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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-02 Agenda Review New Hanover County Airport Authority November 2, 2011 Page 1 NEW HA.NOVER COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY AGENDA REVIEW MEETING November 2, 2011 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Airport Authority met for Agenda Review on Wednesday, November 2 1 2011, at 4:03 p.m., in the E xecut ive Confer Room at Wilmington International Airport, 1 740 Airport Boulevard, Wilmington, North Carolina. Airport Authority members present were John Lennon, Chairman; Charles Kays. vice Chairman; Torn Barber and Al Roseman. Robert Rippy, Secretary, was absent. Also present were Jon Rosborough, Airport Director; Julie Wilsey, Deputy Airport Director; Jim Morton, Finance �� rector; Gu BrUu.ghto n, Operat�ui1s Director; 1 ► i� 4 Prcasc, 1 _Ltics Manlagcr; S a.i�w a Routh, Executive Assistant; Wanda Copley, New Hanover County Attorney; Richard Masters, The 'asters Croup, Inc.; and Steve Bright and Array McLane, Talbert & Bright, Inc. Chairman Lennon called the meeting to order and then called on staff members to discuss the agenda for the Authority's November 2, 2011, regular Public Meeting, AGENDA ITEMS Special Events: Mr. Broughton expounded on the success of the recent Tri- Annual Mock Disaster .Drill, which took place on October 22, giving credit to the Public Safety office and Maintenance teams. A concurrent drill enabling the Red Cross and the airlines to exercise their family assistance response plan was also successful. A brief discussion between Mr. Barber, Mr. Lennon, Mr. Broughton and Mr. Rosborough accentuated a problem with identifying the victims and where they were sent for medical attention. Finance Deport: Mr. Dorton reviewed actual revenue and expenses for September in relation to the budget, stating it was a very good month. The Local G overnment Commission approved ILM's annual audit, and it has been closed out. ILM's annual United way campaign was very successful; employees' contributions not only exceeded this year's goal, but also surpassed last year's record gift amount. Rental car revenue exceeded last year's gross sales by 13 The heirs involved with the sale of 2945 Acorn. Branch Road have settled their estate issues and have again contacted the airport about selling the property. Chairman Lennon and Mr. Morton responded to a question posed by Dr. Roseman about bidding out ILM's banking services. Facilities: Mrs. Wilsey discussed action items for Authority memb approval at the Regular Public Meeting, including approving a contract for the purchase of a new passenger loading bridge (PLB) at Gate 7, and a separate contract to install electrical connections and hurricane tie - downs for the new PLB. Also for approval is a contract for fiber installation between the original parking lots and the pay booth, a state grant for the purchase of a tractor and snow plow, two matching state grants for ILM's AIP 44 grant, and a 90110 state grant for the fencing project along Morris Road. Mrs. Wilsey discussed the construction of the new credit card parking lot, stating East Coast Contracting had been working diligently and she expected it to be completed within the next two New Hanover County Airport Authority November 2, 2011 Pa 2 weeks. She reported that staff met with all of ILM's rental car partners to discuss the design of the rental car service facility, to be followed up with a questionnaire survey and subsequent discussion with RS &H to develop a fee proposal. Mrs. Wilsey discussed the RWY 6 -24 PAPI Project, which is scheduled to begin on January 3, 2012, and should be completed by the end of February 2012. The runway will be closed during the weekdays due to workers in the Runway Safety Area (RSA). Dr. Roseman inquired whether the runway could be reopened in the event of high winds /inclement weather. After some discussion, Mrs. McLane and Mrs. Wilsey agreed to contact the contractor and the FAA to determine if RWY 6 -24 could be reopened in the event of incl ement weather during the construction project. Mrs. Wilsey reported that work on the TwY A, H, D and F Rehabilitation Project began November 1 st. Mrs. Wilsey commented that site work for the VA Facility was making good progress, and that Mr. PrYease was working with Progress r-,nergy to get a cost for the underground installation of ail power lines. Using the airport layout, Mr. Prease pointed out current power lines and feeds, and described the location of future power lines and feeds as per construction of the VA facility. There was a discussion among Authority members and staff as to the advantages for future development, etc. versus the cost involved to have all power lines installed underground, with the consensus that staff would attempt to negotiate with Progress Energy on the cost to install all power lines underground. Mrs. Wilsey reported no change in the status of the request for an easement for the Blue Clay Road sewer force main. Mr. Rosborough mentioned the airport's need for a secondary water source, and indicated that staff had discussed a water system. interconnect (Derr Avenue Loop) with the CFPUA in an attempt to move this project up on their schedule. Mrs. Wilsey described CFPUA's water system interconnect project and ILM's needs in relation to that project, not only as an emergency secondary water source, but also for better water quality and future development. Dr. Roseman asked about installing a well; however staff responded that a well would not be feasible due to the impracticality