HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-11 MinutesFAYETTEVILLE EXECUTIVE AIRPORT BOARD MINUTES
September 11, 2014
MEMBERS PRESENT: Darryl Riddell, Rick Bailey, Bill Corley, Mike Gibbs
MEMBERS ABSENT: Josh Mahony, Ken Haxel
OTHERS PRESENT: Wayne Jones-MCE; Zachary Morehart-MCE; James Nicholson -
Financial Coordinator; Lauren Treat -Administrative Assistant; Neal Bilbe-City
Government Channel; Ray Boudreaux -Former Airport Director; Terry Gulley -City
Transportation; Roderick Lee; Daniel Barnes-MCE; Mauro Campos -City Fire Dept.;
Robert Beare -Airport Maintenance
ITEM #1: Welcome. Chairman Gibbs
ITEM
#2: Approval
of
the Airport
Board
Minutes
of
the August
14,
2014
meeting.
A motion to
approve the minutes
was made by Bill Corley,
and seconded by Rick
Bailey. The
motion carried.
ITEM 93: Receiving of Reports.
A. Update from Transportation Director, Terry Gulley.
Gulley said Nicholson found three bids on terminal space assessments; an
individual has been chosen to do the assessment for $4,000. Gulley said this assessment
will be completed before he finalizes anything with SkyVenture. He said the lease is now
moved up to start at the beginning of the next calendar year. Gulley hopes the
comprehensive report from an outside agency will give us more leverage in what we
should charge for the space.
Gibbs asked when Gulley hopes to have someone hired as airport director. Gulley
said he wanted to have someone months ago, but it didn't go that way. The first time
around there were 23 applicants. Gulley's first choice candidate wanted more money than
the job was listed for, then the next best candidate withdrew, etc. - so after revamping the
job description a second time, we have had about 13 applicants. Gulley is looking for
airport and marketing experience. He said if the person he is interviewing the following
day doesn't work out, Don Marr (City Chief of Staff) and Gulley might change the
qualifications again in order to find a suitable candidate. More discussion followed.
B. Financial Coordinator James Nicholson, Budget Report.
Reported that August was one.of the best months in 2014. Operations were better
compared to previous years. Fuel sales were also up a little bit from the previous years,
however they still lag behind operations. He mentioned that September is usually our
busiest month, so he hopes we will have more good numbers in our next report.
Nicholson briefly discussed Game Day and thanked Neal Bilbe (videographer)
and Bailey for volunteering that day.
The fuel prices at Drake Field are still slightly above what other airports are
charging. Nicholson said we might consider adjusting our retail margin in order to look
better in comparison to our competitors. Right now, fuel prices look higher than they
actually are. Corley agreed that would be a good idea. Nicholson said that we could
correlate our market price with our actual price, but this means the prices will have to be
calculated differently. Nicholson said he would fiddle around with the numbers and
present his findings at the next meeting.
Discussion of the financial report followed. Nicholson said overall, the FBO is
performing quite well and it would be wise to continue running the FBO. It is a reliable
source of income and we are able to operate it the way it needs to be operated in order to
be successful. Gulley commended Nicholson for budgeting last year on only 2 or 3
months of data. The airport is covering more expenses and making more revenue now
than when Million Air was here. These numbers are great compared to what we were
struggling with two or three years ago.
Gibbs asked if the airport has received another check from Million Air. Nicholson
said that he received one early today.
Nicholson briefly discussed the outstanding invoices list and said there was
nothing to be alarmed about.
C. Administrative Assistant, Lauren Treat, T -Hangar Report.
Three T Hangars are open (1 twin, 2 singles.)
D. Wayne Jones, McClelland Engineers, Construction Report.
Daniel Barnes of MCE passed out a preliminary engineering report for the
terminal apron rehabilitation project. Wayne said the apron is 34 years old. Structurally, it
is in good shape but there are some aesthetic/cosmetic issues with a number of the
concreated joints where there is surface deterioration and pop outs. He said the two best
options are probably the Delpatch by D.S. Brown or the TechCrete by Crafco. Both of
these products can be opened back to traffic quickly; Delpatch in one hour, TechCrete in
2-3 hours depending on depth. Wayne discussed surface treatment options including
Endurablend by pavement surface coatings and Grip -Flex surfacing by Ameriseal.
Wayne recommended to proceed with the Grip -Flex treatment, but he is still gathering
bids from Endurablend. Wayne said he would be willing to go over to Newport with
members of the board to take a look at it on their airport. More discussion followed of the
proposed options.
Boudreaux asked if there is an opportunity to get additional monies. Wayne said
sometimes there is, but he hasn't had a chance to get this information to Paul Bums
(FAA) yet. Wayne said this project might need to be in two phases to cover all of the
costs. Boudreaux asked if the taxiway will need repairs. Wayne said there are mostly just
cracks that need to be sealed; there are no pop outs like on the apron. Wayne said we will
get this project to the FAA through Nicholson. Gulley said he would like to look at the
other airports and see what the options look like in person. Wayne agreed.
E. Museum Executive Director Warren Jones, Museum Report.
In Warren's absence, Boudreaux briefed the Board. He said the CAF B-29 and
Stearman coming in for Bikes Blues and BBQ. There are a lot of events going on at the
Museum right now. Airport Day was very successful, though it will not be held this
month because of BBBBQ. Boudreaux mentioned that the Museum will sell some assets
that are no longer need such as extra uniforms, books, etc. starting on the Thursday of
BBBBQ. Collectors have been notified and they will pay an early fee to come look at the
stuff before the sale begins. Boudreaux said that Warren will be gone by the end of
October. There is not enough money to hire another person to do the work Warren has
been doing, but Boudreaux said he and the Museum volunteers will do their best.
F. Marketing Committee Chairman Bill Corley, Marketing Report.
Corley said there has not been a reconnect since the last board meeting because
there is not a current acute problem or compelling issue that needs to be addressed.
Corley proposed that the airport spends five hundred dollars to work with a marketing
professional to gain fresh ideas. Gulley said he is fine with that.
A motion to spend five hundred dollars for professional marketing advice was made
by Rick Bailey, and seconded by Marty Burgraff. Motion carried.
ITEM #4: Old Business. None.
ITEM #5: New Business. None.
ITEM #6: Other Business.
A. Items from the Public. None.
B. Items from the Airport Board.
Gibbs thanked Riddell for flying himself and Mahony to John Knight's
retirement. Gibbs gave the board members a copy of the City Ordinance regarding the
Airport Board as a reminder of what their duties are. Bailey commended our maintenance
guys for the work they did on replacing lights and hangar doors recently. Robert Beare
said he is trying to piece everything together. Gulley said there were a few maintenance
issues brought up at the last meeting; all of those things have been completed. He thanked
everyone for bringing up their concerns. It helps the airport staff to address the issues
quicker.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 2:44 P.M.
Darryl Riddell, Secretary Date