Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-07-06 MinutesMINUTES OF THE AIRPORT BOARD MEETING July 6, 2006 MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Nickle, David Hollman, Janice Stanesic, Richard Greene MEMBERS ABSENT: Vaughn DeCoster, Otto Loewer, Dave Bowman STAFF PRESENT: Ray Boudreaux, James Nicholson, Louise Powers OTHERS PRESENT: Steve Odom and Daniel Phillips -Fayetteville Government Channel, Charles Heathco-tenant/EAA 723, Charles "Doc" Wallace-AirFest Chairman, Kk. R. Schossow- Wings Avionics, Inc., Austin Tray -NW Arkansas Times, Wayne Jones -McClelland Engineers, Terry Collier -citizen, Kathy Moore, Eddie Malacara. and Mark Frankum-SkyVenture Aviation ITEM #1: Welcome and Agenda review -Chairman Bob Nickle. Welcomed those attending and recognized Mayor Dan Coody for attending the meeting. ITEM #2: Minutes of the June 7, 2006 meeting. A motion to approve the minutes was made by David Hollman and seconded by Janice Stanesic. The motion carried. ITEM #3: Receiving of Reports. A. Bob Nickle, Chairman. Introduced Charles Wallace. B. Charles Wallace, AirFest. Thanked all the Airport staff who worked AirFest, staff worked overtime and had the Airport looking good, and thanked the Airport Board members who served on the AirFest Committee. This was the twelfth consecutive year, beginning with Static Displays to a full blown air show. There were a lot of people involved; there were more than 100 volunteers. We had a lot of corporate sponsors, with ten or eleven chalets, providing entrance for their VIP's one day and their staff the other day. He told of the AMP event at the Mail, with speakers, parachute jumps by the Golden Knights, including a parachute jump by our Mayor. There were 71 youth that took part in the Young Eagles program. He gave special thanks to Board members, Richard Greene, Janice Stanesic and Dave Bowman, and the anchor sponsors Royal Auto Body and Wings Avionics. He recognized another sponsor, Athletic World, who printed the programs. SkyVenture, the new flight school gave introductory rides. C. Wallace introduced Mayor Dan Coody. Mayor Coody spoke of the air show and commented it was fantastic to come to the airport and see the airport's growth. He thanked everyone for all their hard work putting on the air show, saying his favorite part was falling out of a plane. C. Ray Boudreaux, Director. Mark Frankum of SkyVenture Aviation announced they had just received their FAA Part 141 Certificate for their operation at Drake Field. Director Boudreaux said SkyVenture has six aircraft based here, and then offered congratulations to them, for having the best month they have ever had. Million Air broke another record, they had fuel sales of over 60,000 gallons. They have a new manager, Mark Stroddard, and a second CSR, Lindsey Franklin. He spoke of applying for State Aeronautics' grants for the two corporate hangars. We have receive one, asking for $200,000 and received $300,000, and will apply in July for the second grant. Million Air is planning on August I 11h for the Grand * Opening. He handed out a new listing of Capital projects program to review from Barnard Dunkleburg and suggested a Strategic Planning Meeting. Told of Plane Good Restaurant closing and spoke of getting a new restaurant. Richard Mills of the Arkansas Aeronautics had been here and did a 50/10 Inspection and was happy with what he found. Director Boudreaux said he is on the Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee and they are working hard for transportation improvements in Fayetteville. An FAA Aviation Safety Seminar is scheduled for Monday, September I 8th in the terminal. Kathy Moore of SkyVenture Aviation will be one of the guest speakers. D. James Nicholson, Financial Coordinator. Reviewed the FBO report. Operations were more than any month in the last five years. Million Air has had a dramatic increase on fuel sales. The cumulative report show the figure is about three months ahead of last year. Million Air's new goal is 100,000 gallons sold per month. Reviewed the chart on local fuel prices. Commenting on Tahlequah and Siloam Springs' fuel prices, they do not take loads of fuel very often. We sell twice the amount they sell. Million Air has shown an increase in 100 Low Lead sales, probably due to SkyVenture's operations. Speaking on the Financial Report, he said there had been a slight reduction in the year end amount and the projected amount, we are holding down expenses. Chairman Nickle stated that looking at the operations and fuel sales over the last year, and commented that when the Board was looking at selecting an FBO, the right selection had been made. E. Louise Powers, T -Hangar Report. Reported all units are rented. There are thirteen on the single engine waiting list and five on the twin hangar list. There are eleven on the storage unit list. F. Construction Report. W. Jones reported work was progressing on the west ramp. The sub - drain piping is in place, the project is on schedule with completion scheduled for mid-September. Some of the photos planned for the terminal walls are to be re -shot. To keep in within the budget and have the photos matted and framed, the number of photos has been reduced and their size increased. Noted he had met with Ray on the corporate hangars. Director Boudreaux said a Notice to Proceed will not be issued