MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD
March 21, 2007
A Regular Meeting of the Airport Advisory Board was held this date in Council Chambers at City Hall. Chair Hollowell called the meeting to order at 1:29 p.m.
I. ROLL CALL
Roll was called with the following Board members present: Chair Paul Hollowell, Susan Balsinger, Bart Bartanowicz, Nick Carlucci, Jim Leis, Kim Stephens, and Ex-Officio Council Member John Simmonds. John Yurosko was excused.
Also present: City Attorney Robert Anderson, Airport Manager Fred Watts and Recording Secretary Susan Schult.
Chair Hollowell formally welcomed Kim Stephens to the board.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
(1:30) Ms. Balsinger moved that Minutes of the Regular Meeting held February 14, 2007 be approved. Seconded by Mr. Carlucci. MOTION CARRIED ON VOICE VOTE UNANIMOUSLY.
1. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
(1:31) Mr. Carlucci nominated Paul Hollowell to serve as Chair of the Airport Advisory Board. Seconded by Ms. Balsinger. MOTION CARRIED ON VOICE VOTE UNANIMOUSLY.
(1:32) Ms. Stephens nominated Nick Carlucci to serve as Vice Chair of the Airport Advisory Board. Seconded by Mr. Leis. MOTION CARRIED ON VOICE VOTE UNANIMOUSLY.
IV. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
(1:34) Randall Green, Golden Beach resident, distributed copies of the 1976 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Noise Abatement Policy and read from it, stating the city is not protecting the nearby residents and requested the board follow up on these regulations.
Mr. Hollowell stated he would make sure Mr. Watts has a copy of the distributed regulations, progress has been and continues to be made to comply with these regulations, and that the board is constituted in accordance with city ordinance.
(1:45) Barry Jones, Venice Municipal Mobile Home Park (MHP) resident, noted that according to the budget, the MHP is the major contributor of revenue to the airport, he expressed a desire to have a rapport between the city and the residents of the MHP, he stated all board members should live within the city limits, and queried the board regarding future development of airport property.
Mr. Hollowell stated the board will comment and make recommendations on airport property development when items are presented to the board, board members are encouraged to consult the city and/or airport managers on questions concerning development, the board reviews the budget annually, and that rents for all tenants were raised to sustain airport operations. Mr. Hollowell suggested that meetings between the MHP homeowners, airport manager and a member of the board take place on a regular basis.
Mr. Simmonds commented on the composition of the board, stated airport operations are regulated by the FAA and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and he explained the board's function.
(1:56) Richard Cutter, Vice President of the MHP homeowners association, stated his goal was to have a better rapport with the city manager's office and city council.
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Airport Budget for Fiscal Year
2007/2008
Mr. Watts reported he is working with the finance director regarding the merger of the MHP and airport budgets, the airport revenue section has been modified, and made himself available to answer questions.
Discussion followed regarding Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustments, golf ball collection, inclusion of t-hangar and tie down revenues, and the enterprise fund interest revenue.
III. NEW BUSINESS – CONTINUED
2. Amendment to Work Assignment 15 with
MEA Group, Inc. for Additional Engineering and Contract Time Extension
Mr. Watts reviewed the added work and expenses for runway 13/31, he noted this amendment covers engineering for the additional work, and made himself available to answer any questions.
(2:06) Mr. Leis moved to recommend to city council approval of the amendment to Work Assignment 15. Seconded by Mr. Carlucci.
Discussion followed regarding the request submitted after the work was completed, work in progress on the close out package, planning on runway 4/22 and prior discussions on this issue.
MOTION CARRIED ON VOICE VOTE UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Work Assignment 17 with MEA Group, Inc. for the Design of
T–Hangar Area and
Mr. Watts reviewed the scope of work for Work Assignment 17 and made himself available to answer questions.
(2:09) Ms. Balsinger moved to recommend to city council approval of Work Assignment 17 as presented. Seconded by Mr. Carlucci.
