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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-16-2002 Airport Commission Meeting MinutesMINUTES IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION TUESDAY APRIL 16, 2002 — 5:45 P.M. IOWA CITY AIRPORT TERMINAL MEMBERS PRESENT: Rick Mascari, Michelle Robnett, Mark Anderson, Alan Ellis, STAFF PRESENT: Sue Dulek, Ron O'Neil CALL TO ORDER: Vice -Chairperson Ellis called the meeting to order at 5:50 p.m. PUBLIC DISCUSSION— ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA: Dennis Gordon said he is making improvements to Building H and he would like to amend his lease to say that if he exercised the five year option on his lease, he would want any rent increase tied to the CPI or some other recognized index. Dulek said that would require an amendment to his lease. Ellis said this could be on the agenda for the May meeting. Gordon said the University s Synthetic Vision project was on schedule and the 737-800 simulator has been built and should be shipped to Iowa City soon. He thought they would spend the summer assembling the simulator and have it operational this fall. (Chairperson Anderson arrived at 6:03 p.m.) Tom Schnell, from the University of Iowa's Synthetic Vision project, said there is an opportunity to site two other simulators at the Airport. He said it is too earlyto submit a proposal to the Commission. He will keep the Commission informed as the project develops. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSIONlACTION: d. IOW Aero lease - Ron Duffe, from IOW Aero, said he would like to amend his lease on Building D. He said the termination date is May 31, 2004. He would like to have the lease extended to December 31, 2004. Duffe said that would give IOW a longer time to depreciate the improvements they made to the building. Ellis made a motion to amend the IOW Building D lease. Robnett seconded the motion and at roll call vote, the motion passed 4 - 0, with Ruyle being absent. b. Fuel site - 100LL fuel pump and final approval - Dick Blum, from H. R. Green, said Double Check had promised him a new computer and card reader would be installed on Monday, April 8. When they didn't show up by Wednesday, he contacted Paul Sundby and was assured that the installation would be completed by no later than Wednesday, April 17, 2002. Mascari asked if there had been any more incidents of the pump not working? Duffe said it had only worked for a short time in the last three weeks. O'Neil said he would recommend having the Commission direct Dulek to send a letter to Double Check, terminating their contract and informing them that the problems would be corrected using the retainage of their contract and the performance bond. Blum said there should be an adequate amount of funds to have the problem corrected. Dulek will send a letter to Double Check. The letter will inform Double Check that the Commission will meet in one week to terminate the contract and select a company to complete the project. a. Aviation Commerce Park - Tracy Overton, from Iowa Realty, presented his monthly report. He said there has been a lot of interest lately in the ACP. He said he has a list of 9 companies that have expressed more than a passing interest in the property. He said the bad news is that the rates tenants are willing to pay are substantially less than what the Commission had hoped to generate from the property. Overton said he would recommend a price reduction in order to stimulate the activity to lease the property. He said the lease concept is not being accepted as well as he had anticipated. He said his analysis shows that if someone could go out and buy land at $4.00 a square foot, that would translate to a lease rate of $ .15 a square foot. Mascari said that at $ .15 a foot, that would only pay off the infrastructure and would not allow the Airport to be self-sufficient. He said that being self-sufficient has been the Airport's goal during this whole project. Anderson said he would like to table the issue until the next meeting. Before the next meeting, he and Mascari, as the ACP subcommittee, would meet with Overton and discuss options for the property. Overton said there are a couple of possible tenants that have called on a regular basis and would like to move as soon as possible. A meeting was scheduled with Overton for April 19, 2002 at 12:30 p.m. c. Airport Zoning Code update - ALP changes - Blum said that the Planning Department has recommended some changes that are different from the code that was passed by the Zoning Commission. The Code will have to be reviewed again by the Zoning Commission. Blum reviewed the revised Airport Layout Plan with the Commission. He said the RPZ for Runway 36 was changed. He said by changing the designation for Runway 36, the bowling alley would no longer be in the RPZ. The numbers on the runways were changed to reflect the new runway numbers. ONeil said he discussed the changes with the FAA and they wanted four signed copies of the final ALP, as approved by the Commission. Mascari made a motion to approve the ALP. Ellis seconded the motion and it was passed 4 - 0, with Ruyle being absent. Blum will get four originals for Anderson to sign. E Environmental Assessment and Section 106 project - Blum said Green is working on a Scope of Services and contract for the project. ONeil said he has contacted the FAA and discussed the EA project with Doug Johnson. Green will look for an alternative design to rerouting Willow Creak around the ROFA for Runway 07. They will also provide cost estimates for the design and construction