Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-04-06 Regular Meeting Minutes New Hanover County Airport Authority April 6, 2016 Page 1 NEW HANOVER COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING April 6, 2016 CALL TO ORDER The New Hanover County Airport Authority met on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, at Wilmington International Airport, 1740 Airport Boulevard, Wilmington, North Carolina. Chairman Crane called the meeting to order at 5:04 p. 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; 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; Carol LeTellier, Business Development Director; Rose Davis, Executive Assistant; and Kemp Burpeau, Deputy County Attorney. Carter Lambeth, Secretary; and Wanda Copley, County Attorney were absent. Guests present included Steve Bright and Amy McLane, Talbert & Bright, Inc.; Chief Gary Taylor, ILM Operations Manager; Elaine Mello, Hal Reichardt, Ryan Evans, Desmond MacRae, Monte Coughlin, Chris Stephens, Butch Truelove, and Dave Rock. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Authority has reviewed the minutes of the Regular Public Meeting on March 2, 2016. Mr. Perritt MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Hickman, to approve the minutes of the March 2, 2016 Regular Public Meeting as submitted. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Lambeth was absent. FACILITIES Mr. Prease recommended the approval of a contract with Cedar Peaks Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of $271,170.00 for the Taxiway A South, E, F, and N Lighting Rehabilitation Project. After some discussion, Mr. Barber MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Wolfe to approve the contract with Cedar Peaks Enterprises as recommended above. The MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Lambeth was absent. Mr. Prease recommended the approval of a work authorization with Talbert & Bright for Construction Administration, Subconsultant Electrical Engineering Services, Limited Periodic On-Site Observation Services and Limited Subconsultant Quality Assurance Testing Services for the Taxiway A South, E, F, and N Lighting Rehabilitation Project. Staff recommends approval of $26,090.00 contingent upon NCDOA review. After some discussion, Mr. Barber MOVED, SECONDED by Mrs. Girardot to approve the work authorization with Talbert & Bright as recommended above. The MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Lambeth was absent. Mr. Prease recommended approval to accept NCDOT Grant (AIP 51)in the amount of $500,000 After some discussion, New Hanover County Airport Authority April 6, 2016 Page 2 Mr. Wolfe MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Barber to accept the NCDOT Grant (AIP51) as recommended. The MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Lambeth was absent. Mr. Prease recommended approval to accept the NCDOT Grant in the amount of $500,000 for After some discussion, Mrs. Girardot MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Wolfe to accept the NCDOT Grant as recommended. The MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Lambeth was absent. Mr. Prease thanked Talbert & Bright for an outstanding job during a recent visit to the Memphis Airport Division Off entitlement, which is around $2.8M, and there is a possibility that ILM will get additional discretionary funding. Mr. Perritt further thanked Mr. Bright and Mrs. McLane and encouraged staff to visit the Memphis ADO more often and invite the Memphis ADO to visit ILM to establish a report along the way. Mr. Prease reported that the Memphis ADO Program Managers commented that once ILM receives grant funding, projects are implemented, completed, and the grants are closed. FINANCE REPORT Mr. Campbell February 2016 cash report and summary of accounts. Mr. Campbell presented the draft of the FY 2017 operating and capital budgets for the riod. GENERAL AVIATION Mr. Wolfe reported that the South Ramp turnstile gate card reader has been installed and is working properly. Mr. Broughton advised the Authority of the scheduled meeting with the South th Ramp GA tenants on April 14 at 5:30 pm asking the GA Committee to attend. Chairman Crane thanked staff for installing the card reader and Mr. Evans and the pilots for looking out for, and challenging, anyone without an ID. Mr. Perritt initiated discussion of how cards get coded for access on the South Ramp and Chief Taylor responded that everyone with drive-thru access to the South Ramp now also has walk- thru access. Mr. Broughton responded the reader allows staff to know who went in and out and when, and staff can review camera footage, if there is a concern. GOVERNMENT & PGA Golf Mrs. Girardot updated the Authority on the recent visits to the congressional delegation while she and Mrs. Wilsey were at the AAAE Washington Conference indicating they touched on the following topics: 1) FAA funding, which was extended until July 15 - still up for discussion is whether or not to privatize the FAA Air Traffic Control System; 2) the PFC cap - questions came up about whether the State would step up to the