Discussion followed regarding the number of t-hangars to be built, the design work consisting of stormwater engineering and t-hangar construction, standard design of t-hangars, MEA Group rates, county involvement, and construction of wider t-hangers.
MOTION CARRIED ON VOICE VOTE UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Amendment to FDOT Aviation Master Joint
Participation Agreement (JPA)
Mr. Watts explained the JPA ensures the airport modifies their work program with the state, and that this amendment extends the contract period for listed projects.
(2:19) Mr. Carlucci moved to recommend to city council approval of the amendment to the FDOT JPA. Seconded by Mr. Bartanowicz. MOTION CARRIED ON VOICE VOTE UNANIMOUSLY.
5. 2006/2007
Fiscal Year Budget Transfers
Mr. Watts stated he is working with city staff to allocate funds for t-hangar repairs necessary to prepare for hurricane season, fuel management and tracking system, the security system, critical document storage, paint and rehabilitate the administration building, purchase maintenance equipment, fly friendly signs and landscaping, and fencing around the circus arena for safety reasons. He stated $114,755 of earned revenue would be applied to these projects along with the transfer amount of $105,969.
(2:24) Mr. Carlucci moved to recommend to city council approval of the budget transfers as presented. Seconded by Mr. Bartanowicz.
Discussion followed regarding the total cost, landscaping for the MHP, origin of funds to be transfered, and reuse of the fencing constructed around the circus arena building.
Mr. Hollowell requested the fly friendly program including airport signs be a high priority and completed as soon as possible, and asked about the sheriff's culpability for the t-hangar.
MOTION CARRIED ON VOICE VOTE UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Miscellaneous
Mr. Leis discussed the article in the newspaper regarding airport development, he talked about negotiations with the Venice Golf Association (VGA) stating the current lease may not be beneficial to the airport, and suggested other options be explored, such as the city buying back the lease and assuming operations of the golf course.
Discussion took place regarding the challenges of the city operating the golf course, the current lease being steady revenue for the city, and benefits of revenue from the golf course.
In response to questions from the board, Mr. Anderson stated no discussions regarding the lease are taking place with the city, there is a current lease, and the city is comfortable with the terms and conditions. Mr. Anderson noted a possible purchase of the leasehold by a third party would require city approval, he explained the role of the airport proposal review committee which reviews development proposals for the other airport property, and commented on available staff time to review potential VGA scenarios.
Mr. Hollowell stated Randall Green provided a proposal, which he distributed to the board and stated it would be discussed at a later date, once board members have reviewed it.
VI. AIRPORT MANAGER REPORT
1. Master Plan Update Interim Report No. 2
Mr. Watts referred to the interim report included in the agenda packet, made himself available to answer questions from the board and reminded the board and the public that all input is welcomed.
Discussion ensued regarding traffic and growth forecasts, potential flight school growth, possibly adjusting the forecasts, addition of definitions in the master plan, and the correction of the fact that the city was not given the airport, it was purchased.
Mr. Watts stated the city manager’s office has requested a meeting with the airport proposal review committee to discuss current proposals, and suggested the board hold a special meeting. Mr. Watts reviewed available dates in April and requested board members contact him regarding a viable date.
Discussion followed regarding the number of proposals, the review process and the approximate time of the special meeting.
VII. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Mr. Leis – no comment.
Ms. Balsinger – no comment.
Mr. Bartanowicz – no comment.
Mr. Carlucci – announced FAA will be making a presentation at this evening’s VASI meeting, VASI is going through a revision of the fly friendly procedures.
Ms. Stephens – no comment.
Mr. Simmonds – talked about the operation of a control tower and not funding a control tower construction and/or operation with city funds.
Discussion followed regarding the expense of a control tower being so large that the FAA went to contract towers, this kind of expense draining municipal funds, liabilities involved with control tower operations, cost estimates to construct a control tower, and minimum staff levels. Mr. Bartanowicz explained the definition of a contract tower.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before this Board, the meeting was adjourned at 3:12 p.m.
(Approved by the
Chairman and the Recording Secretary at the April 11, 2007, regular meeting.)