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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-17-2012 Airport Commission Meeting Minutes Airport Commission May 17, 2012 Page 1 MINUTES FINAL IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION MAY 17, 2012— 6:00 P.M. AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING Members Present: Jose Assouline, Minnetta Gardinier, Howard Horan, Rick Mascari Staff Present: Sue Dulek, Michael Tharp Others Present: Jeff Edberg, David Hughes, Toby Myers RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: (to become effective only after separate Council action): None CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Assouline called the meeting to order at 6:04 P.M. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Minutes of the April 19, 2012, meeting were reviewed. Mascari moved to approve the minutes of the April 19, 2012, meeting as submitted; seconded by Horan. Motion carried 3-0; Gardinier absent. PUBLIC DISCUSSION: None. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION/ACTION: a. Airport Commerce Park — Jeff Edberg addressed the Members, noting that he has been getting frequent calls on the lots but nothing solid yet. He then responded to Members' questions, noting that with summer approaching he hopes to see increased interest. Members asked about the option period and if Deery had indicated if they were going to exercise their options for additional lots. Edberg will check with Deery Brothers to see if they want to take advantage of being able to purchase an additional lot. Mascari discussed other ideas for uses, mentioning that when the lots were first marketed, a group was interested in putting in an IMAX theater in the area. A brief discussion ensued about the history of this and other ideas previously considered. b. Terminal Building Brick Repair—Tharp noted that this afternoon they did a completion walk-through, and there are just a few things left to complete—the planter, some touch- up work, the keypad area. Members briefly discussed the damage done to the door keypad, noting that it was damaged by the acid wash used during repairs. Tharp will look into this issue and let Members know what he finds out. c. Hangar L—Tharp stated that he is working with the contractor on this and they hope to have a groundbreaking schedule in the next week or so. d. FAA/IDOT Projects/AECOM: i. Obstruction Mitigation — David Hughes stated that they have done some additional survey work on this. Airport Commission May 17, 2012 Page 2 ii. 7/25 Parallel Taxiway— The contractor will be starting back to work on this in the next few days, according to Hughes. Plans and specs have been reviewed by the FAA and are now ready for the public hearing to be set. 1. Consider a resolution setting a public hearing on plans, specifications, and form of contract for Runway 7/25 Parallel Taxiway Paving and Lighting — Mascari moved to consider Resolution #Al2-18, setting a public hearing on plans, specifications, and form of contract for the Runway 7/25 Parallel Taxiway Paving and Lighting project; seconded by Gardinier. Motion carried 4-0. Gardinier noted that she will be out of town for the next Commission meeting, June 21. Tharp added that all other Members will need to be present in order to meet a quorum, or the meeting needs to be rescheduled so more Members are able to attend. e. Airport Electrical Rehab — Hughes noted that he met with Tharp earlier today to go over these plans. He then briefly responded to Members' questions. f. AOPA Airport Support Network— Mascari noted that Members should have copies of the AOPA information that he received and sent to them. He briefly summarized the information, noting that federal grant money is shown to be 90% FAA, 5% state, and 5% local. Tharp noted that they typically have not had any luck getting the state's 5% match. Mascari continued, stating that the information from AOPA also talks about how they can promote the Airport. He stated that one of the ideas is to have an open house. The discussion continued, with Mascari summarizing some of the AOPA suggestions on such issues as being a good neighbor, noise reduction, and public education. Mascari added that he would like to see them move forward with promoting the Airport by using some of the AOPA suggestions. g. Aviation Authority —Assouline stated that he did meet with Jeff Davidson recently to talk about the Riverfront Crossings area. He shared with Members what he learned from this meeting, noting that Davidson is willing to come to a Commission meeting to speak about this, if the others are interested. The discussion continued, with Tharp laying out how this topic came up recently. Basically, if they were to switch to an aviation authority, it would require a lot of steps and information sharing, according to Tharp. Horan weighed in on the topic, stating that he is encouraging Tharp to share with others, such as the CVB and the Chamber, all that the Airport has accomplished. He believes that the Airport needs to be presented to be as strong and substantial as possible. The discussion continued, with Assouline stating that he believes Davidson could help them to review this matter, and that knowing the City's position on this would be good to know. Gardinier added that she felt the articles in the Corridor Business Journal were dismissive of the Iowa City Airport. Assouline added that