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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-11-2025 Fairhope Airport Authority Meeting MinutesMinutes of Fairhope Airport Authority March 11, 2025 The Fairhope Airport Authority met March 11, 2025 at 5:00PM in the City of Fairhope Council Chambers at 161 N Section Street. Present: Don Ward, Chairman, Pel Henry, Len Strickland, Will Bruce, Amy Pearson, Chip Groner and Jack Burrell. Also present was Josh Myrick, Attorney and Dave Friedel, Airport Manager. Cynthia A Boothe took the Minutes. The Minutes of the February 11, 2025 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 for February was 5,896, slightly up from February, 2024. Dave stated that the fly-in went well with lots of flight training on Saturday. He said that the AWOS was finally fixed on February27th, and the old radio is being evaluated to make sure it was the radio that was malfunctioning and not a power supply issue. Dave received a quote for the power line to the fuel sump pump from Paradise Electric, who fixed the fuel farm issues, for $11,459.00. He will get other quotes including Moody's who will be doing the Taxiway lighting project. Dave has Josh looking at a document entering into and agreement with the FAA and the local FAA approach in Mobile to utilize an online automated system for posting NOTAMs. They are increasing use at most airports and there is no cost for us to utilize it. We can still call in as needed, but Dave will start utilizing the automated one for most of the non-emergency NOTAMs. Don and Pel will still also have call in authorization. Dave stated that the relining of the fuel tanks will begin next week, and Coley Boone is getting quotes to insure the temporary storage tank trucks. After a brief group discussion, a motion was made by Len Strickland to have the Chairman sign the lease for the temporary storage tank trucks and negotiate the insurance needed while they are at the Airport. There was a second by Jack Burrell and it was unanimously passed. Dave reported that the fence company was contracted for Knox Box/siren system installation without moving the fence as discussed at the last meeting. The siren system has been installed, and they are waiting for the Knox Boxes from the manufacturer. They should be installed in the next week or so. Dave said that the Air Race Classic plans are ongoing. The Girl Scouts are working with Dave and Pam for an educational event. Will Bruce and Joe McEnerney are working hard to gather donations, and Carol Voss (99's) is leading the volunteers. Flightline First is also helping with the plans. Don Ward stated that there were three RFQ's for the Engineering Contract and requested that Dave Friedel, Lamar Wilson and Pel Henry review them and then bring a recommendation back to the Authority at the next meeting. Flightline First Report: Ethan McDonald reported that for the month of February, 5,200 gallons of AV-Gas was sold, and 22,000 Gallons of Jet-A was sold. He stated that the fly-in went really well last week with 13,000 gallons in fuel sales. Ethan introduced Jennifer, who is the Manager of the FBO when he is not there and is handling the Air Race Classic plans for Flightline. Ethan mentioned that Aspire has been in their new space for a few weeks and things are looking good with their renovations. Engineer's Report: Jordan Stringfellow stated that she has the resolution for the Taxiway Lighting grant that needs approval. After a brief group discussion, a motion was made by Len Strickland to approve the resolution, second by Pel Henry and unanimously passed. Jordan stated that she is working on the Seal Coat Project, and the Noise Study Project and Dave helped her get the traffic date that she needed. Jordan is working with Erik Cortinas on the AWOS clearing project. Erik stated that he is having Gina Todia, the City's consultant for wetland projects look at the area for guidance and he went over several ways the Airport could approach getting the area cleared. Jordan reported that the City has awarded the Environmental Study for the Airport Industrial Park. She stated that it will take three to four months to complete the study and then the Airport can transfer the property to the City. Treasurer's Report: Amy Pearson presented the Profit and Loss Statement for October 2024 through February 2025. She went over the items on the statement and answered questions for the Authority members. Board Discussion/Approval Requests: Don Ward stated that Chip Groner and Amy Pearson were rolling off the Authority after this meeting and he wanted to thank them both on behalf of the entire Authority for their hard work and dedication during their time serving on the Authority. Don said that the new Authority members would be Susana Freeman and Mitch Skrmetta, who were introduced by Pel Henry at the last meeting and will have their first meeting in April. Coley Boone from Thames-Batre presented the final insurance proposal for the year and went over the coverage included in the proposal. After a question-and-answer period with Authority Members, a motion was made by Pel Henry to approve the proposal, second by Len Strickland and unanimously passed. Legal Report: Josh Myrick stated that he has just received the sub-lease for Golo Adventures and will review it and inform the Authority if there needs to be any amendments. Josh stated that there had been some questions about some Part 91 commercial activity through Clear Sky at the ROI hangar and that John Browning of ROI was present at the meeting to answer any questions. John Browning addressed the Authority Members and said that he had received a letter from Josh Myrick in August 2024 concerning commercial activity. He stated that they had pilots working for them under Clear Sky and they have an office at the RDI hangar. They do services for other entities, but they did not consider that it was commercial activity. He also stated he would like to have a discussion with Josh about the SASO permit application as he felt some of the wording was ambiguous. Mr Browning asked Josh if the 2% surcharge could be applied starting January 1, 2025 because before that they were not tracking flights, and he did not think it was very much activity. Josh Myrick stated that any "Commercial Activity" at the Airport is subject to the 2% surcharge and should be equally applied as part of the FAA grant Assurances. After a group discussion, all agreed to work on a solution for this matter and bring it back to the next meeting. Other Business: No Report. Comments from Advisory Council members: No Report. Comments from the General Public: No Report. Adjournment: A motion was made by Chip Groner to adjourn the meeting, a second by Amy Pearson and unanimously passed. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:18PM. ~___£) Don Ward, Chairman tbifj~BP~ fsu rttedby Cynthia A Boothe