Minutes Airport 9 27 01 DUBUQUE REGIONAL AIRPORT
COMMISSION MEETING
Monday,
September 27, 2001
4:00 p.m.
Dubuque Regional Airport
Dubuque Air Service Conference Room
PRESENT: Doug Brotherton, John Markham, Jim O'Neill, Teri Goodman and Rick
Goodin (via phone conference)
ABSENT: None
STAFF: Bob Boleyn, Gordy Vetsch, Peggy Dickson, and Karin Nemec
GUESTS:
Klm Wadding (Police Chief), Pauline Joyce, Admin Services Manager, Bill
Baum (EClA), and Rick Stierman (FAA Maintenance Sector Field Office)
MEDIA: Erin Coyle (Telegraph Herald)
Jim O'Neill chaired the meeting as Rick Goodin participated via conference call.
0'1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Doug Brotherton made a motion to approve the minutes of the 08/27/2001 and
9/13/01 Commission meetings. The motion was seconded by Ted Goodmann.
AYES: All. NAYS: None.
Rick Goodin asked about Crescent Electric's parking lot. Staff is waiting to hear from City
Engineering.
02. AUGUST 200'1 FIXED BASE OPERATION (FBO) REPORT~
Gordy Vetsch explained that the FBO had a financially good August. And looking
into toward September, although planes were grounded on September 11,2001,
the FBO had some substantial fuel sales after aviation started flying again which
should bring the September balances back to a positive balance.
03. INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION
The Airport Commission was asked to Sign a Memorandum of
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Understanding between themselves and the FAA. This allows for a temporary
maintenance agreement for the operation of the ILS system by the Airport to
promote safety and the public welfare. The responsibility for the ILS goes back to
the FAA in 90 days, during this interim; the airport operates the ILS with a 200'
cloud ceiling and % miles visibility. Without the agreement, the ILS will be
unusable during these months and could cause flight delays and cancellations.
The FAA will not be able to process the project through their organization fast
enough to put the system in service to meet the October 4, 2001 deadline. This
happened because the FAA contractor was not able to meet the completion date
due to rain and the FAA moratorium on airfield construction following the
September 11, 2001 attacks. Rick Stierman, from Dubuque's FAA Maintenance
Sector, was present to answer any questions from the Commission.
Doug Brotherton made a motion to approve the 90-day Memorandum of
Understanding. This motion was seconded by Ted Goodmann. AYES: All. NAYS:
None.
04.
AIRPORT LETTER TO LEGISLATORS REOUESTING FINANCIAL RELIBF FOR
THE AIRLINE INDLISTRY
The Commission said the point was mute, as the financial relief bill for airlines had
already passed. Ted Goodman made a motion to send a letter to both American
and Northwest advising them that Dubuque supported financial relief for the airline
industry with carbon copies our legislative and congressional teaders. This motion
was seconded by Doug Brotherton. AYES: All. NAYS: None.
AIR SERVICE TASK FORCES
Jim O'Neill said Ted Goodman replaced Rick Goodin on the Air Service Task
Force. The last meeting was basically crisis orientated, the emphasis was to
maintain air service. An upcoming lunch with the travel Agency owners or
managers will be used to judge passenger concerns on the safety of air travel.
The October visit to Northwest is being postponed and another date renegotiated.
John Markham said the Marketing taskforce was going to focus their upcoming
meeting on possibly changing the message of the ads to emphasize flying safety.
John mentioned how grateful the Airpor[ Commission was to Cigna. Cigna has
stepped up and offered to help the Airport. Cigna offered to provide employees to
serve the airport on projects or committees as needed. A group of Commissioners
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will be meeting with Cigna.
Doug Brotherton said the t-hangar leases were finalized until the new insurance
requirements came out in the Administrative Policies. This will be discussed later
in the agenda. An updated list for people who were capable of giving reoccurring
check rides was also reviewed.
The Commission had an update of the areas in which different staff members were
currently involved. Ted Goodmann asked Bob for more information regarding
state legislative issues. Teri will use this information when she talks with state
legislative members. Doug Brotherton thanked the FBO staff for calling general
aviation people on the field to keep them informed on the changing regulations.
The entire Commission thanked staff for their hard work during the crisis.
07. REPORT ON THE DEPARTURE OF GREATLAKE~
Great Lakes left several pieces of equipment and 147 gallons of fuel. The
Commission was informed staff received a call today the remaining equipment
would be removed within 3-4 days.
The Commission discussed the balance on the Great Lakes account. The
Assistant City Attorney, Tim O'Brien, had been contacted regarding collection of
the account. Rick Goodin suggested if Great Lakes continues to make payments
on the account to let them, per the recommendation of Tim O'Brien. However, if
they do not, when the account is 60 days past due to have Tim O'Brien send them
a soft letter, followed by a harder letter when the account reached 90 days past
due. At 120 days Tim O'Brien would be authorized to sue them for the money.
This was agreeable to the entire Commission.
08. INCREASED SECURITY LEVELS-CHANGES
Klm Wadding, Police Chief, and Pauline Joyce, Admin Services Manager, were
present to discuss some of the staffing issues related to the new security
measures at the Airport. The Commission was briefed on the weekly employee
cost currently costing $2,870 using police officers and one park patrol officer. This
does not include the Airport Operations Specialists who now are dedicating many
hours to terminal area surveillance. It was agreed the Airport is still in the crisis
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mode as the FAA continues to change the regulations as they work though airport
security nationwide. Up to September 20, 2001, the police department has
provided about $6,500 of staff coverage to the airport, and the Park Department
about $500. The airport has expended $3,860 in the first five days not considering
Airport personnel expense.
