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Tenants press city on fuel supply, foreign object debris and communications at Cleveland Airport
Summary
Multiple tenants reported fuel‑service problems, foreign object debris (FOD) and locked radios; public works committed to sweeping and spraying and will coordinate NOTAMs and announcements to reduce immediate hazards.
Tenants at Cleveland Municipal Airport raised a string of maintenance and service complaints July 16, telling the airport advisory board that foreign object debris, unreliable fuel service and communications gaps were harming safety and operations.
"FOD at the airport hasn't been cleaned in 3 years," tenant Clay Dean told the board. Several tenants said loose rocks and debris on ramps and taxiways had damaged propellers and made aircraft movement more hazardous. Wally Mulhern, a tenant and designated pilot examiner, said recent fuel service had been slow and unreliable: "The rate at which the fuel is coming out is about a gallon a minute," he said, describing an experience where slow fueling would force him to go elsewhere.
Tenants also raised airport communications and service‑access issues. Dean and others said the airport radio was locked inside the office at times, and several tenants described difficulty obtaining the courtesy car or accessing FBO services. Mike Stevens asked for better email notices and tenant notifications about meetings and service changes.
Public Works said it would address immediate cleanup. "We'll be out there tomorrow, to do the FOD removal, sweeping of the runways, taxiways around all the buildings," Cody Arnold of Public Works said, adding that fence and vegetation spraying had been done in May and would resume once rains permit. Arnold noted the mowing schedule had a NOTAM posted and that tenants can contact Public Works for repairs.
Airport staff described mitigation steps to reduce risk during maintenance work, including hourly announcements at the FBO to advise aircraft of ground activity, encouraging operators to equip vehicles with headsets for noisy equipment, and using AWOS broadcasts to further alert pilots. Tenants urged a clear, centralized communication channel for notices about fuel outages, scheduled work and fee proposals.
The board listed maintenance items for follow up: FOD removal sweep, restriping and repainting taxiway and runway markings, mold removal on hangar ramps, vegetation control along perimeter fencing, repair of fuel meters and clarification on courtesy car procedures. Public Works and the airport director agreed to coordinate follow‑up and to report progress to the advisory board.
