HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-19-2017 Airport Commission Meeting MinutesOctober 19, 2017
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MINUTES FINAL
IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION
OCTOBER 19, 2017 — 6:00 P.M.
AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING
Members Present: Christopher Lawrence, A. Jacob Odgaard, Chris Ogren
Members Absent: Minnetta Gardinier, Robert Libby
Staff Present: Michael Tharp, Eric Goers
Others Present: Matt Wolford, David Hughes, Regenia Bailey, Jeff Davidson, Carol
Freeman
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Coun
action):
None.
DETERMINE QUORUM:
The meeting was called to order at 6:03 P.M., after declaring a quorum.
Ogren nominated Odoaard to acting secretary for the meeting, seconded by Lawrence.
Motion approved 3-0
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Discussion of the minutes from the September 21 and October 5, 2017, meetings were
reviewed. Ogren moved to accept the minutes of the September 21 and October 5, 2017,
meetings. Lawrence seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0, Gardinier and Libby
absent.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
None.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSIONIACTION:
a. Strategic Plan — Tharp introduced Davidson and Bailey again. Tharp described
the final review process with members. Davidson and Bailey spoke to Members
about the proposed strategic plan that they have all been working on. Bailey
addressed the changes that were made following the discussion at the last
meeting. The first change noted were the dates, and Bailey stated that this
should now be consistent through the document — 2019 through 2023. Next, the
addition of a narrative. Bailey noted the addition of photographs throughout,
helping to break up the narrative. Referring to page 13, Bailey noted a change in
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the third bullet point — going from quarterly to twice a year. Continuing to page
14, she noted the fourth bullet point, where it speaks to the annual report
presentation to the Council. This is now shown as 'within two months of the end
of the calendar year,' instead of the fiscal year. On page 15, under'Success
Indicators,' Bailey noted that the percentage of support from the City's general
fund 'does not exceed 10%,' which is what the Members discussed at the last
meeting. Moving to page 17, Bailey stated that she has a clarifying question on
the final bullet point. She suggested they remove the word 'successful.'
Members looked at this suggestion, agreeing that 'successful' is implied and
therefore could be removed here.
Bailey stated that this concludes the review of changes made to the strategic
plan, following the Commission's discussion at the last meeting. Ogren then
asked a question about Goal 4 — speaking to the second bullet point, where it
talks about painting of the Airport hangars. Ogren noted that at a recent budget
meeting, they discussed not setting themselves up to paint all of the hangars.
She asked if they should modify this or not. Tharp replied that he believes the
wording is okay as is and further explained how it becomes more of a budget
conversation. He added that he did send this version to Gardinier for her
comments and he shared the email with others. Her comments dealt with the
10% on the operating budget and if by having this number are they hamstringing
themselves. The other comment she had was in regards to the economic
development piece, with the 'successful' wording. Gardinier questioned what it is
they are trying to get at. Davidson responded that economic development has a
broad definition in this case. Bailey then referred Members to page 16, where
she asked if they wanted to rephrase this as suggested by Gardinier: "Market
the use of Airport charters, airplane rentals, the flight school, and public meeting
space." After a brief discussion, Members agreed that they would make the
stated changes. They also asked for clarification from Tharp on the 10%
financial support. He responded that what this number does is it mirrors the
FAA's system as to what they get through the Airway Trust Fund and what the
federal general fund contributes to the FAA operations. Members continued to
discuss this issue, finally agreeing that the 10% should be left in the document.
