Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Airport Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Airport manager reports strong Young Eagles turnout, ALP progress and maintenance needs including aging AWOS
Summary
Larry Elliott, president of EAA Chapter 1698, said the Young Eagles event flew about 68 children; Airport Director Eric Galindo reported progress on a TxDOT-backed airport layout plan and outlined maintenance needs, including an AWOS inspection that found obsolete parts.
Larry Elliott, president of EAA Chapter 1698, said the Young Eagles event at Cleveland Airport drew roughly 15 pilots and about 68 Young Eagles plus about 15 family members and friends. "It was all...free for the kids in an effort to promote the airport and promote aviation," Elliott said, and he told the board the event would recur.
Airport Director Eric Galindo thanked the EAA and tenants for their role and summarized recent staff work: completion of a TxDOT aviation economic-impact survey, establishment of an airport maintenance request email (airportmaintenance@cleveland.texas.gov) to track issues, and outreach to TxDOT and FAA on grant and funding opportunities. He said he will attend an airport funding workshop in San Marcos on Oct. 19.
Galindo updated the board on an airport layout plan (ALP) process led by Wolpert Consultants under TxDOT Aviation funding. Consultants reviewed the airport's existing classification (B2) and recommended consideration of an A1 classification to align with prevailing aircraft types and funding priorities. Survey and aerial data collection are complete; consultants will return with multiple layout options for hangar siting, grading and utilities. Galindo said hangar development was discussed but that centerline runway and approach protections are higher funding priorities for TxDOT and FAA.
On maintenance, Galindo said a vendor inspected the automated weather-observing system (AWOS) and identified failing components; some parts are obsolete, so staff plan to seek a modern replacement similar to newer units at nearby airports. He said the AWOS dates from the early 2000s and the replacement would be a capital expense.
Staff also described a fuel-pump outage that occurred after an emergency cutoff switch was engaged. Electricians traced the power interruptions and staff plan to correct labeling and panel wiring so the active cutoff is clear and to prevent accidental shutdowns. Galindo said routine inspections are continuing for stormwater pollution-prevention and fuel-tank equipment, and a utility vehicle is awaiting parts.
On development and hangar capacity, staff said they will reissue the RFP for the vacant hangar footprint for about 60 days to seek proposals; if none are viable the city will obtain a structural evaluation and possibly repurpose the site for one or more box hangars. Galindo noted the wait list for hangars is about 81 people and gave the opaque hangar footprint dimensions as roughly 95 by 75 feet.
The board thanked staff and tenants for ramp and grounds maintenance improvements and asked that tenants continue to report issues via the maintenance email so nothing slips through the cracks.