until the second grant from the State Aeronautics has been awarded. W. Jones discussed the Master Plan and asked the Board to decide on the order of the projects, which five years the projects should be listed, then they can determine the work cost estimates. Director Boudreaux said these projects are just a plan, we may not do them all. W. Jones noted they need to be listed on the Master Plan, because you won't get them done if you don't ask the FAA for them. The environmental impact letters were sent out last week and we should received comments back in thirty to forty days. The Master Plan will include also include a new Airport Layout Plan (ALP), show the airport property, and the avigation easements. Stated that Kelly Maddox of Barnard Dunkleburg would not be available to meet for a couple of weeks due to Federal Jury Duty. Director Boudreaux explained the office had to resubmit the information to Purchasing for the re -striping project and the crack seal project. Chairman Nickle expressed concerns that the new entry from the highway would be open for the Grand Opening. G. Maintenance Report. Director Boudreaux reviewed the chart in the agenda. ITEM #4: Old Business. A. Final discussion regarding the terminal rehabilitation project. Director Boudreaux said we will conduct a tour after the meeting. Please let us know if there is anything you don't like. ITEM #5: Old Business. A. Discussion: Pricing for restaurant. Director Boudreaux explained the Airport pays all the utilities except the gas. Size is approximately 4,411 sq. ft., and didn't think we would find someone to rent the space if we charged rent at $11.00 per sq. ft. Board discussion followed. A restaurant with an established name would be great. Airport needs to establish a base rent, the last one paid a percentage of their sales. The Airport needs to establish standards of cleaning. R. Greene suggested talking with successful restaurants in town to see if they would like to open 2 another restaurant here, restaurants with the same degree of quality, study what works, what they are doing right, and decide what we want first. Director Boudreaux said they would need to invest an estimated $30,000 to $50,000 to open the doors. We have a hood system, a walk in cooler and walk in freezer. Chairman Nickle suggested contacting catering services, where they could have certified kitchen, and possibly operate a restaurant. Director Boudreaux said we don't want to get someone that is under capitalized. Chairman Nickle said we have the best FBO and the best flight school, why would we settle for anything less, we have to have high expectations, we do have more traffic than we did last year. He suggested sitting down with current tenants and collectively put ideas together, to get ideas from people that fly. R. Greene said we may not get what we want, and the more times we don't do it right, the more reputation we get. He suggested the board members do their own research and then get back to Ray. If someone does come in to investigate, find out what they have in mind and would that fit the needs of our partners, our tenants. J. Stanesic said she didn't have a problem giving them three months free rent start up. B. Date of Million Air's Grand Opening is set for August 11, 2006. Director Boudreaux said invitations will be sent out. C. Discussion: Security Policy. Director Boudreaux stated with our rapid growth we need to look at keeping the ramps less congested. We have a problem with people letting in more than one vehicle at a time through the security gates and that confuses the cycling and gate stays open. Signs will be installed stating authorized personnel only. In is already in the Airport's Minimum Standards, but wanted the Board's permission to tighten the security. ITEM #6: Other Business. A. Items from the Public. T. Collier said the FAA Aviation Safety Seminar is a good thing, but stated past seminars had very low attendance here, that there was a lack of interest on this airport. Director Boudreaux said the FAA would be sending out flyers, as would SkyVenture Aviation and our office would be sending out information in the invoices and the tenant newsletter. M. Frankurn said they are developing a good email list; you have to develop the culture. Their first seminar in Jonesboro had eight people, the last one needed the space of the restaurant. C. Heathco mentioned the cast side gate takes a long time to close. R. Greene suggested putting signs on the gates and be very specific with the information, it is regulated by the FAA. Chairman Nickle suggested mentioning these security items in the tenant newsletter. Director Boudreaux said it was very important to have the backing of the Board and to very important to get our security house in order. M. Frankum presented Ray the book "$100 Hamburger". B. Items from the Airport Board. Director Boudreaux asked about having the next Board meeting on August 91h, the second Wednesday at 1:30 p.m., and asked when the Strategic Planning Meeting could be scheduled to firm up the Master Plan. Director Boudreaux said the Master Plan was not his vision, but needs the Board's involvement; it needs to be our vision, our decision. The Board asked if they could forward any comments to Ray and only have Strategic Planning Meetings quarterly. Meeting Adjourned at 3: 10 p.m, Dave Bowman, 3