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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Aviation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 6/13/2012 MINUTES AVIATION ADVISORY COMMISSION GLENDALE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT 6801 N GLEN HARBOR BLVD - SUITE 201 GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85307 AIRPORT CONFERENCE ROOM JUNE 13,2012 7:00 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Chair Ron Cohoe with the following Commissioners present: Vice-Chair Carl Duggins, Victoria Rogen and Robert Irons. Also present were Walter Fix, Airport Administrator; Basil Allen, Airport Tower; and public attendees including the following: Jess Bootman, T.R. McCully, J.R. Madson, Richard Rivet, Jim Violette. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING Commissioner Rogen motioned to approve the May 12, 2012 meeting minutes with the following change: On Page 5, the sentence "Commissioner Rogen stated that this is just a week before Luke Air Force Days and thought it might be prudent to hold the Airport event the following year when the Luke Days are not held." should be changed to "Commissioner Rogen stated that this is just a week before Luke Air Force Days and thought it might be prudent to hold the Airport event the year following Luke Days to extend interest in aviation." Commissioner Duggins made the second. The motion carried 4 - 0 III. REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCE OR WITHDRAWAL OF ITEMS. None. IV.AIRPORT BUSINESS Mr. Fix updated the Commission on business at the Glendale Airport. Topics included the following: 1. Airport Rules & Regulations, Minimum Operating Standards and Leasing Policy Mr. Fix reported that a recent trip to Washington D.C. was a success with the FAA representatives. The FAA is allowing more time for completion of the Airport Rules and Regulations, Minimum Operating Standards and the Leasing Policy. Furthermore, the FAA is allowing more time for the review of the APS Solar Lease and the materials lab portion of the garage. Mr. Fix 1 will now be working with the FAA Los Angeles Airport District Office going forward. Mr. Fix reported that the Rules and Regulations stakeholder committee met on a regular basis. Mr. Fix noted that the stakeholder group consists of Chair Cohoe, Mr. Roger Whittier, Airport hangar owner, Mr. Carl Brandenburg, the Airport FBO Manager, and himself. Mr. Fix stated that since the review and approval of the draft Rules and Regulations by the Commission in May, comments made by the Washington D.C. legal team have been incorporated into the document. Mr. Fix stated that the stakeholder group is on track to submit the Rules and Regulations to the FAA Los Angeles Airport District Office by the end of June 2012. Mr. Fix commented that the over the summer, the stakeholder group will work on the Airport Minimum Operating Standards and Leasing Policy. Mr. Fix noted that the Leasing Policy is a new document for the Airport. Mr. Fix announced that by the end of the summer the Airport Rules and Regulations, Minimum Operating Standards and the Leasing Policy will be: • Reviewed by the Los Angeles Airport District Office • Brought back to the Commission for review and recommendation for Council approval • Sent to study workshops and to Mayor and Council for approval • Posted for Public Comment in the fall Mr. Fix explained that there are not a lot of drastic changes to the previous draft of revision to the Rules and Regulations of 2010. Mr. Fix stated that the 2010 revisions were done by a large stakeholder group over the course of two years who made a lot of very good revisions. Mr. Fix stated that the current revisions were more wordsmithing than drastic changes. Chair Cohoe assured the Commissioners that they would be able to see any new changes to the document when completed. 2. Events Committee Mr. Fix reported that the Events Committee has had two meetings so far and at the meeting last week, a guest event planner who has worked on air shows was in attendance. Mr. Fix stated that the event planner provided good advice to the Committee. Mr. Fix announced that the event will be called an Airport Open House and is scheduled to be held on March 9, 2013. Mr. Fix reported that last week he met with Ms. Sandy Adams, the City of Glendale Transportation Education Manager. Mr. Fix explained that Ms. Adams has a lot of contacts with the City necessary to event planning, such as police, parking, traffic and barricades. Mr. Fix stated that a meeting will be held with the city contacts and the search for sponsorships will begin. Mr. Fix estimated 2 the cost of the event at $10,000. Mr. Fix commented that there is a possibility that the Bike Rodeo could be