HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-08-12 Airport Commission MinutesAugust 12, 2021
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MINUTES
IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION
AUGUST 12, 2021 — 6:00 P.M.
AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING
FINAL
Members Present: Warren Bishop, Scott Clair, Christopher Lawrence, Hellecktra Orozco,
Judy Pfohl
Staff Present: Sue Dulek, Michael Tharp
Others Present: Carl Byers, Matt Wolford, John Yeomans
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 July 8, 2021, and July 15, 2021, meetings were reviewed by Members.
Bishop moved to accept the minutes of both the July 8 and July 15, 2021, meetings as
presented. Pfohl seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION: None.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION:
a. Farm Lease
i. Farmer's National Agreement — Tharp gave Members a brief history of
the Airport's farming agreement with Farmer's National. This involves the
acres of farm land that the Airport leases each year. It is now that time of
year where this agreement is reviewed by the Commission. Tharp stated
that he is recommending they continue with Farmer's National and John
Yeomans to manage the farm land. Yeomans stated that Farmer's
National is looking at approximately a 10% increase in their rental fee.
He also gave Members a brief history of working with the Airport and
various farmers over the years.
1. Consider a motion to continue the farm management
agreement — Lawrence moved to continue the farm
management agreement with Farmer's National. Bishop
seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
b. FAA/IDOT Projects
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Obstruction Mitigation — Tharp stated that currently he is working with
AECOM to get a more detailed list of everything that has been removed,
the locations, etc., so they can address the circling approach issues. A
Member brought up the possibility of reaching out to State
representatives for help in such matters with the FAA. Byers noted that
everything has really slowed down with COVID and is not getting any
better soon. Byers added that his concern would be the fact that they
depend on the FAA for a lot of things and he would not want to muddy the
waters that way, especially at this time. Continuing, he gave Members his
take on how this will most likely move forward, starting with the detailed
list that Tharp noted earlier. Members continued to discuss the delay with
the circling approach issues, with Tharp explaining why they are moving
forward in this manner. A request was made to have a detailed list
available for Members to review at the next Commission meeting.
1. Phase 1
2. Phase 2
ii. Runway 7/25 Rehab East End — Tharp stated that they have received
letters from the FAA that both Runway 25 items are on their agenda for
the next federal fiscal year, which is 2022. The expectations are still to
obtain bids in December/January, which gives the contractor six months
to complete the project, with an early -September date for the approach to
become active. A question was asked of Byers regarding replacing all
lights with LEDs. He responded, noting that the fixtures would have to
change as well and that he has not yet looked into the price for doing this.
Tharp stated that he looked around for conversion kits but was unable to
find anything. Members asked that Byers look into this issue and give
them an idea of cost, equipment replacement, etc.
iii. Runway 25 Threshold Relocation
c. Airport Operations
Management
1. T Hangars Rates/Fee — Tharp stated that one Member will be
recusing themselves as they are a current hangar tenant (Bishop).
He then gave Members a brief history on the yearly t -hangar
rental rates/fees, and how he arrives at his recommendations. For
this year he is recommending they keep the rates the same. He
noted that rates were increased last year.
a. Consider a motion approving rates for T -hangars for
the 2021-2022 term — Pfohl moved to approve the rates
for T -hangars for the 2021-2022 term. Orozco
seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0, Bishop
recused.
ii. Budget
1. Art Murals — Discussion began regarding possible upgrades
around the Airport and working with the City's public art program.
Various items/areas being considered include the old baggage
door, which is covered in plywood. A proposal for this is to put a
panel of more durable material with the Airport's new logo on it,
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creating a more weatherproof and maintenance -free panel.
Members discussed how they could approach this, agreeing that
the door does need to be upgraded.
Next item discussed was the Air Care hangar and the need for
paint. It was suggested to again use the Airport's new logo here.
In speaking to Marcia Bollinger with the City's public art program,
it was decided that the distance from the road would not really be
a benefit to that program. Getting the door repainted and applying
the logo could be done with Airport funds. Tharp will look into
getting some bids for such a project.
The final item went back to the City's public art program. It was
noted that this program has an interest in more public art in the
south part of town, and at gateways into the city. The Airport is
definitely all of that. Members were told about a survey that the
public art program is conducting. If projects presented are
selected, they will be funded primarily, if not entirely, by this
program.
