Airport Commission

AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING Monday, October 5, 2020, 4:30 pm Murfreesboro Municipal Airport Business Center and Terminal 1930 Memorial Blvd. Murfreesboro, TN 37129 AGENDA • Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance • Call to order – Attendance • Approval of May Airport Commission Meeting minutes • Approval of Rules for Use of Alcohol at the Airport • Approval of contract with Morgan Construction for Replacement of Hangar One • Approval of proposed MTSU Terminal signage plan • Update of removal of 727, MTSU Airport Campus Clean up, and construction prep • Approval to review Airport Rules, Regulations, and Minimum Standards T-hangar and Tie-Down Lease Agreements • Approval of concept for Land Lease Agreements for the construction of Box Hangars Taxiway F Development Area • Approval of new Airport logo • Any other business to come before the Airport Commission • Next meeting • Adjournment ATTENDEES Steve Waldron, Airport Commission Chair George Huddleston, Jr., Vice Chair Gail Zlotky, Airport Commission Member John Polk, Airport Commission Member Butch Jones, Airport Commission Member Clay Cook, Airport Commission Member Bill Shacklett, City Council Representative Dr. Wendy Beckman, MTSU Aerospace Dept. Chair/Ex-Officio Gary Whitaker, Assistant City Manager, Ex-Officio Greg McKnight, City Planning Director David Ives, Deputy City Attorney Katie Driver, City Staff Attorney Chad Gehrke, Airport Manager Dr. Bud Fischer, MTSU Dean of Basic and Applied Sciences David Schilling, ATKINS North America Joe Hawkins, MTSU Aerospace Department Bill Allen, MTSU Aerospace Department Kevin Sigg, Michael Baker Vicki Eastham, MTSU Planning Department, Project Manager Rick Womick, Based Airport Customer Larry Williams, FAA retired Mark Baker, Based Airport Customer Nick Lenczycki, MTSU Airport Operations Manager Blake Tumbleson, Murfreesboro Aviation Minutes Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance was provided by City Council Member Bill Shacklett. Meeting was called to order by Airport Commission Chair, Steve Waldron. 1. Approval of May Airport Commission Meeting minutes Chad Gehrke presented the May 4, 2020 Airport Commission Meeting Minutes. John Polk moved to approve the Airport Commission Meeting Minutes as presented. George Huddleston seconded the motion and all voted in favor. Motion passed. 2. Approval of Rules of Use of Alcohol at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport Chad Gehrke presented the Rules and Regulations for Use of Alcohol at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport. Mr. Gehrke stated that according to the current City Code the use of alcohol is not allowed at the Airport. He stated that the rules being presented are based on the rules and regulations that the Park and Recreation Department have approved to allow the use of alcohol at various event locations. Mr. Gehrke reviewed the rules with the Airport Commission Members. Butch Jones moved to approve the Rules of Use of Alcohol at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport. Clay Cook seconded the motion and all voted in favor. Motion Passed. 3. Approval of contract with Morgan Construction and Allen & Hoshall for Replacement of Hangar One Chad Gehrke presented the AIA Contract with Morgan Construction and Allen & Hoshall to complete the design work only for the replacement of Hangar 1. Mr. Gehrke explained that this was for design work only and once the design work is completed and the associated budget and schedule is prepared and agreed upon by City Staff, a Construction Contract will be brought to the Airport Commission for their approval. George Huddleston moved to approve the design contract. Gail Zlotky seconded the motion and all voted in favor. Motion passed. 4. Approval of proposed MTSU Terminal Signage Plan Chad Gehrke presented a Signage Use Agreement which is an amendment to the current Transient Use Agreement with Middle Tennessee State University. He reviewed the various signage and advertising locations along with electronic opportunities throughout the interior and exterior of the Terminal. Mr. Gehrke and Vicki Eastham, Project Manager with the MTSU Planning Department, presented the various locations proposed for MTSU signage to be installed in the new Murfreesboro Airport, Business Center, and Terminal. The locations included the following:  MTSU Aerospace Classroom  MTSU VIP Lounge   Hallway out Aerospace Classroom in south end of Terminal  Southwest corner (MTSU area) in Terminal lobby  Exterior signs at landside and airside doors at south end of Terminal Mr. Gehrke described various items that were part of the MTSU proposal that were not recommended by City Staff such as the Middle Tennessee State University logo proposed for high on the lobby wall over the TV and on the exterior, airside, south end of the building. Also not recommended for approval was the use of the vinyl frosting of the “True Blue” logo on the glass of the exterior airside and landside doors and store front glass on the south end of the building. Mr. Gehrke also described how art and information items will be displayed in the Terminal using a system similar to what is used in the City Hall rotunda area. Mr. Gehrke also reviewed the proposed exterior signage proposal for the MTSU Airport Campus area. This included a number of smaller MTSU Aerospace logos to be mounted to various facilities. It also included large Middle Tennessee State University logos to be installed on a few of the prominent hangar doors facing the main ramp and runway. Mr. Gehrke stated that this would be an excellent way to assist people arriving airside to locate the MTSU Airport