HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_AIRAB_06.20.2005
Minutes of the Meeting of
the Airport Advisory Board
City of Georgetown, Texas
Monday, June 20, 2005
The Airport Advisory Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Monday , June 20, 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. Consideration and Approval of Minutes of May 16, 2005, meeting.
Don Pfiester: Motion to approve the minutes of May 16, 2005.
Arnold Wieder: I second the motion.
Motion approved 7-0.
3. Ai rport Manager’s Report:
May 2005 Monthly Income and Expense Reports
Travis McLain: There were several good flying days in May.
Don Pfiester: How is the waiting list for hangar rentals these days?
Travis McLain: The waiting list is over a hundred people.
Report on Noise Study Update
We received the FAA’s response on 6-20-05. Copies will be in the July Packet.
C. Report on Master Plan Update
We had the last planning action committee meeting (PAC) a week ago and the Public Meeting
and City Council Action is scheduled for July 26, 2005.
Travis McLain: A presentation by the consultant to the public (public meeting – 4:00 p.m.) and the
City Council meeting will all be held on the same day - July 26, 2005.
D. Report on Council Actions
None.
General Information Items
Upcoming projects:
1) Installation of a 4-box PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicator) on Runway 18.
2) Access road from Fire Station No. 4 to the end of Runway 18 (part of the $150,000.00 Non
Primary Entitlement Grant).
3) Relocate the Civil Air Patrol – Building (part of the $150,000.00 Non Primary Entitlement Grant).
4) Relocate the utilities for the Civil Air Patrol – Building (part of the $150,000.00 Non Primary
Entitlement Grant).
Mark Dietz: What is the schedule for the PAPI and the roadway?
Travis McLain: It will probably go out to bid sometime this fall.
Arnold Wieder: You said there will be an access road from the Fire Station?
Travis McLain: Yes sir, a direct access road for fire trucks from Fire Station No. 4 to the end of
runway 18. That way they do not have to drive on Airport Road to gain access to airport
property. The new road will provide a faster response time.
Travis McLain: That concludes my report. Are there any questions?
Arnold Wieder: I saw on the AOPA website that the FAA was proposing to shut down 57 NDB’s
(Non-Directional Beacons); do you know anything about this? I checked to see if we were on
the FAA’s list; we weren’t, but Waco seemed to be a couple of times.
Travis McLain: Yes, that is correct. If you have more than two approaches, in addition to the
NDB, then they will no longer support and inspect it. All we have is GPS (Global Positioning
Satellite) and NDB so we can keep it until they change the rules.
Don Pfiester: I read in the City newsletter that the control tower location has been approved by
the FAA. Is that correct?
Travis McLain: Yes sir. The Tower site has been approved by the FAA. The building style i s to
be selected by Consultant Selection Committee and recommended to Council in the next 2-3
weeks. They have approved the site selected between the Terminal Building and the Civil Air
Patrol Building. The design consultant is anticipating completion September 2006.
Don Pfiester: You mentioned about funds to move the Civil Air Patrol Building?
Travis McLain: The Civil Air Patrol Building will stay on the same lot; but we have to relocate the
building to a different area. The first stage will be to move the building, then get power to it.
Don Pfiester: I’d like to see an agenda item for the status of the control tower in the Manager ’s
Reports for July and in the future.
4. Citizens Wishing to Address the Board
None.
5. Consideration and possible action to recommend that Council approve a six-month
extension to the Mandatory Construction Deadline for the Microfusion Airport Land Lease.
Mark Dietz: I recuse myself from this matter due to a conflict of interest. Vice -Chairman Howard
Fomby will preside over this item.
Howard Fomby: Travis will you give comment on this item.
Travis McLain: This is a 6-month extension request by Mr. Minarovic of Microfusion for the Scott &
White hangar construction. This is the third extension request.
Tim Sullivan: If I’m reading this correctly, the City of Georgetown has made all kinds of demands and
changes and that is why this is taking so long.