held at the Open House as well which could dovetail very nicely with the event. Mr. Gillies inquired as to the type of the aircraft that would be on display at the Open House. Mr. Fix replied that he has contacted Mr. Ken Miles of the Collings Foundation, which has aircraft such as WWII Bombers and a P51. Mr. Fix stated that the tour for this Foundation does not begin until April, but if there is enough interest, the Foundation might modify its tour. Mr. Fix explained that the Foundation would come out for free if they are allowed to charge for tours and rides. Chair Cohoe inquired if Commissioner Chaney was on the Events Committee. Mr. Fix replied in the positive. Commissioner Irons offered to help plan the Bike Rodeo as he has worked with Ms. Sandy Adams in the past. 3. Terminal Building—Internet and/or Cable Options Mr. Fix spoke with the City of Glendale Information Technology Manager, Mr. Dave Atchison, who subsequently contacted Cox Communications. It would cost the Airport an estimated $100,000 for Cox to bring the internet system to the Airport. The Cox representative indicated that there are not enough surrounding commercial and residential areas to support Cox paying for the installation. Mr. Fix commented that there is some potential opportunity to install T1 lines or a satellite to act as an internet provider. Mr. Fix stated that currently, the individual businesses at the Airport have to set up their own internet access, which can cost over$1,000 a month. Chair Cohoe asked Mr. Fix to contact West-MEC to inquire what type of internet access the school has. Commissioner Rogen inquired as to the internet access used by Airport staff. Mr. Fix explained that staff uses a satellite connectivity from the nearby Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center and has a T1 hard line within the Terminal Building for employee work stations. Chair Cohoe wondered if there has been a study on the benefit of internet installation and if it would increase the amount of customers and tenants. Mr. Fix replied that a study has not been done but felt that having the internet available at the airport would surely help with customers and attracting businesses. 4. Airport Entrance Sign Mr. Fix spoke with the principal planner at the City of Glendale Planning Department and inquired about the possibility of a digital sign. Mr. Fix was informed that the zoning would prohibit the installation of a digital sign. Mr. Fix stated that currently there are two alternatives: 1. To install a new sign, albeit not digital. 2. To keep the existing sign but raise it up by about two feet and change the colors to create better visibility. Mr. Fix will continue to work the Planning Department to either determine other options or request a waiver regarding the digital sign. 5. Status of Restaurant 3 Mr. Fix reported that the owners of the Airport restaurant have requested a change from being open seven days a week to six days a week. Effective this week, the restaurant will be closed on Mondays through September 30, 2012. Chair Cohoe asked about any further restaurant plans. Mr. Fix noted that the owners were planning on offering meal specials to increase business. Chair Cohoe asked if Airport tenants could place temporary signs on Glendale Avenue. Mr. Fix explained that the ordinance states that several times a year, special event types of signs can be placed, however, the ordinance is not very specific. Mr. Fix thought that the restaurant might be able to place a sign regarding a food special once in a while. Commissioner Rogen wondered if the restaurant could strategically park a truck with restaurant signage to increase business. 6. Next Commission Meeting Chair Cohoe stated that traditionally the Commission has vacated one or two meetings in the summer. All Commissioners present agreed to vacate the July 2012 meeting. V. SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS Mr. Fix presented the current status of operations and projects. 1. Conair Property: Mr. Fix announced that the Airport took possession of the 38.5 acres across Glendale Avenue which was done as a friendly condemnation. Mr. Fix stated that this Conair property was within the Airport Runway Protection Zone. Mr. Fix explained that the City made an offer and put funds in escrow. The funds have been taken out of escrow and a court will decide on the purchase price of the land based on current market value. Mr. Fix added that the Airport will eventually receive FAA and ADOT grants for the fair market value of the land. Mr. Fix stated that the Airport will eventually fence off the property with separate FAA and ADOT grants. 