HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/19/1996JOINT WORK SESSION CITY COUNCIL
AND WATERLOO AIRPORT COMMISSION
March 19, 1996
3:30 p.m
Large Conference Room
Members present: Mayor Rooff, Mollenhoff, Krizek,Jordan, Collier,
Getty, Airport Commission Chairperson Petersen, Hogan, Duncan,
Swinehart, Heaton.
Members absent: Anders, Murphy.
It was moved by Jordan, seconded by Collier to approve the agenda
as proposed. Ayes: Five. Absent: Anders, Murphy. Motion
carried.
Mayor Rooff reviewed the city's financial and personnel policies
with the Airport Commission. The city council feels it is
important to require that all city departments follow the financial
policies for purchasing and contracting which necessitates any
purchase over $25,000 to involve a Request For Proposal (RFP)
process. The finance committee has also established a pre-
authorization to purchase for items over $1,000 and line item
budget control. It is requested that the airport be considered as
a city department and follow the same financial policies as all
other city departments, boards and commissions.
Chairperson Petersen assured the mayor and council that any
noncompliance with city policy was done out of lack of knowledge of
the city policy's. He stated that the Airport Commission would
gladly follow the guidelines set by the city if those policies
would be forwarded to the management staff and provided to the
commission. Councilperson Mollenhoff requested that the Airport
Commission recognize city policies as expectations and not as a
courtesy. Heaton promised that the Airport Commission would
initiate a tracking method to identify whether Finance Committee
approval is complete before approval of any items by the
Commission. Heaton asked how often are the Request for Proposals
to be solicited. Finance Manager Bruce Meisinger explained that
they should be renewed annually unless the bid specifications
indicate it is a multi-year contract.
Hogan explained that there has been only one instance of deviation
from the city personnel policies and that was based on a job
reclassification. The Airport Commission agreed to adhere to city
personnel policies regarding salary increases or to give prior
notice on good cause to the mayor and council.
Mayor Rooff stated that there is a pressing need for a close
relationship between the Airport Commission and the council to
coordinate funding for the airport improvements needed for future
development. The capital improvements programs of all city
departments need to be incorporated into the five year financial
plan. As funding from outside sources such as the FAA changes, it
needs to be communicated to the city's financial department to
allow for the appropriate changes to the budget documents. A last
minute change was made during the budget process to the capital
improvements budget for the airport. These types of changes need
to be updated at least monthly.
Mayor Rooff asked Assistant City Attorney Sang-ki Han to explain
the information provided to the council regarding a change to the
Airport Commission and establishment of an administrative agency.
Han explained that he provided correspondence to the council which
identifies the statutes which would allow the council to change the
status of the airport commission to an administrative agency. This
results in removing the autonomous financial powers of the airport
commission and changing it to a department status. Currently the
Airport Commission is empowered with the same authority as the city
council in its ability to tax, with regard to financial matters and
hiring or firing of personnel. The city council would need to
Council Work Session
March 19, 1996
Page 2
adopt an ordinance abolishing the airport commission and creating
an administrative agency. The commission would than stand
abolished sixty days from the date of the council's final approval
of the ordinance abolishing the commission and establishing the
administrative agency.
Councilperson Krizek asked the Airport Commissioners how the change
to an administrative agency would impact the Airport Commission's
ability to operate. Heaton reported that he felt the change would
hamper the Airport Commission because of the liability issues that
the Airport Commission faces. It would be hard to manage all the
concerns without the authority provided by the commission form.
Hogan expressed the demands felt by the Airport Commission to
answer to two gods; the Federal Aviation Authority and the city.
She stated that their funding stream requires that first and
foremost the airport comply with FAA regulations. Councilperson
Mollenhoff pointed out concerns about the lack of orientation for
council members and commission members. Hogan suggested that an
official from the FAA come to Waterloo and give a short training
session to council and commission members about the FAA
regulations.
Fire rescue staff have concerns about the number of trained CFR
personnel needed for the jet landings and they feel that
maintenance of equipment isn't completed. Airport maintenance
staff reported that as soon as problems are reported the repairs
are completed. Some maintenance problems seem to occur because
fire personnel aren't running the equipment on a daily basis.
Heaton suggested that a meeting be set between airport and fire
management staff to get a list of duties clearly identified for the
fire rescue and airport maintenance personnel.
Hogan reported on the investigation done into regionalization of
the airport. The property would remain city owned but
participation with adjoining communities would help fund airport
service. There isn't an overwhelming support in this area for
regionalization due to a number of small airports in nearby
communities.
With no further discussion it was moved by Getty, seconded by
Mollenhoff to adjourn the meeting at 4:20 p.m. Ayes: Five.
Absent: Murphy, Anders. Motion carried.
Susan Fangman
City Clerk