plate and they were able to respond that they had and 3) the Foreign Trade Zone was discussed with both Senators Tillis and Burr and Congressman s hoping that all 3 would work to get this processed. It was determined that the New Hanover County Airport Authority April 6, 2016 Page 3 final application needs to be filed. Mrs. Girardot updated the Authority on the PGA Committee meeting and budget planning indicating that ILM added $25,000 to the operational budget for this event but has not yet outlined the there will be additional revenue in commissions with the rental cars and terminal advertising, concessions and landing fees. The real money that will be made is if we can attract some businesses or if a jet needs an extra hangar or that type of thing constructed here at ILM. Mr. Perritt added that we should have better information after the Quail Hollow tournament ends and Wells Fargo staff can start refocusing on the local tournament. Mrs. Girardot reminded the Authority of the Annual Report to the County Commissioners on th April 26 starting with breakfast at 7:30 am at ILM. Mrs. Wilsey reported on the recent grass roots visit with Commerce Secretary Skvarla in Brunswick County stating this was a great opportunity for Ms. LeTellier to meet the key players on the private side of economic development in North Carolina. Mrs. Wilsey stated that the programs available for economic development, both for local governments and for small businesses, were reviewed. HUMAN RESOURCES Mrs. Wilsey stated that the HR Committee met and Mr. Hickman reported that personnel processes were reviewed and compared to other agencies but no decisions were made and there are no recommendations to the Authority at this time. MARKETING Mr. Barber reported that there is going to be a boat show September 9-11, 2016 and reminded the Authority that in November 2015 they voted to budget $10,000.00 to sponsor the boat show, provided the City and County also agreed to sponsor it. Mr. Barber advised that the City and County have not agreed to sponsor the boat show, but asked the Authority to strongly consider going forward as a sponsor of this event. Mr. Barber shared a promotional video from JBM & Associates and a slide of what the $10,000.00 sponsorship would include, indicating that Ms. LeTellier and Mrs. Buffkin could negotiate any changes. Mr. Barber asked the Authority to consider sponsoring this boat show, stating it is good for the community, matches the airport customer demographics, and it would be good for the airport. Discussion followed. Mr. Barber MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Hickman to amend the previous approved motion for ILM to become a Presenting Sponsor for the September 2016 Boat Show in the amount of $10,000.00. The MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Lambeth was absent. Mrs. Wilsey pointed out that we could use the booth at the boat show to promote Aviation Day in October or other aviation activities and services. Ms. LeTellier reported that staff had a meeting with a possible intern from UNCW who seems New Hanover County Airport Authority April 6, 2016 Page 4 very interested, but he is also considering an internship at Air Wilmington. Mrs. Wilsey reported that the putting green advertisement opportunity in the terminal will be set th up the week of April 11 to promote the upcoming Wells Fargo PGA Tournament in May 2017. Ms. LeTellier reminded the Authority that Caitlen Buffkin is at Sun and Fun representing the GA community and that the Bandits are performing a flyover at the start of the Azalea Festival parade with sponsorship exposure provided during the parade. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT/TERMINAL EXPANSION Mrs. LeTellier updated the Authority on the recent Biz Expo and reported that she and Mr. Broughton would be attending the AAAE Economic Development Conference in Raleigh April 11-13. responded , but staff would request a different location, more in the center core of the exhibit hall, next year. Mrs. LeTellier further reported that staff received more advertising prospects than Business Park prospects, but all in all it was a great experience for her for the first time being entrenched in the Wilmington business community. OPERATIONS REPORT Nothing to report. Mrs. Wilsey updated the Authority on the recent Mead & Hunt Air Service Development Conference stating that she and Mr. Pickering met with United, American, Allegiant and Southwest. Mrs. Wilsey reported that during the meeting with United, their representative shared that ILM is at this time; the other 2 communities are Tallahassee and Chattanooga. United is not looking at growth at this time and is trying to decide whether to serve their current markets with great depth, or thin the depth and add breadth. Right now they are staying with depth, because they are already established in those communities. Mrs. Wilsey further reported that United is cities. Mrs. Wilsey stated the challenge from United is to pull together technology and clinical research firms and make that cluster strong enough in Wilmington to help get us to the top