2. Blast Fence and Blast Pad Project: Mr. Fix stated that the FAA and ADOT took longer than expected to review the final 100% plans of the blast fence and blast pad project and therefore this project was unable to get on this month's Council agenda. Mr. Fix stated that the project will be on the August 2012 Council agenda for approval. Mr. Fix reported the following details on the project: a. The project will take an estimated 60 days to complete. b. Work on the project will be done at night. c. The project will include a lot of asphalt work. d. The blast fence will be re-angled. e. One long blast fence along Glendale Avenue will be constructed. f. The south windsock will be relocated. g. New ramp markings will be made. 3. Runway Slurry/Seal Project: Mr. Fix explained that the runway slurry/seal project will be funded by ADOT and the City of Glendale. Mr. Fix will coordinate with ADOT so that the slurry/seal project will begin after the Blast Fence Project is completed. Mr. Fix estimated that the slurry/seal project will 4 • begin in the fall, however, explained that the project is coordinated by an ADOT contractor. Mr. Gillies inquired about the night-time hours. Mr. Fix stated that the work would be done right after the Tower closes up to when the Tower opens. 4. Operations: Mr. Allen reported that operations at the Airport for May were very slow and are down 28% from May 2011. Mr. Allen stated that TransPac called today and indicated that there may be more of their aircraft using the Glendale Airport because of the summer ILS closure at Gateway and at final ILS closure at Casa Grande. Chair Cohoe asked if this was a historical operational low and Mr. Allen stated that this is the lowest operations figure since he has been with the Airport. VI. CALL TO THE PUBLIC Call to the Public was made. Mr. Jim Violette asked if the new Leasing Policy would affect any current Airport leases. Mr. Fix stated that the new policy would not impact current leases. Mr. Fix clarified that the Leasing Policy is being required by the FAA and will explain the process of how to lease,build or rent property at the Airport. Mr. Jim Violette wondered if other valley airports have electronic signs. Mr. Fix stated that he has seen lighted signs at other airports. Mr. Fix commented that the Glendale Airport does have an internally lighted sign, but he would like to see a digital sign at the site. Mr. Fix was not aware of the zoning codes of the other airports. Mr. Jim Violette inquired about the large cracks on the ramp area. Chair Cohoe suggested that this topic be discussed at a future meeting. Mr. Jim Violette inquired as to the final closure of ILS at Casa Grande. Mr. Allen had heard the system was being removed but was unsure as to the reason. Mr. Allen stated that it would most likely be replaced by a better system. Mr. Allen was also unclear as to why Gateway was closing the system for the summer. VII. NEW BUSINESS REQUESTS (Future Agenda Items) Chair Cohoe suggested the following New Business Items: • Discussion on Ramp Repairs • Suggestions to Council Regarding Airspace Preservation of the Airport • Options for Extra Ramp Space on Weeks of the Big Bowl Games Commissioner Rogen requested a map of the Conair property. Mr. Fix stated that now that the City owns the property, it can be mapped. 5 Commissioner Irons inquired about usage of the Conair property. Mr. Fix explained that the Runway Protection Zone is very restrictive, but there may be a certain amount of items allowed to be placed on the property. Mr. Fix stated that transportation barricades could be moved to the peripheries of the property. Mr. Fix commented that the property will remain undeveloped. Commissioner Irons inquired about any adjustments to landing areas due to the buyout of the Conair property and/or the Blast Fence Project. Mr. Fix explained that the changes of the barrier will not affect landing. Mr. Fix noted that the barrier needs to be moved back because it is within the Runway Safety Area; however, the landing area will remain the same. Mr. Gillies stated that in July, the Air Force will announce where the F35's will based and hoped that the choice will be the Luke Air Force Base. VIII.NEXT MEETING TIME The next meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on the second floor Conference Room of the Airport terminal building on Wednesday, August 8, 2012. The July meeting was vacated by Commissioner agreement. IX. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS Chair Cohoe thanked all attendees for their participation during the informative meeting. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. by consensus. The Aviation Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes of June 13, 2012 were approved at the Commission Meeting of August 8, 2012. Walter L. Fix, A.A.E. Airport Administrator 623-930-2188 6