Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-02-01 Agenda Review New Hanover County Airport Authority February 1, 2012 Page 1 NEW HANOVER COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY AGENDA REVIEW MEETING February 1, 2012 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Airport Authority met for Agenda Review on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at 4:02 p.m., in the Executive Conference Room at Wilmington International Airport, 1740 Airport Boulevard, Wilmington, North Carolina. Airport Authority members present were John Lennon, Chairman; Charles Kays, Vice- Chairman; Robert Rippy, Secretary; Tom Barber and Al Roseman. Also present were Jon Rosborough, Airport Director; Julie Wilsey, Deputy Airport Director; Jim Morton, Finance Director; Gary Broughton, Operations Director; Whitney Prease, Facilities Director; Sandra Routh, Executive Assistant; Wanda Copley, New Hanover County Attorney; Kemp Burpeau, Assistant County Attorney; and Steve Bright and Amy McLane, Talbert & Bright, Inc. Others in attendance were Jim Quinn, Carey Ricks and Frank Styers, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA); and John Tunstall, Norris Kuske & Tunstall Consulting Engineers, Inc. Chairman Lennon called the meeting to order, welcomed all attendees, and then called on staff February 1, 2012, Regular Public Meeting. AGENDA ITEMS Special Events: Mr. Broughton had no special events to discuss. Finance Report: Mr. Morton reviewed actual revenue and expenses for December in relation to the budget, stating it was a very good month. He reported that rental car gross sales for December 2011 were 16% higher than December 2010, and the year-to-date gross sales were 26% higher. Chairman Lennon asked security checkpoint construction. Mr. Morton responded he did not think there would be a major impact, because the majority of their sales are post-security, and they will have some limited food choices available pre-security in the gift shop. ch 28th (April) meeting. Facilities: Mrs. Wilsey discussapproval, concerning eight trees on the approach to RWY 24 that need to be trimmed. She reported that after speaking with the landowner, he has agreed to allow the tree maintenance to occur. In addition, the landowner has requested to lease approximately 23 acres from the airport at no cost, in exchange for maintaining the land in accordance with FAA guidelines until such time as the airport needs the land for development. She indicated a draft agreement has been submitted to Mrs. Copley for review. The term of the lease would be through October 31, 2013, subject to annual renewal the land for New Hanover County Airport Authority February 1, 2012 Page 2 development. Chairman Lennon commented that the lease should state that it would terminate Mrs. Wilsey discussed several projects currently underway, including the RWY 6-24 PAPI Project; the RWY 17 Extension; the TWY A, H, D and F; the Security Checkpoint Renovation; and the VA Facility Construction. Mrs. Wilsey updated Authority members in reference to a NCDENR report going before the NC Legislature to recommend alternatives for Storm Water Management regulation at airports, and the status of an easement request for the Blue Clay Road Sewer Force Main. At 4:12 pm, Mr. Michael Lee, an attorney representing Chair Road LLC, the developer associated with the easement request for the Blue Clay Road sewer force main, entered the meeting, along with New Hanover County Commissioner Rick Catlin and Mr. Jeremy Blair, Paramounte Engineering. Mr. Rosborough introduced Mr. Lee and announced to Authority members that he was going to give a presentation and speak to them on behalf of Chair Road LLC, in reference to the request for the Blue Clay Road sewer force main easement. Chairman Lennon requested a motion to be excused due to a conflict of interest. Mr. Barber MOVED, SECONDED by Dr. Kays, that Chairman Lennon was excused from the presentation/discussion by Mr. Lee. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Chairman Lennon exited the meeting. Vice-Chairman Kays RECESSED the meeting at 4:13 pm, to allow Mr. Lee to set up his presentation. During the recess, Mr. Lee set up his equipment and prepared to give his presentation. Vice-Chairman Kays CALLED THE MEETING BACK TO ORDER at 4:18 pm, and he recognized Mr. Lee to give his presentation. Mr. Lee began his presentation by giving background information and an overview of a utility agreement Chair Road LLC entered into with CFPUA in December 2010. In connection with this agreement, he explained that Chair Road LLC was tasked with acquiring easements for the force main, and this was the purpose of his appearance before the Airport Authority to request a sanitary sewer easement along airport property on Blue Clay Road. In referring to a position paper the airport submitted previously to CFPUA, Mr. Lee commented his client had no issues with any of , except for the condition that the airport must have access to water, explaining that Chair Road never contemplated any work involving water lines. However, he presented two alternative plans for consideration, which would resolve this issue, allowing the airport to have access to a water source, and be a win-win situation for all parties involved. In summarizing, Mr. Lee requested the Airport Authority grant the Blue Clay Road sewer force main easement in exchange for payment of fair market value the Airport Authority and CFPUA. New Hanover County Airport Authority February 1, 2012 Page 3 A discussion ensued between Authority members, airport staff, Commissioner Catlin, Mr. Lee, CFPUA representatives and other guests in attendance, culminating with Vice-Chairman Kays sewer force main easement along airport property on Blue Clay Road, providing the airport is able to install a water line in the easement from Hall Drive North and connect to the Kerr Avenue water line. Dr. Kays requested staff to meet with CFPUA staff as soon as possible to develop an agreement ensuring the airpty to connect to the Kerr Avenue water line. Mr. Lee emphasized that the developer needs to move forward as soon as possible. Further discussion ensued between staff members, Commissioner Catlin, Mr. Blair and Mr. Styers. Whereupon, Mr. Barber MOVED, SECONDED by Dr. Roseman, directing ILM staff to meet with CFPUA staff in an expeditious manner to develop a plan before the next regular board meeting in March 2012, for ILM to connect to the Kerr Avenue water line to acquire a secondary water source. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Chairman Lennon did not vote, as he was excused due to a conflict of interest. Commissioner Catlin, Mr. Lee, Mr. Quinn, Mr. Styers, Ms. Ricks, Mr. Tunstall, Mr. Blair and Mr. Burpeau departed the meeting at 5:02 pm. Chairman Lennon reentered the meeting. Government: Mr. Rosborough discussed a new DOT airline passenger protection bill that was passed recently; concerning its carbon emissions tax affect on airline costs; the approval of another temporary extension of the FAA Reauthorization Pre-Check initiative to improve customer service and still maintain the integrity of their security program by developing a policy to expedite low-risk travelers through security. conferees have resolved most of their issues concerning a new FAA Reauthorization bill, but it must go back before the full House and Senate for a vote on a four-year plan, which would carry AIP funding through to Fiscal Year 2015. Marketing and Public Relations: Mr. Morton reported marketing initiatives were focusing on e also commented staff was considering the use of social media to prom Business Park. Marketing materials promoting the Business Park were sent to several brokers for comments, and Mr. Morton stated staff would be fine tuning these materials to send to site selectors. marketing loss in relation to the termination of American Airlines Chicago flight was approximately $75,000. Planning and Development: Mr. Morton stated staff had begun working on laying out a Business Park spec plan with buildings, parking lots, and infrastructure on about 30 acres on the other side of the road from the VA facility. New Hanover County Airport Authority February 1, 2012 Page 4 Chairman Lennon commented there was a good article in the recent AB IRPORT USINESS magazine about financing projects and commercial leasing at airports that should be emailed to Authority members for their information. Operations Report: Using charts for illustration, Mr. Broughton reported airport statistics for the month of January, 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 January was 71.6%. He reviewed statistics for aircraft and people cleared through Customs for the month of January. Dr. Roseman expressed his concern about the statistics being down for FAA operations, and he suggested looking at different strategies to pull in more traffic. Directors Report: Mr. Rosborough discussed American Airlines announcement to terminate its Chicago flight at ILM, stating it was due to their bankruptcy reorganization and low yield, in spite of the fact that their load factor was 85%. With eight months of actual data, he commented the Chicago flight was a strong flight, and staff would market this flight to other airlines, as well as other destinations. Mr. Rosborough commented American Airlines lost $904 million in the 4th quarter of last year. Most of the other airlines, including US Airways and Delta, reported a profit, not just for the 4th quarter, but for the entire year. Mr. Rosborough reported there were lots of merger talks going on with Delta, Northwest and Continental. He stated US Airways and Delta were exploring the idea of purchasing American Airlines, and it was also reported that Delta was exploring the idea of purchasing US Airways. As a follow-up to a question submitted to the SN My Reporter section, Mr. Rosborough TAR EWS discussed a change that staff was considering t smoking policy. He asked Authority terminal, down more towards the center, but away from any door entrances. After a brief discussion, Chairman Lennon stated he was open to the staff recommendations and to allow some flexibility to experiment with different options. ht will end on July 10th and Mr. Rosborough commented that staff was looking at the Aviation Chapter 8 of the New Hanover County Code of Ordinances with a view towards updating the language to bring it more in line with current terminology, definitions, names and locations, etc. He explained the process approval and then, presenting it to the County Commissioners for their approval. Mrs. Copley suggested that the present the changes to the Aviation portion of th New Hanover County Airport Authority February 1, 2012 Page 5 Dr. Roseman suggested inviting past Authority members to an annual presentation the day g to the County Commissioners was a public meeting, past Authority members could be invited to participate at the same time. Mr. Rosborough reviewed important events on the February and March 2012 calendars for Authority members. In response to Dr. Rosema Association (NCAA) annual conference was scheduled on April 26-27, in New Bern. reference to two FAA issues which occurred in 2011. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairman Lennon adjourned the meeting at 5:43 p.m. Prepared by: Respectfully Submitted: Sandy Routh _______________________________ Robert S. Rippy, Secretary