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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAirport.Minutes.04-02-1996AIRPORT BOARD MINUTES April 2, 1996 Airport "Restaurant Meeting Room" I. ATTENDANCE Members present : Randy Heldman, Margie Loiseau, Steve Nesler, Dan Overbey, Steve Robertson, Bill Walker, J. Fred Waltz, Mike Wandrick Members absent : Allan Maki Others present Greg Chenoweth, Airport Manager: Carol Peters. Administrative Secretary: Allan Storm, Control'fower Operator/Management Intern: Wayne Anders, Manager, Air Evac Aviation if. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Waltz called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. and passed along to board members a message from Mr. Maki that he will be resigning from his position as Airport Advisory Board Member. Mr. Waltz requested Mrs. Peters report this information to Mrs. Gayle Conrad, Deputy City Clerk to begin implementing steps necessary to have vacancy tilled. III. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Dr. Walker made a motion to enter closed session prior to approval of the minutes from the February 6. 1996 and March 5. 1996 meetings. Mr. Wandrick seconded, and the motion passed by a unanimous vote. A closed session among board members was held beginning at 520 p.m. At 5:50 p.m. board members returned to regular session with Dr. Walker making a motion to table the minutes of the February 6 and March 5, 1996 meetings. Mr. Robertson seconded, with the motion passing by unanimous vote. �. IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Airport Projects and Grant Planning Update Mr. Chenoweth directed board members attention to a memo sent with their agenda packet containing information on current and future improvement projects and the current prioritization of those projects. He requested input from board members on their recommended priority of the projects or other projects they felt important future airport improvements. In response to Chairman Waltz's question as to how these improvements and costs were compiled, Mr. Chenoweth stated the information on the first page was from the preapp currently on file from 1993 and page 2 was compiled before he came on board with the City, except for priority 44 (Pavement Replacement - Around Original T l Igrs) which came up in the last year through discussions with Crawford, Murphy and Tilly (CMT), the City's contracted engineering firm. Dr. Walker questioned Mr. Chenoweth why board members have riot seen any of the reports obtained from meetings with CMT. Mr. Chenoweth stated, thus far discussions between CM I and the City have been related to basic engineering studies. Mr. Heldman suggested priorities #9-12 relating to runway extensions should be moved up in the priority list since interested air cargo companies and the Leopold group also came back stating a 6500' runway is too short. Dr. Walker entertained a motion for board members to review the priorities and come back with their own priority list itemized by essentialness, then the board can compile into one list. Chairman Waltz suggested a committee he established to prioritize and/or add to the future improvement projects list submitted by Mr. Chenoweth. Dr. Walker withdrew his motion and a Facilities Planning Committee was established. Mr. I loldman was appointed Chairman of this committee with members consisting of Mr. Wandrick, Ms. Loiseau, and Mr. Robertson. One of the first steps of the cnmminec will be to speak with Mr. Ron Mattingly or Mr. Steve Waymire of CMT. Discussion continued in reference to suggested projects and funding priorities. Dr. Walker questioned Mr. Chenoweth on the status of a multi-purpose piece of equipment which was 4/2/96 Airport Advisory Board Minutes `�. ordered prior to his arrival to be purchased 1995 for snow removal. Mr. Chenoweth stated he was unaware of any such equipment on order or of funding being removed for any such item. Chairman Waltz suggested this issue be brought up with Mr. Doug Leslie, Public Works Director, who was filling in prior to Mr. Chenoweth's arrival. After further description of the unit by Mr. Holdman, Mr. Chenoweth did recall a unit he pulled from the budget when he was told it was just a piece ohne" ing equipment for which in its place a tractor and mower was purchased. Mr. I Ioldman stated this was not only a mower unit, it was being purchased also for snow removal. Chairman Waltz stated this is the type of recommendations which should come from the newly formed committee. Mr. Heldman also added multiple equipment uses should be a consideration with budget restraints as they are. In response to Mr. Holdman's question if the long term view was to make the airport Self sufticicnt, Mr. Chenoweth