Joe Minarovic: (Citizen) We have been in the approval/signature process with the City of Georgetown
since March 2, 2005. It takes 7-10 signatures on the mylars and a month ago the City representative,
Melissa McCollum, asked that we prepare the mylars. At this point and time we are one signature
short in allowing us to begin construction. It is a technicality over electrical requ irements, and is
currently under discussion with the Engineer and City Consultant. Once that issue is resolved and
signed off, we will urgently get underway. We have added 10,000 cubic yards of base ($25,000.00)
for site preparation, and had the architect make drawings ($25,000.00). We have invested heavily
into this project. I’m sure this will be the last time we’ll be here concerning this activity.
Don Pfiester: Did you have a big problem with the fire wall and fire suppression system?
Joe Minarovic: (Citizen) Yes. Dave Hall with the City of Georgetown worked with the Fire Department
and the people responsible in that activity. The type of construction we will be doing at the airport is
tilt-wall construction and it’s novel for the airport, yet it meets all the requirements and exceeds many
of them.
Chris Cagle: When you started this process did the City of Georgetown give you an outline or a
checklist of the documents required?
Joe Minarovic: (Citizen) In the engineering process, the architect is knowledgeable of the various
practices. The code books have increased in volume and changes.
Don Pfiester: Microfusion’s hangar is the first hangar built on the airport to experience these new
changes. If you build within 30 feet of the property line, then you have to put up a firewall (the City
never enforced that requirement before).
Tim Sullivan: Motion we recommend that Council approve a six -month extension to the Mandatory
Construction Deadline for the Microfusion Airport Land Lease.
John Bader: I second the motion.
Motion carried 5-1 (Dietz recused, Wieder against).
6. Consideration and possible action to recommend that Council offer T -hangar F-6 to the
Civil Air Patrol, Apollo Squadron, rent free.
Mark Dietz: We have correspondence from Mr. Yearwood of the Civil Air Patrol addressed to Travis
McLain, Airport Director, requesting that the hangar rent be waived (rent free).
Travis McLain: The Civil Air Patrol rent is $157.50 per month ($1890.00/year). That is roughly 6/10 of
1% of our hangar/tiedown revenue per year (minimal impact to the Airport Fund).
Mark Dietz: I’m interested in your letter, the statement, “our Squadron is the only Civil Air Patrol unit in
Texas that is required to pay rent on their hanger.” What is the source of that information?
John Yearwood: (Member of the Civil Air Patrol) Separately. There are 25 airplanes in Texas in the
Civil Air Patrol, ours is the only squadron required to pay rent. The CAP (Civil Air Patrol) is a United
States Air Force Auxiliary - providing search and rescue, disaster relief, emergency services, and
cadet educational programs. Texas Wing is headquartered in Austin and has units in Williamson and
Bell County and other parts of Central Texas.
Arnold Wieder: How will the relocation of the CAP building impact your rehab efforts?
John Yearwood: (Member of the Civil Air Patrol) I do not think it will cost too much money. Right now
we just need to get it moved so we can get started; we do not want to do a lot of work on the outside
until it’s moved.
Travis McLain: Actually, they will come out a little better. When we move the CAP building, we will
provide them electricity and water again, as well as wastewater, which they do not have now.
Howard Fomby: Motion we recommend that Council offer T-hangar F-6 to the Civil Air Patrol, Apollo
Squadron, rent free.
Don Pfiester: I second the motion.
Motion carried 7-0.
7. Discussion and Possible action on recommendation for Airport Layout Plan, Rules &
Regulations and Minimum Standards.
Mark Dietz: We can report (those of us that attend the Airport Master Plan meeting) that the Rules
and Regulations are a separate plan from the Layout Plan. The Layout Plan is going to Council on
July 26, 2005. But the Rules and Regulations are still in draft form and coming fro m Chuck Willis for
our continued input, but I have not received those.
Don Pfiester: What is the status of the draft? Arnold, are you going to review them?
