2021-07-07 Minutes
New Hanover County Airport Authority
July 7, 2021
Page 1
NEW HANOVER COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
July 7, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
The New Hanover County Airport Authority met on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at Wilmington
International Airport, 1740 Airport Boulevard, Wilmington, North Carolina. Airport Authority
members and staff attended in person and public participation was permitted in person and
remotely via Zoom. Chairman Girardot called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. Mr. Williams led
the Authority in the pledge of allegiance. Chairman Girardot welcomed the public attending via
zoom and outlined guidance and direction to all for the special measures being taken for this
meeting.
Airport Authority members present were: Donna Girardot, Chairman; Spruill Thompson,
Secretary; Tom Wolfe, Lee Williams, Julia Olson-Boseman; Jason Thompson and Wanda
Copley, County Attorney. Also present were ILM staff Gary Broughton, Deputy Director;
Granseur Dick, Facilities Director; Robert Campbell, Finance Director; Carol LeTellier,
Business Development Director; and Rose Davis, Executive Assistant.
Harry Stovall, Vice Chairman and Nick Rhodes were absent from this meeting.
The public was able to join the meeting in person and remotely via zoom and approximately 16
people were present via zoom meeting. Guests present in person included Steve Bright and Eric
Gary Taylor, ILM Operations Manager. Public comments were accepted via email through 5 pm,
July 6, 2021, to be read at the meeting.
APPROVAL OF OUTSTANDING MINUTES
The Authority has reviewed the minutes of the following meetings:
Closed Session on May 6, 2020;
Special Meeting on February 10, 2021;
Closed Session on February 10, 2021;
Closed Session on March 3, 2021;
Closed Session on May 5, 2021;
Special Meeting on June 8, 2021; and
Closed Session on June 8, 2021.
Mr. Williams MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Thompson to approve the minutes of the meetings
as submitted and listed above.Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED. Mr. Stovall and
Mr. Rhodes were absent.
Chairman Girardot asked Authority members if they had any conflict of interest pursuant to the
flicts of interest
were identified.
APPROVAL OF CURRENT MINUTES
The Authority has reviewed the minutes of the meeting on June 2, 2021. Mr. S. Thompson
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July 7, 2021
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MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Wolfe to approve the minutes of the June 2, 2021 Airport
Authority meeting as submitted. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED. Mr. Stovall and
Mr. Rhodes were absent.
FAREWELL
Chairman Girardot recognized outgoing Authority member Harry Stovall and reviewed the
-year term on the Airport
Authority, noting that Mr. Stovall has served a total of 12 years on the Authority.
WELCOME
Chairman Girardot welcomed newly appointed Authority member, Jason Thompson, to the
Authority. Mr. Thompson was sworn in prior to the meeting by Kym Crowell, Clerk to the New
Hanover County Board of Commissioners.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Mr. Wolfe, on behalf of the nominating committee recommended the following slate of officers:
Donna Girardot, Chairman; F. Spruill Thompson, Vice Chairman; and Nick Rhodes, Secretary.
There were no nominations from the floor. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED. Mr.
Rhodes was absent.
Mr. S. Thompson recognized Chairman Girardot for her leadership and service as Chair of the
Authority for the 2020-2021 year.
Chairman Girardot asked the Authority members to review Committee assignments and notify
her of their preference for the coming year.
FINANCE & HUMAN RESOURCES
Mr. Campbell turned the floor over to Mr. Wolfe to present the first action item on behalf of the
Finance committee. Mr. Wolfe recommended Mr. Airport
Director and contract for approval and signature by the Authority.
This contract runs through December 31, 2021. Mr. Wolfe MOVED, SECONDED by Mrs.
Olson-Boseman to approve the contract with Gary Broughton to serve as Interim Airport
Director as presented. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED. Mr. Rhodes was absent.
Mr. Campbell recommended the approval of a Professional Services Agreement with ADK
Consulting & Executive Search to conduct a full-service search for a new Airport Director for a
base amount not to exceed $39,900.00. It was noted there may be ancillary charges in addition
to this base amount. Mr. S. Thompson updated the Authority on the anticipated process,
identified the search committee and discussion followed. Mr. S. Thompson presented the motion
from committee to approve the Professional Services Agreement with ADK Consulting &
Executive Search as recommended. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED. Mr. Rhodes
was absent.
