HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-12-09 Minutes• FAYETTEVILLE EXECUTIVE AIRPORT BOARD MEETING
December 9, 2010
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Nickle, Otto Loewer, David Hollman, Janice Stanesic,
Tim McCarley
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Vaughn DeCoster, Rickard Greene
STAFF PRESENT: Ray Boudreaux, James Nicholson, Louise Powers
OTHERS PRESENT: Mike Gibbs -Airport Board Applicant; Raymond VanHook-citizen; Joel
Walsh-NWArk Times; Ross Smith -Flying Investments; Wayne Jones -McClelland Engineers;
Mario Campos -Fayetteville Fire Dept., John Watterson-Loomacres
ITEM #1: Welcome. Chairman. Said he would like to thank two of the Board Members
whose Airport Board term is ending at the end of 2010: Vaughn DeCoster and Richard Greene.
They have been extremely valuable to the Airport Board. Both are pilots and have had planes at
Drake Field.
ITEM #2: Approval of the Airport Board Minutes of the November 18, 2010 meeting.
A motion to approve the minutes was made by Tim McCarley and seconded by Janice
• Stanesic. The motion carried.
ITEM #3: Receiving of Reports.
A. Director Boudreaux, report on Airport Activity. Reported that November was the worst
month for airport operations, October was the best, having around 30,000 operations. Million
Air has done a good job, selling fuel, 400,000 gallons for the year. We have a new FAA Project
Manager, Paul Bums. We hope he will be here in the spring for the highway dedication.
Mentioned there is one month free rent for aircraft moving into the T -Hangars if renting for one
year. Mike Gibbs, applicant for the Airport Board, was introduced. The City Council Selection
Committee will interview the applicants around December 15`h. The Arkansas Air Museum will
have their Annual Board Meeting on Sunday, December 12`h at 2:00 for their End of the Year
Report and the elections of officers. Refreshments will be served.
B. Financial Coordinator James Nicholson report on FBO and Budget. November was
slow for aircraft operations, was ten percent less than last year. Our military operations are up.
Million Air is doing the job well to maintain their fuel sales. The itinerant fuel sales are more
than the based customers. The local fuel prices are going up, most local airports raised their
prices. Regarding the financial report, we are keeping the operations cost down to a minimum,
and we are ahead, revenues over expenses. The Airport had to pay real estate taxes for the first
time this year, and we have budgeted for that next year.
C. Report on T -Hangars. By the end of December there will be four of the smaller hangars
available and one twin. We have one storage unit available. We rented two spaces for RV's,
and rented one twin and one single unit for storage.
• D. Wayne Jones, McClelland Engineers, report on construction projects. During the last
two days, the contractor has finished seeding, and has placed mulch and straw for erosion control
in the channels. They are finishing the fencing along Lancaster Drive. He said the project is
slightly below the original contract, and the Airport would like to install the 8 ft. fence on down
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• the west side to the Air Museum. The fencing around Mrs. Paschal's home will have to be
installed, with steel poles and cables, that won't be visable from the highway. The fence will
keep cars from accidentally running into her house. Once we have installed Mrs. Paschal's fence
we will have satisfied our obligations to her. We will be doing the pre -final inspection after the
Board Meeting today, with a representative from the Arkansas Highway Department. Ray will
be sending a letter to the new FAA Project Manager next week regarding the estimated cost of
the Runway Obstruction Project. According to FAA rules, we can't apply for a grant until they
invite us to apply for a grant. Airport Board Consensus: To go ahead and move forward as
fast as possible with the Runway Obstruction Project.
E. Museum Reports. Their Annual Meeting is Sunday at 2:00.
ITEM #4: Old Business.
A. Presentation: Loomacres by John Watterson. Explained their company is conducting an
Environmental Study of the Airport and gave a slide show detailing the steps of the project.
They do monthly surveys of bird counts of areas on and off the airport where birds congregate;
they do spotlight surveys of vegetated areas on the airport for wildlife, and they have stopped the
surveys for insects in the winter. The insect study is to see what insects are attracting birds to the
airport area. An on site vegetation study is be conducted. Commented that staff is doing a good
job of keeping grass cut down in areas that hold water. They have had excellent communications
and assistance from the tower, Sky Venture and the Maintenance Staff.
B. Update: Seaport Airlines. Director Boudreaux said he had made several calls to them with
no call-backs, appears they are not interested.
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ITEM #4: New Business.
A. Presentation: Raymond VanHook, air service. Explained he lives in Fort Smith and had
previously owned a commuter airline Trans California Airlines in California in the 1980's. He
proceeded to explain his proposal to start commercial air service, Regional South Airlines, at
Drake Field. His idea would be three flights daily between Fayetteville and Little Rock on an
eight passenger Beechcraft King Air. His proposal suggested after three months of operation
they would acquire a second plane, and after six months acquiring a third plane. Then later
expand to a 19-34 passenger ERJ. They would maintain the corporate offices and maintenance
at Drake Field and would start operating with 15 employees, later expanding to 50. They would
retain local legal council, an accounting firm, and have a business plan legally sanctioned, have
public offering to get funds, raise capital, and apply to the FAA for 135 Certificate, and get
registered with the DOT.
B. Presentation: RSAT Briefing by Mike Bowman, F'YV Tower Manager. Mike was
unable to attend. The item will be on the January agenda
ITEM #6: Other Business.
A. Items from the Public. None.
B. Items from the Airport Board. None.
MEETING
Hollman, Secretary
AT 2:32 p.m.
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