Mark Dietz: Mr. Willis has not sent the final draft to the AAB (Airport Advisory Board) for review.
Don Pfiester: We had questions about definitions.
Arnold Wieder: I have a copy dated May 16, 2005 and is noted as an update. I took this version and
compared it with the last version of December, 2004. I noticed that no definitions were attached to
this copy and there are a few items I need to check on. There are a few minor changes.
Don Pfiester: Do we need to contact him to get this consolidated so we can give a final review? We
need to review the final draft before the July meeting.
Mark Dietz: Action to this item will be that Arnold will contact Chuck Willis about the final draft of the
Rules & Regulations. I will assist as necessary.
8. Discussion on the Updated Master Plan.
Don Pfiester: To bring everyone up to date, we had the final PAC (Planning Action Committee)
meeting. Chuck Willis went over all the recommends that the PAC put together and sent him and he
explained questions.
Mark Dietz: I remember recommendations that the PAC made included suggestions that the
language in some statements concerning the City of Georgetown ’s intentions be softened. The
language in those statements was changed to be less adversarial and more open to mitigating those
recommendations with the FAA.
9. Discuss the Airport Safety Observation Report and Methods to Promote Airport Safety.
Arnold Wieder: I have one new Safety Observation Reports that I turned in onto the City’s website. In
essence, I observed vehicular traffic on the taxiway between Century Turbines and Pilot ’s Choice
Aviation and advised the occupants about their errors. I believe we need more signs to direct
vehicular traffic on airport property.
Tim Sullivan: I can validate that, in that two years ago while studying the security situation, I drove
through the south gate and onto the taxiway, not knowing where I was.
Don Pfiester: There’s an ordinance posted by my building that states it is a $200.00 fine.
Howard Fomby: One of the problems on the airport is that it is hard to distinguish some roads and
taxiways.
Arnold Wieder: Some meetings back we handed out pamphlets to all the FBO ’s that dealt with pilot
activity that talked about runway incursions. This issue could become more important as the control
tower becomes operational.
10. Discuss Airport Museum.
Howard Fomby: The City of Georgetown has been requested by Kathy Kilmore of the Texas Aviation
History Foundation to supply additional information by July 11, 2005. They are looking for funding to
the Georgetown Airport Museum (a candidate) rather than donating to existing museums.
Councilman, Gabe Sansing is helping me with this project.
Tim Sullivan: Don’t we have to have the land under consideration included as part of the Master
Plan?
Howard Fomby: The land (2 tracts) has been designated for commercial purpose. TxDOT, however,
views this proposal as a non-aviation purpose.
Travis McLain: Filing a change to the Airport Master Plan is not that difficult.
Arnold Wieder: Will there need to be a taxiway for static displays?
Howard Fomby: A road would be sufficient.
11. Discussion and possible action on the Central Texas Regional Airport.
Mark Dietz: It appears that went down in the final days of the legislative session. Does anyone have
more news?
Arnold Wieder: The information given to me was that one of the property owners was no t aware some
of their land was under consideration for the New Central Texas Airport. That person attended a
special meeting in Austin to voice their concern and opposition. Mr. Dave Fulton said they needed
approval of the property owners to proceed. Whether that specific discussion scuttled the selected
site or not, I do not know.
12. Discuss meeting with the Central Texas Airport Advisory Boards.
John Bader: Some preliminary dates that I was looking at are Thursday, September 8; Saturday,
September 10; Thursday, September 15; Saturday, September 17; this is similar to last time, four
options. I contacted Killeen Airport, to see if they would be interested i n hosting this next meeting.
Don Christian, last year’s Airport Director, is now the Asst. City Manager and the new Airport Director
is Don Sutton. He emailed me and said he would be interested in hosting such a meeting, but
wanted to talk to me about a few things first.
Mark Dietz: Burnet said they would also be interested in hosting.
John Bader: I will also contact Burnet.
Tim Sullivan: Paul Smith also offered to host the next meeting.
