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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-15-1990 Airport Commission Meeting MinutesMINUTES IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION MAY 15, 1990 - 7:00 P.M. IOWA CITY TRANSIT FACILITY MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: CALL TO ORDER: Richard Blum, John Ockenfels, Pat Foster Robert Hicks, Antonia Hamilton Ron O'Neil, Kaye Hennessey Chairperson Blum called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. Attendance was noted and a quorum of the Commission was present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the April 11, 1990 meeting were approved as presented. PRESENTATION OF EXPENDITURES: O'Neil presented the expenditures for May. Blum questioned the bill for the water heater. O'Neil explained the water heater in the United building needed to be replaced. The bill for sandblasting was for the removal of some incorrect taxiway markings on Runway 17. It had been painted incorrectly several years ago and was cited during this year's FAA inspection. O'Neil stated that there would be several expenses next month related to the NDB. A lightning strike has caused extensive damage. Foster made a motion to accept the list of expenditures as presented. Ockenfels seconded the motion and it passed on a 3-0 vote. PUBLIC DISCUSSION: No public discussion items were presented. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION: a. National Guard training exercise - The Iowa National Guard has requested the use of an area of the airport west of the Reserve Center to conduct a medical emergency training exercise. This will involve helicopters and ground transportation to transport patients from several locations in Johnson County. The exercise will be conducted on August 3-5, 1990. A motion was made by Ockenfels to grant the National Guard's request to use a portion of the airport to conduct a training exercise. The motion was seconded by Foster and passed on a 3-0 vote. b. Watchman in a public zone provision - Because Mr. Jones from Iowa City Flying Service was not present to be involved in the discussion, Blum suggested the item be tabled until the next meeting. Mr. Jones will be notified that a decision will be made at the next meeting. Airport Commission May 15, 1990 Page 2 C. Water retention area agreement - Westport Venture has requested to enter into a lease agreement with the Airport Commission for approximately one-half acre of airport property to be used for a water retention area. The land is located east of the proposed Westport development. The area to be leased is approximately 30 feet wide by 750 feet long. The Legal Department, Planning Department and Engineering Department have been notified of the agreement. The Engineering Department made several comments on the proposed lease. City attorney Gentry suggested that the Commission enter into a stormwater retention easement agreement as opposed to a long-term lease. Blum stated that he was of the opinion that Westport Venture would agree to either form of agreement. A motion was made by Ockenfels to conduct a public hearing on June 19, 1990, at 7:00 p.m. to discuss an agreement with Westport Venture for leasing approximately one-half acre of airport property to be used for a stormwater retention area. The motion was seconded by Foster. The motion passed 3-0 at roll call vote, with Hicks and Hamilton being absent. d. Development property - rezoning - Blum reported that he, O'Neil and Hamilton attended the informal Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on May 14, 1990. No decision was made as to when this rezoning could be scheduled on the formal agenda. Blum will be contacted about this item in the future. Tom Scott was apprehensive about the rezoning, stating that he did not want to see an automobile dealership located on the airport property. One of the zoning overlays discussed would allow for automobile dealerships. Blum stated that if that was the only opposition, he felt that the Airport Commission would be receptive to some restrictions on the zoning overlay. The Planning and Zoning Commission members had questions concerning what types of uses the Airport Commission desired for the property. Blum indicated that aviation -related uses would be preferred but the Commission would not limit themselves to only aviation -related uses. Blum assured the Commission that the Airport Commission would work with them to follow the procedures necessary to rezone the property. One Planning and Zoning Commission member calculated that the property at the current commercial rate could yield as much as $100,000 per year in rent income for the airport. Blum will be in contact with Scott to schedule the rezoning. e. Underground fuel storage tanks - O'Neil distributed a letter from the Iowa Underground Storage Tank program stating that the State DNR deadline for obtaining clean-up insurance has not been extended as the EPA program has. Clean-up insurance is required by the DNR by October 26, 1990. O'Neil obtained a letter from Dave Houston, chief pilot for Hansen Lind Meyer, explaining the DNR regulations. Because the tanks at the airport are registered at the DNR by Iowa City Flying Service, no correspondence concerning UST is sent to the Airport Commission. The letter was sent to all tank owners by the agency responsible for administering the state clean-up insurance program. E.K. Jones, owner of Iowa City Flying Service, presented a proposal for lining the existing tanks. The proposal included inspecting the interior of the tanks, sandblasting the interior and applying a coating to the interior. Jones indicated that there were several items that the approximately $20,000 estimate did not include. Extras included any needed repairs, soil testing for fuel contamination, clean up of contaminated soil if needed, removal of sludge and water from the tanks, and several other items. Jones stated that it was expensive but not as expensive as installing new tanks. Jones stated that an arbitration Airport Commission May 15, 1990 Page 3 committee could decide who is to pay for the cost. Foster inquired if this was a new method of rehabilitating tanks. Jones stated that it is not a new method and