1987-03-18 Special Meeting
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MINU'I'ES OF SPECIAL MEETING, MARCH 18, 1987- AIRPORT AD HOC
STUDY COMMITTEE
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Corrunissioners met in
Special Session with the Airport Ad Hoc Study Corrunittee on
Monday, March 18, 1987, a 4:30 o'clock P.M. in the Assembly
Room of the New Hanover County Administration Building, 320
Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
corrunissioners present:
W. Albert Corbett, Jr.
Fred Retchin
John Dolan, Vice-Chairman
Nolan O'Neal, Chairman
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corrunissioners absent:
Jonathan Barfield, Sr.
Airport Members present:
John G. Ashby
Lisbon C. Berry, Jr.
Tom W. Knight
Rick petelinkar
Ronald Saucier
William Schwartz
Fries Shaffner
Sandy Wood
Airport Members absent:
(Due to prior corrunitmentsl
Dan W. Eller
Thomas G. Reich
Chairman 0' Neal called the Special Session to order
stating the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the charge
of the Airport Ad Hoc Study Corrunittee.
DISCUSSION OF AIRPORT AD HOC STUDY COMMITTEE
Chairman 0' Neal corrunented on the Statement of Charge
presented to the Study Corrunittee stating airports were
difficult to compare because of the many differences
involved in management styles used throughout the state. He
stressed the importance of becoming familiar with airport
management and operation stating the County's legal staff
would be available for assistance.
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Discussion was held on the Corrunittee working within a
certain time frame. It was the consensus of the Board to
allow the Study Corrunittee to establish its own time frame.
Chairman O'Neal gave background information on the
previous Airport corrunission corrunenting on the many tasks
performed by this corrunission with very little authority. He
emphasized the importance of giving adequate authority
within proper limits to any type of corrunission or
organizational structure that is recorrunended.
County Attorney Pope stated that statutory authority
did exist to allow much more authority than was given to the
previous Airport corrunission. Further discussion was held on
statutes governing an Airport Authority and Airport
corrunission.
Vice-Chairman Dolan stated the basic charge was to
study and select the best method of operation for management
of the airport which will give the best service possible for
the tax dollars paid by the citizens of New Hanover County.
He encouraged a wide range of latitude being given to the
Study Corrunittee stating the County airport was owned by the
County and completely funded by the County even though it
serves surrounding counties.
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Corrunissioner Retchin corrunented on the new terminal and
the tremendous impact upon the economic growth of New
Hanover County. He stressed the importance of providing a
structure that will most efficiently manage and operate the
airport.
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MINU'I'ES OF SPECIAL MEETING, MARCH 18, 1987 (CONTINUED)
Discussion was held on reviewing the current
relationships of the Airport Manager with the County
Manager, Board of Corrunissioners, airport tenants, fixed
based operators, etc. stressing the importance of these
relationships to good management and operation. County
Attorney Pope stated the Legal Staff would be available for
any questions or items of concern in these areas.
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Discussion was held on whether the new form of
management should be in place before completion of the new
terminal. County Manager Cooper corrunented on the importance
of having this structure in place in order to make
recorrunendations to the Board of Corrunissioners with reference
to who will own the various gates and equipment, how many
gates will be allocated to each airline, and various
decisions with reference to tenants.
Vice-Chairman Dolan recorrunended the Study Corrunittee to
proceed irrunediately in order to address current needs as
well as future needs in establishing the most efficient
method of management for operation of the Airport.
Discussion was held on funding. County Manager Cooper
gave background information on the current plan of financing
and explained some disadvantages of revenue financing.
Further discussion was held on revenue generated.
Vice-Chairman Dolan corrunented on increased marketing of the
Industrial Airpark and establishment of a foregin trade zone
to produce additional revenue.
Corrunissioner Corbett corrunented on the
and development of the Airport stating he
become a profit making organization,
structured and managed.
potential growth
felt this could
when properly
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Chairman O'Neal, on behalf of the Board,
appreciation to the members of the Study Corrunittee
willing to give of their time to perform such an
task.
expressed
for being
important
ADJOURNMENT
Vice-Chairman Dolan
Retchin to adjourn the
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED,
meeting.
SECONDED by
Upon vote,
corrunissioner
the MOTION
P.M.
Chairman O'Neal adjourned the meeting at 5:26 o'clock
Respectfully submitted,
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Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk
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