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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-13-2007 Airport Commission Meeting Minutes MINUTES FINAL Iowa City Airport Commission December 13,2007 Iowa City Airport Terminal—5:45 PM Members Present: Howard Horan, Chair; Janelle Rettig; John Staley; Greg Farris Members Absent: Randy Hartwig Staff Present: Sue Dulek,Michael Tharp Others Present: David Hughes,Harrel Timmons,John Yeomans, Turk Regennitter, Peggy Slaughter,Russ Schmeiser, Tom Williams, Guy Williams, 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 NOVEMBER 8,2007 MEETING: Horan asked Members if they had any changes,corrections for the minutes. Staley moved to accept the November 8,2007 minutes as submitted; seconded by Rettig. Motion carried 3-0; Farris abstaining. PUBLIC DISCUSSION: Harrel Timmons noted that the runways are in good condition right now,with ice still in some areas, but overall everything is fairly clear. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION: a. Aviation Commerce Park—Peggy Slaughter addressed the Commission, stating that on Lot 6 there has been some delay, stating that the buyer has missed the Council meetings for December. She stated that a group that is looking at lots 17, 16, and 15 has an upcoming meeting with a potential user for their project. On lots 4, 3, and 2,the interested party is working with their legal department on completing forms. Both of these projects will most likely be ready for review at January meetings. b. Farmers National Company—John Yeomans asked if they could move on to the next item as his party is not present yet. Airport Commission December 13,2007 Page 2 of 8 Merschman Seeds—Rettig moved to defer Item 4.b.i. until later in the meeting, seconded by Farris. Motion carried 4-0. c. Army Reserve— i. Public Hearing—Horan opened the public hearing. No one appeared, and the public hearing was closed. ii. Consider a Resolution approving a 5-year lease with the Army Reserve—Discussion began with Rettig stating that she agrees with Horan in that she has no way of knowing what fair market value is on this issue. Tharp noted that they were originally renting for the same amount of money that the Guard was. He said it equated originally to about 10 cents per square foot. Horan asked for clarification on the exact area in question, and Tharp noted this for him. Rettig asked why they are not using the standard lease that they always use, which includes the City's nondiscrimination clause. Tharp stated that they are using the Federal Government's lease on this particular lease. Rettig stated that she would like Dulek's opinion on this. Dulek stated that the lease is what was presented to the City, and that the City ordinance is still in force. She stated that she just did not catch this at the time,but that they can bring it up in the negotiations. The discussion continued, with Members stating that fair market value is the main issue for them. They noted that since this is a five-year lease,doing a review of fair market value now makes sense to see what they should be charging. Horan asked if the Reserve is still planning to relocate. Tharp said they will in the future, and that the Guard part of this unit will be leaving sooner, as their new facility will be ready,probably in the next five years. Horan then asked Dulek about the wording at the bottom of this agreement,that states,"The Government may terminate any time after 31 July 08,"stating that this is only a 6-month lease then. Dulek stated that basically the offer being made is that they,the Government,can terminate the lease early. Horan asked the others if they want to take this agreement. Rettig stated that she is willing to table this issue until they have time to get a fair market value. Rettig stated that she would like to give them a standard City lease. Rettig also noted that this area of the Airport is prime area for building future hangars and that they really should find out what fair market value is currently. Dulek noted that in April of 2004, Iowa Realty provided lease rates for Aviation Commerce Park and perhaps this would help. Rettig moved that Item 4.c.ii. be deferred until further review is done,seconded by Horan. Motion carried 4-0. b. Farmers National Company— Airport Commission December 13, 2007 Page 3 of 8 Merschman Seeds—Discussion began with Yeomans addressing the Commission regarding the contract with Merschman Seeds. He reviewed the terms as laid out in his email to Tharp, asking the Commission if they are ready to decide on this issue. Farris asked about the access point that will need to be put in,and Yeomans responded to questions regarding this. Turk Regennitter also addressed the Members,further clarifying the areas of the Airport that will have plots and various agricultural displays. Regennitter reiterated that they will have safety features in place, such as extra personnel and barriers,that would keep people contained to the display areas. Rettig asked if the various City departments had been contacted regarding the access point. Yeomans stated that he has been in contact with Ron Knoche of the City, and that Ron does not see a problem