HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_AIRAB_03.21.2005
Minutes of the Meeting of
the Airport Advisory Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
Monday, March 21, 2005
The Airport Advisory Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Monday , March 21, 2005.
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
1. Call to order.
Chairman Mark Dietz called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
2. Elect an Airport Advisory Board Vice-Chairman.
Don Pfiester: Motion to nominate Howard Fomby.
Mark Dietz: Any other nominations? (None). Motion approved by acclamation.
3. Elect an Airport Advisory Board Secretary.
Don Pfiester: Motion to nominate Arnold Wieder.
Mark Dietz: Any other nominations? (None). Motion approved by acclamation.
4. Consideration and Approval of Minutes of February 21, 2005, meeting.
Tim Sullivan: Motion to approve the minutes of February 21, 2005.
John Bader: I second the motion.
Motion approved 7-0.
5. Discuss FY 2005-2006 Budget Process with Finance and provide input to Council.
Laurie Brewer: (City Controller) Budget Process: We’re beginning our budget process for 2005-2006.
We started with the capital improvements project planning and revenue projections in January. One
approach to the budget we began last year was to seek input from the grass roots level, by asking all
advisory boards and commissions to provide City Council with their input. The City Council would lik e
to hear your input as citizens as well. The two part Survey Questionnaires provided allow for both
forms of response. Please return your completed forms as soon as possible so that we may provide
them to the City Council.
Mark Dietz: Any questions in regard to the finance budget?
Don Pfiester: Internal Service Fees and the Legal Fees, could you explain these more?
Laurie Brewer: (City Controller) The City does an allocation of overhead costs (accounting, payroll,
city attorney fees, city management, hum an resources,). All of these administrative costs are
allocated [pro rata] to departments providing direct services to the citizens. Other departments, such
as the Airport are allocated “Actual” costs.
Don Pfiester: Can you tell us what the Airport Fund is and how much is in it right now?
Laurie Brewer: (City Controller) The Airport has $150,000 of Contingency Holdings (rainy day funds)
that are there to support continued airport operations during an unforeseen emergency. I estimate
that there are between $150,000 and - $200,000 in revenues set aside for capital improvements.
Therefore, there is at least $300,000 (including the contingency) for airport use.
Arnold Wieder: Do airport funds generate interest?
Laurie Brewer: (City Controller) Yes. All city revenue is pooled and deposited in interest bearing
accounts or Certificates of Deposits. We are able to track the airport’s portion of monthly interest
earned and reallocate it to the airport fund.
Travis McLain: For the Board’s information, I will be including future interest on airport funds in my
monthly report.
6. Airport Manager’s Report:
A. February 2005 Monthly Income and Expense Reports
John Bader: I’m curious about the monthly money for Equipment Maintenance / NDB?
Travis McLain: We have a maintenance contract with an FAA certified licensed technician that we
pay per month. For that service, he does our quarterly and annual inspection. Anytime the unit
goes down, he comes out and repairs it. But it does not pay for parts. The contract covers
service calls.
Arnold Wieder: Why are we seeing more jet fuel sold?
Travis McLain: We have two FBO’s selling jet fuel compared to one last year.
B. Report on Noise Study Update: Consultant, Coffman & Associates said the FAA 90-day
comment period is over, and the study has now been submitted to FAA Headquarters in
Washington, D.C. for review. FAA Headquarters has 180 days for its review. May 29, 2005, is
the tentative end date.
Report on Master Plan Update: We are waiting for the consultant to schedule the next PAC
meeting. The Master Plan Update will have one more input from the subcommittee sometime in
the next 3 to 4 weeks.
C. Report on Council Actions
The City Council voted to accept the recommended Tower site location. The FAA has th e site
study and is reviewing the recommended location. We are waiting for FAA approval.
D. General Information Items
None.
7. Citizens Wishing to Address the Board
None.
8. Discuss and recommend the top three issues facing the Airport Advisory Board.
A. Promote Safety at the Airport, essentially:
- Emphasize compliance with FAA regulations
- Ensure pilots are educated on the operational environment with the new Airport Traffic Control
Tower during the transition period
- timely completion of both the new Airport Traffic Control Tower, and the Georgetown Municipal
Airport Minimum Standards, and Rules & Regulations,
- implementation of the Master Plan Safety issues
B. Security Awareness, essentially:
- implement security issues
- aviation activities
C. Alternative uses for Airport that:
- control growth of the airport
- control noise and improve airport relationship with the neighbors
- encourage use of the airport for other uses, while controlling growth
Howard Fomby: Motion to approve.
Tim Sullivan: I second the motion.
Motion approved 7-0.
9. Discuss and recommend the top three Airport budget priorities for Council consideration
for FY 2005-2006.
