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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-03-05 Minutes New Hanover County Airport Authority March 5, 2014 Page 1 NEW HANOVER COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING March 5, 2014 CALL TO ORDER The New Hanover County Airport Authority met on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, at Wilmington International Airport, 1740 Airport Boulevard, Wilmington, North Carolina. Chairman Barber called the meeting to order at 4:59 p.m. Airport Authority members present were Tom Barber, Chairman; John Perritt, Vice-Chairman; Jonathan Crane, Secretary; Carter Lambeth; and Al Roseman. Also present were Julie Wilsey, Deputy Airport Director; Jim Morton, Finance Director; Gary Broughton, Operations Director; Whitney Prease, Facilities Director; Rose Davis, Executive Assistant; and Steve Bright and Amy McLane, Talbert & Bright, Inc. Approximately 24 guests from the general aviation community and ILM staff members Caitlen Buffkin and McKinley Smith attended the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Authority has reviewed the minutes of the Regular Public Meeting on February 5, 2014. Mr. Lambeth MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Perritt, to approve the minutes of the February 5, 2014 Regular Public Meeting as submitted. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Barber opened the floor for public comment and Brynn Ulisnik addressed the Authority regarding the privilege of owning an airplane and the benefits received from the airport and the effects that airfield will have. Chris Sikes addressed the Authority regarding transparency and asked that the meeting agendas versus spending money on consultants for GA information; and reported that the Purple Heart Association said they could raise the money needed for the USO. Aero Service has had a total of eight aircraft that have left this field and will not come back because of the threat of the uncertainty. Mr. Barber responded that he knows it has been painful, but the good news, if there is any, is that the request for proposals closes Tuesday, March 11; and in the meeting next month, the Authority should have more information regarding a long-term solution. Bob Richardson asked to address the Authority and stated that he has been flying for 70 years. He expressed how much he appreciates the airfield and how great this airport is and asked to be able to stick around a little longer. New Hanover County Airport Authority March 5, 2014 Page 2 Desmond McRae addressed the Authority and stated he started flying at ISO in 1995 and that it pains him to see what is going on. This airport helped shape who he has become and he asked that the Authority make the right decisions so that things can go on in a good path. Mr. Barber asked if staff was able to post Authority meeting minutes on the website, and Ms. Davis responded that the Authority minutes are posted on the New Hanover County website the month following the meeting. Dr. Roseman clarified that Mr. Sikes was asking for the agenda to be put on the website in advance of the meeting. Dr. Crane made a motion that we post the agenda in advance of the meeting and Mr. Barber agreed that staff would do that. (There was no second to the motion and no vote was taken.) Dr. Roseman addressed that the visiting guests were not offered the opportunity of courtesy parking to attend the public meeting tonight and said that had been done in the past and asked tion that visitors were getting meeting. Mrs. Wilsey indicated that the staff was trying to right that wrong unless the Authority had a different direction. Dr. Roseman stated we need transparency, as mentioned, and we should offer courtesy parking. Dr. Roseman MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Lambeth, that the Authority offer courtesy parking to visitors attending the public meeting. Before a vote was taken Mr. Perritt stated this was a discussion topic and that it should be reserved for new business. SPECIAL EVENTS Nothing to report. FINANCE REPORT January financials, cash report and summary of accounts. Mr. Morton informed the Authority that the draft budget would be presented for review at the April meeting so it can be approved prior to the June meeting. Mr. Morton reported that he has been working with American Airlines as they are asking for additional square footage and gathering rates and charges for them. Mr. Morton informed the Authority of upcoming Business Expo on thth March 19 and the Power Breakfast on March 27 and invited interested Authority members to attend these events. Mr. Perritt challenged Mr. Morton to be as reflective of reality as possible in preparing the budget. Mr. Perritt said he pays very close attention to the variances and either staff does such a good job or either cushions things a bit, because there is seldom a negative variance in the budget, and in reality, there should be positive and negative variances. Mr. Morton suggested that perhaps staff needs to incorporate the capital money that is spent throughout the year because staff has to build a buffer so the money to match the grants and stand alone projects is available. New Hanover County Airport Authority March 5, 2014 Page 3 In response to Dr. Roseman question, Mr. Morton responded that the emergency money spent for the ice and snow incidents came from the operating budget. In response to Dr. Rosemanhe event and if ILM could have done anything differently, Mrs. Wilsey stated the first event in January was an ice event,and staff looked at ILM procedures following that event On the second event, ILM was ready and operational, and the problem was that Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Charlotte were closed. ILM had to have the staff here for any other aircraft that might have come in. ut other equipment and other processes on the runway, but have ice very often, so employees need some training, too. Dr. Roseman asked if the military closed their runways down and Mrs. Wilsey indicated that staff would check on that. FACILITIES Mrs. Wilsey asked the Authority to approve the following action items: Change Order TWY B Crack Sealing (AIP 44) Approve a change order with Barnhill not to exceed $18,000 to seal cracks in the TWY B pavement. The FAA approved this work as an addition to the shoulder paving project for AIP 44. Award Contract for LED TWY Lights (AIP 44) Approve a contract for the new LED TWY th lights on the TWY A, D, and H system. This project was bid informally on March 4 and the low bidder was Cedar Peaks in the amount of $307,746. This project is eligible because the Atlanta ADO amended the AIP 44 grant description. The work will be scheduled in May along with the RWY 17-35 rehabilitation to reduce operational impacts. Work Amendment for Rental Car Facility Inspections - RS&H (CFC) Approve a work amendment to cover the additional time required for inspections and administrative