Bailey continued the discussion, noting that she would suggest a yearly review of
the strategic plan, as they would do with budgeting and the annual report. This
can help them set annual goals, reflective of what has been accomplished the
previous year and what they have yet to accomplish. Members also talked about
a possible group photo of the Commission being a part of this plan.
i. Consider a resolution approving strategic plan — Odgaard moved to
approve Resolution U17-14, approving the strategic plan as
amended. Ogren seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0,
Gardinier and Libby absent.
b. FAAIIDOT Projects: AECOM I David Hughes
L Obstruction Mitigation
1. Environmental Assessment - Hughes addressed the Members,
noting that with him this evening is Carol Freeman, the
environmental person who is working on the Environmental
Assessment. He then shared a handout with Members, stating
that they are at the point where they need to start the public
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comment process. Freeman stated that they are making good
progress on the assessment and are putting together the draft
sections now. She also spoke to the public comment process and
how they would need to proceed on this. Another option is to hold
a public hearing, according to Freeman. She also gave options on
how such a public hearing could be put together, noting that there
could be a stand-up presentation where the public can stand up at
a microphone and express their views, or do an open -house style
of meeting. A third option would be to have multiple meetings, by
actually going to the affected neighborhoods and having meetings
at each location. Freeman also noted a recommended letter to
the affected landowners, stating that this is not a requirement but
that it is highly recommended when people are going to be directly
affected. The letter would help to explain what the project is and
could have an invitation to the public meeting, for example.
Tharp noted that last month the Commission was given a heads -
up that this would be coming and that they would need to make
some decisions. He stated that the object was to let the
Commission know what the base requirements are. He stated
that from previous conversations, the Commission leaned towards
the third option of having neighborhood -style meetings, along with
contact letters, and perhaps a final open -house style meeting at
the Airport. The south location meeting could be held at Terry
Trueblood Park, but Tharp noted that he is not sure of a location
for the northwest side. Ogren asked Freeman what she would
recommend they do in this instance. Freeman responded that
every project is different, but one thing that is very important is
letting people know how they will be able to communicate their
opinions about the project. She noted that the stand-up
presentation, where the public can speak at a microphone, tends
to be more confrontational and emotional in nature. Freeman
stated that she leans towards the open -house style of meeting,
that they tend to be more personal and provide more one-on-one
opportunities to discuss the issues. As for how many meetings
should be held, Freeman stated that this project appears to be
affecting a smaller group of people overall. However, due to the
nature of the project, it is more personal to those affected.
The discussion continued, with Freeman giving suggestions on
how the public piece of this could be set up. Members shared
their views, as well, on how best to gather the much needed public
input. Lawrence asked about the letter component and when this
would be done. Freeman stated that this would go out several
weeks before the public meetings. During this process they could
actually do targeted letters, which would let a landowner know if
one of their trees would be affected. Members also spoke to the
publishing timeline and access by the public to the environmental
assessment. Speaking to the project impacts, Freeman stated
several options for the mitigation, such as remove the affected
trees or top the trees, for example. Tharp spoke to the initial
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contact letter and how it should be brought to the Commission
before going out, so that everyone is aware of what is being sent.
Freeman stated that typically they have a planning meeting prior
to the public one, so that they can review what is going to be
presented during the public meeting. Ogren asked when this
mitigation process is expected to begin and Hughes stated that it
wouldn't be until next fall.
Moving along, Freeman stated that they currently have an initial
draft of the Purpose and Need and Alternatives sections, that
have gone through the FAA for an initial review. The next stage
then, according to Freeman, is to have the Commission see a
draft of the assessment. Hughes stated that they are looking at
late November for this to be available, with the draft EA being
available to the public around mid-December. With this being the
holiday season, Freeman stated that they would recommend
pushing the draft EA release to after the first of the year and then
schedule their public meetings. The letter could go out during this
period, giving the public plenty of time to review the data before
the first of the year. Tharp then spoke to timeframes and what
they will need to follow in order to accomplish this. Members
briefly discussed setting up a special meeting time to go over all of
the information once the contact letter and draft are ready for their
review. Goers responded to Member questions at this point,
further clarifying how this type of process normally plays out and
how easements are handled.
ii. North T -hangar restroom — Hughes noted that this will come back to the
Commission next month.