Pauline Joyce asked for a long-term solution as soon as possible to contain
expense. The Commission proposed pushing back the budgeted 2002 GIS
Capital Improvement Project to cover some of these expenditures, Pauline
concurred this could money could be moved and utilized for this emergency.
Things that still remain uncertain at this point include: the findings of a blast
analysis, to determine the use of any portion of the parking lots currently off-limits;
determine if the FAA will allow only certified peace officers or can the Airport utilize
other means of security and will the State of Iowa's Aviation Department be able to
persuade Governor Vilsack to use reserve units for Airport security in Iowa.
The consensus was the visual appearance of uniformed police officers on duty is
useful in dispelling fears of passengers.
The cost of an additional parking lot must be considered if the blast analysis shows
the three parking lots cannot be returned to use or is restricted. Also, during the
winter, Airport Operations Specialists must return to their primary job of watching
the runways for changing conditions and assuring the safety of winter operations.
Senator Harkin will be visiting the Dubuque Airport on Friday September 28, 2001,
the Commission asked staff to work on compiling the cost of these additional
security measures. The Commission agreed to help prepare the presentation.
Bob Boleyn said he wanted to thank the police and sheriffs department who
provided the airport with immediate emergency assistance. And commend
Wenzel towing that reduced their bill by more than $600 due to the nature of the
emergency. Many Airport businesses have given up their parking, Avis, National,
Chartaire, Don David, FAA Tower, University of Dubuque, and the terminal
management parking areas. Thank you notes will be sent.
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09.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET PROPOSED SCHEDULE AND 0 & M
Due to the recent events, Airport staff proposed to concentrate mainly on the
upcoming year FY2003. Outlying years will be planned with the idea they may be
modified depending on Federal and State funding soumes and the national
security. The Commission will review this budget formally at their next meeting.
The Commission asked Pauline if she endorsed this approach to the CIP budget.
She said she would certainly work with the Commission.
The City Operating and Maintenance budget will be completed with the City
formulas. Pauline reminded the Commissions that all the security changes would
need to come through the budget as improvement items.
The Commission will receive updates on the budget via e-mail and staff welcomes
any comments as the budgets are developed.
Jim O'Neill and Ted Goodmann said the Terminal Study to date, did not include
interviews with city officials, and economic planners. Ted Goodmann said she had
requested CMT contact these people for their participation. The Commission
wanted to make it clear that they were not getting money from Washington for a
new terminal, but they had talked to Washington about funding this study. The
results of the study to the beginning of any implementation would be years, as it
would have to programmed into the City's CIP budget. The consensus reached by
the Commission was to temporarily postpone the study for several months until the
aviation community could better ascertain the long-term changes brought about by
the events on September 11,2001. CMT would be asked to set the project aside.
Ted Goodmann asked that CMT not be paid until the project is once more placed
on the active list. Working with the study can be something the new Airport
Manager can be one of his/her first projects.
11, AIRPORT MANAGER RECRUITMENT
The Commission discussed who would comprise the selection committee. It was
proposed to be the Airport Commission, Mike Van Milligen, and Terry Duggan.
The Commission asked Doug Brotherton and Rick Goodin to review the
candidates and narrow the field to between eight and ten. Ail applications are to
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remain confidential, and names will not be used in the selection process. Doug
Brotherton made a motion to approve the members of the selection committee,
and to proceed with the process of selecting a new Airport Manager. Jim O'Neill
seconded this motion. AYES: All. NAYS: None. The first meeting will be
October 11th and asked staff to make the arrangements.
12. AIRPORTINSURANCECOVERAGE
This agenda item is made up of two areas of insurance. This first is commercial
aviation insurance coverage.
Due the to recent events, airlines have received notice from their insurance
companies cancellations on their "perils" and "war" clause within their policies
Airport staff had received official notice today two airlines have managed to find
limited replacement coverage.
The other insurance issue is the change in the City's insurance coverage
requirements. After a meeting with Barry Lindhal, Ken TeKippe, and Gordy Vetch
it was found most aimraft owners couldn't obtain the two million dollar policy
required. Barry Lindhal suggested the Airport Commission adopt separate
insurance coverage requirements to fit the Airport. insurance of one million dollars
may be reasonable for aircraft owners but out of line for those who rent the
farmhouse and mobile home lot. After some discussion, Doug Brotherton made a
motion to approve limits possible and reasonable for the airport on a lease-by-
lease basis. This motion was seconded by John Markham. AYES: Goodin,
Brotherton and O'Neill. NAYS: Goodin and Goodmann. Motion passed. Rick
Goodin asked that Barry Lindhal be requested to send a letter with his
recommendation to the Airport Commission to adopt separate insurance limits.
AUGUST MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION ACTIVIES
There was nothing of an unusual nature in the August reports.
14. ADOPTT-HANGAR LEASES
John Markham made a motion to approve the t-hangar leases with the one million
dollar insurance limit as previously discussed. This motion was seconded by Doug
Brotherton. AYES: All. NAYS: None.
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The Commission was asked to check the calendar for upcoming events.
Jim O'Neill made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Doug
Brotherton. AYES: All. NAYS: None. The meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
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