issuesin the amount of $25,000. Some of the costs may be covered under liquidated damages if they are not justified weather delays. In the interim, we must amend the contract to finish the project. rental car matter include the architect, but the specifications are very clear on how you can award weather days, so it is a cut and dry process that is more objective th Director, Whitney Prease, is also working with RS&H to make sure their costs are reasonable knowing that a portion of that will get billed back to the contractor. for ILM before; but they are part of the old Barnes & Powell personnel, and they have been prequalified by DOT. After some discussion, Mr. Lambeth MOVED, SECONDED by Dr. Crane to approve the Facilities action items presented above. The MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. New Hanover County Airport Authority March 5, 2014 Page 4 GOVERNMENT Mrs. Wilsey reported she will be attending the AAAE Spring Legislative Conference, March 26- 27 in Washington, DC and that Congressman McIntyre and 2 of his legislative assistants will attend and that Jacksonville has invited Mr. Walter Jones, who has a small portion of our district. MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS Dr. Roseman addressed the Authority regarding vendors for headsets to be given away at Sun Discussion followed regarding the benefits to ILM and the FBOs. Dr. Roseman updated the Authority on happenings at Asheville and how they are increasing their traffic with United, US Airways and Delta now coming into Asheville, and how ILM can also enhance our relationship. Mr. Barber informed the Authority that he and Mrs. Wilsey were meeting with United next week. Dr. Roseman initiated a discussion about a billboard campaign on the highway between Jacksonville and Wilmington to attract attention of those traveling to Wilmington on a daily basis. Dr. Roseman also mentioned the marketing committee was considering an advertising insert in the Jacksonville newspaper as an inexpensive way of getting our message out. regarding I-40 billboards, Mr. Morton reported that staff has located a couple of cluster billboards about 45 minutes up I-40. The vinyl is about $540 for each one in addition to a $400-$500 monthly rental fee for each, and staff is trying to get that pricing reduced. Dr. Roseman reminded the Authority that this was done before in 2001, and RDU just came and did the opposite; ILM gained nothing and RDU pr He -40 billboards again. Discussion followed. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT Mr. Morton reported to the Authority that the Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA) was approved and returned recently with only a couple of changes made. Mr. Morton informed the Authority that the TIA identifies which road improvements need to be done and the costs of the improvements, as staff moves forward with different phases of development. The TIA included five phases of development. Mr. Morton updated the Authority on the status of the roadway construction and indicated that work should be completed around the middle of May. Discussion followed about the rd construction going on at the airport entrance on 23 Street for the Blue Clay Road Force Main. Mr. Morton handed out updated information cards to the Authority members. OPERATIONS REPORT Using charts for illustration, Mr. Broughton reported total passengers handled, seats available and customs traffic for February. New Hanover County Airport Authority March 5, 2014 Page 5 Mr. Broughton reported that ILM had 65 cancelled flights in February for a year-to-date total of 136 cancelled flights, question, Mr. Broughton stated that over 4,000 seats a month were lost. Mr. Broughton reported that since January 1, 2014, ILM has lost 8,939 seats. Discussion followed about the impact of the over flights of customs being allowed. rt 139 Inspection is March 26-27,and that the ADO from Memphis will also be visiting on those dates. Mrs. Wilsey reported that staff is scheduled to visit United headquarters on March 17 for an office visit requested for ILM by Mead & Hunt. Mrs. Wilsey advised the Authority that in keeping with survey results received, staff is upgrading the Ambassador program and raising the Regarding the winter weather events, Mrs. Wilsey reported that they impacted the whole country. Mrs. Wilsey shared with the Authority about the United Way award that Caitlen Buffkin and Jean Lawler received on behalf of ILM. ILM won the Spirit of North Carolina Award. ILM was the only recipient from the Cape Fear region, and the award is based on our per capita gift and 100% giving. Mrs. Wilsey updated the Authority on recent visits from Delta and American Airlines regarding their rebranding of the ticket counters in April and May. are due to resume on June 7, and that the American flights to LGA should begin April 1. Mrs. Wilsey reviewed the calendars for March and April and wished a happy birthday toDr. Roseman and Mr. Perritt. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Mr. Barber asked for an update on the USO survey. Mr. Broughton reported that the survey is ongoing with 127 participants to date. Mr. Broughton stated that Joe Stanley is gathering further stated the survey is scheduled to wrap up at the end of March. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Barber opened the floor for discussion regarding parking for Authority meeting visitors. Mr. Barber asked about the parking lot capacity during the meeting, and Mr. Morton reported thatthe short term parking lot fills up and overflows on Wednesdays, so it would be nice if visitors parked in the long term lot. Dr. Roseman, speaking in favor of complimentary parking, advocated transparency, and want to make access unavailable to the citizens of estion, stated the past New Hanover County Airport Authority March 5, 2014 Page 6 practice was that media and invited guests received validated parking tickets, but not the public in general. uld interfere with anything the parking group is doing or cause any problems with our contract, and Mr. Morton confirmed that it would not. Discussion followed about short term versus long term lots. Mrs. Wilsey stated that when ILM has events and we validate parking, we tell them if they are doing business with us to park in long term. Dr. Roseman MOVED, SECONDED by Dr. Crane that courtesy parking be made available to visitors during the public session only in the long term parking lot. The MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Lambeth shared a bad customer experience involving exiting the credit card lot and discussion followed. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Lambeth MOVED, SECONDED by Dr. Crane to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Chairman Barber adjourned the meeting at 5:54 p.m. Prepared by: Respectfully Submitted: Rose M. Davis _______________________________ Dr. Jonathan S. Crane, Secretary Date of Approval: April 2, 2014