08/05/2009
AIRPARK ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
August 5, 2009
Present: Dennis G. Roper Chair
Denise L. Rosenberger Vice-Chair
Edward O’Brien Board Member
Absent: Thomas D. Black Board Member
Walter Crosby Board Member
Also Present: Camilo Soto Assistant City Attorney
William Morris Marine & Aviation Director
Gordon Wills Airport Operations Manager
Patricia O. Sullivan 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
– May 6, 2009
Member O’Brien moved to approve the minutes of the regular Airpark Advisory Board
meeting of May 6, 2009, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion
was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 - Tenant & Lease Report from FBO
FBO (Fixed-Base Operator) representative Barbara Cooper reported on tenant levels
and visitors. Eleven shade hangars and many tie-downs are empty; there is a waitlist for t-
hangars. She reviewed grass mowing efforts. Airport Operations Manager Gordon Wills said
the Airpark is not billed for the Parks & Recreation Department’s contract to mow the area
between the runway and golf course. The FBO is responsible for maintaining the grass on the
berm and by the hangars.
Additional Airpark Issues
Mr. Wills said the only City employees at the Airpark are Marine & Aviation Director Bill
Morris, Police Aides, and himself. As the number of employees at the Marina is reduced,
remaining staff will have to assume additional responsibilities. It was noted that the Airpark is
an Enterprise Fund. Mr. Morris said the City Council had not discussed Enterprise funds at
budget meetings.
Mr. Wills reviewed the FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) funded project to
upgrade Airpark security that includes an advanced camera system, new perimeter fencing, and
new gates and operating motors. A proposal has been submitted to FDOT to use FDOT JPA
(Joint Participation Agreement) funds, budgeted for a corporate hangar, to replace shade
hangars with t-hangars. Ms. Cooper said there is a market for enclosed hangars.
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Mr. Morris reported the City Council had received complaints that small planes and
helicopters are flying too low along north beach. He will discuss this issue with the FBO to
determine if these sightseeing aircraft are based at the Airpark.
Attendance by Experimental Aircraft Association members was recognized. Concern
was expressed that Airpark tenants do not attend board meetings. Discussion ensued
regarding scheduling board meetings at the Airpark. Mr. Morris recommended that Ms. Cooper
meet with Airpark tenants and report their concerns to the board.
Mr. Wills reported that Astronaut Nicole Stott, from Clearwater, will fly on the next Space
Shuttle mission and will spend two months on the International Space Station.
Recommendations were made to contact local news organizations regarding this event, to invite
her to speak at a City event, and to present her with the Key to the City.
4 – Old Business
4.1 Financial Liaison Report
Finance Assistant Director Jay Ravins reported that the City’s method to determine
tenant rates for the next year is based on the June 30 CPI (Consumer Price Index). The June
30, 2009 CPI is lower that the June 30, 2008 CPI and tenant rates for fiscal year 2009/10 will
reflect a reduction.
5 – New Business
5.1 Friends of the Airpark
Mr. Morris said he had been approached by a group of retirees who no longer fly but
wish to have access to the Airpark. If the board supports a “Friends of the Airpark” group, due
to staff cutbacks, he would need to request organizational help from a board member to develop
a “Friends of the Airpark” group.
Discussion ensued with support expressed for forming such a group and
recommendations that “Friends” have tenant sponsors and that membership include Airpark
neighbors and the Experimental Aircraft Association. Ms. Cooper reviewed Airpark protocol
regarding access cards and said that tracking cards issued to non tenants would be
problematic. She said it would be difficult for the limited Airpark staff to answer a gate intercom.
She reported that access to St. Petersburg/Clearwater Airport had been restricted further to
address security concerns. Mr. Wills suggested that access cards could have expiration dates;
“Friends” could be required to submit personal information and explain their reasons for
requesting Airpark access. He will contact Homeland Security regarding access regulations and
Albert Whitted Airport for information regarding their “Friends” program.
The Chair appointed Member Crosby to be the board liaison to further ideas and
development of a “Friends of the Airpark” organization.
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5.2 Airpark Open House
Ms. Cooper said a date has not been chosen for the next Airpark Open House and
expressed concern that the event may have to be postponed until Spring due to a lack of
sponsorships and the poor economy. She said the Airpark's tenancy rate is down and fuel
sales have decreased by 50%. Last year's Open House cost $5,000. Suggestions for
sponsorships were provided. Disappointment was expressed that the Open House may be
delayed as previous events have been well attended and enjoyed by Airpark neighbors.
6 - Agenda for Next Meeting - November 4, 2009
Member O'Brien moved that items on the November 4, 2009 agenda include the Airpark
Open House, the FOOT JPA request, a "Friends of the Airpark" update, and a Financial Liaison
report. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Items Not on the Agenda
Citizens to be Heard
Ed Dolezal, with the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association, reviewed
Young Eagle activities, encouraged scheduling the Open House, and expressed concern
regarding the Airpark's financial outlook. He encouraged establishing goals and developing
strategies, including enhanced communication with the community, to meet those goals.
Financial issues related to this Enterprise Fund were reviewed.
7 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m.
D~G.~
Chair
Airpark Advisory Board
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