HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-09-1998 Airport Commission Meeting Minutes MINUTES
IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 9, 1998—5:45 P.M.
IOWA CITY TRANSIT FACILITY
MEMBERS PRESENT: Pat Foster,Howard Horan,Richard Blum,Mark Anderson
STAFF PRESENT: Dennis Mitchell,Ron O'Neil
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Foster called the meeting to order at 5:46 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
There were no changes or corrections to the minutes of the January 8, 1998 Commission meeting.
AUTHORIZATION OF EXPENDITURES:
Blum made a motion to approve the bills. Horan seconded the motion and the motion was approved 4—0.
PUBLIC HEARING—IOWA CITY FLYING SERVICE LEASE:
Foster opened the hearing at 5:51 p.m. No public comments were received. The hearing was closed at
5:52 p.m.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION:
a. ACSG project—O'Neil reported that he and Greg Bridger met with Mark Schenkelberg and Bob
Niemoth in Kansas City to discuss the progress of the project. Several details discussed will
change the way the project will proceed. Avigation easements instead of no-build easements will
be required over developed property in the Runway Protection Zones.
Offers have been made on several of the parcels and appraisals have been ordered on several more
parcels. The project is proceeding as planned.
b. Iowa City Flying Service lease—Several changes were suggested to the original resolution. The
resolution presented at the public hearing listed improvements to be made by ICFS if the lease was
to be extended. Listed as possible improvements that ICFS would participate in were new fuel
tanks,Airport Terminal renovation,and additional hangar space.
Blum wanted clarification on the resolution. Mitchell said the resolution would allow ICFS the
first option to negotiate for an additional six-year contract. This would give PS Air,the company
interested in purchasing ICFS,an opportunity to have ten years to recover any investment they
would make in the Airport. This does not guarantee or require the Commission to give them a
. contract. If the Commission and ICFS could not come to terms,the Commission would open the
process to anyone interested in providing FBO services.
Horan made a motion for a resolution to allow ICFS the right to be the first to negotiate with the
Airport Commission for an additional six-year term at the end of the current lease,which ends in
December of 2001. It is contingent upon ICFS committing to making improvements at the
Airport. Those improvements will be specified before an additional six-year term would be
negotiated. Improvements will be specified by May 1, 1998. Anderson seconded the motion and
at roll call vote,the motion passed 4—0,with Mascari being absent.
c. Minimum standards— O'Neil developed a draft of minimum standards for the Commission's
review. The information was compiled from several sources. Blum commented PS Air should
understand that minimum standards are being developed and they would be required to adhere to
the minimum standards. Mascari and Anderson will have the minimum standards ready for
Commission review by April 1, 1998. This will be on the agenda for March.
d Gordon Aircraft/HLM lease—O'Neil said that he received a letter from HLM that said,if all
other things could be worked out with Gordon,they would like to terminate their lease. The
Commission could lease directly to Gordon.
O'Neil said if the HLM lease is terminated,it should be clarified who owns the fuel tank and who
has responsibility for maintaining insurance. Blum said he thought HLM should be let out of their
lease and the building should be leased to Gordon on the same terms,except the lease should end
at the same time as the FBO lease.
Gordon said because of his sublease agreement with FILM,they would need his approval to
terminate the lease. Horan made a motion to accept HLM's request to terminate the lease and
continue to lease to Gordon under the same terms until April 1, 1998,at which time a new lease
would be negotiated. Blum seconded the motion.Because the relationship between Gordon and
HLM needs to be clarified,Blum suggested tabling the termination request until a future meeting.