stated we would like to have all the equipment needed stationed at the airport. Mr. Overbey suggested if grant monies are not available for new equipment, old Public Works equipment could be useful at the airport. As an example of Mr. Overbey's suggestion currently being finalized, Mr. Chenoweth stated when funding was not available for a requested utility cart, the park department is offering the airport an old golf cart. Mr. Robertson questioned Mr. Storm if there were any data bases available for comparison of other airports our size with similar snow fall and typically what equipment they would have. Mr. Storm responded by stating he was unaware of any data bases of that type. Mr. I Ioldman suggested placing phone calls to area airports. Mr. Chenoweth stated the management interns could help with this research. In response to Mr. Overbey's suggestion to looking into surplus property, Mr. Chenoweth stated he would get contact names from Mr. Overbey. 13. Airport Promotions Mr. Chenoweth explained his primary direction for promoting the airport centers around: increasing the number of enplanements, increasing the air traffic count and promoting industrial recruitment. He told board members of a Travel Agent Appreciation Breakfast scheduled for Wednesday, April 4. Mr. Waltz asked if all board members were invited to attend. In response, Mr. Chenoweth stated the City Manager felt only the Board Chairman, Chamber of Commerce Director, and Mayor should be invited to attend along with area travel agents. We are expecting 10 individuals from four different travel agents to be in attendance. Mr. Chenoweth stated the Mayor and the City Manager set the time for the meeting in response to Dr. Walker's question. Mr. Chenoweth also stated he felt an evening meeting would be more appropriate, but he was instructed to hold it in the morning. Mr. Chenoweth continued by stating they will be pushing the positive aspects of the airport to get them to use our airport more and to inform them we arc working to get a second airline. Mr. Chenoweth agreed with Dr. Walkers feeling that the travel agents reaction to getting a second airline will be skeptical since they have been hearing that for years. Mr. Waltz made the suggestion a breakfast could be held in an outlying area such as Poplar Bluff so that other arca agents don't feel excluded. Discussions led to the topic of the Proctor & Gamble dramatic enplanement increase which makes up for the dramatic decrease in TWE enplancmcnl figures. Mr. Chenoweth explained this increase in P & G enplanements is due to the addition of a new line at their plant. Therefore, the increase cannot be expected to last. Chairman Waltz commended Mr. Chenoweth for the call made to P & G identifying the increase was only temporary. Mr. Chenoweth informed board members of current negotiations with TWE to receive better service and their tentative agreement to a ticket give-away. Dr. Walker asked Mr. Chenoweth ti. how long and who he has been dealing with. Mr. Chenoweth stated he has been working with Bill Mishk and Steve Eisenhauer for approximately a month. 4/2/96 Airport Advisory Board Minutes After Chairman Waltz's question if anyone had applied for the Essential Air Seryices subsidy for Cape Girardeau, Mr. Chenoweth explained no one had applied Yet. Mr. Chenoweth went on to explain that April I is the first day applications are accepted. A company has 30 days or until a final determination is made, probably about 90 days to file an application for the subsidy. Dr. Walker requested Mr. Chenoweth to find out what the actual window of time is so that if need be a public hearing can be schedule prior to the Department of Transportations final determination. Chairman Waltz added a second bidder for the EAS subsidy is critical in our situation and it should be the number one priority of concern right now. Mr. Overbev entertained a motion which was seconded by Mr. Heldman for Mr. Chenoweth to contact each of the four airline prospects who received a proposal packet by Friday. April 5 and report his findings to Chairman Waltz. Dr. Walker questioned why the City Manager asked for assistance from Mitch Robinson. Industrial Recruitment Association, in the marketing eflorts of the airport. Mr. Chenoweth explained the City Manager sees the airport as an industry and felt Mr. Robinson could supply valuable knowledge in that area. Chairman Waltz added he also spoke with the City Manager and wanted the Chamber of Commerce to be aware of the situation of declining enplanentents. This has extended beyond what just an airport manager can do. Everyone has to get involved to turn it around. Mr. Robertson commented he realizes Mr. Chenoweth works for the City Manager, but