HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-12-2020 Airport Commission Meeting MinutesMarch 12, 2020
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MINUTES FINAL
IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION
MARCH 12, 2020 — 6:00 P.M.
AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING
Members Present: Warren Bishop, Scott Clair, Christopher Lawrence, Bob Libby, Judy Pfohl
Staff Present: Eric Goers, Michael Tharp
Others Present: Matt Wolford, Carl Byers, John Moes, Bill Bolman, Alex Schmidt
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: to become effective only after separate Council
action):
None.
DETERMINE QUORUM:
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES.,
The minutes from the February 13, 2020, meeting were reviewed first. Libby moved to accept
the minutes from the February 13, 2020, meeting as presented. Clair seconded the
motion. The motion carried 5-0.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION: None.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION:
a. Airport Website Update — The team from FUEL was present to speak to
Members regarding the website progress. Alex Schmidt began her presentation
for Members by noting the various options available to them for website design.
She reviewed three options that FUEL has created, highlighting the links and
buttons that can be present on the various pages. Walking through each option,
Schmidt pointed out the differences between them and what all can be available
on the Airport's website. Items of interest include things such as having maps
available for both pilots and the general public, as well as links for transit options
and lodging accommodations in the area. A history of the Airport itself would also
be an important part of the website. Members discussed the various options,
noting what they would find most important and what their favorite design might
be. A suggestion was made to also add a listing of restaurants nearby, and even
a link to the Downtown District's page. Members also spoke to images of the
Airport, both internal and external, and Matt Wolford stated that he has several
that could be used. After some discussion, Members agreed that option #3 is
what they favor.
b. FAA/IDOT Projects
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i. Obstruction Mitigation — Tharp reported that trees continue to come
down, and that as of this afternoon they were down to the last two. The
plan is to complete this next week, and then prepare for clean-up,
reseeding, and sodding. Tharp added that they are considering a phase
two on this project, as they have since found at least a dozen more trees
that need to be removed. He noted that they are in the process of asking
the FAA for a phase two approval. Once this current phase is completed,
they will have taken down 102 trees on 29 different properties, over the
span of about three months. Tharp noted that they did come to an
agreement with the one property owner who was opposed to having trees
removed. He did agree to have the trees topped.
ii. Terminal Apron/Taxiway reconstruction — Tharp stated that last month
they did accept bids and are now taking their time due to the weather.
ill. Runway 25 Threshold Relocation — Tharp stated that they did receive
the final 'go letter' from the FAA. He further explained what is involved
with this relocation.
iv. Fuel Farm Expansion and card reader kiosk replacement — Tharp
stated that they opened for bids recently and received three total. He
also spoke to the bid alternate and what would be included in that. They
are recommending the contract go to Central Petroleum at $177,228.25.
This will be covered in part by an 85% grant from the IDOT.
1. Consider a resolution accepting bids and awarding contract —
Lawrence moved to approve Resolution #A20-09, accepting
bids and awarding contract for this project as discussed.
Libby seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
V. FY2021 State Aviation Program Application — Tharp spoke to the
State's aviation program, noting that it will be heavily dependent on what
the Legislature does for funding the Airport Improvement portion of the
State program. He noted that he and Carl Byers will be proposing to
resurrect the parking lot expansion project again. Tharp added that this
has now become more of a priority project and one they desperately need
to get done. A second project would involve new hangar construction.
Tharp stated that the way the State program is capped at $150,000 for
new construction, he was considering going after grant funding to get the
infrastructure in place. Then in subsequent years, they could go back and
build a pair of hangars at a time, for example. Another option would be if
someone were to come in and want a new hangar, the infrastructure
would then be in place for them to do so. Byers shared some examples
of how they might accomplish the infrastructure and subsequent new
hangars. He and Tharp then responded to Member questions regarding
possibilities under the State's aviation program funding. The need for
future hangars was further discussed, with Members agreeing that the
market will pretty much determine this. Discussion continued on the
various projects the Commission would like to see take place at the
Airport, with Tharp and Byers responding as needed. Byers stated that
he could draft something for the Members to review, prior to the April
submission, with parking and doors taking priority.
