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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-10-2024 Fairhope Airport Authority MinutesI I I Minutes of Fairhope Airport Authority December 10, 2024 The Fairhope Airport Authority met Nobember19, 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, and Will Bruce . Amy Pearson and Jack Burrell were absent. Also present was Josh Myrick, Attorney, and Dave Friedel, Airport Manager. Cynthia A Boothe took the Minutes. The Minutes of the _November 19, 2024 regular meeting were considered and approved with a motion by Pel Henry, second by Len Strickland and unanimously passed. Airport Manager's Report: Dave Friedel reported that the traffic count estimate for November, 2024 was 5,000. Dave is waiting for a quote for the replacement of the AWOS radio but estimates it will be between $5,000.00 to $7,000.00. Dave stated that he will be working with Jordan to see what area around the AWOS needs to have trees cleared and getting quotes to have the clearing done. Dave reported that after last month's discussion, that gate cards can be acquired for approximately $5 .00 to $7.00 each. He will talk to the LRG tech who installed all of Flightline's IT equipment about costs for all gate access controls. Don Ward stated that Erik Cortinas, Building Official, told him and Pel Henry that as part of the Terminal Building Permit, that the gate is required to have a sensor that will allow emergency vehicles to enter. Dave stated that the East Side gate does have a sensor so one will also be needed to be installed on the West Side. I I I Dave stated that the plans for the Air Race Classic will be ramping up in January and that he and Pam Caudill met with the Fairhope Community Outreach Coordinator and the Director of Community Affairs about the upcoming event. He also stated that he and Pam are having bi-weekly meetings with the ARC staff to make sure that they are on track with the plans. Dave stated that he sent a request to Perry Brothers about scheduling the tank refurbishment and is waiting to hear back from them. Pel Henry inquired about outstanding leases and Dave stated that he and Kathy are working on getting the last few lease payments collected. Flightline First Report: Ethan McDonald stated that the grand opening for the new Terminal Building was a big success and there was a good turnout for the event. He thanked everyone who was able to attend the ribbon cutting. Ethan reported that for the month of November, 3,800 gallons of AV Gas was sold for $6.99 a gallon, and 25,200 gallons of Jet-A was sold for $6.75 a gallon. Ethan stated that Flightline First is in negotiations with Aspire Aviation to start a flight school in the old FBO location on the West Side and Flightline First is . excited about their proposal. Engineer's Report: Jordan Stringfellow stated that Volkert received two bids for the Taxiway Lighting Project, one from Moody Electric and the second bid from R G Tenny. Moody Electric came in with the low bid of a little over 1.3 million dollars. The base bid was for the replacement of the Taxiway lights, alternate one was to replace the signs and add a few more signs, alternate two was to replace the light on top of the beacon, and alternate three was to replace the PAPI lights. After talking with the FAA, they are pretty confident that the Airport will receive the grant for the Runway Rehab and Lighting project which includes the beacon light and the PAPI lights, so her recommendation is to move forward with the base bid and signs only on the Taxiway Lighting Project. This project is being paid for with AIG money and the Runway Project will be paid for with Discretionary Funds, so leaving the PAPI Lights and beacon light on the Runway Rehab project will leave the Airport more AIG money to use on other projects. After Jordan went over the cost I I I estimates for the project and a group discussion, a motion was made by Len Strickland to have Jordan apply for the Taxiway Lighting and signs grant, second by Chip Groner and unanimously passed. Treasurer's Report: No Report. Legal Report: Josh Myrick stated that he has already spoken with Don Ward about sending out an RFP for Engineering Services which the FAA likes to have done about every four or five years. After the responses are received, the top three most qualified responses will be interviewed and then a selection will be made. Josh said that he has the Flightline First Commercial Operator Permit Application to operate as the Airport's FBO. This application is needed to comply with the Airport's Minimum Standards. A motion was made by Len Strickland to approve the application, second by Chip Groner and unanimously passed. Josh stated that he had also spoken with Don about additional paving that RDI would like to do at the Fuel Farm pad. He said that there would need to be a written agreement for this project. No one from ROI was present at the meeting so Don Ward stated that they would wait for ROI to come before the Authority at a meeting to discuss it further. Board Discussion/Approval Requests: No Report. Other Business: Quintin Oupper of Aspire Aviation gave a presentation of his proposal for a Flight School at the Fairhope Airport including what services they will be offering to students. He also stated his personal experience in aviation. This was followed by a question-and-answer group discussion. Chip Groner stated that on February 21, 2025 in Gulf Shores that the Aviation Council and the General Aviation Alliance of Alabama will be giving an Airport Managers Forum . He said that they had held these forums in the past in different locations in the state and that they also invite FBOs, Mayors and City Council Members from Cities in the area of the forum. I I I Comments from Advisory Council Members: Russ Kilgore stated that Flightline has started a First Class Upgraded Welcome Mat to people coming into Fairhope and that he enjoyed the grand opening and the coffee machine. Comments from the General Public: Don Lagarde stated that he is in partnership with Zack Bell on lot P-20 and they have gotten their permit for the first building and have started construction. Adjournment: A motion was made by Pel Henry to Adjourn, second by Len Strickland and unanimously passed . There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:50 PM. ~ Don Ward, Chairman