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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-14-2004 Airport Commission Meeting Minutes • 07- 4 MINUTES • 3b(7) IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION FINAL OCTOBER 14, 2004 IOWA CITY AIRPORT TERMINAL Members Present: Randy Hartwig, Carl Williams, Dan Clay, John Staley Members Absent: None Staff Present: Sue Dulek, Jeff Davidson Others Present: David Hughes, Ron Duffe CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Hartwig called the meeting to order at 5:47 p.m. RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made by Clay and seconded by Williams to approve the minutes of August 12, 2004. Motion approved unanimously. A motion was made by Staley and seconded by Williams to approve the minutes of September 9, 2004. Motion approved unanimously. A motion was made by Williams and seconded by Staley to approve the minutes of September 16, 2004. The motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC DISCUSSION —ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA: No items were presented. UNFINISHED ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION: No items were presented. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: A) Runway 7 Project-Earth Tech: There is discussion regarding the timing and closure of different runways for the completion of Mormon Trek. Hughes stated that once Mormon Trek is paved, it forces the closure of runway 18/36. The City is looking to build Mormon Trek as soon as possible and the impact on the airport is in the Commission's hands. Mormon Trek would be inside the runway object free area and the runway safety areas. It is explained that if the threshold is moved on runway 25 and reduced 700 feet it will affect landings, but pot takeoffs. Clay expressed concern because the traffic has been that close for years and Hughes explained that it was grandfathered in. Hartwig stated that originally there was an agreement between the Commission and the City that certain runways wouldn't be closed until the others were done. Further discussion regarding the extension of runway 7 ensued. Hughes explained that they have to reconstruct part of the runway to get the curve to fit in for the extension. All of the work can be accomplished by closing 7/25 and keeping 12/30 open. It hasn't yet been decided as to whether the runway stays at 100 feet wide, or goes to 150 feet wide. If narrowed, it would require work on the intersection. It was further explained that it was more cost effective to make the addition as wide as the current runway rather than narrowing it down. Airport Commission October 14, 2004 Page 2 Clay questioned whether or not the Commission wants to give the City to go ahead with Mormon Trek and extend 7/25 while closing 36/18 so that there will be only one runway open at one point. Clay further asked if a decision needs to be made at this meeting and Hartwig stated it did not. Williams asked the time frame for the closures and the amount of time for the completion of the project. Hughes states that it may be 3 years or possibly as short as 2 years (leaving only runway open during this time). 36/18 would be closed due to Mormon Trek and 7/25 would be impacted for 2 construction seasons for improvements. More discussion followed regarding aircraft. It was stated that the minimum runway length desired by a commercial aircraft is 5000 feet. Clay asked what the impact would be on the airport in 2 scenarios: 1.) 18/36 closed and only 1 runway open for a period of time or 2.) 18/36 open while 7/25 is closed? Duffe explained that they need to check with the FAA because the approach becomes an Alpha approach. Duffe further explained other approach issues regarding the length of runways. Clay asked what the impact of having one runway versus two? Duffe says that if the implementation is instant, you lose the VOR approach and this is 60 to 70% of all approaches at the Iowa City airport. He further stated that the FAA should be contacted regarding approach issues at the Iowa City airport. There was further discussion between Williams and Duffe regarding wind coverage on the various runways and approach issues. Clay mentioned that if the Commission gives the go ahead to the City, the City will have the advantage of starting the project, but there will be some hardship on the airport. Clays adds, however, that Mormon Trek will cut through airport property that has land value that could bring potential income for the airport. 12/30 will become the primary runway. Staley asks what would shut this one down during construction of 7/25 to which Hughes replied that it would need to be shut down if there was any work needed on the intersection. This could be the case if 7/25 needs to be narrowed. If this happened, the airport would be closed completely. Clay asked why the Commission would give permission to the city to go ahead. He added that the two reasons he can give are 1.) It gives a good faith gesture to the city and 2.) It creates commercial lots with Mormon Trek frontage that could become income for the airport. Hughes agreed with these two points. Duffe suggested that before the runway closures happen, the approaches are changed. Clay posed the question of what the people on the field might think of not having two runways open. Duffe relied that there is nothing in the contracts guaranteeing that the runways all be open. It is determined that