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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-04 Minutes Final New Hanover County Airport Authority September 4, 2013 Page 1 NEW HANOVER COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING September 4, 2013 CALL TO ORDER The New Hanover County Airport Authority met on Wednesday, September 4, 2013, at Wilmington International Airport, 1740 Airport Boulevard, Wilmington, North Carolina. Chairman Barber called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Airport Authority members present were Tom Barber, Chairman; Jonathan Crane, Secretary; Carter Lambeth; 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; Rose Davis, Executive Assistant; Wanda Copley, New Hanover County Attorney; and Steve Bright and Amy McLane, Talbert&Bright, Inc. John Perritt, Vice-Chairman, was absent. Guests present included Gerry Tremblay, Aero Service; and Dennis Pittman, Director CONP COMM. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Authority has reviewed the minutes of the Regular Public Meeting on August 7, 2013. Dr. Roseman MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Lambeth, to approve the minutes of the August 7, 2013 Regular Public Meeting as submitted. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Perritt was absent. PUBLIC COMMENTS None scheduled. SPECIAL EVENTS Nothing to report. FINANCE REPORT Mr. Morton reported that the actual revenue and expenses for the month of July were not available due to the annual audit process. Mr. Morton reviewed ILM's cash report and summary of accounts for the month of July. Mr. Morton updated the Board on the status of land acquisition for 1452 N. Kerr Avenue and discussion followed. Mr. Lambeth MOVED, SECONDED by Dr. Crane, that the Board authorize staff to negotiate the purchase price not to exceed $10,000 for the property at 1452 N. Kerr Avenue (13 acre). Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Perritt was absent. Mr. Morton recommended approval of a one year ground lease with Lamar Sign Company for $2,250 for the billboard located behind the old Conway Freight facility. After some discussion, Mr. Lambeth MOVED, SECONDED by Dr. Crane to approve the Finance action item discussed New Hanover County Airport Authority September 4, 2013 Page 2 above. The MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Perritt was absent. FACILITIES Mrs. Wilsey reported that ILM has 3 grants going to the FAA with the first being for the RWY overlay project for RWY 17; the second is associated with that project for a reimbursable agreement with the FAA to install new PAPI and new REIL equipment on the end of RWY 17; and the third grant is a discretionary grant for the land acquisition and obstruction clearing on the end of RWY 17. Mrs. Wilsey recommended that the Board authorize the Chairman, and in his absence, the Vice- Chairman, to accept any and all AIP grants offered to ILM in the next 30 days; and contingent upon getting the grants for the overlay project, approve the following contracts: 1) A constriction contract with ST Wooten for the overlay of RWY 17-35 in the amount of$5,391,307 and the alternate bid of$1.00; and 2) A Reimbursable Agreement with the FAA to install a new Precision Approach Path Indicator(PAPI) and Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL)for RWY 17. The agreement+5is in the amount of$113,995.36 and must be paid up front to the FAA. Mr. Lambeth MOVED, SECONDED by Dr. Crane to approve the Facilities action items discussed above. The MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Perritt was absent. Mrs. Wilsey recommended that the Board approve an expenditure not to exceed $43,500 for South Ramp roof repairs. After some discussion, Mr. Lambeth MOVED, SECONDED by Chairman Barber to approve the Facilities action item discussed above. The MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Perritt was absent. In response to Chairman Barber's question, Mrs. Wilsey explained that the Runway End Indicator Lights (REIL) at the end of RWY 17 are old and in need of repair and that the FAA technicians have been trying to get those repaired but the parts are hard to find. ILM has a grant pending to replace the REILs but the FAA may take them out of service until ILM replaces them, which could be September of 2014. The FAA may be able to push harder for parts to repair the REIL if it is indicated that they are vital to operations. Mrs. Wilsey indicated that staff would go back to the technician and request the NAVAID be maintained until it can be replaced and that staff would coordinate with interested parties to also make that request to the FAA. GOVERNMENT Mr. Rosborough reported on the American and US Airways merger status. There is a hearing scheduled for November 25, 2013 and the parties are continuing to negotiate. MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS Dr. Roseman, reporting for the marketing committee, shared the Fly Wilmington, NC newspaper and updated the Board on the marketing committee plans and accomplishments. New Hanover County Airport Authority September 4, 2013 Page 3 Dr. Roseman asked that the weekly update in regards to the Business Park Section titled"Hotel Marketing and Development" be changed to "Hotel Development." PLANNING& DEVELOPMENT Mr. Morton recommended approval of a one year agreement with Coldwell Banker Commercial to represent ILM in efforts of securing a ground lease for a hotel with a commission stricture of 5% of first year's gross revenue with a minimum payment of$75,000. After some discussion, Chairman Barber MOVED to authorize the Authority and the attorney to enter into an agreement with Coldwell Banker, the terms of which are a minimum payment of $75,000 and 5% of the sales of the hotel for the first year, whichever is greater, and includes language such that ILM doesn't pay any commissions to the broker until such time as we have a lease deposit from the tenant. Dr. Roseman added to the motion that the agreement be reviewed and approved by the Board before being submitted to the broker. Mr. Lambeth SECONDED the motion as amended. The MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Perritt was absent. Mr. Morton recommended approval to