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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