01/15/2003
AIRPARK ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 15, 2003
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 – arrived 2:38 p.m.
William Morris Marine & Aviation Department Director
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. at City Hall.
ITEM #2 – Approval of Minutes
For clarification, the Chair requested Item #4, paragraph three, sentence four be
” to “Another member
changed from “It was stated the City Attorney does a fantastic job.
.”
stated the City Attorney does a fantastic job
Member Johnson moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 4,
motion carried
2003, as changed. The was duly seconded and unanimously.
ITEM #3 – Tenant & Lease Report from FBO (Fixed Base Operator)
FBO (Fixed Base Operator) David King said no changes to the number of tie downs
and hangars have occurred in the last month. He reported he had contacted the Pinellas
County Boy Scouts and invited troops to tour the Airpark. He said a software program
developed at the Airpark to address airport flight school security has been sold to 14 new
customers. He reported flying over Raymond James Stadium, at the invitation of the
Buccaneers, during their post season game to take photographs.
Mr. King stated the lack of revenue during runway closings has been difficult on his
business. In response to a question, he said the new lease includes an increase based on the
CPI (Consumer Price Index) and increased fuel payments to the City, which now total $0.08
per gallon. He estimated the Airpark sells approximately 15,000 gallons per month.
As Mr. King is required to attend Airpark Advisory Board meetings, it was
recommended staff provide him with a parking permit.
ITEM #4 – Other Business
Marine & Aviation Department Director Bill Morris distributed an aerial photograph of
the Airpark, indicating the entire runway has been resurfaced. Before accepting the job, staff
is inspecting the finished work by walking the runway and checking for large pieces of
aggregate, which pilots feel cause tire wear. The job was contracted to use smaller granular
Airpark Advisory 2003-0115 1 01/15/03
aggregate provided by the company, “Grip Flex.” Mr. King said he had walked the new runway
and anticipated no problems. The several hundred larger rocks in the aggregate are round
and should not cause problems.
Mr. Morris reported interim painting is underway. Corrections to mismarkings have
been made. The parking lot is completed. The drainage pond on the golf course side of the
Airpark needs to be completed. Mr. King stated staff has determined the proposed setbacks
for new corporate hangars and the fuel farm are acceptable.
Mr. Morris reviewed the Airpark’s financial figures for 2002, noting the Airpark is
repaying, over 5 years, the $300,000 in seed money it borrowed from the City. The Airpark
would have made a profit without the loan, which will be repaid in two years. In response to a
question, he said $10,000 has been budgeted for annual maintenance costs and $10,000 has
been budgeted for contract work by the City’s consultant, currently Klaus Palinkas. A copy of
the 2003 budget was requested, via e-mail.
In response to a question, Mr. Morris said the Airpark’s closing for runway work was
advertised to last between 5 and 8 days. The runway will reopen on Friday. Planes have used
the taxi strip for takeoffs. The taxi strip is closed while paint is applied. The contract is ahead
of schedule, and is not due for completion until March. Mr. King will photograph the runway
once work is complete.
Airpark Open House
The Airpark’s Open House has been scheduled during Fun ‘n Sun on April 26, 2003.
Astronaut Nicole Stott is available for a personal appearance that day. It was recommended
the Mayor and City Commission be alerted of the date, to include the Airpark in their bus tour.
It was recommended the Open House and appearance by a “home grown” astronaut be
advertised in Fun ‘n Sun literature. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said the Airpark’s
runway is too short for the Astronaut to land her T-38 jet plane. It was suggested a fly-by be
done. Mr. King offered to fly his helicopter to MacDill Air Force Base to pick up the astronaut.
Mr. Morris reviewed planned changes to this year’s Open House to include an extra
tent for the astronaut’s appearance and participation by the CAP (Civil Air Patrol) to grill food.
Mr. King said staff is forming a list to address problems encountered last year. If he can
secure an airplane with double doors for the 3 to 5 Budweiser Skydiving Team members to
use for jumping, he will invite the team. It was recommended the Airpark invite the Air Force’s
skydiving team, the Golden Knights, to perform.
