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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Aviation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 8/14/2013 MINUTES AVIATION ADVISORY COMMISSION GLENDALE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT 6801 N. GLEN HARBOR BLVD - SUITE 201 GLENDALE,ARIZONA 85307 AIRPORT CONFERENCE ROOM August 14,2013 7:00 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Ron Cohoe with the following Commissioners present: Walt Chaney, Victoria Rogen, Marc Terrill, Quentin Tolby, Michael Hernandez and Robert Irons. Also present were Walter Fix, Airport Administrator; Cathy Colbath, Interim Executive Director for Transportation Services; James Gruber, Assistant City Attorney; Basil Allen, Glendale Airport Tower; Clare Pryke, Glendale Airport Hangars; Carl Brandenburg, Glendale Aero Services; Tito Suazo, Aerosim Aviation; Cliff Migal, West-MEC; Greg Donovan,West-MEC; Mr. Nichols, M3 II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING Commissioner Irons motioned to approve the June 12, 2013 meeting minutes as written. Commissioner Tolby made the second. The motion carried 6 - 0 [Commissioner Hernandez was not yet present.] III. REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCE OR WITHDRAWAL OF ITEMS. None. IV. AIRPORT BUSINESS The following business was discussed: 1. Introduction of Assistant City Attorney, Mr. James Gruber Mr. Fix introduced Ms. Colbath and Mr. Gruber. Mr. Fix distributed an updated City staff organizational chart and highlighted recent changes. 2. West-MEC Mr. Fix introduced Mr. Cliff Migal and Mr. Greg Donovan of West-MEC. Mr. Migal expressed appreciation for the support of Mr. Fix and Chair Cohoe in regards to the establishment and progress of the West-MEC aviation program campus. 1 Mr. Migal gave a presentation on the aviation program at West-MEC which included the following highlights: • Traffic flow into and out of the campus is getting better and will continue to be improved. • The first class has graduated and consisted of 36 students. Two of those students have already completed all of their FAA Airframe and Power Plant (A/P) final certification and testing. • 88 students are currently enrolled in the aviation program. There are 42 second year students and 46 first year students. • On Monday the first adult A/P program will begin. There are 12 students enrolled who will attend classes four nights a week. • By August 2014, a Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) manufacturing program as well as a welding program will also be offered at the Central campus. • The Glendale campus is now considered the "Central Campus" as it is centrally located among all of the other West-MEC locations. [Commissioner Hernandez entered the meeting.] Mr. Donovan added the following information: • The school is growing and investing in more properties: 1617 W. Williams Drive, which is eleven acres near the northwest corner of the Deer Valley Airport and 17 acres at I10 and Airport Road which is south of the new APS Training Center in Buckeye. • The school is looking for property in Surprise. • Glendale is now called the Central Campus. • The entire school system serves twelve high school districts which consist of 46 high schools. Furthermore, four community colleges are partners as well. • There are currently 25,000 students served in the various programs all over the valley. • Expansion and growth over the next few years include additional location and program offerings. Materials, maps and other information were distributed regarding location and programs offered. Commissioner Tolby praised the aviation program and announced that his grandson was a graduate of the first class and was one of the two students who went onto complete his certification testing. Commissioner Rogen inquired as to program costs. Mr. Donovan explained that the high school students are only charged for items that they physically keep. Therefore, this does differ depending on the program chosen. Mr. Donovan stated 2 that the costs range from $65 to $1,200, and that there are scholarship opportunities available. Commissioner Rogen inquired about accreditation of the school and any college credits that might cross over. Mr. Migal stated that West-MEC is an accredited secondary school and all of the programs result in a certificate or licensure. Mr. Migal noted that the school does partner with various community colleges and universities that do provide credit for certain West-MEC programs. Commissioner Irons wondered if the school assisted the students with obtaining internships in their chosen fields. Mr. Donovan agreed that the school does work with students in this area, but not all programs lend themselves to internship opportunities. Chair Cohoe thanked Mr. Migal and Mr. Donovan for their presentation. 3. 