HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-12-09 Airport Commsision MinutesDecember 9, 2021
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MINUTES
IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021 — 6:00 P.M.
AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING
FINAL
Members Present: Judy Pfohl, Warren Bishop, Hellecktra Orozco, Chris Lawrence, Scott Clair
Staff Present: Michael Tharp, Jennifer Schwickerath
Others Present: Matt Wolford, Carl Byers, John Moes, Bill Bollman
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council action):
None.
DETERMINE QUORUM
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE NOVEMBER 18TH MEETING:
Modification by Tharp: John Yeomans is listed as being present, but was not in attendance.
Motion to accept modified minutes by Bishop, seconded by Pfohl. The motion carried 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION / ACTION
a. Airport Signage/Wayfinding
Using prior feedback received from the Commission, Moes and Bollman proposed options for
lighted, aluminum -framed monument -style entrance/exit signage approximately 78" x 36",
mounted on a cement foundation. Entrance signage directs visitors to parking, ambulance,
terminal/Jet Air, the viewing area, and the UI Performance Lab. Exit signage, on the other face of
the sign, directs people to Highway 1/6 and 380, and thanks them for visiting. Both sides carry the
new airport logomark. For legibility, the scale is the same as that at the Des Moines airport for.
Bollman said the lettering can be changed to reflect future changes at the airport, and the signs
can be lit externally or internally. Byers said that bid pricing two years ago on such signs, lit
internally, ran to $5500 including pedestal, lettering and lighting, but not running power to the
signs, and said he expected the price would be higher now. He estimated that a similar externally -
lit sign would cost something similar. Pfohl asked whether this was one or two signs; Bollman
confirmed it was a single structure with different signage on each side. Byers pointed out that the
externally -lit sign had an advantage in that lettering was appliqued and could be changed easily;
internally -lit signs would need a new aluminum face manufactured. The logomark could be lit and
colored blue in either option, and could stand proud of the signage or be incorporated within. The
proposed design bolds the historic IOW three -letter identifier in the "Iowa City" name. Orozco
asked whether the blue strip at the bottom of the sign could also be lit; this was confirmed.
These minutes represent only a reasonably accurate summary of the meeting of the Iowa City Airport
Commission, December 9, 2021.
December 9, 2021
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Tharp was concerned about the potential cost of replacing wayfinding directions on an internally lit
sign, seeing no future revenues available to cover manufacture of a new outer aluminum layer.
Various suggested modes of sign manufacture to get around this problem were discussed. Pfohl
and Bishop said they liked the design concept, scale, font, and internal lighting, but wanted more
information on possibilities for internal lighting that did not require cutting a new aluminum exterior
layer for each wayfinding change. Moes thought several options would be available, and either
Byers or he and Byers will go back to the sign manufacturer for more information and concepts.
Orozco raised durability concerns. All agreed that they preferred the logo embedded inside the
peak of the monument face.
Bishop asked where the sign would be installed, and Commissioners discussed placement.
Interior wayfinding signs were also discussed: four 12" x 8" signs were presented signposting Jet
Air, Pilot's Lounge, Flight Simulator, and Restrooms. Bishop, Pfohl, and Wolford requested other
signage for the conference room and Airport Manager's office; no Jet Air sign is needed.
Commissioners agreed that it would be a good idea to bring in mock-ups and try them out. A vinyl
back entry door skin design incorporating a QR code was also presented and colors discussed.
The QR code would go to a hidden airport webpage with helpful information for pilots. The front
door would have the same design with a QR code linking to the airport homepage. Bollman,
Moes, and Tharp assured the Commissioners that QR codes are unique and free to generate.
Bollman will get an estimate for the vinyl door skins.
Bollman presented a concept for the air side of the airport building that included glass brick and
the new Iogomark mounted on the end of the building. Logomark colors were discussed and
agreed upon. Orozco asked whether the Iogomark sign would be lit, and Bollman said the
proposed design could be lit internally. Commissioners indicated that they preferred external
lighting. Bollman will work with Byers on pricing.
b. FAA/IDOT Projects:
i. Obstruction Mitigation
Tharp is working with the contractor on payroll and paperwork approval to have it for the
January meeting, and says that the work itself is done.
ii. Runway 7/25 Rehab East End
The threshold rehabilitation bidding process is ready to begin. The public hearing process
will begin in January, and grant applications to fund the project will be submitted in March.
iii. Runway 25 Threshold Relocation
Bishop asked whether the amended specifications included LED lighting, and Tharp
confirmed that they were. Public hearing was opened 6:38pm.
1. Public hearing
Amendment to specifications include the addition of an equal -opportunity
employment clause and a statement forbidding contracting with those
convicted of wage theft. Both are required by the City. The project will be
bid for the entire runway either with or without heating elements on the LED
These minutes represent only a reasonably accurate summary of the meeting of the Iowa City Airport
Commission, December 9, 2021.
December 9, 2021
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lights; the Commission can accept either kind of bid. Incandescent lighting
is not requested in the bid. Lawrence asked about project funding; Tharp
said that the FAA has not yet committed to helping to fund the runway
lights project, but that City environmental funds are available if the FAA
does not come through with funding. Clair recapped the Commission's
November inclination to unheated lights due to energy savings and the
likely limited need for ice -melting. Tharp agreed that likely the airport did
not need heated lights. The engineering estimate is approximately
$600,000 for the project.
