HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-11-1990 Airport Commission Meeting MinutesI
MINUTES
IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION
APRIL 11, 1990 - 7:00 P.M.
IOWA CITY TRANSIT FACILITY
MEMBERS PRESENT: Antonia Hamilton, Pat Foster, Richard Blum, John Ockenfels
MEMBERS ABSENT: Robert Hicks
STAFF PRESENT: Ron O'Neil
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Blum called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. A quorum of the Commission was
present.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 19, 1990:
The minutes of the March 19, 1990, meeting were approved as presented.
PRESENTATION OF EXPENDITURES:
O'Neil presented the list of expenditures. Ockenfels expressed concern about the electric bill.
O'Neil stated that the bill from Iowa -Illinois Gas and Electric was about normal for this time of
year. The runway lights and rotating beacon consume a large amount of electricity. Ockenfels
moved to accept the list of expenditures as presented. The motion was seconded by Foster
and passed on a 4-0 vote.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
No public discussion items were presented.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
A. Letter of Agreement - Howard R. Green Company - A letter of agreement between
Howard R. Green and the Commission was presented for approval. The agreement
is to update the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) and accompanying property map. The
requirements for updating the ALP are dictated by the latest FAA compliance standards
issued in October 1989. Hamilton questioned how often the ALP must be updated.
Blum stated that an ALP must be kept current and should be updated any time a major
change is made. The airport ALP was current until the FAA changed the compliance
standards. Foster proposed a resolution to accept the letter of agreement from Howard
R. Green Company to update the ALP to current standards. Hamilton seconded the
motion. The resolution passed on a 4-0 roll call vote, with Hicks being absent.
B. Letter of Agreement - Iowa City City Council - Blum stated that the letter of agreement
with the Iowa City Council pertained to the local share of funding for capital
improvement projects. Most of the changes suggested at the last Commission meeting
were incorporated into the letter. The City Council approved the agreement on April
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April 11, 1990
Page 2
3, 1990. Ockenfels stated that he felt the previous funding system was a better system
but that he could accept the new method that was presented. Foster moved to accept
the letter of agreement with the City Council as it pertained to the funding mechanism
for grant projects. Hamilton seconded the motion. The resolution passed on a 4-0 roll
call vote with Hicks being absent.
C. Zoning:
Watchman in a public zone - Blum explained that Iowa City Flying Service has
an employee using the office space of Hangar #32 as a residence. As this is
a zoning violation, the Commission contacted the Planning Department to get
a clarification on what would be required to allow the employee to continue to
use the office as a residence. A memo was received from Karin Franklin stating
that even if the zoning were changed to allow a watchman in a public zone, the
person would have to be an employee of the Commission. Blum stated that
there are two problems: 1) using the office as a residence is a zoning violation;
and 2) the residence does not have a rental permit. It may not meet housing
inspection standards. E.K. Jones, owner of Iowa City Flying Service, suggested
that the Commission could hire the person as a watchman for a nominal fee.
Jones stated that the phone in the hangar is listed with Mercy Life Flight to
provide emergency fueling service. Blum suggested that O'Neil pursue what
requirements would be needed to bring the office to code to be used as a
residence. Blum suggested that an option could be an agreement with Iowa City
Flying Service to provide a night watchman. He would then be under contract
to the Commission. Ockenfels stated that he was concerned with the liability
of using the office as a residence until the issue was resolved. Jones stated that
his insurance covered the liability aspect. O'Neil will contact the Planning
Department and Housing Inspection Services to get more information. Ockenfels
expressed concern that the Commission should not allow a non -aviation use of
the hangar. The leases for the hangars state that the hangars are not to be
used for non -aviation uses. Jones stated that he would not allow someone to
live in the office if he thought it was unsafe. Blum stated that that was a moral
issue. The Commission must deal with the legality of the use.
