HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-12-2021 Regular MeetingCommittee:
Date & Time:
Place:
Subject:
Public Meeting Notice
Fairhope Airport Authority
Tuesday, October 12 at 5:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
161 North Section Street
General Discussion
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Minutes of Fairhope Airport Authority
October 12, 2021
The Fairhope Airport Authority met October 12, 2021, at 5:00PM in the City
Council Chambers at 161 N Section Street.
Present: Don Lagarde, Chairman, Jack Burrell, Pel Henry, Vince Boothe, Chip
Groner, Will Bruce and Amy Pearson. Also present was Josh Myrick, Attorney.
Cynthia A Boothe took the minutes.
The Minutes of the September 14, 2021 meeting were considered and approved
with a motion by Pel Henry, second by Will Bruce and unanimously passed.
Continental Aerospace Report: Nick VanHouten reported that traffic is up at the
Airport as well as fuel sales. He also stated that the Net Jet Fund raiser was
cancelled. Don Lagarde stated that he, Chip Groner and Mayor Sherry Sullivan
met with Continental Officials about the Airports relations with Continental and
the upcoming 2% surcharge. Don then gave Nick a copy of the letter that
Continental's Attorney, Stephen Ginger, wrote to the Authority in response to the
letter of lease deficiencies sent to Continental by the Authority stating that
Continental could be prepared to leave the Airport by June 30, 2022. He also
gave Nick a copy of the letter that Josh Myrick wrote in response to Mr Ginger's
letter stating that the Airport Authority accepted their proposed leave date. He
asked Nick to give Ms Karen Hong, interim CEO for Continental, the copies of
these letters in case she was not aware of the details of the correspondence. Josh
Myrick stated that the original letter to cure deficiencies was addressed to the
President of Continental Aerospace and in Mr Ginger's letter he specifically states
that Continental referred this issue to him for response. Josh stated that Mr
Ginger's representation created the impression that Mr Ginger was expressly
delegated with the authority on behalf of Continental to extend the offer in his
letter.
Airport Operations: Chip Groner reported that all the runway lights are working
except the north end taxiway lights and one papi light. Kyle is fixing the papi light
and Moody's will be fixing the north end taxiway lights.
Sliding Gate Report: Pel Henry reported that the contractor was getting
everything ready to start the project and needs the engineer to set the location
for the posts.
Engineer's Report: Jordan Stringfellow stated that there is still a little discussion
to be done for the power supply but the location for the posts will be at the north
end of the apron. Hank Eubanks stated that after the Authority approved the new
design for the Terminal Building and site plan, he reached out to GMC for pricing
of the changes to be made to the Terminal Building and they came back with a
cost of $19,950.00. The cost for Volkert to make the changes to the site layout
and infrastructure changes the cost will be $8,461.00. After a group discussion a
motion was made by Jack Burrell to approve the expenses of $19,950.00 to GMC
for building modifications and $8,461.00 to Volkert for site layout and
infrastructure changes, second by Pel Henry and unanimously passed.
Hank stated that the Authority' intention to build T-hangars had been put on hold
and he was wanting to know if the Authority was still wanting to keep that on
hold. After a group discussion it was decided to keep the building of T-hangars on
hold for now due to the high cost of construction.
Hank reported that the Preapplication for the $150,000.00 grant for 2022 has
been submitted and the Mayor has approved it. He stated that they should
receive a go letter by the end of the year.
Hank said that he has gotten several calls from private individuals about wanting
copies the East Side layout plan. He is reluctant to do so as the layout has
changed several times and has not been finalized to date . After a group
discussion it was decided that Jack Burrell, Chip Groner and Don Lagarde would
form a committee to finalize a layout plan for the East Side.
Treasurer's Report: Amy Pearson went over the revisions that were made to the
proposed budget presented last month. After a short discussion a motion was
made by Vince Boothe to approve the revised budget, second by Chip Groner and
unanimously passed. Amy then went over the budget preliminary figures for the
next four years.
Legal Report: Josh Myrick reported that a letter notifying the operators at the
Ai r port that the 2% surcharge has taken effect had not gone out yet and feels the
start date should be changed to give the operators sufficient time to plan for the
charge. After a group discussion, a motion was made by Jack Burrell to waive the
fees for October 2021 and November 2021 and to start the surcharge beginning
December 1, 2021, second by Pel Henry. Don Lagarde, Pel Henry, Jack Burrell,
Chip Groner, Will Bruce and Amy Pearson all voted 'Aye', Vince Boothe abstained .
Josh introduced Diana Rollins who works for Walt Bolton about wanting a ground
lease to build a hangar . Ms Rollins stated that she works for B&B Group, LLC
which is owned by Walt Bolton and stated that a request has been made to Josh
Myrick and Don Lagarde for two different lease spaces for Mr Bolton and would
like to move forward with the leases as soon as possible . Don Lagarde stated that
the committee to finalize a final layout plan would meet as soon as possible and
then the revisions would be made by Hank Eubanks before the Authority will have
a corrected layout showing available lots .
Discussion of ACA Convention: Russ Kilgore of the Airport Authority Advisory
Committee gave a brief overview of the upcoming convention and encouraged
the Authority members to attend .
Other Business: Chip Groner stated that during the meeting he and Don had with
Ms Hong that Continental is resistant to paying the 2% surcharge stating that they
cannot afford it. Jack Burrell stated that the surcharge is a pass along charge to
customers and that the Airport Authority should stand behind their decision to
implement the surcharge . Don commented that there are two planes parked and
tied down on the East Side for the last several months without paying tiedown
rent . Jack made a motion for Don to work with Josh to help find a remedy for the
situation, second by Will Bruce and unanimously passed .
There being no further business a motion was made by Vince Boothe to adjourn ,
second by Pel Henry and unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 6:45PM .
Don Lagarde, Chairman