08/06/2008
AIRPARK ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
August 6, 2008
Present: Dennis G. Roper Chair
Edward J. Dolezal, Jr. Board Member
Denise L. Rosenberger Board Member
Absent: David Spaulding Board Member
Todd N. Fontechia Board Member
Also Present: Gordon Wills Airport Operations Manager
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2. Approval of Minutes – February 6, 2008
Member Dolezal moved to approve the minutes of the regular Airpark Advisory Board
meeting of February 6, 2008, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
The Chair welcomed new Board Member Denise Rosenberger.
3. Tenant & Lease Report from FBO
FBO (Fixed-Base Operator) representative Barbara Cooper reported on tenant levels
and the number of visitors to the Airpark in February, March, April, May, June, and July. The
number of visitors has decreased somewhat from the prior year. The t-hangars and shade
hangars are rented and the corporate hangars are at full capacity. The shade hangar list is
short, however, the t-hangar list is full. Several hard and grass stands are available, as
seasonal users have returned home.
4. Old Business
a) Clearwater Airpark Economic Impact Analysis
This item was deferred to the next meeting.
b) Discuss current projects at the Airpark
1. Next Open House
Ms. Cooper reported the next Airpark Open House is scheduled for October 4, 2008
from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Festivities planned include a K-9 officer, more children’s games
than last year, a Coast Guard helicopter, model airplanes, a face painter, a clown, reduced rate
helicopter and airplane flights, a fire truck, antique aircraft displays, etc. The RC Airplane Show
will be held early in the morning this year.
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2. New Hangar
Airport Operations Manager Gordon Wills said plans for the new corporate hangar are
75% complete.
5. New Business
a) Airport Insurance Charge Changes
Mr. Wills said as the City changed the methodology for calculating Airpark insurance
rates, insurance charges to the Airpark would decrease by more than $60,000 in October.
Hopes are that fuel sales will increase and together with the decreased insurance rates, the
Airpark’s bottom line will improve. In response to a question, Ms. Cooper said although fuel
sales have drastically decreased by 40% – 50% this year, over the last four months there has
been some downward movement in the cost of fuel.
Discussion ensued with a request that the City continue to be vigilant in obtaining
insurance quotes that reflect true exposure for the Airpark.
b) St. Pete Tower Personnel to Discuss Flight Pattern
Russ Argus, Richard Ball, Adam Jensen, and Ravi Gokool from St.
Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport FAA (Federal Aviation Authority) Tower, were
present to review Clearwater Airpark’s noise abatement and flight pattern procedures and
answer questions from the board.
Mr. Wills said St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport Tower personnel were
invited to address the board in response to a complaint that staff received from a resident living
near the Clearwater Airpark who was upset that a plane flew over her house. She felt that
Airpark staff intentionally directs pilots to fly over her house. Mr. Wills said pilots are required to
file flight plans and follow standard departure procedures and cannot deviate from them without
consequences. Mr. Wills said he explained Airpark procedures to the resident and invited her to
attend today’s meeting, however, she was not present. Ms. Cooper said in some instances
such as adverse weather conditions, the St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport Control
Tower issues IFR (International Flight Rules) clearances to Clearwater Airpark pilots.
Richard Ball, St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport Air Traffic Controller, said
the FAA’s (Federal Aviation Authority) web site is a good resource regarding noise abatement
and other airport-related issues. He said the St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport
Tower has agreements with Tampa International Airport to issue flight plans to pilots with
aircraft on the ground at Clearwater Airpark. In response to a question, Mr. Ball said the St.
Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport Control Tower does not contact pilots to ensure that
they comply with noise abatement procedures as they approach area airports. He said after
reviewing Clearwater Airpark’s web page and visiting the Airpark, he noticed that signage at the
Clearwater Airpark indicates a noise abatement heading of 030 on Runway 34, however, the
Airpark’s web site indicates the noise abatement heading is 020.
In response to a question, Russ Argus, St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport
Frontline Manager, said the St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport has had no
problems with airspace intrusions from aircraft flying 747 patterns. In response to a question
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from a resident, he said pilots who deviate from standard IFRs are reported to a higher-level
regulatory office for discipline.
Board members thanked St. Petersburg/Clearwater Airport personnel for taking the time
to speak to the board.
c) Role of the Airpark Advisory Board
Mr. Wills stated Council recently reviewed the board's role. A copy will be provided to
board members. He said the AAB's (Airpark Advisory Board) role is to serve the Council in an
advisory capacity.
6. Aqenda for next meetinq on November 5. 2008
Items for discussion at the next meeting include: 1) Results of the Open House, and 2)
Clearwater Airpark Economic Impact Analysis Update.
7. Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 3:36 p.m.
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Chair
Airpark Advisory Board
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Board Reporter
Airpark Advisory 2008-08-06
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