HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-05 Minutes
New Hanover County Airport Authority
March 5, 2025
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NEW HANOVER COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING
March 5, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
The New Hanover County Airport Authority met on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Wilmington
International Airport, 1740 Airport Boulevard, Wilmington, North Carolina. Chairman S.
Thompson called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. Ms. Pierce led the Authority in the pledge of
allegiance. Chairman S. Thompson asked Authority members if they had any conflict of interest
Ethics statement. No conflicts of interest or potential
conflicts of interest were identified.
Airport Authority members present were Spruill Thompson, Chairman; Nick Rhodes, Vice
Chairman; Jason Thompson, Secretary; Wanda Copley, Faison Gibson, and LeAnn Pierce. Kemp
Burpeau, Senior Deputy County Attorney, was also present. ILM staff present included Jeff Bourk,
Airport Director; Robert Campbell, Deputy Airport Director; Granseur Dick, Deputy Airport
Director; and Rose Davis, Executive Assistant.
Lee Williams was absent from this meeting.
Approximately 10 guests from the public attended the Authority meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Authority has reviewed the minutes of the Authority meeting on January 28, 2025. Mr. J.
Thompson MOVED, SECONDED by Ms. Pierce to approve the minutes of the January 28, 2025,
meeting as submitted. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED. Mr. Williams was absent.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
The Authority having reviewed the items listed on the Consent Agenda in committee and
requiring no further discussion, Chairman S. Thompson requested a motion to approve the
Consent Agenda as presented at the meeting. Mr. Rhodes MOVED, SECONDED Mr. J. Thompson,
to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED. Mr.
Williams was absent.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
The Authority approved the following items:
a. Amendment to Marathon FBO Partners ILM, LLC (Aero Center) to reduce the
leasehold by approximately 3,788 square feet;
b. Lease with USGS for 105 square feet of office space in the terminal at $22 per
square foot;
c. Lease with Superior Aircraft Services or related company for 97 square feet of
New Hanover County Airport Authority
March 5, 2025
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office space in the terminal at $22 per square foot;
d. Fourth Amendment to modify leasehold (Exhibit A) to accommodate new parking
layout, new entrance, and new service entrance and to extend Development
Period and related bond closing of ILM Airport Hotel Partners, LLC until June 30,
2025;
e. Building upgrades to Customs Facility as required by Customs and Border
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Protection;
f. Reimbursable Agreement with Customs and Border Protection for equipment
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upgrades as required;
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The proposed specifications for Customs building renovation have been reviewed and found acceptable by Committee,
which directed staff to solicit three competitive bids, which process is recommended for approval to Board. The Airport
Director is directed to review all the complete bids, timely received, and upon determining pricing acceptable to him at his
reasonable discretion, award work to the lowest responsible contractor(s). Contract execution is contingent upon Director
approval, legal review, and the Airport Finance Officer performing the required budget audit.
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The proposed IT upgrade has been reviewed and found acceptable by Committee. The Airport Director is directed to
review CBP proposal and determine if reasonable. Contract execution is contingent upon Director approval, legal review,
and the Airport Finance Officer performing the required budget audit.
PUBLIC COMMENTS None.
FINANCE, MARKETING, AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Campbell recommended, on behalf of the Finance and Business Development Committees,
approval of the following:
a. Contract with Cherry Bekaert as auditor for FY25 and approve audit fee of $61,250
(approximately a 5% increase). Mr. Rhodes MOVED, SECONDED Mr. J. Thompson, to
approve the contract with Cherry Bekaert as auditor for FY25 as presented. Upon vote,
the MOTION WAS APPROVED. Mr. Williams was absent.
b. Amendment to Pierce Hardy (84 Lumber) lease to reduce the leasehold by
approximately 1.3 acres. Mr. J. Thompson MOVED, SECONDED Mr. Rhodes, to approve
the Amendment to Pierce Hardy (84 Lumber) lease as presented. Upon vote, the
MOTION WAS APPROVED. Mr. Williams was absent.
c. Amendment to CIL ILM 2, LLC lease to extend the Due Diligence period to August 31,
2025 (for a fee) and increase the leasehold by approximately 1.3 acres; rent
commencement date January 1, 2026. Mr. J. Thompson MOVED, SECONDED Ms.
Gibson, to approve the Amendment to CIL ILM 2, LLC lease as presented. Upon vote,
the MOTION WAS APPROVED. Mr. Williams was absent.
d. Amendment to CIL ILM 3, LLC lease to extend the Due Diligence period to August 31,
2025 (for a fee) and increase the leasehold by approximately 9.0 acres; rent
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March 5, 2025
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commencement date January 1, 2026; ILM retains the right to reclaim a portion of the
leasehold to construct a taxi lane. Ms. Gibson MOVED, SECONDED Mr. J. Thompson,
to approve the Amendment to CIL ILM 3, LLC lease as presented. Upon vote, the
MOTION WAS APPROVED. Mr. Williams was absent.
e. Lease with GID PCS Advisors LLC for an approximately 4.5 acres of ramp space at a rate
of $0.319 per square foot; ILM retains the right to reclaim a portion of the leasehold
to construct a taxi lane. Mr. Rhodes MOVED, SECONDED Ms. Gibson, to approve the
Lease with GID PCS Advisors LLC as presented. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS
APPROVED. Mr. Williams was absent.
Mr. Bourk shared a slide exhibit of the areas approved above. Mr. Bourk pointed out the location
of the Avelo maintenance building and Flightline LLC hangars.
Mr. Campbell reviewed the monthly financials, monthly activity and performance reports, and
the marketing report.
Mr. Bourk noted the aggressive goal for marketing to increase impressions to our website 50%
over last year. Staff is developing a marketing budget for now based on discussions at the Vision
Plan. Staff will most likely bring a budget amendment to the Authority next month.
OPERATIONS AND FACILITIES
Mr. Dick recommended, on behalf of the Operations and Facilities Committee, approval of the
following:
a. An additional $150,000 for the Avelo Maintenance Facility and Ramp.
b. Talbert & Bright Amended Work Authorization for RWY 6-24 Rehabilitation in an
amount not to exceed $60,000.
c. North Ramp and South Ramp schematic design and cost estimates from our airside and
architectural on-call design consultants in an amount NTE $92,000.
d. Work Authorization Amendments 1 and 2 of Terminal Curb Phase 2 Additional Services
to RS&H for a total of $361,758 to cover owner requested design changes.
e. Work Authorization for Coffman and Associates for continued Environmental and
Planning services NTE $100K.
Mr. J. Thompson requested to review the items above and vote on them together as one slate.
Mr. J. Thompson MOVED, SECONDED Ms. Gibson, to approve slate of items as presented above.
Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED. Mr. Williams was absent.
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March 5, 2025
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Mr. Dick updated the Authority on the status of Phase 1A and 1B of the terminal curb project.
Mr. Dick reported that the Temporary Dropoff curb will open July 2025. Discussion followed
regarding the procedure being followed to guide passengers to the parking lots with the most
available spaces and the signage directing passengers accordingly.
Mr. Bourk noted that the project is on schedule and on budget and noted ECC and Trader have
done an incredible job, as has Montieth, managing the project.
Mr. Dick updated the Authority on the concrete stamping on the parking lot sidewalks; new ticket
counters; design of the new ticket counter bag belt; and the East Ramp Utility project. Mr. Dick
reviewed the Operations Chart.
a. Approve Vision Plan 2025, including policy decisions, as presented. Mr. J. Thompson
MOVED, SECONDED Mrs. Copley, to approve the Vision Plan 2025, including policy
decisions, as presented above. Upon vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED. Mr.
Williams was absent.
b. Approve long-term parking lot expansion to the southwest adding approximately 300
spaces in an amount NTE $1,340,590. Mr. J. Thompson MOVED, SECONDED Mrs.
Copley, to approve the long-term parking lot expansion as presented above. Upon
vote, the MOTION WAS APPROVED. Mr. Williams was absent.
Mr. Bourk pointed out that the money for this project is not in our Vision Plan budget.
Mr. Bourk noted that parts of the Phase 2 project may be cut or considered bid
alternates in order to save money that we can use for this project. A brief discussion
followed about source of funds.
c. Approve slate of Board of Directors for ILM Aerospace Foundation:
Bill Cherry: At Large (Current term expires 6/30/27)
Tom Barber: At Large (Current term expires 6/30/27)
Thomas Wolfe: At Large (Current term expires 6/30/27)
Tom Kreamer: At Large (Term 3/5/25 6/30/28)
Mary Margaret McEachern: At Large (Term 3/5/25 6/30/28)
Tom Goodwin: At Large (Term 3/5/25 6/30/28) *
Lee Williams: NHCAA Board Representative/ Designee
(Term 3/5/25 6/30/28) *
Mr. J. Thompson MOVED, SECONDED Ms. Pierce, to approve the slate of Board of Directors for
ILM Aerospace Foundation, as presented above, with the recommendation that the ILM
Aerospace Foundation amend their By-Laws and change the expiration date of 2 terms to end in
4 years (2029) to prevent a large changeover in the Board at one time. Upon vote, the MOTION
WAS APPROVED. Mr. Williams was absent.
New Hanover County Airport Authority
March 5, 2025
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* Note: Based on Authority recommendation the expiration date of term for Tom Goodwin and
Lee Williams will be changed to reflect 6/30/29.
Mr. Bourk reported on the formation of an Air Show Committee in the coming months. Airshow
to be held at an off airport location.
Mr. Bourk used slides to update the Authority on tenant projects to include the hotel;
GID/Frontier Scientific and the cargo ramp; Flightline LLC; Baker Hangars; Avelo and ARQ.
Mr. Bourk reviewed community updates being provided to Wilmington Area Hospitality
Association; New Hanover County Commissioners; and the Wilmington City Council.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None.
NEW BUSINESS None.
Prepared by: Respectfully Submitted:
Rose M. Davis
_______________________________
Jason Thompson, Secretary
Date of Approval: April 2, 2025