2008-04-24 Special Meeting
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 31
JOINT MEETING WITH THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY, APRIL 24, 2008 PAGE 357
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a joint meeting with the New Hanover County Airport
Authority on Thursday, April 24, 2008, at 7:45 a.m. in the Conference Room of the Wilmington International Airport,
1740 Airport Boulevard, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Chairman Robert G. Greer; Vice-Chairman William A. Caster; Commissioner Ted
Davis, Jr.; Commissioner William A. Kopp; Commissioner Nancy H. Pritchett; County Attorney Wanda Copley; Clerk
to the Board Sheila L. Schult; and County Manager Bruce Shell.
Authority Members present were: Chairman Robert S. Rippy; Vice-Chairman John D. Lennon; Secretary
Charles R. Kays; Authority Member Paul G. Burton; Authority Member Harry W. Stovall, III; and Airport Director, Jon
Rosborough.
Chairman Greer and Chairman Rippy 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.
CY2007 Record Breaking Year at ILM:
Facilities Manager Gary Broughton presented the following overview:
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2007 saw a 25% growth in passenger traffic compared to 2006, while nationwide growth rate was at
3%
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January-March 2008 passenger traffic increase of 10% over January-March 2007 (U.S. Airways?
increase 15%)
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Competitive airfares, non-stop service to top 10 destinations and all jet service continue to drive our
success
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Thriving corporate community continues to drive strong business traffic (71% Business; 29% Leisure)
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Total passengers handled ? 801,187
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International passengers cleared ? 16,673
New International Terminal ? completion in November 2008:
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Certified Federal Inspection Station:
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Agriculture
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Immigration
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Customs
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13,500 square foot facility
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Potential commercial air service
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While domestic enplanements are forecast to grow at an annual rate of 2.7%, International passenger
growth will be at an annual rate of 4.8% (key focus for ILM in CY2008)
Year to Date Passenger Statistics ? January ? March 2008:
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Total passengers handled: 177,238 (10% increase vs. 2007)
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International passengers: 7,146 (4% increase vs. 2007)
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Aircraft cleared customs: 1,190 (flat vs. 2007)
Economic Impact:
Director of Finance Jim Morton highlighted the following information:
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2007 Capital Expenditures:
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Taxiway B, C, and F Rehab $ 2.7 million
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Credit Card Parking Expansion $ 1.7 million
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Perimeter Road Phase II $ 900,000
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Security Fence Upgrade $ 60,000
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Customs Drainage Rehab $ 275,000
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Runway Centerline Markings $ 40,000
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Airport Blvd Signage & ILM Letters $ 25,000
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Total $ 5.7 million
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2008 Capital Projects:
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International Arrivals Facility $ 3.5 million
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Credit Card Parking Expansion $ 2.3 million
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GA Ramp Rehab $ 2.3 million
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Taxiway North Rehab $ 1.3 million
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Runway 6 MALSR Installation $ 3.0 million
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Rental Car Service Centers $ 3.0 million
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Runway 17-35 Centerline Rehab $ 375,000
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 31
JOINT MEETING WITH THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY, APRIL 24, 2008 PAGE 358
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Airport Blvd. Paving & Lighting $ 400,000
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Terminal HVAC Upgrade $ 200,000
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Land Acquisition (2 properties) $ 310,000
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Total $16.7 million
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Air Wilmington Master Plan ? public/private partnership - $7.2 million
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Aircraft Tax Revenue ? 155 based aircraft; values ranging from $250,000 to 55,000,000
Current Projects and Initiatives:
Deputy Director Julie A. Wilsey highlighted the following information:
Partnership with County and City of Wilmington:
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County force main on Blue Clay Road (Heritage Park water & sewer)
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Northeast Interceptor diversion force main to facilitate sewer repairs
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Blue Clay Road bicycle path
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Economic development and jobs on airport property
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Marketing Program to promote tourism
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Airlink and Sable helicopter operations
Land Use Planning Around Airports:
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Airport Industrial (AI) and Airport Residential (AR) Zoning Classifications
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Height Ordinance/Obstructions
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High Density Development/Safety of Public
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Compatible with airport noise and activities
FAA Grant Assurances:
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Airports should be self-sufficient
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Fair Market Value for all services
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Equal treatment to tenants
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FAA Land Release for Non-Aeronautical Uses
Protecting the Environment:
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Recycling Programs in Public Facilities
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Reuse of Asphalt Millings, Gravel and Materials
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Reduce Full-Size Vehicle Fleet with Carts
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Lighting ? Low Use Energy Savings
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Minimize Landscape Sprinkler Use and Airfield Grass Growth Inhibitor
Airport Director Jon Rosborough continued presenting the following information:
Northeast Strategic Alliance Study:
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Funded by FAA to study the need for a Regional Airport (NC/SC border region)
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Published March 2008 to ensure air transportation facilities will meet regional growth
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Evaluated Master Plans for Wilmington, Florence, and Myrtle Beach
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Results:
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The study area has experienced notable growth and is poised to experience even more
pronounced growth in the next 20 years
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Wilmington and Florence can meet demands, but Myrtle Beach terminal is at capacity
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New airport is very expensive to construct ($1.2 B)
Commercial Airline Industry Trends:
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Fuel Costs is the #1 Expense
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International Markets are Most Profitable
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Air Traffic and Congestion
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Mergers on the Horizon
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Customer Service Improvements
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Labor and Airport Costs
In closing, Director Rosborough highlighted the following growth issues:
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Opportunities:
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Scheduled International Service at new Customs facility
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ILM becomes Regional Commercial Airport
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Quality FBO facilities attract new customers and based aircraft
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Air Cargo Operations
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Challenges:
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Infrastructure Needs
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Land Acquisition for expansion/encroaching development
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Runway Expansion
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FAA Funding /Construction Costs
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 31
JOINT MEETING WITH THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY, APRIL 24, 2008 PAGE 359
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ILM Advantages:
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Room for growth in terminal and airfield
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Full Service US Customs
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Two runways with three Instrument Landing Systems
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First Class FBO for corporate clients
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Customer service focus makes good first and last impressions
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Low operating cost at $3.49 per passenger (average is $15 - $18 per passenger)
After a brief question and answer period, on behalf of the Board, Chairman Greer expressed appreciation to the
Airport Authority and Administrative Staff for the informative presentation.
After hearing no further comments, Chairman Greer and Chairman Rippy adjourned the meeting at 8:50 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila L. Schult
Clerk to the Board