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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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