11/05/2014 AIRPARK ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 5, 2014
Present: Chair Denise L. Rosenberger, Vice-Chair Thomas D. Black, Board Member Richard
Porraro, Board Member W. Bruce Brock, Board Member Paul A. Doric
Also Present: Camilo Soto -Assistant City Attorney, William Morris - Marine &Aviation Director,
Gordon Wills - Operations Manager, Patricia O. Sullivan - Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall and welcomed Board Member
Doric.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2 —Citizens to be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda
Vonabell Sherman said it was disrespectful to residents that big, loud, corporate jets were
always flying into Clearwater Airpark at low altitude. She said it was sneaky that the hours of
operation were increased before the runway was extended, allowing larger planes to land at the
airpark. She said planes from the Airpark should fly along Keene Road instead of above
neighborhoods.
Ellen Hess said nearby neighborhoods have many new residents and recommended the Airpark
schedule a neighborhood meeting and demonstration of flight pattern noise levels, altitudes, and
types of aircraft.
See below for board and staff comments.
3 —Approval of Minutes
3.1. Approve the minutes of the August 6, 2014 Airpark Advisory Board meeting as submitted
in written summation.
Member Brock moved to approve Item 3.1. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
4 -Tenant & Lease Report from FBO
FBO (Fixed-Base Operator) representative Barbara Cooper reported on tenant levels and
visitors. Fall events included an EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) rally and JAARS Inc.'s
annual visit. The Airpark Holiday Party is on Friday, December 19, 2014. The Airpark will close
at 3:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving, early on Christmas Eve, and all day on Christmas.
5—Old Business
5.1. Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS)— installation status
Airpark Advisory 2014-11-05 1
Operations Manager Gordie Wills said the Airpark received many compliments re the new
AWOS (Automated Weather Observing System). The AFD (Airport Facility Directory) was
updated with new status information.
5.2. JACIP — Joint Automated Capital Improvement Program projects
Mr. Wills said replacement of C Hangar in 3 years was added to the JACIP (Joint Automated
Capital Improvement Program) list of projects.
5.3. FAA safety meetings
Chair Rosenberger said she worked evenings and was unable to schedule FAA (Federal
Aviation Administration) safety meetings.
5.4. Maintenance Hangar and Hangar D project updates
Mr. Wills said Engineering was working on the 100% plans to replace D Hangar with a T-
Hangar. The project will go out to bid around the end of the year and will be completed 3 to 4
months after that. C Hangar tenants will be offered space in D Hangar.
The runway project was ongoing. Sufficient funding existed to repave several taxi lanes. Staff
was obtaining quotes to mill and repave taxi lanes, expecially those near the FBO and
Maintenance Hangar. Upgrades to the Maintenance Hangar were 99% complete.
Maintenance Hangar work was complimented. Ms. Cooper said the new equipment was used to
clean the corporate hangar floors on a weekly basis.
6 — New Business
6.1. Informational signs update
Mr. Wills said new informational signs had arrived, including 2 signs directing pilots to the FBO.
During tomorrow's FDOT inspection, he will request the FDOT inspector to verify the
correctness of consultant recommended sign locations.
6.2. Pavement status update
Mr. Wills said Airpark consultants determined that lighting strikes damaged the new runway.
Ajax Paving will repair the holes.
Open House
Mr. Wills said the Airpark began planning the next Open House for March 2015. Activities at last
year's events were well received and probably would be repeated. Additional information will be
provided at the February meeting. Astronaut Nicole Stott will be invited.
It was recommended that an invitation also be extended to Clearwater High School graduate
Astronaut Bruce Melnick. It was stated that Open Houses provide a great opportunity for Airpark
neighbors to view different types of aircraft and ask questions.
Airpark Advisory 2014-11-05 2
EAA Nationals
It was reported a B17 will be featured at the EAA Nationals at PIE (St. Petersburg /Clearwater
Airport) during the last week of January 2015. EAA Chapter 282 will host the event and provide
ground security and crowd control.
Response to Citizens to be Heard
It was commented that corporate jets do not fly into Clearwater Airpark, noise abatement rules
are in place, and low altitude jets probably are flying into PIE.
Ms. Cooper reviewed the Airpark's two years of activities, including hosting neighborhood
meetings, before the City Council approved extending operational hours. She invited Ms.
Sherman and Ms. Hess to tour the Airpark.
Assistant City Attorney Camilo Soto thanked Ms. Sherman and Ms. Hess for attending today's
meeting and participating in the process. He encouraged them to share their concerns with the
board at future meetings. He said Mr. Wills and Ms. Cooper are always responsive.
Marine & Aviation Director William Morris said since the runway was extended, planes can fly
over nearby neighborhoods at higher altitudes on takeoff. The FAA (Federal Aviation
Administration) turned down the Airpark's request to modify the flight pattern to above Keene
Road, a change that would have little impact on noise levels. He discussed previous efforts to
reduce Airpark impacts on nearby residents.
7 — Agenda for Next Meeting — February 4, 2015
Open House
8 — Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 3:32 p.m.
Attest:
Board Reporte
Chair
Airpark Advisory Board
Airpark Advisory 2014 -11 -05 3