HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-14-2023 Fairhope Airport Authority Meeting MinutesMinutes of Fairhope Airport Authority
March 14, 2023
The Fairhope Airport Authority met March 14, 2023 at 5:00PM in the City Hall
Council Chambers at 161 N Section Street.
Present: Pel Henry, Acting Chairman, Vince Boothe, Don Lagarde, Will Bruce, Jack
Burrell and Amy Pearson. Chip Groner was absent. Also Present was Josh Myrick,
Attorney. Cynthia A Boothe took the minutes.
The Minutes of the February 14, 2023 regular meeting were considered and
approved with a motion by Don Lagarde, second by Vince Boothe and
unanimously passed.
Wagner Fuel Farm Information Presentation: Brandon Miller of White-Spunner
Construction and Sarah Hicks of Partner Architecture presented an overview of
where the Fuel Farm for Mr Wagner's Hangar would be located. Vince Boothe
made a suggestion that would make the tank more accessible for the fuel trucks,
which was agreeable with Brandon and Sarah. After a group discussion, Vince
made a motion to have Jordan Stringfellow of Volkert Engineering work with
Brandon and Sarah to make the necessary changes to the layout plan for the East
Side to move the location of the Wagner Fuel Farm to make the tank more
accessible and bring it back to the Authority for approval, second by Will Bruce
and unanimously passed.
Jason Stanley-Detailing Business Proposal: Jason Stanley stated that he was
interested in offering washing, detailing and ceramic coating of aircraft at the
Airport and possibly renting a hangar. He was directed to get with Dave Friedel,
Airport Manager and Paula Hembree, Line Service Manager for Continental to see
what can be worked out.
Continental Aerospace Report: Paula Hembree stated that everything at the
Airport is busy and going well with good fuel sales. The Air Show had a good
turnout, but the weather hindered the usual amount of fuel sales for the event.
Airport Manager's Operations Report: Dave Friedel reported that he had put a
NOTAM on the wind sock as it is unreliable and will contact the technicians about
getting a realignment.
Dave stated that ALDOT came down for their annual inspection and were pleased
with Fairhope's Airport. They found a very few minor things that Dave will take
care of correcting.
Dave went over a·ramp lighting proposal with Moody Electric for which he got a
quote of $30,000.00. He is arranging to have another company also look at the
proposal and give him their quote. Don Lagarde suggested possibly calling AO
Electric for the second quote.
Dave spoke with the City of Fairhope's IT Director, Jeff Montgomery, about
getting email addresses for the Airport's website for any of the Authority
members who may be interested in having one. The cost would only be a few
dollars a month.
Pel Henry asked Dave what information he had learned about getting a Virtower
System for the Airport. Dave stated that there would be no long-term contract
required and they would only need to give 60 days notice to cancel. The Airport
can pay either $500.00 a month or $6,000.00 for the whole year. After a brief
group discussion, a motion was made by Vince Boothe to get the Virtower
System, second by Will Bruce and unani mously passed.
Engineer's Report: Jordan Stringfellow of Volkert Engineering briefly went over
the Runway/Lighting project design that was tabled at the last meeting. If
approved she will start the process and will have the design ready to go out for
bid between May and June and have the bids back by July, which is about the
time that any discretionary funds available would be awarded. The cost for the
design would be $372,717.78, with the Authority responsible for 5%, which would
be a little over $18,000.00. Don Lagarde made a motion to have Volkert design
the project, second by Jack Burrell and unanimously passed.
Jordan stated that she is starting on the process for moving forward with the New -
Terminal Building project that will be funded by an FAA grant for up to
$2,000,000.00. She stated that a new grant application would need to be filed
with the FAA for this project and it will be due by July. She stated that everything
on the project will need to be checked and updated, if necessary, by Volkert, GMC
and the City of Fairhope Building Department. Jordan will be getting all
paperwork ready to go out for bi ds soon in order to meet the July deadline. There
will be some cost adjustment to the fees due to inflation and the cost
adjustments by GMC & Volkert. After a group discussion, Jordan will get further
information requested by the Authority members and will work with Authority
Members and Vince Boothe to go over all the figures and changes.
