Airport Advisory Board

MINUTES AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD Date: August 18, 2015 Convened at 5:34 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present:, Mitch Hallgren, Jim Rhoades, Bryce Deter, Larry Luxton, Jack Bennet, Jeff Jacobson, and Bernie Pupino. Absent: Bryant Irving, Chuck Lanning, Dick Anderson, Bob Owens, and Kate Noreiko. Also present: Tom Cleveland, Airport Manager, John Laskowski, City Engineer/Interim Director of Public Works, and Jeff Kohlert of Fly America. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: A motion was made by Mr. Rhoades to approve the August 18, 2015 meeting agenda, seconded by Mr. Jacobson, and carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made by Mr. Pupino to approve the July 28, 2015 minutes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bennett and carried unanimously. SCHEDULE OF PERSONS TO BE HEARD FORM THE FLOOR: CONSIDERATIONS: 1. Shell Shock Concert at DeKalb Airport Tom Cleveland updated the Board on a request to hold a concert at the Airport as part of an effort to bring revenue to the Airport. The event, Shell Shock, presenting 3-4 bands promoted by Sean Tilstra/Event Virtuoso, will attract the 18-30 age group with as many as 20,000 attendees. John Laskowski noted that Mr. Tilstra is a promoter trying to get larger events booked. Hanson Professional Services assisted with mapping for the concert and the FAA is satisfied with the set up. If approved, the concert would be situated on the taxiway south of the jet ramp creating no impact to tenants; east and west runways would remain open with parking off Barber Greene Road. Airport lighting and electrical would be shut down in the venue area. Event Virtuoso would be required to provide liability insurance, lighting in the venue area, and clean- up. For use of the Airport as a venue, the City would receive monetary payment, a percentage of the parking revenue, and Restaurant & Bar Tax revenue. Staff will have to determine the cost to the City for staffing, clean-up and any damages incurred to Airport property. The City would bill if Waste Management or Public Works had to come in afterward. Tom Cleveland noted runway lights could sustain damage and need replacing similar to when Corn Fest was held at the Airport . The costs incurred by the City could be as high as $71,000.00. On August 17, City staff attended a meeting with NIU to discuss the concert. The decision to have the concert at NIU on October 3 near the Huskie Stadium was made at that time. A follow- up voicemail was left for Mr. Tilstra advising him the City would not be providing the venue for the September 26 concert but has interest in a spring 2016 concert if the NIU concert goes well. Staff determined the risk is great for the City and the concert is better positioned at NIU with the crowd being in walking distance of the venue. There are security and attendance concerns with the concert venue at the Airport. Chief Lowery will speak with NIU on security measures and how costs would be covered. Board members are satisfied with the Airport Manager’s decision on the issue and recommended getting references from prior venues and escrowing funds for any repairs that may need to be made if and when a concert is agreed upon. 2. Drone Seminar at DeKalb Airport September 14 with FAA, Illinois Division of Aeronautics, and the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International – Heartland Chapter The FAA has been presenting drone seminars across the country and one is scheduled at DTMA on September 14 with 3 representative specialists who will provide information on drones. The Airport Manager is hoping to get as much community involvement as possible. The Farm Bureau, US Forestry, NIU, Kishwaukee Community College, and local emergency personnel have been notified, as well as the general public, through press releases and mailings. Approximately 400,000 drones were purchased last Christmas as gifts. By 2022 the impact caused by drone use will be over $2.12 billion. There will be issues concerning regulations being followed and the FAA may require identification numbers for the devices. Mr. Bennett mentioned a 400’ altitude and 5 mile distance limit from airports. It is capable to shut down drones as they reach a certain distance from an airport. Mr. Kohlert, owner of Fly America, advised he was contacted by an Atlanta company for drone pilot training. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Airport Manager’s Report Q The Intergovernmental Agreement with the Town of Cortland for effluent spray irrigation goes to City Council August 24. The town of Cortland already sprays effluent on farm fields and open areas around the town. They also have approval from the EPA to discharge effluent into the Union Ditch creek. The City Attorney has approved the agreement and the USDA Wildlife Services does not see this creating a wildlife attractant problem if done properly. Irrigation would take place March-October at night using mobile irrigation equipment. Q The Hazardous Wildlife Assessment agreement goes to City Council September 14. The last assessment was completed in 2007. This is a requirement for the Airport becoming FAA Part 139 Limited Commercial. The Division of Aeronautics will pay one-half, $21,500.00, and the City will pay the other half of the one year study. Q Rehabilitation of T-Hangar Pavement Phase II, design stage, for the north side of T-Hangars goes to City Council September 14. Phase I pavement has been dug out with matting and gravel put down. Pavement should be complete by the second week of September. Q Fuel sales were up during the Oshkosh event. Ascent, DTMA’s fuel supplier, reimbursed us for food expenses. Pilots stop enroute and on their return trip at DTMA for lunch and to purchase fuel. Q Win Win Aviation concrete threshold project starts Monday August 31. Construction on the Win Win building is almost complete and ready for move in. Q The Drainage project will be complete by September 5, 2015. This project will stop the flooding issues we have around all the existing hangars and in our hangar development area. Q Kishwaukee Education Consortium had a total of 25 students at orientation Thursday, August 20. Bruce Griffith advised all flight simulators will be equipped with HD vision this year. Tom wants to have a Board meeting with the students showing their skills/knowledge to the Board. Q USAF Lt. Colonel George Watkins, is the new Commanding Officer of the newly formed F- 35 fighter squadron. He is from DeKalb, learned to fly at DTMA, and has lectured Kishwaukee Education Consortium students in the past year. He is the son of Kathy Watkins. Q The De-ice truck is ready for winter. Q All hangars are full. b. Flight and Ground Operations c. Airport Rules & Regulations d. Budget e. Public Affairs/Historical f. Hangar ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m. Approved: September 15, 2015