Labs—Consider a resolution accepting a Letter of Intent with the University of Iowa for expansion of Building H—Tharp commented that the University would like to defer accepting the Letter of Intent until the August meeting. Tharp stated that there has been some additional comments on the proposed 20 year lease. Tharp noted that the project itself would be secured,but the length of the lease term was what was being questioned. Commission deferred the Resolution to August meeting. F) T-Hangar Contracts and Rates—Hartwig and Farris recused themselves from the discussion due to a conflict of interest. Tharp noted that in the packet were what the current rates and a memo from Tharp stating the background information. Tharp noted that the hangar rates hadn't been adjusted since 2003 for A,B,C and 2005 for I,J,K. Tharp proposed increasing the rates based on an inflationary adjustment. Tharp commented that hangars A,B, and C were, in his view,coming up to the upper end of the rental rates that would be accepted. He also commented that since there is a waiting list for spots at Iowa City,the market may be a little more flexible. Tharp noted that his figures included the electric costs of the hangars. Staley commented that if that was the case,then they should strike the voluntary electric payment section. G) Wal-Mart Storm-water Management Easement—Tharp commented that this is one of the wildlife hazard mitigation items, and that he and Dulek met with city staff to discuss this. Tharp stated that the Wal-Mart easement with the airport consists of roughly enough land to have a slope and fence in to the pond. Tharp also stated that they discovered that this facility was indeed designed as a wet bottom detention pond,and that the FAA had approved the design. H) FY2008 Iowa DOT Grants—Tharp noted that the 2 grants the airport applied for were approved. They consisted of the North Taxilane rehabilitation,and the fuel system upgrades. Farris asked about the areas they were going to repair and Tharp responded. Horan asked for clarification of what was going to occur with the fuel system. Tharp 5 Airport Commission July 19,2007 Page 6 of 8 responded that it would include an upgraded AvGas dispenser, and a 24 hour Jet Fuel pump. The system also provides a safety measure should mobile equipment have failure. Consider a resolution accepting IDOT Grant for fuel system upgrade and repair—Resolution#A07-15; moved by Staley,seconded by Hartwig; Motion approved 4-0 Rettig Absent. Consider a resolution accepting[DOT Grant for North Taxilane rehabilitation and pavement repairs—Resolution#A07-16; moved by Hartwig,seconded by Farris. Motion approved 4-0,Rettig absent. Hartwig asked for timeline clarification,and Tharp responded that they bad planned for the fuel system work to be done yet this year, and the pavement rehab would be a spring project. I) Airport"Operations": Strategic Plan-Implementation;Budget;and Airport Management—Horan noted he is still interested in a planning meeting once the Willow Creek study is done. Tharp noted that Fiscal Year 2007 was complete. He noted the preliminary data showed the airport expenses were about$3,000 over budget,but with the emergency phone line repair that occurred,they were in line. Staley asked about putting together a replacement schedule for HVAC equipment. Hartwig noted that the internal accounts showed some large overages,but that the bottom line was good. Tharp responded that they do need to adjust some individual categories to better reflect expenses. J) FBO Staff Report—Horan noted that Phillip Woolford was unable to attend the meeting K) Subcommittees' Reports—Farris noted they begun the process to order the covered shelter. Farris then gave the Commission a description of the shelter. Farris noted that the company being used has provided several shelters for the city. Farris noted that the cost of the shelter leaves some money left over for some other items they have been looking for. Yeager asked if the area is being advertised for use. Farris responded that it is to a small extent,but that it would be more with the future planned trail system in the area. Hartwig commented about removing the last couple of parking stall to make the entrance more viewable and accessible. Horan noted that he'd been taking more pictures of the grading. . L) Commission Members' Reports-Hartwig noted a photo in the weather room from Terry Edmond's glider flying over the Grand Canyon. Hartwig also mentioned the new bike rack out front M) Staff Report—Dulek told the commission about the reception being held for the retiring City Manager, on Friday,July 27a'. Tharp commented on a couple of articles in the packet regarding FAA Funding,and that the House Bill was the friendliest to General Aviation. 6 Airport Commission July 19, 2007 Page 7 of 8 SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING FOR: August 9,2007, at 7:00 P.M. ADJOURN: Meetin_ ..jo 1 I ed at 7:40C��.1�� - is: 07 CHAIRPERSON DATE 7 Airport Commission July 19,2007 Page 8of8 Airport Commission ATTENDANCE RECORD YEAR 2007 (Meeting Date) TERM 1/11 2/8 3/8 3/28 4/12 5/10 5/15 6/7 6/8 6/28 7/9 7/19 NAME EXP. Randy Hartwig 3/1/09 X X X X X X 0/E X X X X X Greg Farris 3/1/13 O/E X X 0/E X X X X OPE X X X John Staley 3/1/10 X X X X X X 0/E X 0/E 0/E X X Howard Horan 3/1/08 X X X X X X X X X X X X Janelle Rettig 3/1/12 X X X X X X XXX X O/E 0/E TERM 8/9 NAME EXP. Randy Hartwig 3/1/09 Greg Farris 3/1/13 John Staley 3/1/10 Howard Horan 3/1/08 Janette Rettig 3/1/12 KEY: X = Present 0 = Absent 0/E= Absent/Excused NM= No meeting — = Nota Member 8