Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-06-18 Special Meeting Minutes NEW HANOVER COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS OF WILMINGTON MINUTES JUNE 18, 1998 CALL TO ORDER 1 The New Hanover County Airport Authority and the Mayor and City Council Members of Wilmington met in joint session on Thursday,June 18, 1998 at Wilmington International Airport, 1740 Airport Boulevard, Wilmington, North Carolina. Chairman Roseman called the meeting to order at 1:15 p.m. Authority members present were Al Roseman, Parks Griffin, John Coble, Carter Lambeth and E. L. Mathews, Jr. City Council members present were Mayor Hamilton Hicks, J. C. Hearne, Jim Quinn, and Frank Conlon. Also present were Will Plentl,Airport Director,Ed Cox,Acting Airport Director;Winfield Smith,Business Manager/Finance Officer;Janie James,Administrative Assistant;William Schwartz,former member of the Airport Authority; and Mary Gornto, City Manager. Chairman Roseman introduced himself and started the meeting by welcoming the Mayor and the Council members and asked Mayor Hicks to introduce his staff. After the introductions of the City staff,Chairman Roseman asked Mrs. Gornto if she had any comments at this time. Mrs. Gornto thanked Chairman 1 Roseman for inviting the City Council and stated that she had no comments at this time. Chairman Roseman next introduced the members of the Airport Authority and staff and provided a brief explanation as to the Authority's committee structure and responsibilities of each person. Chairman Roseman stated that the goal of the meeting was to inform the Council members and provide updates on activities with regard to the airport and to answer any questions the Council members may have. Chairman Roseman advised that the Authority was currently working on several projects to expand and improve the terminal facilities and well as the runways. He noted that traffic at the airport has been continually increasing and stated that one of the Authority's solution to the overcrowded boarding lounge problem was to expand the terminal. Chairman Roseman briefly explained and showed drawings of future expansion plans for the terminal boarding lounge area. Additionally, Chairman he noted that any member of the Authority or Airport staff would be available to provide tours of the airport to any City Council member upon request. Chairman Roseman asked Mr. Plentl to provide a status report to the Council members with regards to activities on the airport. Mr. Plentl noted that the Authority was currently awaiting final approval of the Airport's Master Plan. He noted that the master plan shows a major extension off the end of runway 24. While he felt that the runway could be extended, he was not sure as to the length of time it would take to accomplished the extension. In commenting on the terminal expansion, Mr. Plentl noted that the airport's goal was to have the same amenities as a major hub for the travelers that use the Wilmington International Airport,but at the same time NEW HANOVER COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND WILMINGTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - JUNE 18, 1998 PAGE 2 keep it as convenient as most small town airports, and as comfortable as possible. Mr. Plentl noted that the expanded area would include a business center as well as a café area with gourmet coffee,etc. He provided a brief explanation of the jetway system which is currently being developed for the Airport. Mr. Plentl talked about the international terminal and the growth experienced by the airport over the past year. He advised that the number of passengers clearing customs through May totaled 52 percent higher than the same period last year. It was his belief that a total of 8,000 to 9,000 international passengers would pass through the international terminal this year. Air Show Mr.John Coble reported that the next air expo would be held on September 18 and 19, 1999 and noted that the event would be held in conjunction with the Coastal Air Tour, which would attract approximately 200 general aviation aircraft. Air Fares Mr.Plentl stated that the Airport's official position is to encourage citizens to use the airport that makes the `£ most economic sense to them, but that the Airport would do its best to make Wilmington International as attractive as possible in meeting the citizen's air transportation needs. He further commented that the airport was trying to get better fares for specific markets. A brief discussion was held with regards to regional jets and other markets to increase traffic at the airport. Mayor Hicks inquired if ASA and Atlantic Coast had good equipment. Mr. Plentl noted that ASA has had some equipment problems and that to the best of his knowledge, Atlantic Coast had five cancellations during the month of May. { Mrs. Gornto inquired as to why Myrtle Beach can get lower fares than Wilmington when it is not a hub airport. Mr. Plentl noted that Myrtle Beach was a low yield market and that several of their flights were subsidized or chartered. He also noted that Myrtle Beach was not a business market and often attracted a lot of golfers and vacationers. Mr. Plentl commented that while the volume of passengers may be high,the golfers and vacationers would not be willing to pay the higher fares. Mayor Hicks inquired if the Airport had adequate water and sewer for future planning. Mr. Plentl noted that he personally had not looked at the system and could not answer the question at this time. Mrs. Gornto inquired if the Authority ever considered the use of sludge on the airfield. Mr. Plentl had not considered it but noted that he would check with Mr. Orr in Charlotte to see if they were using sludge and if they had any problems. Mrs. Gornto noted that the City did not have an urgent need now, but was looking toward the future. NEW HANOVER COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND WILMINGTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -JUNE 18, 1998 PAGE 3 golfers and vacationers would not be willing to pay the higher fares. Mayor Hicks inquired if the Airport had adequate water and sewer for future planning. Mr. Plentl noted that he personally had not looked at the system and could not answer the question at this time. Mrs. Gornto inquired if the Authority ever considered the use of sludge on the airfield. Mr. Plentl had not considered it but noted that he would check with Mr. On in Charlotte to see if they were using sludge and if they had any problems. Mrs. Gornto noted that the City did not have an urgent need now, but was looking toward the future. Airport Signage Mr. Plentl commented that the North Carolina Department of Transportation was supposed to begin updating directional signs for the airport on June 17; however, he noted that if the process did not move quickly enough, that the City may want to put pressure on NCDOT to speed up the process. Mayor Hicks thanked the Authority for inviting them and providing an update on airport activities. He encouraged the Authority to stay in communications with them. Chairman Roseman thanked the Mayor and the Council members for coming and invited them to call him at any time to discuss problems or concerns they might have. Mr. Plentl invited any one interested to view the terminal area targeted for expansion immediately after the meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business for discussion, Chairman Roseman adjourned the meeting at 2:25 p.m. Prepared by: Respectfully Submitted: Janie James Willard G. Plentl, Jr. Secretary