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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-01-04 Minutes• • • • MINUTES OF THE AIRPORT BOARD MEETING January 4, 2001 MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT. OTHERS PRESENT: WALLACE: COODY: Charles Wallace, Rick McKinney, Frank Burggraf, Michael Andrews Frank Sperandeo Alett Little, Dale Frederick, Tonya Posey, Louise Powers Mayor Dan Coody-City of Fayetteville; Sharla Bardin-Moming News; Terry Collier-Pilot/Tenant; K. R. Schossow-Wings Avionics, Inc.; J. Quinn -McClelland Engineers, Matt Wagner -NWA Times ITEM #1: Call to Order ITEM #2: Introduction of New Members Welcomed the two new Board members Michael Andrews and Frank Sperandeo. Explained he had sat in with the committee to chose the new members. There were nine applicants, seven interviews and two members were selected. He listed the following as his criteria for selecting new members: Positive and optimistic—can see the potential; Visionary— Not committed to the past; Not confounded by the present; Thinks active— not a wait and see attitude; Busy and involved and ready to make time for the airport; Interested in the big picture, not micro -management. Mike Andrews is a local businessman, owning Insty Prints and is active in community activities. Frank Sperandeo is a retired engineer. His aircraft - Miss Pearl, is based here, and he is a member of several aviation organizations, and is a director of the Piper Aviation Museum in Lock Haven. Frank is snow -bound back east and not able to get back for this meeting. ITEM #2: Recognition of Rick McKinney - Year 2000 Chair Recognized Rick McKinney for his years on the Airport Board and having Just completed his term as Chairman of the Airport Board. He recalled when he had rented a hangar Rick was the first person to come over and introduce himself and had made him feel welcome to the field. He encouraged all tenants to do the same if they see someone new on the field. Stated the City and citizens acknowledged Rick's service to the community by his many years on the Airport Board and his service as Chair of the Airport Board. He read from his letter to Rick (copy attached as part of the minutes) and then announced he had to leave to attend another meeting. -1- • WALLACE: • • Responding to a question from Mr. Wallace, he spoke about the need to bring in a full-time manager for the airport to bring the airport back to full speed, and said Alett could apply for the position. Stated the airport is a point of pride for the community and he was optimistic of its potential. ITEM #4: Comments from the Chair. Recalling the Position Paper he had previously presented to the Board, he reported one item was that Drake Field needed airport management and that time lines and check points needed to be established. Some items on the list had been accomplished and thanked the staff for their work during this transition time. He explained he had requested the conference room to be set up differently for the meeting so the Board could talk to each other. He had also asked Alett to sit at the table to demonstrate the Board was hand -in -glove with management and as a more efficient way to run the meeting where he could quickly collaborate with Alett during the meetings. Mentioned they needed to move forward. They couldn't right the wrongs of the past, or change each other's personalities, they needed to leave all that behind, saying none of the previous obstacles are here now. Stated he felt that there should not be any secrets, surprises or subversion, and they needed to get to a high level of trust between the Board, management, and the aviation community. He commented he hoped they could go back to having the pilots meeting in the terminal prior to the Board meetings. ITEM #5: Minutes of the December 7, 2000 meeting A motion to approve the minutes with one correction was made by Mr. Burggraf, saying his name as a member attending the meeting should be corrected to read Frank Burggraf, rather than Frank Sperandeo. The motion was seconded by Mr. McKinney. The motion carried. ITEM #6: Old Business a. Airport Board Policies and Procedures -Report by Charles Wallace The revisions to the Airport Board Policies and Procedures will be reviewed by the City's Ordinance Committee, and he hoped the revisions would be in place by the March meeting. Called attention to a newspaper article that had referred to the changes as "minor revisions", and reminded the media