HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-17-2008 Regular MeetingThe Fairhope Airport Authority met Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 3:30 PM at
the City Administration Building, 161 N. Section Street
Present: Chuck Zunk, Chairman; Charles Bassett, Ken Knutsen, Joe
McEnerney, Mike Ford. David Bagwell, Attorney; Betty Rivenbark,
Secretary. Absent: No one.
The minutes of the April 15, 2008 meeting were duly considered and
approved on motion by Charlie Bassett, 2"d by Ken Knutsen and
unanimously carried.
2008 Festival of Flight — Charlie Bassett gave a report on the 2008 Festival
of Flight. He said the weather turned out beautiful and we had the biggest
crowd yet. He said the article on the front page of the paper Saturday
morning about the C-17 helped draw the crowd. He said money wise we
took in about 80,000 and spent about 80,000, we are still waiting on the
remainder of the money the city had promised and that the county gave us
29,000. The reception was nice but as far as the money spent on it there
was not anyone there who had not been there before. We may end up with
a little bit of a surplus.
2009 Festival of Flight — Discussion was held on whether or not we should
do this as a yearly event, will the crowd be burnt out, will we get funding.
There were no obvious answers to these questions. Charlie said the
committee had some ideas about raising the money privately that they
want to pursue. Consensus was there is no answer at this time.
Aviation Services Training Academy — Chuck mentioned that the Baldwin
County Board of Education is looking into implementing a program at a high
school level that you can take classes and get certified and continue
courses in college on FAA related jobs.
Segers Aero Corp. — Chuck mentioned the recent sale of the Crestview Aero
space to Segers Aero Corp. and that this will mean 80-100 jobs coming to
the area. He did point out that this did not include runway access.
FY2008 Grant Status — Chuck reported that at the last City Council meeting
the Mayor was authorized to sign the $95,111 FAA grant and it was returned
to them. He said further that the state will send matching funds in the
amount of $2,503 and this money will be applied towards expenses we have
on the taxiway and AWOS.
AWOS Update — Chuck said this is in construction on the west side of the
old taxiway. He told of the construction process saying we had to clear land
around the pad and then mount the different parts plus antennae on it. He
said the time line for completing this project is the end of this month and also
mentioned that if we don't finish it by then the money will go away. He said
it is a 3 phase operation.
Land Use Planning — Discussion was held on Land Use Planning. Chuck
passed out sketches prepared by Volkert & Associates whom we had hired
to develop a land use plan, showing the master land use plan with lot sizes
and a layout of the proposed buildings with acreage on the property.
Lisa Hanks came into the meeting at 4:00 Pm
Land Use Planning — Charles Bassett presented the final draft from Volkert.
He asked them to look at the second from the last page — layout of the lots.
This is the Mason McGowin property that was purchased. He stated that
there were non -aviation lots and aviation lots.
Mr. Knutsen said he wants Volkert to complete the design. What will it take
to complete the engineering design? Mr. Bassett replied this was a
development plan, a sequencing plan. We have six parcels that functionally
we could market now.
Councilmember Ford asked have we been contacted about these lots. Mr.
Zunk stated that the Tanker Project has brought interest to us. The pink
buildings are not for sale and are for lease only. We still want control, so
they won't be sold. We have been contacted by developers or affiliates who
want to do a theme area. They want to tailor the whole area around one
thing. A Research and Development Park was another suggestion. If we go
this way, we will have to tailor it toward the end use.
Mr. Knutsen said we should ask Volkert to come up with a total price and
plant for one part; i.e. Westside. Why can't we ask how much the whole
thing will cost?
Councilmember Ford told Mr. Zunk if he knows three people with different
ideas and can partner with them; ask what their suggestions/ideas for
development are. Mr. Knutsen inquired as to how many lots we have to sell
to pay off the $8.0 million.
Councilmember Ford suggested the Airport Authority take the $25,000 or
extra savings from interest and maybe put it in a Sinking Fund. We could
have it in a contingency fund where you can not touch it.
Mr. McEnerney said that is a great step for our plan. Mr. Zunk stated this is
helpful and it gives Charlie and me something to show interested people.
Mr. Knutsen said this is not a plan; we need to start working on a plan. Mr.
Zunk stated we need to tell Volkert to go ahead with press. If we carry out
the next step with them, what would the cost be?
KJ
Interest payments on bond issues — Mr. Zunk reported that this is a year-to-
date basis. We have approximately $50,000 favorable. We previously
returned $25,000 to the City Council. We should have an additional $25,000
in the fourth quarter and there is $25,000 realized at this time for a total of
$75,000 at year end. Are we going to return the money to the City?
Councilmember Ford replied we gave $25,000 back and some wanted it for
the Trailblazers.
Mr. Knutsen agreed with the Sinking Fund idea. Mr. Bassett suggested we
hold money and invest in Airport. This would help market the property to
make more money for the Airport.
Bond issue — Construction Trust Account Status - Mr. Zunk stated that the
proceeds are earmarked for construction. When we draw on that account,
we must prove it is for construction. The AWOS project will be partly funded
by the remainder of the money in the account.
Treasurer's Report — Mr. McEnerney mentioned the April and May bills were
on the table for their perusal. He went over the financial statements and
asked for questions. He said they were a little short in May due probably
from the Festival of Flights.
New Business — None.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:49 p.m.
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