Commerce Park Commission Meeting Minutes – October 17, 2011
DRAFT
GROSSE ILE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
AIRPORT COMMERCE PARK COMMISSION
GROSSE ILE TOWNSHIP 2ND FLOOR BOARD ROOM
Monday October 17, 2011
REGULAR MEETING – 5:30 PM
PRESENT: Ron Moran (Chairman), Peter Kantz (Liaison), Ron Baker, John Raithel (Arrived at
6:30 p.m.), Walter Stoll, Joe Nardone, Chris Mans
EXCUSED: None
ALSO PRESENT: Derek Thiel (Airfield/Commerce Park Manager)
1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Call to Order:
Moran called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in the Grosse Ile Township Hall, 2nd Floor
Board Room.
3. Approval of Agenda – additions/deletions:
Kantz motioned to approve the agenda with support from Nardone. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
4. Site Tour
Nardone motioned to recess with support from Mans to conduct a facility tour. All Ayes.
Motioned Carried.
Commission recessed at 5:34 p.m.
Commission visited Buildings 61, 62, and 63 in the Commerce Park as well as Building 75.
Additional facilities toured included Hangar #2, Foliage Concepts Storage Lot, Compeau Bros.
Storage Lot, Duckett/McMahon Storage Lot, and the Tennis Center. Discussion focused upon
the capabilities of the facilities, rental rates, and overall condition of the above listed
properties/facilities.
Kantz motioned to reconvene the Commerce Park Commission meeting with support from
Mans. All Ayes. Motion Carried
Commission reconvened at 6:45 p.m.
5. Approval/Correction to Minutes:
Raithel motioned to approve the minutes of September 19, 2011 with support from Stoll. All
Ayes. Motion Carried.
6. Financial Reports:
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Commerce Park Commission Meeting Minutes – October 17, 2011
September
Motion made by Nardone with support from Baker to receive and place on file the September
2011 financial report as submitted.
Moran: Gave the highlights of the Financial Report. Stated revenues were 63% and expenditures
were at 61%+
Thiel: Noted that fuel reserve numbers were listed on the balance sheet at the request of
Commissioner Stoll.
Kantz: Requested updates on past due amounts
Thiel: Stated that there were collection proceedings taking place on one of the past due amounts
as well as payment had been received on another.
All ayes. Motion carried.
7. Manager’s Report:
a. Airport Winter Staffing Levels
Thiel: Stated that he plans on addressing snow plow duties by hiring on another seasonal employee
to supplement the one union full time staff member. This employee would work a scheduled 24
hour week but not to exceed 40 hours as work requirements demand. Stated there is room in the
budget for this arrangement. No overtime would be allowed.
Kantz: Asked how long they would be working for.
Thiel: Stated the three peak months would be preferred (December, January, February)
b. Farming Advertisement
Thiel: Provided a farming advertisement example from Jackson Airport. Stated that Airport has an
individual whom cuts and bales their grass. The Airport then receives a small amount of cash for all
bales sold. Provides for the ability to have the Airport’s grass cut by an outside organization at no
cost to the Airport without the issues of wildlife attraction that many other crops cause. Suggested
GIMA advertise for this type of service to solicit interest.
Kantz: Stated that if there was interest the Commission should determine the fields that we would
allow to grow. Thought it was a good idea.
c. 2012 Project Funding Update/MAP meeting
Thiel: Provided a recap of the most recent meeting with the FAA and MDOT about the Airport’s 10
year capital improvement plan. Reviewed the planned 2012 construction project as well as the
project costs. Stated that the budget is fairly tight and the FAA has requested that we try to reduce
the project scope to minimize costs. Likely this would mean the elimination of a “run-up” pad at the
south end of the Airport (off Taxiway C). When reducing the scope the priority is to focus upon
rehabilitation of existing facilities (in this project it means the renovation of the lighting systems on
Taxiway A) and if cuts need to be made, to cut them from new construction.
Moran: Inquired as to the bid dates.
Thiel: Stated it is likely it would be a spring bid with a summer construction date, as long as the
Federal and State budget processes didn’t get in the way of having funds be available.
Thiel: Discussed the 10 year plan and how that is currently organized.
Moran: Inquired to how C+S has been performing.
Thiel: Stated that he has been happy with C+S
d. Reminder of Study Session Oct. 24th - (Master Plan Review)
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Commerce Park Commission Meeting Minutes – October 17, 2011
Moran: Highlighted to purpose of the study session and requested the Commissioners review
the plan prior to the study session.
