HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-08 Airport Commission Minutes MINUTES FINAL
IOWA CITY AIRPORT COMMISSION
MAY 6, 2025—6:00 P.M.
AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING
Members Present: Hellecktra Orozco, Ryan Story, Judy Pfohl, Chris Lawrence
Members Absent: Warren Bishop
Staff Present: Michael Tharp, Jennifer Schwickerath
Others Present: Adam Thompson, Ryan From, Braeden Collins
RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL:
None
DETERMINE QUORUM
A quorum was determined at 6:00 pm and Lawrence called the meeting to order.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Story moved to.approve the minutes as amended by Pfohl, from April 10, 2025, seconded by
Orozco. Motion carried 4-0. (Bishop Absent)
PUBLIC COMMENT- None
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION 1 ACTION
a. Airport Construction Projects:
i. FAA grant projects
1. Runway 12130 Displaced Threshold/Relocation —Tharp stated that
they were still dealing with the temporary light issues on 30 and they
would be working with the FAA to close out the contract and grant
as much as they could. Tharp stated the lights were working and
flight checks were completed.
ii. low_ a DOT grant projects
1. T-hangar Building
a. Iowa DOT Grant Application — Tharp stated that Adam was
finishing up the data for the grant application. Tharp stated
that they would apply for 2 grants, the AIP program would be
approximately$400,000 and the GAVI program would be for
$300,000 which was the cap for that application. Tharp
stated that he also watched the Marion City Council meeting,
and they had voted to accept a purchase proposal to keep
the Marion Airport open. Tharp noted that that was
scheduled to be formalized at the end of June and that he
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had received a few phone calls from Marion tenants looking
for space. Thompson shared copies of the draft application
and stated that the total project cost estimate was
$1,535,000. Thompson stated the estimated total local
match was $235,000. Lawrence asked about the financing
of the local match. Tharp stated they were planning on using
the money from projects that were cancelled or moved like
the 2nd phase solar array and the terminal building
modernization. They would be looking at a loan for the
remaining local match. Thompson stated that they still
needed to update some of the imagery of the building layout
for the grant application. Tharp noted that they were due
Thursday by 4pm.
2. Wildlife Mitigation Study — Tharp stated,that this project was a
product of the elk that made a visit to the airport. Tharp stated that
he had a visit with the Iowa DOT after that event. Tharp noted that
the growth of operations and the animal encounters warrant a study.
Tharp noted that the DOT contracts with the USDA to conduct a
wildlife assessment and the airport contracts with the DOT to cover
the local match value of the contract. Story asked what the product
was. Tharp stated that at the end of the study they would get a
report that would detail the animals seen and provide options for
mitigation. Tharp stated this would also open up other grant funding
opportunities for completing these kinds of projects.
a. Consider a resolution A25-10 approving agreement with Iowa
DOT — Pfohl moved resolution #A25-10, seconded by
Story. Motion carried 4-0. (Bishop Absent)
b. Airport"Operations"
i. Budget—Tharp stated there was a couple of months left of the budget. Tharp
noted that they had some unplanned expenses in that the older fuel tanks
were due for a 20-year condition inspection that was completed.
ii. Management—Tharp noted that a couple of hangar doors had some issues
as the warm weather was bringing more activity to the doors. Tharp stated
that the annual fire and maintenance inspections would begin Friday May
23rd.
1. Hangar 319er — Tharp introduced Ryan From to the Commission
who discussed the hangar project with the members. From
described what they planned to do with the hangar and its
operations. From stated that they owned a Cirrus and that he's also
involved in a partnership with a Pilatus. From noted they were
working through some items like the building needed to have a
sprinkler system.
2. Public Hearing on commercial business agreement — Lawrence
opened the public comment period at 6:24pm. Tharp stated that
he had not received any comments through email or other sources.
No other comments were received. Lawrence closed the public
hearing at 6:25pm.
3. Consider a resolution #A25-11 approving a commercial business
agreement with Hangar 319er, LLC. Lawrence moved to approve
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resolution #A25-11, seconded by Story. Motion carried 4-0.
(Bishop Absent)
iii, Events — Tharp stated that the calendar hasn't changed and that the next
event coming up was the first Drive-In movie of the year:
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)
c. FBO 1 Flight Training Reports
1. Jet Air—Wolford stated they had been mowing. Wolford stated that the zero-
turn mower was having issues, but they were working through it. Wolford
noted that with the grass landing area, Tharp laid out a couple of areas and
that they went out and looked at them. Wolford stated along the edge of
7125 about 80 feet out there was a line of storm drains. Wolford stated that
they were mowing it and rolling it. Wolford noted that they looked at a spot
along 12130, but it was really wavy and didn't appear to be a good area.
Wolford stated that they were going to focus on the area next to 7125 for now.
Lawrence asked about adding a note to the chart supplement and Tharp
stated they were not planning on updating the chart supplement and would
be using a notam to notify pilots that the area was available. Lawrence asked
about how the mural was holding up and Tharp responded. Lawrence asked
if there were any plans for the trees along the drive that were dead. Tharp
noted that he had received pricing for the removals and the estimate was
around $30,000 at the time. Wolford noted that flight training was extremely
busy and that they had 4 airplanes at Iowa City that were active. Wolford
noted that they had a new Kodiak that a customer had purchased and was
the first one to be on a charter certificate ever.
d. Commission Members' Reports — Lawrence stated that he and Pfohl went to City
Hall. He noted that it was as expected. Pfohl noted that Lawrence did invite them
all to tour the airport.
e. Staff Report— Tharp stated that they hosted the Friends of Historic Preservation for
their annual report. He noted that they had a presentation about the transportation
history of Johnson County and the airport was a part of that. Tharp stated that he
had included in the last update that he attended the Iowa Public Airports Association
conference and that he was re-elected to the Board of Directors and as the Board
President. Tharp stated he was also watching the state legislature for legislation
moving through the final days. Tharp introduced Braeden Collins as the McClure
intern who would also be spending time at the airport. Collins introduced himself to
the Commission stating he was a student at the University of Dubuque.
i. 4 States (FAA Central Region) Conference—Kansas City(August 20-22)
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SET NEXT REGULAR MEETING —Set the next meeting for June 12t'.
ADJOURN — Story moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:55pm. Seconded by Orozco. Motion
carried 4-0. (Bishop Absent)
CHAIRPERSON DATE
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May 8,2025
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Airport Commission
ATTENDANCE RECORD
2024-2025
TERM o o o o N o w cQs
N W 3 CD �1 O} N W W W o CO
NAME — — — — — �- — — — —
EXP. N N N N N N N N N N N N N
Warren 06/30/26
X X X X X X X X X X X X O/E
Bishop
Christopher 06/30/25 O/E O/E O/E X X O/E X X X O/E X X X
Lawrence
Heliecktra 06/30/28 O/E X X O/E X O/E X X O/E O/E X O/E X
Orozco
Judy Pfohl 06/30/26 X X X X X X X X O/E X X X X
Ryan Story 06/30/27 X X O/E X X X X X X X X X X
Key:
X = Present
XIE = Present for Part of Meeting
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = Not a member at this time
XIS = Present for subcommittee meeting
OIS = Absent, not a member of the subcommittee