HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-10-11 MinutesMINUTES
FAYETTEVILLE EXECUTIVE AIRPORT BOARD MEETING
October 11, 2012
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Nickle, Mike Gibbs, Janice Stanesic, Rick Bailey, Josh Mahony, Ken Haxel, Bill
Corley
STAFF PRESENT: Ray Boudreaux, James Nicholson, Louise Powers
OTHERS PRESENT: Peter Mastroianni-Million Air,Tyron Rogers -City's Government Channel; Mike Bowman-
FYV Tower; Patrick Carter-NFlight Technology; Mark Frankum-SkyVenture Aviation; Craig Young and Rick
McKinney -tenants; Wayne Jones -McClelland Engineers; Terry Gulley -City's Transportation Dept.; John P. Ross -
Ross Executive Aviation; Nathan Odgen and Chad Childress -Pick -It Construction; Mauro Campos -City's Fire Dept
ITEM #1: Welcome. Chairman Nickle
ITEM #2: Approval of the Minutes of the September 13, 2012 meeting.
A motion to approve the minutes was made by Josh Mahony and was seconded by Rick Bailey. The motion
carried.
ITEM #3: Receiving of Reports.
A. Director Boudreaux, Aviation Director. The aircraft operations are up 18% over last yr, and fuel sales are up
8%. A lot of credit can be given to Pete Mastroinni working and inviting the military to practice here. The B-29
visited the museum, the Razorbacks flew out on a 757, South Delta has six planes here they are working on selling,
bids were due in this morning for the NFlight hangar construction. The bids are good for sixty days. We hope to get
a state grant to assist in the cost of the construction. The FAA de -certified the check point saying it wasn't right,
and it was the same crew that set it the last time. The AAOA Conference was successful, the FAA gave great
presentations. The 3`d Annual Aviator's Ball is next weekend. Chairman Nickle expressed his thanks to staff for
getting the U of A charter flying out of Drake.
B. Financial Coordinator, James Nicholson, Budget Report. He reviewed the charts and graphs in the agenda,
saying September was the best month for aircraft operations in five years and the fuel sales were over 40,000
gallons. Pete Mastroianni said Million Air has been breaking records for the last five months. Fuel sales for the B-
29 and the football team charters had helped, and military flights. James reported Million Air had lowered their fuel
price, but was still above the regional average. Speaking of the Financial Report, mentioned the Airport would be
paying a Washington County Tax of $27,000. Director Boudreaux reported the Airport had been appraised and
taxed on empty ground this year. The City's Accounting Office said it has to be paid this year and next year the
City will request an exemption. Chairman Nickle asked that staff put that on their calendar for next year to appeal
to the County's Board of Equalization. He explained that sometimes you could explain to the appraiser, and the
appraiser could make a change. He stated the value to the Airport is income and empty ground does not bring
income. James said one piece of land taxed was purchased from Cooper Industries for our Runway Safety Area
Project with the stipulation that nothing could be built on that land. It will never be a revenue generator for the
Airport, so the value should be zero. This is the third year the Airport has had to pay county taxes. The Airport
Fund Balance is still above the $500,000, but if you subtract the Airport's liabilities, the balance will be
$422,435.00.
C. Senior Secretary Louie Powers, T -hangar Report. There are two T -Hangars available to rent.
D. Wayne Jones, McClelland Engineers, Construction Report. Construction has been completed on the
Pavement Rehab Project and all paperwork has been sent to the FAA.
E. Museum Executive Director Warren Jones, Museum Report. Rick McKinney reported the B-29 flew once
with several passengers.
ITEM #4: Old Business.
A.. Discussion: Acrobatic Box at Drake Field Airport. Director Boudreaux said the public had been invited to
give comments. Patrick Carter said the newspaper had run an article and he had received positive comments. The
box will be controlled by the ATCT.
A motion was made by Josh Mahony to approve the Acrobatic Box over Drake Field and for the application
to be sent to the FAA. The motion was seconded by Mike Gibbs. The motion carried.
Patrick Carter said announcing the practice is not allowed, because then it would become an Air Show. The
practice will not interfere with flights in or out of Drake.
B. NFlight Hangar Construction (officetstorage area within existing hangar). Wayne Jones explained nine
contactors had plans and four bids were received. One bidder showed up three minutes late, so his bid wasn't
allowed. The engineer recommended Pick -It Construction's bid of $343,900. The high bid was $535,546 and the
two lowest bids were $31,000 apart. One item in the project was fire protection at $38,250, which will be
reimbursed to the City by NFlight. The bid was over the project budget and staff will work with the contractor and
engineer to see if what can be eliminated from the project.
A motion was made by Rick Bailey and seconded by Ken Haxel to approve the bid contingent on a successful
negotiation with staff, the current low bidder, and the tenant, meeting the City's regulations and forward to
the City Council. The motion carried.
ITEM # 5: New Business.
A. Procurement of Belt Loader for U of A's B-757 flights. The plane was loaded manually by throwing items
into the cargo hold. The plane's crew said that was unsatisfactory, the cargo hold is pressurized and could be
damaged. Pete's crew worked hard to load and unload the plane. The plane's crew directed us to have a belt
loader or they would go to the XNA Airport. The Airport doesn't have the money, and will go before the City
Council for a Budget Adjustment. Staff found one that you would walk behind to move it. The cost, including
shipment and rehab, is approximately $15,000, and must order within the next two days for arrival for the next
charter. Terry Gulley suggested buying it this year out of the equipment account and next year putting the amount
back in the budget and then move it to the equipment account. Pete Mastroianni said they are leasing the air stairs
for each flight. They will budget to buy a set next year. The belt loader could be used for all kinds of planes with
an overhead cargo bay. The large charters coming in will help with the formula used for keeping the tower at no
cost. There was discussion of having a financial analysis or not, others saying no, it is a minor cost. It is an
investment in safety and insures the charter will come in, and possibly others.. There isn't one that can be rented,
or borrowed. It was mentioned the City and the University had formed a partnership. The University prefers
leaving out of Drake, as it is only a five minute drive, rather than 45 minutes to XNA.
A motion to move ahead with the purchase of belt loader was made by Ken Haxel and seconded by Janice
Stanesic. The motion carried.
ITEM #6: Other Business.
A. Items from the Public. Mike Bowman, ATCT, said it had been a good month, with over 1,300 operations.
B. Items from the Airport Board. A Strategic Planning Meeting was set for Tuesday, October 16'", at 11:30,
noting there are several things that will be affecting the Airport during the first quarter of next year and need to
have some plan in place. Josh thanked staff for the marker where the gate opens. Mike Gibbs asked about the
Accounts Receivables. One T -Hangar has been padlocked because of late payments, and Southern Hospitality's
account was turned over for collection, $3,000 was written off. One corporate tenant's rent wasn't in by the due
date but they provided a copy of the written check from their corporate office. We have not received the check.
Mike asked that James put an Accounts Receivable item in his report, saying he thought it was important for the
Board to know if there were any problem tenants.
Meeting Adjourned at 2:46 p.m.
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