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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-13 Airport Commission Minutes MINUTES FINAL IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION March 13, 2025 —6:00 P.M. AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING Members Present: Warren Bishop, Ryan Story, Judy Pfohl, Chris Lawrence, Hellecktra Orozco, Members Absent: Staff Present: Michael Tharp, Jennifer Schwickerath Others Present: Adam Thompson, Eric Jans, Dick Miller RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: None DETERMINE QUORUM A quorum was determined at 6:01 pm and Lawrence called the meeting to order. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Story moved to approve the minutes from February 13, 2025, seconded by Pfohl. Motion carried 5-0. PUBLIC COMMENT - None ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION /ACTION a. T-Hangar Lease Language — Tharp stated that over the last few months, the Commission has been discussing updating t-hangar language to encourage turnover in the hangars to provide an opportunity for more active fliers to get hangars. Tharp stated that he had sent the draft revisions to hangar tenants both via email and postal mail. Story relayed comments on the hangar leases that he received. Tharp responded to comments. Tharp noted there was no time limit for construction or repairs. Story referenced general questions regarding enforcement. Tharp noted that beyond the annual inspections that occur, enforcement would likely be complaint based. Story asked about the process for enforcement and Tharp stated that it would be an eviction process which would be brought to the Commission. Story asked about home built aircraft. Tharp noted they did add language for home built aircraft to have active process but it also isn't specifically defined with a time limit. Schwickerath noted that they had discussed using a time limit but it was also difficult to judge what limit would be adequate. Bishop noted that they should stress they're not trying to kick anyone out, but they do understand the wait time on the waiting list is long. Dick Miller asked about private hangar development. Tharp noted they have extended taxiway infrastructure for private Airport Commission March 13,2025 Page 2 of 5 hangar builds so that is also an option for folks. Lawrence asked if there were any other comments regarding the language. i. Consider a motion approving t-hangar lease template - Pfohl moved to adopt the t-hangar lease template, seconded by Orozco. Motion carried 3-0 (Story, Bishop abstain) b. Airport Construction Projects: i. FAA grant projects 1. Runway 12/30 Displaced Threshold/Relocation — Tharp stated that there wasn't a lot of news for the runway project. Tharp said they were waiting for the manufacturer to send the REIL replacements for the contractor to install and they were waiting to hear back from FAA on the flight check schedule. 2. Solar Power Project— Tharp stated that the project was complete and the punch list was complete. Tharp stated that he was happy to report that the portion of the array that was powering building D had generated more energy than they consumed over the last billing cycle. He said the runway lighting array had come close but didn't quite get there and he hoped the next cycle would show a surplus of energy. a. Consider a resolution accepting the project as complete — Lawrence moved resolution #A25-05, seconded by Story. Motion carried 5-0. ii. Iowa DOT grant projects—Tharp stated that over the last couple of weeks, he had sent an email to the Commission regarding the situation at Marion's airport and that if Marion did close, he wanted to do as much as possible to capture some of those airplanes that would be looking for new locations. Tharp stated that he had conversations with the Iowa DOT, the FAA and the City regarding funding. Tharp stated that he was hoping to be able to build something around 1500 square feet with 45 foot wide doors. Tharp stated that he was also working with McClure on pricing. Tharp noted that they had the money remaining from the infrastructure law funding, and that they had Iowa DOT grant programs that would be available for funds. Tharp stated that they had approximately$600,000 of funds from the federal side, and the DOT grant programs would have up to $300,000 for the verticial instructure program and uncapped dollars available through the state AIP program for pavements. Tharp also stated that they could potentially have money from the FAA AIP program but that also comes with strings because they have to state to the FAA that their airside project needs are met for the next 3 years. Lawrence stated that they would need to weigh current projects if they used AIP and that even though they couldn't spend money, their allocations would continue to be banked through the 3 years. Tharp stated that he also discussed with the City a loan of up to $500,000 to be available as the last dollars in. Bishop asked about the location and Tharp responded. Tharp stated that the extension of the taxiway in the area is also part of his long term vision for secondary access in the area. Tharp stated that the FAA was on board using the remainder of the BIL money and potentially the AIP funds with the restrictions. Tharp stated that the state was supportive with their funding programs. Tharp stated that the triggering event was Marion announcing they were planning to shut the runway down and that even if that Airport Commission March 13,2025 Page 3 of 5 didn't happen, given the size of the waiting list he believes the market for hangars is there regardless. Lawrence stated that if the Commission went with this plan, they were using the funds that were planned for the 2nd phase of the solar array and that project would be shelved. Pfohl asked what was needed from the Commission. Tharp stated that he just needed their approval to move forward. Tharp stated