1996-05-10 Work Session
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 25
WORK SESSION WITH AIRPORT AUTHORITY, MAY 10, 1996PAGE 369
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a joint
Work Session with the New Hanover County Airport Authority on
Friday, May 10, 1996, at 7:30 A.M. in the New Hanover International
Airport Conference Room, 1740 Airport Boulevard, Wilmington, North
Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioners Sandra Barone; William A.
Caster; William E. Sisson, Jr.; Vice-Chairman E. L. Mathews, Jr.;
Chairman Robert G. Greer; County Manager, Allen O'Neal; and Clerk
to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Members present from the Airport Authority were: Chairman
William Schwartz; Parks L. Griffin; Shirley T. McQueen; Irvin A.
Roseman; and Airport Director, Robert J. Kemp.
Chairman Greer called the Work Session to order and announced
the purpose of the meeting was to hear a status report on Airport
activities.
Chairman Schwartz called the Airport Authority to order and
reported Vice-Chairman Paul Gregory was not present because of gall
stone surgery.
STATUS REPORT ON AIRPORT ACTIVITIES
Chairman Schwartz expressed appreciation to the Board of
County Commissioners for the support and assistance given to the
Airport Authority since its creation in 1989. He commented on the
excellent quality of persons appointed by the Commissioners to
serve on the Airport Authority and stated with these members and
the leadership provided by the Airport Director, Bob Kemp, New
Hanover International Airport had been able to become self-
supporting for the last two years with no funding subsidy required
from New Hanover County. He advised that the Airport Authority
began with a $100,000 loan from the County and currently has a
balance of $2,000,000 in the bank.
Chairman Schwartz introduced and complimented each member of
Staff, particularly Mrs. Janie James, the Administrative Assistant,
who performs an outstanding job in the daily operation of the
office.
The following activity reports were presented:
U. S. Customs - 1995-96: The number of aircraft cleared and
persons cleared has increased by 14.7%.
Total Passengers Handled: Enplanements and deplanements decreased
1.4% for the first three months of this year; however, this trend
has reversed and it appears the number of total passengers handled
will increase over 1994 and 1995. There is concern about the
number of persons driving to Myrtle Beach or Raleigh for departing
flights because of lower rates. The Airport Authority is in the
process of trying to resolve this problem and will increase its
advertising to better inform people about the rates and flights
that are available from Wilmington. Also, the Authority
continuously works with the various airlines to book more direct
flights from Wilmington.
New Hanover County International Airport Revenue: A statement was
presented reflecting revenue generated from Fiscal Years 1990-1997.
A Cash Flow Analysis and Account Balances were presented with
emphasis being placed on the fact that New Hanover International
Airport does not need to be subsidized by the County.
Through the years, Staff has performed an excellent job in
obtaining FAA and NCDOT grants; however, due to reorganization of
the FAA with proposed federal cutbacks and the possibility of
airports not being able to assess a Passenger Facility Charge after
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 25
WORK SESSION WITH AIRPORT AUTHORITY, MAY 10, 1996PAGE 370
December 31, 1996, funding could decrease. Both of these
situations will be closely monitored by the Authority.
In summary, the Airport's financial condition is healthy and
the Authority feels the Airport will continue to grow.
Personnel: An Organizational Chart was presented reflecting the
relationship between the Airport Authority, the Airport Director,
Administrative Assistant, Deputy Airport Director, Public Safety
Chief, Public Safety Department, Business Manager/Personnel
Director, Administrative Staff, Maintenance Foremen and Maintenance
Department. There are currently 34 full-time positions with very
few turnovers.
Discussion was held on the low rate of turnover in positions
at the Airport. Mrs. Shirley McQueen, Chairman of the Personnel
Committee, advised that a majority of turnovers occur in the Public
Safety Department and with temporary positions.
Vice-Chairman Mathews inquired as to the number of employees
in the Public Safety Department and asked if this was the largest
department?
Mrs. McQueen responded the largest department was Maintenance
with sixteen employees followed by the Public Safety Department
with twelve Public Safety Officers.
Commissioner Caster inquired as to whether the restaurant,
lounge, and newsstand were contracted out, and if so for how many
years?
Airport Director Kemp responded that one contractor had leased
all three spaces for a term of ten years.
Discussion was held on the parking expansion and off-site
parking. Commissioner Sisson inquired as to whether the problem
with Air Park, Inc. had been resolved?
