HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-14-2023 Fairhope Airport Authority MinutesMinutes of the Fairhope Airport Authority
November 14, 2023
The Fairhope Airport Authority met November 14, 2023 at 5:00PM in the City Hall
Council Chambers at 161 N Section Street.
Present: Pel Henr y, Chairman, Will Bruce, Jack Burrell , Don Lagarde and Don
Ward. Chip Groner and Amy Pearson were absent. Also present was Josh Myrick ,
Attorney. Cynthia A Boothe took the minutes.
The Minutes of the October 10 , 2023 regular meeting were considered and
approved with a motion by Don Lagarde, second by Don Ward and unanimously
passed.
Continental Aerospace Report: Paula Hembree was unable to attend so Pel Henry
stated that Continental is still having phone problems that they are working to
resolve.
Airport Manager's Operations Report: Dave Friedel reported that the insurance
claim for lightning damage will only cover the East Gate so after the $5,000.00
deductible on the policy, the Authority should receive a payment for the
remaining $2,700.00. The East Gate is now repaired and has been working well
for the last three weeks or so.
Dave also reported that the AWOS has also been fixed and seems to be working
correctly.
Dave stated that the FAA Southeast Regional Airport Conference was a couple of
weeks ago and he reported that some Volkert employees were there also. He said
that there was a lot of good information shared.
Dave reported that the traffic count for October was 5,079. The total for the last
six months was 38,300.
Engineer's Report: Pel Henry reported for Jordan who is away at a convention
that the Airport Ter minal Project is pushing forward, and they should be pour ing
the foundation next week. Jordan is still waiting to hear from the FAA if the
Runway Rehab Project and Lighting Project has been approved. Jordan is working
with 68 Ventures and Crucible Construction on how big a hangar they want to
build on Lot P19. There has also been a lease reservation for Lot P26. Pel also
reported that the Duncan Gillis lease has been signed.
Treas urer's Report: No Report.
Legal Report: Josh My rick reported that the draft of the Continental Lease is
under way and will be discussed more in the Executive Session. The GOLO
Adventure lease is signed and executed and is effective as of November l 51. There
is a letter of intent for Apex Construction for Lot P20 and McChuck, LLC for Lot
P26. Josh also stated that he would be getting in touch with Jordan and Luke
about the proposal for the Phase II Environmental Assessment.
Board Discussion/Approval Requests: Pel Henry stated that he wanted to thank
Councilman Jack Burrell for working so hard to help the Authority arrange for
financing for the new Te rminal Building and really appreciates Jack's time and
efforts.
Pel stated that he has a resolution to authorize him as Chairman to execute a loan
funding agreement with the City of Fairhope that was approved last night by the
City Council. The agreement will be for up to $600,000.00 toward the Authority's
match for building of the Te rminal Building.
Jack Burrell went over the thought process that the City Council and Authority
used to arrange the financing of the loan by the City and the advantages it will
have for the City of Fairhope and the Airport Authority.
Don Ward made a motion to authorize Pel Henry as Chairman to execute a loan
funding agreement with the City of Fairhope consistent with the resolution passed
and signed by the City Council on Monday, second by Will Bruce and unanimously
passed.
Other Business: No Report.
Comments from the Advisory Council Members: Will Bruce read the list of the
Advisory Council Members, Vince Boothe, Chairman, Pam Caudill, Abe Harper,
Jeremy Hovater, Russ Kilgore , Lamar Wilson, Corey Martin and Len Strickland. Will
then asked for the members present to say a few words.
Pam Caudill-Pam stated that she had served on the Authority and is glad to now
be on the Advisory Board.
Abe Harper-Abe stated that he feels privileged and honored to serve on the
advisory board as he loves aviation.
Jeremy Hovater-Jeremy stated that he is the CFO of Segers who owns 57 acres
near the Airport. He appreciates being able to serve and hopes to be involved and
helpful on the advisory board.
Russ Kilgore-Russ joked that he appreciates the continued opportunity to keep his
mouth shut-mostly.
Pel Henry stated that he looks forward to working with all the members of the
advisory board.
Comments from the General Public (limit of 3 minutes): Pel recognized two
members of the Jr City Council, Will and Jill who were attending the meeting.
Jesse Patterson, who was attending the meeting, asked questions about the new
Terminal Building that is under construction including the uses of the building and
the funding of the construction. He also asked about the costs of the lease
agreements and for access to the leases. He then questioned the uses of the
McNeil hangar, and that he felt they were going against FAA rules. Jack Burrell,
Will Bruce, Don Ward, Pel Henry, Don Lagard e and Josh Myrick all responded to
his questions and Jack and Josh both stated that they would help get the
information he is requesting.
Move to Executive Session to discuss North Hangar Lease Draft: Josh Myrick
stated that a motion was needed to move to Executive Session. He said the
purpose of the Executive Session is to discuss the consideration the Authority is
willing to accept for a lease. He also stated that the Session should take about 20
to 30 minutes and that when the Authority Members returned from the Ex ecutive
Session, that no other business would be conducted, and the Authority would
adjourn the meeting. A motion was made by Jack Burrell to move to Executive
Session to discuss the consideration the Authority would except for a lease, which
qualifies under the Open Meeting Act, for 20 to 30 minutes at which time the
Authority does not anticipate conducting any more business and would adjourn
the meeting, second by Don Ward and unanimously passed. The Authority moved
to Executive Session at 5:42PM.
Return From Executive Session: The Authority returned to the meeting at
6:15PM.
Adjournment: Jack Burrell made a motion to adjourn the meeting, second by Don
Ward and unanimously passed. There being no further business the meeting was
adjourned at 6:16PM. W4=--Pel Henry, Chairman
Subm-�nthia A Boothe