HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-19-18 Airport Commission Meeting Minutes July 19,2018
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MINUTES FINAL
IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION
JULY 19, 2018—6:00 P.M.
AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING
Members Present: Minnetta Gardinier, Derek LaBrie, Christopher Lawrence, Robert Libby
Staff Present: Eric Goers, Michael Tharp
Others Present: Matt Wolford, Larry Bell
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council
action):
None.
DETERMINE QUORUM:
The meeting was called to order at 6:03 P.M. The new Member, Derek LaBrie, was introduced.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS;
The first order of business was the election of officers. Libby noted that he and Lawrence had
discussed their positions and if everyone agrees,they will keep things as they are. Lawrence
moved to retain Robert Libby as Chair and himself, Christopher Lawrence,will remain as
Secretary. Gardinier seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes from the June 21, 2018, meeting were reviewed. Lawrence moved to accept the
minutes of the June 21, 2018, meeting, as presented. Libby seconded the motion. The
motion carried 4-0.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION:
None.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION:
a. Gilbert Street Parcel/Bell Lease—Tharp noted that Larry Bell is present this
evening. He is one of the owners on the lease for this property. Tharp gave
Members a brief history on the property and lease agreement. He noted that
Members received a copy of Mr. Bell's letter in their meeting packet. Bell then
spoke to the Members regarding this property. He stated that they did have a
buyer for the land but that the City Council did not approve this. They have also
tried to sub-lease the land, but to no avail. Bell stated that he is trying to find a
way to resolve this issue since neither of these options have panned out.
Gardinier asked for some clarification as to why the City did not approve these
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requests. Tharp stated that it had to do with the risk of flood and not having
access to the land, as well as the fact that the developer wanted to develop
several other adjacent lots. Tharp then responded to Members'questions and
concerns regarding this piece of property and the lease agreement. City
Attorney Goers joined the conversation at this point. He noted that due to the
fact that this was discussed in executive session, he is unable to provide much
detail. However, he stated that Tharp is correct in pointing out the flood risks and
lack of access. Goers stated that in the last decade,the City has been
attempting to buy properties that are high flood risks. Therefore, it would not
make sense to sell this particular piece of property for development.
Continuing, Goers stated that in 2014 the Commission offered Mr. Bell the
opportunity to buy out the lease by paying half of the remaining lease amount.
The current lease amount is $325 per month and will be increasing in May,
consistent with the CPI. This is a 20-year lease, running through 2029. Goers
added that the Commission does have the right to discuss this issue further in
executive session, which they could choose to do at next month's meeting. Bell
then responded to Member questions regarding the property. He added that he
would like to be out of the lease, that the monthly payments are truly a hardship
for him at this point. Gardinier asked what the Commission can do with the land
if the City will not allow it to be developed. Tharp responded that the land was
originally purchased with FAA money because it was under the runway
protection zone. Gardinier stated that she would have to agree with Bell on this
issue, that it does not seem right to have development on both sides of this
property, yet development is not allowed here. She added that she is very
disappointed in the City for how they have handled this. Goers attempted to
explain why the City has made the decisions it has regarding this property.
Members continued to express their sentiments regarding Bell's request to be
released from this lease. The issue of needing to maintain the property—
mowing, snow removal, etc. -was also discussed. Gardinier asked if others
would like to have an executive session next month. Libby stated that he would
like to have more information. Tharp responded that he can work on some type
of summary for an executive session and Goers can address any legal concerns
they may have. Lawrence stated that he also has questions he would like to
have answered. Gardinier then questioned the timeframe that the City Council
made their decision to not sell this piece of property. She stated that she does
not remember there being any conversation around this. Goers noted that the
Commission did in fact discuss the issue at its December 21, 2017, meeting. He
read from the meeting minutes the reference to the Council's decision. To
Gardinier's point, Tharp stated that collectively the Commission has not had a
discussion since that time about letting Bell out of his lease.
b. FAA/IDOT Projects: AECOM/David Hughes
1. Obstruction Mitigation—Tharp noted that he did not hear from Hughes
so he is not sure why he is not present. He added that there was some
weather in the Des Moines area today and that may have been an issue
for Hughes. As for the obstruction mitigation issue, a Finding of No
Significant Impact was received from the FAA. This notice will be
published in the newspaper tomorrow, according to Tharp. This will then
wrap up the environmental study. Now the conversation will turn to
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funding and easement agreements. Funding will drive how the work gets
done, whether it can all be done at once or if they will have to do it in
phases. Tharp responded to Member questions regarding the obstruction
mitigation project and what the various steps will entail.
1. Environmental Assessment(EA)—
IL North T-Hangar Restroom—Tharp stated that the restroom project is
moving along. Some of the sub-contractors are being waited on, but in
terms of the contract there are still a few weeks left to complete things.
Mid-August is the current completion timeframe, according to Tharp.
c. Airport Operations
Budget—Gardinier then asked about FAA funding and grants received.
Tharp stated that they have not yet put in for an FAA grant but did for a
State grant. This would apply to the terminal apron concrete rehab.
Tharp noted that the new fiscal year has begun and there are several
projects that are coming up.
1. Building H Entry Road Repairs—Tharp touched on this project,
noting that it is very rough driving on this. He added that the
pavement is over 20 years old and needs to be replaced. This
project is estimated to cost around $13,000. Lawrence moved to
approve the estimate from Hansen for the Building H Entry
Road Repairs project Libby seconded the motion. The
motion carried 4-0.
