2007-03-30 Special Meeting
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 31
JOINT MEETING WITH THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY, MARCH 30, 2007 PAGE 63
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a joint meeting with the New Hanover County Airport
Authority on Friday, March 30, 2007, at 7:50 a.m. in the Conference Room of the Wilmington International Airport,
1740 Airport Boulevard, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Chairman William A. Caster; Vice-Chairman Robert G. Greer; Commissioner Ted
Davis, Jr.; Commissioner William A. Kopp, Jr.; Commissioner Nancy H. Pritchett; County Manager Bruce Shell, County
Attorney Wanda Copley and Clerk to the Board Sheila L. Schult.
Authority Members present were: Chairman, Harry W. Stovall, III; Vice-Chairman, Robert S. Rippy; Paul G.
Burton; Charles Richard Kays; John D. Lennon and Airport Director, Jon Rosborough.
Chairman Caster and Chairman Stovall called their respective boards to order.
Director Rosborough began the presentation by introducing the following members of the Staff who assist him
in the daily operation of the Airport: Deputy Director Julie A. Wilsey; Finance Director James Morton; Operations
Director Gary Broughton; Facilities Manager Whitney Prease and Executive Assistant Sandra Routh. He requested
Operations Director Broughton to begin the presentation.
Operations Report
Facilities Manager Gary Broughton presented the following overview:
2006 Passenger Statistics:
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640,663 total passengers
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A minimal 8.5% decrease verses the banner year 2005
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11.5% over 2004
2007 Passenger Statistics:
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97,916 passengers handled January ? February
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19% over 2006
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8.1% over 2005
2006 U.S. Customs Activity:
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2,730 aircraft cleared; 10.3% over 2005
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15,680 persons cleared; 7.1% less than 2005
Total Operations including commercial, air taxi, general aviation and military:
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85,213; 6.3% over 2005
Helicopter Flight Training:
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Service began in fall of 2006 and now has six students and one helicopter with the future desire to
offer coastal helicopter tours.
Top Ten ILM Destinations:
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New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Washington, Chicago, Orlando, Hartford, Los Angeles, Tampa and
Boston
US Airways Fare Reductions:
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US Airways holds 76.5% market share at ILM
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Lowering fares will help to recover leakage to RDU and MYR
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Revenue enplanements up 23% on US Airways and 11% on ASA
Facilities Report
Deputy Director Julie A. Wilsey reported on the following improvements and upgrades:
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Terminal infrastructure
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Renovate strategic buildings for commercial tenants
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Continue to monitor airfield pavement and ramps
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Storm Water Management Plan
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9,600 square foot general aviation terminal
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12,000 square foot corporate hanger
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Ramp area resurfaced
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New ramp area added
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Improvements to drainage
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Runway 6-24 projected publication May 2007
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New international terminal under consideration and design
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Other large projects for 2006-2007 include terminal parking lot expansion, new customs facility,
rental car service center relocation and water and sewer system improvements
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 31
JOINT MEETING WITH THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY, MARCH 30, 2007 PAGE 64
Finance Report
Director of Finance Jim Morton reported that ILM remains in sound financial condition:
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Fiscal Year 2007 operating budget is $5,374,700
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Revenue YTD $790,000 over budget
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FY 07 Revenue up 12.5%
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Expenses YTD $230,000 under budget
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Capital Projects:
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YTD Expenses $9,295,800 for Runway 6-24 overlay and Instrument Landing System
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Remaining 2007 capital expenses in the amount of $11,600,000 include Instrument
Landing System and parking lots
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YTD PFC Projects:
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Land acquisition in the amount of $933,600
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Current ILM commitment in the amount of $3,770,000; reserves in the amount of $6,695,900
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The impact of aviation on the economy in North Carolina is approximately $11.8 billion annually
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One corporate jet based in a community delivers the same tax value as one hundred homes without
effecting infrastructure needs such as schools and roadways.
Report on Future Initiatives
Airport Director Jon Rosborough presented an overview of the Airport?s future Air Service goals:
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Three years:
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Boardings up 20% over present
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New air service to include one new carrier and two new destinations
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New international service
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Air cargo up 25% over present
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General Aviation based aircraft up 15%
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Introduction of Very Light Jets (VLJ?s)
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Five years:
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Boardings up 40% over present
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New air service to include one new carrier and three new destinations
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Additional international service to include an additional destination and one additional carrier
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Air cargo up 35% over present
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General Aviation based aircraft up 5%
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Airline mergers
Mr. Rosborough presented an overview of the Airport?s future Facilities goals:
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Three years:
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Rehabilitate center line of Runway 17-35
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Move car maintenance facilities to enhance General Aviation operations
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Continue General Aviation enhancements
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Five years:
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Acquire land and justification for Runway 6-24 extension
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Phase II of perimeter road
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Terminal capacity issues including additional jet bridges; additional visitor and employee
parking; enlarge concessions in gate area and baggage handling and security measures
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Aircraft maintenance facility
Mr. Rosborough presented an overview of the Airport?s future Financial goals:
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Three years:
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Maintain ILM as a low cost airport
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Alternative funding sources such as landside commercial leases and aeronautical tenants and
services
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Federal legislation to increase Passenger Fee Charge to $6.50 per passenger
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Additional parking revenue using technology to maximize parking convenience and revenue
and adding customer services
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One new tenant in business park
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Replenish capital account for matching Federal grants (5% or 10% match; estimate $5.2
million)
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 31
JOINT MEETING WITH THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY, MARCH 30, 2007 PAGE 65
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Five years:
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Increase reserve for capital projects
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Creative financing public/private partnerships for future development
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Additional business ventures: two new tenants in business park
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Continue land acquisition in accordance with Passenger Fee Charge program to support
future growth
Director Rosborough reported that they are committed to remaining a high quality, low cost, user friendly
airport; implementing ?Smart Growth? to enable ILM to continue to serve as a key economic engine in the region; to
maintain no subsidization from the County; to promote private investment at ILM and continue to generate revenue for
the County and ILM.
ILM looks forward to continued partnerships with the County and developing stronger partnerships with the
Tourism Development Authority to promote tourism.
In closing, Director Rosborough reported ILM has received the First Citizens Bank 2007 Customer Service
Award.
After a brief question and answer period, on behalf of the Board, Chairman Caster expressed appreciation to the
Airport Authority and Administrative Staff for the informative presentation.
After hearing no further comments, Chairman Caster and Chairman Stovall adjourned the meeting at 9:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila L. Schult
Clerk to the Board