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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-12-02 Meeting Minutes New Hanover County Airport Authority December 2, 2015 Page 1 NEW HANOVER COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING December 2, 2015 CALL TO ORDER The New Hanover County Airport Authority met on Wednesday, December 2, 2015, at Wilmington International Airport, 1740 Airport Boulevard, Wilmington, North Carolina. Chairman Crane called the meeting to order at 5:05 p. adopted September 2, 2015. No conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest were identified at that time. Airport Authority members present were; Jonathan Crane, Chairman; Thomas Wolfe, Vice- Chairman; Carter Lambeth, Secretary: Tom Barber, Donna Girardot, Dan Hickman, and John Perritt. Also present were Julie Wilsey, Airport Director; Gary Broughton, Deputy Airport Director; Robert Campbell, Finance Director; Whitney Prease, Facilities Director; Rose Davis, Executive Assistant; and Wanda Copley, New Hanover County Attorney. Guests present included Amy McLane, Talbert & Bright, Inc.; Chief Gary Taylor, Operations Manager; Desmond MacRae, Hal Reichardt, Ryan Evans, Eric Canup, Bill Cherry, Floyd Price and Beth Doliboa. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Authority has reviewed the minutes of the Regular Public Meeting on November 4, 2015. Mrs. Girardot MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Barber, to approve the minutes of the November 4, 2015 Regular Public Meeting as submitted. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. FACILITIES Mr. Prease removed action item a) from the original agenda. Mr. Prease recommended the approval of a second phase of fence replacement as a piggy back to a previous contract with Davis Fence Company. Staff proposes moving ahead with a cost NTE $373,951.00, which is the cap on the PFC project. Mr. Lambeth MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Wolfe to approve the second phase of fence replacement with Davis Fence Company as recommended above. The MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Prease also recommended approval for the Chairman to accept a State Grant for infrastructure and a new taxi lane located on the North Ramp in the amount of $800,000.00 from the NC Department of Transportation. State funding is $720,000.00, with $400,000 from State Airport Aid and $320,000 from the Economic Development Fund. I $80,000.00. The State requires a resolution from the Authority to receive the Economic Development funds detailing that ILM is in negotiations with Live Oak Bank for construction of a corporate hangar at ILM. Mr. Lambeth MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Wolfe to approve the Chairman to accept the State Grant as recommended above and the resolution as recommended. The MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Prease recommended the approval of a concept drawing for hangar development on the North Ramp and location of the consolidated fuel farm, previously approved by the Authority. New Hanover County Airport Authority December 2, 2015 Page 2 Mr. Perritt initiated a discussion of the original request to have the fuel farm collocated with the hangar. After some discussion, Mr. Wolfe MOVED, SECONDED by Mrs. Girardot to support . The MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Prease, using slides for illustration, updated the Authority on the progress of the North Ramp GA Rehabilitation, ILM Flex Space Facility and Air Wilmington Hangar projects. FINANCE REPORT Mr. Campbell October 2015 cash report and summary of accounts. The operating budget is tracking successfully. GENERAL AVIATION Mr. Lambeth, reporting for the GA committee, updated the Authority on the a and comments on study the document, give approval to submit to the FAA for review, and ultimately the County Commissioners for approval. changes to the final revised document. Mr. Lambeth stated the committee would like to make the document available for review by the public and discussion followed regarding timing. Mr. Lambeth, on behalf of the GA Committee, MOVED to post the Minimum Standards for public review; have the Authority review the public comments at the January meeting; submit to the FAA for review; and then submit final revision to the County Commissioners for approval in January, if at all possible. Mr. Perritt SECONDED. The MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Mrs. Wilsey reported to the Authority on a recent meeting with Live Oak Bank where staff provided a draft lease for review and negotiations. Live Oak Bank proposed a 10 year lease plus four 10 year extensions. Based on prior precedent and investment numbers, staff and the GA Committee recommends a10 year lease plus two 10 year extensions for a total of 30 years instead of 50. Discussion followed. The Authority supports this recommendation. GOVERNMENT & PGA Golf Mrs. Girardot reported to the Authority that she consulted with the RDU Airport Director on the General Assembly meets, that the Authority consider sharing some of that expense with RDU. Mrs. Girardot reported she will contact her long term associate, Nick Tennyson, Secretary of NCDOT, to set up a meeting to discuss funding with NCDOT; a dedicated annual funding for aviation projects; and, the issue with the MPO and aviation funding