with this. Horan asked for more specifics on this access point. Regennitter stated it would most likely be a galvanized 24-inch culvert,with a gravel drive over that, and then a gated entryway. Rettig continued the discussion,asking more questions of Yeomans and Regennitter in regards to access and safety concerns. The discussion turned to some of the various events that will take place with Merschman Seeds, such as local farming events, fly-ins, educational events, and perhaps even bringing in a portable-type classroom to house their events. The proposed lease would start March 1,2008 and run through February 28, 2010, which would include two growing seasons. Yeomans also shared the Iowa laws regarding leases of this type. Discussion then turned to the lease period,which is two years. Rettig then brought up some of the upcoming projects that have been discussed by the Commission, items that they were putting on hold until they sold some of the lots to the north. She also noted that the Williams are present, and asked if they had any comments regarding this proposal. Tom Williams then spoke to the Commission, asking if they plan on building where the old weather station was, as this area is full of sand and it will blow onto the runway. Rettig asked Williams how long he has farmed the Airport ground. He stated that it has been about 47 years, and that he would like to continue to do so. Rettig asked if not farming the Airport land would hit him financially,to which Williams stated it would. Gardiner then asked for clarification on the grants that Rettig spoke of,to which Rettig responded on how the grant process works. Rettig also noted that grants would be forthcoming soon as monies are being released. Horan then stated that he would like to go ahead with this proposal,that he feels it is a good plan and the money will be beneficial to the Airport. Staley agreed, stating that he also Airport Commission December 13,2007 Page 4 of 8 supports this proposal. He stated that the economic benefit to the city could not be overlooked either. Horan then asked Regennitter for more specifics on the plantings they plan to do. Yeomans then brought up that the Farm Bill has not yet gone through, giving the Commission some scenarios of what could occur. It was reiterated that"good farming practices" are part of what this planned plot will be,and that this is a commitment of Merschman Seeds. Dulek suggested that if the Commission is agreeable to these terms,they could then finalize an agreement. Yeomans stated that Merschman Seeds really needs to know this evening whether or not the Airport wants to move forward with finalizing such an agreement. Yeomans stated that he will draw up the agricultural part of the lease and will work with Dulek to finalize the agreement. Staley moved to approve moving forward with finalizing a lease,with the terms presented,with Merschman Seeds,seconded by Farris. Motion carried 3-1; Rettig in the negative. d. Advanced Infoneering Consider a Resolution approving a 1-year lease with Advanced Infoneering—Horan asked if this is fair market value,and Tharp stated that$8.00 per square foot for office space is in line with current market. Rettig asked for information on the company. Russ Schmeiser with Advanced Infoneering spoke to Rettig's question, stating that they are an avionics-related company that does consulting type of work. He said that a one-year lease works great for them and he is willing to work with the Commission. Farris moved to consider Resolution#A07-32,Approving a 1- Year Lease with Advanced Infoneering,seconded by Rettig. Carried 4-0. Tharp stated that he would get the lease to Schmeiser in the next few days. e. Hangar Expansion—Building H ii. Consider a Resolution approving engineering services contract for expansion of hangar and office space—David Hughes spoke briefly to this. Tharp stated that they do not have an agreement yet on this. Rettig moved to defer Item 4.e. until the January meeting,seconded by Farris. Motion carried 3-0; Staley stepped out and so was not present for the vote. f. FAA/IDOT Projects—Earth Tech—David Hughes— iii. FY2009 AIP Application—Hughes briefly covered this with the Members,responding to questions from Rettig on runway projects. Airport Commission December 13,2007 Page 5 of 8 iv. Runway 7/25—Staley asked when 7/25 will be fully open. Hughes stated that it would be about six weeks after they have good weather. v. South Aviation Development Study—Hughes stated that they have finalized comments on this and returned it to the City. He believes it will be going out this week. Once the City finalizes this,they can move forward. vi. South Taxilane Rehab—Hughes stated that he did not get a chance to talk to Ron Knoche from the City regarding this project,but will soon. vii. Jet A Fuel System/AvGas Upgrade—Hughes stated that Jet A is moving forward. The supplier recommended one add to this, and Hughes stated that he sent the costs to Tharp on this. Tharp stated that it would be $4,300 for a water sensor, and Hughes further explained this, stating that it is a safety item. Farris stated that he would like to see if they could get additional grant money