09/01/2004
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AIRPARK ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
September 1, 2004
Present:
Donald "Scott" Armstrong
Charlie Harris
Tom Calhoun
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Absent:
Bob Lunt
Bruce Miller
Chair
Board Member
Also Present: Bryan Ruff
William Morris
Patricia O. Sullivan
Assistant City Attorney
Marine & Aviation Director
Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:06 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
Member Harris moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 2, 2004,
as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
3 - Tenant & Lease Report from FBO
Marine & Aviation Director William Morris said the number of tiedowns, hardstands, and
hangars remain the same as last month. Airpark staff is repairing a broken water line and the
security camera system.
Mr. Morris said FBO (Fixed Base Operator) David King had offered the City use of his
helicopter and planes should a disaster occur. The effects of a hurricane on nearby counties
demonstrated the importance of the City's airpark, located 71 feet above sea level. Following a
major storm, Public Services, next door to the Airpark, would clear the runway as a first priority
to allow air delivery of supplies via volunteer pilots. The Airpark would be a priority site for the
Coast Guard and City after a storm. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said the storm had
turned away from Clearwater before pilots began to fly their airplanes out of harms way.
4 - New Business
Operating Rules and Regulations
Assistant City Attorney Bryan Ruff distributed a draft of operating rules and regulations
for the MB (Airpark Advisory Board), requesting that board members review the information for
discussion in October. Main changes include: 1) schedule meetings quarterly rather than
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monthly; 2) limit public input to 3 minutes, as occurs at other City meetings; and 3) use of a
structured agenda. Changes are proposed to achieve more productive meetings.
Consensus was to review the materials and discuss them in October.
SWFWMD Plan Adoption
Mr. Morris reported the SWFWMD (Southwest Florida Water Management District) plan
for the drainage of stormwater run-off related to Airpark expansion has been adopted, after a 4-
year process. Approval allows the Airpark to move ahead with development, as funds become
available. Staff is working with FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation), which has
promised enough funds to begin construction of a 10-unit hangar.
Mr. Morris reported after a recent hurricane, it has become apparent that the City
requires a stronger emergency operations center. With approved SWFWMD permits in hand
for the building footprint and parking, a 12,000 square-foot, two-story, hardened FBO building
could be constructed. The second floor could be used for emergency operations during the
aftermath of a hurricane. The location is central to other City services, such as the motor pool,
Belcher Road Fire Department, etc.
In response to a question from Ellen Hess, Mr. Morris reported J.B. Johnson had
apologized for leaving the AAB (Airpark Advisory Board). He is permitted to serve on only one
board and now sits on the CDB (Community Development Board).
In response to a question from Ms. Hess, Mr. Morris said the new FBO building will be
designed to have a dining facility on the top floor. EOCs (Emergency Operations Centers) must
have cooking facilities. He anticipated the building will feature a conference room, as promised
by the City. That space could be designed for use as a conference room, flight school
classroom, and EOC. The Main Library, built to withstand category 3 winds, features
windowless rooms and cooking facilities and can be used as a backup EOC, housing 150
Police Department staff, if necessary.
Gary Benjamin congratulated Mr. Calhoun on his appointment to the board. In response
to a question from Mr. Benjamin, Mr. Morris said the SWFWMD approval covers all structures
in the Airpark's original master plan.
5 - Other Business - None.
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6 - Aaenda for next meetina on October 6. 2004
Chair.
Discussion of proposed Operating Rules and Regulations and appointment of a Vice-
7 - Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 3:54 p.m.
Attest:
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oard Reporter
Airpark Advisory 2004-09-01
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Chair
Airpark Advisory Board
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