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2012-01-04 Agenda Review New Hanover County Airport Authority January 4, 2012 Page 1 NEW HANOVER COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY AGENDA REVIEW MEETING January 4, 2012 ASSEMBLY The New Hanover County Airport Authority met for Agenda Review on Wednesday, January 4, 2012, at 4:10 p.m., in the Executive Conference Room at Wilmington International Airport, 1740 Airport Boulevard, Wilmington, North Carolina. Airport Authority members present were John Lennon, Chairman; Charles Kays, Vice- Chairman; Robert Rippy, Secretary; Tom Barber and Al Roseman. Also present were Jon Rosborough, Airport Director; Julie Wilsey, Deputy Airport Director; Jim Morton, Finance Director; Gary Broughton, Operations Director; Whitney Prease, Facilities Director; Sandra Routh, Executive Assistant; Wanda Copley, New Hanover County Attorney; and Steve Bright and Amy McLane, Talbert & Bright, Inc. Chairman Lennon called the meeting to order and then called on staff members to discuss the agenda for the Authority’s January 4, 2012, Regular Public Meeting. AGENDA ITEMS Special Events: Mr. Broughton had no special events to discuss. Finance Report: Mr. Morton reviewed actual revenue and expenses for November in relation to the budget, stating it was a very good month. He discussed the lease of Bldg. C-35 to Ivey Mechanical Co., a sub-contractor working on the VA facility. Mr. Morton responded to Dr. Roseman’s question from the previous meeting about the cost of the lease for Air Wilmington’s self-service fuel site on the east side of the airfield. Facilities: Mrs. Wilsey discussed an action item for Authority members’ approval, concerning a Work Authorization under AIP 45 with Talbert & Bright for the design development, survey and geotechnical services for an extension on RWY 17 in the lump sum amount of $67,080. Chairman Lennon, Mr. Bright and Mrs. Wilsey discussed several airfield projects in relation to their starting dates, length of time to completion, and the opening and closing of the airfield. Mrs. Wilsey gave an historical account for the reasoning behind why the FAA has slotted additional funds for ILM’s RWY 17 extension. There was a brief discussion among Authority members and staff, and a brief follow-up by Mr. Bright concerning Authority members’ questions about the need for the extension. In response to Dr. Roseman’s question, Mrs. Wilsey explained all of the reasons why airplanes are not allowed to taxi on TWY K, to include insurance issues and safety risks. Mrs. Wilsey discussed the status of current projects. In reference to the construction of the Rental Car Service Facility, staff has researched a new design build process known as Construction Management at Risk that they consider to be a good option for this project. Mrs. New Hanover County Airport Authority January 4, 2012 Page 2 Wilsey briefly described the process and welcomed Authority members to contact her for a more in-depth explanation of this construction method. Mrs. Wilsey then discussed the RWY 6-24 PAPI project, predicting the PAPIs would be installed and the runway ready for a flight check by the second week of February. Mrs. Wilsey commented the TWY A, H, D and F project was still on hold due to cold weather st and is expected to resume on March 1. Mrs. Wilsey reported the architect was moving forward on the design of the checkpoint area to accommodate the new TSA screening equipment, and the construction contract should be ready for Authority members’ approval at the April meeting. Tailwind will be closing its pre-security restaurant in February to begin renovations. Mr. Rippy was concerned about the space for the Information Desk. Mrs. Wilsey explained the Information Desk would be reduced in size and moved back, allowing plenty of room in front and behind the desk to allow access and to satisfy the Fire Marshal’s regulations for egress and ingress. Dr. Kays suggested the Information Desk could be moved to where the museum area is currently. Mrs. Wilsey commented that until the architect completes the design and cut sheets are available, it would be difficult to estimate a total cost for the renovation of the checkpoint area. In response to Mr. Rippy’s question from a previous meeting, Mrs. Wilsey stated there were 318 spaces in the new credit card parking lot, and taking into consideration all costs, including engineering and testing, the cost per space was $3,241. Mrs. Wilsey reported staff was working with Mr. Mike Randall, NCDENR, on a report being presented to the North Carolina Legislature in February, regarding the challenges North Carolina airports face obtaining Storm Water permits in order to proceed with their construction projects. Chairman Lennon and Mr. Rippy requested a copy of Mr. Randall’s report when it becomes available. Government: Mr. Rosborough commented the FAA rule concerning pilot fatigue, requiring a minimum of ten hours rest, had gone into effect. He reported the US House and Senate approved expedited screening for military personnel. Concerning a pre-check program for frequent fliers discussed at a previous meeting, Mr. Rosborough announced the program had been expanded to four additional airports – JFK, LAX, LAS and DTW. Marketing and Public Relations: Mr. Morton reported staff was continuing to market the Chicago and Washington, DC flights, and would begin advertising the new LGA flight with th Delta, which begins July 11. Chairman Lennon questioned whether or not there might be a gap in the LGA service, and given that staff had not been apprised by US Airways concerning this issue, Mr. Rosborough was unable to provide a response at this time. A brief discussion among Authority members and staff ensued regarding the airfares and flights to LGA and DCA. Planning and Development: Mr. Morton had no planning and development issues to discuss. Operations Report: Using charts for illustration, Mr. Broughton reported ILM’s airport statistics New Hanover County Airport Authority January 4, 2012 Page 3 for the month of December, including fuel price comparisons, fuel flowage amounts, airfare comparisons with MYR, RDU, FAY and OAJ, and total passengers handled. He stated the load factor for December was 82.5%, and the annual load factor for 2012 was 86.7%. Holiday travel for 2012 vs. 2011 was up 7.4%. He reviewed statistics for aircraft and people cleared through Customs for the month of December. Directors Report: Mr. Rosborough commented this past decade, 2000-2010, was the safest decade on record in the history of aviation. Mr. Rosborough reported there was a fire in ILM’s parking lot: a customer, upon parking her vehicle, discovered flames coming from under the hood of her car. The New Hanover County Fire Department and ILM’s ARFF responded to the emergency call. There were six cars damaged in all, and there was some minor damage to the asphalt. Mr. Rosborough commented he received a letter from Mr. Ray Griswold, Fire Marshal with New Hanover County Fire Department, commending ILM’s Public Safety Office staff for doing a good job. Mr. Rosborough informed Authority members that staff had not received any further information from the FAA concerning two recent issues under investigation. Concerning the proposal to make ILM an FTZ under the Wilmington NC State Ports Authority, Mr. Broughton reported that Commissioner Catlin had indicated the status was on hold. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, Chairman Lennon adjourned the meeting at 5:18 p.m. Prepared by: Respectfully Submitted: Sandy Routh _______________________________ Robert S. Rippy, Secretary