John Bader: Once I get a location, I will contact Paul Smith of the National Business Aircraft
Association (NBAA). At our next meeting I should have a location and keep in mind items for
discussion.
13. Discuss updating the Airport Business Direction signs.
Mark Dietz: This is also John Bader’s item.
John Bader: Hangar Signs – Is there a City code as far as signs on commercial buildings/hangars?
Travis McLain: Yes, there is a City code, but right now we only have street numbers on each building.
Mark Dietz: Right now hangars are not individually marked other than their doors. There are no large
“J” or “H” markings that identify individual hangars. Are there any City codes associated with placing
these markings?
Travis McLain: No.
Howard Fomby: I thought on the new ones there are small letters on the end caps.
Travis McLain: Each door has (for example) “I-10, J-20”.
Don Pfiester: My problem is that unless you drive up to that hangar, you cannot tell what it is. I
would like to see bigger letters on the hangars (2-3 feet minimum).
Chris Cagle: We pointed out once before that it is a safety factor if someone had a fire and getting
there.
Don Pfiester: If I saw a fire at a hangar right over there, I could not be able to identify it unless I went
over to the door. This needs to be done on all the public hangars; I do not know about the private
ones.
Chris Cagle: It could be suggested that compliance or conformity with the other City signs.
Tim Sullivan: Could this board direct Travis to make arrangements to this or do we need to go to
Council?
Travis McLain: We need to go through Council and I have submitted a special $15,000.00 project
budget (FY 2006) for signage.
Mark Dietz: Does that include obtaining signs on sign posts or only for the individual hangars?
Travis McLain: Whatever signs the board agrees upon.
Mark Dietz: I think the other issue is directions once you are on the airport, as to what an appropriate
road is and how to get to a particular hangar or business.
Don Pfiester: I would like to see at every road crossing where there is a taxiway, a si gn that say, “You
are about to cross an active Taxiway” and do not be crossing on the taxiway or a fine.
Chris Cagle: What about painting lines for vehicular traffic and follow the lines.
Travis McLain: The problem is that some T -Hangars customers cannot get to their hangars without
driving on the taxiway.
Don Pfiester: Strangers are the most confused. You can drive out on the taxiway real easy and if you
got lost, you could end up on the runway.
Travis McLain: We could put up signs that identify that “this is a taxiway” “this is Hangar Drive”, etc.
Tim Sullivan: Could that be covered in your budget of $15,000.00?
Travis McLain: Yes. The ordinary street signs can be done by the City - Sign Shop, and the City of
Georgetown has hired a consultant for directional signs.
John Bader: That is what I’m thinking, getting suggestions and bids from companies for signs for:
business, directions, hangar, taxiways, etc.
Howard Fomby: We would probably want signs that can be changed out as businesses change.
Mark Dietz: Travis, when do you have to have recommendation to City Council to have on the 2006
budget?
Travis McLain: I have already done that.
Mark Dietz: Next month we should put this as an action item. Would that allow sufficient time for the
2006 budget recommendations?
Travis McLain: I have requested the $15,000.00 for signs in the 2006 budget, but it still has to go
through the City Manager and City Council approval.
Mark Dietz: This is an action item for next month and recommendations from the subcommittee.
14. Consideration and Possible Action for setting Agenda Items for the July 18, 2005, meeting.
Mark Dietz: Items for the July 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 meeting with the Central Texas Airport Advisory Boards.
F. Discussion and possible action on updating the Airport Business Direction Signs.
Howard Fomby: I’d like consideration of: 1) the idea to install shade hangars in place of tied owns. 2)
better illumination of the taxiways at night.
15. Adjourn.
Tim Sullivan: Motion that we adjourn.
John Bader: I second the motion.
Motion approved 7-0.
Adjourned: 8:11 P.M.
Submitted by:
Travis McLain
Airport Director
Approved: Attest:
____________________________ __________________________
Mark Dietz, Chairman Arnold Wieder, Board Secretary