Campus. Mr. Gehrke also reviewed a proposal for additional signage for the north side of the Donald McDonald Hangar. Part of the proposal from MTSU is to paint some of their facilities as well. Mr. Gehrke reviewed the wayfinding and directional sign plan that will be installed with the phase one of the signage project that should be installed this winter. Mr. Gehrke stated that all the items that he described are included in the signage amendment and includes that should MTSU no longer desire the use of certain facilities that they would remove the vinyl lettering and repaint walls back to their original colors and repair any damage returning the facilities to how they received them. Steve Waldron stated his concern that pilots that may enter that end of the building at night may be confused whether or not that entrance is available to them or not. Mr. Gehrke stated that he realizes that additional signage will be required to alert pilots arriving after hours that the pilot lounge is available to them. He stated that signage has not been created yet. Mr. Gehrke stated that signage for landside access also needs to be created and installed as well. Clay Cook asked about the landside automobile parking issues and signage. Mr. Gehrke described various locations for MTSU and Murfreesboro Aviation parking and then parking for guests or users of the Terminal. He also stated that there will be designated parking places for courtesy cars and rental cars as well. He stated that those signs will be part of the second phase of the Terminal signage project. George Huddleston asked about the possibility of frosting all exterior glass doors as part of the security plan addressing active shooter issues. Mr. Gehrke did review a number of the doors in the Terminal that will be receiving frosting or partial frosting. He stated that they have not considered the six airside and landside access doors.  George Huddleston stated his concern regarding the proposed signage for the exterior hangar doors and how they conform with the City Sign Ordinance. Mr. Whitaker stated that the proposed signage plan required Airport Commission approval first. He stated that the proposal has not gone through the Building and Codes Department and eventually City Council for their approval of the Signage Use Agreement. Mr. Whitaker stated that the University is exempt from the City sign ordinance on State property. Mr. Whitaker stated that this is the first of many signage opportunities and requests as additional facilities are built in the near future. The establishment of sign regulations and standards are very important now and as the airport continues to grow. Mr. Whitaker stated that the Airport sign at Memorial Boulevard will eventually be removed and a new sign installed there providing other advertising opportunities for the businesses and University. The Airport Commission discussed how to proceed with the proposed signage package presented by MTSU. David Ives, City Deputy Attorney, reviewed the amendment of the sign ordinance as it applies to City facilities and properties. He suggested that the Airport Commission approve the concept at this time allowing City Staff to review the City Sign Ordinance and how it applies here at the Airport and bring that back to the Airport Commission for approval. Vicki Eastham stated that the University wants to make the signage very attractive to promote the Aerospace program as well. Mr. Whitaker commented that the proposed interior signage is completely different from the exterior signage. He stated that the Sign Ordinance does not regulate interior signage. He stated the Airport Commission could approved the interior signage. Mr. Whitaker stated that there is a process in place which a proposal must go through to gain approval. He stated that a proposal must first start with the Airport Commission and then on to City Hall before going before City Council. The Chair Steve Waldron suggested that Bill Shacklett and George Huddleston provide final approval of what is worked out with the City Sign Ordinance and the University. He stated that their review and final approval would represent the Airport Commission approval allowing this project to continue to move forward. George Huddleston moved to approve the interior signage as presented and to work with the City Staff and University on final approval of proposed MTSU Airport Campus signage. Butch Jones seconded the motion and all voted in favor. Motion passed. 5. Update of removal of 727, MTSU Airport Campus Clean up, and construction prep Chad Gehrke stated that MTSU had a contract with a company to remove the 727. He described the process by which the contractor will remove the 727, the University’s responsibilities, as well as the City’s responsibilities. He described why the metal was being shipped to other states where there is a better market for aircraft grade aluminum. Mr. Gehrke stated that there is a possibility that the concrete could be damaged in this process. He stated that the concrete is 6 inches to 12 inches thick in certain locations. Mr. Gehrke described the gravel access road that the City would be installing to assist in the removal of the aircraft parts. Mr. Gehrke stated that Mr. Gary Routh was also working on prepping the aircraft for this process. He stated that Mr. Routh was also working on removing other old aircraft and aircraft parts that are located on the east side of the Miller Lanier Hangar. Mr. Gehrke stated that it was anticipated that the work could be completed by the end of October. Mr. Gehrke also stated that the further clean up efforts to prepare for the apron construction project that will start this spring. Mr. Gehrke stated that