the two main issues are 1.)Approach issues and 2.)The reaction of the people from the field. B.) Strategic Plan: Asst. PCD Director Jeff Davidson spent some time reviewing the mission and vision statements that were agreed on in the previous meeting. Further discussion was raised concerning Strengths and Weaknesses of the airport and its facilities. A number were brainstormed to put into goals. A list of goals was composed and each member selected the ones they felt were most important. Davidson is reviewing these and bringing the results to the next meeting. Strengths • Many users • Location (proximity to the University) • Terminal • Longer runways • Attracting new business • Security • Hanger space (land available to develop) Airport Commission October 14, 2004 Page 3 • City/Public Support • Management (can create a position that fits with Commission's strategic goals) • Funding for the 7/25 projects, et. al. • Airport Commerce park • Governance by Commission Weaknesses • Financing • Status of physical conditions of current plants • Public perception of the airport- no public draw (lack of bar, restaurant, park, etc) and aging of condition of physical plant • Value of property (developers in Iowa City would love to get their hands on it) C.) Aviation Commerce Park: No one was present from Iowa Realty to give a report. It was discussed that it would be beneficial to get more information from Iowa Realty and that they have someone present at each meeting to provide progress reports. D.) Budget: Chairperson Hartwig passed out copies of the proposed budget and there was minimal discussion regarding the individual budget categories. Much of the discussion regarded the reduction of vehicle replacement costs and what would be done with the van. E.)Airport Management: Chairperson Hartwig discussed a meeting he had with Asst. City Atty. Sue Dulek, Dan Clay, City Clerk Marian Karr, and Bill Flannery. Office organization was discussed regarding record management. The Clerk's office is helping ensure records are kept in the correct order. The overall goal related to information availability which may need to be accomplished electronically through password protection. It was also suggested that Flannery and Karr attend a Commission meeting. F.) Obstruction Mitigation: Chairperson Hartwig reported that Stanley was in the process of contracting to remove some of the trees, and that there are lights being added on B and C hangars. Also it was mentioned that Flannery is trying to keep things moving in this facet. G.) Airport Park: Clay reported that he had contacted Todd Madison at the FAA who was reluctant to term aviation property as a "park". It was suggested that a "terminal viewing area" could be installed with a shelter, children's playground and some picnic tables. Clay and Hartwig drew some plans and sent them to Madison for approval. Once those are approved, the Commission can get a second estimate for the fence. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT: • Chairperson Hartwig wrote a letter to the Iowa DOT congratulating them on an award they won. The Chair attended the Eastern Iowa Pilot's Association open house that was held two weekends previous and there was a write up in the newspaper regarding it. Received a letter from Jet Air wishing to extend Airport Commission October 14, 2004 Page 4 their lease. Chair's brother received a call from someone in Houston, TX wanting to buy the beacon. Chairperson Hartwig did not return the call. There is a meeting in Des Moines the first weekend in November with the DOT and it was discussed that there should be representation from the Commission. Williams said he would try to attend. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS: Staley expressed satisfaction with Hartwig's letter to Council updating the Commission's work. Clay mentioned that it was good to make an appearance at City Council meetings but increased communications with all City entities has helped reduce the need to attend all Council meetings. Williams will give a report next meeting on security, and is working on improving communications with the Chamber. Clay acknowledged the extensive time and energy that Chairperson Hartwig has dedicated to getting things done the right way. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: Dulek stated the opening for the fifth Commissioner closes on October 27th and that Council will make an appointment at the November 2 meeting. Also discussed was a handout of missing agenda packets. If anyone has them, they should be dropped off for Asst. City Attorney Dulek or City Clerk Karr. Set Next Regular Meeting for November 11th, 2004 at 5:45 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m. Submitted by: Randall Hartwig, Chairperson s/clerk/airport comm/minutes/10-14-04 minutes.doc Board or Commission: Airport Commission ATTENDANCE RECORD YEAR 2004 TERM NAME EXP. 1/8 2112 2/20 3/11 4/8 4/22 5/13 6/10 7/7 7/15 7/17 8/12 9/9 9/16 10/1 4 Randy XX X X X X X X ? X X X X X X Hartwig 3/1/09 0/EX X X X X X X ? X X X X O/E X Dan Clay 3/1/08 --- --- --- X X X X X ? X O/E X XX X Carl 3/1/10 Williams XX X X X X X O/E ? X X O/E X X X John 3/1/06 Staley John --- - - --- • - X X X X ? X X -- --- - - --- Krstenansk 3/1/07 y Barron X X O/E - - --- -•- - - - --- --- - - - - --- --- --- Thrower (Meeting Date) KEY: X = Present O = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused NM = No meeting --- = Nota Member