he believes they should not take this too seriously. Members continued to discuss the issue, with Assouline noting that they need to educate themselves on the topic first, before they can educate others. Members continued to discuss the possibility of an aviation authority, with Dulek responding to questions and concerns. Gardinier suggested that someone from the Commission attend the Cedar Rapids' Airport meetings to see if the topic comes up. This, and talking to similar airports in the state that have gone to an authority, will help to educate the Members as they move forward. Tharp will make some phone calls to see what he can set up and will get additional information for the Commission to review. h. South Airport Development—Tharp stated that he did not have anything new to share, but he asked Assouline to share his conversation with Jeff Davidson from the Planning Airport Commission May 17, 2012 Page 3 department. As a follow-up to Davidson's presentation, Assouline stated that he asked if there was anything new to share with the Commission regarding this. He stated that Davidson did share some maps and other possible plans for the area, and that he will share these with Members when he returns to do a follow-up with them. Members continued to discuss the various options for the area south of the Airport, and how development along the riverfront could play into this. i. Airport "Operations": i. Strategic Plan — Implementation — Tharp briefly addressed their plan, stating that they may want to review this in the next month or so. ii. Budget—Tharp noted that they have about six weeks left in the current fiscal year. The budget will break even, as has been previously discussed. He added that he has looked into the bathroom issue that Gardinier brought up at the last meeting and they should be able to do this in-house. The project would include countertops and urinals, according to Tharp. Mascari then asked for some clarification on the Airport's total budget. iii. Management— None. j. FBO / Flight Training Reports: Jet Air/ Air Care —Toby Myers with Jet Air addressed the group next. He stated that they may be bringing more jets to the field soon. He added that their shop has been extremely busy lately, as business continues to improve. Jet Air is hoping to become a Cessna service center for Iowa, according to Myers, and has begun the process to do so. The discussion turned to a possible open house, with Jet Air being interested in hosting some type of event. 1. Public Hearing —Assouline opened the public hearing. Tharp briefly noted that this is for the ground lease with Jet Air for a piece of land on the east side of the University's building, where they will put up an 80 by 80 hangar, and after a 30-year ground lease, the hangar will be turned over to the Airport. He also responded to Members' questions and concerns regarding this lease. Assouline closed the public hearing. 2. Consider a resolution approving ground lease with Jet Air, Inc. — Horan moved to consider Resolution #Al2-19, approving a ground lease with Jet Air, Inc.; seconded by Mascari. Motion carried 4-0. ii. Iowa Flight Training — None. k. Subcommittee Reports —Tharp stated that tonight is the Events Subcommittee's turn. Horan noted that they will have this ready for the next meeting. Gardinier has been talking with the Barnstormer's group about an event, and also a Young Eagle's event. Members briefly discussed what it would cost to have TV or radio advertisements for such events. Tharp will look into this further. Gardinier added that Tim Busch is interested in doing youth aviation events and suggested they contact him regarding this. I. Commission Members' Reports — Horan shared that he has had more flight time in the past month. Members briefly talked about how they might increase interest in the Commission position that is still open. Mascari asked what the problem was last month with the windsock lights. Tharp noted that they just needed to be replaced. He then asked if there are any hangars currently being used for something other than aircraft, such as storage. Tharp stated that as far as he knows there are no hangars being used just for storage, that he keeps fairly close tabs on who is on the field. Gardinier then Airport Commission May 17, 2012 Page 4 brought up the huge key ring with keys to most of the hangars on it. She stated that they should remove old keys and those that belong to unknowns. m. Staff Report—Tharp stated that on July 17 and 18 there will be a training opportunity in Cedar Rapids for airport executives that he would like to attend. Tharp will also be taking part in some special training at the Airport next week. SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING FOR: The next regular meeting will be Thursday, June 21, 2012, at 6:00 P.M. at the Airport Terminal building. ADJOURN: The meeting adjourned at 7:55 P.M. Horan made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 P.M.; seconded by Mascari. Motion carried 4-0. • 1()// 91i CHAIRP + DATE Airport Commission May 17,2012 Page 5 Airport Commission ATTENDANCE RECORD 2012 TERM o N) (o 0416 0 p j N NAME EXP. w N Rx) N N N N N 03/01/13 X XX X X X Rick Mascari 03/01/14 X XX X X X Howard Horan Minnetta 03/01/15 X X XX X X Gardinier Jose 03/02/12 O/E X X X X X Assouline Key: X = Present X/E = Present for Part of Meeting O = Absent O/E =Absent/Excused NM = Nota Member at this time