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08/07/2002AIRPORT AUTHORITY MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER August 7, 2002 Present: Brenda Harris Nixon Chair Gary Benjamin Vice-Chair Bob Lunt Board Member Bruce Miller Board Member J.B. Johnson Board Member Also Present: Bryan Ruff Assistant City Attorney William Morris Marine & Aviation Dept. Director – departed 3:30 p.m. Gordon Wills Airpark Operations Manager David King Fixed Base Operator Catherine Yellin Senior Staff Assistant The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:59 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 Consensus was to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of June 5, 2002, as submitted in written summation to each board member. ITEM #3 - Tenant Report/FBO David King, FBO (Fixed Base Operator), reported that the Clearwater Airport has 47 T-hangars, 40 shade hangars, 56 hard stands, 22 grass stands, and 3 helicopter pads. With a new R22 helicopter, the flight school provided full-time instruction to 14 new students the first month. He stated more helicopters are needed. First Airpark TV Commercial The first Airpark television commercial runs 15 times per week on channel FX, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and costs $1,000 per month. Also included are 2 30-second commercials during the Winston Cup Races. The commercials have generated between 5 and 10 calls per week. Television is the first form of advertisement that has worked. Mr. King said he is preparing two commercials targeting people over 50. He invited board members to participate in the commercials, without compensation. Marine and Aviation Director Bill Morris stated the Clearwater Community Sailing Center is working to attract the same demographic. Mr. King suggested advertising jointly. The first commercial featured the Airpark web site address. Mr. King also has networked with some beach hotels to keep visitors in the Clearwater area. The City web site has a link to the Airpark web site. A link with Innisbrook has not been established. Airpark Waiting List The T-hangar waiting list has 71 names on it; after all new hangars are built and occupied. The shade hangar list has 49 names and the corporate waiting list has 8. Mr. King does not feel comfortable taking deposits from those on the waiting lists until funds are available to construct more hangars. Maintenance A 30-hour per week maintenance person is keeping the grass under control, and the berm half in control. In response to a question, Gordon Wills, Airport Operations Manager, stated he tracks ongoing maintenance issues as they arise. Mr. Wills said grounds maintenance is the biggest concern. A deep well supplies the sprinkler system, with a timer set for allowable hours on Tuesdays. It was suggested an ongoing program review the maintenance list annually. Mr. Wills said that the Zephyrhills Airpark is creating a minimum standards book that can be adopted for this type of tracking. A copy of the maintenance list was requested. Additional Open House Mr. King said he is considering an additional open house, as they attract significant new business. It was recommended an open house be scheduled during cooler weather, such as the fall after Jazz Holiday. Business from Young Eagles It was questioned if the Young Eagles attract business. Mr. King stated the group has many participants. He would like to see them meet more than once monthly. He is planning a program for local schools to recruit Airpark field trip participants. He felt parents would be less likely to complain about the Airpark if their children are excited about it. He did not think parents are aware children are welcome visitors. Rental Planes The Airpark has between 15 to 17 rental planes, including 4 new 172 SP’s. Mr. King has sold some planes and leased them back, to lessen his risk should another national tragedy occur. Mr. King reported he earns $15 per hour each plane flies. Fuel The Airpark averages two delivery trucks of fuel a month, with 8,500 gallons per load. The City collects $0.06 per gallon in accordance with the lease. The Airpark has a new Isuzu diesel fuel truck. The Airpark is now a Chevron dealer. Mr. King terminated his agreement with Phillips due to hidden costs. Forced landing on Patricia Avenue No complaints were received regarding the plane forced to land on Patricia Avenue after its engine went out. The pilot was commended for not causing more damage and harm. Mr. Wills stated he keeps statistics on complaints. The Airpark receives approximately one complaint per month. Key Card Security Mr. King said cardholders have become familiar with the security system and there have been no problems with the use of key cards at the gate entrance. Staff buzzes in those without cards after they identify themselves. Lightning took the system down, which was not under warrantee. Lightning protection will be installed. It was suggested every equipment installation at the Airpark be protected against lightning. ITEM #4 – Review Airpark Operating Rules and Regulations Mr. Wills has incorporated some board member recommended changes in the Airpark Operating Rules and Regulations. Discussion ensued about consistency in wording between Section 6(f) and (h), concerning State Fire Protection and National Fire Protection. Some changes were recommended. Mr. King stated auto rotation, called auto decent, continues and is done more safely over the wider/safer runway. The maneuver practices an emergency situation. It was recommended that Section 7(b), involving no auto-rotation operations, be deleted. Consensus was to modify Section 9(b) to read, “Helicopters will follow the same traffic pattern as fixed-wing aircraft, except 400 feet lower.” Airpark Operating Rules and Regulations will be forwarded to the City Manager for signature following Mr. King’s review. ITEM #5 – Other Business Mr. Morris supported award of a contract to extend the southern portion of the Airpark runway by 200 feet to Kloote Contracting of Palm Harbor, which submitted the low bid of $401,000. Mr. Wills stated the contract includes grip flex on all Airpark asphalt, a drain in front of the maintenance hanger, re-striping, and the word “Clearwater” affixed to the taxiway. Sound decibels It was questioned if sound decibel levels are being investigated. The party, which owns a loud aircraft, has been discouraged from landing it at the Airpark. It was recommended that a decibel level be added to the Airpark lease. Office Space It was questioned if hangars are used for businesses operating without airplanes. The only business permitted to have an office in a hangar belongs to Buzz Heuchan, an aerial photographer. Mr. King recommended future consideration of office space rental to airplane owners, to bring in additional revenue. Mr. Wills suggested new T-hangars on the south end of the Airpark could be constructed with additional space for offices. The majority felt businesses should not be established in hangars, as additional vehicles would create parking problems, etc. Mr. King said Air One Avionics wishes to move or expand. The Airpark does not have an avionics shop, which could increase profits and enhance Airpark services. Space above the maintenance office could be used for an office. Civil Air Patrol A newspaper article on the Civil Air Patrol was referenced. It was suggested Mr. King contact the organization to encourage them to identify the airport they are referring to in future articles. ITEM #6 – Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for September 4, 2002. ITEM #7 – Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 3:48 p.m.