Anderson made a motion to extend the business agreement until May 1, 1998. Blum seconded the
motion and it passed 4—0,with Mascari being absent. Horan and O'Neil will meet with Gordon
to discuss the lease before the May meeting
e. North Commercial area— O'Neil said Karin Franklin,City Planning Director,is in the process
of hiring someone to determine the marketability of the property. She indicated that report should
be done in the next couple of months. O'Neil said that if the report indicates the property could be
be leased,the Commission and Council will have to determine who will develop the property.
f. Hangar space/Shop building renovation— Foster suggested deferring this item until the issue is
resolved with the ICFS lease.
g. Fly-in breakfast—August 30,1998—Anderson suggested some special advertising be done to let
people know this is the 80th year for the Iowa City. Blum said there has been some interest in having
an air show at the breakfast. The problem is not being able to charge admission. People will park in
areas around the Airport and not pay if there is a charge. The Commission said they would be
interested in pursuing this idea. Blum will follow up on the idea.
O'Neil said he was asked by someone from the Johnson County 4—H Clubs if the Commission
would be interested in sponsoring their rocket projects. There are two trophies awarded for a total
cost of $30.00. O'Neil suggested the winner of the static display division be invited to set up their
display at the fly-in breakfast. O'Neil said he did not know if the Commission could be the sponsor.
Mitchell will research that. Two Commission members said they would sponsor the trophies if the
Commission was not allowed to sponsor them.
Blum said the Commission has always sponsored the paper airplane contest. It is very popular with
both kids and adults. He has been responsible for the event as a Commission member. Since this is
his last meeting,the Commission will need to make sure someone is responsible for the event.
O'Neil said that Blum's wife has been instrumental in managing the contest for several years.
Blum said that since he will no longer be on the Commission,he will not have access to the
equipment and buildings to coordinate efforts with Sertoma. Mitchell will see if Blum's position as
chairperson of the Airport Zoning Commission would qualify him to operate City vehicles.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION—ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA:
Jones,from ICFS,said would be in favor of the Commission allowing Iowa Jet Services to locate on the
Airport,but he would be against them having their own fuel farm
Robert Staib presented information to the Commission concerning Iowa Jet Services,a business he would
like to base at the Airport. The business would charter jet aircraft. He said he intends to have at least five
aircraft. The corporate headquarters would be in Iowa City,with aircraft also based in Belle Plaine and
Cedar Rapids. He would need a 120'by 120'hangar to house the aircraft and a maintenance facility.
There was discussion on what he would like the Commission to provide and what improvements he would
like to see made at the Airport. He said he would like a 5500'runway by December of 1999 and a
precision instrument approach. O'Neil said the Master Plan called for a 5015'runway,but an IS
approach is not possible. He suggested Staib meet with him to discuss what capital improvements are
planned in the 1996 Airport Master Plait
COMMISSION MEMBERS'REPORTS:
Anderson said some of the items on the agenda reinforce the idea that the Commission should move
forward with hiring someone to design the changes to rehabilitate the Airport Terminal. Iowa Jet Services
and PS Air both indicated that upgrading the Terminal was an important part of their plans. O'Neil will
work with Anderson to design a RFP.
There was discussion about the walk through gate north of the Terminal Building. O'Neil said he applied
for a grant from the MOT to replace that gate and the gate near his office.
CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT:
Foster presented Blum with a plaque for his 13 years of service to the Airport. All the Commissioners and
O'Neil thanked Blum for his service and said his dedication and experience will be missed.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT:
O'Neil said the new T-hangar building is almost complete and is totally rented. It will be occupied on
March 1. If it is completed before that date,tenants will be allowed to move in and their February rent will
be pro-rated.
Jones,from ICFS,said he didn't think it was fair that some of the tenants from the old hangars would be
going to new hangars. O'Neil said the Commission would be willing to take control of however many
hangars he did not want to have responsibility for. Under the current lease,the Conunission pays for the ,
electricity and does the maintenance and ICFS gets about 40%of the rent for the thirty T-hangars north of
the entrance road.
O'Neil reported on several issues discussed at a meeting with the FAA in Kansas City. He said that
overall,it was a very productive meeting.
Council budget information was included in the Commission's packet of information.
SET NEXT MEETING:
The next Airport Commission meeting is scheduled for March 12, 1998,at 5:45 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Pat Foster.Chairperson