Mrs. Olson-Boseman
with an agreement with this Executive Search team because I think having a nationwide search
for a new Director is going to be incredibly important in helping us grow this airport into what I
know it can be. We have to continue moving forward, looking and growing toward the future and
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July 7, 2021
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bring amazing innovation into this airport. We have a great staff in place, and I look forward to
seeing who we can find to lead them and this airport.
Mr. Wolfe reported that the finance committee would continue to work with staff on the review
of the Employee Handbook.
Chairman Girardot thanked Mr. Wolfe and Mr. S. Thompson for their hard work over the last
few months.
FACILITIES & TERMINAL EXPANSION
Mr. Dick recommended the approval of a work authorization by Talbert & Bright for NTE
$109,320.00, pending positive IFE review, to perform design of renovations to the existing hold
room and rental car lobby counters. The renovations, subject to Authority approval, will be
performed through a contract change order with Monteith Construction and will update the early
lobby renovations, providing a consistent appearance throughout. Mr. Wolfe MOVED,
SECONDED by Mr. S. Thompson to approve the work authorization by Talbert & Bright as
recommended. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED. Mr. Rhodes was absent.
Mr. Dick updated the Authority on the status of the Terminal Expansion project, the Runway 6
Ditch and Perimeter Fence Repair project, the Commercial Service Apron Expansion, the NC
DOT Enhancement Project, Marathon Aviation/Aero Center Wilmington and the CRRSA Grant.
input on what that area should look like.
Chairman Girardot asked if the terminal expansion project would be ready for tours in October
for the Roundtable event that ILM is hosting and Mr. Dick indicated the project should be
visually complete at that time and that tours may be possible.
Chairman Girardot also asked if it was possible to display the conceptual drawings of the new
terminal so that waiting passengers will be able to see what the future of the airport is going to
look like. Mr. Dick agreed to speak to Monteith about future signage to illustrate the final look
of the project.
Mr. J. Thompson asked for clarification regarding the large amount of cash on hand and what the
discussion followed.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Ms. LeTellier recommended the approval of the following walk on items:
a. Marathon Aviation Collateral Assignment of Lease with Live Oak Bank - approval of
short- and long-term financing documents. Since this item involves Live Oak Bank, Mr.
Williams asked to recuse himself. Mr. S. Thompson MOVED, SECONDED by Mr.
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July 7, 2021
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Wolfe to allow Mr. Williams to recuse himself from the discussion and vote of this item.
Mr. Williams left the room. Following a brief discussion, Mr. S. Thompson MOVED,
SECONDED by Mr. Wolfe to approve the Collateral Assignment of Lease documents
between Marathon Aviation and Live Oak Bank as recommended. Upon vote, the
MOTION WAS APPROVED. Mr. Rhodes was absent, and Mr. Williams did not vote.
b. Eighth Amendment to the Circle K Lease extending the conditions precedent period thru
August 10, 2021. Mr. Williams MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Wolfe to approve the
Eighth Amendment to the Circle K Lease as recommended. Upon vote, the MOTION
WAS APPROVED. Mr. Rhodes was absent.
Ms. LeTellier updated the Authority on the Tailwind expansion in the new airside, showing
renderings of their new areas; and reminded the Authority of the upcoming Airport Roundtable
event being hosted by ILM in Wilmington, October 27-29, 2021.
Chairman Girardot asked for clarification of the exclusivity of the restaurant concession going
forward. Ms. LeTellier noted that Tailwind would no longer be the exclusive food and beverage
concession when the new lease is drafted.
Chairman Girardot asked if a timeline for selling advertising in the new terminal area had been
determined. Mr. Dick responded that the process has been started and is ongoing. Ms.
LeTellier stated staff is encouraging current advertisers to stay with ILM in order to get first
rights on the new signage opportunities. Locations for new advertising are being identified and
as soon as the area is more complete, staff will be able to show potential advertisers the future
signage locations.
GOVERNMENT
Chairman Girardot updated the Authority on the Congressional Infrastructure Legislation; the
General Assembly Revenue Projections and the 2022-2023 General Assembly Aviation-specific
Funding Request.