he gels frustrated to see board meetings turn into a complaint session because things the board has requested haven't been accomplished. Chairman Waltz stated the meetings have been task oriented and we are trying to get refocused. I Ie also added promoting the airport is a tough job when dealing with TWE. The travel agent breakfast was a good idea, but he felt more planning could have been done on what to present and it is necessary to get out of the office in Cape Girardeau to market the areas South, East & West of Cape. Mr. Holdman, referenceing the memo, asked Mr. Chenoweth to clarify what was meant by placing a kiosk in the terminad or Air Evac building. Mr. Chenoweth stated some type of prunwGonaI advertising for Cape Girardeau could be placed in such a unit in either the terminal building or the Air Evac building. Mr. Holdman asked why aren't charter passengers going through the terminal. Mr. Chenoweth stated the Prestige and P & G passengers are going through the terminal building. Mr. Holdman quoted a portion of Article HE Paragraph A of the Air Evac Lease which states"...Air Evac EMS, Inc. shall maintain a receptionist in the terminal building and a courtesy phone (at the Air Evac EMS, Inc. counter) to handle customer requirements during the time that Air Evac EMS, Inc. has charter customers present" Mr. Anders responded by stating his interpretation of this statement was it is only necessary to have a receptionist present in the terminal when Air Evac has passengers present in this building. Mr. Holdman stated if that was Mr. Anders interpretation, that was tine, but the issue we have is in counting the passengers for our enplanement count. Mr. Holdman suggested the use of a log book for pilots to sign and sign in their passengers. Mr. Anders stated they are tracking their customers, but it is difficult to get others as they feel Air Evac is trying to steal their business. Mr. Chenoweth also added he tries to keep an eye out and talk to pilots gaining information useful for the Department of Transportation Traffic Count Form 1800-31. Chairman Waltz staled his appreciation for seeing Air Evac's enplanement numbers recently increase. Mr. Holdman added the right image is being presented with the appealing condition of the facilities. After discussion among board members in reference to types of public relations activities including news releases, media involvement, etc. which could benefit the airport, a Public Relations Committee was established. Steve Robertson was appointed Public Relations Committee Chairman with committee members consisting of Ms. Loiseau, Dr. Walker, and Mr. Overbev. 4/2/96 Airport Advisors, Board Minutes V. NEW BUSINESS A. Airport Issues/New Member Briefing During discussions in reference to industrial development at or near the airport, it was very adamantly stated the board did not wish to have a Division of Youth Services Facility located near the airport. Therefore, Mr. Nester entertained a motion that a letter be written by the Chairman of the Board stating the board's request to have the property proposed for the Division of Youth Services facility removed for purposes of keeping the property for aviation related use in the Future. Mr. Holdman seconded the motion, with it passing by unanimous vote. VI. NON -AGENDA ITEMS Mr. Nesler stated it would be great if Southeast Missouri State University would start an aviation school. Mr. Sturm commented that Champaign, IL just closed their aviation school due to declining enrollment. Dr. Walker added that Louisiana "tech and Southern Illinois University rely un their alunmti to keep their programs alive. Mr. Chenoweth informed board members that Labor Day weekend the Southwest Region of the Navion aircraft group is planning a By -in and in June there will be an airport open house. Mr. Overbev reminded Mr. Chenoweth to keep his priorities in perspective and not spend too much time on small projects such as these. Mr. Nesler's term as an Airport Advisory Board Member expires April 30, 1996. He stated he did not wish to reapply to the board and left it was time to allow new members a chance to serve. Mr. Robertson commented and the other members agreed Mr. Nesler would be missed as a member and stated he enjoyed working with Mr. Nesler who did a wonderful job as an Airport Advisory Board member, especially the assistance given in reference to the restaurant operations. VII. EXECUTIVE SESSION VIII. ADJOURNMENT there being no further business for discussion, Mr. Nesler entertained a motion for adjournment, Mr. Holdman seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 720 p.m. Minutes Prepared by Carol Peters, Administrative Secretary Minutes Approved bv: Chairman, Airportd %isory Board