HomeMy WebLinkAboutAirport.Minutes.08-13-2007 AIRPORT BOARD MINUTES
August 13, 2007
Cape Aviation Conference Room
Members Present: Bill Dunn,Fred Eggley,Rick Hetzel,Gerry Keene,Kee Park,Robbie Rollins,
Bo Shantz,J. Fred Waltz, Walt Wildman
Others Present: Bruce Loy,Airport Manager; Angela Ahrens,Administrative Coordinator; Doug Leslie,
City Manager; Fred deLeeuw, President of Big Sky Airlines
I. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The meeting was called to order at 5:02 PM. Mr. Wildman moved and Mr. Dunn seconded the
motion to approve the July 2007 minutes. The motion passed by unanimous vote.
II. OLD BUSINESS
A. Airport Activity Report — Mr. Loy presented an Airport Usage Report for July 2007. Mr.
Loy informed the Board that local traffic numbers were up, however itinerant traffic was down
as compared to 2006.
Cape Aviation Report— Mr. Loy presented a Cape Aviation Fuel Report for July 2007. Mr.
Loy reported that fuel sales are up 19% as compared to July 2006. This is partly due to the
annual Air Festival. July was a wonderful month for fuel. Mr. Loy informed the Board that we
are keeping an eye on fuel prices and are trying to stay in mid-range with other surrounding
FBO's.
B. Project Updates—
• Cape Aviation Facility Rehab. and plans for RFP — Mr. Loy reported that the pre-bid
meeting was a success with 7 general contractors in attendance. Discussion followed on the
hangar ceiling repairs. As it is an add-alternate to the project, it is a problem that we would like
to have fixed. Mr. Loy informed the Board that bids are due on August 21, 2007, and from
those bids, it will be determined if add-ons are possible.
C. Hangar Plans for Jim Vangilder— Mr. Loy reported that the hangar lease for Jim Vangilder
is signed and ready, however we are waiting for an agreement to be made in accordance to the
amendment to Paul Fischer's lease.
D. Hangar Plans for Midstates Aviation — Mr. Loy informed the Board that a new lease
agreement is being arranged with Mid-States Aviation. The new agreement may include a new
office area and the exterior of the hangar will be replaced. A bid of$29,000.00 was given by
Stockade in order to re-skin the hangar.
E. Enterprise Car Rental Agreement— Mr. Loy informed the Board that he is currently writing a
lease agreement between Enterprise and the Airport, similar to that of Hertz Car Rental. The
lease that they were presenting us with seemed confusing and was equivalent to the Hertz lease.
III. NEW BUSINESS
A. Visit with Fred deLeeuw, President of Big Sky Airlines — Mr. Loy introduced Fred deLeeuw,
President of Big Sky Airlines. Mr. deLeeuw started by saying that the delay in service was not the
intention of Big Sky Airlines. The airline is having problems with hiring the amount of pilots
needed to provide adequate service. Currently the have 24 pilots in training. Mr. deLeeuw
announced that service will begin in November and a flight schedule will be published soon. In
November he plans on providing two round-trips daily; in October a one-way trip will be added;
and by late December all three round-trips will be flying. Discussion followed regarding the pilot
shortage. Mr. deLeeuw informed the Board that Big Sky was not going to lower their standards in
order to hire more pilots. He also informed the Board that RegionsAir pilots went to work for
bigger airlines. Mr. deLeeuw reported that reservations should be available by mid-September.
Mr. deLeeuw reported that advertising efforts are in progress. Several major advantages are that
Big Sky will be able to provide customers with the common rate from St. Louis to Cincinnati,
making the flight economical; the flights will park at the main terminal in Cincinnati, rather than
the commuter terminal, making connecting flights easier and quicker to reach; and Big Sky also has
code shares with Northwest Airlines, Alaska Air, and U.S. Airways. Mr. Wildman mentioned that
participating in the Chamber transportation annual dinner event, to be held the first part of
November,would be an optimal way to open the doors to the new airline service.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:42 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Angela Ahrens,Administrative Coordinator
Minutes Approved By:
William Gerry Keene III
Chairman Airport Advisory Board