HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-20-1993 Airport Commission Meeting Minutes Work Session IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION
WORK SESSION-AIRPORT RELOCATION FEASIBILITY STUDY
IOWA CITY TRANSIT FACILITY
JULY 20, 1993 - 7:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: John Ockenfels, Robert Hicks, Pat Foster,
Richard Blum, Howard Horan
STAFF PRESENT: Ron O'Neil
At the last work session, the Commission discussed the advantages
and disadvantages of the current site. Ockenfels stated that the
objective of this session was to provide a similar discussion of an
alternate site.
Hicks questioned whether it would less expensive to remain at the
current site than to move to an alternate site. Hicks said he
doesn't think Coffman Associates estimate of $ 5.8 to $ 24 million
for the current site is correct. He thought $ 4 million was more
realistic. O'Neil reminded the Commission that at the previous
meeting, the Commission agreed the cost to get another opinion was
too expensive. The estimates for providing a second opinion on the
value of the Airport property were $ 8, 000 to $ 10, 000.
Blum offered a scenario for financing a new site without bonding or
other up front demands for funding. He stated that there is a
misconception that large amounts of funding would be needed
immediately. Several news articles have given the impression that
if the Airport was to move, the Commission would have to come up
with several million dollars immediately.
The issue was discussed on the practicality of selling the Airport
to a private contractor. The Commission agreed that this
alternative was not feasible from either a private contractor or
the City' s perspective.
Blum explained that any other location would be safer than the
present location. Foster stated that all other issues were
secondary to the issue of safety.
Hicks said he thought the operating budget would be more for a new
airport than the current airport because a new site would be
larger. Ockenfels explained that the air side layout for any
alternate site is smaller than the current site. Because the
facilities would be new, there would be no major maintenance
projects required for several years. O'Neil stated that the
current operating budget for the Airport represented about three
tenths of one percent (3/10 of 1%) of the City's annual budget.
A discussion followed concerning whether it would be less expensive
to maintain the current site or relocate. Hicks said that he
doesn't think the public wants to spend any money on a new airport,
no matter what the funding source is. He thought the majority of
people still did not understand the FAA AIP funding program.
There was also discussion concerning whether the Commission's
recommendation should be based on the facts of the study or if
political issues be considered. The majority of the Commission
members agreed that their recommendation should be based on the
facts of the study.
The Commission agreed that a recommendation should be made in the
near future. A special work session will be scheduled for August
3 to continue discussion on the study and move closer to developing
a recommendation for the City Council.