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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-21-1993 Airport Commission Meeting Minutes MINUTES IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1993 - 5:30 P.M. IOWA CITY TRANSIT FACILITY MEMBERS PRESENT: John Ockenfels, Howard Horan, Pat Foster, Richard Blum, Robert Hicks STAFF PRESENT: Anne Burnside, Ron O'Neil CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Ockenfels called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. A quorum of the Commission was present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the November 16, 1993, meeting were accepted as submitted. AUTHORIZATION OF EXPENDITURES: Several items were explained by O'Neil. Blum moved to approved the expenditures as presented. Foster seconded the motion and the expenditures were approved unanimously. PUBLIC DISCUSSION - ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA: Eliot Jones, from Iowa City Flying Service, questioned why all tenants were not charged equally for dumpster service. Currently, ICFS is paying half the monthly fee. O'Neil stated that ICFS pays for half the fee but generates at least 80 % of the refuse. He was not aware of any other private business in Iowa City that the City subsidizes for refuse disposal to that extent. Ockenfels said this is a operational decision by the Airport Manager and if ICFS could not come to an agreement with O'Neil, they would have to provide for their own dumpster service. This was not a lease issue, but a service ICFS was offered. Jones also presented a list of improvements he would like to see for the Terminal Building. The list included new furniture for the lobby area and repainting the public areas. Ockenfels asked Jones, why, as the major tenant of the building, some of the things were not done as tenant leasehold improvements. O'Neil stated that most of the public area was painted and carpeted four years ago. Because of many circumstances, including ICFS allowing their dog to run loose in the building, the area deteriorated sooner than it normally would. The tenants have a responsibility to maintain leased property. Ockenfels stated that capital improvements to the building were to be addressed at a later time during the meeting. He thanked Jones for his input. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION: a. Security fencing project - O'Neil reported that most of the posts for the fence on the east and north boundaries were installed. There are still areas near the Iowa City Mobile Home Park were fences and a mobile home are located on Airport property. He is working with the mobile home park owner to have these items removed. Ken Ranshaw addressed the Commission concerning installing some type of plastic strips in the chain link fence near his property to block dirt and sand from blowing in on his property. The Commission said they would not have a problem with that. b. Iowa National Guard lease - Gerald Klinkefus presented information to the Commission concerning leasing about one-fourth of an acre for vehicle storage. He wanted to discuss the issue with the Commission to see if they would be receptive to the idea before any details were discussed. He was looking for a four or five year commitment from the Commission and wanted to be inside the newly fenced area. Foster will work with O'Neil and Klinkefus to develop lease details. c. Iowa City Landscaping Lease - This item was deferred from the last meeting. Burnside researched the questions raised by the Commission at the last meeting concerning leasing property for fair market value. After researching numerous government documents, she advised the Commission to look at local land leases and negotiate in good faith. This should keep them within the intent of the law to obtain fair market value. Blum made a motion for a resolution to renew the one year lease with Iowa City Landscaping. Foster seconded the motion and at roll call vote, the motion passed 5 - 0. Blum commented that the area leased by ICL may need to be fenced entirely, not just the area parallel to Ruppert Road. This issue will be discussed at a future date. d. IDOT Contract - AWOS monitor - The Iowa Department of Transportation would like to provide a computer and monitor for the Iowa City Municipal Airport. This would allow pilots access to all automated weather stations in the State. There may be additional applicationsin the future. The only cost to the Commission is the cost of electricity for the computer. Installation and the equipment would be paid for by the IDOT. Blum made a motion for a resolution to enter into an agreement with the IDOT for the computer system. Horan seconded the motion and at roll call vote the resolution passed 5 - 0. e. Airport Master Plan - O'Neil met with the new City Council on December 20 to give a brief overview of the Airport. He told the Council the two most prominent issues at the Airport were development of a Master Plan and to provide more hangar space for pilots wanting to base their aircraft in Iowa City. O'Neil suggested a special work session with the Council be scheduled as soon as possible. He said that because of a rather hectic Council schedule in January, it would probably be early February