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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Aviation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 2/11/2016 MINUTES AVIATION ADVISORY COMMISSION GLENDALE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT 6801 N. GLEN HARBOR BLVD- SUITE 201 GLENDALE,ARIZONA 85307 AIRPORT CONFERENCE ROOM FEBRUARY 11, 2016 6:00 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:10 p.m. by Chair Linda Yeager with the following Commissioners present: Vice Chair Larry Rovey, Quentin Tolby, Mel Strahl, and Leonard Escudero. Also present were Kenn Potts, Airport Administrator; Basil Allen, Glendale Airport Tower; James Gruber, Assistant City Attorney; Walter Chaney, citizen II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING Commissioner Escudero motioned to approve the January 14, 2016 meeting minutes as written. Vice Chair Rovey made the second. The motion carried 5—0. III. REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCE OR WITHDRAWAL OF ITEMS. None IV. AIRPORT BUSINESS 1. Welcome newly appointed Commission Member Mel Strahl Chair Yaeger introduced new Commissioner Strahl, who gave a brief background of himself and signed the Loyalty Oath. Chair Yaeger noted that there are six of seven Commission seats filled at this time, with a Barrel District vacancy. 2. Aviation Advisory Commission Goals Chair Yaeger opened the floor for discussion of Commission goals, such as Commission membership and skill sets, internal and external communication, and meeting frequency. Chair Yaeger briefed Commissioner Stahl on the background of specific goals. Chair Yaeger commented that the Commission has approached the Government Services Committee (GSC) to allow a resident of Peoria and/or Phoenix on the Commission with full voting rights. Chair Yaeger were tasked by the GSC with drafting a list of desired Commissioner Skill sets. Chair Yaeger added that other City departments utilize social media; however, the Airport does not at this time. Chair Yaeger suggested that the Airport post on the City's current social media sites. Tweets, a blog article, or Facebook post were suggested. Commissioner Escudero suggested setting up a separate Facebook page for the Airport. Commissioner Tolby commented that the Commissioner names were approved to be on the Airport website, however, contact information still has not been allowed. Commissioner Tolby stated that he 1 had drafted an article to Airport users and asked the former Airport Administrator to send the article to the Airport user email user distribution list. The former Airport Administrator declined the request to send the article. The article invited Airport users to contact Commissioner Tolby, then Chair of the Commission, with any questions, comments or concerns. Commissioner Tolby felt it was important for Airport users to have a sounding-board beside City staff to express concerns. Commissioner Tolby added that the Commissioner should have gate access to the Airport in order to meet with hangar owners. Commissioner Escudero stated that he has been coming to the Airport on weekends and talking with visitors in the lobby. Commissioner Escudero noted that most people do not even know the Commission exists. Chair Yaeger suggested a poster board in the lobby, which could list the meeting dates, Commission goals, and other information. Vice Chair Rovey commented that when he started on the Commission, he felt the purpose of the Commission was not clear. Vice Chair Rovey stated that if the Commission is the first avenue for Airport users to reach the City Council, then the Commissioners should be available to the users. If it is not to interact with the public,then Council's purpose for the Commission needs to be re-defined. Commissioner Tolby stated that the Commissioners would not make promises to the Airport users, but could act as an ombudsman between the public and staff/Council. Vice Chair Rovey added that this is one reason why it is important for the Commissioners to have a background in aviation. Commissioner Tolby stressed that there should be a monthly communication going out from the Airport to users/tenants. Chair Yaeger suggested an article called "Ask Mr. Potts". Commissioner Tolby suggested a monthly article from Mr. Potts and/or the Commission Chair. Commissioner Rovey noted that he did not receive information regarding the Camelback Ranch development issue via the Airport staff or through the Commission, but rather a person who reached out to him privately. Commissioner Rovey stated that this was an example of the lack of communication to the Commission and Airport tenants/users. Commissioner Strahl inquired as to the purpose of the Commission in regards to tenants: to keep the current tenants happy or to attract new tenants. Commissioner Tolby replied that both are important. Chair Yaeger stated that the Commission's mission on the City website is stated as: Advises the City Council on the maintenance and operation of the Glendale Municipal Airport and its role in statewide air transportation. However, at the meeting with the GSC, the GSC members agreed that staff was more apt to perform that task. Mr. Gruber read aloud the Commission's mission statement according to City ordinance, which states that the Commission is to advise Council on matters including: maintenance and operations, Airport rules and regulations, proposals for Airport development, Airport fees, leases, land use, safety matters, capital improvement projects, noise concerns, and other matters deemed by City Council. Chair Yaeger commented that the suggested monthly workshops are to provide more time for the Commission address an issue, create a plan and begin implementation of a resolution. Commissioner Escudero motioned, in regards to the Communication Goal, for Mr. Potts to send an email within the next two weeks to the Airport email distribution list indicating the following: existence of the Aviation Advisory Commission, the dates of the regularly scheduled meetings, and an invitation to attend the meetings. A follow-up email will be sent two weeks later with a 2 newsletter and any additional information as deemed appropriate. Vice Chair Rovey made the second. The motion carried 5—0. 