HomeMy WebLinkAboutAirport.Minutes.12-05-1995AIRPORT BOARD MINUTES
December 5, 1995
Airport "Restaurant Meeting Room"
L AT] ENDANCE
Members present : Steve Nester, Steve Robertson, Bill Walker, Mike Wandrick
Members absent Allan Maki, Dan Overbey. J. Fred Waltz
Others present Greg Chenoweth, Airport Manager; Carol Peters, Administrative Secretary; Larry
Davis, Tower Chief; Vanessa Jones, KZIM Radio
11. CALL TO ORDER
Vice -Chairman Wandrick called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.
III. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
A motion was made by Dr. Bill Walker to approve the regular and executive session minutes of the
November 7, 1995 Airport Advisory Board meeting. Mr. Nester seconded the motion with the motion
passing by a unanimous vote of the board members present.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
A. Development of Airport Marketing Plan
Mr. Chenoweth explained to board members he was still in the process of putting together the
marketing plan. His efforts will be geared toward expanding on the good data received during the
93/94 marketing analysis. He read to board members the following general marketing statement: The
purpose cf the Cape Girardeau Regional Airpoit is to marimere the usage of all levels of services
mailable at the lucilin, This gill he areompli.shed by identifi,ing both the existing and potential target
market., and murket niches, a quaiNing current and potential customers to the services available and
it orking to see that those services remain as cast effective and service oriented as possible
Mr. Chenoweth informed hoard memhers of a meeting scheduled the neat day with
representatives ot-frans States Airlines (TWF.) and himself; Mr. Miller, City Manager; John Metter,
Chamber of Commerce Director: Mayor Spradling, and Mitch Robinson, Director of the Industrial
Recruitment Association. The purpose of the meeting will he to discuss marketing strategies in
cooperation with 'I WE and to push for getting the weekend flights back which have been canceled due
to the reduction in Essential An Services subsidies.
In reference to airport marketing, Dr. Walker asked Mr. Chenoweth when the last time airport
staff has met with any travel agencies. In response, Mr. Chenoweth stated he met with John Harper
in Sikeston about a month ago and plans to meet with more soon.
The question was also raised if the addition of second airline has been consider, specifically
Lone Star. Per discussions with representatives in Jonesboro, it is Lone Star's position not to come
to Cape Girardeau until no airlines had subsidies or they were the only one with the subsidy. Mr.
Chenoweth is also in the preliminary stages of the possibility of an air carrier to take on the Proctor
and Gamble shuttles.
B. Report on Utilization of an Intern
Mr. Chenoweth relayed to board members his intentions to accept the offer of a Bachelor's level
intern for the spring semester and hopes to establish a pattern to have an intern for every semester.
He also informed board members of his hopes to find funding available for a Master's level intern to
aid in more of the serious issues of the airport. He stated he has one of the controllers in mind for this
position, Mr. Allan Storm, to aid in getting the marketing plan development rolling.
C. Update on Restaurant
Mr. Chenoweth informed board nwmbers that the City Council approved the lease agreement
with Mr. Trevier Minton for assuming the operations of the restaurant. Mr. Minton will take over the
operations on Sunday, December 10, 1995. He has made arrangements with most if not all the
employees to stay on.
D. Status of Air Traffic Control Tower
Mr. Chenoweth reported to board members that the FAA did not accept the information sent to
them in reference to the beneflucost ratio and has made the decision to stop fending for the Air Traffic
Control Tower in Cape Girardeau, effective Decemher 31. 1995,
Some of the projections used were based on a gaming boat coming to Cape Girardeau andbr
Scott City. Without a signed agreement for either location, apparently the FAA would not use that
irformation in their analysis.
Mr. Chenoweth stated Senator Bond's office and staff members went to bat for us during this
process and asked board member to relay our appreciation to any members of his staff they may he
in contact with,
Mr Chenoweth also mentioned Cape Girardeau's tower was the only one to close in the Central
Region. Dr. Walker asked if anyone had made a comparison of the raw numbers used by the FAA for
towers like Cape Girardeau which closed or were scheduled to close. Mr. Chenoweth answered by
stating he was not aware of anyone making such a comparison.
After discussion on the importance of immediate planning for the continued operations of the
rower, Mr. Walker made a motion to recommend that the City Council expedite planning for
assumption ofthe tower and operation of a Non -Federal Control Tower because the FAA has indicated
it will not transfer the Tower assets to the City for continued operation without a long-term
commitment, with action to be taken prior to December 19, 1995. Mr. Nester seconded this motion.
The motion passed by unanimous vote,
V. NEW RI'SINESS
A. Report on Essential Air Services Subsidy Program
Mr. Chenoweth reported FWE has cut their schedule to two flights per weekday. with no weekend
flights available. This issue will be discussed during their meeting scheduled in St. Louis with Trans
States .Air:ine representatives.
V1. NON -AGENDA I"['VMS
Mr. Robertson voiced his concent of a recent newspaper article telling the story of a pilot who thought
he was dose to Cape Girardeau but was actually low over Arnold. Missouri. The controller on duh that
day kept contact with the lost pilot, landing him at CGI. Mr. Robertson felt this was putting fear in numv
of the citizens of the area who are not familiar wilt the aviation industry. This was only one of several
recent counter productive newspaper articles. Mr. Robertson entertained a motion for the Board Chairman
to call on the publisher of the Missourian to express our displeasure with all these frightening counter
productive articles and see if we can get a handle on this situation. Mr. Robertson's motion was dropped
due to the lack of a second.
VII. IlXECU HVI''. SESSION
Mr. Nesta entertained a motion the Airport Advisory Board enter into Exccutive Session, to disc;u,
a lease issue. Mr. Robertson seconded, and the motion passed unanimously,
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business for discussion, Mr. Nesler entertained a motion for admire lent. Dr.
Walker seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 6;10 p.m.
Minutes Prepared by Carol Peters. Administrative Sccretary
Minutes Approved by:
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C: trine i. Airport Advisory Board