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02/02/2000 AIRPORT AUTHORITY MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER February 2, 2000 Present: Gary Benjamin Chair Dennis Roper Board Member – arrived 3:04 p.m. Brenda Harris Nixon Board Member Ron Streicher Board Member Bob Lunt Board Member Also Present: William Morris Harbormaster Brenda Moses Board Reporter To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall. ITEM 2 – Minutes Approval Member Streicher moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December motion 1, 1999, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The was duly carried seconded and unanimously. ITEM 3 - Tenant Report/FBO Justin Wilbur, Suncoast Flying Services reported there are 27 t-hangars, 40 shade hangars, 35 hard stands, and 10 grass tiedowns. Discussion ensued regarding his new role at the Airpark. He stated David King formed Day Tripper Aviation with assets transferred from Clearwater Aircraft. Mr. Wilbur is a co-owner. Within the next few months, Day Tripper Aviation will be dissolved. He and Mr. King will operate Suncoast Flying Services and operations at the Airpark. Harbormaster William Morris said a clause in the Clearwater Airpark FBO (Fixed Base Operator) lease allows its assignment to another operator. Current Airpark problems include two competing flying schools and difficulty dispersing information to training pilots and flight instructors. This change of ownership will result in one flying school, one set of instructors and guidelines, better enforcement of the existing flight pattern, and improved Airpark operations. As the terms of the assigned FBO lease are unchanged, requesting additional proposals was not necessary. The Commission reviewed the assignment and approved the transfer. Mr. Wilbur said he plans to improve service. He said Mr. King is an investor, not an operator. Concern was expressed, that as the Airport Authority Board is an advisory board to the Commission, members should have been informed of the lease assignment. It was remarked that the Legal Department handled the process poorly. It was remarked that when the FBO lease was initially granted, it went through a bid proposal process. It was remarked that approval of such a significant contract of this nature assigned outside of a public review is intolerable. It was felt the lease should have been discussed in an appropriate public forum before approval. Concern was expressed Board members are not familiar with David King nor maa0200 1 02/02/00 his credentials. Concern was expressed that Legal Department staff is not present to answer questions. Member Roper moved to request the Legal Department modify any documents in effect between the City and operator of any facility at the Airpark, including the Airpark itself, to motion disallow the assignment of the contract/lease by a simple purchase. The was duly seconded. Discussion ensued regarding the lease. Mr. Morris said the term remaining on the lease is for two years and ten months. The City has the option, with agreement by the City and the operator, to roll it over for another five years. He said it appears the Board’s motion refers to deleting the assignment clause from future contracts. Member Roper withdrew his motion. The seconder agreed. Member Roper moved that the City Legal staff strike the assignment clause from the motion lease when and if it is renegotiated. The was duly seconded. In response to a remark, Mr. Morris said the Board’s motion is a recommendation to the Commission. Any changes to the lease must be negotiated. He said the terms and conditions of the transfer are the same as they were under the former FBO. The contract could only be assigned with no changes. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said benefits of the assignment include consolidation of the flying school under one management, consistent flight information to flight instructors, students, and pilots, and better responses to neighbors’ concerns. No economic benefits have been proposed. Concern was expressed that the transfer provides no economic leverage. It was noted an advantage of this action relates to Mr. Wilbur’s knowledge of pertinent Airpark issues. In response to a question, Mr. Wilbur said Mr. King owns one helicopter for personal use but has no helicopter business near the Airpark. He did not know of any plans for a helicopter pad. It was noted the assignment clause in the contract has an economic value, as it provides a leaseholder an option to get out of the business. One resident said the lease transfer was a surprise to her neighborhood. She questioned if the City approved the transfer because the new owner would pay for certain improvements. Mr. Morris said Mr. King is willing to invest in the Airpark strictly in accordance with the Masterplan under development. No changes have been proposed. The City has no plans to change the lease or funding at this time. This issue was scheduled for discussion last month, but the meeting was canceled due to the lack of a quorum. Mr. Wilbur said he and Mr. King have made no commitments to the City nor have they discussed private investments with elected officials. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said he will report if the contract would be open to public bid if it is renegotiated. carried Upon the vote being taken, the motion unanimously. In response to a question, Mr. Wilbur said he did not know if Mr. King intends to attend Board meetings. Mr. Wilbur will invite him to meet the Board members. It was remarked that the Board is not attempting to substitute themselves in place of doing business with the City. maa0200 2 02/02/00 The basic purpose of the Board is to monitor Airpark operations under the lease, advise the City, and inform neighbors and other residents with respect to that lease. Concern was expressed that the Board is placed in an awkward position if it is excluded from discussion of issues related to the lease. One resident spoke against rejecting a business owner’s offer. He said the Airpark requires attention after the “performance” of the former FBO. He said the Board has not kept up with Airpark issues. It was indicated a Board member had visited with neighbors regarding their concerns. It was felt the Board consistently keeps abreast of and addresses issues at the Airpark. It was remarked the Board does not object to the transfer, but to the lack of public venue. It was remarked the Board recognizes there is economic value to both the lessee and the lessor. Although is the Commission’s right not to provide the Board with an opportunity to comment on the lease, it is discerning to members. ITEM 4 – Signage Mr. Morris said he received specifications from Klaus Palinkas, of PBS&J (Post, Buckley, Shuh, and Jernigan) and will forward them to the City sign shop. As no decision has been made regarding run-up pads, further discussed was recommended. Mr. Wilbur will provide his recommendations regarding signage at the next meeting. Mr. Wilbur said increased communication will alleviate some incidents. In response to a question, he said Cessna has agreed to modify their request regarding Mr. Wilbur’s Cessna sign as long as it is visible. ITEM 5 – Presentation of Master Plan to Commission The Masterplan is a master guide for the Airpark to manage growth and operations and is critical receipt of FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) funding. A radical deviation from the Masterplan would require an Airpark layout plan update be approved by FDOT and all pertinent parties. The 20-year Masterplan includes long, mid-range, and short term development. Mr. Palinkas provided a schedule of Masterplan projects. The final plan is scheduled for presentation to the Commission in April. The contract does not provide for PBS&J to survey the Airpark for coordinates, aerial obstructions, etc. In November, he found that the City did not have information required for the obstruction survey. After a new scope was written, PBS&J applied to the State for a supplemental grant to perform the survey. He said he had met with Mr. Wilbur and former FBO Rick Emshoff to discuss business operations and incorporated some of the input into the June 1999 draft, which was sent to the FDOT. Mr. Wilbur will review the Masterplan for substantive disagreements. Mr. Palinkas said public review is a requirement. He said the presentation to the Commission would be delayed if public review is insufficient. Mr. Palinkas will provide staff with copies of the Airpark layout, financial projections, etc., for distribution to the Board before the Commission considers it. Mr. Morris will report on Tampa Bay Water’s desire to build scrubber towers at the Airpark. Mr. Palinkas said height limitations will affect nearby growth until the Masterplan is approved. He said the habitat and jurisdictional wetlands survey maa0200 3 02/02/00 indicates Airpark vegetation must be trimmed to discourage habitation by plants and animals. It is preferred funds be used to develop the Airpark, rather than for mitigation. ITEM 6 – Pattern Study Mr. Wilbur said with his new role, he will control all flight instructors and anticipates fewer incidents. Suncoast Flying Services has limited departures to no later than one hour after the published sunset, with no landings after 9:00 p.m. With the transfer and new billing, Airpark users will be surveyed regarding noise abatement and pattern procedures. Mr. Wilbur said increased communication and education will decrease incidents. It was stated that the Airpark has no intention to change existing patterns. It was suggested that landing times be posted on glass doors at the main building. Mr. Morris had no further information regarding the video surveillance cameras for the Airpark. ITEMS 7 & 8– Fun ‘n Sun Participation AND Report on City Position relating to Open House 2000 Mr. Morris said funding is insufficient for two open houses. Fun ‘n Sun is scheduled the first weekend in May. The County’s Millennium celebration is on April 15, 2000. If it participates in the Fun ‘n Sun celebration, the Airpark will be listed as an event, sharing City- wide advertising. Mr. Morris will contact Parks and Recreation regarding scheduling. It was suggested that the Civil Air Patrol and the Experimental Aircraft Association also participate. Mr. Wilbur said the Civil Air Patrol has committed to provide parking control, food, and other assistance. Mr. Wilbur will contribute employees, aircraft, aircraft rides, cash, and other items. It was suggested the Airpark could participate in the Millennium celebration with assistance from other organizations. Member Roper moved to hold the Airpark open house in conjunction with the City’s Sun motioncarried ‘n Fun celebration. The was duly seconded and unanimously. Mr. Morris attended the West Coast Florida Steering Committee Meeting for all west coast airports. Concern had been expressed that MacDill Air Force Base is aggressively pursuing increased airspace control prohibiting any intrusions into MacDill airspace. It was remarked an article in Private Pilot magazine indicated that MacDill wants to restrict air space at the Avon Park bombing range to prohibit penetration at any altitude. ITEM 9 – Next Meeting: Wednesday, March 1, 2000 ITEM 10 – Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4:42 p.m. maa0200 4 02/02/00