HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-08-2025 Airport Authority Meeting MinutesMinutes of Fairhope Airport Authority
April 8, 2025
The Fairhope Airport Authority met April 8, 2025 at 5:00PM in the City of
Fairhope Council Chambers at 161 N Section Street.
Present: Pel Henry, Vice Chairman, Len Strickland, Susana Freeman, Will
Bruce, and Jack Burrell. Don Ward and Mitch Skrmetta were absent. Also
present was Josh Myrick, Attorney and Dave Friedel, Airport Manager. Cynthia
A Boothe took the minutes.
The Minutes of the March 11, 2025 regular meeting were considered and
approved with a motion by Len Strickland, second by Will Bruce and
unanimously passed.
Airport Manager's Report: Dave reported that the traffic count for March,
2025 was 6,349. He also reported that in February and March of this year
there have been some days that had traffic approaching six hundred ops.
Dave stated that the tank re-line project started on March 17th and is going
very well. The exterior painting was completed on April 1st _ The electricians
have come out to hook everything back up. They found a few small electrical
items that need to be addressed and will work up a quote for those repairs
plus a quote for the electrical outlet. Perry Brothers will come back out and
start filling the tanks and testing this week.
Dave reported that on March 28th there was a prop strike at the Airport. There
was a great response from emergency services, air traffic and airport users.
He stated that there was a light single engine tail dragger that came in on a
very windy day. They caught a draft at the wrong time and had a prop strike.
There were no injuries to the pilot and no property damage except to the
aircraft. Dave thanked Zach McNeill, Quinton Dupper, and Flightline First for
their quick response to help the pilot. Dave stated that he and Ethan from
Flightline First will relook over the procedures for reporting and getting
information to the Mayor, Authority Members, Etc., as necessary.
Dave stated that the Knox Boxes were installed on the East and West Side
gates. During installation, the West Side keypad died, and a new keypad has
been ordered.
Dave stated that there were sewer issues last month. Both sump pumps at
the T-Hangars went down at the same time but were able to be fixed the same
day it was called in. There was another· issue on the East Side and Dowsey
thinks it is a break in the utility corridor on the East Side and is working on a
quote for repairs.
Dave stated that there has been some interest from tenants on the East Side
about installing mailboxes outside the gate. He asked the Authority members
for their input on this or to have a CBU set up outside the gate. After a group
discussion, it was decided that Dave will find samples of different types of
mailbox setups so the Authority members can decide which type of mailboxes
they would like to have installed.
Dave stated that DBT's, who does the AWOS service, contract is up for
renewal. It is a three-year contract at $6,490.00 per year. He wanted to know
if the Authority wants him to renew the contract. Len Strickland made a
motion to extend the DBT contract for AWOS service, second by Susana
Freeman and unanimously passed.
Flightline First Report: Ethan reported that there were 7,483.2 gallons of AV
gas sold, and 36,255.8 gallons of Jet-A sold for a total of 43,739 gallons.
Ethan stated that he had attended the NBAA conference in New Orleans and
had a booth set up and advertised the Fairhope location. He said he met a lot
of people and made some good connections there for more possible cha rter
operators.
Engineer's Report: Jordan stated that she checked with Derrick and the grant
for the Taxiway Lighting Project is still at the Regional Office for approval, but
she expects to get the approval very soon.
Jordan met with Dave and Ethan about the Seal Coat Project to talk through
the project, the sequencing of it, and the proposed striping they will be going
back with after it is sealed. The plans are getting finished up this week and
they will be sent to ALDOT for a final review before advertising for bids. The
plan after that is to open bids within about a month. As soon as the bids are
opened it will be brought to the Authority as a grant application to the State,
and pending the Authority's approval, it will be sent to the City Council for
approval. Construction should be within thirty to sixty days after bid opening.
Jordan stated that the Noise Study for the Runway Project is still ongoing and
the final plans for the project will be sent to ALDOT this week for final
approval. The project will be advertised for bids at about the same time as the
Seal Coat Project. Jordan should have the grant application ready for approval
by the Authority by the May 13th meeting, and the City Council approval at the
next City Council meeting following the Airport Authority meeting. That way
she will have time to get the grant application submitted before the June 16th
deadline.
Jordan stated that she has the CE&I (construction services contract) for the
Runway Project, but she is waiting for ALDOT to finish reviewing it before she
presents it to the Authority.
Treasurer's Report: No Report.
Legal Report: Josh Myrick stated that he has not heard anything from Clear
Sky's attorney concerning the 2% surcharge, so he will be following up on this
next week and will bring a proposal from them for reconciling the issue at the
next meeting.
Josh stated that Len Strickland's appointment expired last month, and he
needs a motion to reappoint Len to a new six-year term. A motion to
recommend to the Mayor to nominate Len Strickland for a six-year term was
made by Jack Burrell, second by Susana Freeman, and unanimously passed.
Board Discussion/Approval Requests: Pel Henry welcomed Susana and
Mitch to the Authority and stated that Mitch has volunteered to take over as
Treasurer for the Authority.
A motion was made by Jack Burrell to appoint Mitch Skrmetta as Treasurer,
second by Len Strickland and unanimously passed.
Pel Henry stated that every five years or so the State likes the Authority to send
out an RFQ for Engineering Services. Don Ward had asked Pel Henry, Lamar
Wilson, and Dave Friedel to review the three RFQ's that were submitted. After
the reviews, a recommendation was made that the Authority keep Volkert
Engineering for the Authority's engineering services. Len Strickland made a
motion to mov e forward with a Master Services Agreement with Volkert,
second by Will Bruce. After a group discussion, the motion unanimously
passed.
Other Business: No Report.
Comments from Advisory Council Members: No Report.
Comments from the General Public: No Report.
Adjournment: Jack Burrell made a motion to adjourn, second by Len
Strickland and unanimously passed. There being no further business, the
meeting was adjourned at 5:47PM.
� b ittedby Cynthia A Boothe