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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_AIRAB_05.17.2004 Minutes of the Meeting of the Airport Advisory Board City of Georgetown, Texas Monday, May 17, 2004 The Airport Advisory Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Monday , May 17, 2004. Members Present: Arnold Wieder, Chris Cagle, Don Pfiester, Howard Fomby, John Bader, Mark Dietz, Tim Sullivan Members Absent: None. Staff Present: Travis McLain Minutes Regular Meeting 4 1. Call to order. Chairman Mark Dietz called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. 2. Consideration and Approval of Minutes of April 26, 2004, meeting. Don Pfiester: Motion we approve the minutes of April 26, 2004. Chris Cagle: I second the motion. Motion approved 7-0. 3. Airport Manager’s Report: A. April 2004 Monthly Income and Expense Reports Travis McLain: Airport Operations are now showing positive. B. Master Plan Update: The Master Plan meeting was May 10, 2004; the next meeting will be June 7, 2004, at the Georgetown Municipal Complex. Noise Study Update: We are waiting for the final print from the consultant, to send to the Mayor for his signature, then the next step is to forward the Study to TxDOT and the FAA for review, comments and possible acceptance. C. Report on Council Actions Travis McLain: Council approved the Assignment from Rex Womble to Larry Wood. D. General Information Items Travis McLain: There was accident at the Airport on Sunday, May 9, 2004, 5:00 p.m., where two planes tried to land at the sam e time, at the same place. Also, on May 11, 2004, at 8:00 a.m., most of the CFI’s met to discuss safety issues and things they can do to make the pattern safer and more awareness. Howard Fomby: One of the things they were interested in was possibly puttin g out a newsletter that talked about particular issues and procedures. I suggested that the board might look into sponsoring that as part of the Fly Friendly Program. 4. Citizens Wishing to Address the Board None. 5. Discuss the Civil Air Patrol Building and Lease. Travis McLain: One of the City Inspectors came out and inspected the building; he gave us a report to which we passed along to the CAP, he said the building is sound enough to remodel, just a few minor things in order to proceed. They can still try to get grants to remodel, but the trusses are safe. 6. Discuss the Airport Budget Process. Howard Fomby: I have tried to get a hold of Micki Rundell to set up a meeting, I will see her at the Council meeting in a week. I will visit with Micki. 7. Discuss the Airport Safety Observation Report. Arnold Wieder: In your packet, you have the memo I wrote outlining what I propose. Don Pfiester: What we are trying to do is get folks to report what they see and document it. Mark Dietz: The idea is to gather them up; bring that information back here, so we can provide evaluation as to what kind of problems people have identified. Tim Sullivan: Have we determined how we’re going to act on these, such as bringing the inf ormation to the board or a subcommittee? Don Pfiester: Someone on the subcommittee can compile the information and bring that information back to the board as a continuing safety program. Arnold Wieder: I am also proposing that we put notification on the C ity’s public service announcement. I talked with Keith Hutchinson. Also, placing the information on the City website with help from Information Technology. Arnold Wieder: Motion to accept the form. Don Pfiester: I second the motion. Motion Approved 7-0. Tim Sullivan: I move that Arnold and Don review and collect the information and report to the Airport Advisory Board. Arnold Wieder: Don and I will distribute the forms to the larger FBO’s, as well as supply the Terminal Building. A cover letter will be provided. Howard Fomby: We also talked about doing this as a pilot project for six months. Tim Sullivan: Motion is to appoint Arnold and Don to act as our emissaries for distributing and reporting back the information to the board for a period of six months. Howard Fomby: I second the motion. Motion approved 7-0. 8. Consideration and Possible Action regarding Methods of Promoting Airport Safety. Mark Dietz: I would like to take up the tower issue as soon as possible. Arnold Wieder: The Board needs to advise Council that the Board is in favor of a Tower. A tower protects pilots and citizens. Time is of the essence. The Airport Fund has enough money to proceed at the tower. Howard Fomby: At the Council’s workshop we need to give briefing about timing, costs, where the money will come from, etc. Council’s concern was that a tower would increase traffic. Study indicates that a Tower will not increase traffic and would help control noise. The City must submit a “Letter of Interest” to TxDOT. Mark Dietz: Last time, my memory was that some of the planning had started (architectural design). Do you remember Travis? Travis McLain: No, we only got as far as receiving submittals from consultants to be chosen as the consultant, but that is as far as we got. Mark Dietz: Had there been a request to TxDOT for funding? Travis McLain: Yes. John Bader: So we have to start that process all over? Travis McLain: Yes. Beth Jenkins: (Citizen) There is $50,000 available in Georgetown Pilot ’s Association. Don Pfiester: Safety is the issue and it must move forward. The city could be liable. Mark Dietz: The City could be held negligent. Tim Sullivan: I have discussed the pros and cons of a control tower with neighbors in Berry Creek. Some are worried that a control tower would increase airport operations, thus noise. Some that the airport should be moved and others