that the first real test would be the state grant applications that are due in May. Bishop asked about how the hangars would be treated with regard to the hangar waiting list. Tharp stated that they had a couple of different options. Tharp noted that they had people looking for larger spaces and it would likely be a targeted marketing setup because they would be charging approximately 50% more than the currently t-hangar price points. Tharp also noted that as they moved forward, they would offer pre-leasing for the hangars. Lawrence stated that through the development he would recommend they proceed with having the hangars fully heated vs "heat capable". Members agreed by consensus to move forward with Tharp's plan as presented. iii. Grass Landing Ops —Tharp stated that this was just an update about how they were planning on detailing the areas available for landing. Tharp stated that he had discussed with Wolford options and that Wolford had showed him how they marked their runway on the farm with white rocks. Story asked about rolling it, and Tharp responded they want to roll it at least this first time and walk it to make sure they were catching any dangerous conditions. iv. Airport Terminal Building Modernization/Replacement — Tharp stated that he, Chris and Hellecktra, had met with Adam and had a chance to talk about the project and now that they weren't pressed by going after the FAA terminal program grant, they had the option to take a step back and re- examine ways to review the current building and expansion options and continue to use the existing building. Tharp stated the process still had some good results and the space needs study gave them confirmation on their needs. Thompson discussed the process for moving forward with the Commission and doing a deeper look at those alternatives. c. Airport "Operations" i. Budget — Tharp stated that they had a couple of hangar doors that had issues over the last month that would have an impact. Tharp noted that one door got stuck open during one of the deep freezes, and that it damaged some of the water lines in the hangar. ii. Management— 1. Hangar Ground Lease — Tharp stated that over the last couple of months he had been working with Matt and Jennifer to negotiate a ground lease for the development of a hangar. The hangar lease is a 50 year lease at $.35 per square foot per year. Pfohl asked if this made them another FBO to which Tharp said it didn't. Story asked about the length of the term at 50 years. Tharp noted that this was a product of negotiations and the cost of the hangar to be built. Story asked about the improvements versus the rent rate reduction. Tharp stated that he did not have complete numbers but expected the costs for improvements to exceed the costs of the rent reduction. Story asked what the last ground rates rented where, and Tharp Airport Commission March 13,2025 Page 4 of 5 responded that the last ground hangar build was $.25 per square foot which was about 10 years ago. a. Consider a resolution setting a public hearing with Hangar 319er, LLC for a ground lease to construct a hangar—Lawrence moved resolution#A25-06,seconded by Orozco. Motion carried 3-0 iii. Events — Tharp noted that the EAA event at the beginning of April was coming up before the next meeting. Tharp stated that the Young Eagles date had been set for August 16t". Tharp stated the movie schedule and movie lists had been published but didn't have the list with him. 1. Summer of the Arts Movies (May 17, June 21, July 19, Aug 9) 2. Young Eagles (Aug 16th) 3. Pancake Breakfast (Aug 24) 4. Autocross (April 13, June 8, Sept 14, Oct 19) 5. EAA 33 Tri-motor/B-25 (April 4-6) d. FBO / Flight Training Reports i. Jet Air—Wolford stated he didn't have a lot, but hoped they were done with snow. Wolford noted the taxiway lights had been working since their repairs were completed. He also noted that they would need to do some work on door seals. Wolford stated that he was working on a door for Hangar M which might need more work. e. Staff Evaluation i. Airport Manager- Members thanked Tharp for his work. Tharp stated that he appreciated the vote of confidence and that if there was ever an issue where they perceived he wasn't meeting expectations to let him know, because he can't fix it if he doesn't know it's broken. Tharp stated that he and Lawrence had talked previously and that he was asking the Commission to hold his step increase payment for budgetary purposes. Tharp noted that the Commission recently adjusted the pay scale and wages and that knowing the budget gave him a better perspective on it. f. Commission Members' Reports — none g. Staff Report— Tharp noted the conference coming up and that if members wanted to attend they could work with him to get registered. Tharp noted that IPAA hosted their legislative reception but he was ill that night. Tharp stated that it wasn't as well attended as in the past and that they were watching the budget conversations now. i. State Aviation Conference Okoboji —(April 15-17) ii. 4 States (FAA Central Region) Conference — Kansas City (August 20- 22) SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING —Set the next meeting for April 101n ADJOURN —Story moved to adjorn the meeting at 7:10pm. Seconded by Bishop. Motion carried 5-0 CHAIRPERSON DATE Airport Commission March 13,2025 Page 5 of 5 Airport Commission ATTENDANCE RECORD 2024-2025 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o 0 0 TERM cn cn w ao cc o N N w co iv w co iv w A N w w w NAME EXP. A A A A A A A A A A CT1 CT1 CT1 Warren 06/30/26 Bishop O/E O/E X X X X X X X X X X X Christopher 06/30/25 X X O/E O/E O/E X X O/E X X X O/E X Lawrence Hellecktra 06/30/28 O/E X O/E X X O/E X O/E X X O/E O/E X Orozco Judy Pfohl 06/30/26 X O/E X X X X X X X X O/E X X Ryan Story 06/30/27 X X X X O/E 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 X/S = Present for subcommittee meeting O/S = Absent, not a member of the subcommittee