OPERATIONS & GENERAL AVIATION
Mr. Broughton reviewed the total revenue passengers, fuel costs and fuel flowage for May 2021.
th
Regarding the July 4 holiday, from July 1 6, 2021, the airlines were booked for 9,808
passengers and actually boarded 10,760, which was up 15% vs. 2019.
Mr. J. Thompson asked what the increase in fuel flowage was attributed to and Mr. Broughton
noted it was primarily the hot refueling of the military aircraft due to their contract with Modern
Aviation. Discussion followed.
Mr. S. Thompson updated the Authority on behalf of the General Aviation Committee and
reviewed their report. Mr. S. Thompson noted the premise of the report was to respond to
complaints from the general aviation community in hopes of addressing some of their concerns.
Mr. S. Thompson noted the two primary complaints from the GA community are: 1) price of
hangar space at ILM; and 2) the price of fuel.
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July 7, 2021
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Regarding price of hangar space, Mr. S. Thompson summarized the report indicating that as a
primary commercial service airport, ILM does not subsidize general aviation hangars in
competition with its tenants. The committee offers one possibility of assisting in the price of
hangars if the airport is able to allow the private sector to develop hangars on longer ground lease
terms to allow more time to recover money so they can rent the hangars for less. Mr. S.
Thompson reported that County Commissioner Chairman Olson-Boseman has stated if the
airport is heading in the right direction with its leadership both Authority level and director
level - then the County would consider extending its lease terms with the Airport and this can be
addressed as the requests to build hangars come to the Authority.
Regarding the cost of fuel (primarily Avgas), Mr. S. Thompson reviewed the primary reason
Avgas is so expensive is because it contains lead and must be shipped differently than unleaded
gas. Mr. S. Thompson noted that ILM is not in a position to subsidize the fuel costs with the
FBOs.
Mr. Williams noted with 2 FBOs there should be a relief in the gas prices due to the competition.
issue, but hangars are,
interested to see what the new FBO does. Mr. J. Thompson questioned what the best use of
and the hangar.
He is interested in looking at alternatives and hopes the Authority is not driven by GA
community demands but what makes sense for this operation and is best for the airport. Mr. J.
Thompson said he was looking forward to being part of these discussions.
Mr. S. Thompson noted the General Aviation Committee report is being presented by the GA
Committee for adoption by the Authority, with the corrections regarding tax values, # of jets on
the tarmac and typos noted during the meeting. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED.
Mr. Rhodes was absent. (A copy of the General Aviation Committee Report is hereby
incorporated as part of the minutes and are contained in Exhibit Book III, Page 217.)
D
Mr. Campbell updated the Authority on the Routes America Air Service Conference he attended
in June. Discussion followed about air service development.
Mr. Broughton reminded the Authority of the upcoming NCAA Conference in Pinehurst August
10-12, 2021.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. 24, 2021, was read for the record. There were
no further public comments received via email. No public comments by those attending in
person.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Chairman Girardot called for a motion for the Authority to enter a closed session to consult with
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July 7, 2021
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an attorney employed or retained by the public body in order to preserve the attorney-client
privilege between the attorney and the public body pursuant to NCGS §143-318.11(a)(3) and to
discuss matters relating to the expansion of industries or economic development pursuant to
NCGS §143-318.11(a)(4). Mr. S. Thompson MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Williams to enter
closed session for the above referenced matters. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED. Mr.
Rhodes was absent.
All persons not Authority members or ILM staff were asked to leave the meeting and the zoom
meeting was ended at this time. The Authority went into closed session at 6:24 pm.
OPEN SESSION
The Authority returned to open session. Chairman Girardot reported that the Authority has
completed its discussion of expansion of industries/economic development and consultation with
attorney.
The Airport Authority agrees to pay Mrs. Wilsey $315,000 in salary and benefits pursuant to the
terms of her contract. The Authority thanks Mrs. Wilsey for her service and wishes her well.
Mrs. Olson-Boseman MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. Williams to pay Mrs. Wilsey as stated
above. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Rhodes was absent.
Mr. Williams MOVED, SECONDED by Mr. S. Thompson to adjourn the meeting. Upon vote,
the MOTION CARRIED. There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairman
Girardot adjourned the meeting.
Prepared by: Respectfully Submitted:
Rose M. Davis
_______________________________
Nick Rhodes, Secretary
Date of Approval: August 4, 2021