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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-01 Regular Meeting Minutes New Hanover County Airport Authority February 1, 2017 Page 1 NEW HANOVER COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING February 1, 2017 CALL TO ORDER The New Hanover County Airport Authority met on Wednesday, February 1, 2017, at Wilmington International Airport, 1740 Airport Boulevard, Wilmington, North Carolina. Chairman Wolfe called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance, and then read statement. No conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest were identified at that time. Airport Authority members present were; Thomas Wolfe, Chairman; Carter Lambeth, Vice- Chairman; Dan Hickman, Secretary; Tom Barber, Jonathan Crane, Donna Girardot, 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 Wanda Copley, New Hanover County Attorney. Guests present included Steve Bright and Amy McLane, Talbert & Bright, Inc.; Jonathan D., TWC News; Zach Driver, WECT News; Kirsten Gutierrez, WWAY News; Elaine Mello, Bill Cherry, Chris Stephens, Monte Coughlin, Bruce Chappell, Ryan Evans, Heather Miura, Josh Lopez, Tom Goodwin, and Ken Norris. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Authority has reviewed the minutes of the Regular Public Meeting on January 4, 2017. Dr. Crane requested his motion in the Finance section, Page 2, paragraph 7 be corrected to read Dr. Crane MOVED that Authority members should be able to see RFPs before they go out, Mrs. Girardot MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Perritt, to approve the minutes of the January 4, 2017 Airport Authority Meeting as corrected. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. FACILITIES Mr. Prease, recommended the approval of an amended work authorization with Talbert & Bright to provide Construction Administration Services in the amount of $10,200.00 for the Lighting Vault Automatic Transfer Switch Replacement (ATS). Mr. Barber MOVED to approve the Talbert & Bright amended work authorization to provide Construction Administration Services in the amount of $10,200.00; SECONDED by Mr. Lambeth. The MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. Mr. Lambeth commented that the perimeter fence is looking good. Mr. Prease updated the Authority and shared pictures of the following projects: the North Ramp Rehabilitation project; the Hangar Taxilane project; and, the Live Oak Bank Hangar project. New Hanover County Airport Authority February 1, 2017 Page 2 ental Assessment public review meeting was advertised, Mr. Prease explained that it was advertised in the newspaper and a draft of the Environmental Assessment and the advertisement were also posted on the ILM website. FINANCE Mr. Campbell December 2016 cash summary, monthly financial summary and December financials. under Other Expenses due to a small number of claims and Mr. Perritt questioned whether staff should reserve funds in the event we have over anticipated claims in the future. Mr. Campbell stated he would investigate this further. explained that parking lot exits have been down while parking lot revenue has been up, which essentially means that people have been leaving their cars longer, but fewer people are leaving their cars. Mr. Campbell pointed out that the long term concern is that fewer and fewer people will use the parking lot with the advent of services like Uber and Lyft. Mr. Campbell stated that i at ILM yet but it is something he includes in his report each month in case a trend develops. Mrs. Girardot pointed out that this is something we need to keep an eye on as the Authority starts talking about a parking deck. Chairman Wolfe asked Mrs. Wilsey to brief the Authority on the current parking lot contract. Mrs. Wilsey explained that ILM has a management contract with USA Parking Systems, Inc. which the Authority amended five years ago, with a five year extension, and added an additional five year option. Staff recommends taking the final five year option and then in five years conducting an RFP. Mrs. Wilsey further stated that USA Parking, Inc. charges a management fee and then ILM pays the actual costs associated with the parking lot. It is a very good contract and USA Parking has increased parking revenue to about $3.6M a year, with the expenses being about $470,000.00 a year. Mrs. Wilsey management fee is a minimum of $3,000.00, up to $4,000.00, if they achieve their $1,000.00 monthly bonus. Mr. Lambeth shared his memories of the previous parking lot concession agreement, noting that they were just giving ILM rent for the parking lot and ILM was getting about $400,000.00 a year. Mr. Barber commented that USA Parking is a reputable company with industry expertise. Mr. Hickman noted that the $3,000.00 a month has not increased over the 10 years that USA Parking has had the contract and there Mr. Hickman MOVED that ILM exercise the option to extend the USA Parking Systems, Inc. contract for the remaining additional five (5) year period. SECONDED by Mrs. Girardot. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED. Dr. Crane opposed. Mr. Campbell recommended the approval for contract negotiation with WSP | Parsons , Brinckerhoffa consultant who will provide a financial feasibility study for the terminal expansion project. Mr. Hickman, from the Finance committee, MOVED that the Authority authorize the staff to enter into fee negotiations with WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, not to exceed the budgeted amount. No second was required. The MOTION WAS APPROVED New Hanover County Airport Authority February 1, 2017 Page 3 UNANIMOUSLY. GENERAL AVIATION research on Fabric Shade Port Development. recommendation that this construction method not be used, considering that hangar space is going to become available on the North Ramp as the Live Oak Bank hangar is completed. Also, the committee doess to build any at this time. If someone comes forward and wants to build something, the committee will review it. Mr. Barber recommended approval for staff to develop and send letters to South Ramp tenants with a Notice to Vacate NLT July 1, 2017, with new North Ramp tie down leases to follow. Mr. Barber stated that the hangar tenants should have already received a letter from Air Wilmington offering them first right of refusal for hangar space. Discussion followed regarding the timeline and available facilities on the North Ramp. Mr. Wolfe called for a motion recommending that the Authority approve for staff to send letters to the South Ramp tenants of Notice to Vacate no later than July 1, 2017. Mr. Hickman MOVED, SECONDED by Mrs. Girardot. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED. Dr. Crane opposed. GOVERNMENT & PGA Golf Mrs. Girardot reported that she and Mrs. Wilsey will be attending the AAAE conference in Washington, DC in March and that they will be meeting with Senators Burr and Tillis, Congressman Rouzer, and are working on a meeting with Congressman Jones. Regarding the State legislative update, Mrs. Girardot advised st lobbyist and RDU on January 31 to further explore and meet with some of the leadership in the General Assembly and will keep the Authority apprised as that moves along. Regarding the Special Use Permit (SUP), Mrs. Girardot stated that the SUP is scheduled for approval on February 2, 2017 and asked if anyone had any input on the Airport Industrial section. Chairman Wolfe concurred with what the Planning Board has done and that he feels it is appropriate to keep those items in there. Discussion followed regarding the SUP and Airport Industrial permitted uses. Reporting for the PGA Committee, Mr. Broughton stated that Gwen Crow, Director of Players Services, is moving to Wilmington on February 12 and is still working on the contract for the lunteer orientation on what the volunteers can expect and Ms. LeTellier will elaborate on that in her report. Mr. Broughton reported that he attended the Economic Development Marketing Campaign at the th Chamber on January 27, presented by Eckel & Vaughan, who have included the tournament in their marketing campaign. Mr. Broughton stated that the Chamber wants ILM to provide some B roll or photography of our assets so that they can use that in their campaign as well as the ILM logo for their microsite. New Hanover County Airport Authority February 1, 2017 Page 4 Mrs. Wilsey addressed the Authority regarding the Project Profile Sheet in the agenda to be used available and funding needed for that project. Mr. Perritt asked Mr. Cherry to share his plans for the pre-PGA facelift at Air Wilmington and in preparation for the PGA Tournament, Air Wilmington is upgrading their facilities, indicating that the 2 main restrooms and the Harrier Room are complete and work has started on the main entrance and lobby of the Air Wilmington facility. Mr. Perritt pointed out that despite the fact that PGA feedback indicates many of the golfers will come through the ILM terminal and not Air Wilmington, Air Wilmington is still taking it upon themselves to go all out to make a super impression. HUMAN RESOURCES Mrs. Wilsey stated that Performance Culture, the evaluation and team building tool that ILM uses, asked the airport and a couple of ILM employees to participate in their most recent commercial. Mrs. Wilsey congratulated Ms. Davis on her recent HR certification from International Public Management Association-Human Resources. The process consisted of a six month course on 8 topics and a final certification exam. We are proud of her professional accomplishment and will lean on her new expertise. MARKETING Ms. LeTellier updated the Authority on the results of the Community Survey indicating that the most profound information gleaned from the survey is that people like to hear about ILM via social media more than TV and radio, by a large percentage. Mr. Barber commented that Ms. McNally did a great job compiling the data and presenting it to the Marketing Committee which gave the committee some direction for future marketing. Mrs. Girardot commented that this information came at a good time since it is time to draft the new budget. Mr. Perritt commented that there are more and more people in the community using ity as a moniker which means that staff and the Authority is doing a good job in branding this airport as a leading part of the community. Mr. Barber mentioned that it was probably time to interview companies for a new agency. Several companies made pitches to the Authority during the process several years ago. Mrs. Wilsey congratulated the marketing team, Ms. LeTellier and Ms. McNally, on the great job that they are doing. Ms. LeTellier also shared information regarding the recent press coverage nd -blasts; and the March 2 PGA Volunteer Orientation. Ms. LeTellier noted that there would be a few guests at the Volunteer Orientation as a refresher on area locations like Airlie Gardens, the Battleship, Cameron Art Museum and the Cape Fear Museum. Ms. Crow, with the PGA, and the CVB will also be in attendance. New Hanover County Airport Authority February 1, 2017 Page 5 PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT/TERMINAL EXPANSION Ms. LeTellier updated the Authority on the ILM Vision Project which involves 5 UNCW graduate students working with Diane Durance, the Director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, as well as a few consultants. The students are meeting with the economic development group, the Port, ILM Directors and with John Hayes, regarding the Foreign Trade Zone. At the end of the project the students will make a presentation to the Authority. Ms. LeTellier reported that ILM has been confirmed as an Alliance Member of Realtors Commercial Alliance of Southeast North