Jordan stated that she is working with Duncan Gillis on his hangar project on the
Southwest Side of the Airport and with Nathan Cox for his hangar project on lots
P19 & P20 on the East Side. She is also working on the hangar project for Jacob
Cunningham on new lots just north of Lot 16A. The corner of the northernmost
lot crosses over the underground force main so Josh Myrick will put into the lease
that should the Authority need access to that line that Mr Cunningham will give
permission for that access. Jordan stated that she will be updating the East Area
layout plan to revise the fuel farm layout and to add Mr Cunningham's lots. Don
Lagarde made a motion that the Authority accept Mr Cunningham's proposal
subject to the final revision of the layout plan, second by Vince Boothe and
unanimously passed.
Treasurer's Report: Amy Pearson presented an overview of the funds that will be
needed to cover the three upcoming major projects that the Airport has coming
up on the horizon which are:
New General Aviation Terminal on the East Side
Runway Rehabilitation
Runway/Taxiway light replacement and upgrade to LED
Amy went over the cost of each project and how much the Authority will be
responsible for after all grant money has been applied. The 5% Airport Authority
portion for all 3 projects is projected to cause $474,000.00 of the $1,300,000.00
shortfall by the end of FY 2023-2024. $760,000.00 of the shortfall will be
recovered with AIG project funding over 3 subsequent years. Therefore, the
Airport Authority will request a short-term loan from the City of Fairhope to be
paid back over 5-7 years. Interest rate to be slightly above the interest rate the
City earns on their cash reserve. Following Amy's report there was a group
discussion about several factors that will lead to more cash flow for the Airport.
Legal Report: No Report.
Authority Discussion/Approval Requests: Pel Henry stated that this is Vince
Boothe's last meeting with the Authority and expressed his appreciation for
everything that he has done to help the Airport Authority. Jack Burrell
congratulated Don Ward as a new Authority member and Will Bruce as a
reappointment to the Authority approved at the City Council last night. At the
same meeting Mayor Sullivan presented Vince with a plaque for all his service to
the City on the Airport Authority, and also for his help to support children's
sports. He has given his time, talents and even his own money to help with sports
for the City as well as the schools.
Pel asked Don Lagarde to speak about the insurance coverage information. Don
reported that the insurance will be renewed with the current carrier. There will
be a 15% rise in rates, 5% deductible on each building with a minimum deduction
of $50,000.00 for each building. The Authority's agent also suggested getting a
policy for terrorism for about $14,000.00. After a brief group discussion, the
Authority decided to wait on the Terrorism policy until next year.
Pel stated that the East Side still has clearing to be done and the cost would be
$6,700.00. Jack Burrell made a motion to hire Martinere's to do the clearing for
the East Side, second by Vince Boothe and unanimously passed.
Other Business: Zachary Bell of Apex Contracting introduced himself and stated
that he was interested in bidding on the new Terminal Building and would like to
build some hangars on the East Side for rent and possibly sale. He stated that he
would also make himself available to private owners wanting to build han gars at
the Ai rport.
Jack Burrell brought a copy of a letter of support to send Mayor Sullivan for the
City's Community Project Funding Request for Representative Jerry Carl. It would
provide funding for a Commercial Park for the H L "Sonny" Callahan Airport. Don
Lagarde made a motion to have the Authority Chairman, Chip Groner, sign the
letter for Mayor Sullivan, second by Vince Boothe and unanimously passed.
Vince Boothe expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to serve on the
Airport Authority and has made many friends through the years. He stated that
he would continue to do everything he can to help the Authority behind the
scenes whenever he is needed.
Comments from the General Public: Will Bruce asked if there was any news
concerning the Civil Air Patrol needing a place to hold meetings and training.
Vince Boothe stated that he heard that they are still looking.
Adjournment: A motion was made by Vince Boothe to adjourn, second by Pel
Henry and unanimously passed. The meeting was rdjourned at 7:15PM.
g Chairman, Pel Henry