The conversation returned to the budget, with Tharp noting that budget
season will be upon them soon. He added that typically they have a work
session to walk Members through the budget process and to prioritize
things for the upcoming budget year. Tharp also noted some equipment
replacements that they will need to consider. Others agreed that such a
work session would be helpful for them. The use of solar was briefly
touched on, with Tharp stating that the City recently completed a solar
study.
ii. Management—
1. Airport Viewing Area—Tharp stated that the sod is in, but there
was an incident with the landscaping contractor. They evidently
hooked up their hose to a water spigot that had a busted water
line,therefore flooding the Airport's basement. Tharp also spoke
to the four kiosks that will be a part of the viewing area. He noted
that a push-pedal plane has been donated to the Airport.
Gardinier suggested having a naming contest, perhaps in
conjunction with the Public Library, for the viewing area. Tharp
responded that the FAA has stated they should not make this an
actual 'park,' but that they can probably name it something fairly
generic.
iii. Events—Tharp stated that the car club event went well. The club raised
around $1,600 for St. Jude's.
1. Optimist Club Pancake Breakfast—Tharp noted that this will be
held the end of August. He stated that in the past they have had
the Civil Air Patrol helping park planes and with crowd control.
However, due to other commitments and the lack of cadets in the
area, they will not be doing so at this year's event.
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d. FBO!Flight Training Reports
i. Jet Air—Wolford shared the monthly maintenance reports with Members.
One of the highlights included the new TVs on the main floor of the
terminal building. One side shows Jet Air's services and the other side is
constant Flight Aware. Jet Air is also showing upcoming events.
Members briefly discussed what they would like to see on these TVs.
Other tasks included changing out fuel filters, filling in holes around the
Airport, and getting ready for the car show event. In July the invoices
were received for the mulch that was spread in June along the Riverside
Drive frontage. Wolford continued,touching on miscellaneous tasks
performed through the month.
Speaking to the Jet Air side of things,Wolford noted that flight training
has been going well. They added two more Skyhawks to their fleet, a
1975 model out of Hampton, New York, and a 2001 out of Northern
California. Wolford stated that they have seen an increase in crop
dusting activity recently and that there has been some Osh Kosh traffic
through as well. He then spoke briefly to the flooding that occurred at the
Airport and how he was able to come out and help get sump pumps
going. Wolford then stated that he just found out that the approaches for
Iowa City's runway 7-25 are now back to a category C and D.
e. Commission Members' Reports—Gardinier thanked Jet Air, Galesburg for
loaning her data cards after her problems last month. She thanked both Philip
and Ted for helping her out. She also spoke to the Air Race Classic and how
that went for her this year. The weather was a major factor for everyone
involved. Lawrence stated that he is heading to Osh Kosh Friday morning.
LaBrie thanked the Commission for welcoming him in and added that he looks
forward to working with everyone. Libby stated that he will be doing RAGBRAI,
helping with the medical portion, this month.
f. Staff Report—Tharp asked Members to get the word out for the empty seat the
Commission has. Also speaking to the RAGBRAI event,Tharp noted that they
will have some riders camping at the Airport on Friday night. They will be located
by the hangar L, M, and N complex. And as he is volunteering downtown with
the RAGBRAI event, he will be out of the office that Friday afternoon.
Tharp also spoke to the upcoming FAA Regional Conference in September. This
will be held in Kansas City. He then spoke briefly to an upcoming visit by the
FAA and City administration to meet with Tom Schnell to discuss his UAS
projects and the application process, in addition to the FAA's push on UAS.
SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING FOR:
The next regular meeting of the Airport Commission will be held on Thursday.August 16,
2018.at 6:00 P.M. in the Airport Terminal Building. Tharp asked Members how they wanted to
schedule the work session discussed earlier. After a brief discussion it was decided to hold the
executive session beforehand. Gardinier questioned if they would have a quorum at the next
meeting if they are to discuss hangar rates and leases, as she would have to recuse herself.
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Libby noted that he would have to as well. Goers will check into this issue to see what the rules
are for abstention in such a case.
ADJOURN:
Lawrence moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:22 RM. Libby seconded the motion. The motion
carried 4-0.
C AIRPERSON DATE
July 19,2018
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Airport Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2017-2018
TERM o Wo 'o - N o_ o_ o o u 2 a S, S
:=1. N - N N O N
o b e W A a + 1n w N + CDNAME EXP.
V V V V V CO W CO W W CO CO co co
Minnetta 07/01/19 O/ O/ 0/
Gardinier XXE XEX XXX XX x E X
Chris Ogren 06130/18 01
XXX X X X X XE XX X X NM
A.Jacob 06130/18 0
Odgaard O/ 0/ 0/ Ol O/ 0/ O/ / O/
XXX EEE E E X E E E E NM
Robert 07/01/20 O/ O/ 01
Libby XXE XXE XXX XE OX X
Christopher 07/01/21 O1
Lawrence XXX E X X XXX XX XXX
Derek 07/01/22 N N NM NM N NM NM N N N N NM N
LaBrie M M M MMMM M X
Key:
X = Present
X/E= Present for Part of Meeting
O = Absent
O/E =Absent/Excused
NM = Not a Member at this time