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08/04/2010 AIRPARK ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER August 4, 2010 Present: Dennis G. Roper Chair Thomas D. Black Board Member Edward O’Brien Board Member Absent: Denise L. Rosenberger Vice-Chair Walter Crosby Board Member Also Present: Bill 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 5, 2010 Member O’Brien moved to approve the minutes of the regular Airpark Advisory Board meeting of May 5, 2010, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3 - Tenant & Lease Report from FBO 3.1. Airpark Tenant Concerns FBO (Fixed-Base Operator) representative Barbara Cooper reviewed spring visitor counts; numbers are higher this year. She said fuel sales have been slow during the last six weeks. She said three shade hangars are empty and all t-hangars are full. She said room is available in the corporate hangar. 4 – Old Business 4.1. Financial Liaison Report Member O’Brien distributed the Airpark’s financial report, stating the report is terrific, especially when considering the economy; finances are in control. 5 – New Business 5.1. Status of Current Joint Participation Agreements Airport Operations Manager Gordon Wills distributed and reviewed the status of airpark JPAs (Joint Participation Agreements). FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) has made $3,293,137 available to the City over the past decade. The multi-plane hangars project has Airpark Advisory 2010-08-04 1 been modified to construct a corporate hangar, 10 feet from the current one. With the cost of replacing rows C and D estimated at $1 million, income from the new corporate hangar can fund that project. The hangar should be built within 10 months; construction of new t-hangars is 4 – 5 years out. The State operates under a 5-year work plan. It was stated that the old row of shade hangars will collapse in a bad storm and a loan to replace them with t-hangars could be repaid quickly. Ms. Cooper said corporate hangars provide flexibility and space for larger planes. She anticipated sufficient demand by the time the new hangar is constructed; there is a waitlist for enclosed hangars. She said the corporate hangar rate sheet is based on aircraft size. She said while 7 people on the t-hangar waitlist have paid deposits, not all are ready to move in when space becomes available. She said larger aircraft often do not purchase jet fuel. The airpark does sell jet fuel to helicopters working on Progress Energy lines and to the Navy. She said the Pinellas County Sheriff also uses the Airpark and would need to purchase its fuel there following a severe weather event. In response to a question, Marine & Aviation Director Bill Morris reviewed the process to determine the Airpark’s financial impact on the City. The last analysis indicated that the Airpark has a $14 million annual impact. The Citizens Academy’s visit to the Airpark changes residents’ perspective regarding its value. Mr. Wills said the Coast Guard had signed a memorandum of understanding regarding its use of the Airpark. The Airpark is trying to obtain more spare cameras. In depth training will consider the ability of the cameras and software to provide traffic counts. It was noted that St. Petersburg/Clearwater Airport uses a different method to count traffic. It was commented that the Airpark contributes to the community, the Open House encourages residents to visit the Airpark, and a historic record should be created for the Airpark. 5.2. Airpark Restaurant Discussion ensued regarding restaurants at Albert Whitted and Ocala airports and how they provide pilots a destination. It was felt that a restaurant would be successful at the Airpark and that diners would enjoy watching the runway. It was recommended that local restaurant entrepreneurs be approached regarding this possibility. Member O’Brien moved to request that the City Council appoint someone to invite local restaurant entrepreneurs to investigate the possibility of opening a restaurant at the Clearwater Airpark. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. In response to a question, Mr. Wills said the Airpark does not have funds for the match to construct a FBO building, which would cost $3 to $4 million. Restaurant space at Albert Whitted was empty for a long time. Ms. Cooper said there have been requests for a café offering hot dogs, hamburgers, and breakfast sandwiches. Outdoor seating is available at the picnic tables. 6 – Agenda for Next Meeting – November 3, 2010 Airpark Advisory 2010-08-04 2 Normal updates. Items not on the Agenda Citizens to be Heard Ellen Hess said it is important that the City Council is aware of the Airpark's financial impact on the City. She suggested a public area at the Airpark be provided so residents can sit and watch the airplanes. Ms. Hess was thanked for her efforts in educating her neighborhood and was invited to visit the Airpark. 7 - Adjourn Ch Airpark Advisory Board Airpark Advisory 2010-08-04 3 The meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m.