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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAirport Advisory Commission Minutes 071725Airport Advisory Commission MINUTES July 17, 2025 3:00 p.m. International Stearman Community Center, Stearman Building, Second Floor 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Aaron Repp at 3:02 p.m. 2. Roll Call: Present Aaron Repp (Chairperson) David Christensen David Carlton Ken Springer (KCAP Rep) Phillip Wolford (FBO Rep) Bradley Hix (Council Liason) Absent Ex-Officio Don Miles (Director of Parks & Recreation) Aaron Gavin (Director of Public Works) None Public Members in Attendance Harrel Timmons Toby Meyers (Jet Air) Bill Hurley Scott Delawder 3. Approval of Minutes: June 19, 2025, Meeting Christenson made a motion to accept the minutes of the meeting as presented and seconded by Phillip Wolford. The motion passed unanimously. 4. Updates and Reports: a. FBO Update (Phillip Wolford) Phillip Wolford stated that the AWOS system was up and working again. He also stated that crop dusters were beginning to use the airport for their operations and that things were going smoothly. Bill Hurley and David Carlton commented that the communication from crop duster pilots was much improved over previous years. b. Airport Manager Update (Aaron Gavin) Aaron Gavin provided the Airport Manager update stating that the hangar land lease approved by the Commission last month was approved by the City Council as well. Aaron also stated that the AWOS was up and running and staff is looking into moving it to a better location within the Jet Air building. Aaron stated that the fuel farm project was submitted to IDOT and the FAA for final review. Once all comments and approvals are addressed and received, the project will be put out to bid. Aaron provided an update on the Airport Layout Plan project. Hanson is currently working on aviation activity forecasts, background and inventory at the airport, and analyses of the primary runway. Aaron also shared that there is interest from a local company to build a hangar at the airport. Staff is currently having initial discussions and providing information to the company, and he will keep the Commission updated on any new information or developments in the project. c. Airport Maintenance Update (Don Miles) Don Miles provided the airport maintenance update stating that the fence at the current fuel farm has been repaired. There was an issue with one of the mower tractors but it has been fixed. Don stated that the new airport signage would be installed prior to the Stearman Fly-In. Don asked about mowing prior to the Stearman Fly-In and Phillip Wolford said that it came be mowed the same as the rest. Aaron Repp asked if Don had contacted the Burlington airport regarding lights and Don responded that he has not had a chance to do so. Toby Meyer’s stated that he would pass Don a contact for the Burlington airport. Don also stated that crack sealing on the hangar pavement would be done soon. 5. Old/Tabled Business: None 6. New Business: None 7. General Discussion of other Airport Related Topics Ken Springer asked about parking for the upcoming Chamber of Commerce event at the Stearman Building. Phillip stated that attendees can park in the grass and they will have golf carts that can be used to shuttle people between the parking and the building. Phillip stated that they plan to do painting and signage work prior to the event. Aaron Repp asked if it would be good to do another tour with the City Council like was done in the past. Bradley Hix stated that there were two new Council members since the last time the tour was held. Aaron Gavin stated that he would look into setting something up. David Carlton asked if we knew how were doing on our counts for our Regional airport status. Aaron Gavin stated that he would check with Jeff Olson and provide an update at the next meeting. 8. Citizen Comments Bill Hurley stated that he had conversations with Jeff Hurst at IDOT Aeronautics and was told that a survey was going to be conducted on AWOS systems at airports. He also stated that he was told by Mr. Hurst that an RFP was going out in November. Bill Hurley also asked about hangar access during the Stearman Fly-In and Phillip stated that only the 1st 4 hangars would be blocked. Bill asked about holes in the grass runway used by the Stearman and Don agreed to fill them in prior to the event if any are found. Harrell Timmons complimented the Parks maintenance staff on the mowing at the airport saying that they are doing a great job this year keeping the grounds looking nice. Scott Delawder asked about the old terminal building and when it was going to be torn down. He also commented on the broken windows and said they needed to be boarded up. Aaron Gavin stated that the demolition of the terminal building was not included in the 2025 budget, but it is going to be requested to be in the 2026 budget. Don stated that he will try to get the windows boarded up. Phillip Wolford asked if the parking lot project had been executed by IDOT yet and Aaron Gavin stated that it had not. 9. Next Meeting: The next meeting will be Thursday, August 21st, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. 10. Adjournment: A motion was made by Ken Springer, seconded by Phillip Wolford, to adjourn the meeting at 3:37 p.m.