02/02/2011
AIRPARK ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 2, 2011
Present: Dennis G. Roper Chair
Denise L. Rosenberger Vice-Chair
Thomas D. Black Board Member
Walter Crosby Board Member
Edward O’Brien 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
– November 3, 2010
Member O’Brien moved to approve the minutes of the regular Airpark Advisory Board
meeting of November 3, 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. Bid for new corporate hangar published Jan. 25th
FBO (Fixed-Base Operator) representative Barbara Cooper said bids will be opened for
the new corporate hangar on March 10, 2011. The project includes significant waste water
treatment. A 20-foot breezeway will separate the corporate hangars.
Ms. Cooper reported on tenant levels and visitors. Repairs to the runway resulted in
significant improvements. She reported the Airpark lost its largest corporate customer to St.
Petersburg/Clearwater Airport due to Airpark hours. The tenant had purchased an average of
500 gallons of fuel each month plus hangar rental. In response to a question, Airport
Operations Manager Gordie Wills said funds to resurface the taxiway are in the FDOT (Florida
Department of Transportation) 2012 CIP (Capital Improvement Project) budget.
4 – Old Business
4.1. Neighborhood feedback on landing/takeoff time restrictions
Members reviewed their discussions with residents in airpark neighborhoods, noting only
one person opposed extending airpark hours; most offered overwhelmingly positive comments
regarding the airpark. Ms. Cooper said all corporate people she spoke with supported
extending hours.
Airpark Advisory 2011-02-02 1
Resident Ellen Hess said three of five people she spoke with supported extending hours.
She felt few people would notice the change. She suggested the board revisit the issue a year
after implementation.
Discussion ensued with support expressed for extending hours as updated equipment
has made current restrictions unnecessary. It was recommended that airpark hours be
extended to 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Ms. Cooper doubted takeoffs would occur at 7:00 a.m. It
was stated the change would put the airpark on equal footing with other airports and is
important for the airpark's future.
One resident said too many violations exist at the airpark and she opposed extending its
hours. One resident spoke in support of extending airpark hours to assist this valuable City
resource.
It was noted that a Police Aide is present should any pilot land after hours. Ms. Cooper
reviewed Airpark procedures to educate pilots. Following a third infraction, Mr. Morris contacts
the pilot, requesting that they use a different airport.
Member O'Brien moved to recommend to the City Council that it would be in the best
interest of the community if the Code is amended to extend airpark hours of operation to 7:00
a.m. - 11:00 p.m. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
5 - New Business:
It was announced that participants can sign up online for the April 16, 2011 Safety
Seminar.
6 - Agenda for Next Meeting - May 4, 2011
Financial report
7 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m.
Next Scheduled Meeting - May 4, 2011, City Council Chambers
Chair
Airpark Advisory Board
Airpark Advisory 2011-02-02 2