HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-09 MinutesMINUTES OF THE AIRPORT BOARD MEETING
August 9, 2012
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Nickle, Janice Stanesic, Mike Gibbs, Rick Bailey, Bill
Corley
MEMBERS ABSENT: Josh Mahony, Ken Haxel
STAFF PRESENT: Ray Boudreaux, James Nicholson
OTHERS PRESENT: Mike Bowman -Air Traffic Control Tower; Craig Young and
Rick McKinney -T -Hangar Tenants; Wayne Joncs-McClelland Consulting
Engineers; Pete Mastroianni-Million Air Fayetteville; Mark Frankum-SkyVenture
Aviation; Darryl Riddell and Greg Willoughby -South Delta Aviation; Warren
Jones -Arkansas Air and Military Museum
ITEM #1: Welcome. Chairman.
ITEM #2: Approval of the June 14, 2012 Airport Board Minutes (no July meeting).
A motion to approve the minutes as written was made by Rick Bailey and seconded
by Bill Corley. The motion carried.
ITEM #3: Receiving of Reports.
A. Director Boudreaux, Aviation Director. Explained that Louise Powers was not at
the meeting today, she is at the hospital for tests. He introduced the airport's new tenant:
Darryl Riddell, of South Delta Aviation. He is a former member of the Arkansas
Aeronautics Commission and has moved to Northwest Arkansas. Reporting on the
airport operations, we are up 15% ahead of last year. Speaking of the Tower Contract
Program, mentioned Congress' across-the-board spending cuts scheduled to take place on
January 2, 2012. As part of the "sequestration" process this could mean funding for our
tower could be cut. The Quadrex Report, which lists the nation's airports, said there are
30 major airports. The next grouping is of 250 airports, which have contract operated
control towers; ours is 194"' out of the 250. In 2003 we were told we would have to pay
22% of the tower's cost. We hired a company and they worked with the FAA to reduce
our cost to zero, the tower is now 100% funded. The report did show our airport's
operations are better than Springdale's and Rogers'. NFlight has signed their new
contract for the hangar and temporary office space in the terminal. The hangar rent has
been reduced until office improvements can be made. Working through McClellands',
Wittenburg Delony and Davidson is designing the interior addition. The City's IT
Department will be leasing the ground space in the old sound barrier, fondly called Ft.
Drake, and office space in the former Fire Station on the east side of the airport. They
will build a concrete building to hold the City's Data Center in the sound barrier, with
ground rent of $.20 per sq. ft., and office space at $11.00 per sq. ft. The lease is for 30
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years, and we have given them a discounted rate for them providing us with improved
data service. All improvements will be paid for by the City, not the airport. They will be
doing some core drilling across the airport to the east side. It is a good project for all
involved. The Fire Dept. wants to move the ARFF truck to the west side of the airport at
the "old" fire station. They want to build a garage. They will have quicker response time
to emergencies on the airport. We gave that building to the Fire Dept. about six months
ago to use for training. Chairman Nickle mentioned to make sure the airport is not taxed
for any new buildings. The Loomacres wildlife report was sent to the FAA and the
airport has received the FAA's response. We have contacted Loomacres and will
coordinate a proper response to the FAA. The LDA is supposed to be published in
September. The rejuavaseal project was discussed, noting the Board's questions will be
addressed at the Pre -Construction Conference next week, and notices of construction
dates will go out to the tenants. Rejuayseal will be applied to all asphalt ramps, and some
painting of lines will take place. The AAOA Conference is September 23d through 25`h
in North Little Rock. Director Boudreaux noted he is the President of the organization
this year. He encouraged Board Members to attend, although the airport does not have
funds for registration fees. The FAA will not have their fall conference and there will be
numerous FAA personnel attending the conference.
B. Financial Coordinator James Nicholson, Budget Report. He gave a power point
presentation of the fuel prices/sales, aircraft operations and financial charts in the agenda.
He noted the aircraft operations are 15% over same time last year. The number of
military aircraft has increased, noting Million Air's hard work. The fuel price at Drake is
a little above average. Speaking of the Financial Report, said the airport is ahead of the
budgeted amount. The office is working hard to keep expenses down. The "Rent and
Leases" account is ahead about $10,000 because of the two new tenants. Also, Ray has
taken a reduction in salary. Answering a question, the City Council approved us having a
$95,000 deficient in our 2012 budget. We will have to replace a roof at Wings Avionics
and City Council approval will be required for a Budget Adjustment.
C. T -Hangar Report. Director Boudreaux reported there are 6 vacancies, and have 9
rented for storage. It will take 15 aircraft to fill up our hangars.
D. Wayne Jones, McClelland Engineers, Construction Report. We will have the Pre
Construction Conference for the pavement rehab project next week and work dates will
be decided. The contractor will lay down protective covering for the compass rose.
NFlight's office plans are not ready to advertise. Director Boudreaux reminded that the
goal was to have the project before the September State Aeronautics Meeting to request a
grant. Plans are being prepared for 70 tie -downs for the Air Race next year. Director
Boudreaux explained there are many rules for the race, and a tie -down for each
participant (70) will be required; 150 planes are expected for that weekend.
E. Warren Jones, Museum Report. The Air Race 2013 is less than a year away. He
and several people met with the Chamber of Commerce and they will be working to get
sponsors for the race and will have Chamber Ambassadors to welcome each participant
when they arrive. The B-29 will be here on September 24 through 26`h. Said he will be
alerting area EAA Chapters and will work on getting media exposure. This is the last
remaining B-29 still flying. They recently installed four new engines and each one cost
$11000,000.00. A flight can purchased for $595.00 and a ride in the cockpit will cost
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$995.00. We have two people already signed up for the ride in the cockpit. They will
have other aircraft traveling with them so will have a static display of aircraft.
ITEM #4: Old Business.
A. Update: Pavement Rehab Project. Already discussed.
B. Update: NFlight project. Already discussed.
ITEM #5: New Business.
A. Wings Avionics: Complaint. Already discussed.
ITEM #6: Other Business.
A. Items from the Public. None.
B. Items from the Airport Board. Mike Gibbs asked about past due rent payments. Of
the T -hangar tenants there are 4 delinquent and only one really bad. Director Boudreaux
said he had talked with them. James said Million Air owes fuel flowage fees for June and
they have one outstanding invoice. The person that has the hay lease gets invoiced just
once a year and he has not been in yet. When he does come in he pays cash. Rick Bailey
said he wanted express his thanks for those that had moved their trailers from the ends of
the hangars. Director. Boudreaux called attention to the agenda attachment, an article
titled "Airport set to bar mechanics who don't have official permits ". He also mentioned
the airport had started the security plan and that is working, and that the office had also
started a permit plan for those doing maintenance on the field whose business is not
located on the field. They need to come in fill out the permit, must have a City of
Fayetteville Business License, and insurance.
Meeting Adjourned 2:34 p.m.
Mike Gibbs, Secretary
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