Miscellaneous
In response to a question, Mr. Morris said no date has been scheduled for his
presentation of the Airpark’s Master Plan to the City Commission. In response to a question,
he reviewed marine issues related to Clearwater Pass. In response to a question, he did not
anticipate any problems related to construction of a detention pond for the Keene Road
extension.
Airpark Advisory 2003-0115 2 01/15/03
In response to a question, Mr. King said at times the County Sheriff uses the Airpark
property for police dog training. The Sheriff has permission to land its helicopter at the Airpark
at any time.
It was requested Airpark operating rules be updated to remove corrections from the
copy. In response to a question, Mr. King said “touch and go” landings are not permitted at the
Airpark. In response to a question, staff will review lease language related to possible
redundancies regarding insurance issues.
Ellen Hess expressed concern that existing limits remain intact if the City changes its
noise ordinance. Mr. Morris said FAA (Federal Aviation Authority) regulations control noise
limits at the Airpark. Discussion ensued regarding enforcement of noise limits. Mr. Morris
reviewed Airpark efforts to abate noise, such as construction of the berm, restricted hours of
operation, etc.
City Commission Work Session – December 16, 2002
A newspaper article related to the Work Session was cited. It was felt the article’s
references to Airpark Authority squabbles was embarrassing. The Chair and Vice-Chair
expressed concern that they had not been notified of the work session and thus, did not
attend. It was felt board member terms should not exceed City Commission terms. It was
recommended the Charter Review Committee increase the length of City Commission terms to
4 years. Another member recommended board members serve 3-year terms. It was stated
the length of Airpark board meetings has decreased, now that assembly of the Master Plan is
complete.
ITEM #5 – Agenda for next meeting – February 5, 2003 at 2:30 p.m.
ITEM #6 – Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m.
Airpark Advisory 2003-0115 3 01/15/03
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AIRPARK ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 15, 2003
Present:
Brenda Harris Nixon
Gary Benjamin
Bob Lunt
Bruce Miller
J.B. Johnson
Chair
Vice-Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present: Bryan Ruff
William Morris
Patricia O. Sullivan
Assistant City Attorney - arrived 2:38 p.m.
Marine & Aviation Department Director
Board Reporter
The Chair called meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. a~ City Hall.
ITEM #2 - Approval of Minutes
For clarification, the Chair requested Item #4, paragraph three, sentence four be
changed from lilt was stated the City Attorney does a fantastic job." to IIAnother member
stated the City Attorney does a fantastic job."
Member Johnson moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 4,
2003, as chang~d. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Tenant & Lease Report from FBO (Fixed Base Operator)
FBO (Fixed Base Operator) David King said no changes to the number of tie downs,and
hangars have occurred in the last month. He reported he had contacted the Pinellas County
Boy Scouts and invited troops to tour the Airpark. He said a software program developed at the
Airpark to address airport flight school security has been sold to 14 new customers. He
reported flying over Raymond James Stadium) at the invitation of the Buccaneers, during their
post season game to take photographs.
Mr. King stated the lack of revenue during runway closings has been difficult on his
business. In response to a question, he said the new lease includes an increase based on the
cpr (Consumer Price Index) and increased fuel payments to the City, which now total $0.08 per
gallon. He estimated the Airpark sells approximately 15,000 gallons per month.
As Mr. King is required to attend Airpark Advisory Board meetings, it was recommended
staff provide him'with a parking permit. '
ITEM #4 - Other Business
Marine &. Aviation Department Director Bill Morris distributed an aerial photograph of the
Airpark, indicating the entire runway has been resurfaced. Before accepting the job, staff is
inspecting the finished work b~' walking the runway and checking for large pieces of aggregate,
which pilots feel cause tire wear. The jOb was contracted to use smaller granular aggregate
provided by the company, ..Grip Flex." Mr. King said he had walk~d the new runway and
Airpark Advisory 2003-0115 1 01/15/03
.
.
