HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-13-1997 Airport Commission Meeting Minutes MINUTES
IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 13, 1997 - 5:45 P.M.
IOWA CITY TRANSIT FACILITY
MEMBERS PRESENT: Howard Horan, Richard Blum, John Penick
Rick Mascari
MEMBERS ABSENT: Pat Foster
STAFF PRESENT: Eleanor Dilkes, Ron O 'Neil
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Horan called the meeting to order at 5: 46 p.m. A
quorum was present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes of the January 23 , 1997, meeting were approved as
submitted.
AUTHORIZATION OF EXPENDITURES:
Mascari made a motion to approve the bills. Penick seconded the
motion. The motion was approved 3 - 0.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION - ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA:
No comments were received.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION:
a. Rain collection project - University of Iowa - Anton Kruger
presented information on a proposed project to set up a network of
rain gages at the Airport. The experiment would set up 16 stations
around the Airport to measure rainfall consistency over a fixed
area. The stations would transmit data to a central station, which
would transmit the data to the Institute of Hydraulic Research.
The Commission had several questions concerning the stations.
Penick noted that maintenance questions would need to be answered.
Who would be responsible for mowing around the stations and would
they interfere with snow removal ? Mascari said the broadcast
frequencies would have to be approved to make sure they did not
interfere with aviation broadcasts. There were also questions
raised concerning the height of the stations.
Kruger said funding for the project is coming from a grant and the
grant has been approved. The original grant would pay for the
purchase and installation of the equipment. The University would
maintain the project indefinitely.
The Commission directed O'Neil to work with Kruger to see if there
are areas on the Airport that would be suitable for locating the
rain gages. A diagram of exact locations will be presented to the
Commission and if the locations do not conflict with FAA standards,
a land use agreement will be negotiated. A public hearing may be
required for the land use agreement.
b. Land acquisition and easements - consultant contract - Dilkes
said she is working on the contract for ACSG. FAA regulations
require a review of the proposed fees. She said that a review of
ACSG' s fee proposal should be completed in two weeks. She hopes
the review will be completed and the Commission can have this on
the Council agenda for the March 3 and March 4 meetings. A special
Commission meeting will be scheduled to approve the contract before
the Council meeting.
c. Gordon Aircraft - HLM subleases hangar # 35 to Gordon
Aircraft. HLM has expressed interest terminating the lease and
have it assigned to Gordon. O'Neil said that if the HLM lease is
terminated, the fuel tank HLM installed by the hangar becomes the
property of the Airport. This is one of the details that needs to
be worked out if there is a change in primary tenants.
Dilkes said that it would be possible to assign the lease to Gordon
and still have HLM responsible if Gordon Aircraft were to default
on the lease. Horan said he would have no objection if HLM agrees
to assign the lease to Gordon, but HLM would retain ultimate
responsibility for the lease. Scott Hansche, from HLM, said he
would discuss the issue with HLM's attorney.
Dennis Gordon said he would like to build an addition to the
building he subleases from HLM. O'Neil said there are some
complications with adding on to the building because it is in the
flood plain. There was a discussion on the best way to meet the
flood plain requirements.
O'Neil said it may be possible to apply to the Corp of Engineers
for a revision of the flood plain map. This would reduce the
building costs. O'Neil will contact the Corp of Engineers to see
what the application process is for a flood plain revision.
Blum said a lease would have to be signed that would be long enough
to pay for the addition. This would mean a commitment from HLM or
Gordon Aircraft. HLM has five years remaining on the original
lease.
d. Corporate hangar buildings - O'Neil said there are two
different projects pending. One is an 80 ' by 80 ' hangar and the
other is 100 ' by 100 ' building. Aviation Management, Inc. (AMI) is
interested in the 80 ' by 80 ' hangar. O'Neil said a copy of the
proposed lease is in the Commission's packet. The only part of the
lease left to determine is the monthly rent.
AMI is willing to commit to a seven year lease. There is also an
option for 2 five year extensions. O'Neil said he discussed
funding with Don Yucuis. O'Neil included a chart in the packet.
The Commission should decide how many years they want to amortize
the building. Blum said he thought 20 years was a fair schedule.
Penick said he thought the building should be amortized over a 15
year period. He thought 20 years was too long.
