IC Noon Rotary May 28 2020 (May 28, 2020)

IC.Noon.Rotary.May.28.2020

Watch today's meeting here: https://youtu.be/OPAig-5UKvM

Our Meeting was called to order by President Jim Conard.

Announcements:

Rtn. Eric Weiler presented today’s Rotary Moment of Positivity and Gratitude. Eric reflected on how his family is taking the time to reconnect. From the outset, they came together to create a schedule, which includes more walks together and eating dinner as a family each night. He wants his children to reflect back on this time positively and appreciate the closeness they shared.

Rtn. Trisha Smith announced United Way updates. Yesterday, Iowa City Noon Rotary, in partnership with the United Way, delivered meals from Big Grove to Marcy Iowa City (special thanks to Rtn. Sean McIntyre for helping with delivery) and the Marriott delivered 150 lunches to the Iowa City Free Lunch Program. This morning, Trisha got to lift up our club on air on Z102.5. Trisha also announced the Mask Up Program, in partnership with the Community Foundation of Johnson County. Volunteers can pick up mask kits to sew and return to United Way. Their goal is to have 2,000 masks to distribute to organizations that need them.

Rtn. Mary Ellen Lewis, Chair of the Rotary Youth Exchange announced that this year’s exchange student, Ana, has returned to Germany, but had a wonderful experience with her 3 host families and wants to send her thanks to our club. Mary Ellen is stepping down as Chair and is seeking a new chair.

Rtn. Heather Croskrey announced that in lieu of the now-postponed Ronald McDonald House Gold Outing, they will open the programs sponsorship link on June 1st, the original date of the golf outing. All proceeds from this will count toward the golf outing. Information can be found at www.rmhc-eiwi.org/golf.

Rtn. Pete Wallace announced that our club was able to provide Table to Table with a $500 grant to buy a new printer and software, which will help them greatly during this time of crisis.

President-Elect Barb Thomas announced that she will be emailing all members information on renewing their dues. Remember that your dues and contributions to the Rotary Foundation help our local community.

PROGRAM:

Rtn. Stephen Bowers asked Marty Lenss to speak about the Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) back in February, when the terminal modernization was under way, new restaurants were opening, and ridership was up by more than 20%. Marty has been the Airport Director for 5 years, is very active in local economic development, and is an advocate for regional airports.

Mary Lenss began the program by expressing how things have changed so significantly since the COVID-19 crisis reached Iowa. In February, the Airport was experiencing 22% growth in passengers and they were scrambling to add parking. The Airport is the second largest in Iowa and is responsible for 30% of Iowa’s passengers and 50% of the state’s cargo. CID has 5 airline partners, is completely self-sufficient, and receives no local tax dollars.

Phase 3 of the remodel is wrapping up and includes an outdoor patio and a new Java House kiosk. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a dramatic shift and freefall in revenue. Passenger traffic in April 2020 was down 97% from April 2019. The Airport is losing about $1.7 Million each month.

As a result of the crisis, Phase 4 of the terminal modernization is on hold indefinitely. CID received $22.8 Million as a result of the CARES Act, which they are using to retain workforce, cover ongoing operational expenses, solar improvement projects, relocation of hangars, and a general aviation apron expansion. The Airport is also moving forward on previously scheduled projects including runway maintanence, parking lot improvements, and a new UPS facility. All projects will be completed with no debt.

Airlines are resuming flights and all of them require passengers to wear masks. On June 1^st, Frontier will start doing temperature checks at the gate. CID is providing free hand sanitizer, industrial foggers for sanitation, social distancing, and requires its staff to wear masks.

Full recovery for the Airport could take 5 years for CID traffic to return to 2019 levels. Competition will be intense, but leisure travel will return more quickly than business travel. Marty reminded everyone to “Buy Local/Fly Local,” as this will be critical to the Airport’s recovery.

Ending on some positive notes, CID is partnering with Kirkwood Community College to create an aviation maintanence program. Marty also encouraged the club to check out Wings to Water, a new nonprofit that supports environmental stewardship, at wings2water.org.

The meeting ended at 1:00 PM as President Jim Conard led the assembly in reciting The Four Way Test.

MEETING:

Visiting Rotarians included: Phil Peterson (Iowa City AM); Hazel Seaba (Iowa City AM); Gary Wicklund (Vale, CO); Jacque Andrew (Jefferson, IA); and William Koellner (West Liberty).

Guests of Rotarians: Stephanie Koehler (Dan Kuenzi/Barb Thomas); Alissa Brandt Jarret (Ryan Bell).

Program: Devin van Holsteijn; Attendance: Nancy Droll

Please forward any newsworthy items and/or photos to Jon Brown or Janice Baldes to include in the weekly slide decks emailed to members prior to each meeting and shown just before Rotary meetings at the Club. You can send information to: Janice Baldes janicebaldes@gmail.com or Jon Brown at mjonBrown@taxesplusiowacity.com

For questions related to Club administration, please contact us at secretary@iowacitynoonrotary.org.

It is our policy to have all members silence their cell phones before the meeting and refrain from answering their cell phones during the meeting out of respect to the speaker and fellow members.