from the State, and others agreed. viii. Terminal Apron Rehab—Hughes stated that this is open and marked,but they will have to do seeding in the spring. ix. Obstruction Mitigation—Hughes stated that the fmally agreed on an easement for MidAmerican. Due to the winter weather, this will most likely take place in the spring. x. United Hangar—Hughes stated that they sent information to the FAA and he received some comments back on that. They should have this ready for bids at the January meeting. Hughes then noted that everyone should have a copy of the historic booklet. Farris asked if they have a.pdf file and Hughes will check on this. They will be sending these out to all of the libraries and schools, as well as to the University of Iowa and Iowa State. Hughes stated that he would like to draft up a letter for Horan's signature to send with these booklets. g. Airport"Operations": Strategic Plan-Implementation; Budget; and Airport Management—Rettig asked about"fuel pump repairs." Tharp stated that a bearing went out and had to be replaced. Rettig then asked about some other line items, and Tharp stated that Accounting has changed some of their item definitions. Rettig questioned several repair items in the budget. Tharp responded to the various items in question. The discussion then turned to Rettig asking about the expired lease for the Reserve Armory. She was under the impression that they were on a month-to-month lease, and Tharp stated that the lease expired in August, and that the government wouldn't pay any money until a new agreement was reached. The government would then pay the back rent due. Airport Commission December 13, 2007 Page 6 of 8 Members then touched upon the upcoming budget talks and various projects they are looking at. Horan stated that once they get the Willow Creek Study,he would like them to meet and discuss what they would like to see happen. i. Consider a Resolution authorizing the Operations Specialist and Chairperson to make purchases and sign contracts—Horan stated that he does not see a reason to change anything here. Staley stated that he still believes that there could be an emergency situation where this would come into play, and he reiterated the wording on this. He stated that he feels $10,000 would be a good level, in terms of major damages, etc. Rettig stated that she sees no need to change this,that they would be able to get enough Members together in an emergency situation. Staley asked Dulek for clarification on whether or not the City Manager would have authority in an emergency situation such as those described. Staley moved to defer Item 4.g.until all Commission members are present,seconded by Farris. Motion carried 3-1; Rettig in the negative. Gardiner then spoke briefly regarding some type of contingency plan. iii. 2007 Annual Report—Rettig asked how wide the runways are going to be. She noted that it states"150" in the report,and it should be"100." h. FBO Staff Report—Timmons reiterated that he's glad to have the runways open, and stated that they have been very busy due to the weather and other airport closures. Timmons then stated that they are looking at contracting all of their flight training operations to another entity. Once they have a fmal contract,he stated that they would bring it to the Commission for review. Horan asked Timmons what prompted his decision on this. Timmons responded, explaining the growth in his operations and why he believes this would work well for his operations here at the Iowa City Airport, and his other two locations as well. Timmons then asked if Tharp had received a copy of the water protection proposal on the self-serve jet fuel. He explained the various methods used to check for water, and stated that he could go either way on whether or not they should have such a device. i. Subcommittees' Reports—Tharp stated that the rest of the shelter arrived and is currently sitting in a garage, until they get some better weather. j. Commission Members' Reports—Horan noted that he and Tharp attended a meeting with the City Manager and the realty people to get an update. k. Staff Report—Tharp reiterated the CIP meeting in January, and stated there are some preliminary meetings next week on this, as well. He also noted that _ Airport Commission December 13, 2007 Page 7 of 8 the newsletter is out again. He hopes to do these newsletters quarterly. Members then briefly discussed snow and ice removal at the Airport. SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING FOR: January 10, 2008, at 5:45 P.M. ADJOURN: Meeting adjourned at 7:50 P.M. ,7j7 1714.„ Chairperson Date Airport Commission December 13, 2007 Page 8 of 8 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 O/E X X X X X Greg Farris 3/1/13 0/E X X 0/E X X X X 0/E 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 X X X X 0/E 0/E TERM 8/1 8/9 8/13 9/5 9/13 9/24 10/11 11/8 12/13 NAME EXP. Randy Hartwig 3/1/09 X X X X X X X X 0/E Greg Farris 3/1/13 X X X X X X X 0/E X John Staley 3/1/10 0/E X 0/E WE 0/E 0/E X X X Howard Horan 3/1/08 X X X X X X X X X Janette Rettig 3/1/12 0/E X 0/E 0/E X X X X X KEY: X = Present 0 = Absent 0/E= Absent/Excused NM= No meeting --- = Nota Member