12/04/2002
AIRPORT AUTHORITY MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
December 4, 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
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall.
ITEM #2 – Approval of Minutes
For clarification it was requested Item #4, Other Business, paragraph three, sentence
It was suggested the City should pay the part of the cleanup cost that
three read, “
exceeded the City’s consultant’s recommendation.”
Member Benjamin moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November
motion carried
6, 2002, as amended. The was duly seconded and unanimously.
ITEM #3 – Tenant & Lease Report from FBO (Fixed Base Operator)
FBO (Fixed Base Operator) David King said the 5-year extension to his lease for the
Airpark has been finalized. During the next year, he will work on amending the lease to
address future development. Satisfaction with the extension was expressed.
Mr. King invited board members to attend the Airpark’s Holiday Party on December 13,
2002, at 6:00 p.m.
Mr. King reported the Airpark has 250 commercials scheduled on cable television in
Pinellas County. He said he visited three schools in his helicopter for the Great American
Teach-In and is sponsoring an essay contest, “Why I want to be a pilot.”
Mr. King reported half of the airstrip has been resurfaced. To complete resurfacing
work and striping, the runway will be closed from December 17 to 21, 2002. Closure could be
extended up to 9 days. He expressed concern Airpark staff faces unpaid vacation time. He
said resurfacing the taxiway could impact future operations and he is working on project
logistics. He said the Airpark will not credit tenants for the time the runway is closed.
Mr. King presented a sign for posting at the Airpark related to the State Ordinance that
requires proper disposal of all fluids removed from sumps. He will provide containers at the
Airpark for this purpose. The law prohibits fluids from being dumped onto the ground.
Discussion ensued regarding related procedures. Mr. King expressed concern he could be
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liable for engine problems if he advised pilots to return the fluids back into airplanes. Marine &
Aviation Department Director Bill Morris reviewed problems related to disposal containers, such
as fire hazard due to fuel in the fluids. Staff will report on this issue at the next meeting.
In response to a question, Mr. King said a loud airplane, vintage World War II, is a
noisy visitor, who’s encouraged not to visit. The Airpark has not received related complaints.
In response to a question, he said the owner of the Citation, who had landed at the Airpark
illegally, has not replied to queries. A FAA (Federal Aviation Authority) agent did a weight and
balance check on another visiting Citation and determined the subject model legally can arrive
and take off, fully loaded, at 59 degrees Fahrenheit.
Discussion ensued regarding construction work at the end of the runway. Mr. King
reviewed efforts to issue a NOTAM recommending pilots land on 3-4, to avoid flying over
construction workers at low altitudes.
In January, Mr. King will recommend two dates for the Airpark’s Open House and Fly In.
The event will be coordinated with Clearwater’s Fun ‘n Sun and Lakeland’s Sun ‘n Fun.
ITEM #4 – Other Business
Mr. Morris reported staff is working on alternatives and soon will be ready to begin
construction of a new fuel farm and remediation of the current fuel farm. The City Commission
will consider approval of the related JPA (Joint Project Agreement) tomorrow. The State has
agreed to provide $300,000, which can be increased if more money for remediation efforts is
necessary. The City’s $60,000 portion will come from funds remaining from a previous JPA
related to the runway and hangar project.
Mr. Morris said he will review the Airpark’s Master Plan for the City Commission at a
future meeting or work session. It was requested board members be informed of the date so
they could attend. Mr. Morris said the 20-year golf course lease effectively nullifies the
Airpark’s ability to expand into the driving range property to construct additional hangars.
There are competing interests for City properties. The City had wanted to support the golf
course next to the Airpark, as another City golf course, Glen Oaks, will be closed for a
stormwater project. It was felt the lease for the golf course contains economic penalties, which
are onerous to the Airpark to consider expansion into the driving range.
Concern was expressed regarding the City Attorney. It was stated provisions of every
contract are detrimental to the City or City interest. It was said this is a long-standing problem.
It was stated every contract is totally for the benefit of the person dealing with the City and not
the City, or competing interest to the City. Another member stated the City Attorney does a
fantastic job. It was indicated the board historically has been proactive. It was felt if they had
been involved in the golf course lease issue earlier, the board may have been able to plead
the Airpark’s case. It was stated members had not received information soon enough to react.
Mr. Morris interjected that he had brought information related to the golf course lease to the
board’s attention within 24 hours of his knowledge of the lease.
Mr. Morris reported staff is attending a meeting related to the Keene Road extension
project. The location of the Airpark’s fence, moved to comply with State regulations, causes
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difficulty for the County to mow grass. A solution being considered is to install a gate to
provide access inside the Airpark fence for County workers to mow the dry pond.
Concern was expressed Mr. Morris must leave board meetings early to attend another
meeting. It was recommended the meeting time be changed.
Consensus was to schedule future meetings at 2:30 p.m.
ITEM #5 – Agenda for next meeting – January 15, 2003
The first Wednesday in January is New Year’s Day. It was stated it is important to have
a meeting in January to make decisions related to the Open House and to book the astronaut
in time to include her appearance in related advertising. It was stated the City Charter requires
the board to meet monthly.
A copy of the Airpark’s annual financial report was requested. As the report has not
been reconciled, Mr. Morris will provide estimates.
ITEM #6 – Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 3:51 p.m.
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