of on-site grater storage. Mr. Rosborough emphasized the importance of a secondary water source and explained that the FAA had approved funding for this Capital Improvement Project (CIP) for connection to Blue Clay Road, however, more funding would ,be necessary to connect to the Kerr Avenue Loop. Mr. Rosborough indicated staff would be meeting with the CFPUA on November 7th to discuss this very important issue. Government: Mr. Rosborough reported the Senate would be passing some mini - omnibus bills to fund some government agencies, including the DoT and FAA, for FY 2012. The heads of the TSA and the AAAE met with Congress in reference to Homeland Security's Pre -Check Program, a pilot study in various major airports of an expedited method for clearing frequent fliers through security checkpoints. Dr. Roseman indicated he had attended a recent meeting to plan for a state legislative breakfast or luncheon to bring in area representatives to help develop regulations to expedite local development. Chairman Lennon commented that he had spoken with County Commissioner Chairman Barfield, and ILM's 2012 annual update to the County Commissioners would be presented during a breakfast meeting at the airport, as it was conducted in the years prior to 2011. Mrs. Schult, the County Clerk, would be contacting Mrs. Routh sometime after the first of the year to New Hanover County Airport Authority November 2, 201 Page 3 schedule the meeting. Dr. Roseman encouraged Authority members and staff to consider giving the same annual update a second time for past Authority members, as they are ILM's community ambassadors. Marketing and Public Relations: Mr. Morton reported that ILM participated as a sponsor for the Beach to Battleship Triathlon. A banner and signs were displayed in the terminal welcoming participants and their family and friends. Dr. Roseman brought attention to a BUSINESS NORTH CADOLtNA article which described landing business in Forth Carolina and the number of people traveling in and out of its commercial airports. Planning and Development: �vlr. morton updated Authority rnemoers on the digging of the dry basin retention pond. He discussed a potential business park project to determine Authority members' interest. Operations Report: Using charts for illustration, Mr. Broughton reported ILM's airport statistics for the month of October, including fuel price comparisons, fuel flowage amounts, airfare comparisons with MYR, RDU, FAY and OAJ, and total passengers handled. He stated the load factor for October was 89.4 %. He reviewed statistics for aircraft and people cleared through Customs for the month of October. Dr. Roseman inquired reference ILM's statistics as compared to AVL's statistics. Mr. Rosborough responded that ILM was ahead of AVL, and continues to maintain its status as the fourth busiest airport in North Carolina. Mr. Broughton reported on a recent Vehicle /Pedestrian Deviation (V /PD) incursion that occurred on October 24th, involving a meter reader on the airfield — the first incursion to occur at ILM in six years. Staff received a letter of investigation from the FAA and will respond before the deadline of November 7th. A. security violation and a civil citation have been issued to the offending tenant and its employee, and retraining has been scheduled. After a brief discussion between Authority members and staff, it was their consensus that the airport should take any action permissible under FAA guidelines that promotes its policy of zero tolerance of VPD incursions, and stress this in future AOA training. Directors Deport: Mr. Rosborough turned the floor over to Mr. Masters to give his quarterly air service report to Authority members. Mr. Masters reported on a September 15 trip to Chicago that he and Mr. Rosborough took to visit United Airlines to discuss the possibility of new air service with international connections. The big issue facing ILM currently is the LGA and DCA service slot swap. Mr. Masters reviewed the issue between US Airways and Delta with the LGA-DCA slot swap. Mr Masters and Mr Rosborough have planned a November 17th trip to visit Delta in Atlanta to discuss LOA service. Mr. Masters indicated that he and Mr. Rosborough were also in talks with American about a third Might at ILM. Statistical data is very important — if we don't have the numbers, we won't get the service. In response to a question from Dr. Roseman, Mr. Masters discussed American Airline's and US Airways' financial situations. New Hanover County Airport Authority November 2, 2011 Page 4 Mr. R.osborough commented on ILM's enplanerr eats being down approximately 2% from last year's enplanements, a record - setting year, attributing this to the slow down in the economy and rising fuel costs. Mr. Rosborough discussed the recent tarmac delays in Hartford, CT. Under a new FAA regulation, the fine assessed was approximately $28,000 per person on each plane, or a total cost of approximately $3 to the air carrier. He explained that ILM has a plan in place to have staff and vehicles available to escort passengers from the plane back to the terminal. Mr. R.osborough, as a member of the AAAE's Airport Legislative Alliance and Administrative Finance committees, reported on the FAA Reauthorization Bill and other issues, to include a proposal to raise PFCs from $4.50 to $7.00, looking at alternative funding sources, and TSA security. ADJOURNME NT There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairman Lennon adjourned the meeting at 5:42 p.m. Prepared by: Respectfully Submitted: Sandy Routh Robert S. Rippy, Secretary