02/04/2004
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AIRPARK ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 4, 2004
Present:
Bob Lunt
Vacant Seat
Bruce Miller
Donald "Scott" Armstrong
Charlie Harris
Chair
Vice-Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present: Bryan Ruff
Bill Morris
Brenda Moses
Assistant City Attorney
Marine & Aviation Director
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. Minutes Approval from Januarv 7.2004
Member Armstrong moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 7,
2004, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
3.
Tenant & Lease Report from FBO
David King, FBO (Fixed Base Operator) reported the number of hard stands and
tiedowns are the same as last month. He said the new corporate hangar should be operational
within the next two weeks. The new fuel farm is operational.
In response to a question, Mr. King said there are over 100 people on the corporate
hangar waiting list. Deposits will be required of prospective tenants to ensure 100%
occupancy. Mr. King said he is discussing monthly rental rates with Airport Operations
Manager Gordon Wills. He also needs to determine the amount of insurance needed for the
new hangar. Mr. King said City Code Enforcement staff has completed an inspection of the
hangars at the Airpark and he expects a final report in the near future.
4. New Business
Marine & Aviation Director Bill Morris said the Airpark Open House is scheduled for April
24, 2004. Various activities are being planned and sponsors are being considered.
Mr. Morris distributed preliminary information from the NTSB (National Transportation
and Safety Board) regarding the accident that occurred on January 17, 2004, involving a Piper
PA-30 and a Cessna 150H. Both aircraft collided in-flight while in the traffic pattern at the
Airpark. Mr. Morris provided a synopsis of the accident for public informational purposes. Mr.
Morris said Mr. Wills researched costs for staffing a traffic control tower with five employees.
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He opined that construction costs for a control tower would be prohibitive. Of 132 public
airports in Florida, only 40 airports, about 30% of the total, have control towers.
Mr. Morris said Robinson Aviation is a private contractor that provides airport traffic
control towers, employees, security, communications, and other services associated with airport
operations. He felt their services would be cost prohibitive. In response to a question, Mr.
Morris said he provided traffic control tower information to the Board as a proactive measure to
address citizen concerns. It was remarked there are no guarantees that a tower would
eliminate accidents.
5. Other Business
Two persons spoke in support of Airpark operations, stating the Airpark is well run, well-
maintained, safe, and one of the best airparks in the country, and that development of the
Airpark should continue.
It was remarked that of 7,500 airports in the country, approximately 5,000 are
reasonably active. Of that 5,000, approximately 200 - 300 are tower-controlled; the others use
a Unicom tracking system.
6. Aoenda for next meetina on March 3. 2004
Mr. Morris said he would continue to update the Board regarding plans for the Airpark
Open House in April. Some federal agencies have indicated they would be interested in
participating in the Open House if they were permitted to include recruitment tables. Mr. Morris
said he would provide information to the Board regarding costs and information related to air
traffic control towers.
The Chair reminded everyone that the April 7th meeting would be held at the Clearwater
Airpark in the CAP (Civil Air Patrol) building at 3:00 p.m.
On behalf of the Board, the Chair expressed condolences to the Toth family.
In response to a question, Assistant City Attorney Bryan Ruff said the update to the
Board rules has been delayed due to preparation of the upcoming March referendum and would
be provided as soon as is possible.
7. Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 3:19 p.m.
Attest:
c& {J /lJ (l '!IJ fXJao
Board Reporter
Airpark Advisory 2004-02-04
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