purchase 2021 Gardner Drive (Deutsch Relays Site)for $85,000. After some discussion, Mr. Lambeth MOVED, SECONDED by Dr. Crane to approve the Planning &Development action item discussed above. The MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Perritt was absent. OPERATIONS REPORT Mr. Broughton shared a letter from a customer who on May 28, 2013, was stopped at the security checkpoint with a handgun in his carryon baggage. He was charged and the TSA sent him a violation from the Department of Homeland Security in Washington. That customer wrote a letter to the DHS apologizing for the incident and thanking the TSA and ILM officers Alberti and D'Erasmo, for making the incident less burdensome and embarrassing than it could have been and thanking them for their professionalism. Using charts for illustration, Mr. Broughton reported total passengers handled, seats available and customs traffic for August. Mr. Broughton announced an upcoming Tabletop Exercise required by the FAA scheduled for September 24th at 2 pm in the ILM Executive Conference Room and the incident this year will be a severe weather event. Everyone is welcome to attend. Mr. Broughton updated the Board on the TSA Tabletop Exercise held August 13th which was attended by Mr. Perritt. This exercise was an active shooter exercise to help put together a policy. CPT Taylor is in the process of writing a policy as a result of the exercise. ILM received good reviews on the exercise. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mr. Rosborough reported on staff s recent visit with Delta in Atlanta. Delta is going to be reducing their non-stop flights into New York from 3 to 1 during December, January and February. In March they will go back up to 3. New Hanover County Airport Authority September 4, 2013 Page 4 Mr. Rosborough stated that Mr. Pickering made a presentation to the Delta executives showing US Airways air fares to New York being lower but having higher revenue streams due to more passengers on the planes. Staff has noticed a decrease in number of passengers flying non-stop service with Delta, however, they are still going to New York. Delta will take that back to their pricing department and try to get that in balance. Mr. Broughton stated staff expressed our fear and possibly that of our business leaders, that a reduction from 3 to 1 is a drastic reduction and that they may lose loyalty. Delta reported that the change is warranted by the numbers. Mr. Broughton also reported that Delta wants to talk to travel departments of the local business community to make sure they will continue to use that service. Mrs. Wilsey reported on the Atlanta FAA grant writers' farewell visit to ILM. Mrs. Wilsey indicated that staff has worked really hard to give the FAA what they need and in turn the FAA has been very creative in their efforts to help ILM and they say that ILM is their favorite airport. Most of these new grants will be handed off to Memphis in October but ILM will stay with the current writers until we close out the grants we have open. Mr. Rosborough further reporting on the FAA visit indicated that ILM has worked hard to earn the good working relationship and a trust with the FAA. The FAA knows that we close grants and that is how they are evaluated. ILM does a good job of that. Mr. Rosborough reported that they told him that ILM was by far the best airport to work with. Dr. Roseman encouraged staff to visit the Memphis FAA offices as soon as the FAA is ready for a visit. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Mr. Prease, in response to Chairman Barber's question, confirmed that the light poles on Air Wilmington's leasehold have been removed. Mr. Morton announced that Board members can receive flu shots between 3 and 5 pm on October 2"d In response to Mr. Lambeth's question about the TACAN, Mrs. Wilsey indicated it was flight checked but hasn't been turned on. An additional flight check is scheduled for September 16tH Dr. Roseman indicated that the VORTAC was down also and Mrs. Wilsey stated that the FAA has put a lot of effort into rebuilding a lot of components but they are still working on that. That NAVAID is in the minimum operating criteria by the FAA. Mrs. Wilsey indicated staff is waiting until fall to install plants in the cemetery located on the NE side of the airport due to current warm temperatures as per the agreement with Mr. Charles Godwin. She will keep Mr. Godwin apprised as this unfolds. Chairman Barber indicated he has been talking to CFCC about having the Authority Christmas party at Union Station and discussion followed about facilitating the relationship with CFCC. New Hanover County Airport Authority September 4, 2013 Page 5 Mr. Rosborough announced that Mrs. Wilsey has received the honor to serve on Governor McCrory's Environmental Management Commission. The swearing-in is September 12 in Raleigh. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. CLOSED SESSION The Chairman called the Authority into CLOSED SESSION under General Statute NCGS 143- 318.11(6)to discuss a personnel matter. Mr. Lambeth MOVED, SECONDED by Dr. Crane for the Authority to go into closed session to discuss a personnel matter. THE MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIOMOUSLY. The Authority went into closed session at 6:02 pm following a short break. All staff members and guests left the board room at this time. Remaining in the closed session were Airport Authority members Tom Barber, Jonathan Crane, Al Roseman and Carter Lambeth and attorney, Wanda Copley. John Perritt was absent. Dr. Roseman MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Lambeth for the Authority to return to open session. THE MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIOMOUSLY. The Authority returned to open session at 6:50 pm. Chairman Barber indicated that there was no action taken during the closed session. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, Dr. Roseman MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Lambeth to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Chairman Barber adjourned the meeting at 6:52 p.m. Prepared by: Respectfully Submitted: Rose M. Davis Dr. Jonathan S. Crane, Secretary Date of Approval: October 2, 2013