HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-03-13 MinutesFAYETTEVILLE EXECUTIVE AIRPORT BOARD MINUTES
March 13, 2014
MEMBERS PRESENT: Darryl Riddell, Josh Mahony, Mike Gibbs,
Marty Burggraf, Rick Bailey
MEMBERS ABSENT: Ken Haxel, Bill Corley
OTHERS PRESENT: Wayne Jones-MCE; James Nicholson -Financial Coordinator;
Lauren Treat -Administrative Assistant; Neal Bilbe-City Government Channel; Ray
Boudreaux -Airport Director; Terry Gulley -City Transportation; Vince Lesh-USN Retired
ITEM #1: Welcome. Chairman Gibbs.
Gibbs presented Boudreaux with a plaque and thanked him for his many years of
service to Drake Field. Burggraf presented him with a gift basket. Boudreaux said a few
words, as well.
ITEM #2: Approval of the Airport Board Minutes of the February 13, 2014
meeting.
A motion to approve the minutes with the proposed change was made by Josh
Mahony, and seconded by Rick Bailey. The motion carried.
ITEM #3: Receiving of Reports.
A. Director Boudreaux, Aviation Director.
Boudreaux thanked the airport staff for doing a phenomenal job at snow removal this
winter. He mentioned that Greg Robinson of the airport maintenance division did an
excellent job keeping up with things, even though he has been the only maintenance
worker for months. Boudreaux said that flying activity is good, but sales are low. He
recently spoke with Million Air. Though they have not paid what they owe the airport,
they do agree that they owe it to us. The airport received permission to apply for an FET
but Nicholson was told that we can't have the money for 2013. Boudreaux asked Million
Air to apply for the FET and to please return it to us, but he said that he does not know if
we will really get that money back. Charter season is going well; basketball season is
about to wrap up. Boudreaux mentioned that the roof of South Delta sagged because of
the weight of the snow that the doors wouldn't open. He said he is looking into a few
options to try to prevent this from happening again.
B. Financial Coordinator James Nicholson, Budget Report.
Reported the airport did well on operations last month, despite the bad weather. However,
the operations are not translated to higher fuel sales. Nicholson said he does not quite
know why that is, but we will try to understand the reasoning behind it by communicating
with our customers. Nicholson discussed the pie chart breakdown of fuel sales. He
discussed contract fuel, our fuel prices, and the airport's margin on sales. Boudreaux
mentioned that Colt Aviation is meeting with the airport staff soon. Nicholson discussed
how he and the City's internal auditor revamped the financial report, and then he went
over the numbers for last month. Nicholson said that he thinks the City -run FBO business
has been quite successful in its first year.
Boudreaux said the airport will get the $30,000 from Million Air. Nicholson said if we
don't receive it directly from Million Air, we'll ask the DLA to pay us directly. Then the
DLA will have to work on getting it back from Million Air. Boudreaux said until they
make the payment to us, Tammi at the DLA said they are ineligible to receive any further
DLA payments.
Nicholson admitted that it was difficult keeping up with all of the new financial records
and creating a new system over the past year. Gibbs said he has done a great job.
C. Administrative Assistant, Lauren Treat, T -Hangar Report.
Reported one hangar is empty with two rented for storage.
D. Wayne Jones, McClelland Engineers, Construction Report.
Wayne discussed last month's Skidabrador demo. The goal was to find out if the
technology would be a viable option in preparation of the concrete. The machine cleans
the concrete and improves the friction. It did not damage the joint seals.
Nicholson added that the City Council approved a task order for Wayne. This is a future
expense, but he hopes it will be 100% paid for by state and federal grants. Wayne said he
is waiting on a grant from the FAA. Boudreaux said we will move forward once the
money is available and we receive a delegation that we have been awarded the grant.
E. Museum Executive Director Warren Jones, Museum Report.
Due to unfavorable weather, the museum made very little money. The Falcon even stood
up straight for a few days because there was so much ice and snow accumulated on the
aircraft. The Commemorative Air Force people came by the other day. The Museum
donated some old parts to the CAF and they were very grateful. Warren frequently
receives requests for using the museum as a wedding venue. Warren said he is trying to
get more events at the Museum. Warren made a recommendation to the board that the
Museum is closed during Dec/Jan/Feb because it gets unbelievably cold. The gas bill is
huge and the Museum does not make enough money to break even.
F. Marketing Committee Chairman Bill Corley, Marketing Report. None.
ITEM #4: Old Business.
1. Capital Improvement Plan:
Boudreaux asked if board agrees with the Capital Improvement Plan as it is. All agreed.
A motion to send the Capital Improvement Plan as is to the FAA was made by
Marty Burggraf, and seconded by Darryl Riddell. The motion carried.
2. Iron Pig:
The race will not be held on the runway this year; it will be outside of the fence.
Boudreaux invited anyone interested in volunteering to come out that Saturday and help
ensure
that
our
customers/business
tenants in the terminal building can do what they need
to do.
The
first
row of parking
will
be blocked off for SkyVenture/Post Office/etc.
ITEM #5: New Business.
A. SkyVenture new lease:
Boudreaux said the current lease is only valid through the end of April, so now it needs to
be renewed. Bailey said he recalls that the last negotiation was somewhat contentious.
Gulley believes things are turning around somewhat regarding the airport's relationship
with the flight school. Gibbs said at some point, the airport needs to charge them what is
considered "normal". Mahony said the Board raised the T Hangar rent rate this year, so it
might be time to start an incremental process to get SkyVenture back at an appropriate
rate, too. Boudreaux said SkyVenture is important to the airport — they buy fuel, add
operations, we gain new pilots this way, etc. Riddell agreed that they are valuable to the
airport, but they need to work towards paying the originally negotiated rates. Boudreaux
acknowledged that the economy isn't perfect, but it is coming back. Gibbs said
SkyVenture has received a lot of concessions. The timing of the increases can be
negotiated. More discussion followed.
ITEM #6: Other Business.
A. Items from the Public.
Mauro Campos of the City Fire Department said there will be a CFR 139 live burn with
XNA next Tuesday. Boudreaux said he appreciates Campos for working with XNA - it
saves our airport a lot of money. Campos said the FAA inspector needs to be aware that
there are new personnel at Station 3 and 6. Boudreaux said he anticipates the FAA
inspection will be in May.
B. Items from the Airport Board.
Mahony mentioned Dennis Singleton's recent death. Mahony said he liked Singleton's
work at the airport and he will be missed. Boudreaux said the lead maintenance position
will be opening up soon and Robinson will be eligible to apply.
Riddell said he recently learned about a SWEPCO program that allows small businesses
to do energy saving upgrades. Boudreaux said he will run it by the City's sustainability
manager before Riddell makes any changes to the South Delta hangar. Boudreaux said
the airport will change the runway lights to LEDs once we have the money to do so.
Gibbs said he will be gone until June. Mahony will take over until then.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 2:50 P.M.
Darryl Riddell, Secretary Date