A separate opportunity with the public art program is a matching
grants program. This is where they will match up to $2,000 on
public art installations, such as murals, sculptures, etc. There are
several rounds of grants expected. The discussion continued,
with examples being given of murals that have been done with an
`aviation' feel to them.
The discussion then turned to the hangar door replacement
program, with Tharp stated that this will be a start for them. He
would suggest they hold off on the hangar mural, but could look at
doing something with the Air Care hangar. He further explained
what these door replacements will encompass. Discussion turned
back to the City's public art program and the deadlines for
applications, etc. Bishop moved to authorize a letter of
support from the Airport Commission to the Art Advisory
Committee, as well as authorize one or more Members to
attend said meeting. Lawrence seconded the motion. The
motion carried 5-0.
2. Iowa DOT FY2022 Aviation Program — Tharp noted that on
Monday he received notice of approval for two of the requested
projects — infrastructure for future hangar development and
replacement of the hangar A doors with electric models. Speaking
to the parking lot project, Tharp stated that he plans to work with
the City's Engineering division to see if they can still get this
project completed, as it is badly needed. Members spoke briefly
to how they might approach the parking lot project.
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iii. Events — Tharp noted the events that are still upcoming at the Airport.
He stated that last weekend was the Young Eagles' event and that it went
quite well.
1. SCCA Autocross: August 15
2. Drive -In Movies: October 2
3. Optimist Club Pancake Breakfast: August 29
d. FBO / Flight Training Reports
i. Jet Air — Matt Wolford shared the monthly maintenance reports with
Members. He noted that everything was basically status quo. He then
spoke to hangar 56, which will now be used for storage of City equipment.
Speaking to the Jet Air side of things, Wolford noted that fuel sales have
been very strong. He stated that as far as quantity, this will be one of
their best years. Having the second tank has been very helpful. The
charter side of the business has been holding strong, as well. Wolford
spoke briefly to the Stearman Fly -in Event in Galesburg, Illinois, which is
coming up.
The discussion then turned to the flight simulator. It was noted that the
usage is not what it was at first, that it is being used for instrument
training, but that perhaps the price is leading to the decreased use.
Currently it is $65 per hour. A suggestion was made to reduce this price,
perhaps to $30 per hour. It was noted that the simulator has been paid off
at this point. Tharp agreed, noting that the summer months have been
extremely slow but that they had anticipated this to some degree. It was
suggested that they revisit a possible decrease by the end of the calendar
year. Finding ways to advertise the simulator were also discussed, using
posters, social media, etc.
e. Commission Members' Reports — The issue of public meetings being found to
'not have a quorum' if a majority is present via Zoom was brought up. It was
asked if as a commission they have a way to go around this. Dulek noted that
this is a State law. She then helped to clarify what the law says. Members briefly
spoke to COVID issues and how meetings can be held and still meet the quorum
rules. Clair noted that he attended the Osh Kosh event recently.
f. Staff Report — Tharp stated that the Central Region Kansas City conference is
August 25 -27th and that he is still planning to attend. He added that if the FAA is
not present, the trip may be worthless.
SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING FOR:
The next regular meeting of the Airport Commission will be held on Thursday, September 9,
2021, at 6:00 P.M. in the Airport conference room, and via the Zoom meeting platform as well.
ADJOURN:
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Bishop moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:23 P.M. Lawrence seconded the motion. The motion
carried 5-0.
gig /1-74
CHAIRPERSON DATE
August 12,2021
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Airport Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2021
NAME
TERM
EXP.
o0
W
N
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o
-
O
N
10/08/20
3
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NO
N
00
W
N
12/12/20
0000000000
a
.p
N
-.
A
"
N
-ti
-.
-
N
-a
O
00
N
3
O
W
N
-
-
W
N
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_a
O
N
3
O
00
N
-
.
v1
N
-.
0
s
N
N
3
Warren
Bishop
06/30/22
X
O/E
X
X
XXXX
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
Scott Clair
06/30/23
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
Christopher
Lawrence
06/30/25
X
X
X
X
XXXX
X
X
X
XO/EX
X
X
Hellecktra
Orozco
06/30/24
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X/E
O/E
X
X
O/E
O/E
X
Judy Pfohl
06/30/22
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X/E
X
X
XX
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