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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-08-2021 Regular MeetingCommittee: Date & Time: Place: Subject: Public Meeting Notice Fairhope Airport Authority Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Council Chambers 161 North Section Street General Discussion Notice must be stamped, dated and initialed before posted on bulletin board. Pos=rEo Minutes of Fairhope Airport Authority June 8, 2021 The Fairhope Airport Authority met June 8, 2021, at 5:00PM in the City Council Chambers at 161 N Section Street. Present: Don Lagarde, Chairman, Amy Pearson, Will Bruce, Chip Groner and Vince Boothe. Jack Burrell was absent. Also present was Josh Myrick, Attorney. Cynthia A Boothe took the minutes. The Minutes of the May 6, 2021 were considered and Amy Pearson asked that the item "Vote to accept the $600,300.00 of ALDOT grant money for a new FBO on the East Side" be amended to "Vote to submit preapplication for $600,300.00 of ALDOT grant money for a new FBO on the East Side". Vince Boothe made a motion to approve the Minutes as amended, second by Chip Groner and it unanimously passed. Fairhope Airport Operations multiple topics: Chip Groner stated that about half of the taxiway lights are out, but the electric repairman is working on a resolution. Chip also stated that he had met with Pam Caudill and Nick VanHouten about the Security Plan for the Airport. They decided on a few changes which Pam amended and she has sent copies to Nick and Chip for approval. Once approved Chip said that he would like to send an electronic copy to all hangar tenants. Chip stated that since there are no cameras on the main entry gate and on the East Side that the Authority should consider that. Also, Pam suggested the South Ramp should have designated parking marked and a pathway marked to the main building and Don Lagarde suggested possibly adding a directional sign. Don Lagarde asked Chip about fencing the fuel farm and Chip stated that it would not have to be done now but it is something that they should have so that everything south of the fuel farm would be back behind the fence. Don Lagarde stated that there will be gates installed at the entrance to County Road 32, County Road 13, the fire house, next to Ray Hix's hangar and Bishop Road and asked for imput by the Authority members as to how they want to handle the installations. Update on 20 T-hangars to be built: Vince Boothe stated that the cost of steel has increased tremendously and that the Authority may want to pursue doing only the site work at this time and wait to build the hangars until the price of steel goes down. He also made a recommendation to refund the deposits made to secure hangar spaces until the Authority is ready to build. Hank Eubanks of Volkert Engineering said that they were about 90% done with the sitework design and if approved they can put the design out for bid in a couple of weeks. Once they have the bid prices the Authority can decide if refunds need to be made and will have figures to back up the decision. Vince stated that the Authority needs to speak with Jack Burrell about financing for the sitework. The sitework for the FBO was also discussed and Hank stated that the Authority should be able to get 50% reimbursement from ALDOT for the site work and wait to build the FBO until prices go down. Discussion of Larry Rice's request: Don Lagarde stated that he received a letter from Larry Rice, head of security for Medical Properties Trust, stating that some of the pilots that work for Mr Aldag, the owner of Medical Properties Trust, are concerned about the weight of the aircraft that they are bringing into the Fairhope Airport and are inquiring if they can get a letter from the Authority stating that they have the Authority's permission to land at the Airport even if they are over the weight limit for the runway. Josh Myrick, Attorney for the Authority, stated that he felt that the Airport should not respond to this request for a letter and after a group discussion it was agreed by all that the Authority should go by Josh Myrick's recommendation. Don Lagarde asked Hank Eubanks to address the Authority about what is needed to get the runway widened and strengthened so that these larger and heavier aircraft can be accommodated at the Airport. Hank stated that if the Authority can get corporations with larger aircraft to write letters stating how many operations that they expect to have yearly using these aircraft, then he can take that information to the FAA to show significant justification that the Airport meets the requirements needed to move up to a class 3 Airport and possibly get the strengthening and widening project moved to a date sooner than was originally planned. Engineer's Report: Jordan Stringfellow stated that the ALP has been sent to the FAA & ALDOT and they are waiting for their comments. Continental Aerospace Report: Nick VanHouten reported that things are going well at the Airport and mentioned the security meeting he had with Chip Groner and Pam Caudill and the changes they would like to make. Nick also reported that they are trying to work out a few problems with the Naval training group that is using the Airport right now. Nick stated that the Thompson Tractor event went very well, and they had 17 jets and 3 smaller aircraft for the event. It was reported that the cost of fuel keeps going up and is double what it was last year. Nick stated that they are trying to change the fuel prices only once a month but are monitoring the cost closely. Nick said he talked to several vendors about a self-serve fuel tank and the set up for that service with a 10,000-gallon tank would cost about $72,000.00. Report from Airport consultant: Jason Wilson reported that the information on the Hazard Mitigation grant for the Emergency Preparedness Facility has been updated and now has all the correct figures included. He is now waiting on a letter from the State Police for the application . Jason stated that that there is interest being shown on the 70 acres on the East Side, but no offers have been extended yet. Treasurer's Report: Amy Pearson reported that the financials were in good order and went over the monthly income and expense figures. Attorney's Report: Josh Myrick reported that he had made the amendments to the Chapman and McNeill leases, and they should be signed within the next week to ten days. Josh also reported that he has the final version of the 2% surcharge document and will bring it to the July meeting for approval. Update on website: Will Bruce stated that the only thing lacking now on the website is the exact wording the Authority wants on each of the pages and asked the Authority members for imput. After that the website should be up and online within a few days. Other Business: A_my Pearson stated that she wanted to wish Will Bruce a Happy Birthday, and everyone present joined in with Birthday wishes for him. There being no further business, a motion was made by Vince Boothe to adjourn, second by Chip Groner and unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 PM.