he was hoping that the area would be cleared by January 1, 2020. Mr. Gehrke stated that he had meetings scheduled with ATKINS and the Tennessee Aeronautics Division to review the construction plans which should be 30% complete at this point. This will include the construction plans for Taxiway E as well. Mr. Gehrke stated that construction will require that some of the existing concrete along the east side of the Miller Lanier be cut to create a good clean tie in with the new apron. Mr. Gehrke stated that he was going to be talking with Gary Routh to discuss the construction plans and where the remaining material can be stored away from the construction area. Mr. Gehrke stated that the University and City were still in talks regarding a design build project to construct the new MTSU Maintenance Hangar. Mr. Gehrke was hoping that in the plans of the hangar a lean-to type structure could be added for the storage of these aircraft parts and metal pieces. Gail Zlotky asked if the 727 concrete will remain. Mr. Gehrke said yes and that the current plan for that ramp to be expanded for aircraft tie-down. Mr. Huddleston asked if an asbestos study had been done on 727 and if a plan is in place for spillage of any fluids. Mr. Gehrke stated that MTSU had been draining the 727 of all fluids. Nick Lenczycki stated that in work on the preparation to remove the 727 they did not find that any asbestos materials were included in the 727 and they had reviewed that with the contractor as well as other any other hazardous materials. Steve Waldron stated that he felt that the Airport Commission has been very cooperative and supportive of the University and their growth of the MTSU Airport Campus. He stated that he felt both entities were moving toward a beautification of the airport. He stated that is why he asked Mr. Gehrke to include some target dates for clean up of some of the areas mentioned in his presentation. Mr. George Huddleston stated that he would remove for the approval of the clean up plan and target dates as well as including hazardous waste removal if required. Clay Cook seconded the motion and all voted in favor. Motion passed. Steve Waldron stated his appreciation for the cooperation, partnership, and spirit that the airport and the University enjoy. He stated that the airport and the activity here brings in a lot of people, interest, and jobs to the community. He stated that he hopes that the Airport Commission has ever been perceived as anti-MTSU in any way or that he had been perceived that way. He stated that a member of MTSU has always served as an Ex-Officio of the Airport Commission. He stated that we have all enjoyed the many years that Gail Zlotky has served on this Airport Commission. He stated that the City has always recognized the importance and benefit to ensure that the University has always been and is a part of this airport community. He said with that being said the Airport Commission is a recommending body only and ask that everyone involved in this airport, or business here at the airport, to not try to leap-frog or go around the process by which this airport is governed. He stated that if a customer or business has an issue to please bring it to the Airport Commission. Please respect the process. He stated that all of the Members of the Airport  Commission are volunteers with a true love for the airport and all it has to offer. So please do not hesitate to bring any issue or concern to the Airport Commission first. 6. Approval of concept for Land Lease Agreements for the construction of Box Hangars Taxiway F Development Area Chad Gehrke stated that the Airport was currently in the planning process for the construction of the Taxiway F development area where future taxiways, T-hangars, and box hangars will be located. He stated that these plans include the location of the various utilities and drainage to support this area and these future facilities. Mr. Gehrke reviewed the conceptual development plans that the Airport Commission had approved previously. He stated that over the last several months many parties have approached the Airport about interest to build box hangars, T-hangars, and even large corporate hangars. Mr. Gehrke stated that City Staff did meet with the developer at the Lebanon Airport who is building large T-hangars and boxes. He stated that a concern of City Staff was that the developer’s intensions are to build hangars, lease them, but the main focus is to sell those hangars. This is not a concept that the City is interested in participating in. Mr. Gehrke stated that typically the City has approved land lease agreements for a minimum of a thirty-year term, twenty years with a ten-year option. Mr. Gehrke stated that the City will negotiate with a developer as to what utilities, drainage, pavement, and other improvements that they might be willing to provide the airport. Also a factor to setting the land lease rate is the appraised land value and the amount of investment that the City has invested in utilities in that area. Mr. Gehrke stated that he does have a group that is very close to providing the City a proposal to lease land and build six box hangars along the connector taxiway between Taxiway F and Taxiway E. Mr. Gehrke stated that he anticipates that this group would be in position to want to move forward with a land lease before the City will be in position to build the taxiway connector or extending the utilities. He stated that given that fact that the cost of installing that pavement and or extending those utilities would be a part of those negotiations. Mr. Gehrke stated that he envisions a situation similar to the TDK Hangar arrangement where TDK installed a number of