Loading...
10/03/2001AIRPORT AUTHORITY MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER October 3, 2001 Present: Brenda Harris Nixon Acting Chair Gary Benjamin Board Member Ron Streicher Board Member Bruce Miller Board Member Absent: Bob Lunt Board Member Also Present: John Carassas Assistant City Attorney William Morris Marine & Aviation Department Director Gordon Wills Airpark Operations Manager Patricia O. Sullivan 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. ITEM #2 – Approval of Minutes Approval of September 5, 2001, minutes continued to November 7,2001. ITEM #3 - Tenant Report/FBO David King, FBO (Fixed Base Operator), reported the six new hard stands are not yet open. He has taken over flight school operations after Suncoast Flying Services departed the Airpark without warning. He said FAA (Federal Aviation Authority) restrictions following the September terrorist attacks have severely affected Airpark operations. Mr. King said Ed Slattery had planned to donate his hangar to the Experimental Aircraft Association, however, it cannot be relocated to their recommended site due to setback restrictions. Mr. King said the Airpark is in crisis and has been scrambling to attract new business. He said a traffic reporting firm has expressed interest in relocating to Clearwater Airpark from Albert Whitted field in St. Petersburg. The firm would have a maximum of 3 airplanes, to be flown by highly trained commercial pilots. The City ordinance forbids take-offs prior to 7:00 a.m. Staff will request the City Commission to modify that restriction to allow the traffic reporting airplanes to take-off at 6:00 a.m., Monday through Friday. He said the Cessna 172 airplanes to be used are quiet and will climb quickly. He said business would increase Airpark income by $250,000 annually. He recommended the business be approved on a trial basis. In response to a question, Mr. King said the runway extension will allow airplanes to gain altitude more quickly. Mr. King reported last year two people complained 124 times regarding Airpark activities while only 17 complaints were received from others. It was noted seven people who lived north of the Airpark had signed a petition opposing the change. Member Miller said the complainants live in his neighborhood. He reported none of the attendees at last night’s homeowners meeting opposed the change. Concern was expressed this modification would be crack in the dike to allow more flights during off-hours. Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris said the ordinance will restrict early departures to traffic reporting flights. Discussion ensued regarding the proposed Ordinance. Assistant City Attorney John Carassas said language in the ordinance carves out this exception. Messrs. King and Morris must approve any additional traffic reporting aircraft. Mr. Morris reported approximately 300 letters with information regarding this proposal were distributed to Airpark neighbors. It was noted the Airpark needs to increase commercial support. It was felt no one will notice noise related to this endeavor. Member Streicher, who lives in the Airpark’s flight path, said none of his neighbors opposes this request. Former Board Member Dennis Roper said from 1989 to 1996 he flew out of the Airpark between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m. to report on traffic conditions. He said neighbors never complained regarding his flights. He supported the change. Ellen Hess expressed concern a future Airpark Director may not be as considerate of neighborhood concerns as Mr. Morris is. She did not oppose the change. Merle Brann said he had delivered 30 letters and none of the recipients had opposed the change. Member Benjamin moved to recommend the City Commission approve amending Sec. 4.23, Aircraft takeoffs and landings to allow traffic reporting aircraft an earlier takeoff time at Clearwater Airpark. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #4 – Other Business Klaus Palinkas, of HNTB Corporation, was welcomed back as the aviation consultant. He previously had written the Airpark’s Master Plan. In response to a question regarding Ed Slattery’s hangar, Mr. Palinkas reviewed setback regulations, noting Cessnas could clip the structure at its proposed location if a pilot tried to avoid debris on the taxiway. It was recommended the hangar be relocated near the maintenance hangar. In response to a question related to a hangar door, Airpark Operations Manager Gordon Wills stated annual inspections by the FAA and FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) have not identified the door as a hazard to taxiing airplanes. Mr. Palinkas said as standards change, obstructions are addressed during Airpark improvements and redesigns. Mr. Wills reported the landscape project is complete. Work to reseal the t-hangars’ floors should be completed next week. In response to a question, he said the security camera firm earlier discussed had gone out of business. There are no plans to move forward with that issue. The board commended Messrs. Morris and Wills for the construction and beautification of the berm, a sound barrier, at no cost to the City, securing $350,000 to study stormwater issues, and continuing with Master Plan projects. The study should be completed in six months. Concern was expressed construction of the corporate hangars will be delayed until the stormwater study is complete. Mr. King indicated the runway must be lengthened before the corporate hangars can be occupied. Elections Member Benjamin moved to appoint Brenda Harris Nixon as Chair. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Streicher moved to appoint Gary Benjamin as Vice-Chair. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Miller was welcomed to the board. Mr. Morris indicated the City Commission had deemed important Mr. Miller’s residence in Clearview Estates, north of the Airpark. On behalf of the City Manager and Commission, Mr. Morris thanked Mr. Roper for his outstanding service to the community and Airpark by his service on the board, and looked forward to his continued support of the Airpark. He also thanked Mr. Roper for his diligent efforts on behalf of the City to work with neighborhood groups. ITEM #5 – Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for November 7, 2001. ITEM #8 – Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4:27 p.m.