the changes are "major changes". The changes give a high level of accountability to the Board. Another major difference is the relationship between the staff and the Board. • • • LITTLE: WALLACE: LITTLE: SCHOSSOW: Reported the Ordinance Committee will meet on January 6t. If approved the City Clerk will advertise for two new members, interviews will be set up and new members could be confirmed at the next City Council meeting in February, but more likely it will be in March or April. Announced the Board would have a lunch orientation session for all the new members prior to the April Airport Board Meeting. He encouraged people to apply, stating the Selection Committee had turned to the Board Members and asked who they wanted and we made suggestions and then left. The Committee made the decisions. b. Report of City Council actions -Ernest Lancaster dirve and McClelland Engineers -Report by Alett Little. The City Council had passed the Change Order for the drainage unanimously and the contractor will return to work as soon as weather permits. Task Orders for the Land Use Plan were approved by the City and that project can now move forward. That project includes plans for a hangar for Superior Industries. Responding to Mr. McKinney's comment of ramp damage caused by Harrison Davis Construction Co., she stated the contractor is willing to help with the repair. Mentioned the new T -hangars had taken the tie -down area and asked if there were any tentative locations for additional tie -downs. This is not an immediate need, but if Kelners relocate to Drake Field, there will be additional aircraft on the field. He also mentioned the compass rose was located in a high traffic area and that perhaps as the airport grows it could be relocated. He stated he had heard the John Knight (Director of the State of Arkansas Aeronautics Commission) has money available for compass rose. WALLACE: Stated those items need to considered in our planning. LITTLE: c. Re-establishment of 3/4 mile visibility minimums on Localizer 16 Said she was still communicating with Don Harris who is the airport's FAA Airport Project Manager (Southwest Region in Ft. Worth). Don reported that Charlie Kettler (FAA Airspace Evaluation Program Specialist in Ft. Worth) had re -assigned the project to one of his employees. McKINNEY: Reported he had talked with Don Harris and Don has picked up an additional work load from Washington and had asked the airport to be patient. -3- • • • WALLACE: ITEM #7: New Business LITTLE: a. DHL Lease DHL (Worldwide Express freight service) is currently located in T -hangar "B", occupying the north storage unit and the adjoining T -hangar unit. Originally they were located there temporarily. With the addition of the new T -hangars and with construction on the Lancaster Drive extension it is important for them to relocate from the T -hangar ramp. It is important to keep them on the field and by them moving to the old airport fire station, which was standing empty, they would have direct access to the highway and the airfield. Their lease expires at the end of February and that will give time for renovations to the old fire station. We will rent it to them at the same rate they are paying now. They wanted a seven year contract and rent will increase to market value by the fourth year of the lease. Their current lease will go month-to-month until the renovations are completed. DHL wanted the right to sub -lease, and the City Attorney said if it was a big concern, it could be added to the lease that they would not sub -lease without prior written approval. The draft lease is subject to approval by the Airport Board and City Council. WALLACE: A motion to approve the draft lease was made by Mr. Burggraf. • ANDREWS: Commented that $175 was rather cheap, and is way under market value. LITTLE: Stated that is a point well taken when compared to off -airport property, but as compared to other airports the rates charged at Drake Field are comparable, and sometimes they are higher. Commented that DHL's marketing person in Tulsa rarely made it to Fayetteville because of the lack of office space, and this would provide him an office where he could work this area. McKINNEY: Commented with their move across the field, it would improve the maintenance required on the airfield gate because there would be less traffic through the gate. WALLACE: Said the intent was to allow DHL to grow and their rent to increase as they grow. LITTLE: • The motion was