DeKalb Times

City of Dekalb Airport Advisory Board met Oct. 26.

Here is the agenda provided by the board:

A. Roll Call

B. Approval of Agenda – Additions / Deletions

C. Public Participation

D. Approval of Minutes – September 28, attached on pages 4-5

E. Old Business

1. Airport Operations

Airport Manager’s Summary: I worked with Matt Rose, City Attorney, who crafted the a letter to the farm tenants regarding their leases, which I then mailed on Fri., Oct. 22.

I completed the fuel supplier RFP which was uploaded for bid on Tue., Oct. 12. I posted Answers to the received Questions received from four fuel suppliers on Fri., Oct. 22. Bids are due Fri., Oct. 29, at 2:00 p.m. at City Hall.

Air/Ground Operations

Airport Manager’s Summary:

Our 100LL AvGas and JetA in-ground fuel tank In-tank inspections on Sep. 30 and Oct. 1 were successful.

We are anticipating delivery of the new 100LL AvGas truck by early- to mid-November, at which time we will surplus the old truck as a trade-in on the purchase. We have continued to assist AvGas customers at the fuel farm if requested.

Our deice truck boom passed inspection, but a minor hydraulic leak was discovered and will be repaired on Tue., Oct. 26. Our new Airport Maintenance Technician, Jim Ruhl, will assist the repair technician and receive training in its operation. We have received competitive deice fluid prices and will be ordering Type IV deice fluid for the truck by the end of the month.

2. Fuel Revenues

Airport Manager’s Summary: August fuel sales as recorded:

August     100LL gal         Sales       JetA gal      Sales

 2021*       3,944.4     $18,251.16    2,405.0    $ 9,326.41

 2020        5,193.8     $19,384.49    5,692.0    $14,666.25

 2019        3,518.0     $15,868.47    7,078.0    $22,315.35

*DKB-4800 Resurface R2/20 construction kept R2/20 closed through Thu., Oct. 21, while R9/27 was concurrently closed for 16 days in October.

A JetA fuel load was received on Oct. 4. We have ordered a load of 100LL AvGas to be delivered Fri., Oct. 29. Our current 100LL AvGas prices are $5.15/gal, full serve, and $4.75/gal, self-serve; JetA is $3.99/gal.

The previously proposed tenant fuel pricing structure that was tabled during the Aug. 24, 2021, meeting is open for discussion.

3. TIP Projects (Transportation Improvement Program)

a. DKB-4556 Replace the Existing Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) Units on Runway Ends 2, 20 and 27 with Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) Units

Airport Manager’s Summary: We received the Agreement for the FAA Flight Check to certify the new lighting installations. We are processing the $18,132.66 payment to the FAA, which is reimbursable. The Flight Check will take place following the completion of DKB-4800 Resurface R2/20.

b. DKB-4800 Rehabilitate Runway 2-20

Airport Manager’s Summary: Phase one of the R2/20 construction was completed on Thu., Oct. 21, at which time the runway was finally opened. It will be closed again for five days starting Mon., Oct. 25, for the final phase of grooving, and, if weather conditions cooperate, paint striping and grass seeding. If they are unable to seed before the FAA’s mandatory Nov 1 cut-off date, the seeing will be accomplished in the Spring. The contractor exceeded the allotted 50 total days for the project (72 days, so far), and IDOT-DOA has indicated that Liquidated Damages will be assessed to their contractual agreement which will be $1,200/day.

c. DKB-4875 Rehabilitate Taxiway C

Airport Manager’s Summary: Notice of State Award (NOSA) and the agency agreement construction anticipated in FY 2022.

d. Rebuild Illinois Airport Capital Improvement Program (ACIP)

Airport Manager’s Summary: We received the executed amendment from IDOT and the funds have been directed to be obligated. DeKalb was awarded a total of $75,000, with the CARES Act funds ($30,000) being distributed in FY 2020, and the remainder ($45,000) expected to be awarded yet this FY2021. The additional funds will reimburse various operational expenses incurred this year.

F. New Business

1. Events

a. FAA Waiver for an Aerobatic Practice Area (APA)

One of the owners of two Eagle’s Nest private T-hangars worked with other pilots to establish an aerobatic practice box under an FAA waiver which was issued and is valid 09/13/2021 to 08/31/2024. The users are permitted to activate the APA “box” located north of Pleasant Street by calling Flight Service and issuing a NOTAM. The users must adhere to strict rules and regulations and give way to area traffic. They held one trial day on Fri., Oct. 15, and an active day on Fri., Oct. 22. We received a number of phone calls from DeKalb residents, some complaints and others with questions, and I had one Cortland resident visit me in my office. All questions are addressed by me and/or the pilot coordinator. The pilots who arrive to utilize the APA box are purchasing 100LL AvGas during their operations.

2. Airport Improvements

a. FBO Redesign

Airport Manager’s Summary: I received the estimate for installing a water fountain with water bottle filler which will be located in the FBO central lobby. I am waiting for estimates for replacing one of the smaller toilets in the first floor restroom.

b. Solar Installation

Airport Manager’s Summary: The current plan will be presented for Consideration to the City Council on October 11 and they were agreeable, and the developer is planning on presenting a contract soon.

G. Adjournment

https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10262021-2079