Action Items:
a. Compeau Brothers Storage Lot/Duckett Storage Lot Realign
Motion by Raithel with support from Mans that the Grosse Ile Airport Commerce Park
Commission hereby authorizes the Grosse Ile Airport/Commerce Park Manager to formulate
an addendum to leases between Grosse Ile Airport and Dan Duckett/ Kevin Mcmahon and
Grosse Ile Airport and Compeau Bros. Inc.
Moran: Read the resolution.
Thiel: Stated that the Commission had the opportunity to tour both the facilities earlier in the
evening. Stated that the above action item is intended to address zoning issues associated with
Compeau Brothers Inc.’s use of airport property allowed under contract dated 5/27/2009. The
above stated tenant’s use has changed since initial occupancy and has thus resulted in a nonconforming use by definition of Grosse Ile Township Zoning. Complaints have been received
by the Township from neighboring residents. The tenant’s lease expires on April 30, 2012.
The proposed solution to the above issue is to move the tenant to a parcel that conforms with
Township Zoning for the remainder of their lease term. The parcel the tenant will be relocated
to is currently leased by Mr. Dan Duckett and Mr. Kevin McMahon. The relocation of
Campeau Brothers to this lot will require Duckett/McMahon to alter their lease and decrease
the amount of space rented. Their lease expires on Dec. 31, 2013. The rental amount received
for the Duckett/McMahon parcel will remain revenue neutral. The decrease in revenue from
the vacancy of the Compeau Brothers lot should be made up via the rental of the lot to one of a
various amount of interested parties. These “various parties” and their type of use would be
required to meet Township zoning regulations.
Thiel: Inquired as to if the action item should be amended to reflect the Commission’s
concerns about making this deal contingent upon being 100% revenue neutral to the Airport.
Moran: Stated that the action item only gives authorization to formulate an addendum which
would then have to come back to the Commission for approval. Approval would be contingent
upon the above stipulation.
Ayes: Moran, Kantz, Nardone, Mans, Baker, Stoll, Raithel
Nays: None
Motion Carried
8. Sub-Committee Reports:
a. Marketing Sub-Committee
Kantz: Stated the sub-committee had met. Stated the outcome of the meeting was that the overall
opinion was that the best media to use to achieve its purpose was email. Stated the purpose of the
Sub-Committee was to advertise for and coordinate efforts surrounding events held at the Airport.
Said they had reviewed the special events policy.
Baker: Added that the sub-committee was formulating a mission statement which would come back
to the CPC.
Raithel: Stated that the point of the Sub-Committee was not to get in the way and put up roadblocks
to events but to help advertise them. Stated it was a working committee. Stated there was an open
seat on the sub-committee and anyone whom was in the community could join.
Stoll: Wanted to know why it was called a marking sub-committee rather than a special events subcommittee.
Kantz: Said the mission statement would ultimately define the title.
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Commerce Park Commission Meeting Minutes – October 17, 2011
9. Discussion Items
a. Special Events Policy
Thiel: Highlighted the importance of updating the existing special events policy. Stated the existing
policy had been reviewed by the marketing sub-committee and changes had been made based upon their
review. Asked for comments on the draft.
Moran: Gave a variety of suggestions.
All: Discussion focused upon whether or not a rate structure should be included in the policy.
Kantz: Felt baselines needed to be formulated for consistency but don’t belong in the policy because
each event is unique.
Raithel: Stated that costs included provided constancy
Moran: Felt you needed published base amounts to eliminate any question of favoritism.
Moran: Requested that any CPC members put together their comments and send them to Derek.
10. Chairman’s Report:
Moran: Stated that he was disappointed that Grosse Ile Township did not get coverage in local
publications about sites that the movie “Real Steel” were filmed at.
Kantz: Stated he had seen the movie. Stated that all scenes that were filmed at the Airport
made the movie. Stated he thought it was an excellent.
Raithel: Agreed. Said he had seen the movie and thought it was excellent. Stated Detroit was
prominently displayed in the movie.
11. Public Comment:
Carl Rigg: Inquired as to if there would be any involvement with the AAC on the
Commerce Park Master Plan. Volunteered to represent the AAC at the study session.
12. Adjournment of Regular Meeting:
Motion to adjourn by Kantz with support from Stoll at 7:35P.M. All Ayes. Motion carried.
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