HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-10-2025 Fairhope Airport Authority Meeting MinutesMinutes of Fairhope Airport Authority
June 10, 2025
The Fairhope Airport Authority met June 1 O, 2025 at 5:00PM in the City of
Fairhope Council Chambers at 161 N Section Street.
Present: Don Ward, Chairman, Susana Freeman, Pel Henry, Len Strickland,
Will Bruce, and Jack Burrell. Mitch Skrmetta was absent. Also present was
Josh Myrick, Attorney, and Dave Friedel Airport Manager. Cynthia A Boothe
took the Minutes.
The Minutes of the April 8, 2025 Regular meeting were considered and
approved with a motion by Len Strickl and, second by Pel Henry and
unanimously passed.
The Minutes of the May 20, 2025 Special Call Meeting were considered and
approved with a motion by Len Strickland, second by Susana Freeman and
unanimously passed.
Airport Manager's Report: Dave Friedel reported that the traffic count for
April was 7,775 and for May 7,092.
Dave stated that an FAA Inspector performed the AWOS inspection on April
14th and that there were no write ups.
Dave reported that the sewer issues on the East Side have been resolved.
Dave stated that there is an issue with a tenant in one of the T-Hangars who
has failed to obtain insurance per their lease agreement. Dave has had
multiple conversations with the tenant, but there is still no insurance. Dave
stated that the Bellanca Viking aircraft is in a derelict condition and is unab le
to fly. Dave is requesting that the Authority have Josh Myrick write a
termination Letter to the tenant informing him that his Lease agreement is
being terminated with thirty days notice per the terms of the Lease agreement.
After a group discussion, a motion was made by Will Bruce to have Josh draft
the termination Letter and authorize the Chairman to sign it, second by Len
Strickland and unanimously passed.
Dave gave an overview of the upcoming Air Race Classic including the
schedule of events that will take place and thanked Pam Caudill and other
volunteers for their help to make the Air Race Classic a success. Don Ward
also thanked Dave and Pam for their extra hard work in organizing all the
events that will be taking place.
Flightline First Report: Ethan McDonald reported that fuel sales for May were
7,700.7 gallons of AV gas and 30,588 gallons of Jet A, ·for a total of 38,288.7
gallons. Ethan said that the Flightline Staff are excited about the Air Race
Classic and they will be hosting breakfast the morning of the takeoff.
Engineer's Report: Jordan Stringfellow reported that they did get City Council
Approval to submit the grants for the Pavement Maintenance and Runway
Project. Derrick Owens from the FAA wants Jordan to wait to send off the
grant for the Runway Project until the temporary runway solution is worked
out.
Jordan said that she had gotten the Grant Agreement for the Taxiway Lighting
Project. She stated that the Mayor has signed it, and it has been sent to the
Contractor for execution. She said that there would be a preconstruction
meeting within the next couple of weeks.
Treasurer's Report: No Report.
Legal Report: Josh Myrick reported that he has a proposed resolution to
resolve the pending issue with Clear Sky concerning the two percent
surcharge. He has been in touch with John Browning, attorney for Clear Sky,
to come up with the resolution to the unpaid two percent surcharge. Since
January, they have been paying a two percent surcharge on unaffiliated
operations. Josh stated that according to Mr. Browning that they have looked
at flights on average over the last year and based on monthly usage they have
come up with the figure of $1,050.00 for the unpaid two percent surcharge ·for
2024. After a group discussion, a motion was made by Will Bruce to ac cept
the resolution subject to clarification of the language and authorize the
Chairman to sign it, second by Pel Henr y and unanimously pass ed.
Board Discussion/Approval Requests: Don Ward stated that because of
conflict with his work, Mitch Skrmetta was forced to resign his seat on the
Airport Authority. He said that he and Pel Henry had met with someone he felt
would be a good replacement for the open seat.
Pel Henry stated that he and Don Ward had met with Ronnie Holyfield and
after going over his qualifications, Pel stated that he felt that Mr. Holyfield
would be a good fit for the Authority. Pel made a motion to request that the
Mayor put forth Ronnie Holyfield to fill the open position on the Airport
Authority, second by Len Strickland and unanimously passed.
Jack Burrell made a motion to accept Mitch Skrmetta's resignation, second by
Pel Henry and unanimously passed.
Other Business: No Report.
Comments from the Advisory Council Members: Russ Kilgore stated that
the Legislature, through the efforts of the Aviation Council of Alabama, was
able to procure extra funding of $15,000,000.00 for the Aeronautics Bureau to
disburse. He said he did not have any indication as to how the funds would be
used.
Comments from the General Public: Donald DeGutz stated that next
Monday there would be a joint meeting with the City Council and Recreation
Board to discuss the Master Plan for developing the property across the street
from the Airport. He is wondering if the Consultants for this project had
spoken with the Authority about the plans. Jack Burell stated that the
Consultants were told to be sure to stay out of the flight path. Mr. DeGutz
asked if the Recreation Board and the Airport are planning any discussions
about the development. Jack Burrell responded that a few years ago when the
property was purchased that there was discussion about any limitations the
property might have for development. Mr. DeGutz said he hopes that Jack will
say something about these concerns at the meeting on Monday.
Quintin Dupper of Aspire Aviation stated that they have been remodeling the
old FBO and have updated the furniture and training materials and
encouraged everyone to come by and see the improvements. In March they
took delivery of a new aircraft straight off the factory line and have already put
three hundred hours on it. Last month they did 70.1 flight hours, so they are
slowly getting their flight hours up. Their main target is about 87 .5 hours per
month. Quintin said that they have had several customers that fly with them
that are interested in purchasing aircraft and keeping them at the Fairhope
Airport. They have spoken twice with students from Fairhope High School
about aviation and also participated with the Baldwin County Career Day and
had five students come by to visit the FBO and Aspire Aviation. They have
donated a couple of Discovery Flights to parent/teacher organizations on the
Eastern Shore and are scheduled to speak at Baldwin Prep.
There being no further business, Pel Henry made a motion to adjourn, second
by Jack Burrell and unanimously passed.
The meeting adjourned at 5:50PM.
Don Ward, Chairman
�/�uittei� cyntNaJ\o