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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