in the Strategic Transportation Investment (STI). Mrs. Girardot updated the Authority on discussions with Senator Rabon, Chairman of the Budget Committee, regarding pending legislation for ramp expansion in anticipation of the PGA tournament, specific to ILM, and long term funding dedicated to the aviation industry statewide, both of which may come up during the upcoming short session. Mrs. Wilsey reported that airports, on the state and federal level, need a predictable funding stream. Long-term capital programs are not effective unless there are predictable grants and New Hanover County Airport Authority December 2, 2015 Page 3 funding. for the next couple of years then we are not going to be ready for events like the PGA or for the growth of General Aviation. The federal legislators told us last year in DC that federal funding would shrink and the state will need to fill the funding gap. The aviation task force has been working on this as well but their report has been stalled. HUMAN RESOURCES Mrs. Wilsey updated the Authority on the status of the Business Development Director hiring process and the Accounting Assistant position that is currently open in Finance. Mrs. Wilsey reported that employee evaluations are underway with the new Performance Culture system. Mr. Wolfe suggested that Performance Culture make a short presentation to the Authority about the process at the January meeting. Mr. Wolfe, on behalf of the HR committee, recommended that the Authority approve a Christmas bonus for each full time employee, similar with what was done last year. The MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. MARKETING Mr. Barber updated the Authority on ILM marketing efforts and shared the new revised television commercial. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT/TERMINAL EXPANSION Mrs. Wilsey reported that staff is still working on several Economic Development RFPs that are still under consideration. Mrs. Wilsey stated that the Avis Facility appraisal has been completed and staff will meet with Mr. Dalton in early January as he is currently busy wrapping up several business actions for Avis at this time. Mrs. Wilsey shared that Mr. Barber is on the Foreign Trade Promotion Council and the FTPC has asked ILM to be a sponsor and staff is evaluating that sponsorship. Mr. Barber agreed that this may need to wait until the Business Development Director position is filled, stating that it is advantage and a win-win for everybody, if we can promote more international business and get our free trade zone here at ILM. Mrs. Girardot suggested speaking to David Rouzer regarding this once Congress breaks for the holidays. OPERATIONS REPORT Mr. Broughton recommended the approval of the expenditure NTE $14,000 for Tasers for the Public Safety Officers. After some discussion, Mr. Lambeth MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Barber to approve the purchase of Tasers as recommended above. The MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Broughton updated the Authority on total revenue passengers, capacity and fuel prices for October. Regarding Thanksgiving holiday anticipated loads; Mr. Broughton reported that ILM loads were up about 5.5% versus the same period last year. In response to Authority questions, New Hanover County Airport Authority December 2, 2015 Page 4 Mr. Broughton reported that parking transactions were actually down from last year but Customs th traffic was up, with 16 aircraft being cleared on a single day, Sunday, November 29. Mrs. Wilsey reminded the Authority that Joseph Pickering will be at the January Authority th meeting and will be meeting with the Air Service Focus Group on January 7 following the McGladrey Economic forum. Mrs. Wilsey informed the Authority of the recent passi representation at his funeral service. Mrs. Wilsey updated the Authority on the receipt of information from a group opposed to traveling animals in circuses, etc. Staff reviewed the information, spoke to the Azalea Festival Committee and also Mr. Watkins, who oversees that, and no changes will be made in that regard. The group is now circulating a petition online against the circus event in April and as of this date they had 750 signatures. th ; and invited the th Authority members to attend the employee Christmas party December 4 at Bluewater Grill. PUBLIC COMMENTS Chairman Crane recognized Mr. MacRae who addressed the Authority about the possibility of a restaurant on airport property and Mrs. Wilsey responded that Tailwind has exclusive rights inside the Terminal building. UNFINISHED BUSINESS In response to Mr. Perritt inquiry, Mr. Barber updated the Authority on the boat show sponsorship indicating the City of Wilmington is not on board yet and reminding the Authority that they agreed to commit only if the City and County are both involved. Discussion followed. Mrs. Girardot initiated a discussion about Uber, asking if ILM will have designated pick up and drop off areas for them, and Mrs. Wilsey responded that ILM would have to do that as part of the addition to ground transportation policies. NEW BUSINESS None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairman Crane adjourned the meeting at 6:05 p.m. Prepared by: Respectfully Submitted: Rose M. Davis _______________________________ Carter T. Lambeth, Secretary Date of Approval: January 6, 2016