05/02/2007
AIRPARK ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
May 2, 2007
Present: James Hess Vice-Chair
Dennis Roper Board Member
Norma Carlough Board Member
Todd N. Fontechia Board Member
Absent: David Spaulding Board Member
Also Present: Laura Lipowski Assistant City Attorney
William Morris Marine & Aviation Director
Gordon Wills Airport Operations Manager
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2 – Approval of Minutes
Member Carlough moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 7,
motion
2007, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The was duly
carried
seconded and unanimously.
Chair and Vice-Chair Nominations
motion
Member Carlough moved to appoint Member Hess to serve as Chair. The was
carried
duly seconded and unanimously.
motion
Member Carlough moved to appoint Member Roper to serve as Vice-Chair. The
carried
was duly seconded and unanimously.
3 - Tenant & Lease Report from FBO
In response to questions, FBO (Fixed-Base Operator) representative Barbara Cooper
said private pilot licensing training requires night flights, which generally are done in St.
Petersburg. Night flight training at Clearwater Airpark is completed by 9:00 p.m. She said
should Airpark hours be extended, two or three students a month might land at night.
In response to questions, Airport Operations Manager Gordon Wills said only one
infraction of the landing curfew had occurred during the previous year. Ms. Cooper said the
violator was not familiar with Airpark rules. She said the person who repeatedly landed after
hours was banned from the Airpark. It was noted that transients, unfamiliar with Airpark
patterns, are responsible for most fly pattern abuse. Ms. Cooper stated that information on flight
patterns, etc., is available at the FBO counter and staff makes every effort to educate pilots.
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The FBO office has the same hours as the Airpark. If hours are extended, the FBO will have to
address staffing.
Ms. Cooper reported the 47 t-hangars and 40 shade hangars are fully occupied and
have waiting lists. She said some grass stands and hard stands are available. The FBO’s
office now maintains a card list of all Airpark visitors. She reviewed recent activity, with visits
increasing during Phillies’ Spring Training and Fun ‘n Sun. She reviewed Airpark events.
In response to a resident’s question, Ms. Cooper said Angel flights arrive during the day.
If transporting major organs, the organization flies into major airports.
4 – Old Business
Review of year-to-year comparison of annual operating costs
Mr. Wills distributed information regarding Airpark fiscal activity for 2003 – 2006 and
reported that the Airpark has been in the green for the last three years. It was suggested the
AAB (Airpark Advisory Board) review the information and present questions at the next meeting.
5 – New Business
FBO 5-year lease renewal
Marine & Aviation Director Bill Morris reviewed the history of the FBO’s five-year lease.
He said although some components of the Airpark Master Plan had changed, the FBO saw
opportunities to grow with the Airpark and is interested in renewing the lease. Mr. Morris
supported the renewal. Lease terms will not change.
Discussion ensued with support expressed for retaining the FBO.
David King, FBO, expressed his interest in renewing the lease for five years.
Member Roper moved to recommend that the City Council extend the FBO’s lease at the
motioncarried
Clearwater Airpark for five years. The was duly seconded and unanimously.
Airpark Open House June 23 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Ms. Cooper reviewed scheduled Open House activities. Staff has sent out sponsorship
requests to help defray costs. Mr. Wills said the NASA astronaut is unable to attend. There will
not be a tethered balloon. The event will be advertised on C-View; fliers will be distributed to
neighbors and at the Airpark. A changeable message board will be posted outside the Airpark
during the week prior to the event. Mr. Wills anticipated approximately 3,200 visitors. It was
recommended that staff ensure that the event is advertised in Cnews, in the St. Petersburg
Times.
Petition to extend landing time to 11:00 p.m.
Mr. Wills reported receiving a petition from “Friends of the Clearwater Airpark,” dated
April 4, 2007, to extend the landing time to 11:00 p.m. The petition had no address. Of 23
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signatures, eight are Airpark tenants. It is unknown if other petitioners are Clearwater residents.
The petition was not addressed to the MB.
Discussion ensued regarding the appropriateness of discussing this item as it had been
tabled to August 1, 2007. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said after the petition arrived in
his mailbox, he felt obligated to notify the MB and agendaed the item.
Consensus was to allow public input.
Two persons spoke in favor of the request and three spoke in opposition.
Discussion ensued regarding potential night time aircraft noise and safety concerns. It
was felt the board should discuss this issue periodically. It was suggested that citizens visit the
Airpark to hear how much noise is generated by landing aircraft. In response to a question, one
board member opined that following a powerful hurricane, the Airpark probably would be the
only one open on the west coast, due to its elevation. Although not designed for large aircraft, it
could accommodate some aircraft in an emergency. Ms. Cooper said if it is safe, the Airpark
would be staffed during a disaster.
Citizens to be heard re Items not on Aqenda
Ed Dolzak reported the May 12, 2007 Young Eagles Rally will be advertised.
6 - Aqenda for Next Meetinq on May 2. 2007
7 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 4:17 p.m.
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. , Airpark AdvIsory Board
Airpark Advisory 2007-05-02
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