HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-14 Airport Commission MinutesMINUTES FINAL
IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION
September 14, 2023 — 6:00 P.M.
AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING
Members Present: Warren Bishop, Judy Pfohl, Chris Lawrence, Hellecktra Orozco, Ryan
Story
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Michael Tharp, Jennifer Schwickerath,
Others Present: Matt Wolford, Carl Byers, Sam Brooks, Erin Sullivan, Chrissy Canganelli,
Kevin Bailey
Via Zoom: Carolyn Sponza, Ron Roetzel, Ryan Anderson, Jeff King
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
None
DETERMINE QUORUM
A quorum was determined at 6:00 pm and Orozco called the meeting to order.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Tharp noted a couple of corrections in the draft minutes. Lawrence moved to accept the minutes
of August 10, 2023 as amended, seconded by Pfohl. Motion carried 5-0
PUBLIC COMMENT - None
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION / ACTION
a. Unhoused encampments (Stevens Drive/Sturgis Ferry) — Tharp stated that they
had seen a growth people camping in the area and that the environmental concerns
had returned. Bailey stated that he believed there were 12-15 people actively
camping. Tharp noted that the City had further conversations with the Iowa DNR
representative. Tharp also stated that people were beginning to camp on the west
side of the river at the Sturgis Ferry park area and that there were approximately 4-
5 people there. Tharp also noted that a complaint was made to the FAA regarding
people camping under the RPZ. Tharp stated that the FAA reached out to him to
say the complaint had been made and asked for an update of the situation. Tharp
stated he provided additional information to the FAA and that members from Kansas
City office had also been at the airport in the morning and he had taken one of the
members to the Sturgis Ferry location so they could see some of what was
happening. Sullivan described some of the situations that those in the camp are
experiencing and the barriers to housing that exist. Story stated that he was hoping
they could get some guidance from the City Council or other City staff that is setting
the policy as a whole. Tharp stated that there is a city working group having
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September 14, 2023
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discussions regarding the unhoused issue in the city. Tharp stated that in his time
at the airport this is the most unhoused people and locations he's seen in the city.
Tharp noted that his concern at the moment is that while there's no good resolution,
they have the option to do things on their timeline, a controlling agency could come
in and dictate a timeline that might not be the best for those involved. Bishop asked
about any liability concerns to which Schwickerath responded. Bailey noted they he
discusses safety issues with the people in the area. Orozco asked about the impact
to area business. Tharp noted that some businesses have put up fencing and Bailey
noted that some have been locking doors during the day. Bishop asked about if they
were to clear the encampment where would the individuals go. Story stated that his
desire was for the City Council to be making this type of decision. Lawrence stated
that his concern was with protecting the airport but also that Sullivan had stated that
having an eviction on a person's record would be detrimental to their ability to get
assistance. Members discussed how to give the message that they were going to
clean up the area and that people needed to leave before they had to use formal
processes. Tharp noted that he and Schwickerath had discussed the legal timing
for things to happen. Tharp described the process for the Commission. Bailey
described how the processed worked at a separate location within the City.
Members asked questions regarding the legal process to which Schwickerath
responded. Members discussed the timeline and aligning it with the opening of the
winter shelter on December 4th. Canganelli discussed how the winter shelter
operation works. Members continued to discuss the timeline for when to post notice
and to file the necessary steps for an eviction. Bailey discussed his outreach to the
business owners and how he takes the messages from the Commission meetings
to them. Members discussed a motion to authorize action if needed. Bishop
offered a motion to allow Tharp and Schwickerath to take action if directed by
FAA or DNR and that otherwise for Tharp to use his best judgement to respond
to external pressure. Motion was not seconded. Members discussed the motion
and revisions to it. Lawrence offered a new motion to allow Tharp and
Schwickerath to post notices on December 1St, and to have Bailey and Brooks
spread that message. The Commission also authorized Tharp and
Schwickerath to take action to respond to a controlling entity and if
determined to call a special meeting for Commission action. Seconded by
Pfohl, motion carried 5-0 Lawrence asked to have more frequent updates so the
Commission could maintain awareness of the situation.
Hangar A Mural Project — Tharp stated that the mural was started and well
underway.
Airport Construction Projects:
i. FAA grant projects
1. Runway 25 Threshold Relocation — Tharp stated that they still had
some lights left to install due to the supply issues.
2. Runway 12/30 Displaced Threshold/Relocation — Tharp stated
they were just waiting for next spring with the contractor.
3. Terminal Area Study — Sponza walked the Commission through a
summary of the survey results and structural findings. She stated
that Ryan would then walk through the landscaping. Sponza
discussed the survey results with the Commission. Byers noted that
they had news coverage with the open house meeting and that it
generated a few more survey responses. Bishop noted that the
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September 14, 2023
Page 3 of 6
structural engineering evaluation found that if they wanted to
expand upward on the existing structure, they would need to include
reinforcement of the structure but otherwise there were no major
concerns regarding the existing facility. Anderson gave an update
on the landscaping concepts developed from comments received.
Anderson stated that the takeaways from the survey were that
additional parking was needed, and that alley concept was favored.
Also, commenters wanted to maintain a 2 -way route to the south
hangar area rather than having to go around the entire traffic circle.