Carolina (RCASENC) and the ILM logo is featured on their website home page. OPERATIONS REPORT total revenue passengers handled, that was up 6.3% versus last year and that it set a new all-time 10 record by 2.3%. Mr. Broughton reported on the peaceful demonstration of about 100 people on Sunday, January th 29 that were protesting the immigration issues. Mr. Broughton reported that he and Chief Taylor had an initial meeting with WAVE staff as directed by the Authority. Staff reiterated the fact that the airport will not expend any funds to support this service, however, WAVE staff wants to come and look at the airport. Mr. Broughton stated that security regulations were reviewed and WAVE staff will come out to ILM th on February 7 for a site tour. r the year and reported that Lew Bleiweis from Asheville Regional Airport notified staff that they had about 417,000 enplanements in CY16 so ILM will stay at #5 in the state. Asheville has had a lot of growth with Allegiant recently adding both BWI and Newark and now United is also upgauging their aircraft to Newark each day. Mrs. Wilsey reviewed the Economic Impact Statement prepared by American Airlines (AA) noting that of 817,896, AA is departures at 4,740, converted to 50,527, AA is about 19% of the operations at ILM. Finally, shows that AA is about 9.8% American Airlines is a very good partner in this community. Mrs. Wilsey stated that this information is very helpful in telling the tale about how important aviation is to the regional economy. Authority feedback. Mrs. Wilsey reminded the Authority that the Small Community Air Service Grant was extended for another 12 months and that she contacted most of the community partners on the list that New Hanover County Airport Authority February 1, 2017 Page 6 pledged towards the revenue guarantee of $211,000.00. Mrs. Wilsey reminded the Authority that the airport cannot provide cash to the airline for revenue guarantee but the community partners can and that was one of the criteria for the grant. Staff will be going on the road again for the next 11 months with this grant so it is important that staff secure this commitment to extend that funding. Mrs. Wilsey reviewed the calendars noting the birthdays of Mr. Wolfe and Mr. Barber in February. Mrs. Wilsey noted that the marketing push for the best year in terms of passengers served penetrated into the Raleigh-Triangle area which was nice. She was asked to speak, along with a few other airports, to the NC Commerce in April about three ways airports are generating economic activity. We must continue to talk about the importance of airports in the state. th Mrs. Wilsey noted she was also asked to speak on March 17, at Brunswick Community College, about transportation and sustainability. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Mr. Lambeth presented a summary report regarding the lawsuit filed against the airport and the Authority by WFC Management Corporation and Gerry and Ann Tremblay. The court ruled that the Tremblays acted only as general manager of ISO and did not have any standing to assert the 1983 claims relating to events that occurred by and between the airport and Vojta and ISO. The Plaintiffs c-length business relationship so they could bring such an action. Secondly, the Court ruled that the doctrine of continuing wrong, which normally would toll a statute of limitations was not applicable to the matters alleged by the Plaintiffs and the Court found that any allegations that occurred prior to April 2013 were barred by the statute of limitations. Thirdly, the Court ruled that WFC and the Tremblays failed to state any sufficient 1983 claim for disparate treatment, finding the actions alleged to have occurred after April 2013 did not show that the airport, Julie Wilsey, Gary Broughton or the Airport Authority had engaged in any intentionally discriminatory treatment with the goal of ousting WFC and Tremblay from the th airport. The Judge further ruled that the allegations failed to show a violation of any 14 Amendment rights and that many of the things that they did complain about were alleged facts that were negative to an inference of any kind of intentional discrimination. In other words, the Defendants Finally the Court found that the complaint, because it did not give rise to what they call a plausible inference of discrimination, the Court did not even take up the final defenses which the Airport Authority had, which were a qualified and municipal immunity. Mr. Lambeth shared that Kelly Hanley, the attorney that handled the lawsuit for her firm Williams Mullen, asked Mr. Lambeth to express thanks to the staff, the Authority and Mrs. Copley for their help in getting all the information together in order to prepare the defenses. New Hanover County Airport Authority February 1, 2017 Page 7 NEW BUSINESS None. CLOSED SESSION Chairman Wolfe called for a motion for the Authority to enter into a closed session to consider personnel matters pursuant to G.S. 143-318.11(a)(6). Mr. Barber MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Perritt to go into closed session. The MOTION CARRIED. All persons not Authority members or specifically designated staff were asked to leave the conference room at this time. The Authority went into closed session at 5:50 pm. OPEN SESSION Chairman Wolfe reported that the Authority concluded the personnel review during closed session and that two Authority members will discuss the personnel review individually at a later date. Mr. Barber MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Lambeth that the personnel review would be discussed individually at a later date. The MOTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairman Wolfe adjourned the meeting at 6:18 p.m. Prepared by: Respectfully Submitted: Rose M. Davis _______________________________ Dan Hickman, Secretary Date of Approval: March 1, 2017