Loading...
09/02/1998 AIRPORT AUTHORITY MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER September 2, 1998 Present: Gary Benjamin Chair Francis J. Werner Board Member Dennis Roper Board Member Ron Streicher Board Member Absent: Bob Lunt Board Member Also Present: John Carassas Assistant City Attorney Glen Bahnick Civil Engineer III, Staff Liaison Gwen Legters Board Reporter To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 1. Call to Order — 3:00 p.m. at City Hall 2. Minutes Approval – August 5, 1998 In Item #8, the third sentence was changed as follows: “The City gave proposed granting an easement to American Tool and Mold for a strip of land to the north of the airpark for a retention pond. In Item #9, fourth sentence, “paid” was changed to “pad”, and the following sentence was deleted: “The new building would decrease the vehicular traffic on taxiways due to monthly CAP meetings.” 3. Tenant Report -- Rick Emshoff, FBO Mr. Emshoff reported no changes since last month. Hangar Type Existing Leased Reserved or Available for Approx. No. Lease Rate in Use Lease on Waiting List Before Tax T-Hangars 27 25 2 in use by FBO 0 10-12 $300 to For aircraft for sale 325/mo. Shade 40 40 0 5-10 $160/mo. Hard Stands 50 33 10 reserved for 7 0 $40/mo. transient aircraft Grass Tie-downs 46 7 39 0 $50/mo. 4. Runway/Taxiway Lights Mr. Bahnick reported the engineering firm, Post, Buckley, Shuh, and Jernigan (PBS&J), the City’s aviation consultant, will finish the engineering plan next week. It is hoped to award the bid and start construction in November. No explanation was given why the start date was delayed a month. Discussion ensued regarding time frame for contract execution and funding sources. Questions were raised regarding proposed disposition of $240,000 carried over from the previous year’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget. Discussion ensued regarding ability to obtain supplemental runway lighting funds from FAA for implementing night operations. maa0998 1 09/02/98 5. Airport Master Plan Update City Environmental Specialist Supervisor Karma Killian gave an overview of Public Works Department Project Development and Environmental issues on which she is working with PBS&J. She reported EPA required one more round of testing on 3 to 4 groundwater monitoring wells at the former landfill on airpark property, but the soil tested clean and no contamination concerns remain. She noted any construction that disturbs the landfill would require cleaning out the landfill before building over it. Discussion ensued how this would affect the runway extension. Member Roper moved to direct staff to proceed with design drawings and a plan leading to contract approval for construction of safety overruns at the airpark. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 6. Security Gates Mr. Bahnick reported he surveyed comparable airports in the region and found none leaves security gates open. Keypads are more popular than a card system. Discussion ensued regarding advantages and disadvantages associated with the issue. General discussion ensued. It was reported the public had concerns keeping the gate locked would increase gate wear from more frequent openings, and discourage public visits. Authority members stressed it is not the intent to restrict anyone from accessing the airpark. The public is welcome to park in the lot and enter through the pedestrian entrance at the flight operations building. Importance of reducing vehicular traffic and the associated danger of collisions with aircraft and pedestrians was stressed. Consensus was vehicular access should be limited to aircraft owners and flight crews, and a friendly sign should be posted at the security gate to welcome visitors and direct them to check in through the flight operations building. Mr. Emshoff agreed to include notices in the next monthly statement. Member Roper moved to ask Mr. Emshoff, the Fixed Base Operator, to proceed with keeping security gates locked at all times; investigate changing the keypad code; include the new code in tenants’ monthly billing statements along with a request to restrict vehicular access to tenants and flight crews; and to ask staff to request a new welcome and informational sign from the City sign shop. The motion was duly seconded. Member Roper will design a sign sample and send it to Mr. Bahnick. Importance of informing tenants before changing the practice was stressed, and an effective date discussed. Consensus was to set the effective date a few days after the next Airport Authority meeting to give tenants an opportunity to respond. Member Roper amended the motion to add that Mr. Bahnick will coordinate with Mr. Emshoff regarding setting the new code, effective date, and sending notices. The seconder motion carried concurred. Upon the vote being taken, the unanimously. 