spot. Mrs. Wilsey advised that American is still not ready to do non-stop to Chicago or Dallas, but they are supportive of a letter for ILM to extend its Small Community Air Service Development Grant. Mrs. Wilsey spoke to the representative from USDOT via email and confirmed that ILM should apply for the extension within 90 days before the expiration of the grant. Mrs. Wilsey addressed the matter of incentives, pointing out that ILM cannot give incentives as an airport due to Federal regulations, but does offer fee waivers. Currently, ILM gives landing fee waivers and space rental waivers for new service only for one year. Mrs. Wilsey reports that New Hanover County Airport Authority April 6, 2016 Page 5 those incentives are falling behind. The bar has been raised in the market, because communities are working harder to get new service. Mrs. Wilsey stated that incentives ar tive; and ILM needs to get creative to be more competitive. Mr. Broughton and Mrs. Wilsey will be working with Mr. Pickering to review incentive program to see if we need to bring that back to the Authority in May for approval. Will it put us over the top? It might not, but if help ILM get new service. Mrs. Wilsey advised that the Aviation Task Force will present the final report at the NCAA Conference April 17-19. The economic impact study will also be talked about at the conference, and ILM is one of the airports that will be featured in the video regarding economic impact. larger than they were in 2012. Mrs. Wilsey reminded the Authority of the upcoming NCAA Conference in Wilmington, April 17-19, stating that there is a lot of local talent in the conference and encouraged everyone to attend. Mrs. Wilsey updated the Authority on the status of the Avis Rental Car building advising that Mr. Dalton says he is not interested in selling that facility at this time unless ILM is willing to pay him $1.6M, and it appraised for $770,000. Mrs. Wilsey further advised that staff is working with our partners at the Avis Group franchise to find a location for them on campus as they do not want t Mrs. Wilsey reviewed the calendars for April and May, th 25. Mrs. Wilsey advised the Authority that Chairman Crane has requested that staff have an OSHA compliance inspection conducted and opened the floor for discussion in terms of implementation. Discussion followed regarding the pros and cons of a compliance inspection and other inspections that ILM already has in place, how they compare, and if they cover the same things. It was agreed that the Facilities and HR committees would review and compare the various inspections and report back to the Authority at a later date. , and asked if they did government entities as well as businesses; Dr. Crane said that they do. Mr. Barber asked whether ILM already has any of those kinds of inspections. Mrs. Wilsey responded that the FAA certainly does a very comprehensive inspection of the airfield and the fire equipment, stating also that we have the County Risk Management inspection because we are in the insurance pool and that report was just received on April 1st, consisting of a 38-page report with about 12 items of correction that staff will review and address. Mr. Broughton pointed out that they do the entire airfield. Mr. Perritt recommended referring this issue to a committee to compare what ILM is already doing, in order to determine whether an OSHA inspection might be integral to our operation. Mr. Barber asked if OSHA had ever come to the airport and Mrs. Wilsey responded, yes, and that they are normally complaint driven. She said someone called in an issue in the past, and it New Hanover County Airport Authority April 6, 2016 Page 6 was concerning airline tenant issues/areas. There was one OSHA inspection regarding street lights before 2004. Mr. Hickman commented staff currently needs to focus on the response to the County Risk Management inspection, until it can be determined whether an OSHA inspection would be beneficial or if it is just redundant. Mrs. Girardot agreed. Mr. Barber also agreed and suggested staff members digest the County Risk Management inspection report they already have and compare it with whatever an OSHA inspection might involve to see if it is duplicative. Concluding the discussion, it was the consensus of Authority members that if an OSHA inspection would not be a dramatic impact on staff members and it had some positive potential, it should be deconflicted with inspections already in place, and the HR and Facilities committees should review and come back to the Authority with a recommendation. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. MacRae addressed the Authority on several matters including United service, handicap parking lot shuttles, volunteer opportunities, and grills for the Observation Area. Chairman Crane referred the matters to staff for follow-up. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairman Crane adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m. Prepared by: Respectfully Submitted: Rose M. Davis _______________________________ Carter T. Lambeth, Secretary Date of Approval: May 4, 2016