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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-15-2016 Regular MeetingMinutes of Fairhope Airport Authority November 15, 2016 The Fairhope Airport Authority met November 15, 2016 at 4:30PM in the Delchamps Suite, Room 1, in the Civic Center at 161 N Section Street Present: Joe McEnerney, Chairman, Jack Burrell, Chip Groner, Tom Scheck, Vince Boothe, Ray Hix, and Pam Caudill. Also present were Josh Myrick, Airport attorney and Mayor Karin Wilson. Cynthia A Boothe took the minutes. The minutes of the October 18, 2016 were considered and approved on a motion by Vince Boothe, second by Chip Groner and unanimously passed. Update on the planning for NASAO Conference in Fairhope-September 2017: Pam Caudill reported that she has been working with Dr. John Eagerton (Chief of the Alabama Aeronautics Bureau) and Tracey MacDonald (NASAO event manager) to develop a tentative schedule for NASAO conference. Sherry Sullivan and Christina Hellmich with ES Chamber of Commerce have also been working on the planning for the conference. NASAO will be seeking corporate sponsors to support the event. Vince Boothe made a motion to move item #8 to the next item as Jack Burrell has to leave early for another meeting. A second was made by Pam Caudill and it was unanimously passed. Review and approval of the winning Proposal to refinance the Airport Authority's $7,445,629 existing debt: Joe McEnerney reported he had reviewed the four refinancing proposals submitted with Mike Robbins and Josh Myrick and they felt that the proposals with the best rates and most favorable terms for the Authority were the proposals from PNC Bank and BBVA Compass. After a group discussion a motion was made by Ray Hicks to delay a decision for 30 days to explore other options. A second was made by Pam Caudill and unanimously passed. Update of the survey of Airport hangar customers: Pam Caudill reviewed with the Board a survey and questionnaire she had developed to get input from airport customers. The survey also solicits information from businesses about their current usage of the airport. She asked for any input from the Board members be given to her in the next week so that she can distribute the survey and report the survey results at the December meeting. Report on the proposed expansion of the Aviation Academy's welding lab: Joe McEnerney stated that the Academy now has 45 students in the welding lab and has outgrown its current space. Faulkner would like to build an addition to the current welding space at a cost of around $60,000. Joe stated that he would review the construction plans with the Board members before construction begins. Update and report on AT&T's purchase of an easement at the airport: No report at this time. Review and Approval of the 2017 AIP project and FAA future project priorities: Joe McEnerney stated that the Airport Authority plans to apply for a grant for approximately $2,350,000 to continue construction on the east side expansion project. The grant will also include around $160,000 to reimburse the Authority for the cost of the land on the east side. This reimbursement would partially pay down the Authority's bank debt. He also stated that we should know by July of 2017 whether or not the FFA has approved the grant. Jack Burrell made a motion to go forward with the grant application, second by Chip Groner and unanimously passed. Update and status of the east side construction project: Joe McEnerney stated that he receives weekly reports on the construction progress and that the project is going well and is about 9.0% complete. Discussion of the development of the west side of the airport: Phillip Hodgson of Coldwell Banker Realty, Lee Lawson, President of BCEDA and Howard Hadley, past General Manager of Segers attended the meeting and each shared their ideas of what the business owners and corporations want when they make decisions about relocating businesses. Lee and Howard emphasized the need for an existing commercial building at the Airport. After their presentations there was a question and answer period with the Authority members. Treasurer's Report: Ray Hix reported that the financials were in good order. Public Comments: Some local citizens stated concerns about continued noise from aircraft flying in the area. After their comments there was an active discussion between the board members and the audience to try to resolve this ongoing problem. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:13PM.