HomeMy WebLinkAboutAirport.Minutes.03-07-1995AIRPORT BOARD MINUTES
Tuesday, March 7, 1995
"The Runway" Meetine Room
A'I`I ENDANCE
Members present : Bill Walker, Chairman; Allan Maki: Steve Nesler, Dan Overbev: Steve
Robertson; J. Fred Waltz: Mike Wandrick
Members absent No members were absent
Others present Mayor At Spradling; City Councilmen Richard Eggimann, Melvin Galclev,
Melvin Kasten, and Tom Neumeyer, .I. Ronald Fischer, City Manager, Doug
Leslie, Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director: Warren Wells, City
Attorney; Gavle Comnd, Deputy City Clerk: Gree Chenoweth. Airport
Manager: Sandy Bloom, Administrative Secretary: Bill I lettland, The
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IL CALL I0ORDFR
'file meeting was called to order at 4:10 PM by Chairman Walker.
III. MINUTES 0E PREVIOUS MEE I ING
Mr. Maki made a motion to approve the minutes of the 2/7'95 meeting as mailed: Mr. Nester
seconded. Mr. Robertson noted a statement he had made was erroneously written. On page i of
file minutes it was written "Mr. Robertson asked about the restaurant... expressed an opinion that
the quality of Ilse service and trod presentation could be improved upon..." Mr_ Robertson slated
he was nut questioning the food m service, but the smoke in the restaurant and the (lack) of
ventilation. Mr. Maki withdrew his motion, and Mr. Nesler withdrew his second. Mr. Robertson
made a motion the sentence be changed to read "He expressed an opinion that the quality of air
and ventilation could be improved upon-". Mr. Maki seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
Old business was tabled until the April meeting due to the joint meeting of Ihe Airport Board with
the Cape Girardeau City Council.
NI'.W BUSINESS
A. Airport Reorganization
Dr. Walker began the discussion by presenting slides depicting the organizational chart of
City offices. He stated the Airport Board felt City Council needs to recognize the airport for
file unique entity that it is. 'Ike Board is not requesting the Airport be its own department,
tbcy arc just asking that the Airport Manager be allowed to report directly to the City
Manager instead of haying to go through Public Works. They would also like the Airport
Manager to have the authority to call directly on other Department Heads.
Dr. Walker asked the Council members in attendance to alleviate the Airport Board's concern
by telling them what they (Council) want from the Hoard in terms of the airport. Mr. Gateley
stated there is no doubt in his mind he wants "definitely growth and development'. lie went
on to say he is impressed with and proud of the airport and feels it has great potential. Mr.
Eggimann said he feels it is line to become aggressive. An aggressive approach was taken 12
months earlier and paid oil. Mr. Neumeyer stated a few years ago the airport had a bad
image: however, a lot of money has been spent recently and he feels that shows file C'ih's
commitment to its growth and development. Mayor Spradling said the City definitch
intends to maintain the airport.
Mayor Spradling asked what had precipitated the Airport Board's recommendation. Dr.
Walker cited several reasons including the loss of the previous Airport Manager and file
Airport Advisory Board
March 7, 1995
Page 2 of 3
difficulty in acquiring some equipment for the airport. When questioned what equipment he
was referring to. Dr. Walker asked Mr. Chenowclh if he had received any complaints in
recent weeks concerning POD (debris, gravel) oil the runways and taxiways: Mr. Chenoweth
slated he had. Dr. Walker then asked why those areas had not been swept. Mr. Leslic
explained the street sweeper normally used at the airport had been broken, leaving md, one
sweeper for the entire city. Some members of the Airport Board expressed their concern that
an airplane picking up a rock and throwing it through the engine could be extremehmore
serious and costly than a car on a city street or highway receiving a cracked windshield, and
sweeping the rums ay s/taxiways should be considered a prioritv.
Continuing to answer Mayor Spradling's question, Mr. Waltz commented his view of the
airport has changed dramatically since true professionals such as Randy Holdman and Mr.
Chenoweth have been Airport Managers. The Airport Board is searching for the airport's
"identity", or its place in City government. The airport doesn't truly fall under any of the five
city departments: it is an unique situation. lie explained the Airport Board is not trying to tell
City Council where or how to place the airport, they are trying to bring to the forefront the
fact that it is in a growth stage and needs to be more directly under the City Manager's office.
