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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAirport.Minutes.09-12-2017AIRPORT BOARD MINUTES September 12, 2017 Sandy’s Place Restaurant Members Present: Justin Albright, Jeff Brune, Robert Cork, Ryan Dewrock, Paul Mingus Brian Ozark, Mark Welker, Mark Seesing Others Present: Bruce Loy, Airport Manager; Katrina Amos, Deputy Airport Manager; Derrick Irwin, Flight Line Supervisor; Hannah Seesing, Administrative Clerk; Larry Davis, Chief Air Traffic Controller I. Minutes of Previous Meeting: The meeting was called to order at 11:30am. Mr. Welker moved and Mr. Mingus seconded the motion to approve the minutes from the August 8th meeting. The motion was approved with a unanimous vote. II. Appearances: A. ATCT Discussion – Tower Chief Larry Davis spoke to the Board on behalf of the tower staff. He discussed the tremendous increase in air traffic at the airport and the burden being placed on an already understaffed and technologically outdated tower. Mr. Davis stated that traffic is up nearly 65% for the month of September and 44% year to date. This increase in traffic is taking a great toll on the three (3) controllers that are currently staffing the tower seven (7) days a week, 7am-5pm. Mr. Davis compared the high traffic days where CGI experiences up to 200 plus operations to other airports, such as Spirit Airport in St. Louis, that is staffed by up to twelve (12) controllers on a regular day. Mr. Davis also detailed staffing difficulties since losing the fourth controller position. At times, the tower has been left with just two (2) controllers due to various issues including medical clearances and family emergencies. This leaves two (2) people to cover a seven (7) day a week operation with no back up and no way to call in sick. This is a major safety concern. Mr. Cork asked what the Board could do to help. Mr. Davis asked the Board to make it known to City Council the issues the tower staff are currently facing and push for another controller position to be added to the airports budget. The Board asked why the fourth controller position was removed when the former controller resigned. Mr. Loy explained that during that time, City management reviewed any positions that became available for employee layoffs via attrition. As a result, the position was simply removed from the budget all together without discussion with airport management. Mr. Albright stated that the Board has let this issue fall between the cracks but that recent council interactions have brought the issues with the tower into focus. He also asked that Mr. Davis submit a formal letter to council outlining the issues that were discussed with the Board, including data from surrounding towers comparing the number of operations to number of staff. Mr. Seesing stressed the importance of simply informing the City Council of what is going on at the airport and educating them on the issues and safety concerns that this situation presents. Mr. Albright went on to compliment the tower staff on the fantastic job they did during the eclipse event. He expressed that that was the busiest he has ever seen the Cape Girardeau Airport and that the tower and line staff performed like a “well-oiled machine”. III. Old Business: A. Airport Activity Report – Mr. Loy briefly discussed the Airport Activity Report. He indicated that year-to-date operations are up 18%. Fuel sales are up 8% year-to-date as well and are tracking very well. B. Cape Aviation Report – Mr. Irwin discussed the Cape Aviation Report. He pointed out that the military traffic had been up for the month of August due to hurricane relief efforts. Mr. Irwin then discussed the Eclipse Event, stating that it was a very busy day with a total of 54 airplanes landing to view the eclipse. He noted that most of the people that came to view the event came and watched it from the airport and turned around and left as soon as it was over. He also shared that the Perryville airport had upwards of 150 aircraft on the field during the event. He attributed the turn out to advertising efforts by the City of Perryville as well as the Airport itself. C. Project Update – · 10/28 Lighting Project Update – Mr. Loy informed the Board that the project was moving along with only slight delays. To ensure the project would be completed in time the crew had requested to work Saturday September 16th. The vault for this project is manufactured by a company in the Houston, TX area and the recent hurricane has caused delays in the progress in that phase of the project. · 2/20 Overlay Project Update – The overlay project is scheduled to begin at the beginning of October. A pre-construction meeting has been set for October 2nd. Mr. Loy informed the Board that the millings from the asphalt removal will be used in various areas of the airport, including a parking lot at the A-4 jet and additional parking at Cape Copters. · FAA MALSR Project – Mr. Loy informed the Board that the MALSR project has been postponed until October 4th. The canned lighting and various other supplies are shipped out of southern Florida, are being delayed because of Hurricane Irma. Mr. Cork asked if these delays would affect the days the airfield would be closed. This is unknown at this time but Mr. Loy assured the Board that all information would be shared as soon as they knew something via the Facebook page and/or the tenant email list. D. Air Service Discussion – · Skywest Visit – Mr. Loy met with the Skywest team for a site visit to determine their IT needs as well as discuss terminal renovations. He informed the board that they were focused mainly on the baggage handling area as well as TSA screening/secure holding area. Different companies will be coming in over the next few weeks formulating bids for the construction. The Board then discussed seating options in the waiting area. Ms. Amos suggested going for a more “executive look” with executive style seating instead of the standard lobby seating that is currently there. · November Business After Hours Sponsorship – Mr. Loy informed the Board that the Airport was slated to host the November Business After Hours event at the Airport. He expressed his interest in trying to move this to another date after the new airline begins operation. The Board agreed with this and asked Mr. Loy to see what he could do to make this change. E. Events – · KCAC Great Planes Expo – Mr. Irwin described the Expo as a “show and tell” to allow perspective buyers the opportunity to get hands on with a few different models of aircraft. The event is to be held September 27th on the East ramp. · 2017 Cancer Gala – Mr. Loy informed the Board that the 2017 Cancer Gala will be held in a privately owned hangar at the airport on September 23rd. Airport staff will assist with making sure the gala staff have access to the hangar and secure the ramp area. Beyond those tasks, the airport will have very little involvement with this event. IV. New Business – A. FAA Annual Inspection –The annual FAA Part 139 inspection will take place on October 25th. Staff has begun preparing the airfield and training records for inspection. · Mr. Loy reminded the Board that the live fire training with the University of Missouri Extension was scheduled for September 15th. This training was required for certification purposes for the new airline. B. Discussion Concerning Airport Snow Blower – Mr. Loy informed the Board that he is revisiting the possibility of acquiring a snow blower for the airport. He has had discussions with MoDOT about focusing solely on a snow blower instead of a front end loader with snow blower attachment. Mr. Loy is exploring the various snow blower options that will work for the airport. He continued that while the equipment will not be available for this winter season, he is hopeful it will be acquired before next year. V. Non-Agenda Adjournment: There being no other business, Mr. Welker moved to adjourn the meeting and Mr. Brune seconded the motion. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 12:25pm. Minutes prepared by _________________________ Hannah Seesing Administrative Clerk