HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-14-2023 Fairhope Airport Authority Meeting MinutesMinutes of Fairhope Airport Authority
February 14, 2023
The Fairhope Airport Authority met February 14, 2023 at 5:00 PM in the City Hall
Council Chambers at 161 N Section Street.
Present: Chip Groner, Chairman, Jack Burrell, Pel Henry, Will Bruce, and Vince
Boothe. Amy Pearson and Don Lagarde were absent. Also present was Josh
Myrick, Attorney. Cynthia A Boothe took the minutes.
The Minutes of the January 10, 2023 Work Session were considered and approved
with a motion by Don Lagarde, second by Pel Henry and unanimously passed.
The Minutes of the January 10, 2023 Regular Meeting were considered and
approved with a motion by Don Lagarde, second by Pel Henry and unanimously
passed.
Insurance Renewal: Coley Boone of Thames Batre Insurance went over the
estimates of the Insurance for the Airport coverage for the coming year. After a
group discussion a motion was made by Vince Boothe to authorize the Authority
Chairman, Chip Groner and Don Lagarde to execute the final agreement for the
insurance coverage once the final quotes are received. A second was made by
Jack Burrell and was unanimously passed.
Civil Air Patrol Comm ents: John Hoffman, Commander of the Civil Air Patrol
Squadron in Mobile, gave an overview of what the Civil Air Patrol is and their
mission as the Official Civilian Auxiliary to the Air Force. He stated that his group
is looking to see if they can find space somewhere in the Fairhope area to hold
their meetings and store their equipment. After a group discussion, the Authority
Members made several suggestions of possible sites for him to consider.
Continental Aerospace Report: Paula Hembree, Line Service Manager for
Continental, stated that things were going well at the Airport with good fuel sales
and the Classic Air Jet Association fly-in is scheduled for the first weekend in
March. She also stated that they appreciate all the assistance from Dave Friedel
since he has been at the Airport.
Manager's Report: Dave Friedel stated that he is suggesting to the Authority that
they consider getting a Virtower System installed. It provides a highly accurate
traffic count of all aircraft coming to and leaving the Airport as well as ground
movement once they have landed at the Airport. The installation of the system is
free, and the monthly fees would be $500.00.
Dave reported that he, Chip Groner and Frank Farmer met at the Airport last
week and that Frank stated that the runway project has not been officially
postponed yet and he will be meeting with the FAA in May.
Dave said that he, Chip, Jordan and others attended an informative Wildlife Class
in Gulf Shores and that he plans to implement a wildlife plan for the Airport.
Dave stated that he had met with Pam Caudill about the Security Plan and that he
will be updating it as needed.
Dave reported that Kyle had replaced most of the taxiway lights and they will be
working on the hangar mounted ramp lights.
Dave said that the initial clearing on the East Side is more than Kyle can do so he
stated that Kyle got an estimate of about $6,600.00 to have that clearing done
and then Kyle will be able to keep it cleared out.
Dave reported that there is some road damage on the East Side at the new
hangar construction site so he is documenting it so that he can make sure it is
corrected at the end of the construction.
Engineer's Report: Jordan Stringfellow stated that she is also suggesting that the
Airport should get a Virtower System to make sure they are getting accurate
traffic counts to report to the FAA.
Jordan stated that the latest update on the runway project (funded by
discretionary money) and the runway lighting project (funded by AIG money) that
were submitted separately, have not been given go-letters yet because there was
less discretionary money available than they had hoped. It has been
recommended that the Airport move forward with designing the projects with
entitlement funds and she should know as early as March if there was any
discretionary money left over that could be used to fund the Runway Project this
year. If it does not move forward this year having the designs ready to go will
increase the possibility that they will fund it next year.
Jordan stated that the cost to design both projects would be $372,717.78 and
that the Airport would be responsible for 5% of that which would be about
$20,000.00.
Jordan stated that she applied for a Supplemental Discretionary Fund Application
came out in January and was due by the end of January. It includes both projects
which would be funded by all discretionary funds. She should hear something
back by next month.
Jordan has not heard anything about the Terminal Building application yet but
hopes to hear something by next month.
A motion was made by Pel Henry to move forward with the design plans for the
runway and lighting projects, second by Will Bruce. After a group discussion it
was decided to table this until next month, so Pel Henry withdrew his motion.
Treasurer's Report: No Report.
Legal Report: Josh Myrick stated that he has sent a copy of a lease agreement to
a potential tenant for the Southwest Side of the Airport and then there was a
group discussion to clarify the Utility Surcharge that is assessed to new tenants on
the Southwest Side.
Josh stated that this is the time of year where new Authority members may be
added, reappointed or changed. The Mayor usually chooses a candidate and
makes a recommendation to the City Council for appointment. The Authority can
make a recommendation to the Mayor, but the Mayor is not obligated to accept
the recommendation. The appointments are made for six years. There are two
Authority Members that are at the end of their terms this year who are Vince
Boothe and Will Bruce. Their appointments will expire at the end of March.
Chip Groner stated that Don Ward has graciously accepted to serve as a
replacement for Vince Boothe for the next six years and Will Bruce would be
willing to be reappointed for another six-year term, so Chip asked for a motion to
recommend Don Ward and Will Bruce to the Mayor for appointment. Vince
Boothe made a motion to recommend Don Ward and Will Bruce to the Mayor for
appointment, second by Pel Henry and unanimously passed.
Board Discussion/Approval Requests: Chip Groner stated that the dues for the
Aviation Council of Alabama for $750.00 are due and will be paid.
Chip reported that he and Nick VanHouten met with Richard of Continental
Aerospace on February 10th regarding negotiations for the North Hangar and they
plan to have monthly meetings.
Chip asks if there was any interest in voting for the Virtower System which has a
free install'ation cost and a monthly fee of $500.00. A motion was made by Will
Bruce to have the Chairman, Chip Groner, enter into negotiations for Vir tower,
second by Pel Henry. Chip Groner, Pel Henry, Will Bruce, and Vince Boothe all
voted "Aye", and Jack Burrell voted "Nay".
Chip stated that the hiring of Martinere's to do the clearing on the East Side
would be tabled until next month.
Other Business: No Report.
Comments from the general Public: No Report.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:17PM.
Chip Groner, Chairman