utilities extending them past their lease space so that the City could continue the construction of other areas in the future without much if any disturbance to the TDK facilities. Mr. Gehrke stated that a key to the development of this area of the airfield is the construction of the storm water drainage system. All storm water must drain from the west end of the facility east over a very flat area. The storm water empties into a holding area before going into a sink hole or the airport drainage system. Steve Waldron asked for any discussion. Mr. Huddleston asked if the term of the land lease agreement is thirty or forty years. Mr. Gehrke stated that that is part of the negotiations process. He stated that the term will depend on the amount of investment into the airport the developer is willing to make, the amount they are investing in their hangar facilities, and the proposed schedule to payoff their investment. Those are all factors to determine the term of the land lease agreement. Mr. Gehrke gave the example of the Hangar 1 project and the financials that they prepared for the project that demonstrated that it would take more than 25 years to pay off the principal and interest. He said that that project even included $2 m in State funding. In the negotiation process the review of those financials determining if the payments are within market to determine the appropriate term. Mr. Gehrke stressed his hope that the Airport Commission would allow Staff to negotiate the best deal possible that best fits the project and helps improve the Airport.  Steve Waldron asked for any discussion. Mark Baker asked if a developer of hangars be held to the same level of testing, review, and inspection that the Terminal was held to. He pointed out that the Terminal was a government financed project. Gary Whitaker answered that there would be some level of testing that would be required. He stated that the level of testing, review, and inspection would be something that the City and the developer would have to talk through. Mr. Whitaker did remind Mr. Baker that eventually the building would revert to the City so the City is interested in ensuring that the facility will be built to last. Mr. Whitaker stated private enterprise will be able to build a hangar more cost effectively than government but there are still some standards that will have to be met to ensure the facility will remain structurally sound through the term of the land lease and beyond to be a benefit to the Airport and City. Mr. Whitaker stated that the first step is to have some plans prepared that can be reviewed and discussed. Mr. Baker stated that there is a substantial investment in just the creation of a set of plans and the number of plans that are required for the City to review. Mr. Whitaker stated that he will be glad to sit down with anyone and work through the process. Steve Waldron asked for a motion. Gail Zlotky moved to approve allowing City Staff to negotiate land leases that will be presented to the Airport Commission. John Polk seconded the motion. Steve Waldron excused himself from the vote as he is a member of a party interested in building a set of hangars. Mr. Huddleston asked what the Airport Commission is considering for approval. Mr. Gehrke stated that he is requesting that the Airport Commission allow City Staff to negotiate with a developer and not be constrained to certain constraints of a specific term or other standards. Mr. Huddleston agreed and said that is what we have done in the past and required by the FAA. Mr. Waldron stated that the concern was that there could be such rigid standards that it could make it difficult to successfully agree on any public private type agreements or agreements for private development. He stated that this discussion helps make sure that all Members of the Airport Commission and Staff are on the same page. All voted in favor except for Steve Waldron who abstained from voting. Motion passed. 7. Approval of new Airport logo Chad Gehrke presented to the Airport Commission the concept of a new Airport logo. He stated that with the new Terminal this may be an excellent opportunity to provide a new look. Mr. Gehrke reviewed several existing logos used by various airports across the country. He then presented a concept developed by Staff along with a narrative. The Airport Commission discuss the logo and asked if they could be presented a number of alternatives. Dr. Bud Fischer suggested that perhaps the University’s art and marketing students may be interested in providing some concepts to consider. The Airport Commission agreed with that suggestion and asked that Staff work with the University to provide additional concepts for consideration. 8. Approval to review Airport Rules, Regulations, and Minimum Standards Chad Gehrke stated that the Airport Rules, Regulations, and Minimum Standards were established in 2006. He stated that he recommends that a review of the Airport Rules, Regulations, and Minimum Standards be done to see if there have been any changes in the industry that should be considered in the Airport documents. He also stated that this review will include a review of the T-hangar and Tie-down Agreements. Mr. Gehrke stated that for example that one issue being discussed for the T-hangar Lease Agreements is the requirement to have insurance naming the City as additional insured. He also said the Tie- down Lease Agreements still have not included some of the changes included in the T- hangar Agreements. Mr. Gehrke stated that he had been approached by a customer regarding the Minimum Standards for Independent Operators who provide aircraft maintenance. He said that one of the specific areas was the requirement