Board Members in Attendance: Rick Bryant, David Downing, Garry Fish, Tim Holverson, Bob Newton, Paul Stewart, and Jim Stogsdill

Rick Bryant called the meeting to order at 6:40 PM.  David Downing recorded the minutes.

 

1.                  Review and approval of May meeting minutes

The May meeting minutes were reviewed and approved by a 7-0 vote.

 

2.         Airport Manager's Report

 

T-Hangar Project

The City is awaiting word from BOTA on our request for tax exemption.  Debbie has asked the City Finance Director to finalize debt projections based on latest construction costs and assuming no additional change orders. Once we find out the word from BOTA, the City will be in the position to finalize the monthly rental rates and proceed with the Board’s t-hangar unit rental protocol.  Hamm’s is progressing on the pavement portion of the project.  We will be getting another change order soon to add fly ash to apron area around t-hangar buildings for soil stabilization.

 

Some BOTA Good News

The City did get a response from BOTA regarding our other three applications for property tax exemptions and was approved for exemptions effective January 1, 2003 for the existing 10-unit t-hangar building, the community hangar, and the old gray metal t-hangars (to be torn down this month anyway).  Since we will also no longer be paying property tax on the building being leased to GUT Works effective 01/01/03, we will not pay any property tax on airport property next year.  The City paid over $26,000 for property tax on airport property this year.

 

Lifestar Project

A site plan for the airport modifications have be submitted and approved by the Planning Department.  

 

Runway Extension Project

Debbie reviewed the construction progress report.

 

Airport Lease Update

Debbie provided information to Board regarding staff’s research on status of some of our existing leases.  Staff recommendations have been presented to the Board and any comment/questions should be forwarded to Airport Manager.

 

Debbie distributed a spreadsheet that analyzed the pay out estimate for the new hangars.  The Board discussed the rate options for the hangars and the process to be used to of award hangar leases. 

 

Public Comments:   

Larry Kellogg agreed that the City had the right to take in enough funds to retire the debt and to pay the related operating expenses. 

Bruce Liddell felt that the strategy of debt retirement and operating expenses proposed was OK but recommended that the financial situation be reevaluated after 2 or 3 years with appropriate adjustments made to the lease charges. 

 

Board Actions:       The Board recommended that the City rent all hangars at $190 per month assuming the BOTA exempts these hangars from property tax.  Also, the Board continues to back their previously recommended lease process and procedures.

 

Minimum Standards Committee

The Minimum Standards Committee has completed their review and has a draft underway for Board comment.  

 

Board Action:  The Board agreed to review the Minimum Standard Report and put a discussion of the committee report on the agenda at a future Board Meeting.

3.         FBO Report

Lloyd Hetrick noted that in recent days the Lawrence Municipal had lost its first airport tenant in a GA accident in more than 25 years.

 

4.         FAA Central States Conference

On June 3-4, Rick Bryant represented the airport at the FAA 20^th annual Central Region Airports Conference.  This conference was held at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Downtown Kansas City, MO.  Rick submitted a report to Debbie Van Saun, Airport Manager that summarized the conference.  Rick briefed the Board on the conference highlights.

5.                  Ninety-Niner’s Offer

Dottie Martin briefed the Board about the 99’s who have approximately 6,000 members in 40 countries.  Special 99’s activities include the companion pilot program, the scholarship program and the painting of runway numbers and compass roses at local airports.  Dottie offered to coordinate local 99’s to paint a new compass rose at the Lawrence Municipal Airport some time in September. During the discussion, Debbie van Saun offered to have the City provide the paint.

Board Action:          The Board enthusiastically accepted the 99’s gracious offer.    

 

6.                  AOPA Watch Program

Larry Kellogg briefed the Board on the joint AOPA/Office of Homeland Defense  AOPA Watch Airport Program.  This briefing included a short video produced by the AOPA.  One of the major activities of this program is the posting of airport signage that instruct individuals who observe suspicious activities at the airport to appropriate officials.

Board Action:          The Board was very supportive of this program and recommended that the City purchases additional designs and arrange for Lloyd Hetrick to be placed at key locations.

7.                  July 16 Chamber Mixer Plans

The Aviation Advisory Board will again host the Annual Chamber Mixer at the airport on July 16.  Rick Bryant has completed the preliminary planning for the event and has initiated the recruitment of donors and volunteers to assist with the event organization.  Planned activities include drawings for door prices and a number of complimentary airplane rides as well as displays for airport businesses.

 

8.                  Dole Institute Dedication Update

Rick Bryant, Lloyd Hetrick and Debbie van Saun have been representing the airport in discussions with the Dole Center organizers.  They briefed the board on the current plans that include: 1. Providing space on the West side to accommodate public static displays of approximately 20 antique aircraft and personal to manage this event.  These displays will be open to the public for review; and  2. Supporting the planned Air Parade (fly-over) of the KU Memorial Stadium scheduled for Monday, July 21.  During these events, the East Side of the airport would be open for business as usual.  Debbie will notify the airport tenants about these activities.

The Aviation Advisory Board is arranging for recruiting and organizing a crew of approximately 60 volunteers to staff the airport event operations. 

9.         Next Board Meeting

The next Aviation Advisory Board meeting will be on July 17, 2003 .at 6:30 PM in the Airport Pilot lounge.  The major focus of this meeting will be the final review of the arrangements for the airport activities that support of the Dole Center dedication.

10.       Meeting Adjournment

The Meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.