01/05/2005
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AIRPARK ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 5, 2005
Present: Bruce Miller
Tom Calhoun
Donald "Scott" Armstrong
Vacant Seat
Vacant Seat
Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present: Bryan Ruff
William Morris
Gordon Wills
Catherine Yellin
Assistant City Attorney
Marine & Aviation Director
Airport Operations Manager
Senior Staff Assistant
The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. at Clearwater Airpark.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2 - Approval of Minutes
Chair Miller referenced the minutes of November 3, 2004, and requested that paragraph
four on page two be deleted.
Member Calhoun moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 3,
2004, as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3 - Tenant & Lease Report from FBO
David King, FBO (Fixed Base Operator) reported the number of tie-downs and
hardstands has not changed. He purchased a new tug to pull airplanes. The corporate hangar
is full, and the hangar waitlist has approximately 200 names.
Mr. King said that some tenants are several months behind in paying the ERU
(equivalent resident unit) for stormwater fees. He said reminder letters have been sent.
Gordon Wills, Airport Operations Manager, explained that ERUs measure the amount of
water that runs off impervious surfaces, such as runways. The related charge reflects the City's
cost to treat that runoff. As the rate had not changed in 13 years, the increase was substantial,
however, the increase was not enforced retroactively. The FBO is required by lease to pay this
charge. The City permitted the FBO to charge tenants for their share of the increase only, not
the entire stormwater fee charged the Airpark.
An Airpark tenant requested the City Legal Department to investigate the legality of this
charge, as the permit agreement includes no provision for this action. Bryan Ruff, Assistant
City Attorney, will submit a written response.
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A lengthy discussion ensued about public use of the Airpark and the equity of the fee.
4 - New Business
Meeting status, frequency and location
Chair Miller moved to schedule quarterly meetings on the first Wednesday in February,
May, August, and November 2005. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Consensus was to schedule the next meeting on February 2, 2005.
Several residents spoke in favor of scheduling future meetings at the Airpark due to its
convenient location.
Airpark Open House
The Airpark Open House is scheduled for Saturday, April 9, 2005. This date will allow
Astronaut Nicole Stott to attend.
Discussion - meeting format
Marine & Aviation Director Bill Morris said to address Airpark issues, different meeting
formats exist, including the Airpark Advisory Board or focus meetings that consider specifiC
neighborhood concerns and include input and feedback.
Consensus of the board was to support the current Airpark Advisory Board format.
Four people spoke in favor of retaining the Airpark Advisory Board and one spoke in
favor of focus meetings.
Airpark Master Plan
Mr. Morris reported the Airpark Master Plan will be revised this year to consider the
Airpark's reduced footprint, which now has space for approximately 31 hangars.
One resident recommended the Master Plan include ways to generate revenue.
Mr. Morris suggested the FBO building could be replaced with a portable building while
the City decides on a location for a new Emergency Operations Center (EOC). He said
profitability follows safety, regulatory requirements, and neighborhood considerations.
Neighbors consider the Airpark as space dedicated to those who fly for hobby or sport, not as a
corporate airfield.
Discussion ensued regarding the use of the Airpark by Citation jet aircraft. Mr. King
requested City direction regarding this use.
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5 - Other Business
In response to a concern regarding the high cost of learning to fly, a representative of
the Civil Air Patrol reported that many youth attend bimonthly CAP classes.
6 - AQenda for next meetinQ
The February 2,2005, meeting is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Clearwater Airpark in the
Civil Air Patrol trailer.
7 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 4:44 p.m.
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Chair
Airpark Advisory Board
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