Mascari said he thought AMI should be charged a fee for operating
at the Airport, in addition to leasing the building.
Blum suggested offering AMI a lease for $ 2400 per month, with a
minimum lease of seven years. AMI would be responsible for the
utilities. Horan and Penick will meet with AMI to discuss the
lease. Blum made a motion to set a public hearing for March 13 ,
1997, on the lease. Penick seconded the motion and it was passed
4 - 0. O'Neil will publish the notice for the public hearing.
ICFS has expressed interest in the 100 ' by 100 ' hangar. Jones,
from ICFS, said his business would be interested in leasing the
hangar if the rent was amortized over a 20 year period. Horan and
Penick will work with ICFS to see if a lease can be developed.
e. Iowa City Landscaping lease - O'Neil said ICL leases 3 . 6 acres
on a one year lease. The lease expires on March 31, 1997 . O'Neil
said the Commission could either renew the lease for a year or
continue without a lease on a month to month basis. Because the
Commission is getting ready to develop the north area, they may not
want to make a commitment for a full year.
Blum said he was concerned with the lack of security by ICL. He
said he has observed the gates open and no one in the area. This
allows unrestricted access to the north part of the Airport. Blum
said it is part of the lease that the gates are supposed to be kept
locked when no one is around. ICL has been told in past years that
keeping the area locked up is a priority. They assured the
Commission that they would keep the area secured.
Penick made a motion to let the lease expire and lease on a month
to month basis. Mascari seconded the motion. After some
discussion, the motion was withdrawn and the Commission directed
O'Neil to contact ICL and explain the lease would not be renewed.
This area will be incorporated into the plan to develop the north
area of the Airport.
f. North commercial area - O'Neil said there is interest in
developing the area. Several firms have expressed interest in
doing the engineering study. O'Neil said he has been contacted by
a developer who is interested in leasing the entire area.
There was discussion about relocating the threshold for Runway 17 .
This would put the Runway Protection Zone on Airport property and
open up the entire north area. The Commission directed O'Neil to
see if shortening the runway would affect the VOR approach.
Jim Larew, from the Iowa City Science Center, said he was still
interested in having the Science Center located in the north area
at the Airport. There are other cities interested in building
projects similar to what his group would like to do. He would like
a commitment as soon as possible so he can start fund raising.
g. Fly-in Breakfast - August 24 - O'Neil said Blum requested
this be on the agenda. Mascari made a motion to hold the fly in on
August 24 and invite Sertoma to provide the breakfast. Penick
seconded the motion and it passed 3 - 0, with Blum abstaining.
h. Airport entrance and building signs - Blum suggested the
Commission have a contest to design the new entrance sign. The
Commission agreed with the idea. Blum and Mascari will bring a
proposal back to the Commission, including criteria for the
contest.
CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT:
Horan received honorable mention in the national ASOS photo
contest.
COMMISSION MEMBERS' REPORTS:
Blum said he attended an IPAA board meeting in Des Moines. The
IDOT "Iowa in Motion" plan was discussed and what it' s impact would
be on aviation. The plan calls for reducing the number of airports
eligible for any substantial state funding from 114 to 33 . The
level 3 and 4 airports would only be given funding for projects
involving preservation.
Mascari said he flew into the newly reopened Meigs Field. It is
reopened for 5 years.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT:
Dilkes said the Commission will need a special meeting to accept
the ACSG contract before the March 3 Council meeting.
O'Neil said the Commission needs to keep on track for developing
the five year strategy plan for the Airport. He said there are
several projects that need to be addressed, including minimum
standards, the Airport Aircraft Emergency Plan, developing the
north area, hangar construction, Airport Terminal renovation, etc.
There is a memo in the packet from Dale Helling, Assistant City
Manager, concerning development of a new Public Works site.
O'Neil included part of the 1996 Airport Sufficiency Report in the
Commission packet. This report rates safety and service issues at
all Iowa airports.
SET NEXT MEETING:
The next regular meeting is scheduled for March 13 , 1997 , at
5: 45 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT:
Blum moved to adjourn the meeting. Penick seconded the motion and
the meeting adjourned at 8 : 52 p.m.
How d Horan, Chair erson