of the original Dane Road relocation. The original design was to relocate Dane Road to connect with Mormon Trek, tracking along the southern edge of the Runway 07 RPZ. The EA and design fees for the relocation of Dane Road are eligible for 90/10 reimbursement from the FAA. Blum said the biggest obstacle seems to be the over -design of the culvert under Highway 1. ONeil said that the Public Works Department has current water flow data for Willow Creek. This will be given to H.R. Green to help determine what size of waterway is needed through the ROFA for Runway 07. EXECUTIVE SESSION - IMMINENT LITIGATION: Mascari made a motion to adjourn to executive session. Ellis seconded the motion and it was passed 4 - 0, with Ruyle being absent. The Commission adjourned to executive session at 7:05 p.m. The Commission returned to the regular meeting at 7:16 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the March 14, 2002, Commission meeting were approved as submitted. AUTHORIZATION OF EXPENDITURES: Mascari made a motion to pay the bills. Robnett seconded the motion. Mascari asked if H.K Green had completed their part of the contract? ONeil said Green was contracted to produce plans and specifications for the fuel site and to do the construction management. Dulek said she would look at the contract Scope of Services. Mascari amended his motion to pay the bills except for the invoice from H.R. Green. Robnett seconded the motion and it passed 4 - 0, with Ruyle being absent. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION: I Obstruction removal project - ONeil said he has met with Stanley Consultants a couple of times and together, they are working on a contract and a Scope of Services for the project. He said he is meeting with them again on April 19, 2002. ONeil said he thought the Commission should get the EA and Obstruction Removal projects going as soon as possible. Anderson asked how these projects are being funded? ONeil said that the Obstruction Removal project is being paid for with an IDOT grant. The EA project can be reimbursed from the FAA on a 90/10 split. ONeil said that before either contract is signed, the Commission should discuss them with the Finance Department to make sure the funds are there for the matching 10 %. ONeil said he sent a memo to the Finance Director a month ago, outlining some of the capital improvement projects anticipated at the Airport for the next few years. g. Long-term parking policy - Mascari asked how many cars are now at the Airport on a long- term basis? ONeil said there are only two. ONeil said he included a draft of a policy in the Commission's packet. He said there is also a memo from Dulek, saying that she thought it was the responsibility of the Council to set parking policy. Ellis said it was his understanding that it was the Commission's responsibility to set policies on the Airport. Dulek said the Commission could not issue tickets. They could probably have a vehicle towed. Anderson said that be didn't think it was problem and the Commission should just drop the issue for now. Mascari said he thought the Commission should send a message that they are doing everything they can to raise revenue at the Airport. Ellis said the parking policy should be more than just the long term parking concerns. He said the Commission might want to designate areas for employee parking, long-term parking, etc. It could be an all-inclusive policy. Dulek said this should be sent to Council for action. She will draft an ordinance for the Commission to approve and send as a recommendation to Council. It will only address the long-term parking issue. h. Agenda protocol - Anderson said the issue here is what procedure does the Commission want to follow to place an item on the agenda or direct staff to do research on an issue. He asked what the Council's policy was in this regard? Ellis said he thought the Mayor or three Council members could have an item placed on the agenda. Anderson said the Commission's policy could be two members or the Chairperson. Anderson asked about giving directions to staff? Ellis said he thought the same policy as with agenda items. ONeil said it doesn't matter to him what the Commission decides, he just needed to know so that everything is consistent. Ellis said he wants to know specifically whether something he suggests is going to be acted on. ONeil suggested the Commission stay with what they have always informally done and that it is the Chairperson's agenda to set. Robnett moved to accept the policy. Ellis seconded the motion and it was passed 4 - 0, with Ruyle being absent. ONeil reminded the Commission that he places many of the items on the agenda for items that need action by the Commission. He does not place new items on the agenda unless directed by the Commission or they are general "housekeeping" issues. i. North T -hangars leases - Ellis said he is on the subcommittee for this issue and he would like to defer this agenda item until the next Commission meeting. Mascari said his aircraft insurance automatically covers the liability insurance required by the Commission. j. Building K - insurance claim- ONeil said Assistant City Attorney Andy Matthews provided the Commission with their options for trying to recover insurance money from the contractor to pay to reconstruct the building after it collapsed during construction. ONeil said that the item was on the agenda for the Commission if they wanted to pursue further action. Ellis said that upon Matthews's recommendation, he thought the Commission made the decision not to pursue the matter. ONeil said