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08-G Airport Adv (03-18-04) MINUTES REGULAR MEETING AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD COX FIELD AIRPORT TERMINAL MEETING ROOM THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2004 6:00 O’CLOCK P.M. The Airport Advisory Board Meeting was called to order by Chairman Victor Abeles at 6:00 P.M. with the following members were present: Vic Ressler, Don Morrell, J.B. Richey, Andrew Fasken, James Proctor, and Glenn Chapman. Also present were Lisa Wright, Airport Director; Jim Collier, Airport Manager; Larry W. Schenk, City Attorney; Gary Vest, Chamber CEO; Jimmy Smyers, and John Gann. A motion to approve the minutes of Approval of minutes from previous meetings. the February 24, 2004, meeting as presented was made by J.B. Richey, seconded by Andy Fasken. Motion carried 7-0. Mr. Richey reported that only Report by Jerry Richey regarding the GPS approach. so many of these are done each year, but we are on the waiting list and it may be a couple of years before we are in a position to do this. Discussion of and possible action on recommendations regarding mechanics The Board was given a copy of the Airport working at the airport without permits. regulations relating to this subject for their review. Ms. Wright explained that the regulations state no one may undertake “aeronautical activities” without a permit, and airplane mechanic is included in the definition of “aeronautical activity”; therefore, a permit is required. She advised the Board they could recommend a change to the ordinance. The Board was also advised that Jimmy Smyers was the only person who has obtained a permit. The Board inquired as to whether a mechanic working in a private hangar solely for the hangar owner had to have a permit. The City Attorney stated that a fair reading of the ordinance did mean that they would have to have a permit, because there is no exception in the ordinance for private mechanics in private hangars. Mr. Fasken asked if the requirement was for the purpose of protecting the City from liability, and the City Attorney stated that could have been the intent, and the question of insurance would go back to the City Council. He was not sure the City had an interest in perpetuating this requirement; his only concern was secondary liability, such as a fire while fixing the plane. John Gann stated he used to have a business at the Airport but now works for one person only, but he understands why the City has the requirement. Mr. Schenk asked Mr. Collier what we would do if someone came in and needed a mechanic while Mr. Smyers was not available. Mr. Collier said Airport Advisory Board March 18, 2004 Page 2 he would let the pilot know that the other mechanics are licensed but do not have permits. If a transient airplane comes in, he always contacts Mr. Smyers. Mr. Abeles asked if it would be reasonable to suggest that we do away with the requirement for permitting mechanics, and Mr. Schenk said it would. Mr. Smyers asked to be treated like everyone else; if no one else has to have insurance, then he doesn’t want to have to have it, because it costs $5,000 per year. Mr. Abeles stated he saw a difference between a mechanic who operates a business at the Airport and a mechanic who is an employee of a specific hangar owner. A motion was made by Andy Fasken to contact other airports to see what requirements they have related to permitting, seconded by James Proctor. Motioned carried 7-0. Discussion of and possible action on recommendations regarding the private Gary Vest stated that Andy Fasken had spoken to him hangar lease policy. regarding marketing the Airport and what we could do to attract more people. Mr. Vest stated that there have been a lot of attempts in the past to build hangars and the ordinances have been obstructive to that; however, he said this was not his expertise and he was not familiar with all the details of those situations. He stated the Chamber had prepared a brochure in the past in an attempt to market the airport. Mr. Vest recommended that we go back and look at the process, and Mr. Abeles advised that we had already done that, but he would like to see some information put out about what process people should go through to get a hangar. He asked if PEDC funds could be available, and Mr. Vest stated that funds could be available if it was related to industry; however, he cited the fact that many air bases have closed recently all over the country, so the potential of development is very limited. Mr. Abeles asked if the Chamber could help people get directed to the correct people to help them find out what they need to do to build a hangar, to get the right answers. Mr. Vest stated that the best potential for this airport is to get other private hangars or company hangars built, and he advised that the Board meet with Ms. Wright and Mr. Schenk to sort out any problems with the lease policy. Mr. Vest presented a proposal from Novaro Nichols with Old South Airplane Works requesting property at the Airport for a lease to build a WWII airplane museum. Mr. Vest stated that this was a tourism project, but they would not be able to help him. Mr. Abeles stated that the Board wanted to try to make it easier to build a hangar at the Airport. Mr. Schenk stated that the leases we already have are very similar to the requirements of the policy, so he thinks that some people are basing their decisions Airport Advisory Board March 18, 2004 Page 3 on hearsay and not on correct information. Ms. Wright handed out an existing form that people complete when they want to build a hangar. Mr. Abeles stated that he would like to see something that is more inviting. Ms. Wright advised that this form was something that would be used further into the process, but she could create a new form that allows people to express an interest and request that we contact them. The Board requested that the Airport Director follow up with Mr. Nichols; research a past request from Larry Ferguson for a hangar lease; and prepare an interest card that people could take with them and subsequently return and ask to be contacted if they were interested in leasing property for a hangar. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 P.M. ________________________________ Lisa Wright, Recorder