HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-14-2020 Airport Commission Meeting MinutesMay 14, 2020
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MINUTES FINAL
IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION
MAY 14, 2020 — 6:00 P.M.
ZOOM MEETING PLATFORM
Electronic Meeting (Pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.8)
An electronic meeting was held because a meeting in person was impossible or impractical
due to concerns for the health and safety of council members, staff and the public
presented by COVID-19.
Members Present: Warren Bishop, Scott Clair, Christopher Lawrence, Bob Libby, Judy Pfohl
Staff Present: Eric Goers, Michael Tharp
Others Present: Matt Wolford, Carl Byers, Alex Schmidt, John Moes
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council
action):
None.
DETERMINE QUORUM:
The meeting was called to order at 6:04 P.M.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes from the April 9, 2020, meeting were reviewed. Pfohl moved to accept the minutes
from the April 9, 2020, meeting as presented. Libby seconded the motion. The motion
carried 5-0.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION: None.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION:
a. Airport Website Update — Tharp stated that John Moes and Alex Schmidt from
FUEL are present this evening. He added that they did have a meeting with the
City's Communications Director. The decision was made at that meeting to host
the Airport's website off of the City infrastructure. Moes then spoke, noting that
they are now moving ahead full steam on the project. Schmidt then shared with
Members what she has been working on, in order to get some feedback from
them. She noted that after tonight's meeting, the team will move to the
development phase of the project. Schmidt gave Members a brief refresher of
what they have already reviewed and changes that have taken place since the
last meeting. Looking at the "Pilot's" page, Schmidt noted that she added a
listing of restaurants and lodging, per the Commission's request. There will also
be an addition of a diagram for the traffic patterns of the runways. Looking at
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new pages, Schmidt noted the "Community' page. There will be a highlight of
the restaurants, parks, and shops in Iowa City, as well as community links.
Schmidt continued to run through the various pages that will be added, noting
that they will basically match what Iowa City is doing. Members then discussed
other items of interest that could be added to the Airport's website. The FUEL
team then responded to Member questions, further clarifying what the finished
product will look like.
b. FAA/IDOT Projects
I. Obstruction Mitigation — Tharp stated this project is underway again.
The contractor is prepping the properties that have had trees removed for
reseeding and sodding. This should be wrapped up by the middle of
June, according to Tharp. He then reminded Members of a possible
phase two, to catch some trees that were missed during the first phase.
He will be working with the FAA on this proposed project.
ii. Terminal Apron/Taxiway reconstruction — Tharp stated that this project
will officially begin this coming Monday. He added that notifications have
been sent out and signs have been posted. This project will take care of
the pavement next to the terminal building and the adjacent taxiway.
Each half of the project is expected to take three weeks.
iii. Runway 25 Threshold Relocation — Tharp stated that they are currently
waiting for the FAA to give them their reimbursable agreement for the
PAPI. Byers stated that he did hear back from Brad Eurie today and he
hopes to have things ready in the next few work days.
Iv. Fuel Farm Expansion and card reader kiosk replacement — Tharp
noted that this project is moving forward. He has been in contact with the
manufacturer regarding this project. Byers also spoke to what he has
been doing in preparation for this replacement project to proceed.
C. Airport Operations
I. Management — Tharp noted that with the upcoming projects at the
Airport, he plans to be in the office more. He noted that he does not yet
know the City's time line for reopening its various facilities. He discussed
how they might begin to reopen the Airport facilities, such as use of the
conference room.
Iii. Budget — Tharp stated that this is the CARES Act grant he had emailed
info about to Members. This grant is for $69,000. Tharp then spoke to
the impacts that COVID has had at the Airport, such as a $10,000 hit from
loss of fuel sales. He then spoke to how he plans to use this grant money
to support the Airport's operating budget.
1. Consider a resolution authorizing Chairperson to sign FAA
CARES Act Grant for supplemental operations expenses —
Lawrence moved to approve Resolution #A20.11, authorizing
Chairperson to sign FAA CARES Act Grant for supplemental
operations expenses. Bishop seconded the motion. The
motion carried 5-0.
iii. Events — Tharp stated the auto -cross that was scheduled for this
upcoming weekend has been canceled. The car show scheduled for the
end of the month has also been canceled. Tharp stated that there are still
two auto -cross dates — one in July and one in September — that are still
on the calendar, as is the pancake breakfast. Tharp stated that he and
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Wolford have been working with Summer of the Arts and the Downtown
District regarding summer activities and have suggested a drive-in movie
event at the Airport. Wolford said they have suggested this in the past,
and during this time of social distancing, it would be very doable.
Members then discussed use of the conference room for small groups
and how they might handle this with distance restrictions.
d. FBO / Flight Training Reports
I. Jet Air — Matt Wolford spoke to the monthly maintenance reports with
Members. Mowing season has started, so crews are busy with that and
trash pickup. Speaking to Jet Air's business, Wolford stated that things
are still quite slow. In the past week or so, however, there has been an
increase in air medical trips. Flight training has been fairly stable,
according to Wolford. He also spoke to the COVID-19 safety precautions
that they are implementing.
e. Commission Member Reports — Judy noted that she dropped off some face
masks at the Airport and also got a sign for Tharp's door that says "Airport
Manager." Clair asked if there was any follow up on the person who got over a
fence at the Airport recently. Tharp stated that he went through the security
camera footage and did not see the individual until he was close to aircraft. The
individual has been arrested, according to Tharp, and has several charges
pending from various incidents. Members spoke briefly to security at the Airport
and the need to be vigilant. Pfohl spoke to the City's prairie installations and
Tharp responded that the City Parks and Rec did meet with him regarding the
small plot of land across from the Airport.
f. Staff Report — Tharp stated that earlier this week he was on a conference call
with the DOT, Aviation Bureau. It was a round table discussion on how airports
are handling the pandemic and what issues have arisen for them.
SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING FOR:
The next regular meeting of the Airport Commission will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2020,
at 6:00 P.M. in the Airport Terminal Building, via electronic method.
ADJOURN:
Lawrence moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:02 P.M. Pfohl seconded the motion. The motion
carried 5-0.
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CHAIRPERSON DATE
May 14, 2020
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Airport Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2020
NAME
TERM EXP.
0
0
0
0
0
s
Q
N
.moi
N
!O
<O
{O
t0
fD
EO
ID
tD
W
O
O
O
O
O
Warren Bishop
06/30/22
O/
0/
O/
O/
X
X
X
X
E
X
E
X
X
E
E
X
X
X
Scott Clair
06/30/23
NM
NM
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Robert Libby
07/01/20
O/
0/0/
O/
Ol
O/
X
E
X
X
X
E
E
E
E
E
X
X
X
X
Christopher Lawrence
07/01/21
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Judy Pfohi
06/30/22
NM
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Key;
X = Present
X/E = Present for Part of Meeting
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = Not a Member at this time