Tim Sullivan: 1) Airport road maintenance; 2) Auto parking facilities; 3) Security updates & additions
Don Pfiester: I think we need to look broader: 1) Master Plan recommendations – priority; 2) Noise
Study recommendations – priority; 3) Airport maintenance
John Bader: 1) Master Plan recommendations; 2) Noise Study recommendations; 3) Security
improvements
Howard Fomby: I have an additional concern – Tower costs.
Chris Cagle: Tower cost should be a top priority and in the budget.
Travis McLain: We have included tower costs into the budget as budget projections of $25,000 per
year.
Don Pfiester: On this tower project, do we pay for all the radios and equipment to the tower?
Travis McLain: We pay 90-10. This new tower proposal includes equipment.
Mark Dietz: I have listed:
1) Master Plan Requirements
2) Noise Study Requirements
3) Security improvements/updates
Don Pfiester: I agree.
Tim Sullivan: Motion to approve the above listed items as Airport budget priorities for Council
consideration for FY 2005-2006.
Howard Fomby: I second the motion.
Motion approved 7-0.
10. Discuss and recommend what the Board would like to accomplish over the next five years.
Tim Sullivan: 1) planning use of the airport to achieve a win -win situation for airport users and the
neighboring public; 2) programs to promote airport safety; 3) have the best all around security of any
general aviation airport in the state of Texas
Don Pfiester: 4) FAA compliance (RPZ’s and OFA’s)
Chris Cagle: 5) Airport Safety Program; 6) Tower; 7) Museum
Howard Fomby: 8) Encourage development of the new Central Texas Regional Air port (outside of
Georgetown).
Arnold Wieder: No new items (I liked what Don had to say).
John Bader: No new items (they got all mine already).
John Sommerfeld: (Citizen) I have not heard any of you address the major issue of adjacent land use.
Don Pfiester: Those points are addressed in the Master Plan Update.
Tim Sullivan: In the top three issues facing Georgetown as a whole in the next five years, the first
item I had was land use planning. As a board we are limited as to what we can do about things that
are not on the airport. We can make recommendations to the City of Georgetown.
Arnold Wieder: In the Master Plan Update, it talks about land use, and Avigation easements for the
undeveloped land across Lakeway Drive.
Tim Sullivan: The City will have to look at annexation policies.
Mark Dietz: So, this board would like to accomplish over the next five years:
1) planning use of the airport to achieve a win-win situation
2) implementation of programs to promote airport safety
3) increase aviation security at the airport
4) implement the Master Plan recommendations for the Runway Protections Zones (RPZ ’s) and the
runway Object Free Areas (OFA’s)
5) Tower
6) Museum
7) new Central Texas Regional Airport (outside GTU)
John Bader: I would like to see an increase in community education and involvement with the Airport.
Like the Airport Open House to see what goes on at the airport.
Mark Dietz:
8) increase community education and involvement with the airport
Howard Fomby: Motion to approve the recommendations that the board would like to accomplish
within the next five years.
Tim Sullivan: I second the motion.
Motion approved 7-0.
11. Consideration and possible action to recommend that Council accept a Non Primary
Entitlement Grant in the amount of $150.000.00 from TxDOT Aviation.
Travis McLain: TxDOT has notified the City that $150,000.00 in NPE funds is available to the
Georgetown Municipal Airport. The following projects are recommended by this office for your
consideration:
A. Relocate the Civil Air Patrol building to the East Side of the lot due to the site selected for the Air
Traffic Control Tower.
Estimated Cost = $5,000.00
B. Relocate overhead power line and underground water line due to site of the Air Traffic Control
Tower.
Estimated Cost = $5,000.00
C. Clear and grub trees in the line of site to the Air Traffic Control Tower.
Estimated Cost = $6,500.00
D. Install new rotating beacon on top of the Air Traffic Control Tower and remove the old beacon
tower.
Estimated Cost = $20,000.00
E. Install 4 Box PAPI to runway 18 approach as recommended in the Airport Master Plan Update.
Estimated Cost = $25,000.00
F. Construct emergency access road from the Fire Station No. 4 to the airport runways as
recommended in the Airport Master Plan Update.
Estimated Cost = $75,000.00
Total estimated costs are $136,500.00.
Don Pfiester: Were any of these costs included in the Tower project?
Travis McLain: No Sir.
Don Pfiester: What were we going to do if this entitlement hadn’t come along?
Travis McLain: We would have paid out of Airport Funds. This just happened to come at an
opportune time.
Don Pfiester: Motion to recommend that Council accept a Non Primary Entitlement Grant in the
amount of $150.000.00 from TxDOT Aviation for safety a nd maintenance projects at the Airport.
Chris Cagle: I second the motion.
Motion approved 7-0.
12. Discuss the Airport Road construction project.
No action taken. Airport Road is now open to traffic in both directions.