He commended Mr. Leslie for having done an excellent job as public Works Director and
.Assistant City Manager, which makes the airports access to the Manager's ollicc a lot easier.
However, if another public Works Director would be hired and that person is 1101 also
Assistant City Manager, the Airport Manager should not have to go through the Public Works
office. He went on to say the Airport Board and City should be focusing now on how to save
the control tower as it is essential For continued growah at the airport.
Mr. Maki commented the discussions have carried past what he intended. I le wanted lu bring
an increased awareness to City Council about how successf id the airport is. He compared it
to a small city, and would like to prove that it is a gateway. Ile feels the Airport Manager
needs more authority and is interested in the Council's opinion as to what the airport is to
them.
Mr. Eggimann questioned if recommendations of adv isory boards are always turned down.
Mayor Spradling said all recommendations ere considered bill may be turned down if Council
docs not feel they arc in the best interest of the City.
Atter much more discussion. Mr. Fischer stated he has a great deal of respect for the Airport
Advisory Board and from an administrative standpoint he doesn't have a problem with
putting the airport elsewhere on the organizational charts. He feels it is much more important
for the City and the Airport Board to direct their attention to the lower and the EAS subsidy.
Dr. Walker said he and the Airport Board appreciated the decision; they didn't want to argue,
they were concerned about access. Mr. Fischer staled the airport will continue to have access
as long as he is there.
There being no further business for the City Council, they adjourned and the Airport Board
continued with their meeting.
B. & C. Contract 'I ower and Essential Air Service Programs
�. Mr. Schulte commented the totter program needs to be dug into a little deeper: he has
someone checking oil it. Senator Band's office will help as much as possible on both matters.
Concerning the tower, Cape Girardeau's ratio is currently at .41 and needs to be at 1.00. Mr.
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March 7, 1995
Page 3 of 3
Waltz asked how CGI can raise the ratio and how to posture for the 10/95 inspection. Mr.
Schulte said that is why the Im mula is being questioned, to see how, the PAA arrives at its
figures. Mr. Maki asked Mr. Schulte if his office had requested the formula background. Mr.
Schulte stated they had asked once and were getting ready "to fire off' another request. He
said if it is necessary they (Senator Bond) will grill in committee.
Mr. Schulte went Lou to sav that looking at CGI's cnplancments, he thinks the airport is
turning around. Mr. Walker commented "they' are not figuring in the summer of 1994 which
indeed was a major turnaround; he also noted that in case of an aircraft emergency, CGI is the
only airport between Memphis and St. Louis large enough to handle other than GA planes.
Mr. Leslie mentioned that not too long ago CGI was cited as a model tower rnd now it is
chosen for closure, which does not make sense Mr. Schulte said he wantS to pound them
with facts in committee. I le asked the Airport Board and City staff to submit to him, in
writing, how important CGI is to the aviation community (within a XXX -mile radius) and to
summarize all of their ideas for saving the tower, etc. (Mr. Maki suggested getting letters of
support from area hospitals). I le went on to say he would like to attend the Missouri Airport
Managers Association meeting which will be held in Cape Girardeau in Ma\.
D. Review of Drawings Submitted by Prestige Air Service, Inc.
Mr. Chenoweth presented to the Airport Board the drawings he had received from Sharon
Dunn of Prestige Air. Mr. Leslie explained the Cita Council had looked at them during their
meeting the previous night and had "given the nod' if the Airport Board apprnvcs. Mr.
Overbey made a motion the Airport Board recommend to City Council they approve the
drawings as submitted. Mr. Maki seconded and the motion carried unanimoush.
VI. NON -AGENDA ITEMS
Due to the lateness of the hour and conflicts of Board members needing to attend other
meetings, it was felt the non -agenda items could wail until the April 1995 nhecling.
VII. EXECtfI IVF SESSION
Due to the lateness of the hour and conflicts of Board members needing to attend other
meetings. it was felt items for executive session could wait until the April 1995 meeting.
VIII. ADJOURNMENI
Mr. Nesler made a motion the Airport Board adjourn their meeting. Mr. Maki seconded
and the motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:15 PM.
Minutes Prepared by Sandra L. Bloom. Administrative Secremry
Minutes Apprzwed he.:
Chairman, Airport Adv isory Board