City of Centralia Airport Advisory Board met March 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
Members Present: Bill Crain, John Denton, Tom Walsh, Tom Kasten and Herb Williams Members Absent: David Agee, Tom Simpson, Jack Graham and Jim Shoemaker
Also Present: Kala Lambert- Assistant to City Manager
Tom Kasten called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm.
Public Comment: Approval of Minutes:
Kala presented minutes for meeting January 28, 2019. A motion was made by Herb Williams and Seconded by Tom Walsh to approve the meeting minutes for January 28, all in favor, motion carried.
Old Business:
Kala stated there was no update on the Obstruction Study Project, except that CMT was still working on it and the agreement has finally fully executed. Bill asked what this project would entail. Kala stated that at this time LIDAR data has been collected and CMT would be overlaying the various surfaces that need to be protected from obstructions to determine the needs for removal/trim, various avigation easements needed etc. Kala stated that there was some delay on the states part in getting an agreement to the City for execution and CMT has worked several months without getting paid since no bills could be paid from the State without an active agreement.
New Business:
Kala stated that bids were receive Friday to Construct Access Taxiway to Runway 9. She stated there were 3 contractors to pick up packets and two bids received.
Shores Builders $216,623.80
Howell Paving $242,091.83
A motion was made by Tom Walsh and Seconded by John Denton to recommend to Council approval of the low bid from Shores Builders in the amount of $216,623.80, all in favor, motion carried.
Kala reported that the Municipal Airport had received a donation this year in the amount of $3,657 from the Donald G. Geary Family Charitable Trust. Bill Crain asked for us to send a letter thanking them from the Committee.
Kala reported that in speaking with Norman Wolfe from Airgo they are down a few students who graduated from the 80 reported last time and they will be going to China in the next 30 days or so to interview and select 17-20 new students.
Discussion:
Kala stated that we have currently have 2 hangars available, one old and one new. Last meeting there were also two but was has since be rented and one released. She reported Dr. Knowles has sold his plane to someone in Texas and release his hangar. She did report she has a lease agreement out for the older hangar and waiting for it to be returned. Tom Walsh asked the price for the hangars. Kala reported $80 for old and $125 for new. Kala stated that in the 6 years she has been closely involved with the airport the hangars have always been rented with little turnover until here recently. Bill Crain asked if it made any sense to advertise hangar space to attract people traveling cross county. He stated that he thought they used to do that and travelers would stay in the old Bell Tower. Patrick stated that he didn’t think this hangar would last long. He stated that it is something that could be done and probably Norman would know what publications would be best to advertise in. He also commented that we used to have a courtesy car that was for this purpose and if we were to have a courtesy car we just need to make sure it is used to this purpose only and not hauling students etc.
Bill asked if Kala could call the hotel and ask if there is any way for them to know if they have any guest that stay at the hotel for the Airport and flight school.
Kala stated that she is working on finalizing the lease agreements for aerial applicators and rules and conditions of the airport. She shared some of the challenges she is working on and members shared their recommendations. She stated she has made contact with several other airports regarding their activity and agreements.
Bill noted that the 72,000 in operations reported at the January meeting for 8 months of activity was very impressive and we are very fortunate to have one of the busiest airports in Southern Illinois. Kala stated that in researching other airports and their aerial applicator agreements she noticed other airport operations in the 7,000 range for 12 months. Bill asked for the source of these numbers because he stated he would like to be able to tell more people about the activity at the airport. Kala stated that since Norman Wolfe started they have been tracking, but she didn’t know the method and would report back to the board.
A motion was made by John Denton and Seconded by Tom Walsh to adjourn the meeting.
https://cityofcentralia.org/vertical/sites/%7BFC680FE7-BE5C-4903-A103-67AF5EF51655%7D/uploads/3-March_18__2019_minutes.pdf
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