seconded by Mr. McKinney. The motion carried. b. Airfield Pavement Rehabilitation. The airport is in good condition and the FAA wants the airport to spend its • • QUINN: money to improve the airfield so that when airport's money dwindles the airport will still be in good condition. A pavement maintenance program is required by the FAA. Explained their company (McClelland Consulting Engineers) was glad to be back working with Drake Field. Another firm had previously completed a pavement maintenance schedule for the airport and Wayne Jones, one of McClelland's engineers had accessed the recommendations to reflect the changes since the previous report. The program is not only for rehabilitation of pavements, but will also includes three new aprons: An east general aviation apron; An apron west ofthe general aviation apron at taxiway Alpha; and a new apron in the vicinity of Superior Industries hangar. A working layout was presented to the Board with the areas identified that needed rehabilitation, areas that needed strengthening to accommodate heavier aircraft, and areas that would be new aprons. He explained this was a preliminary plan and might need to be modified. Responding to Mr. Burggraf, as McClelland's does not have the contract yet they have not fully analyzed all the areas. They have people experienced in this field that will make the recommendations to replace or rehabilitate. LITTLE: This plan is eligible for an FAA grant for 90% funding and a 5% grant from • the State Aeronautics Commission. • WALLACE: A motion to approve the Airfield Pavement Rehabilitation plan was made by Mr. Burggraf and seconded by Mr. McKinney. The motion carried. ITEM #8: Other Business a. Marketing Report FREDERICK: Reported that travel had been limited due to the bad weather in December, but a visit to St. Louis, Columbia, and Joplin is scheduled for next week. Even though we didn't bring in a major company in 2000, it is hard to convey how much time is spent on each of the bullets listed in the report. There has been a renewed interest by the military in getting the MLS up and running again. We are continuing to advertise we have hangars to lease and new contacts have occurred from the ads. We plan to advertise in the counties south of Fayetteville. We are working with a company and have answered all their questions about the three different types of financing that would be available for the construction ofthe proposed facility. If they decide to locate here the next step would be to take it through Large Scale Development. WALLACE: Stated it was a bright spot that two aviation businesses are interested and -5- • • • FREDERICK: asked if the airport was willing to set a goal for new T -hangar tenants? Responding to Mr. Burggraf's question about sunscreens, recalled that now and as before, when visiting other airports he had noticed that sunscreens, which offers low rent, encourages the type of tenants who keep unsightly matenal, aircraft parts, and other items under the sunscreens which might go against the airport's Minimum Standards. Those rental spaces are very visible. Right now the only place we have to locate sunscreens are in our front door. Building sunscreens that could possible accommodate doors later would increase the cost of the sunscreens. Looking across the field, indicating a location near the cedar trees, said that area could possibly be a good location for sunscreens as the airport is opened up for development. WALLACE: Said sunscreen tenants feed the T -hangar waiting list, because they later will want a regular T -hangar. ANDERSON: Suggested sunscreens would be good for those people just getting into aviation. LITTLE: Stated the airport had added 19 new aircraft and had added 24 T -hangar units in 2000. • McKINNEY: Suggested a goal of 15 new aircraft. • LITTLE: Said the current growth rate in Washington and Benton Counties is 10 new planes a year coming into the area Responding to Mr. Wallace, we have about 65 aircraft towards the 200 goal set by the Airport Board. SCHOSSOW: Commented that with corporate and repair shop growth, more aircraft will move to the airfield, they want to be where the service is located. Said having an aircraft inside a hangar expands the overall life of an aircraft WALLACE. Asked that Alett give the Board a number for a goal at the next meeting. LITTLE: b. List of T -hangar leases signed in December Said she thought it was important to show the movement Stated she had asked Tonya to report on the airport's year 2001 CIP projects (Capital Improvement Projects), explaining Tonya was not taking Brenda Moss' place. POSEY: Handed out the report to the Board (attached as part of the minutes) and then gave a summary of the Airport's 2001 CIP projects for which there is airport -6- • • • • • LITTLE: funds available. Available funding does not mean the funds are encumbered for the projects. Staff is working with the City's Budget and Research Department to re -assign funding from some CIP projects to other CIP projects. It is important to not to lose the funding and re -allocate the funds. This is an informational item and does not require Board action Responding to Mr. Collier, said the airport would sent out a list of current T - hangar tenants. That it would help to acquaint tenants with their neighbors. Mentioned the Pilots Association was not meeting this month as John Kalagias is on vacation. COLLIER: Explained the initial interest in the Pilots Association had dwindled to just a small handful of pilots LITTLE: He handed out a Fayetteville ATC Tower Customer Satisfaction Survey (attached as part of the minutes). Don Owens, Tower Chief, had asked they be distributed. These need to be returned to the tower, explaining the survey would help the airport to keep the tower. Commented on the great job the airport's maintenance crew had done during the storm in keeping the airport open and at the same time the airport had been able to help XNA. Stated Dale had operated the snow blower on New Years Day and Leon had been here working on Christmas Day. FREDERICK: Reported the part of the landing aids had been off for a short while until the FAA had installed a generator. This was FAA equipment, not the airport's. Mentioned some airlines were looking at the possibility of using Drake Field and an alternative airport. WALLACE: Meeting adjourned (at 3:25 p.m.). rank Burggraf, Secretary -7- • - FAYETTEVILLE • • • THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS January 4, 2001 Mr. Rick McKinney 609 N. Olive St. Fayetteville, AR 72701 Dear Rick, The City of Fayetteville and its citizens gratefully acknowledge your past two years service as Chair of the Airport Board. Your gift to our community is especially meaningful in Tight of the many years that you have contributed to Fayetteville Municipal Airport/Drake Field. You have served two full terms of five years each on the Airport Board and have served one year of an additional five year term for a total to date of 11 years on the Airport Board. This letter is but a small token of our appreciation for your service, but the staff, the members of the Board and I especially wanted to thank you for your dedication and leadership to not only the Airport, but to the community at large. Dan Coody Mayor Idb • • • • FAYETTEVILLE The City of Fayetteville, Arkansas Fred B. Hanna, Mayor 4500 S. School Avenue, Suite A Fayetteville, Arkansas Phone: 501.575.8301 Fax: 501.575.8304 Economic Development Department Alett S. Little, Director TO: Airport Board THRU: Alett Little, Airport Manager/Economic Development Director FROM: Tonya R. Posey, Economic Development DATE: January 4, 2001 RE. 2001 CIP Projects — Drake Field Drake Field is aggressively moving ahead in FY 2001, with efforts to continue growing the airport. Listed below is the projected list of Capital Improvement Project (CIP) monies available for application to approved projects for FY 2001: • Individual Hangar Construction • Pavement Maintenance and Rehabilitation • Ernest Lancaster Extension • High Intensity Runway Lights • Pavement Maintenance • Professional Services (Engineering) • Airfield Marking • T -Hangar Renovation • Airfield Lighting Rehabilitation • New Industrial Hangar Construction • Old Fire Station Renovation • Economic Development Office Improvements Airport management is working with the Budget and Research Dept. to reassign monies appropriated to the following dated CIP projects. Airport management is requesting the following CIP projects be reassigned to the subsequent projects: From: To: • Airport Master Plan/Snow Blower Long Range Planning • Fuel Farm Replacement Fuel Farm Maintenance • A.D.A. Commuter Ramps Taxiway Construction/Long Range Planning • • FAYETTEVILLE ATC TOWER Customer Satisfaction Survey We are very interested in providing you our customer the best possible service. To assist us in this ongoing endeavor will you please at your earliest convenience complete and return this form to the Tower address at the bottom of the page. Thank you for providing the requested information that will assist us in the evaluation of our services. Your name is optional. Type Rating: Private:_ Instrument:_ Commercial:_ ATP:_ Military_ Type Aircraft Normally Flown: Single Engine:_ Multi Engine: Turbo -Prop: Turbo -Jet:__ Normal Purpose For Flying: Pleasure:_ Business:_ Instruction:_ Military: How Often Do you Use Our Services: Daily: Weekly: Monthly: Please rate our performance on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best. 1. Controllers are courteous, helpful and professional. 1 2 3 4 5 2. Few or minimal delays to on -course headings. 1 2 3 4 5 • 3. Correct, clear and concise phraseology used. 1 2 3 4 5 4. Clearances correct and timely. 1 2 3 4 5 5. ATIS correct and of good quality. 1 2 3 4 5 6. Timely traffic advisories given. 1 2 3 4 5 7. Timely weather information given. 1 2 3 4 5 8. Procedures or instructions easily understood. 1 2 3 4 5 9. Controllers awareness level of all traffic 1 2 3 4 5 10. Overall service received from the Tower personnel. 1 2 3 4 5 • PLACE COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS ON REVERSE SIDE PLEASE RETURN WITHIN 30 DAYS TO: DRAKE ATCT 437 W ERNEST LANCASTER DRIVE FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS 72701 • • • wa1thfl ary 5 2001_ ,irport Board assumes new leadership looks forvuartl #o runway rehE • MATT WAGNER {; ` ' program, he will not pre of the boar from rehatilltfatfon g, yam, • factlltating ery; active healthy majority': of which will be funded airport coaiskirlItY7., with entitlement money allocated Wal a1 a9sb ask d fellovwboard ,by , the Federal . Avlatlon rs meinbe"eJay asidjth eelr personal„Administration: r., disagreements and drop any . Johnny Quinn, an engineer with grudges MM previous disputes McClelland Engineering, presented [:viould hope that would:laic aic details of the project to the. Vewly appointed ,Chairman Earles Doc �Wallalde took`the gns of the Fayyetteville Alrport lard. on Thritsday' amtd couraging news that a pavement iabilitatlon plan for Drake Field in the works.depait from the past he said. We board, noting that' most' of the Wallacestarted the meeting by cannot right any of the":wrongs of eidstung pavement willbe repaired Acoming. new board members the pa$t. and we can tciraiige each sand 'overlied along_ 'with the ke Andrews and Frank 1 N others,personallty dlHerences' construction of three new,aprons erandeo,Mnd n ie'fising former t Wallace said he thought Drake .';Quinn sold the runway rehab air R1ek.maKlnney foi• presiding ` 5 thepanel for 11 years. Mayor Field made incrediblelstrides last 'would entail removing rubber m Coody presented McKinney, Yom, despitethe loss ofcommeretai skidmarks, sealing cracks and th a letter of recognition for hir'airline service in sprin&1999 and a- restrlping, while taxiways will be adicatlon and leadership to the tight budget that has the once- `eoveredwlth a geotextlle fabric and -port and the community. it vibrant munldpal airport operating repaved. Some of the taxiway areas ge'in the red • . . on lrfl the;aeld's east side will be Before beginning the meeting; "We needed a simple.plan for, strengthened with asphalt to. allace briefly explained his marketing.and development," he. proteetagalnst heavyloads..he, dlosophy . as McKinne��yy s. said. "We've followed our plan and added ccessor, a philosophy hesald'•1s are _movin forward.. It's been 1 think' ou would be wise to do :sed on . a "forum of gy mmunlratlon involving pilots: dlf(icult it, gulnn told the board.; :, tit; management and the •AlteraddingthieenewThangars Ninety percent of the rehab r61lc. Wallace said he hopes and 19 private aircraft last`'ear project would be funded by th xszts,lsiirprtses::aid subversion theboard Is poised for a pavement FAA, with 5 percent coming hie.' ,grants, from the state and remainder from the Airport Ft Board membets voted uiianfmo to recommend 'that- the Council execute a eantiact McClelland for the project. "W,e're saving a, lot of mone: doing this.-preventa maintenance; McKinney:said. In'bther business, the be approved a seven-year lease • '-DHL air freight company. for 2;000-square400t tonne? station at -the northwest corn' the airfield. The company occupies a twin -engine hangar half of a T -hangar. . Economic Development Din Alett Little said she has t negotiating with • DHL for some and Just recently deSeloped a I all parties agrced•on: $1.75 month. The city. Will paint interior walls and clean the f but DHL Will not move Into • einptystnicture until the en .:Febnrary, she:added • Airport • Board To Discuss Changes By Matt McGowan IRE MOWING MWS •,Q, WkENWAOttetifT FAYETTEVILLE — At its month- ly meeting today, the Fayet- teville Airport Board will re- view plans to move the local DHL Worldwide Express office from a hangar at the airport to the old No. 3 fire station on School Avenue (133. 71), just north of the airport terminal. Airport Manager Alett Little said Wednesday that she has been negotiating with repre- sentatives of the air -freight car- rier, and the two parties have reached a tentative agreement on the terms of a lease for the new location. Little and mem- s of the airport staff will resent a draft version of the lease today to the airport board for approval. Little cautioned that, in addition to the board's approval, the lease agreement still needs legal review by the city and DHL The DHL office is currently in a twin -engine hangar and half of a'T' hangar on the east side of the airport. Little said that the city originally offered these spaces to DHL on a temporary basis as an incentive to entice the company to move to Drake Field. Little said that, early in the negotiation, the company was reluctant to change loca- tions. RepresentatF s hay since warmed to the idea' oo` moving into the old fire station, she said. • Mokmenicr Naos 1-z-01 "We've worked really well to- gether, said Little. They (DHL representatives) are beginning to like the idea. They especial- ly like the access to U.S. 71. It's .'much More > :_: 'r:--• The city -owned station has been essentially vacant and un- used since the fire department moved to its new training fa- cility on the east side of the air- port two years ago. Little said the airport has occasionally used the old fire station to store equipment. According the company's Web site, DHL is the world's largest international freight car- rier. The operation based at Drake Field ships light freight to a hub in Tulsa, said Little. In other business, the board will review an airfield pave- ment -rehabilitation plan. Little said that pavement on several taxiways and runway areas has deteriorated and needs to be improved. The plan also calls for the in- stallation of three apron areas. One of these will be construct- ed immediately behind the old (ire station to accommodate DHL's need to taxi its plane close to the facility. The other apron areas will be near hang- ers on the east side of the air- port. Board members will revisit SEE AIRPORT PAGE U AIRPORT: Board To Consider Adding Two Members CONTINUED FROM PAGE IA changes in their policies and procedures. Charles Wallace, the board's new chairman, will pres- ent a report on the current sta- tus of these items. Little said that the board hopes to have the new policies ap- proved by the City Council at its Feb. 6 meeting. One of the proposed changes to the board is the addition of two board members. Currently five seats make up the paneL Today's meeting will mark the first for new board members Frank Sperandeo and Mike An- drews. Little also reported on the sta- tus of the airport's bid to be se- lected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service as an air -tanker facility, a base for fighting fires in national forests. Fayetteville is one of five sites under consideration by the For- est Service. In addition to Drake Field the Forest Service is also consider- ing the Northwest Arkansas Re- gional Airport in Highfill and airports in Mena, Hot Springs and Fort Smith If chosen by the Forest Ser- vice, Drake Field would serve as a staging operation for loading planes with bio -retardants and for shipping troops out to battle fires, said Little. The Forest Ser- vice would base two C130s and one smaller aircraft at the air- port. Little said that USDA repre- sentatives from Atlanta have vis- ited Drake Field on two occa- sions. During those visits, air- port staff members and business leaders have given tours of the airport in an effort to recruit the Forest Service's business. Little said she also presented the air- port's growth plan to the USDA representatives. The more military or feder- al presence an airport has, the more likely it is to receive fed- eral assistance," said little on the potential economic effect of se- curing the air -tanker facility. Little said the Forest Service is expected to make a decision on the location of the tanker fa- cility this month.