HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-13-2022 Fairhope Airport Authority Meeting MinutesMinutes of Fairhope Airport Authority
September 13, 2022
The Fairhope Airport Authority met September 13, 2022 at 5:00PM in the City Hall
Council Chambers at 161 N Section Street.
Present: Don Lagarde, Chairman, Chip Groner, Vince Boothe and Amy Pearson.
Pel Henry, Jack Bu rrell and Will Bruce were absent. Also present was Josh Myrick,
Attorney, and Brad Hicks, Attorney. Cynthia A Boothe took the Minutes.
The Minutes of the August 9, 2022 meeting were considered and appro ved with a
motion by Chip Groner, second by Vince Boothe and unani mously passed.
Report from Contin ental Aerospace: Nick VanHouten reported that things are
going well at the Airport with lots of traffic and fuel sales. There has been some
HVAC problems in the FBO Building but they are being repaired.
Airport Operations: Chip Groner reported that the AWOS was fixed, and the
phone is being repaired. There are still lights out but will be repaired as soon as
parts are available. Chip stated that he feels that the Authority should cancel
their sponsorship for the Air Race Classic of 2025 as Fairhope would be the
starting point this time and he feels it would not be as profitable to the area as
being the ending point. After a group discussion a motion was made by Chip
Groner to have Josh Myrick write a letter canceling the Authority's sponsorship of
the Air Race Classic of 2025, second by Vince Boothe and unanimously passed.
Engin eer's Report: Jordan Stringfellow gave the Authority members a copy of an
FAA/ALDOT Funding Overview to help the members und erstand the AIP Grant
process and will be available to go over any parts of it with the Authority
members if needed. Jordan stated that the Pre-Applications are due on
September 23, 2022 for the AIP Grant for the Runway Rehabilitation Project and
possibly the Runway & Taxiway Lighting System Replacement. She then went
over the funding details for these two projects. After a group discussion, a
motion was made by Vince Boothe to have the Authority's attorney, Josh Myrick,
prepare a resolution for the Authority Chairman to sign and submit to the FAA
stating that the Authority is committing to pay the 5% matching funds of
$1,089,722.22, and to moving forward with the Pre-Application for the Runway
Rehabilitation and the Runway and Taxiway Lighting Replacement. A second was
made by Chip Groner and unanimously passed. Jordan also stated that the
Airport Layout Plan has been approved and she will send the FAA a signed copy.
Treasurer's Report: Amy Pearson asked if approval of the budget could be tabled
until the next meeting. Chip made a motion to table the budget until the October
11th meeting, second by Vince Boothe and unanimously passed. Amy then went
over the Income/Expense report for July-August 2022.
Legal Report: Josh Myrick stated that he has the lease modifications for Vince
Boothe and Mr Wagner in the works and feels that everything will be completed
by next month. Josh also reported that there has been some interest in building
another T-hangar on the Southwest side of the Airport and Josh has sent them all
the information they have requested, and is waiting to hear back from them.
Chip Groner stated that the prospective tenant needs to be aware of the utility
surcharge that will also need to be paid.
Nominations of Authority Officers for the coming year: Vince Boothe stated the
slate of officers for the coming year:
Chip Groner-Chairman
Pel Henry-Vice Chairman
Will Bruce-Secretary
Amy Pearson-Treasurer
Vince made a motion to accept the slate of officers, second by Chip Groner and
unanimously passed.
New Business: Don Lagarde stated that the meeting for November is the same
day as the General Election so a different date will need to be arranged for that
meeting. He stated that he would talk to Lisa Hanks about availability.
Comments from the Public: No Report.
Move to executive Session to discuss pending litigation of legal proceedings
with Continental Aerospace and to discuss operations of flight schools at the
Airport: Josh Myrick stated that a motion was needed to move into Executive
Session to discuss pending litigation and the good name and character of an
individual and he certifies that prior to the vote that the pending litigation section
is applicable to a portion of the Executive Session and the meeting should last
about 30 minutes. Vince Boothe made a motion to move to Executive Session,
second by Chip Groner. Don Lagarde, Chip Groner, Vince Boothe and Amy
Pearson all voted 'Aye' in a roll call vote. The Authority members moved to
Executive Session at 6:25PM.
Return from Executive Session: The Authority Me mbers returned from Executive
Session at 7:26PM. A motion was made by Chip Groner to reconvene the me eting,
second by Vince Boothe and unanimously passed.
Chip Groner made a motion to send a letter to Redcel Flight School that they are
not in compliance with the Airport's Minimum Standards and have 60 days to
bring themselves in compliance or cease flight training at the Airport, second by
Amy Pearson. Amy Pearson, Chip Groner, and Don Lagarde all voted 'Aye', Vince
Boothe abstained. Vince stated that he abstained because he had previously
performed flights from Fairhope Airport for Flight Training of Mobile, his personal
company, and he felt it was prudent to abstain.
Adjournment: A motion was made by Chip Groner to adjourn, second by Amy
Pearson and unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:29PM.