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11/01/2001AIRPORT AUTHORITY MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER November 7, 2001 Present: Brenda Harris Nixon Chair Gary Benjamin Board Member Ron Streicher Board Member Bruce Miller Board Member Bob Lunt Board Member Also Present: John Carassas Assistant City Attorney William Morris Marine & Aviation Department Director Gordon Wills Airpark Operations Manager Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM 2 – September 5 and October 3, 2001 Minutes Approval Member Benjamin moved to approve the minutes of the regular meetings of September 5 and October 3, 2001, as submitted in written summation to each Board Member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM 3 – Tenant & Lease Report from FBO David King, FBO, reported 5 new hard stands. He is back on course after the demise of Suncoast Flying Services. The flight school is fully booked, the new hangars are open and full, the lawn service is done weekly, and the berms are done. He said he is dealing with $65,000 in pre-paid admissions left over from Suncoast Flying Services. He is making insurance payments on the Airpark that were in arrears after Suncoast Flying Services went out of business, however the current premium is cheaper than a new policy would be. There has been no lapse of coverage. Mr. King said the second robbery in 2 months occurred today at the Airpark. State of the art equipment worth $10,000 was stolen from an aircraft owner. He is unsure what to do to enhance security at the Airpark. Once the stolen equipment is reported to the police, it can never be serviced, but it can be reinstalled on other aircraft if someone has enough mechanical knowledge. It was suggested installing security cameras or signs to address security issues. ITEM 4 – Other Business Airpark Operations Manager Gordon Wills said Klaus Palinkas of HNTB Corporation, the City’s aviation consultant company, is present with one of his associates, Bill McGrew. Mr. McGrew is located in Tampa and will be involved in the Master Plan process on an as-required basis. In response to a question, Mr. Palinkas said the current GPS approach has been in operation since 1996 with no associated safety issues. He said plans are to put in 200 feet on the south end of the runway. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) requires that as part of having a GPS approach a 500-foot clear zone from the center line of the runway exists which would impact the placement of the existing fence and future hangar construction. Currently, the Airpark is grandfathered for a 250-foot clear zone and only has to move the existing fence 8 to 10 feet. Mr. Palinkas said his firm also is focusing on a variety of potential funding sources to construct the new terminal and provide the Airpark with a revenue stream. In response to a question, Director of Marine and Aviation Department Bill Morris said the FAA requirement for the clear zone to be 500 feet from the center line would take up 30% of the golf course and it would restrict the ability to build on the airpark site, and prevent some of the hangars as designed in the Master Plan from being constructed. He said he is more concerned with the ability to generate revenue than have a GPS approach. With the GPS requirement and no ability to get assurances the FAA would grandfather in the 250-foot existing GPS approach from the center line of the runway, staff felt it best to do away with the GPS. However, Mr. Palinkas has indicated he wishes to make an effort to convince the FAA to allow the Airpark to keep the fence where it stands as well as the current GPS approach. Again, if the GPS approach remains as is, it would affect a significant amount of the construction items planned in the Master Plan design. It was requested that Mr. Palinkas and/or staff provide information at the next meeting regarding a best case scenario and what would have to be given up in order to maintain the GPS, including information regarding moving the fence, any future configuration of the Master Plan, etc. Mr. Palinkas said he needs to develop an acceptable modification of FAA standards that would permit what is needed at the Airpark. Mr. Morris referred to diagrams of hangars, transitional slope lines, clear zones and the GPS approach that are already part of the Master Plan. He said consideration must be given to the transitional slope, not just pushing back the fence, as any changes would affect the height for building a corporate hangar where the slope changes. He said all these effects are already specified in the Master Plan. In response to a question, Mr. King felt the GPS approach declared distance is so wide it chews up the Master Plan. He said although it is a good approach, he could effectively manage the Airpark without the GPS. He said if the FAA seriously wishes to keep the GPS at the Airpark, they will negotiate with the City. He does not favor a circling approach as it is dangerous in bad weather. It was remarked that the FAA wants a feeder airport and with the demise of the Tampa Bay Executive airport and possibly service at Albert Whitted Field, the Clearwater Airpark could become a key airport in the County. Mr. Wills thanked Assistant Director of Engineering/Production Glen Bahnick for his assistance in all his help with past projects and knowledge of airport operations. He said the entrance to the Airpark is more aesthetically pleasing. New signage is being considered. Airpark police have been given telephones to answer phones and respond to complaints received at the Airpark after 5:00 p.m. It was remarked that the Experimental Aircraft Association wrote a letter of appreciation for Mr. Wills’ cooperation in assisting them with the move of the portable hangar. Assistant City Attorney John Carassas said 2 bills came up in the past special legislative session. He said he received several calls from people in the aviation industry. Neither bill passed. They involved a push to tighten up flight training schools and language stating a student must have additional licensing requirements and speak a certain level of English. He will keep the Board informed of future developments. In response to a question, Mr. King said although it is not an FAA requirement, he has a computer program that allows staff to digitally photograph students and input their foreign visas, passports, etc. It was suggested that Mr. King include expiration dates for foreign visas. Mr. King said he feels the Clearwater Airpark is ahead of the rest of the country in taking precautionary measures regarding security. Mr. Morris said the FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) has questioned all managers of airports in the region and found that currently, the Clearwater Airpark has better security than any other airpark in Florida. He said other airports do not have the luxury of a fenced airpark in a neighborhood and security guards that are trained police aides with police radios. In response to a question, Mr. Wills said the CPI for next year has not been established. ITEM 5 – Agenda for Next Meeting, December 5, 2001 There was no discussion regarding this topic. ITEM 6 – Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4:08 p.m.