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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAirport.Minutes.09-12-1995AIRPORT BOARD MINUTES September 12, 1995 irport "Business Service Center" 1. ATTENDANCE Members present : Dan Overbey, Steve Robertson, J. Fred Waltz, Mile Wandrick Members absent Alan Maki, Steve Nesler, Bill Walker Others present Greg Chenoweth, Airport Manager, Doug Leslie, Interim City Manager: Carol Peters, Administrative Secretary I1. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Waltz called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. HL MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Mr. Overbey made a motion to approve the minutes from the August I, 1995 meeting and the August 29, 1995 special meeting which Mr. Robertson seconded and the board passed unanimously, subject to an amendment presented by Mr. Wandrick. This amendment changed the term "air carrier" to "commercial carrier" in the Contract Tower (Old Business) discussion of the August I, 1995 minutes..."The enplanements and operations were increased due to the projected resumption of air-eaerier commercial carrier activity associated with the gaining operations expected to be located in our area." IV. OLD BUSINESS A. & B. Plans & implementation for raising tragic counts and restaurant operations Mr. Chenoweth referred to a memo sent to board members with their agenda packet relating to the plans to raise the traffic count at CGI. He informed members of a visit to Parks Aviation College at St. Louis Downtown Parks Airport in August and plans to visit SIII's aviation program in the near future. Mr. Robertson opened a discussion which led to several advertising/promotional ideas to increase airport and restaurant traffic. These ideas included contacting John Mehner at the Chamber of Commerce to utilize their mailing list for mailings of the newsletter or special promotional flyers to large corporations, board members, or their transportation committee, etc. Other ideas included having a story or even just a coupon put in the Sowhe,ol Afi.ssouriun for restaurant promotion. Mr. Chenoweth stated the restaurant has cut their losses by over 2/2 since the City took over. The revenue trends are there demonstrating to the Council that the restaurant operations are moving in the right direction, but Mr. Wandrick asked how long the Council will continue to allow losses to go on? Mr. Robertson reminded the Board we were given until December and we have to do what we can now. It was telt by board members that the best solution would be to gel a new operator to tale over the restaurant, therefore allowing Mr. Chenoweth to concentrate on the airport management duties. Mr. Wandrick commented on the airport usage report being down from last year. Mr. Chenoweth responded by informing the board that marketing efforts are being discussed and researched to help bring the figures up. He stated that he will be contacting national magazines to advertise in and bring an increased awareness of the Cape Airport into the private pilot market. Other planned strategies include: working with Prestige Air Services to target the corporate pilot market and; visiting with Mitch Rubinson of the Industrial Recruitment Association and ,John Mehner, Chamber of Commerce, to target some of the industrial markets for both flight activity and industrial location possibilities for the airport. [to will also be visiting with Prestige Air Services to emphasize the need to get their training program up and running as soon as possible. Mr. Leslie added. marketing has been a key ingredient with Prestige, while Mr. Robertson added hopefully Prestige Air Services, Cape Avionics and the City could cooperate and promote the airport together. Mr. Leslie also stated until about seven months ago. the airport was visited by Terri Jamison, TWE Account Manager. She used to visit the airport and travel agencies about every three weeks or so seeing what could be done to help. Without that inside involvement with TWE, dealing with schedule changes, etc. is much harder. 'this single item could be the explanation for some of the decrease in traffic counts. Mr. Leslie felt it may be helpful to talk with '[WE on their plans for this position. Airport Advisory Board Minutes September 12, 1995 Meeting Page 2 of 2 Mr. Waltz commented the Board has been speaking in generalities for years on different marketing ideas. It is v. time to sit down and develop an actual marketing plan with goals and time frames anticipated in reaching those goals. After much discussion on what the Board would like to see in the way of a marketing plan, Mr. Waltz requested Mr. Chenoweth develop a general marketing plan listing the goals, plans to reach those goals and what specifically has been done in the period between this and the next advisory board meeting. Mr. Chenoweth reported to the hoard members he is currently working with Sherri Finley, Public Awareness Coordinator, in determining the best radio and print medias to utilize for promoting the restaurant. It was also mentioned a beer/wine liquor license is being applied for which should increase the customer usage especially in the evening hours by drawing in passengers catching the evening flights and local employees just getting off work. Due to the diverse duties of the airport management job, Mr. Waltz felt it would be beneficial for Mr. Chenoweth to develop a daily diary or journal of the amount of time spent on various categories of his job lie: miscellaneous day-to-day operations, restaurant, traffic count, etc.). Board members felt it would be helpful for them to see this information to give them a better idea what is being dealt with and how much time is being spent on certain projects. Mr. Waltz requested Mr. Chenoweth to generale and have a copy of this chronicle available for the next meeting. C. Mailing List - Airport Newsletter Mr. Waltz staled the work on the newsletter should be commended. Mr. Chenoweth staled he has received several positive comments from the increased mailing list. `" V. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Robertson stated he would like to tour the airport construction area, taxi -ways, etc. to get a feel for what is going on at the airport facility. Mr. Chenoweth suggested to do this for all board members at the next meeting. Board members agreed to place viewing airport improvements as the first agenda item at the October, 1995 meeting agenda. V1. NON -AGENDA ITEMS VII. EXECUTIVE SESSION VIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business for discussion, Mr. Wandrick made a motion the meeting be adjourned and Mr. Overbev seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 620 p.m. Minutes Prepared by Carol A. Peters, Administrative Scerelary Minutes Approved by: �L yy Chairman, irporl Advisory Board