that the tanks would be warranted for ten years. He circulated a brochure describing the lining procedure. Blum stated that to determine if there was leakage, testing would need to be done before the tanks were lined. Jones stated that the groundwater wells that were in place would indicate if there was any leakage. The required soil sampling could be done after the tanks were lined. Blum asked if that would be counterproductive. If contamination was found after the tanks were lined, the contaminated soil would need to be removed. If the contamination was due to a tank that leaked, the tank would need to be removed. Jones stated that you would clean it up the best you can. Jones said that he monitors the groundwater wells two to three times a month. Ockenfels stated that he sees no problem with pursuing this option. Foster stated that all options should be pursued. Ockenfels stated that it was his understanding that this method could only be a temporary solution and that the EPA -approved tanks with corrosion protection will be required by 1998. Blum stated that before any money is spent refurbishing the tanks, soil samples need to be taken. Blum stated that the first step to update the fuel farm should be to take soil samples. O'Neil stated that the Commission needs to keep the October 26, 1990, deadline in mind when considering which method to pursue in bringing the fuel tanks up to EPA and DNR standards. If clean-up assistance is to be received from the state, a claim must be filed before the October 26, 1990, date. O'Neil stated that he did not believe the Commission could receive assistance for their tank if contamination was discovered but that Iowa City Flying Service may be eligible for clean-up for their three tanks. Ockenfels stated that a decision must be made on whether or not the old tanks would be refurbished or new tanks installed. If new tanks are installed, the old tanks could remain in place, temporarily closed, for up to one year. Blum suggested that O'Neil and Ockenfels need to get answers to some of the questions proposed. Jones inquired if he should be included in the decision. He stated that if there was a leak, he would be the person that has to clean it up. Blum stated that Jones would be kept informed of the decision of the Commission. Jones expressed concern at not being included and abruptly left the meeting. Blum expressed concern that the method to refurbish the tanks proposed by Jones may not meet future standards. Since three of the tanks are owned by Jones, who was to pay for the refurbishing? If refurbishing the tanks would bring them up to EPA standards, does the fuel flowage rate change as stated in the 1987 arbitration agreement? Ockenfels stated that the method suggested by Jones will not provide the required tank corrosion protection. Blum stated that he was sorry Mr. Jones left the meeting because there were many questions to be answered. Blum stated that the Commission will follow the letter of the law with respect to the fuel tanks. This is a Commission decision and not subject to arbitration between the Commission and Iowa City Flying Service. Input from Iowa City Flying Service would be welcomed and encouraged. Blum stated that if new tanks are installed, the Commission will monitor and be paid flowage fee on all fuel delivered to the airport. The Commission members agreed that if the refurbishing method proposed by Jones is pursued, soil sampling would need to take place before any tank lining is done. If new tanks are installed, specifications will need to be established. O'Neil stated that Airport Commission May 15, 1990 Page 4 the City Council needs to be kept informed and that the Airport Commission should be prepared to approach the Council as soon as possible to discuss funding for the tanks. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT: Blum discussed the annual report submitted by Iowa City Flying Service. He does not understand the methodology of the report and suggested scheduling a meeting with Mr. Jones and the City Finance Director to discuss the report. Ockenfels and Foster had questions concerning the report also. COMMISSION MEMBERS' ITEMS: No items were discussed. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: O'Neil stated that he has contacted William Carlson to appraise the property to obtain avigation easements for Runways 17, 35 and 24. These appraisals were requested by the FAA to be included in the Airport's pre -application for the Airport Improvement Program. The PAP] lights are to be installed on Runway 24 this fall. O'Neil suggested that a meeting in Kansas City with the FAA may be necessary to discuss the airport's revised ALP and to discuss avigation easements. Similar meetings with the FAA in the past have been very productive. O'Neil stated that he may attend a conference in Milwaukee on June 22, 1990, concerning developing airport revenue from non -aeronautical use land. An informational brochure was included in the Commission packet concerning an update on the Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS). Gary Miller has requested to realign the drainage ditch on airport property so that it enters his property at a different location. O'Neil has discussed this issue with the Planning Department and with the City Engineer. No problems are anticipated. No dirt will be removed from the airport property. O'Neil solicited information from the Commissioners on attempting to revise the State Code to reduce the Commissioners' terms from six years to four or five years. This may make the position more attractive because the time commitment would not be as substantial. Blum indicated that on a state level, he thought the DOT would not be supportive of a four-year term. There was also discussion concerning changing the local bylaws to allow Commissioners to succeed themselves. SET NEXT MEETING: The next regular Commission meeting was set for June 19, 1990, at 7:15 p.m. The hearing for the agreement with Westport Venture is scheduled for June 19, 1990, at 7:00 p.m. Airport Commission May 15, 1990 Page 5 ADJOURNMENT: Foster moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:37 p.m. Blum seconded the motion and the motion passed 3-0. C Rtch rd Blum, Chairperson