13. Discussion and Possible action on recommendation for Airport Layout Plan, Rules &
Regulations and Minimum Standards.
Don Pfiester: Tim, John, and I met on the Minimum Standards and came up with a final draft that we
sent to Chairman Dietz. One question, there is a very long list of de finitions in the Minimum
Standards and 70% of them do not have anything to do with Minimum Standards, but they could have
something to do with Rules & Regulations. We altered those definitions in the Minimum Standards.
Should there be one set of definitions?
Mark Dietz: The Rules & Regulations confirmed to make a complete set and send it to the consultant.
Don Pfiester: Our subcommittee would like to leave it as it is.
Mark Dietz: I will forward it on to Mr. Willis for him to make his final recommendations.
Don Pfiester: Motion we pass the Minimum Standards portion of the Rules and Regulations as was
corrected by the subcommittee, submitted to the chairman, and the chairman will send to the
consultant for final review.
John Bader: I second the motion.
Motion approved 7-0.
14. Discussion on the Updated Master Plan.
No action.
15. Discuss the Airport Safety Observation Report and Methods to Promote Airport Safety.
Arnold Wieder: (See attachment concerning a March 4, 2005, pilot observation1). We need to
emphasize the importance of radio communication. Maybe we need to advise our FAA Safety Rep –
Don Dison.
Mark Dietz: One of the things we talked about but have not decided is what use we make of the
safety observation reports. Communicating to the FAA Safety Rep is one possibility, there’s also
NASA reports regarding safety issues.
Don Pfiester: I think it’s real important that everyone on the airport is aware of this type of situation.
Beth Jenkins: (FBO Operator) We traced the owner to California and the King air came from Tyler,
TX. The Piper Tomahawk was ours.
Tim Sullivan: What can we do?
Mark Dietz: If we’re recommending action be taken, then it has to go through the City Council. But if
it’s purely informational, the board can provide the information.
Don Pfiester: I think it’s real important the information get out.
Beth Jenkins: (FBO Operator) I would send it to the FAA. They should at least look into it.
Tim Sullivan: I think the City Council should be aware of this incident.
Chris Cagle: The FAA should be the primary contact and advise the City.
Mark Dietz: Again, it’s the level of communication. If you’re sending something to a flight safety
director’s office, then that should come from the City, not this board. But if it is a communication to
Don Dison, FAA Safety Rep, then I do not see any issues. I agree with Tim, that whatever we are
doing needs to go to the City either through staff or directly to council.
Howard Fomby: Effectively if we give it to Travis, it goes to the City Manager. We can take action for
Travis to convey the information to Don Dison, FAA Rep.
John Bader: I would say we forward a copy of these reports to Travis and our local FAA Safety Rep.
Tim Sullivan: It needs to be brought to the attention of the C ity Council. This is a perfect example of a
safety issue and shows the need for a tower. There would have been action taken if there was a
tower here.
Don Pfiester: The board should re-emphasize the need to be aware.
Arnold Wieder: Airport staff has been working with the City Information Technology (IT) Department
to put this information on the City website. Nothing will be released to the website without our
approval.
Don Pfiester: Motion the board to authorize Travis McLain to communicate our concern of this
particular incident as a report to the City Manager, the FBO’s, and the website and the FAA Safety
Rep.
Howard Fomby: I second the motion.
Motion approved 7-0.
16. Discuss Airport Museum.
Howard Fomby: No new information. However, a museum, the International Swifts Association is
looking for a new home (2006). Local interests are of a local pilot’s/courier of WWI and those
materials coming to the museum. We have people in Sun City that have a B-24 still flying. We do
have approval from the Council to move forward with this.
17. Consideration and Possible Action for setting Agenda Items for the April 25, 2005,
meeting.
Mark Dietz: Items for the April 2005 agenda:
A. Discussion and Possible action on recommendation for Airport Layout Plan, Rules & Regulations
and Minimum Standards.
B. Discussion on the Updated Master Plan.
C. Discussion and possible action of the Airport Safety Observation Report and Methods to Promote
Airport Safety
D. Discuss Airport Museum.
E. Discussion and Possible action on the Central Texas Airport.
F. Discuss meeting with the Central Texas Airport Advisory Boards.
John Bader: Next meeting, in respect to Security Awareness, I would like to discus s updating the
Airport Business Directory Signs (hanging/fence).
Tim Sullivan: Travis in your Manager’s Report for April, can you give us general information on the
cameras and lights, as well as Police security at the Airport.
18. Adjourn.
Don Pfiester: Motion that we adjourn.
John Bader: I second the motion.
Motion approved 7-0.
Submitted by:
Travis McLain
Airport Director
Approved: Attest:
____________________________ __________________________
Mark Dietz, Chairman Arnold Wieder, Board Secretary
1Attachment: Airport Safety Observations Report – March 20, 2005