[JYO] Leesburg Airport Commission Meeting Informal Notes, February 17th, 2004

Enclosed are my standard, informal and  unofficial notes of tonight's
meeting.  There may be gaps or some  information may be incomplete, but I
typed as fast as I could !  The  major item of issue was the terminal leasing
discussion, which was a lengthy  and sometimes contentious discussion.  Since
many DC Pilots are not JYO  based, I did not include every item discussed.

Of interest to all DC  Pilots is the TSA's willingness to discuss ADIZ
entry/egress routes (see  below).  That's a bad thing, and a good thing:  It
tells me that  the ADIZ is here to stay, and there may be some relief on the
horizon.   It's not the correct relief, but it's something.  The Airport
Director  is soliciting your input - send her your stuff as noted  below.

Dennis

N7848N  JYO

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Leesburg  Airport Commission Meeting Informal Notes, February 17th, 2004

1) Initial  Business

- 4 petitioners commented on the restaurant rental space  issue.
- A welcome back to Roy Steinfort who has been absent to Arizona  tending to
a family medical issue.

- Bob Jones is resigning from the  commission due to work requirements.

2) Committee Reports:

a)  Leesburg committee:

- Mr. Whyte discussed multiple items, including the  ongoing discussions
regarding proffers for land west of the  airport.

b) Security Committee:

- Mr. Whyte discussed the security  committee meeting on the 11th, explained
their deliberations, and provided  each commission members with copies of the
sub-committee's recommendations,  industry guidelines, and advisory
pamphlets.

- The sub-committee  recommended using best practice recommendations, rather
than  mandates.

- Airport Watch programs are probably the most effective method  of reducing

illegal activities.

- 11 of the 13 short term items  recommended by the Chief of Police were
supported (as written) by the  sub-committee.

- The two recommended to the commission with revisions  were additional locks
on aircraft and ID badges

- Additional aircraft  locks were considered above and beyond the current
threat level, dangerous to  aircraft, and not necessary.

- ID badges would be an unnecessary  administrative burden on airport staff
and difficult to control.

-  Parking stickers were also recommended as a method to control long  term
parking.

- An new gate at the south entrance was  suggested.

- The security committee volunteered to brief local police on  airport
procedures.

The Commission agreed to defer action until all of  the material submitted by
Mr. Whyte could be read and digested. An opinion of  the Town Attorney has
been solicited, and it is possible that some or all of  the security
recommendations will be discussed in closed session.

3.  Councilmatic Report:

a) Bob Zoldos again re-iterated that the local pilot  community and/or
airport commission be represented in the hiring process for  the airport
director position.

b) Mr. Zoldos referred to a letter from  the Town Manager urging immediate
action on security meaures. This letter  has not been made public. Mr.
Zoldos (and Mr. Axeman, the Commission Chair)  concurred that action on
security measures should have user input.

4.  Director's Report

a) Anticipated occupancy of the new terminal is 1  April.

b) North corporate hangars will be evaluated by a third party for  a fix to
the existing problems.

c) South end T-hangar demolition will  be deferred to March due to weather
and proper appropriations.

d)  Runway rehab reports have been received, construction pushed to summer  of
2005 due to funding delays from state and federal agencies.

e)  Master plan update is ongoing - first draft delivered by consultant last
week  and distributed to commission.

f) TSA is considering ADIZ ingress/egress  procedures for JYO - Cindi is
collecting war stories on the ADIZ for her  meeting next week with Da Feds.
Please email your JYO-based ADIZ 'horror  stories' to 
_CMartin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (mailto:CMartin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx)   and copy 
_ed@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
(mailto:ed@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx) 
.    Please keep your comments JYO-based, topical, and brief.  If you  sent
issues to AOPA previously, see if they're in your 'Sent' folder and  send
again to Cindi, please.

g) ILS: Has been funded by line-item in  the 2004 FAA budget. However, due to
FAA reorganizations and their  bureaucratic system, anticipate the
possibility of a four to five year  process before the ILS is active.

5. Old Business

a) Corporate  hangar pad rate was discussed at a prior meeting and suggested
to be $ 0.50  per square foot. This rate was approved by the Commission.

b) Terminal  office lease rates were further discussed, having been taken to
Town Council  at a suggested $ 24.82 per square foot and sent back for
further  discussion.

- A long and involved discussion ensued with both commission  members and
public comment. The details are far beyond the scope of this  posting. Some
of the comments by professional realtors and appraisers were  well received
regarding setting rates that were supportive of local  businesses, nd
allowed for growth and expansion. The concept of  revenue-based leases was
raised, and may be considered by the commission  during the upcoming
discussion.

- The commission tabled the discussion  until a special meeting Wednesday,
the 25th of February. The meeting will be  publicly announced.

6) New Business

a) New terminal ribbon cutting  date is up for discussion. May, 1st, 8th, and
15th have been proposed, with  the 8th the preferred date to coincide with
the hangar dance.

b) An  airport open house (similar to the 35th anniversary event 4 years ago, 
event  pics at: _http://www.leesburgpilots.com/event/index.htm_ 
(http://www.leesburgpilots.com/event/index.htm) )
is  under consideration. Ed Levine is the de facto coordinator. If you want 
to be on  the open house committee/air show coordination team, send an e-mail 
to: _jyoairshow-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
(mailto:jyoairshow-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)   

7) Closing Comments

a) Due to a disparaging remark  made by one attendee during the public input
section on the lease rates,  several members of the commission took the time
to state their support for  the Interim Airport Director, Cindi Martin, and
compliment the work she has  done to date.

b) Mr. Lissner spoke regarding his disappointment in some  of the comments
made during the evening, and he attempted to explain the  difference between
working in local government and running a private  business. Mr. Lissner
further stated his intention to finish out his  term.

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