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11/06/2002AIRPORT AUTHORITY MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER November 6, 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 3:27 p.m. Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall. ITEM #2 – Approval of Minutes The minutes of the regular meeting of October 2, 2002 were approved as submitted. ITEM #3 – Tenant & Lease Report from FBO (Fixed Base Operator) – None. ITEM #4 – Other Business Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris said negotiations for the next 5-year lease with the FBO (Fixed Base Operator) are almost complete. Following the accidental gasoline fuel spill, the City will require the FBO to obtain pollution liability insurance, if its cost does not exceed $7,500 annually for a $1-million policy, the smallest one offered. City risk insurance will cover cleanup costs not covered by the insurance. City risk insurance and/or possibly FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) funds, designated for tank replacement and site remediation, will offset some long term cleanup costs not covered by the insurance. Concern was expressed staff had not provided a draft copy of the lease to the board for review, as is the board’s right. Mr. Morris will meet in the morning with FBO David King to review the lease document and forward copies of the lease to the board before the City Commission considers it for approval. Concern was expressed a board member seems to be too demanding of staff, considering the board is advisory in nature and has no authority. It was stated there is no practical reason for the board to discuss actions that already have occurred. Disappointment was expressed that the board was not provided an opportunity for input on the lease. Mr. Morris reported the FBO has agreed to pay for costs to clean up the recent fuel spill. To avoid future accidents, Airpark procedures have been revised to fill the fuel truck in the morning, with two staff. It was suggested the City should pay the part of the cleanup cost that exceeded the City’s consultant’s recommendation. Mr. Morris reported the cleanup bill has not been submitted. The Airpark was constructed on a landfill, which contains contaminates. In response to a question, Mr. Morris reviewed the accident event, stating a Police Aide had discovered the spilling fuel after the Airpark was closed for the day. Approximately 1,500 gallons of fuel had spilled. Mr. Morris reported staff had contacted the State within 24 hours of the accident. The State has approved $300,000 for a new fuel farm and existing site remediation. The City’s match of $60,000 is available from monies totaling $95,000, refunded from the Stormwater project. It was indicated on-site fuel tanks had leaks during the 1980s. A board member expressed concern the City not burden the FBO with too many extra costs so that the business cannot succeed. It was stated the new lease increases the City’s portion of fuel sales. Concern again was expressed by a board member that the City not impede the FBO’s opportunity to operate profitably. Mr. Morris reviewed the status of Airpark’s Joint Participation Agreements. Mr. Morris left the meeting to attend the City Clerk’s Agenda meeting. John Antanasio, CAP (Civil Air Patrol) Squadron Commander, recommended the agenda include an opportunity for citizen comments, expressed concern the proposed ordinance will diminish the board’s authority, reviewed CAP activities, and requested the City provide $2,500 annually to support the CAP. It was stated board members never considered they had authority beyond reporting to the City Commission. It was stated the board has a good record of working with management staff. Concern was expressed that recently the board has not been apprised of Airpark related activities in time to allow active board participation. It was stated staff had not sought board participation or approval for issues such as renewal of the abutting golf course facilities lease or current lease negotiations with the FBO. It was felt limiting Mr. Morris’ participation at board meetings to 30 minutes effectively bars board participation in Airpark oversight and cuts off a source of expertise. It was recommended the meeting time be changed to begin earlier. Concern was expressed that a board member is too aggressive when questioning staff and seems to have animosity toward Mr. Morris. Support for staff was stated. It was suggested the ordinance to change the board’s name to the Airpark Advisory Board was a direct result of such conduct. It was stated staff is not required to implement board recommendations. It was stated the board should have been provided a super draft of the lease for input before all necessary City departments had signed off on the document. It was stated the board had functioned effectively previously when provided with related materials and information. It was felt the board’s job is to educate the public and Commission regarding the Airpark. It was stated the board had been successful in addressing the concerns of surrounding neighborhoods related to Airpark noise and traffic. It was stated the Airpark’s economic plan is important so that the Airpark site is not replaced by an industrial site. It was stated the board’s function and contribution will be based on the liaison’s ability to involve the board and not make it superfluous. ITEM #5 – Agenda for next meeting – December 4, 2002 ITEM #6 – Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4:16 p.m.