for the Independent Operator to have Hangar Keepers Insurance. He stated that the review would include research if these requirements represent what is occurring in the industry. He stated that part of the review would also include how the Airport Rules, Regulations, and Minimum Standards are presented and made available for the public. He also said that he would like to review the FAA Grant Assurances to see if there are any changes that could have an impact on these documents. He said that as facilities change and security measures change those changes are reflected in the Airport Rules and Regulations. Mr. Rick Womick shared that he had a partner that provides aircraft maintenance and he works with him to conduct maintenance on his aircraft. He stated that Murfreesboro is the only airport that has such requirements. He stated that the Airport does not have Insurance Requirements for Independent Operators and what standards there are only apply to Commercial Operators. The Airport Rules, Regulations, and Minimum Standards may be part of the City Code but there is no record of these Rules and Regulations being adopted by the Airport. Mr. Gehrke stated that this is a very difficult topic and he would request a couple of Members of the Airport Commission would assist him through the process and work through and with the City Legal Department to conduct the review and incorporate any changes to be presented to the Airport Commission. Mr. Gehrke intends to turn this review around very quickly allowing our customers an appropriate amount of time to comply with any changes that are made. He stated that any changes to Lease Agreements would be initiated on July 1st at the start of the new fiscal year. Steve Waldron asked if this review would include aircraft operational rules and policies. Mr. Waldron stated that Clay Cook and John Polk are working on the aircraft operational/pattern policies. Butch Jones agreed to serve on the committee to review the Leases. Clay Cook asked to receive the latest lease and regulation documents. The Airport Commission discussed the various aspects of the subject matter. Mr. Gehrke reviewed the three insurance requirements that are required for Independent Operators that provide aircraft maintenance and some of the confusion and discussion regarding what is required and if it is truly applicable. Steve Waldron asked that if this review could be completed by the December Airport Commission meeting. 9. Any other business to come before the Airport Commission Aircraft Pattern Issues Chad Gehrke stated that as the Members of the Airport Commission and City Council along with Airport Staff are aware the number of calls and emails regarding complaints about the number and frequency of aircraft operations has increased tremendously the last few months. He said there are also concerns from pilots about the number of aircraft that remain in the pattern at peak times and conduct closed traffic operations (touch and goes). We have received a pretty consistent number of complaints during the start of operations that occur early in the morning as well as the operations that continue well into the evening. He also shared that the complaints that he has received are not just from neighbors of the airport but from citizens that reside well away from the Airport. Mr. Gehrke stated that with such complaints on the increase he is concerned that these complaints could make future improvements at the airport difficult to receive approval for from City Council. This could include improvements even proposed by the University. Such high levels of air traffic can also deter transient or other based aircraft operations. Mr. Gehrke suggested that MTSU, Murfreesboro Aviation, based customers, and the Airport work together to establish some voluntary policies to help address some of these issues. Mr. Gehrke stated that he has been discussing these issues with Clay Cook and John Polk. Mr. Gehrke stated that Clay Cook had provided each Member of the Airport Commission a paper with a list items that are concerns. Mr. Gehrke reviewed some of the possible voluntary policy suggestions that they are currently discussing and would like to discuss with MTSU, Murfreesboro Aviation, and based pilots. Mr. Gehrke stated that a member of the FAA Fast Team is willing to host some safety meetings and discussions here in the Business Center. Mr. Gehrke stated he would also like to work on a joint press release with MTSU and Murfreesboro Aviation focused on the national pilot shortage. He stated that he has had some excellent responses from citizens when they call in when he informs them of the national pilot shortage. He stated that many have heard of the issue but had no idea how that would have any impact on Murfreesboro. Clay Cook shared his observations as a pilot who have fly in and out of the airport on a regular basis. He shared several instances that described how full and complex the pattern can get during the day and even at night. He stated he has concerns regarding some of the policies if not all of factors are taken into consideration. He shared an example if night restriction on closed traffic operations is agreed to, official night does not occur late during the summer months. He stated that the University, Murfreesboro Aviation, all of the various groups need to work together. The Airport Commission Members discuss the increase in operations and safety and how they can work together to maintain the level of safety that we continue to enjoy. They also discussed capacity issues as well. 10. Next meeting The Airport Commission agreed to meet on November 9 th at 4:30 pm. 11. Adjournment The Airport Commission agreed to adjourn.