.
which pilots feel cause tire wear. The job was contracted to use smaller granular aggregate
provided by the company, "Grip Flex:' Mr. King said he had walked the new runway and
anticipated no problems. The several hundred larger rocks in the aggregate are round and
should not cause problems,
Mr. Morris reported interim painting is underway. Corrections to mismarkings have been
made. The parking lot is completed. The drainage pond on the golf course side of the Airpark
needs to be completed. Mr. King stated staff has determined the proposed setbacks for new
corporate hangars and the fuel farm are acceptable.
Mr. Morris reviewed the Airpark's financial figures for 2002, noting the Airpark is
repaying, over 5 years, the $300,000 in seed money it borrowed from the City. The Airpark
would have made a profit without the loan, which will be repaid in two years.' In response to a
question, he said $10,000 has been budgeted for annual maintenance costs and $10,000 has
been budgeted for contract work by the City's consultant, currently Klaus Palinkas. A copy of
the 2003 budget was requested, via e-mail.
In response to a question. Mr. Morris said the Airpark's closing for runway work was
advertised to last between 5 and 8 days. The runway will reopen on Friday. Planes have used
the taxi strip for takeoffs. The taxi strip is closed while paint is applied. The contract is ahead
of schedule. and is not due for completion until March. Mr. King will photograph the runway
once work is complete.
Airpark Open House
The Airpark's Open House has been scheduled during Fun "n Sun on April 26, 2003.
Astronaut Nicole Stott is available for a personal appearance that day. It was recommended
the Mayor and City Commission be alerted of the date, to include the Airpark in their bus tour.
It was recommended the Open House and appearance by a "home grown" astronaut be
advertised in Fun 'n Sun literature. In response to a question, Mr. Morris said the Airpark's
runway is too short for the Astronaut to land her T-38 jet plane. ,It was suggested a fly-by be
done. Mr. King offered to fly his helicopter to MacDiII Air Force Base to pick up the astronaut.
Mr. Morris reviewed planned changes to this year's Open House to include an extra tent
for the astronaut's appearance and participation by the CAP (Civil Air Patrol) to grill food. Mr.
King said staff is forming a list to address problems encountered last year. If he can secure an
airplane with double doors for the 3 to 5 Budweiser Skydiving Team members to use for
jumping, he will invite the team. It was recommended the Airpark invite the Air Force's
skydiving team, the Golden Knights, to perform.
Miscellaneous
In response to a ,question, Mr. Morris sa,id no date has been scheduled for his
presentation of the Airpark's Master Plan to the City Commission. In response to a question,
he reviewed marine issues related to Clearwater Pass. In response to a question. he did not
anticipate any problems related to construction of a detention pond for the Keene Road
extension.
Airpark Advisory 2003:'0115
01/15/03
2
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.
.
.
In response to a question, Mr. King said at times the County Sheriff uses the Airpark
property for police dog training. The Sheriff has permission to land its helicopter at the Airpark
at any time.
It was requested Airpark operating rules be updated to remove corrections from the
copy. In response to a question, Mr. King said "touch and go" landings are not p~rmitted at the
Airpark. In response to a question, staff will review lease language related to possible
redundancies regarding insurance issues~ '
Ellen Hess expressed concern that existing limits remain intact if the City changes its
noise ordinance. Mr. Morris said FAA (Federal Aviation Authority) regulations control noise
limits at the Airpark.' Discussion ensued regarding enforcement of noise limits. Mr. Morris
reviewed Airpark efforts to abate noise, such as construction of the berm, restricted hours of
operation, etc.
City Commission Work Session - December 16, 2002
A newspaper article related to the Work Session was cited. It was felt the article's
references to Airpark Authority squabbles was embarrassing. The Chair and Vice-Chair
expressed concern that they had not been notified of the work session and thus, did not attend.
n was felt board member terms should not exceed City Commission terms. It was
recommended the Charter Review Committee increase the length of City Commission terms to
4 years. Another member recommended board members serve 3-year terms. It was stated the.
length of Airpark board meetings has decreased, now that assembly of the Master Plan is .
complete.
ITEM #5 - Agenda for next meeting - Februarv 5; 2003 at 2:30 p.m.
ITEM #6 - Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m.
~
. / . J1da )7'lOJE;;'
Board Reporter
Airpark Advisory 2003-0115
3
01/15/03