Airport Advisory Board
12 July Meeting Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Rick Bryant (Chairman) the following members were in attendance: Les Catlin, Steve Craig, Bob Newton, Jerry Sherman, and Dave Henry. Others in attendance were: Mayor Irv Hodges, Assistant City Manager Rod Bremby, Lloyd Hetrick, Larry Kellogg, Jim Shurhall, Kevin Hawley, Bruce Liddell, Rondi Tveitaraas, and Debi Moore.
The first order of business was to select a Board Secretary. There were no volunteers. It was suggested that the job could go on a rotating basis. This was so moved by Dave Henry and seconded by Bob Newton. The motion was approved unanimously. The chairman assigned Dave Henry to be the Secretary for this meeting.
It was noted that a discussion group had met at 5:00, prior to the board meeting, concerning Commercial Growth at the Lawrence Airport. This group included: Mayor Hodges, Assn’t City Manager Bremby, Jim Shurhall, Rondi Tveitaraas, Debi Moore, and Kevin Hawley, and the aviation board chair. Part of this discussion centered on Aerospace Systems & Technologies, Inc. (AS&T) proposal for a manufacturing facility at the airport.
Jim Shurhall (ADG -Lawrence Airport Consultant) briefed the board on FAA matters, funding, and new requirements for our Airport Layout Plan (ALP).
Final applications for state funding must be submitted by 30 September 99. This is 50/50 funding for $50,000 projects.
Federal funding has deteriorated, but a House bill to 3X funding has passed. The Senate should act on the bill by the end of September and passage looks favorable. To comply with the Federal requirements for future Federal funding, our ALP must be updated to meet the new standards. The cost to update the ALP is $20,000 and will take approximately 30 days. There is a “high probability” of future reimbursement for this expense by the feds at a 90/10 split.
The 5-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) has yet to be approved or funded. It was submitted in 97.
A strategic/business plan should be authored to gain support State support for our endeavors.
Our Airport Master Plan was updated in 1991. It is past ½ of its useful life. It needs to be updated sometime down the road. Typical costs would run from $60-75,000.
Mayor Hodges gave a quick presentation on infrastructure improvements to the airport. The City Water/Sewer Master Plan is currently being studied. The city sewer runs to White School and would have to be extended. Water lines need to be run over the I-70 bridge. The bridge is to be rebuilt/replaced and the water line is on hold until these specifics have been finalized.
Rondi Tveitaraas (Kansas Department of Commerce) and Debi Moore (Lawrence Chamber of Commerce) briefed the Board on Commercial Growth and Tourism.
Commercial Growth:
· Douglas County is short on industrial expansion area.
· Commercial growth in Lawrence has been primarily through local expansion.
· Kevin Hawley, President of Aerospace Systems & Technologies, Inc. spoke of expansion plans for his company. The company has been in Lawrence for six years. It is in the business of designing and certifying Ice Protection Systems for aircraft. The business has expanded from two employees in May of 1998 to the current manning of 10. The company has added an installation center for its products. They currently rent space in the Stuber hangar. The company’s product is manufactured by AS&T’s parent company in the United Kingdom, with the majority of sales in the US. The company is considering moving the manufacture of the product to the US. A major customer of this manufactured system is Raytheon. Last year’s sales were approximately $6,000,000. The facility would be 50,000 square feet and eventually would have 85 employees. The installation and certification portions of the business require a location at an airport. AS&T is currently evaluating several different locations. Lawrence would be the first choice but lacks the infrastructure of other locations. A preliminary AS&T site plan was shown to the Board.
· Debi Moore saw the challenges as:
1. water, current well and pump situation does not meet code for fire protection on this type facility.
2. sewer, current conditions would necessitate a “holding pond.” These improvements would facilitate additional growth at the airport. The apron and taxiways may not be large enough to handle future needs of this or other businesses. The AS&T facility could be built in a phased construction process.
The Chamber of Commerce encouraged the board to give full support and will fully support this project if the Board sees this as a direction to pursue.
The NASCAR track may bring in ancillary businesses that could make Lawrence their home.
Tourism (with potential impact on the airport)
· NASCAR track is being built in KC. We are the closest airport. The economic impact of one race equates to a superbowl, bring 100-150,000 spectators. Airports near new race tracks report increases of 130-150 aircraft on race weekends. These aircraft/passengers require gas, lodging, rental cars, etc. They have a multiplier effect. No other airports are known to be working on this.
· The State Legislature has OK’ed a resort area for a State lake. Two major companies had submitted proposals for Clinton Lake.
· The Land of OZ may someday become a reality.
The Mayor, at this point of the discussion, suggested that we need to:
1. get the Capital Improvement Plan approved, specifically the runway extensions, weight increase, and apron/ parking increase,
2. Update the Airport Layout Plan, and 3. Have a study group with the city commission in late August or early September.
He stated that the city will find the money for the sewer and water.
It was suggested that the board priorities should be Infrastructure, Economic Development, and Marketing. Bob Newton suggested that the historic vision of the board had included support of aviation related development.
After these discussions,
Les Catlin moved that the Board recommend immediate update of the Airport Layout Plan. Jerry Sherman seconded the motion and the motion was passed unanimously. Rod Bremby will work with Jim Shurhall to make this happen.
Steve Craig moved that the Board draft a letter to the Commission pledging support for Aviation Related Firms looking to build at the airport. The motion was seconded by Bob Newton and was passed unanimously.
Larry Kellogg introduced himself as the AOPA Airport Support Network Volunteer. His job is to help and support local airports. Through the AOPA, he can bring support and/or pressure to bear in the case of problems.(i.e. noise abatement, towers, encroachment, etc.) Information can be found at The side bar will have AirportSupportNetwork.
Rod Bremby told the Board of current events at the airport.
· Dream Wings has moved into their hangar. They have been billed for the July rent. He stated that the contractor built the floor 4" below the asphalt. George Williams is looking into remedies from the contractor.
· The pad is down for the new hangar. Steel to go up this week. The circle in front of the terminal has been overlaid with new asphalt. The parking lot will be done after the heavy construction traffic for the hangar is finished.
· A 10,000 sq.ft. Hangar lease is being pursued for a Private hangar to be located to the south of the Stuber hangar.
Lloyd Hetrick and Rick Bryant have prepared a Non-binding letter of intent for leases for a new set of T-hangars. Lloyd is circulating the letter to interested hangar prospects. If enough interest is shown, the request for the hangars will be submitted to the commission.
Rod suggested that T-hangars as well as the AS&T facility should be discussed at the Commission study session.
The June minutes were approved after Les Catlin’s motion and Bob Newton’s second.
The Regulations/Rules sub-committee currently consists of Rick Bryant and Bruce Liddell. Lloyd Hetrick joined the committee after the meeting. Projected timetable is: discussion at the September meeting with finalization at the October meeting.
The next three meetings were scheduled so that the times may be published.
August - Monday the 16th at 6:30pm
September - Wednesday the 1st at 6:30pm
October - Wednesday the 13th at 6:30pm
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Dave Henry