11/03/2021 Airpark Advisory Board Meeting Minutes November 3, 2021
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
m
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
3:00 PM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Airpark Advisory Board
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City of Clearwater
Airpark Advisory Board Meeting Minutes November 3, 2021
Roll Call
Present 5 - Chair Kelli O'Donnell, Board Member George Davis, Board Member
Ray McNeil, Board Member Roger Schulman, and Ex Officio Bruce
Brock
Absent 1 - Board Member John Renton
Also Present - Ed Chesney, P.E. — Marine &Aviation Director, Michael
MacDonald - Marine & Aviation Operations Manager, Patricia O.
Sullivan — Board Reporter
1. Call To Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. at the Main Library.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the May 5, 2021 Airpark Advisory Board Meeting.
Member Davis moved to approve minutes of the May 5, 2021 Airpark
Advisory Board meeting as submitted in written summation. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
3. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the Agenda: None.
4. New Business Items
4.1 Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) Verbal Update
FBO (Fixed Base Operator) representative and Airpark Manager Barbara
Cooper reported on tenant levels and visitors. She said Pinellas County
had a significant need for additional hangar space. She reviewed Young
Eagles activities and said the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)
safety team had met last week at the FBO office. She said the holiday
party will not be held this year.
In response to questions, she said she will check with Solid Waste re
disposal of used oil, the Airpark has 4 containers for recycled cardboard.
She said the master plan redesign will improve safety in the transient area;
she has requested new signage. She said the FBO will not offer Swift fuel
at this time.
Marine &Aviation Director Ed Chesney said the FBO is contracted to
manage the Airpark, the City cannot encumber the FBO lease with
changes. The Airpark Advisory Board is a City board with no authority
over Airpark operations. Board recommendations must be actively
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City of Clearwater
Airpark Advisory Board Meeting Minutes November 3, 2021
discussed with the FBO before presented to the City. The FBO lease expires
on December 1, 2022.
In response to a concern, Mr. Chesney said $760,000 in Penny for Pinellas
funds remained encumbered for a new FBO building, the project was
pushed out two years after FDOT(Florida Department of Transportation)
adjusted the timing of its grant. Design work will begin in 2025 and
construction will start in 2027. Marine &Aviation Operations Manager
Michael MacDonald said the change occurred after the Board's last meeting.
5. Old Business Items
5.1 Discuss updates on Hangar C project
Mr. MacDonald said the Hangar C project was delayed a month and the
budget increased due to requirements for a new looped fire hydrant
system and an additional egress behind the T hangars. Sidewalks were
planned. In response to a question, he said the new Master Plan included
a new commercial hangar in the next 5 to 15 years. Additional T hangars
have been discussed.
Suggestions were made to reduce the size of the egress and improve the
construction process to separate bathrooms and eye washing stations.
Concern was expressed that oil or gasoline could be poured down drains.
Mr. Chesney said the 1,000-gallon oil water separator was installed as
specified in the plans.
6. Director's Report
Mr. Chesney said 2022 Airpark Advisory Board meetings were scheduled for
February 2, May 4, August 3, and November 2. The Board had selected
November for the Chair's presentation to the City Council re board
accomplishments. He will distribute the Chair's talking points to the Board
and encouraged members to attend the November 18 meeting. He
suggested discussing the Board's role with the City Council. The City
operated and maintained the Airpark when the Board was created, that no
longer is the case.
Discussion ensued with a comment that public input was important to the
Board's business. Concerns were expressed that Board members did not
know what was going on at the Airpark, members were not provided City
Council and Mayor emails related to the Airpark, the City had not sought
Board input on the Landings project before scheduling a referendum,
and improved communication with the board was needed.
Mr. MacDonald and Ms. Cooper reviewed Airpark security, trespassing
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City of Clearwater
Airpark Advisory Board Meeting Minutes November 3, 2021
was not a problem. Ms. Cooper discussed Airpark hours, flight patterns,
and the emergency agreement with the Coast Guard for hurricanes. Mr.
Chesney said he shared letters of importance with the Board.
7. Board Members to be Heard
Ex Officio Member Brock reviewed EAA (Experimental Aircraft
Association) activities. In response to a recommendation that EAA event
dates be posted on the website, Member Brock said there were an
insufficient number of flights to accommodate current levels of participation.
Mr. Chesney said the Open House, which provides community outreach, has
not been scheduled for the past 2 years due to the pandemic.
Member Davis said rerouting the helicopters has been helpful to nearby
residents.
8. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.
Chair—Airpark Advisory Board
Attest:
Board Reporter
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City of Clearwater
Airpark Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes November 3, 2021
was not a problem. Ms. Cooper discussed Airpark hours, flight patterns,
and the emergency agreement with the Coast Guard for hurricanes. Mr.
Chesney said he shared letters of importance with the Board.
7. Board Members to be Heard
8. Adjourn
Ex Officio Member Brock reviewed EAA (Experimental Aircraft
Association) activities. In response to a recommendation that EAA event
dates be posted on the website, Member Brock said there were an
insufficient number of flights to accommodate current levels of participation.
Mr. Chesney said the Open House, which provides community outreach, has
not been scheduled for the past 2 years due to the pandemic.
Member Davis said rerouting the helicopters has been helpful to nearby
residents.
The meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.
Chair — Airpark Advisory Board
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City of Clearwater