before they could schedule a meeting. At the Council meeting on December 20, Susan Horowitz asked O'Neil if there had been any public meetings on the Master Plan issue. O'Neil said that in February of 1994, this issue will have been in progress for two years. During the Feasibility Study, there were four public meetings, a public hearing, and the item has been on the agenda of every Airport Commission monthly meeting. The Commission members discussed the scheduling process in working with the Council and in being prepared when the FAA funds a Master Plan Study. After the Commission finalizes their Master Plan decision, they will develop a presentation for the Council to summarize their position and explain the issues. f. ADA requirements - This item was deferred until the next Commission meeting. g. Hangar building - O'Neil said that there is a definite need for additional hangar space at the Airport. The most requested space is for T-hangar space but one tenant discussed hangaring a jet at the Airport. There is currently no hangar space available to accommodate a business jet. Hicks said more based aircraft would mean an increase in the positive economic impact of the Airport for the community. He would like to see the Commission get written commitment from some of those interested in hangar space. O'Neil will pursue this issue in cooperation with City Architect Jim Schoenfelder. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT: Ockenfels thanked the Commission members for the amount of time they volunteered over the past year on Airport projects. He said Pat Foster's term expires in March and he would like to encourage Foster to reapply. Foster has been active on several projects that required an extra time commitment to the Commission. COMMISSION MEMBERS' REPORT: Blum commented on a newspaper article that reported on the November Commission meeting. He said that after reviewing the tape of the meeting, he discovered the wording of the article was not even close to what was said at the meeting. He also commented on an issue that was discussed at some length at the last Commission meeting. That issue concerned safety at the Iowa City Airport. The FAA has no mechanism for rating how safe or unsafe an individual airport is. The Iowa Department of Transportation does have a system for evaluating airport safety. Of the 25 busiest airports in Iowa, based on the number of annual operations, Iowa City ranked 22 on the State's scale measuring safety issues. Hicks said the FAA has stated that the Iowa City Airport is safe. Ockenfels asked Hicks to provide information from the FAA to support that statement at the next Commission meeting. Ockenfels stated that this was important documentation to consider for the Master Plan Study. Blum commented that there is a plan for hiking and bicycle paths to be located along the Iowa River. He didn't know if the groups proposing the paths were aware that a bicycle path could not be constructed on the west side of the Iowa River through the portion of Sturgis Ferry Park that is included in the Runway Protection Zone for Runway 24 . The Airport Layout Plan also shows equipment for an instrument approach to be installed in that area. This would not be compatible with a pedestrian or bicycle trail. Similar non-compatible uses would preclude completing the frontage road through the Runway Protection Zone for Runway 12 , connecting Walmart and Menards. Ockenfels stated he is working on a memo to explain the Airport' s future uses for the Runway Protection Zone for Runway 24. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: O'Neil said the IDOT is initiating a program for sealing cracks and joints in pavement. If Iowa City would like to participate in this program for Runway 12/30, it will cost about $ 12, 000 for the local matching funds. The City Engineer sent Walmart a letter explaining their water retention area was not constructed ' correctly and they were not controlling the outflow as was designed. O'Neil will report on this issue as more information is available. Ockenfels reappointed Pat Foster to be the Commission representative on the Airport Zoning Board of Adjustment. O'Neil stated that as he had reported earlier, two new Reznor heaters were installed in the shop building. The heaters were $700 each. O'Neil and the half-time maintenance person installed them. O'Neil requested moving the March meeting to March 8 instead of March 15. Ockenfels said to schedule the meeting for March 29 and it can be changed if there is a conflict. The State AIP Program application is due March 1, 1994. If the Commission wants to participate, this item will need to be discussed at the next two Commission meetings. The State grants require a 30% match from the local community. In answer to a question by Ockenfels, O'Neil said that Terminal Building renovation is not an eligible item under the IDOT or FAA AIP. SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING: The next regular meeting was set for January 18, 1994 , at 5: 30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: Blum moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:28 p.m. Hicks seconded the motion and the meeting was adjourned. 'Lvl. ,)( John Ockenfels, •hairperson