he spoke with Erin Herting, the City's Risk Manager, and she agreed with Matthew's recommendation. Anderson made a suggestion that the Commission send the City Manager a memo, explaining that on advice of City staff, the matter would not be pursued. k. ARFF training - Ellis requested this be on the agenda. Ellis said Jet Air would provide aircraft for the Fire Department to use for training for Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting training. He said it would be helpful for firefighters to be familiar with the kind of aircraft that Jet Air flies. It would be helpful to know things like where the battery is located and where the fuel shut off valves are. O'Neil said he would contact the Fire Department training officer and Jet Air's chief pilot and see when they would like to do some training. ONeil said he would see if the FAA Central Region's mobile ARFF unit would be available for training. ONeil suggested that the volunteer fire departments in Johnson County be contacted if the mobile trainer is scheduled for Iowa City. Robnett said that if the training is scheduled, the Commission should advertise with public service announcements. 1. Buildings A, B, & C - overdue rent - This item was deferred until the May meeting. CIIAIRPERSON'S REPORT: Anderson said he would like to publiclythank the people who came to the Council/Commission meeting to show support for the Commission. Anderson wondered if the Commission should look at the budget to see if there was anything more to cut. Ellis said he thought several cuts were already made. Mascari said the expenses are in line. The problem is the drop in revenue. Ellis said the Commission should continue to look for ways to increase revenue. Anderson said a memo should be sent to the Mayor to explain that there are three or four hangars vacant. ONeil said they should fill up this summer. Ellis said there is more competition from other airports to lease hangars than there was a few years ago. Anderson wanted to know what the next step was with the Council after their meeting on April 15? ONeil reminded the Commission that they started working on a business plan a couple of years ago. Other projects took priority. He said that maybe the Commission should concentrate on finishing the business plan. Robnett said the City Manager said other departments have business plans, and policies and procedures regarding spending and debt. She said the Commission should look at copies of the other departments' policies on spending and debt. Ellis said he thinks a member of the Commission should go to Council meetings on a monthly basis and present information. COMMISSION MEMBERS' REPORTS: Robnett presented some information on public service announcements. Airport events should be on the community calendars for radio and television. She will call radio and television stations and get more specific information. The Airport page on the City's WEB site should be updated. She said there are groups in the University's business school that will develop a business plan and a marketing plan for the Airport. She will make some contacts. Ellis wanted the Commission to send a letter confirming what they thought happened at the Council/Commission meeting on April 15 and what the Council's expectations are and to thank them for their time. ONeil suggested getting the minutes from the Clerk's office to help confirm what happened at the meeting. Ellis said the letter should be from the Chair to the Mayor. Ellis asked if the Commission had contacted Jet Air about using Building F for the SERTOMA breakfast on August 25. Anderson said that SERTOMA contacts Jet Air. The Commission does not have anything to do with the breakfast part of the Airport open house. ONeil said the hangar is leased to Jet Air and they are the one that would give permission to use the building. Ellis asked if the ROTC unit at the University has any kind of airlift event like the one that just occurred at Cedar Falls. ONeil said the ROTC unit wanted to fly out of the Iowa City Airport, but they were using a C-130 and it was too heavy for the Airport's runways. Ellis asked if the Commission requires a security and cleaning deposit in their leases? ONeil said they have not required it in the past, but it certainly could be added to any new lease. Ellis said airport rules should be included in the lease. Mascari said he would work with Ellis on the new T -hangar leases. Ellis asked how often the cleaning service cleans the Terminal Building. ONeil said they are scheduled to come three times a week. Ellis suggested that the Commission cut back to one or two times a week. Mascari said that when communicating with the Council, it should be in writing to make certain that everyone gets the correct information. Mascari said he sent a letter to the editor in support of the Iowa City Airport and general aviation. He said he only sent it to the Press Citizen and not the Gazette. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: O'Neil showed the Commission a sign that Jet Air wanted to install on the Terminal Building to identify their business. Ellis suggested mounting the sign on poles instead of on the building. O'Neil said Jet Air wanted to have the sign lighted. O'Neil said there was a copy of a letter from Jet Air in the Commission packet in support for replacing the REIL on Runway 36. The replacement cost is about $ 13,000. A grant application has been sent to the IDOT. SET NEXT MEETING: The next regular Airport Commission meeting is scheduled for May 9, 2002,at 5:45 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: