HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-05-10 MinutesMINUTES OF THE AIRPORT BOARD MEETING
May 10, 2006
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Nickle, Dave Bowman, David Holtman, Richard Greene,
and Vaughn DeCoster
MEMBERS ABSENT: Janice Stanesic, Otto Loewer
STAFF PRESENT: Ray Boudreaux, James Nicholson, Louise Powers
OTHERS PRESENT: Steve Odom and Tyron Riger-Government Channel, Susannah
Patton -Northwest Ark. Times, Dan Craft -Morning News, Carl Brooks -Air Traffic
Control Tower, Terry Collier -Tenant, Wayne Jones -McClelland Engineers
ITEM #1: Welcome and Agenda Review — Chairman Bob Nickle introduced Charles
Wallace who gave an update on the Air Show on Fathers Day Weekend, he displayed the
air show poster and asked everyone to take some to display. He expressed appreciation
to Skyways Productions for bringing the show together and for the Airport Board for
furnishing members to assist in the planning, and suggested everyone look at the
webpage. Tickets are $5.00 for adults, children 12 and under are free. D. Bowman told
of the Young Eagles flight orientation in the mornings of the air show. R. Greene told of
the air show event at the Mall's AMP, which has seating for 1,500. It will start at 7:00
pm with a local band, then two speakers, then another local band. Food will be available,
a fun party with aviation people.
ITEM #2: Minutes of the April 12, 2006 meeting.
A motion to approve the minutes as were amended (as printed in agenda packet)
was made by Dave Bowman and seconded by David Hollman. The motion carried.
ITEM #3: Receiving of Reports.
A. Bob Nickle, Chairman. Reported the Board's presentation to the City Council was
well received.
B. Ray Boudreaux, Director. Reviewed agenda report. He told of traveling to
Washington, DC as part of the Chamber of Commerce delegation, and meeting with
Representative Boozman and Senator Mark Pryor regarding the contract tower program.
There are four contract towers in Northwest Arkansas. The City Council approved Task
Orders 13 and 14. We are working with the City on financing the new hangars. Rent
will be paid toward the debt. The State Aeronautics will participate some. The FAA has
authorized additional funding to complete the west side apron project. Said he had
participated in interviewing applicants for a new dean at NWACC. Thanked all that
participated in the 20thYear Anniversary for the Control Tower. The Terminal Grand
Opening has been rescheduled for June. D. Bowman said NWACC will graduate four
aviation students this session.
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C. James Nicholson, Financial Coordinator. Reported there had not been much
growth in the aircraft operations in the last few months, but we are ahead of last year.
Million Air's fuel sales are ahead of last year by 30,000 gallons. Million Air has
attracted new clients, one has been a freight operation during the last few weeks. C.
Brooks asked staff to ask the freight company to use air taxi call sign when filing their
flight plan, as air taxi's count more towards the operations' count for the airport.
Chairman Nickle commented on Million Air's ability to keep the fuel prices down.
Director Boudreaux said they sold more AvGas to itinerant customers than they sold to
based customers. J. Nicholson reported the City's Accounting Office is working on
making American Express and Discovery credit cards available at the self -serve fueling
facility. He related that the financial report is tracking pretty much with the budget.
Under Miscellaneous, Renfroe Engineering has done auto testing several days and that is
$500.00 per day. Discussion followed on the Capital and Grant funds and it was
suggested the Board decide on projected projects.
D. Louise Powers, T -Hangar Report. All T -Hangars and storage units are rented. We
had one vacancy and it has been filled.
E. Construction Report. W. Jones reported the west apron project is under way. The
terminal renovation is going slower that the Airport would like. The permit from the
Highway Department has arrived and Ray is working with the City to see if they will
strip the new tum lane on the highway and remove the old turn lane. The turn lane will
handle four cars. The new entrance is completed, just waiting for the re -striping.
Chairman Nickle said it is a safety issue and needs to be done before the before the Grand
Opening. Director Boudreaux said there had been some quality issues on the terminal
project, stain had been removed three times, and then the restroom panels came in
scratched and sent back and came in damaged again.
F. Maintenance Report. Director Boudreaux reviewed the agenda report, saying
there had been major problems with the gates, with lightning strikes. Various roof leaks
were discussed. V. DeCoster commented that Ray had put notes in each hangar that if
there were hangar problems after hours to call Ray.
ITEM #4: Old Business.
A. Discussion regarding T -Hangar occupancy. Director Boudreaux explained he had
conducted a visual hangar inventory and noted hangars that did not have an aircraft and
had Lou call those tenants. Ozark Military is storing many parts to aircraft in their
hangar; the FAA stores their equipment, they take care of the airport's approach aids;
Chris Ferguson has several planes and does use the hangar for his planes and also uses it
for their business overflow; Horst Brinker has also has several planes and uses the
hangar for their planes; Bill Kennedy has a boat and no plane, but, he and a partner are
actively seeking a plane to buy; James Scanlon has a plane under construction; and Jay
Foxx does not have a plane. An increase in rent for tenants that do not have a plane was
discussed and Director Boudreaux asked for guidance on the increase R Greene said it
is a security risk when you don't know what is going on in a hangar, he didn't think the
Board was ready to throw people out of the hangars. When they are sent the new lease,
which is more specific, the problem will work itself out, allow the system to work, but
won't be solved in one month. Chairman Nickle thanked Ray for the report, saying it
was worth doing, and they would look at it annually.
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B. Discussion regarding Airport's Master Plan process. Director Boudreaux said he
and Wayne, Bob Barnard and Kelly Maddox had met several times in the last month to
discuss the Master Plan, going over safety issues, all areas in the runway environment,
runway extensions, available funding, pros and cons, all items we need to discuss now at
a Strategic Planning Meeting. When we leave that meeting we will have a good input for
twenty years The Strategic Planning Meeting was rescheduled for May 24`h at noon.
C. Discussion regarding new hangar project. Director Boudreaux said funding could
be achieved through the City's Amendment 68 Bond Program or a loan from the City's
General Fund, and partial assistance for the State Aeronautics. Said he would have to
attend the State Aeronautics Meeting on the 2nd Wednesday of June with the application
for hangar funding, and asked to change the Board meeting to the first Wednesday of
June. Director Boudreaux said SkyVenture has signed the first lease for a hangar, they
will have ten planes, and he had three other clients interested in a hangar.
ITEM #5: New Business.
A. Airport Engineering Contract with McClelland Consulting Engineers Chairman
Nickle reported the City's Selection Committee reviewed RFQ's from five companies
and unanimously selected McClelland Engineers for a three year contract. W. Jones
expressed McClelland's appreciation for the committee's vote of confidence.
A motion to approve the contract and forward to the City Council was made by
David Holtman and seconded by Vaughn DeCoster. The motion carried.
B. Westside apron, Change Order #2 with McClelland Engineers to restore the
project to its original scope recognizing additional FAA funding.
A motion to approve and forward to the City Council was made by David Hollman
and seconded by Richard Greene. The motion carried.
ITEM #6: Other Business.
A. Item from the Public. T. Collier asked about a building without bi-fold doors for the
Museum's storage. R. Greene suggested talking at the Strategic Planning Meeting about
location of storage needs that are aviation related. Chairman Nickle said they could bring
a proposal to the Board, that it is important to establish paramenters, and would ask the
Master Plan people and also ask how its handled at other airports.
B. Items from the Board. None.
Meeting Adjourned at 2:53 p.m.
Dave Bowman, Sehretary Date
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