HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-15-2022 Fairhope Airport Authority Meeting MinutesNovember 15, 2022
Minutes of Fairhope Airport Authority
November 15, 2022
The Fairhope Airport Authority met November 15, 2022 at 5:00PM in the City Hall
Council Chambers at 161 N Section Street.
Present: Chip Groner, Chairman, Will Bruce, Vince Boothe, Pel Henry, Amy
Pearson, and Don Lagarde. Jack Burrell was absent. Josh Myrick, Attorney, was
absent but was listening to the meeting by phone conference. Cynthia A Boothe
took the Minutes.
The Minutes of the October 11, 2022 Meeting were considered and Amy Pearson
noted that the time for the return from Executive Session was incorrect and
needed to be corrected. Vince Boothe made a motion to approve the Minutes as
corrected, second by Don Lagarde and unanimously passed.
Continental Aerospace: Nick VanHouten stated that the Airport has been very
busy and that fuel sales have already exceeded last month. He also stated that
fuel costs have come down a little bit.
Don Lagarde reported that the sink hole would be fixed next week by Brian
Mason.
Nick reported that he would be getting with Jordan Stringfellow about problem
areas with the seal coat on the south ramp.
Chip Groner stated that he would like to see the fence completed around the fuel
farm. He said that the cost would be shared by Continental and the Authority and
Pel Henry stated that the cost would be around $12,200.00 and would have
manual gates.
Nick stated that after the first of the year he is planning to have an event called
"Airplan es, Coffee, and Cars." There will be a pancake breakfast and a group that
is interested in helping with the event.
Chip stated that he has a friend that would be glad to help furnish some of the
cars.
Chip Groner:
Airport Operations: Chip stated that the AWOS is working but a new antenna is
on order. He has checked with the FAA, and they do require a land line for the
AWOS, so he will try to have the antenna and land line work done at the same
time. Nick stated that the Fire Department was going to bring their ladder truck
over so the repairman can get up on the roof to fix the antenna.
Chip reported that all the lights are working.
Coastal Community College Sign: Chip stated that he had talked to Mandy of
Coastal Community College, and she was wanting input from the Authority about
putting up a sign for the College. They have been talking to the City about it and
they were told the sign would have to be up by the entrance to the school and
not out by the highway. Chip said he thought the Authority should think about
getting a replacement sign out by the entrance to the Airport on County Road 32
with the names of all the businesses located at the Airport.
Pel Henry stated that the Mayor was wanting to make the entrance look more
'Fairhopey' and attractive by adding flowers at the entrance.
Chip stated that he thought that was a great idea as the existing sign is antiquated
and needs to be updated.
Vince Boothe stated that eventually they would have to have a sign out by the
new entrance on County Road 13 so maybe they should consider getting both
signs at the same time.
Manager Interviews: Chip Groner stated that they would be interviewing
candidates for the Part-Time Airport Manager on the Monday after Thanksgiving
and that Vince Boothe, Will Bruce and Russ Kilgore will be helping with the
interviews.
Don Lagarde-Fuel Surcharge: Don Lagarde stated that the Authority has been
talking for several months about raising the fuel surcharge and he would like to
see it raised from seven cents to ten cents per gallon. After a group discussion a
motion was made by Don Lagarde to raise the surcharge from seven cents to ten
cents per gallon, second by Vince Boothe and unanimously passed.
Pel Henry-Fuel Farm Fence: Chip stated that the fence was addressed earlier in
the agenda but asked Pel to report on the West Side property for sale. Pel Henry
stated that he and Chip have been talking with Morgan-Ashurst about marketing
for the West Side and they feel that in order to market the property that some
infrastructure needs to be put in place. He said that there are some grant
opportunities to help with infrastructure so the first step will be to go to the City
Councill to see if they would be willing to co-partner and co-fund the engineering
needed to fit the grant requirements. After engineering is completed, he will get
with Jordan Stringfellow about possible grant opportunities.
Jordan Stringfellow-Engineer's Report: Jordan stated that she had sent the
Mayor the paperwork for the 50/50 grant from the State and as soon as the
paperwork is signed and sent back to the State, they will then execute it and put it
up on their website so that the invoices for engineering can be submitted for
reimbursement. She also stated that the FAA will be sending out go letters soon
for the 2023 projects and she hopes to have one by the next meeting or January
at the latest for the Airport's Runway Project. Pel Henry asked about the grant for
the terminal building and Jordan stated that it would be about April or May of
2023 before the grant would be awarded.
Amy Pearson-Treasurer's Report: Amy stated that she did not have a Treasurer's
Report as the accountant has not finished closing out the books for September.
She then reported that the Operating Account has a balance of $147,000.00 and
the Grant Account has a balance of $66,000.00.
Josh Myrick-Legal Report: Josh Myrick was absent but gave his report by phone
conference. Josh stated that he should have the final Stipulation for Dismissal of
the Continental lawsuit in the next few days. Brad Hicks is working on that with
Continental. It is the last formal document needed to be filed for the court to let
the Judge know that things are settled. After it is filed the Authority Members will
receive a copy.
Josh also stated that he has the signed lease amendment from ROI that needs to
be signed by the Authority and returned to Josh so he can email a copy to Mr
Wagner's Attorney.
Other Business: Dean Parker of Redcel asked to address the Authority about
clarification of the Minimum Standards at the Airport. He stated that he had
received an email from Josh Myrick stating that Redcel was not in compliance of
the Minimum Standards for Fairhope Airport. After a lengthy group discussion
with the Authority members, it was recommended to Mr Parker that he or his
attorney needs to contact the Airport Authority's attorney, Josh Myrick.
Comments from the General Public: Zac McNeil stated that he has a fly-in
scheduled for March of 2023 and hopes over the next three years to expand his
show and have a War Bird fly-in every year in Fairhope possibly over the bay.
Adjournment: Don Lagarde made a motion to adjourn, second by Pel Henry and
unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 5:49PM.
Chip Groner, Chairman