Anderson highlighted the features of the new layout plan with the
Commission. Anderson noted that the area for the solar power field
to happen but also to happen over a parking structure. Anderson
described signage at the frontage road along with an accessible
sidewalk for the entrance and a future connection to trails.
Lawrence asked if the parking area under the solar power area
maintained the necessary space for the planned array. Anderson
stated it did and that it incorporated more space than what was
originally proposed. Members discussed the layout of the parking
areas and other landscaping. Anderson asked Commission
members about some monument concepts to which the
Commission responded. Lawrence asked about what impact the
layout in the concept did to the existing plans for the solar power
project and if Tharp was asking for a hold on current plans. Tharp
responded that the phase of the solar power was a couple of years
out and while he still needed to confirm with the solar consultant,
this shouldn't impact the project. Sponza then walked the
Commission through the different building options. Sponza noted
that based on the comments and needs data the building needed
approximately 1800 to 2000 more square feet. Sponza described
each of the proposed options for expansion and construction of a
new building showing potential layouts. Members discussed
features of each option. Members chose by consensus to move
forward with the concept of a new building. Tharp then discussed
the grant process and the necessary steps they'd need to get
through in order to construct any of the options. Tharp stated that
they would not be ready to apply for a construction grant, but could
apply for a planning grant to get through the environmental and
historical review processes and then design and bid the preferred
option. Members discussed the difference in the options labeled 3e.
and 4 which were a remodel of existing building and a brand new
building. Orozco moved to accept option 4, seconded by
Bishop. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Solar Power Project — Tharp stated that the consultant has
submitted everything to the FAA for the environmental review.
Tharp noted that as part of the process there's a public comment
period needed. Tharp stated he was asking for approval to publish
that notice.
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a. Consider a resolution approving publication of notice of
floodplain encroachment. Bishop moved resolution
#A23-17, seconded by Pfohl. Motion carried 5-0
ii. Iowa DOT grant projects
1. FY23 Program —
a. Terminal Building Improvements — Tharp stated they have
the contract for the building improvements and that the cost
was $15,200. Lawrence moved to authorize the chair to
sign the contract, seconded by Bishop. Motion carried 5-
0
b. Wayfinding/Signage — Tharp noted that they sent the
signage materials to a number of contractors, but the
only response they received suggested a change in
materials to use an acrylic structure. Bishop asked
about just not doing the project given the consideration
of the changes. Lawrence moved to terminate the
project and return remaining money to the state,
seconded by Orozco. Motion carried 5-0
iii. Airport/Locally Funded Projects — none
iv. Future Projects — none
d. Airport "Operations"
i. Budget — Tharp stated that the budget kickoff is the 27th of the month and
that's when they'd get their information. Tharp stated that Lawrence and
Orozco were the standing budget committee and that they'd most likely need
to have things ready for the October meeting. Orozco stated that meeting in
person is what they were thinking about so they can get it done in one
session.
ii. Management —
1. Sept 19th meeting with Council — Tharp stated that next Tuesday
was the meeting with the City Council and the presentation of the
strategic plan. Tharp noted that he would reach out to the City
Manager's to see if there was an opportunity to discuss the
unhoused situation. Members discussed the meeting details and
what to expect. Tharp stated he was expecting a 15-20 minute
conversation and suggested that they highlight things that matched
up with the Council's strategic plan, like the solar power project, the
art mural. Tharp noted that the Council would have a copy of the
plan as part of their packet.
iii. Events — Tharp stated that they had a couple of events left. Tharp stated
that the pancake breakfast had one of the best turnouts in his recent
memory.
1. Autocross — Oct 1
2. Pancake Breakfast — August 27
3. Climate Fest Film Night — Sept 21
e. FBO / Flight Training Reports —
L Jet Air — Wolford stated that they had brought over some staff from
Galesburg to support the breakfast preparation. Wolford stated that they
were planning for a flyover of the upcoming football game.
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f. Commission Members' Reports — Orozco noted that she wouldn't be available
for the next meeting. Story noted that his hangar cookout was occurring on
Saturday.
g. Staff Report — none
SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING — Members set the next meeting for October 12.
ADJOURN
Bishop moved to adjourn, seconded by Pfohl. Motion carried 5-0 . Meeting adjourned at 8:40pm
T
CHAIR ERaGl DATE
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September 14, 2023
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Airport Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2022-2023
Key:
X = Present
X/E = Present for Part of Meeting
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = Not a Member at this time
X/S = Present for subcommittee meeting
O/S = Absent, not a member of the subcommittee
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N
N
N
N
N
N
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
Warren
06/30/26
Bishop
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Scott Clair
06/30/23
X
X
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
O/E
O/E
X/E
O/E
NM
NM
NM
Christopher
06/30/25
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
O/E
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Lawrence
Hellecktra
06/30/24
X
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
X/E
O/E
O/E
O/E
X
X
X
X
X
Orozco
Judy Pfohl
06/30/26
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Ryan Story
06/30/27
Not A Member
X
O/E
X
Key:
X = Present
X/E = Present for Part of Meeting
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = Not a Member at this time
X/S = Present for subcommittee meeting
O/S = Absent, not a member of the subcommittee