2015-2019 Airport Capital Improvement Program (ACIP) Planning Mr. Fix met with representatives of ADOT and the FAA for the annual ACIP planning meeting held in July. There will be more focus on improvement of the pavement condition. Over the next five to seven years, most of the pavement at the Airport will be redone. Mr. Fix stated that last week ADOT approved the design of the first new pavement project. This project will include removal of the pavement sub-base and a design for edge lighting to eliminate the use of pole lighting. The design process will begin and it is anticipated that the project will go out for bid in July 2014. The FAA is expected to guarantee the construction costs of nearly $3.0 million soon. ADOT will provide $300,000 for the design cost. Mr. Fix announced that the 2015-2019 ACIP will be ready by October and will be presented to the Commission at that time. 4. Airport Business Plan Update Mr. Fix has been working with the City Economic Development Department to devise an Airport Business Plan. Mr. Fix distributed a draft of the plan to the Commissioners. Mr. Fix stated that the goal is to review and finalize the Business Plan within a month or two. Mr. Fix will be working with the Economic Development Department to develop opportunities for business partnerships. Chair Cohoe asked the Commissioners to review the Business Plan and bring their comments, questions or suggestions to the next meeting. 5. Southwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (SWAAAE) Conference 3 Mr. Fix attended the SWAAAE Conference for one of the three days it was held last month. Mr. Fix provided the following highlights: • The event was well attended with over 140 people from five states. • ADOT aeronautical representatives gave a presentation on the types of grants available. There is $27.0 million in our state aviation fund to be used for grant match and the pavement preservation fund. • ADOT will soon provide us with airport-specific economic impact statements. • The federal funding of contract Tower employees will continue through the end of this federal fiscal year, which ends in September, and will tentatively continue through the end of the next fiscal year. • ADOT received a large block grant for wildlife hazard assessments for the larger airports in the state. This grant does not require a match and should materialize in 2014. The Glendale Airport will be part of this grant. As a follow-up to last month's meeting, it was agreed that Commissioners Terrill and Irons and Chair Cohoe will attend the Phoenix Aviation Advisory Commission at Sky Harbor Phoenix on August 15, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. A report will be given at the September Commission meeting. V. SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS Mr. Fix discussed the following: 1. Runway Crack Seal/Slurry Seal Project Update No further update at this time. 2. Operations Update Mr. Allen stated that July 2013 operations were down 21% from July 2012 in all areas of traffic. Mr. Fix and Mr. Allen will be working with the FAA and Luke Air Force Base to establish IFR departure procedures for runway I-9. 3. Corrective Action Plan Update In regards to the APS Solar Farm, Mr. Fix reported that the FAA has advised that the Solar Farm may remain in place through the end of their 2018 lease with the agreement that there is no aeronautical need for that space during the lease term. The Airport Layout Plan (ALP) must be changed to show the Solar Farm as non- aeronautical. Mr. Fix will work with the FAA and Coffman Associates to revise the ALP. Mr. Fix stated that the materials lab has been cleared out and therefore, this is no longer an issue. 4 Mr. Fix stated that the Airport Rules and Regulations are still being reviewed by the City Manager and City Council. Mr. Fix reported that the annual hangar inspections will begin and notices will be mailed sometime after Labor Day. Mr. Fix stated that John F. Long has a proposal for a change in zoning just west of the Airport. The company wants to put in a "sand and gravel" operation on 100 of the.300 acres, which will be mined 20 acres at a time. Mr. Fix is keeping abreast of this proposal and requested a wildlife management plan for the site, due to the use of large quantities of water for mining and dust abatement. Mr. Fix noted that the City of Phoenix has proposed a 60-acre triangular site on the other side of the New River to be rezoned for single family residential use. This would place houses as close to 1,500 feet of the Airport. Glendale officials have strongly opposed this rezoning. There is a City of Phoenix planning meeting coming up, and officials from Phoenix and Glendale are engaged in further discussions. 4. Planned Upcoming Events in 2013 Mr. Fix announced that August 19th is National Aviation Day which is Orville Wright's birthday. As a follow up to a prior meeting, Mr. Fix stated that much progress has been made on expediting the process for Airport leases and sublease renewals. The new Assistant City attorney has come on board to fill a vacancy, which will help the process. Mr. Fix distributed the Aviation Advisory Committee year-end report which is required by the City Government Services Committee and will be produced annually. VI. CALL TO THE PUBLIC Chair Cohoe made the Call to the Public. No comments were made. VII. NEW BUSINESS REQUESTS (Future Agenda Items) The following items were proposed: • Commissioner Comments on the new Airport Business Plan • An F35 Update from Luke Air Force Base • Discussion of a Possible Tour of 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, September 11, 2013. IX. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS 5 None made. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. by consensus. The Aviation Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes of August 14, 2013 were approved at the Commissio Meeting of September 11, 2013. Walter . Fix, A.A.E. Airport Administrator 623-930-2188 6