C. Airport Operations
L Management
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1. Annual Report — Tharp shared what the Airport's annual report
typically looks like and gave a brief rundown of how the
Commission presents this to the City Council each year and what
is included in each report. Speaking to fuel sales, Tharp noted
that they are starting to trend down. He added that 2018 was the
Airport's peak year for fuel sales. Continuing, Tharp asked that
the Members review the annual report and let him know of any
errors or emissions, or if there are any questions. Then at next
month's meeting they can do a formal approval of the annual
report.
U. Budget — Tharp noted that there are three months left to this fiscal year.
At this point, he noted that things are on track. Speaking to the Reserve
Center next door, Tharp stated that he has been told that the Reserve is
done at this location. In the ,not too distant future, Tharp expects that the
Airport will be able to take back their land.
iii. Events — Tharp noted that the Memorial Day car show is still slated to be
held at the Airport.
d. FBO / Flight Training Reports
L Jet Air — Matt Wolford shared the monthly maintenance reports with
Members. He stated that a lot of the items were just general in February,
such as picking up broken pavement around the self-service area; the
'caution jet blast' signs were installed near the viewing area; tower light
bulb replaced; and blinds hung in flight simulator room. In March there
wasn't much change, other than more trash pickup due to the high winds.
Wolford also shared a 'time justification report' for the flight simulator. He
detailed how the first week was used to troubleshoot, with February 171
starting actual charges. He further explained how the charges are being
determined, and Members discussed how this charging is being reflected.
Wolford also spoke to some of the various simulator users thus far.
Speaking to Jet Air, Wolford stated that things are going along smoothly.
With the COVID-19 scare there have been some cancellations. On the
upside, more corporations are going back to private planes.
e. Commission Member Reports — Pfohl mentioned that the pilot's lounge is in
terrible shape. She stated that she may have some leather furniture available, if
there is any interest, and she volunteered to look into sprucing this room up.
Others agreed that she should move forward with this. Clair spoke next, stating
that over the past few months he has been reaching out to various community
members, trying to see how the Airport might fit into various aspect of the
community. On February 21st he had lunch with the Cedar Rapids Airport
manager and the marketing director, to see if they would be interested in any
type of monthly alignment with the Iowa City Airport. He suggested a
subcommittee of Members be a part of this. Lawrence volunteered to join Clair
on this subcommittee. Libby spoke to solar panels and if this issue had ever
gone any further. Tharp stated that it has not. Other Members spoke to this,
noting that the City has talked about putting up solar panels on City -owned
buildings. A brief discussion ensued, with it being noted that glare from such
panels could be an issue at the Airport. The FAA would have to become involved
March 12, 2020
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in any such project. Members continued to discuss solar possibilities, with
Bishop and Libby volunteering for a subcommittee to look into options.
f. Staff Report — Tharp stated that he will be out of the office tomorrow afternoon
for a Dr. appointment. He also has a conference call with the Iowa Public Airport
Association Board tomorrow, to discuss the aviation conference set for April.
SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING FOR:
The next regular meeting of the Airport Commission will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2020. at
6:00 P.M. in the Airport Terminal Building.
ADJOURN:
Libby moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 P.M. Lawrence seconded the motion. The motion
carried 5-0.
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CHAIRPERSON DATE
March 12, 2020
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Airport Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2019-2020
Key:
X = Present
X/E = Present for Part of Meeting
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = Not a Member at this time
TERM
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O
O
O
Warren Bishop
06/30/22
O/
0/
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
O/E
X
X
E
E
X
Scott Clair
06/30/23
NM
NM
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Robert Libby
07/01/20
0/
Ol
X
0/E
X
X
X
O/E
O/E
O/E
E
E
X
X
Christopher Lawrence
07/01/21
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Judy Pfohl
06/30/22
NM
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