3. Commission Monthly Workshops Chair Yaeger stated that with the addition of Commissioner Stahl, it would be a good time to schedule the February Commission workshop including a tour of the Airport as offered by Mr. Potts. Chair Yaeger motioned that the February monthly workshop will be held on Friday, February 19, 2016 at noon for lunch and an Airport tour at 1:00 p.m. Commissioner Escudero made the second. The motion carried 5—0. Commissioner Escudero asked if the workshop and tour were open to the general public as well. Mr. Gruber explained that the workshop must follow the Open Meeting Laws and therefore, members of the general public will be allowed to attend. 4. Discussed Proposed Terminal Office Lease Mr. Potts presented detailed information on the proposed terminal lease for Gold Coast Helicopters under the new variable and negotiable rate. Mr. Potts stated that due to expansion, Gold Coast is in need of additional office space in the terminal building. Vice Chair Rovey motioned recommend approval by City Council of the proposed terminal lease for Gold Coast Helicopters as presented. Commissioner Tolby made the second. The motion carried 5—0. V. SUMMARY OF CURRENT EVENTS Mr. Potts reported on current airport activities: 1. Construction Projects/Grants Status o An RFP went out for a design engineer for the North Apron Project. Out of 5 submittals, the review committee chose Dibble Engineering. The contractor bids will go out on July 1St o The Center Apron project is being closed out. Grant amendments for $218,557 with FAA and $10,729 from ADOT are needed. o Construction continues on the Butler box hangars. o Costs for the Cox fiber optic project came in at approximately $249,000. Cox only allocated $149,000 toward the project; therefore, the Airport might have to cover the difference of$100,000. Due to the importance of the project and need for internet at the Airport, staff is contemplating including the project on the CIP and obtaining Council approval to move forward. Vice Chair Rovey suggested contacting Century Link and APS to see if they would bid on the project. 2. Operating Budget/Expenses/Revenues—graphs o Mr. Potts presented detailed budget information for the month of January and year-to-date fiscal year for revenues and expenses. o Mr. Potts noted a donation from John F. Long estate in the amount of$3,985.82. 3. Airport Business Activity/Lease Updates 3 o An application was received from KBM Aviation to perform aircraft maintenance out of south box hangar #5. Paperwork will be reviewed and will be brought to the Commission next month. o Preliminary discussions are underway with an interested party regarding the construction of a corporate hangar at the Airport. o Congressional Bill HR4441 has been introduced in the US House. It is the Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act of 2016. o The MIG's on site at the Airport have been sold and on their way to a museum in Detroit. o Mr. Potts attended the Arizona Airport Association Aviation Day at the state capital building. Mr. Potts met a lobbyist for the west side casino at the event and informed her that he was looking for a casino representative/contact for networking. Contact information was shared. o A north hangar owner would like to hold a hangar"garage" sale on March 26th. The owner will draft a flyer. o The Mayor will be at the Airport on February 19th to film a segment for Glendale Channel 11 showcasing the Airport. o Mr. Potts received several comments from the tenants of two south box hangars regarding the leases. The minor changes will be reviewed by Mr. Gruber and made and then onto Council for final approval. 4. Land Use Planning/Zoning/Development o There will be a new sand and gravel operation on the John F. Long property. All approvals have been received by the FAA. 5. 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Data o 74 reservations were made o 101 aircraft arrived o 25,009 gallons of jet fuel sold o 2,004 gallons of avgas sold o Only two or three spaces for aircraft were not filled o 11 aircraft arrived at half time for pick up 6. Air Traffic Operations/Airspace/Community Relations o Mr. Potts displayed the tower operations graph. o Mr. Allennoted that operations were up in January, b approximately 800 over January 2015. o On February 16th, Mr. Potts is meeting with the Glendale Special Events staff to discuss the Airport Open House. o Noise complaints regarding helicopters were received. 7. Luke Air Force Base Operations o No report VI. CALL TO THE PUBLIC None VII. NEW BUSINESS REQUESTS (Future Agenda Items) 1. Update on Communication to Airport Tenants 2. Discussion on the Possibility of Inviting a Councilmember to a Commission Meeting 4 VIII. NEXT MEETING TIME The next meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on the second floor Conference Room of the Airport terminal building on Thursday,March 10, 2016. IX. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS Commissioner Escudero commented that while at the Airport last weekend, the Flying Eagles were on site hosting a fabulous event. Commissioner Escudero asked if the event was promoted. Mr. Potts replied in the positive. Commissioner Escudero attended Councilmember Malnar's reception, where he met a representative from the casino. Commissioner Escudero relayed his suggestion of a shuttle from the Airport to the casino and shared contact information. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 8:18 p.m. The Aviation Advisory Commissio Meeti g Minute- of February 11, 2016 were approved at the Commission Meeting of March 10,2016..,, Kenneth Potts, A.A.E., M t Airport Administrator 623-930-2188 5