Airport Authority

Athens Airport Anthority Meeting Jnly 25, 2017 3:30 p.m. Athens Flight Center - Conference Room Authority: Beth Higgins, Chair Allen Seymour, Lester Shindelman, Bayne Smith Airport: Tim Beggerly, Airport Director Robert Hiss, ACC Assistant Manager Angela Dalton, Airport Billing Coordinator Public Comments: NIA A. Open Meeting 1. Approval of June 20, 2017 Authority Minutes: Approved as submitted. 2. Financial Report: Mr. Beggerly reviewed the financial report as of 6/30/17. The receivables aging report was also reviewed. He noted that he will request that David Boyd, Finance Director, attend the August meeting to give a more thorough year-end report and discuss depreciation. B. Zoning: N/A D. Old Business 1. Project Updates: a. Commercial Terminal Project: The project is still on schedule and within budget. Discussion was held concerning changing the date of the ribbon cutting ceremony to one month later than originally scheduled in order to have more time to have both the outside and inside of the building fully complete and tenants moved in. Consensus of the Authority was to schedule ceremony to 9/29/17. Keith Sanders will check the Mayor and Commission schedule and secure that date on their calendar. b. Runway Rehab Project: Mr. Beggerly reported that the survey and geotech work is complete. He also noted that the GDOT has decided to delay funding for this project one year into FY19 instead ofFY18. The FY19 cycle begins October 1, 2018; however, most project funding is not released until the spring of the following year. 2. Airport Manager Reports: a. Aircraft Operations: Down 30% from June 2016 and down 5% year to date. 3. TSPLOST Requests: Robert Hiss noted that the Mayor & Commission's final work session is scheduled for later today to finalize the list and budget of the projects that will be submitted for approval at their August voting meeting. The Airport's request for matching funds is currently still on the list for approval. 4. Airline Committee Report: Mrs. Higgins noted that Mr. Pierce is working with UGA to obtain official support of the Authority's effort in applying for the federal air service grant. She also noted that she participated in a conference call with Holt, Inc. representatives along with representatives from Meade & Hunt Consulting regarding assistance in submitting the grant application. Currently, the order to submit applications has not been issued, but work still continues on compiling information for the application.  Mrs. Higgins also met with the NEGA Regional Commission concerning support for ASD Committee efforts and supporting sponsoring the working group. They did offer their support for the grant application. It was also noted that the ASD Committee is still in conversation with airline "A" and Mr. Beggerly is working to complete an incentive package for the Authority to review. E. New Business: 1. Review Sunshine law with ACC Attorney: John Hawkins, ACC Assistant Attorney with ACC Attorney's office, distributed copies ofa "Primer of the Georgia Opens Meetings Act" and gave an overview of the responsibilities of the Attorney's Office/Department. He also reviewed the open meetings rules that pertains to Authority's and government agencies. F. Tabled Items: NIA G. Adjourn: 5:00 Respectfully Submitted dLo~-- kfJ Dalton, Secretary  PRIMER ON THE GEORGIA OPEN MEETINGS ACT JULY 25, 2017 1. What is the Georgia Open Meetings Act? The Georgia Open Meetings Act, O.C.G.A. §§ 50-14-1 through 50-14-6, provides the dos and don'ts for meetings of public bodies. 2. What is the purpose of the Act? The Act "'was enacted in the public interest to protect the public-both individuals and the public generally-from "closed door" politics . . . ."' EarthResources, LLC v. Morgan County, 281 Ga. 396, 399 (2006) (quoting The Atlanta Journal v. Hill, 257 Ga. 398,399 (1987)). 3. Who is covered under the Act? The applicable statute, O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1, uses the term "agency," which is broadly defined to include state government entities, counties, cities, and "every department, agency, board, bureau, office, commission, authority, or similar body" of a county or city. 4. What is a "meeting" under the Act? The applicable statute, O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1, defines a meeting as (i) The gathering of a quorum of the members of the governing body of an agency at which any official business, policy, or public matter of the agency is formulated, presented, discussed, or voted upon; or (ii) The gathering of a quorum of any committee of the members of the governing body of an agency or a quorum of any committee created by the governing body at which any official business, policy, or public matter of the committee is formulated, presented, discussed, or voted upon. As a general matter, this statute requires that all meetings be open to the public. 5. If Airport Authority members meet at a restaurant and discuss Airport Authority business, is this a meeting under the Act? If a quorum of the members are present, yes. 6. If members of an Airport Authority committee meet at a restaurant and discuss Airport Authority business, is this a meeting under the Act? If a quorum of the committee members are present, yes. Page I of2 J 7. Are there certain gatherings that are not considered meetings under the Act? Yes. Under O.C.G.A. § 50-14-1, there are certain gatherings that are not considered meetings. These are: • Inspection of physical facilities or property (no discussion of official business or taking any official action) • State-wide, multijurisdictional, or regional meetings to participate in seminars or courses of training (no official action) • Meeting with officials of the legislative or executive branches of the state or federal government at state or federal offices (no official action) • Traveling to a meeting or gathering (no official business, policy, or public matter is formulated, presented, discussed, or voted upon by the quorum) • Social, ceremonial, civic, or religious events (no official business, policy, or public matter is formulated, presented, discussed, or voted upon by the quorum) 8. Are there certain meetings or portions of meetings that may be closed to the public? Yes. A public body may hold an executive session to discuss certain topics. Common examples are discussions with the public body's attorney regarding a pending lawsuit, discussions regarding purchase or sale of real estate, or certain personnel matters. There are procedures a public body must follow to enter into an executive session. 9. What if I have a question regarding the Act? The Attorney's Office is here to help. The number to the Attorney's Office is (706) 613- 3035. Important note: This primer is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact the Attorney's Office with any specific questions or concerns. Pagel of2