2. Airport development property - The item is scheduled on the Planning and
Zoning Commission agenda for May 14, 1990. Blum recommended that as many
of the Commission members as possible attend the meeting. Ideas will be
discussed on rezoning the airport development property. O'Neil stated that Mike
Wisdom from the Joseph Company was interested in obtaining some airport
property to use as a water retention area. No information was received before
the meeting. E.K. Jones suggested that BDI be contacted for leads to develop
the property.
D. Underground storage tanks - Ockenfels stated that two companies have been contacted
to get estimates on bringing the fuel storage system at the airport up to EPA standards.
Two 10,000 -gallon tanks would be installed, one for avgas and one for jet fuel. The four
tanks presently in the ground would be removed. Several options will be reviewed.
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April 11, 1990
Page 3
There is no indication that the old tanks are leaking but to get the mandated clean-up
insurance required by the EPA, an EPA -approved fuel system must be installed.
Ockenfels stated that because of the age of the tanks now in the ground, getting
insurance would be difficult, if not impossible. Because Iowa City Flying Service owns
three of the tanks, Iowa City Flying Service would be responsible for removing their own
tanks. The Commission may be responsible for removing the remaining tank.
The Commission will need to meet with the City Council to discuss the financing options
of installing the new system. It is unclear as to what the City of Iowa City is planning
to do to update the rest of the City -owned underground tanks. Jones asked the
Commission to consider above -ground tanks. O'Neil stated that the Fire Marshal must
approve any above -ground tanks. At this time the Fire Marshal will not allow above-
ground tanks. O'Neil asked the Commission how they wanted to proceed with the
issue. He stated that because of the substantial investment, all avenues should be
explored. Additional information will be collected and the item scheduled on the agenda
for the next meeting. O'Neil stated that the approximate cost for installing the new
fueling system would be somewhere between $60,000-$80,000.
Blum reminded the Commission that the Iowa Airport Conference will be held in Ames on April
17, 1990. Ockenfels, Blum, Foster and O'Neil plan to attend. Blum and O'Neil were part of
the conference planning committee and are to be involved with the program.
Blum stated that he and O'Neil had contacted the FAA with regard to obtaining appraisals for
avigation easements. Several items must be clarified. Blum stated that a closed session may
be needed to discuss some of the items as they relate to pending litigation.
COMMISSION MEMBERS' ITEMS
No items were discussed.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT:
O'Neil stated that equipment needs at the airport are being assessed. A loader and bucket
for the airport tractor are being considered to assist in snow removal. This option may be less
expensive than contracting private vendors to help remove the snow. The airport pickup truck
is scheduled for replacement this fall. The current truck is a 1981 model.
O'Neil reminded the Commission of the Business PM on Thursday, April 12, 1990, from 4:30
p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
O'Neil received a bid from Aerial Services to overfly part of the airport for purposes of
completing the airport zoning map. Other departments in the City may be interested in
overflying some areas. O'Neil will contact other department directors to see if any interest is
generated.
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April 11, 1990
Page 4
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
O'Neil stated that the election of officers is normally done in March. There were only three
members present at the March meeting so the election was postponed until April. Blum asked
for nominations for the office of Chairperson. Foster nominated Blum. The motion was
seconded by Hamilton. Blum asked for other nominations. Foster moved that nominations
cease and that the Commission cast a unanimous ballot for Blum. The motion was seconded
by Ockenfels. The motion was passed 3-0 with Blum abstaining. Blum asked for nominations
for Vice Chairman/Secretary. Ockenfels nominated Foster. Blum seconded the motion. Blum
moved that nominations cease and a unanimous ballot be cast for Foster. Hamilton seconded
the motion and it passed 3-0 with Foster abstaining.
SET NEXT MEETING:
The next regularly scheduled meeting was set for May 15, 1990 at 7:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT:
Ockenfels moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:51 p.m. Foster seconded the motion and the
motion passed 4-0.
Richard Blum, Chairman