C. Airport Operations
I. Budget
1. FY2019 budget—Tharp stated that the budget subcommittee has
met via email several times. He noted that the memo he put
together for Members does show what the numbers are, such as
expected revenue of $461,500, which includes the levy support,
and expected expenses of $466,000. He noted that the furniture
project could be phased in, cutting expenses. Tharp noted that
the FYI budget is due to Finance tomorrow. He added that he
did meet with Parks and Rec Department earlier today to discuss
the Riverside entryway project. The department will be able to
handle this in-house, according to Tharp, and will be doing
something similar to other entryways to Iowa City. He expects to
see a concept plan from Parks and Rec by December. Tharp also
spoke to Parks and Rec about the viewing area. This project will
need to be a part of Parks and Rec's RFP process, which will
allow the Airport to work directly with a consultant on this. Turning
to the cost for hangar painting costs, Tharp noted that it is at
$6,000 per building. Ogren noted that at some point they will
need to decide on a color to use. At this point Tharp asked if
Members are okay with him submitting the FYI budget to the
Finance Department. Matt Wolford with Jet Air asked Tharp how
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they should handle the agreement they have with the Airport, as it
is still the original agreement and costs have gone up since that
time. He asked if this should be part of the budget discussion.
Tharp stated that this agreement can be reviewed in the spring
when it expires. The Commission reached a consensus to
have Tharp submit the FY19 budget to the Finance
Department, 3-0, Gardinier and Libby absent.
ii. Management—None.
Iii. Events — Tharp noted that Jet Air hosted the Rusty Pilots seminar over
the weekend, with 35 attendees. Even though they had bad weather,
Tharp noted that ground school was completed.
d. FBO / Flight Training Reports
i. Jet Air — Matt Wolford with Jet Air spoke next, sharing the monthly
maintenance reports. With all the rain, he noted that they had to start
mowing quite a bit. In October, gutters were cleaned out, weed killer was
sprayed, light bulbs replaced, and self -serve pump maintenance.
In addition to the Rusty Pilot seminar, Wolford noted the upcoming Pinch
Hitter course. He said they currently have seven signed up for this. This
event will be Saturday, noon to 3:00. The Shelter House had an event
recently in the Jet Air hangar. Wolford said it went very well. Other than
that, Jet Air has been keeping busy. He shared that a company out of the
Virgin Islands has been leasing one of their planes for medical use during
the hurricane rescues. Wolford shared that at 8:00 P.M. this evening a
30 -passenger plane will be landing with a volleyball team on board. At
about the same time, he noted that an air medical Lear 35 will also be at
the Airport.
e. Commission Members' Reports — None.
f. Staff Report—Tharp spoke briefly to the Shelter House event and the pilot
programs taking place at the Airport. He then noted that during the Christmas/
New Year's break, he will be taking vacation time.
g. 100 -year Anniversary Committee — Ogren asked if FUEL received the report,
and Tharp stated that they had and that once they reviewed it they would come
back with any questions. He will check with them to see where they are in their
review.
SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING FOR:
The next regular meeting of the Airport Commission will be held on Thursday. November 16.
2017. at 6:00 P.M. in the Airport Terminal Building.
ADJOURN:
Odgaard moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 P.M. Ogren seconded the motion. The
motion carried 3-0, Gardinier and Libby absent
Ocrober19,2017
Pegs 6
FIRPERSON
DATE
l l.z6&
October 19, 2017
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Airport Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2017
Kev:
X = Present
X/E = Present for Part of Meeting
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = Not a Member at this time
TERM
+
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
NAME
EXP.
j
Ol
J
V
V
V
V
V
V
J
V
Minnetta
07/01/19
O/
Of
Gardinier
X
X
X
X
E
01E
X
X
X
E
Chris Ogren
07/01/18
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
A.Jacob
07/01118
Odgaard
X
X
X
01E
X
X
X
X
X
X
Julie
07/01h7
of
O/
N
N
N
Bockenstedt
X
X
X
X
E
X
E
M
M
M
Robert Libby
07101/20
O/
Of
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
E
X
X
E
Christopher
07/01/21
N
NM
NM
NM
NM
M
NM
TNLawrence
X
X
Kev:
X = Present
X/E = Present for Part of Meeting
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = Not a Member at this time