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12/05/2001AIRPORT AUTHORITY MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER December 5, 2001 Present: Brenda Harris Nixon Chair Gary Benjamin Board Member Ron Streicher Board Member Bruce Miller Board Member Bob Lunt Board Member Also Present: Jane Hayman 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 3:00 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM 2 – November 7, 2001 Minutes Approval Member Benjamin moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 7, 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 (Fixed Base Operator) reported that the Clearwater Airpark has the same number of hard stands, grass stands, shade and “T” hangars as last month; no new changes. He invited Board Members and City staff to a holiday party on December 21, 2001, at 6:00 p.m. He said business is good at the Airpark. He said he has placed advertisements in magazines and ran radio spots regarding the Airpark but due to the lack of increased business feels it necessary to find other ways to advertise the Airpark. In response to a question, Mr. King said the traffic reporters that moved up from Albert Whitted Field to Clearwater Airpark as a base of operations, are allowed to fly earlier than normal operating hours due to a special provision in the City Ordinances to allow them to do so. In response to a question, Mr. King said he has considered allowing a flying club at the Airpark as such clubs bring in additional monthly revenue and lower the Airpark’s insurance costs. ITEM 4 – Other Business Airpark Operations Manager Gordon Wills said he is working with the FDOT regarding a security plan for the Airpark. He said funds from a Joint Participation Agreement with the FDOT for resurfacing runways could be reallocated from those slated for future improvements at the Airpark. No City funds would be reallocated. Security improvements are estimated at $50,000 to $60,000. A product called “grip flex” could be used as a coating versus resurfacing, as the runways are not in as bad condition as previously thought. Mr. Wills said a recent survey indicates that moving the Airpark fence on the west side will not be as costly as originally thought as it is only 3 feet inside the restricted area in some places. Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris said the MacDill Air Force Base has approached the City regarding spreading its annual Airshow along Clearwater beach from Sand Key Park to Honeymoon Island in Dunedin. Their Special Services Division makes a significant financial return from vendors who participate in the Airshow. They offered to share a portion of the proceeds with the City. Pier 60 Park could be a potential area for their main center of operations. They indicated their intent was to preserve the event. MacDill currently is the center of operations for the military situation in Afghanistan. Mr. Morris said he suggested that MacDill approach the Convention and Visitors Bureau regarding dispersing Airshow events along more of the beach than just Clearwater beach due to traffic congestion problems and parking at Clearwater beach. He said when the Thunderbirds are in town they require a 15-mile radius and 15,000 foot ceiling, which would shut down the Clearwater Airpark for 2 hours daily. The City’s Parks and Recreation Department also is reviewing MacDill’s request. Mr. Morris felt that the Airshow might run more smoothly if neighboring communities were part of the event. Someone from the Airpark would have the opportunity to sit on the Airshow committee. Klaus Palinkas, HNTB Corporation, said the State has implemented a pavement management system to preserve all runways in the State. If the State determines that money is not needed at any given time, they can apply funds to other priority projects. The pavement management system funds would be refreshed periodically. Mr. Morris said the lease for the Clearwater Golf Park is up for renewal in February 2002. The issue will be presented as an agenda item to the Commission at the December 10, 2001 Worksession and December 13, 2001 Commission meeting. Keene Road will impact at least 2 holes on the golf course. Golf park management is considering a significant financial outlay to rebuild the entire golf course in conjunction with realignment of Keene Road including realignment of Keene Road, adding a new clubhouse, etc. Economic Development would like to see an industrial park or office park on the golf course and Airpark for a better mix of revenue streams. Parks and Recreation’s Master Plan shows ball fields and soccer fields on the golf course and runway area. A referendum would be required to rezone any part of the driving range. Both the golf course and the Airpark are City property. Currently, the golf course is zoned Open Space Recreation and the Airpark is zoned Institutional. Concern was expressed that the Clearwater Golf Park renewal option is not being open to a competitive bid process. It was requested that staff provide the Board Members with copies of the proposed lease agreement. Mr. Morris said he would check with the Parks and Recreation Department. Member Lunt moved that the City Commission delay their decision regarding the Clearwater Golf Park agenda item until the first Commission meeting in January. The motion was duly seconded. Member Benjamin moved to amend the motion to request that the City Commission delay their decision regarding the Clearwater Golf Park renewal option until and in conjunction with the approval of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The seconder agreed. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Morris suggested Board Members discuss this item with their respective City Commissioner. He said the Parks and Recreation Department’s position on this item does not preclude the Airpark from proceeding with its Master Plan. In response to a question, he said recent changes that were made to the competitive bid process do not apply to properties zoned Open Space Recreation. Mr. Morris said many items hinge on changes to Keene Road. Parks and Recreation felt that if they have to lose golf course greens they want the option to use the northern parcel of the Golf Park for developable land. In response to a question, Mr. Wills referred to the page in the Master Plan that indicates the northern parcel of the golf park. Ruth Varn, Chair of Albert Whitted Airport Advisory Committee, said the Albert Whitted Airport Advisory Committee members are not appointed by the City Commission. It is a volunteer group that does not have to go through the ranks to achieve their goals as does the Airport Director. She said committee members also contact the FAA (Federal Aviation Authority) on an individual basis and it pays off. She said one of the protection devices that Albert Whitted airport has is that it was constructed over an old treatment plant with sewage pipes that will not support the weight of any substantial building. She said over the years, she has learned that all cities experience similar issues that they must handle according to their respective needs. In response to a question, she said she did not anticipate the demise of the Albert Whitted Airport for many years. ITEM 5 – Agenda for next meeting, January 2, 2002 It was requested that the Airpark Open House, Sun ‘n Fun, and the fly-in be on the January agenda. It was suggested a neighborhood information meeting be held annually. Mr. Morris said staff has a great rapport with neighbors as well as great representation on the Board and feels an information meeting in addition to the annual open house is not necessary. Mr. Wills said in addition to the timely disbursement of information to neighbors of the Airpark, neighbors can call the Airpark Security Guard directly on his Airpark provided cellular phone. They also have been given staff numbers to contact regarding any issues they may have. He did not feel a neighborhood information meeting would be well attended. It was requested staff provide Board Members with a financial report for this fiscal year versus next year. Mr. Wills said he could provide this year’s actual figures and next year’s projected figures. ITEM 6 – Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4:19 p.m.