Lawrence confirmed that runway, runway end, and identification strobes
will all be LED. The Commission discussed converting the beacon to LED
as well as a future separate project, converting the airport to all -LED.
Public hearing was closed at 6:46pm
2. Consider a resolution (A21-16) approving the plans, specifications,
and form of contract as amended or the remarking and relighting of
Runway 25. Moved by Bishop, seconded by Lawrence. Motion carried
5-0.
iv. South T -hangar infrastructure
Tharp reports no current progress; survey crews have been out. Project will begin in
spring.
v. Hangar A Door Replacement (phase 1)
Tharp reports no current progress; crews have been out to examine the site. Project will
begin in spring. Tharp and Carl estimated the project would run a year.
vi. FAA FY23 ACIP Pre -Application
FAA has commented positively on a draft proposal's feasibility but warned that reliance on
discretionary funds may not compete well, and that it may be necessary for the Airport to
build up entitlement funds for a couple of years.
c. Airport Operations
i. Management
Airport Frontage Area/Parking Lot
Tharp has met with Iowa National Guard reps and says that they will be ready to move in
in February or March. They are interested in renting some of the ground around the
parking lot, which Tharp believes is possible, and he will bring a lease to the Commission
or approval. The Guard intend to use the building.
Tharp also reports that the parking lot plan will square off the north and south ends of
Beacon Circle. This should add 10 parking spots on the south end and 12 on the north
end. ADA regulations require another handicapped stall. Using straight -in rather than
These minutes represent only a reasonably accurate summary of the meeting of the Iowa City Airport
Commission, December 9, 2021.
December 9, 2021
Page 4
angled allowed for more stalls. The parking lot will be concrete with a curb. Pfohl asked for
a timeline, and Tharp said that engineering would need formal quotes and that work would
not begin until spring. Bishop asked for measurements from the beacon with respect to
green space. Commission signaled approval of Tharp's moving ahead with the project.
ii. Budget
Tharp said City Council had received the Airport's annual report in its meeting packet, and
asked for a Commissioner to come to the meeting and give an executive summary of how
the airport has done, particularly with regard to Covid's effect on the airport. The airport's
recovery has been exceptionally good. Bishop and Orozco offered to attend.
1. Art Mural and Fundraising
Clair and Pfohl met with Marcia to discuss fundraising and getting cost
estimates. The City will give $8000, and the Airport will need to cover the
balance with private donations. They discussed a history timeline mural
incorporating paintings of donors' aircraft. Marcia will find out approximate
mural cost. The opportunity will be advertised in February or March, and
the City will select candidates to bring concepts to the Commission. The
Arts Advisory Commission will handle the contracts. A timeline is not yet
set for awarding the contract and project completion.
2. Fuel Flowage Fees
Clair indicated that an update will be brought to the Commission in
approximately a month.
iii. Events
No upcoming events planned.
d. FBO / Flight Training Reports
i. Jet Air
Maintenance has slowed for the season. Some carpet cleaning has been done, storage
has been cleared up, and facilities made ready for winter. Wolford is grateful for having a
hangar space out of the wind for the plow. Jet Air had its Christmas party. Wolford and
Tharp were invited to Rantizo to see heavy-duty cropdusting drones and found them
impressive. They weigh about 150 lbs and fly at very low altitude so as not to deplete their
batteries getting up. Tharp saw potential for environmental gains with drone cropdusting,
but also for job losses.
Wolford noted that Jet Air has had some heavy traffic days with 30-40% higher volume
than last year. He saw no particular cause for this. There were 7 roundtrip charter trips
during the Big 10 Championship as compared to 1-2 last year. The supply chain continues
to present problems, but Wolford said he is well -stocked for now. Orozco asked after the
simulator, and Tharp explained that there was a known software bug involving imagery
These minutes represent only a reasonably accurate summary of the meeting of the Iowa City Airport
Commission, December 9, 2021.
December 9, 2021
Page 5
layer loading problems. Pfohl and Clair suggested that the simulator could be used more.
e. Commission Members' Reports - none.
f. Staff Report
Tharp will be on vacation from Dec 23 - Jan 3.
SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING FOR JANUARY 13, 2022
The next regular meeting of the Airport Commission will be held on Thursday, January 13th at
6:00 pm. Bishop noted that he might not be in attendance.
ADJOURN
Pfohl moved to adjourn and Bishop seconded. The motion carried 5-0 and the Commission
adjourned at 7:20 pm.
CHAIRPERSON DATE
These minutes represent only a reasonably accurate summary of the meeting of the Iowa City Airport
Commission, December 9, 2021.
December 9, 2021
Page 6
Airport Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2021
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Warren
Bishop
06/30/22
X
X
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X
X
X
X
XO/EX
X
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Scott Clair
06/30/23
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
Christopher
Lawrence
06/30/25
X
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
Hellecktra
Orozco
06/30/24
X
X
X
X/E
O/E
X
X
O/E
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
JudyPfohl
06/30/22
X
X
X/E
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
These minutes represent only a reasonably accurate summary of the meeting of the Iowa City Airport
Commission, December 9, 2021.