HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-19-2024 Fairhope Airport Authority Meeting MinutesMinutes of Fairhope Airport Authority
November 19, 2024
The Fairhope Airport Authority met November 19, 2024 at 5:00PM in the City of
Fairhope Council Chambers at 161 N Section Street.
Present: Don Ward, Chairman, Pel Henry, Len Strickland, Chip Groner, Amy
Pearson, Jack Burrell, and Will Bruce. Also present was Josh Myrick, Attorney
and Dave Friedel, Airport Manager. Cynthia A Boothe took the Minutes.
The Minutes of the October 8, 2024 regular meeting were considered and
approved with a motion by Pel Henry, second by Len Strickland and
unanimously passed .
Legal Report: Josh Myrick stated that there was a discussion last month
about reducing the liability requirements for insurance for Flightline First. He
stated that he had received a copy of the insurance policy from Titan who is
backstopping the insurance for Flightline First and after reviewing it feels that
the backstop policy is sufficient to allow for the reduction in liability
requirements for Flightline First.
Josh stated that in the Minimum Standards it states that any business entity
performing Commercial Operations at the Airport must have a Commercial
Operator Permit. Flightline First and Continental Aerospace are the two
tenants that are doing Commercial Operations at the Airport. The City of
Fairhope will be working with Josh and the Airport to make sure that if anyone
requesting a Business License at a location at the Airport for Commercial
Operations also has their Commercial Operators Permit. Josh has the
Commercial Operator Permit Application from Continental Aerospace and
would request that the Authority approve that resolution tonight. He also
received the Application from Flightline First today but does not have their
resolution ready for tonight. He will have it ready for the next meeting. After
Don Ward read the resolution for Continental Aerospace's Commercial
Operator Permit a motion was made by Jack Burell for approval, second by Pel
Henry and unanimously passed .
Airport Manager's Report: Dave Friedel reported the traffic count for
October is estimated at 5,100. The Vertower has been down until recently so
October and November counts will be estimated.
The transition went very smoothly overall, and Continental collected October
T-hangar rent and split the month with the Airport Authority.
The T-hangar leases and paperwork to transition from Continental to the
Airport Authority with payments to be made by ACH or Credit Card is almost
complete.
The Environmental Inspection of the fuel farm area came back with no issues.
Rebel Services made some repairs to address immediate issues and replaced
some hoses and questionable valves. Don Ward stated that the cost for these
repairs was about $20,000.00 and the Airport Authority is paying half of the
cost and Flightline is paying the other half.
Dave received a quote from Perry Brothers to reline the inside of the fuel tanks
and repaint the outside of the tanks for $64,410.00.
Dave stated that he had received a quote for $26,00000 to move the west side
fence up to the fire station and move the T-hangar gate there. A group
discussion about exact location and gate access then followed.
Dave reported that hotel blocks for the Air Race Classic set for June are split
between The Hampton Inn and The Holiday Inn Express.
Dave also reported that in October the City swept the Airport over 3 nights. All
taxiways, runways, and ramps were swept.
The Taxiway Lighting Project kicked off Friday with a bid opening this Friday.
The PAPI lights are back up. The AWOS is NOTAMD out, so AT&T was
contacted. AT&T checked the phone and said that the line is fine so Dave will .
meet the AWOS technician who is bringing a new radio to see if they are able
to fix it.
Flightline First Report: Ethan reported that for October 15th through October
31st, 4,350 gallons of AV Gas was sold, and 18,200 gallons of Jet A was sold .
From November 1st to today, 1,600 gallons of AV Gas was sold, and 18,000
gallons of Jet A was sold .
Ethan wanted to remind everyone that the Grand Opening for the Terminal
Building will be December 4th at 1 0:00AM .
Engineer's Report: Jordan Stringfellow stated that she does not have any
news yet about the Runway Project but should know more by the next
meeting. She said that there will probably be some environmental reviews
needed once the grant is awarded.
Jordan submitted and went over a Terminal Building cost breakdown showing
all the cost and funding involved with the construction of the Terminal
Building.
Jordan mentioned that the bids for the Taxiway Lighting Project will be opened
Friday at 1 0:00AM .
Jordan stated that White-Spunner had reached out to her about extending the
pad for the ROI fuel farm to make it easier for the fuel trucks to get in and out
after fuel deliveries. After a group discussion, it was decided to table this
item until the next meeting.
Jordan stated that Volkert's contract with the Airport Authority expired in
February of this year, and they have been working on an as needed basis since
then. In order to accept grant dollars there is a Grant Assurance with every
FAA Grant that says that the Authority solicited an Engineer through a Public
RFQ process. Si nce the Volkert contract has expired, the Authority will need
to go through the RFQ process and select an Engineer. Jordan will send an
example to the Authority of what the advertisement needs to include in the
RFQ.
Treasurer's Report: Amy Pearson said that she and Kathy are still working on
the ACH and Credit Card set-up so that payments can be made without any
problems .
Board Discussion/Approval Requests: Don Ward stated that the Ribbon
Cutting will be on December 4th at 1 0:00AM. The Mayor is supposed to be
there to cut the ribbon, and he hopes everyone will be able to be there.
Other Business: Chip Groner stated that Gulf Shores Airport will start Airline
Service in May 2025.
Pel Henry stated that this month was the first time that the leases are all due
in November so Dave Friedel will be reaching out to all outstanding lease
holders to remind them.
Comments from Advisory Council Members: No Report.
Comments from the General Public: No Report.
Adjournment: A motion was made by Len Strickland to adjourn the meeting,
second by Pel Henry and unanimously passed.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:59PM.
7~t--P
Don Ward, Chairman
ft:ft!!i~~ S bmi~by CynthiaABo-Ote