concerned about their own safety. What can be done to make the airport safer? One of the Board’s mission statement includes promoting airport safety and to consider the airport neighbors as well as the aviation community. After much sole searching, I believe the only way that we as a board can fulfill our mission statement is to recommend to the City Council that they obtain a control tower as soon as possible. Don Pfiester: We must present a clear and concise presentation to Council. John Bader: Do you think cost is still an issue to them? Howard Fomby: What they really want is information to be presented by the Airport Advisory Board. Mark Dietz: Review of the Airport Advisory Board comments: Safety issue, common traffic frequency, mixture of aircraft, how the two aircraft collided, number of operations per day, value to community, noise issue and reduction of noise through a tower, cost of tower – 90/10 funding, TxDOT request and funding, liability issues that the City needs to take action. Tim Sullivan: There may be traffic increase due to no Central Texas Airport; this is another reason for the tower. Arnold Wieder: Georgetown Municipal Airport will need a tower with or without the Central Texas Airport. Tim Sullivan: Opposition says we should move the airport. If TxDOT cannot find another place to put a Central Texas Airport, then how is Georgetown to find another place to put it ’s airport. Don Pfiester: Moving the airport is impossible. Howard Fomby: Without a Central Texas Airport, the traffic at the Georgetown Municipal Airport traffic will greatly increase, without changing the facilities. In addition to a tower, we must still look for a site for the Central Texas Airport. Arnold Wieder: What we’re doing is upgrading our airspace classification. Howard Fomby: A tower will force everyone at the airport to communicate. Arnold Wieder: Aircraft without a radio are in communication with a tower by light signal. I myself experienced my radio going out and the tower could not communicate with me but the light signals came on to which I continued onto the runway. Howard Fomby: I heard of a story about an accident at an airport with a control tower. We need to educate for a safe transition. Tim Sullivan: If the Master Plan projections are correct, growth will occur. We need a tower. Don Pfiester: Each Airport Advisory Board member needs to e-mail Mark with your comments. Mark Dietz: I would like a presentation which shows down-wind and noise study graphic with a tower. Tim Sullivan: The workshop is next Monday. Beth Jenkins: (Citizen) A tower will really help on days with calm winds. John Bader: A tower can control traffic, which will help with noise. The tower will help control approach and departures. Howard Fomby: We need to address issues and be proactive before public comments at the Council meeting. Marvin Soward: (Citizen) My understanding as a pilot, is that I do not move till I talk to the tower. Control means control. Howard Fomby: Yes. We will need to educate everyone. Tim Sullivan: Tower hours are 6:am to 10:pm Arnold Wieder: A tower will not necessarily come with radar. However, this is an airspace manager. John Sommerfield: (Citizen) A tower only reduces the probability of accidents. John Bader: If we have a tower, it shows the city is making an effort to reduce the possibility of accidents. Howard Fomby: A tower acts a stop sign or traffic signal; anytime you have a lot of traffic you put up a traffic signal, that does not necessarily prevent accidents but it does give control. Mark Dietz: We need a resolution. Don Pfiester: Motion to authorize a resolution to be signed by Chairman Dietz, that the Airport Advisory Board requests Council obtain a air traffic control tower at the Georgetown Municipal Airport as expeditiously as possible to in order to address the concerns of safety, noise, growth and potent ial liability issues. Howard Fomby: I second the motion. Motion approved 7-0. Howard Fomby: I encourage board members attend the CFI safety meetings. Beth Jenkins: We are putting together a newsletter. Howard Fomby: I will advise the Airport Advisory Board of the next meeting. Beth Jenkins: We put together information packets for pilots. 9. Report on the Aviation Museum. Howard Fomby: I met with Mr. Swertner and a few other people on the project. I reported to them on the city’s issue, they wanted written statement, but the city is not willing to give them written commitment at this time. They were comfortable in our interest and willingness to make this happen. We are now trying to set up a meeting with Mrs. Browning, officials from the City, Council members, Mayor, Economic Director, etc. We will reschedule for the next couple of weeks. 10. Discuss meeting with selected Central Texas Airports. Mark Dietz: I would like to table this for our next meeting. 11. Consideration and Possible Action regarding review of the Draft Ethics Ordinance to be adopted on second reading by the City Council on June 22, 2004. Mark Dietz: The purpose is to encourage each of you to review the ordinance prior to the June 22, 2004 meeting. 12. Consideration and Possible Action for setting Agenda Items for the June 21, 2004, meeting. A. Discuss Budget Process. B. Consideration and Possible Action regarding Methods of Promoting Airport Safety. C. Discuss Aviation Museum. D. Discuss Meeting Central Texas Airports - Advisory Boards E. Finding a site for the Central Texas Airport near to Georgetown. 13. Adjourn. Tim Sullivan: I move that we adjourn. Arnold Wieder: I second the motion. Motion approved 7-0. Submitted by: Travis McLain Airport Director Reviewed by: Chris Cagle Board Secretary