HomeMy WebLinkAboutAirport.Minutes.08-01-1995AIRPORT BOARD MINUTES
Tuesday, August 1, 1995
iroort "Business Service Center"
1. ATTF.NDANCF,
Members present : Steve Nester, Steve Robertson, Bill Walker, J. Fred Waltz, Mike Wandrick
Members absent Alan Maki, Dan Overbey
Others present Greg Chenoweth, Airport Manager: Carol Peters, Administrative Secretarv:
Doug Leslie, Public Works Director/Interim City Manager: Wayne Anders.
Air Evac Aviation
11. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Waltz called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m.
III. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Mr. Nester made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 13, 1995 meeting as mailed. Mr.
Wandrick seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
IV. OLD BUSINESS
A. Update and Discussion - Contract Tower
Mr. C lienowedt presented board members with copies of the benefit/cost (B/C) ratio report
prepared for the FAA, which after much research showed our B/C ratio at 1.07. This report
was sent to Mr. Larry Barnett (Aviation Management Associates, Inc.) who will hand deliver
a copy to Mr. Joint Chitwood (FAA Headquarters, Mgr., Contract lower Program), and was
sent to the FAA regional office in Kansas City. Mr. Chenoweth explained the study used the
FAA's computer model and their data to achieve most of the projections that were used in
the report. The exceptions to this were in the areas of enplanements, operations and actual
t costs of operating the tower. The enplanements and operations were increased due to the
projected resumption of commercial carrier activity associated with the gaining operations
expected to be located in our area. The increase in activity associated along with the
addition of a second FBO will also help the figures. In order to meet the B/C ratio, the costs
of operating the tower were reduced by the cost of control tower liability insurance costs of
approximately $20.000 per year.
Mr. Chenoweth also stated that report language has been inserted into the Senate
Transportation appropriations bill which, if passed, would allow the tower to remain traded
as long as the B/C ratio remains at 1.0 or better. More importantly, it elevated our concerns
for continued funding within the FAA bureaucracy to insure that we get an accurate
assessment performed on our facility .
Mr. Waltz asked what we could do now that the report has been submitted. After discussion,
it was decided the best thing we could do is whatever it takes to raise our enplanennents and
traffic counts. In mid to late September, it is expected a site inspection will be done by the
FAA. We need to raise our airport usage as much as possible by that time. h was felt that this
could be accomplished through a general increase in awareness of the airport and the quality
of the facility. Among the items mentioned to help get this increase were: expanding the
newsletter mailing list to include the pilots club, AOPA and FAA members, getting the word
out to use the airport through advertising the facility, etc.
Mr. Nester asked Mr. Wayne Anders, Air Fvac Aviation (FBO), if an insert could be
included with their statements. Mr. Anders responded by saying he is willing to help in
whatever way possible. He also suggested the City sponsor a fly -in during the time of the
inspection. Mr. Waltz suggested we it) to find out from Mr. Barnett a window of time when
the site inspection may be expected and aggressively pursue things to raise our traffic count
Airport Advisory Board Minutes
August 1, 1995 Meeting
Page 2 of 3
through education, marketing and promotion of the airport to show regional commitment to
saving the lower.
Mr. Waltz commended Mr. Chenoweth on his efforts in putting together the extensive
benefit/cost analysis report for submission to the FAA and requested the report be sent to
political personnel who helped in the process such as Senator Kinder, Senator Bond and their
associates.
Alter Mr. Waltz's question if the proposed tax at the local level would supply any help to the
tower, Mr. Leslie stated no, not directly from this tax although, it may free up funds from
other areas for use in the tower program.
B. Update and Discussion - Restaurant Operations
Mr. Chenoweth explained that new marketing ideas have been discussed and a marketing
plan with distinct phases created. However, it has not yet been implemented due to the
possibility of a new lessee coining in to assume all restaurant operations. Staff has discussed
whether we should go ahead and implement Phase 1 anyway. This would entail the plans
with which to tar,et businesses on Nash Road with flyers, coupons and plate lunch specials
to go.
Mr. Chenoweth reported the potential lessee is still requesting information on the restaurant.
They seem interested in that they are requesting information on employees and operations.
'fhe point of concern appears to be the cost of utilities. Asa result of the board's discussion
of the utility costs, it was agreed that a meter audit would be advantageous to get a handle on
these costs. Mr. Waltz stated that he has some good contacts at Union Electric and will visit
with them regarding an audit. Airport staff will follow through to implement the audit being
done.
The gross sales in the restaurant are improving, but still not as high as desired. Dr. Walker
requested a breakdown of the daily gross sales since the City took over operations with a
listing of the dates when hours of operations changed so he could perform a computer
analysis of the trends.
Wayne Anders offered suggested marketing ideas which included: informing as many people
as possihle by mailing newsletters or Flyers, but more importantly by fax giving the hours of
the restaurant operations. Steve Robertson also mentioned a good marketing tool which is
utilized in several airports around the region, not only in Missouri, but in Kentucky. Illinois,
etc. which have bulletin boards with Flyers from other airports highlighting their services.
C. Update on ramp and taxiway construction
Mr. Chenoweth reported a pre -construction meeting was held on July 31, 1995 in reference
to the ramp and taxi-wav construction which will begin as soon as a "Notice to Proceed" is
issued, which is anticipated next week. Phase I was to include removal and repavement of
an area between the Air Evac hangars. "f his portion of the project is being researched as
whether or not it should be postponed until spring 1996. This is due to the necessity of
entering the hangar lront the taller East door for storage of the TWE aircraft over the winter
months. As Wayne Anders mentioned, this Change in construction plans is for the benefit of
the community; we can't afford to lose TWE's service due to construction in progress.
Airport Advisory Board Minutes
August 1, 1995 Meeting
Page 3 of 3
Mr. Chenoweth informed board members that the bids received and awarded to Brenda Kay
Construction, came in under the amount allotted by the State. If there is any allotted grant
money left after the construction is complete (including change orders etc), Staff and our
engineering firm will be looking into the possibility of using the grant balance to obtain an
electric generator to power the runway lighting vault. This would allow the runway lights to
operate in case of a power outage. Initial estimated cost of a generator and storage facility
would be in the range of $50,000 - $80,000.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Waltz requested reports on three items be presented at the next meeting being: I 1 specific
detailed plan to increase traffic count and how to implement it, 2) plans to improve the restaurant
operations and how they will be implemented, and 3) a master list of who the newsletter is going
to and to have that list expanded to include the Pilots Club, etc.
VI. NON -AGENDA ITEMS
Mr. Chenoweth reported control tower operator, henry "Doc ' I loliday, nhay have lost his Second
Class medical certificate (a requirement for Air Traffic Controller duties) due to a heart condition.
Therefore, unless Doc can get a waiver, he will no longer be able to work in the lower. We have
been in contact with two individuals who have shown an interest in working in a Cape Girardeau
Tower Operator position. One individual lives in the SL Louis area, while the other lives in the
Chicago area but has made mention of his interest in moving back to the Cape Girardeau area.
Vlll. ADJOURNMENT
The neat regularly scheduled meeting was changed from September 5, 1995 to September 12,
1995, due to the Labor Day Holiday. There being no further business to discuss, Mr. Walker
made a motion the meeting be adjourned, and Mr. Nester seconded it. T'he meeting adjourned at
5:30 p.m.
Minutes Prepared by Carol Peters, Administrative Secretary
Minutes Approved by:
Chairman, Airport Advisory Board