Airport Director Kemp responded that the problem had been
resolved and advised that Air Park, Inc. was reporting regularly
and accurately with an average of twenty to thirty cars per day.
Commissioner Sisson requested the Airport Director and Airport
Authority to keep the Commissioners informed about any problems
that may arise, such as the Air Park, Inc. issue, so the Board can
factually respond to questions received from the public.
Chairman Schwartz agreed and stated having the County Attorney
to serve as legal counsel to the Airport Authority was truly an
asset and an excellent way to keep the Board of County
Commissioners informed on all current issues.
Capital Improvements: A report was presented on the following
Capital Improvements:
Taxiway B Extension and Widening - Completed
Taxiway Lights and Lighting Systems - Being completed
Old Airport Tower Demolition - 1996 Project
Installation of Security Fencing - Mid-late 1996 Project
Phase I of Airfield Drainage System - Currently underway
Repairs to Airport Canopy and Tile Floor - Will begin shortly
Construction of T-Hangars - Evaluating Site and Test Results
Airport Master Plan Update - July 1996
Parking Lot Expansion - Mid-1996 Project
Public Affairs: The Airport Authority is emphasizing the
importance of being more user friendly. Advertisements are being
used to promote the Airport as well as implementation of a new
program to allow people registered at the Airport during the
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 25
WORK SESSION WITH AIRPORT AUTHORITY, MAY 10, 1996PAGE 371
preceding month to become eligible to win a pair of air tickets
donated by participating airlines. Drawings will be held at each
monthly meeting of the Airport Authority.
The international activity at the Airport has increased 5.5%
and continues to grow. The Airport is trying to serve the
community and obtain a flight to the northeast. Airports across
the country are very concerned about renewal of the Passenger
Facility Charge, which could reduce the revenue received by
airports. Another issue that could impact the Airport is
construction of a 11,500 foot runway by the Global Transpark, which
will attract the larger jet airlines. The Authority will continue
to monitor these issues and work with the FAA and the NCDOT in
obtaining grant awards to provide the best facility possible to the
community and region.
Land Acquisition: A map was presented showing the areas that
should be acquired for future use by the Airport, and the two
parcels owned by New Hanover County. Negotiations are currently
occurring with several property owners, and the Commissioners were
requested to include the two parcels owned by the County in the
lease with the Airport. If the land acquisition program is
successful, the total cost for purchasing the necessary parcels is
estimated at $20,000,000.
Airport Master Plan Update (1995-2015): The following facility
requirements were presented and discussed to satisfy the short and
long-term needs:
1.Runways
Runway 17/35 - Relocate glideslope, displace threshold 900
feet to the north and construct a 900 foot extension to the
north. Overlay Runway 17/35 during Phase III (years 2005-
2015).
Runway 6/24 - Install precision approach to Runway 6 and
construct phased-in 2,000 foot extension to the east. Overlay
Runway 6/24 during Phase 1 (years 1995-2000).
Reserve land for the construction of a 7,000 foot parallel
runway to Runway 17/35.
2.Taxiways
Construct partial parallel taxiway on the west side of Runway
35 from Taxiway E to the intersection of Taxiways B and C.
All new taxiway construction should be 75 feet in width.
Construct an additional exit taxiway between threshold of
Runway 6 and Taxiway A.
Construct larger fillets of all taxiway/taxiway and
runway/taxiway intersections.
Discussion was held on including the County owned property in
the lease with the Airport. Chairman Greer stated he had no
problem with the County owned land being included in the lease.
After discussion, it was generally agreed to include the County
parcels in the lease.
Airport Chairman Schwartz asked if a site had been selected
for construction of the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant?
County Manager O'Neal reported other sites were being
considered in lieu of the Airport property; however, no final
decision had been reached.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 25
WORK SESSION WITH AIRPORT AUTHORITY, MAY 10, 1996PAGE 372
Discussion was held on the importance of people using the
Airport and the need to provide more direct flights to the
northeast. Airport Chairman Schwartz advised that a possibility
did exist for the provision of service from Wilmington to New York
by Delta Airlines.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greer, on behalf of the Board, expressed appreciation
to the Airport Authority for the informative status report and the
excellent leadership being provided by the Authority. He advised
that when companies select an area for relocation, the quality of
the local airport, schools, and hospitals are major factors in
making a final decision. He stated he was proud of New Hanover
International Airport and the fact that this facility does not
depend on the taxpayers for funding.
Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 8:40 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board