Airport Commission

AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING Monday, July 17, 2017 at 4:30 pm Murfreesboro Municipal Airport Terminal /Administration Bldg. 1930 Memorial Blvd. Murfreesboro, TN 37129 MEETING MINUTES IN ATTENDANCE: COMMISSION MEMBERS: Steve Waldron , Chair George Huddleston Jr., Vice Chair Gail Zlotky Bill Shacklett, Council Rep. Butch Jones GUESTS: Jim Gardner, Murfreesboro Aviation Blake Tumbleson, Murfreesboro Aviation Mike Jones, Mike Jones Avionics and Maintenance Mark Baker Nick Lenczycki, MTSU Aerospace Department STAFF: Jim Crumley, Assistant City Manager David Ives, Assistant City Attorney Chad Gehrke, Airport Manager Jennifer Hurst, Airport Administrative Assistant Prayer given and Pledge of Allegiance lead by George Huddleston, Jr. 1. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER: Steve Waldron called meeting to order. 2. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF APRIL 10, 2017 AIRPORT COMMISISON MEEING MINUTES: Butch Jones moved to approve the minutes as is. Gail Zloty seconded the motion and all voted in favor 3. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF TENNESSEE AERONAUTICS DIVISION AWOS SITE AGREEMENT: Mr. Chad Gehrke reported that the Tennessee Aeronautics Division was replacing their current Automated Weather Observation Systems (AWOS) with new equipment. Mr. Gehrke stated that the new equipment would allow Murfreesboro’s weather information to be broadcast not only on a radio frequency, on the telephone, or in the Terminal on a screen, but also through the National Weather Service allowing pilots access to the weather information on their I Pad’s through programs such as ForeFlight. Mr. Gehrke reported that the Tennessee Aeronautics was covering the cost of the annual fee for that connection. Mr. Gehrke stated that the Airport Layout Plan shows that the current location of the AWOS does not change and that future changes to our facilities will only improve the wind coverage of the AWOS unit. The Airport Commission discussed the Airport’s obligations. Mr. Gehrke informed them that the City is required to install utilities such as electricity and telephone/communication lines which were installed when the AWOS station was originally constructed. The Airport pays the monthly telephone and electric bill for the station. He stated that since the State was paying for the connection to the National Weather Service, the Airport was not responsible for any additional costs. George Huddleston moved to approve the AWOS Agreement. John Polk seconded the motion and all voted in favor. 4. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF TENNESSEE AERONAUTICS DIVISON ANNUAL AIRPORT MAINTENANCE GRANT: Chad Gehrke stated that as in previous years the Tennessee Division of Aeronautics is providing a Grant in the amount of $14,300.00 for certain airport maintenance items. He stated that each year the Airport uses 100% of the available funds in this Grant. John Polk moved to approve the annual State Airport Maintenance Grant. Butch Jones seconded the motion and all voted in favor. 5. REVIEW OF CIP PROJECTS (TERMINAL, SOUTH RAMP DEVELOPMENT, TAXIWAY E, AND FUEL TRUCK): Chad Gehrke reviewed the status of the Terminal, South Ramp Development, Taxiway E, and the Fuel Truck. Mr. Gehrke stated that the development of the plans for the Terminal are moving along. Mr. Gehrke described a meeting at City Hall that he had with Gary Whitaker the City Planner, Angela Jackson, the Director of Parks and Recreation, and Jim Crumley, Assistant City Manager. He stated that discussion was centered on the schedule of the development of the old soccer fields. Mr. Gehrke stated that the proposed Keach Hangar Project, if approved by the Airport Commission, can occur without any additional soccer fields being taken. He discussed the time and need to properly plan the development of the area. He also talked about the number of different groups, leagues, and teams that use the old soccer fields, which are now used as multi-purpose fields. He stated that we need to give these leagues and groups at least a year to find a new location to plan. Mr. Gehrke stated that new fields that will be open in August and will be the new location for many of these teams. He stated his concern that the fields will not be lighted which will limit the time these new fields will be available for play. The Airport Commission discussed this schedule for the development of Taxiway E and agreed with that schedule and the importance of good sound planning. He Airport Commission discussed the need to get the planning efforts going as soon as possible. Butch Jones moved to get a proposal from Darren Duckworth of ATKINS to conduct the planning for the development of the north ramp. Gail Zlotky seconded the motion. The Airport Commission discussed the need to get that proposal, review it, and get it before the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission as soon as possible. All voted in favor. George Huddleston asked that for our planning purposes and to eliminate confusion regarding this planning process and the proposed Keach Hangar development plans that the current Taxiway E should be referred to Taxiway F. He pointed out that there will be another taxiway built to serve the north ramp area. The name of that taxiway will be Taxiway E making the current taxiway Taxiway E. He stated that all references to our most northern taxiway serving the north ramp area should be referred to as Taxiway F. George Huddleston moved to refer to Taxiway E as Taxiway F from this point forward to ensure that there is no confusion. Butch Jones seconded the motion and all voted in favor. 6. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A LAND LEASE AGREEMENT FOR THE INITIAL DEVELOPMENT OF TAXIWAY E (F). Chad Gehrke stated that two parties had approached the Airport Commission a few years ago to discuss their desire to base their operations at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport. He stated that there had been several agreements and construction plans considered but none had been successful. He stated that this proposed Land Lease Agreement with Keach Hangar, LLC. was finally an Agreement that could come before the Airport Commission for consideration. Mr. Gehrke reviewed the Keach proposal. He stated that Mr. Tim and John Keach propose to build a 16,800 square foot hangar and 8,000 square feet of office space. This hangar and office space will be the home of their aircraft along with Air Method’s helicopter and crew. He stated that the estimated cost of the construction of this facility is over $2.5 million dollars. He stated that the proposed term is 20 years with a 10-year option. Mr. Gehrke stated that the Keach proposal also covers a number improvements to the airport outside the proposed lease area. Mr. Gehrke stated that these improvements are key to this project and the future development of the north ramp of the airport. He stated that Mr. Keach as proposed to extend Taxiway F west beyond their hangar, extend electricity, water, sewer, communicate on lines, and empty conduits under Taxiway F. He stated that this will save the Airport a great deal of time and money allowing the Airport to build and plug directly into these utilities. Mr. Gehrke stated that the estimate of the cost of these improvements range from $500,000 to $750,000. Mr. Gehrke stated that given that significant contribution to airfield improvements the proposed annual rent is $1.00. Mr. Tim Keach showed a drawing of the hangar floor plans along with drawings of the exterior look. Mr. Keach reviewed the dimensions including the height of the hangar doors and how they will operate. Mr. Keach reviewed a bit how the parking plan might be developed. Mr. Keach stated that throughout the planning process he had been working with Darren Duckworth of ATKINS to ensure that the building was out of any safety areas or protective airspace surfaces. He stated that Wayne Oakley was the architect and Ryan Maloney of Griggs and Maloney was the civil engineer on the project. Mr. Steve Waldron discussed with Mr. Keach and Mr. David Ives how the term of the Land Lease Agreement and the agreement with Air Methods would coincide at the conclusion of the City’s Land Lease Agreement. The Airport Commission and Tim Keach discussed a number of codes and utilities issues. Mr. George Huddleston questioned the types of doors being used and why the doors do not open the entire width of the building (clear span door). He was concerned about the unusable space in the front corners of the hangar and was not a wise use of the space. Mr. Tim Keach stated that he did not believe that the space would be unused. He stated that the corners are where the door panels would go out of the weather and he liked the look of the building with the way it was proposed. He also stated that he liked the esthetics. Chad Gehrke discussed the location of natural gas and three phase power and how that will be brought into the area starting from the MTSU Airport Campus area. Mr. Gehrke also discussed discussing with Mr. Keach a direct access for emergency equipment from the parking lot on the west side of the TDK facility direct onto Taxiway F during the review of the preliminary drawings. Mr. George Huddleston asked about changing the starting date of the term to start after the necessary approvals had been received and extending the construction time from 12 months to 18. He asked if item 7B could be deleted as it did not seem to be necessary for this Agreement. He also had other questions regarding how to ensure that the hangar be rebuilt if were to be damaged months before the end of the term of the Agreement. The group discussed the question and possible solutions. David Ives stated that he had recorded the various improvements and had already changed any references of Taxiway E to Taxiway F. George Huddleston moved to approve the Land Lease Agreement with the changes discussed. Butch Jones seconded the motion and all voted in favor. 7. AIRPORT MANAGER’S REPORT: Chad Gehrke stated that in preparation for the 2018 Tennessee legislative sessions, the Tennessee Aviation Association will be meeting at four locations across the state to meet with airport manages, board members, and legislators to convince our legislators to continue to fund our system of airports. Mr. Gehrke stated that he would like to invite a Commercial Operator or organization on the airport make a short presentation to the Airport Commission before each meeting. He stated that this would assist the Airport Commission to stay informed of our companies and organizations as they continue to grow and change in this industry and community. The Airport Commission members stated their approval of this plan. 8. CONSIDER ANY OTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE AIRPORT COMMISSION: No new business at this time. 9. CONSIDER NEXT DATE FOR AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING: Next Airport Commission meeting is scheduled for August 14, 2017. 10. ADJOURNMENT: Butch Jones moved to adjourn and Gail Zlotky second. All voted in favor.