7. Airpark Entrance Landscaping Mr. Bahnick said ideas for landscaping the airpark entrance are being explored, because the American Tool and Mold project did not go through, and funds for City-wide landscaping improvements were carved from the budget. maa0998 2 09/02/98 8. Other Business Justin Wilbur, with Suncoast Flying Services, provided a time line of airpark events, highlighting the huge joint venture to turn the airpark around and make it look nice for the community. A picnic is planned to thank EAA for their help. He related history, advances in FAA testing, aircraft rental, flight instruction, and public relations. The airpark has been approved as a Cessna pilot center for advanced flight training. Cessna requires posting their prefabricated sign facing Hercules Avenue. He requested Authority support of the pilot center and sign. Discussion ensued regarding associated sign code issues. Member Werner moved for the Airport Authority to endorse Mr. Wilbur’s proposal for a motion Cessna pilot training center and signage within the City’s guidelines. The was duly carried seconded and unanimously. Staff will work with Mr. Wilbur regarding sign size and permitting requirements. Member Werner noted complaints from Montclair Lake Estates residents regarding low flying aircraft, and questioned why pilots are violating rules against flying over a residential area. Clearwater Airpark flight instructor Fred Wright addressed the issue from a safety standpoint, explaining difficulties with students flying the approved pattern while attempting to reach altitude, due to changes in aircraft performance during summer weather. Mr. Werner said the problem he has noticed is not with students, but with experienced pilots who refuse to fly the pattern in twin engine high-performance aircraft. Discussion ensued regarding busy air traffic, enforcement of the approved flight pattern, and possibility of changing the pattern in response to safety concerns. Mr. Wright expressed concern the traffic pattern was designed by those with little knowledge of aviation. Member Werner expressed support of 24-hour airpark operation to get Federal funding and recoup some of the fuel taxes paid to the government. Other members supported the concept, but felt approval was not likely because the airpark is hemmed in by residential uses. 9. Call of the Next Meeting The next regular Airport Authority meeting was scheduled for October 7, 1998. 11. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4:47 p.m. maa0998 3 09/02/98 'I [ " . ' " , i1 : '\. . ~ . J '~', ~, ~ ~, : :~ ,': ' :i'~ " ". \,' , Ot,: ':! 01 Jo '.. ,> ~'o. I . ".. r::~ ! I. ',; i~::: .. ~ }t' ., AA i ' .?~,,::. .... .., "... 'r<i~,:"., . , l~" {': . '.' ~.'J ~:e,l; . , I'~ .11 '~ : 'iI' , , " Airpo'rt Authority MINUTES '~ ~ ".',' ,', 'I I..' . ~ " d., . . ~' -: ,;,' ~., "" ~!~;':,. ~:.:" :. ./. " . ' , " , "~e e h: -:', l~,L; :j~:,:::::,::.'~,: if1' ~'.'" + . !>',\,,',e, :,'> , e /}', " , :~ ' 1:: ..(," :}~. ~'. ,.:' -:r . '-- , SeptO\\ber 2 ) IqQX )' .;Ie ~I Date , ~.: ' t ~ :1 ~.. I I ii' q~l )., '~~'< ;, ~:. " ' ",1: "'e ',) " , ", " "':, I, .\ , , " .0 '&J~ ."< , , ;"'~, ,; ',::) :J AIRPORT AUTHORITY MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER September 2, 1 998 Present: Gary Benjamin Francis J. Werner Dennis Roper Ron Streicher Bob Lunt Chair Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Assistant City Attorney Civil Engineer III, Staff Liaison Board Reporter Absent: Also Present: John Carassas Glen Bahnick Gwen Legters To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 1. Call to Order - 3:00 p.m. at City Hall 2. Minutes Approval - August 5, 1998 In Item #8, the third sentence was changed as follows: "The City g~vc proposed arantina an easement to American Tool and Mold for a strip of land to the north of the , airpark for a retention pond. In Item #9, fourth sentence, "paid" was changed to "pad", and the following sentence was deleted: "The new building would decrease the vehicular traffic on taxiways due to monthly CAP meetings." , 3. Tenant Report -- Rick Emshoff, FBD Mr. Emshoff reported no changes since last month. Hangar Type Existing Leased Reserved or Available for Approx. No. Lease Rate in Use Lease on Waiting List Before Tax T.Hangars 27 25 2 In U!lB by FBD 0 1 0-1 2 $300 to For aircraft for sale 325/mo. Shade 40 40 0 5-10 $160/mo. Hard Stands 50 33 10 reserved for 7 0 $40/mo. transient aircraft Grass Tie-downs 46 7 39 0 $50/mo. 4. Runway/Taxiway Lights Mr. Bahnick reported the engineering firm, Post, Buckley, Shuh, and Jernigan (PBS&J), the City' 5 aviation consultant, will finish the engineering plan next week. It is hoped to award the bid and start construction in November. No explanation was given why the start date was delayed a month. Discussion ensued regarding time frame for contract execution and funding sources. Questions were raised regarding proposed disposition of $240,000 carried over from the previous year's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget. Discussion ensued regarding ability to' obtain supplemental runway lighting funds from FAA for implementing night operations. maa0998 1 09/02/98 ". " 'J C~) 'J ~t'(r,;;;', " ':' , f 5. Airport Master Plan Update City Environmental Specialist Supervisor Karma Killian gave an overview of Public Works Department Project Development and Environmental issues on which she is working with PBS&J. She reported EPA required one more round of testing on 3 to 4 groundwater monitoring wells at the former landfill on airpark property, but the soil tested clean and no contamination concerns remain. She !",oted any construction that disturbs the landfill would require cleaning out the landflll before building over it. Discussion ensued how this would affect the runway extension. Member Roper moved to direct staff to proceed with design drawings and a plan leading to contract approval for construction of safety overruns at ,the airpark. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 6. Security Gates Mr. Bahnick reported he surveyed comparable airports in the region and found none leaves security gates open. Keypads are more popular than a card system. Discussion ensued regarding advantages and disadvantages associated with the issue. General discussion ensued. It was reported the public had concerns keeping the gate locked would increase gate wear from more frequent openings, and discourage public visits. Authority members stressed it is not the intent to restrict anyone from accessing the airpark. The public is welcome to park in the lot and enter through the pedestrian entrance at the flight operations building. Importance of reducing vehicular traffic and the associated danger of col1lsions with aircraft and pedestrians was stressed. Consensus' was vehicular access should be limited to ,aircraft owners and flight crews, and a friendly sign should be posted at the security gate to welcome visitors and direct them to check in through the flight operations building. Mr. Emshoff agreed to include notices in the next monthly statement. Member Roper moved to ask Mr. Emshoff, the Fixed Base Operator, to proceed with keeping security gates locked at all times; investigate changing the keypad code; include the new code in tenants' monthly billing statements along with a request to restrict vehicular access to tenants and flight crews; and to ask staff to request a new welcome and informational sign from the City sign shop. The motion was duly seconded. Member Roper will design a sign sample and send it to Mr. Bahnick. Importance of informing tenants before changing the practice was stressed, and an effective date discussed. Consensus was to set the effective date a few days after the next Airport Authority meeting to give tenants an opportunity to respond. Member Roper amended the motion to add that Mr. Bahnick will coordinate with Mr. Emshoff regarding setting the new code, effective date, and sending notices. The seconder concurred. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. 7. Airpark Entrance Landscaping Mr. Bahnick said ideas for landscaping the airpark entrance are being explored, because the American Tool and Mold project did not go through, and funds for City-wide landscaping improvements were carved from the budget. maa0998 2 09/02/98 '. ,;' . r: " :.; '.-. : ,..... " , \: '.. .." .."., cOl. ',I ,. r, 1, ' <) 8. Other Business Justin Wilbur, with Suncoast Flying Services, provided a time line of airpark events, highlighting the huge joint venture to turn the airpark around and make it look nice' for the community. A picnic is planned to thank EAA for their help. He related history, advances in 'FAA testing, aircraft rental, flight instruction, and public relations. The airpark has been approved as a Cessna pilot center for advanced flight training. Cessna requires posting their prefabricated sign facing Hercules Avenue. He requested Authority support of the pilot center and sign. Discussion ensued regarding associated sign code issues, Member Werner moved for the Airport Authority to endorse Mr. Wilbur's proposal for a Cessna pilot training center and signage within the City's guidelines. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Staff will work with Mr. Wilbur regarding sign size and permitting requirements. Member Werner noted complaints from Montclair Lake Estates residents regarding low flying aircraft. and questioned why pilots are violating rules against flying over a residential area. Clearwater Airpark flight instructor Fred Wright addressed the issue from a safety standpoint, explaining difficulties with students flying the approved pattern while attempting , to reach altitude, due to changes in aircraft performance during summer weather. Mr. Werner said the problem he has noticed is not with students, but with experienced pilots who refuse to fly the pattern in twin engine high-performance aircraft. Discussion ensued regarding busy air traffic, ,enforcement of the approved flight pattern, and possibility of 'changing the pattern in response to safety concerns. Mr. Wright expressed concern the ~ traffic pattern was designed by those with little knowledge of aviation. ~. Member Werner expressed support of 24-hour airpark operation to get Federal funding and recoup some of the fuel taxes paid to the government. Other membe~s supported the concept, but felt approval was not likely because the airpark is hemmed in by residential uses. 9. Call of the Next Meeting The next regular Airport Authority meeting was scheduled for October 7, 1998. 11. Adjournment The moeting adjourned at 4:47 p.m. ~~ ~hairl Airport Authority --- ~ ~---- Attest:' ,'~ ib ,/lYl~ Board Reporter maa0998 3 09/02198 . t ..L,' ,'0 '. ,',' .'.':. p". :