Airport Authority

Athens Airport Authority Meeting March 27, 2018 3:00 p.m. Athens Flight Center - Conference Room Authority: Lester Shindelman, Chair Beth Higgins, David Asman, Michael Pierce Bayne Smith via conference call with no voting input Airport: David Fluck, Interim Airport Director Angela Dalton, Airport Billing Coordinator Robert Hiss, ACC Assistant Manager A. Public Comment: N/A B. Approval February 20, 2018 Authority Minutes: Mr. Asman made a motion to amend Section E, b. 2018 Committee Assignments, Members, to change members of the Operations Committee from David Asman and Bayne Smith to David Asman and Allen Seymour. Mr. Pierce 2nd. Motion approved with unanimous vote. Once this change made, minutes are approved. C. Zoning a. Planned Development, 250 Dublin Street: Mr. Fluck noted that staff met with Mr. Bob Smith, Smith Planning Group, as a preliminary discussion of the proposed development and advised him to present to the whole Authority for their initial feedback. Mr. Smith was in attendance as well as Rick Cowick, ACC Planning Department. Mr. Smith distributed preliminary concepts for the development. It was noted that the initial proposal is to construct 13 lots on 3.2 acres which is an average of 4 units per acre. The current zoning restrictions in this district state 1 unit per acre is allowable. After discussion, the consensus of the Authority is that they are charged with protecting encroachment on the airport and to protect the public and aviation operations. It was noted that for a more formal determination, the proposal would have to go to Committee for further review. No action taken at this time. D. Airport Manager Reports a. Financial Report: Mr. Fluck reviewed the financial report provided by the ACC Finance Department as of 2/28/18. b. Operations Report: Tabled. c. Fuel Sales Tax Legislation Update: No update. Will be removed from the April agenda. d. Runway Project Update: Mr. Fluck reported that Holt Consulting submitted plans to the ACC Planning Department to begin the plans review process. It was also noted that staff and Holt representatives met with GDOT today concerning funding and phasing and funds should be available in July and construction could begin in August if the bids are acceptable to all parties. e. Falcon Aviation Operations Update: Mr. Fluck reported that staff has met with the architect to discuss completing a portion of the baggage claim area for their use as classroom space and are currently waiting on a final cost estimate from the architect before proceeding. Mr. Hiss noted that staff researched the economic development funds that may be available to assist with funding as mentioned at the February meeting, but could not find any such assistance.  f. Financial Reporting Meeting With David Boyd: Staff, along with Mr. Shindelman and Ms. Higgins met with David Boyd, ACC Finance Director, and his staff to discuss the Airport fund and financial reporting. In that meeting Mr. Boyd noted that the Airport’s funding description in the CAFR will be moved from listing as a true authority into the enterprise fund during the FY19 budget process. This change will have no impact on operations or the budget, it is only for reporting purposes. Any changes to the report provided by Finance would need to be requested by the Authority and submitted to staff and Finance for their review. g. On-Call ASD Consultant RFP: The committee met and a draft RFP was placed on the Google Drive for the Authority to review prior to today’s meeting. Suggested revisions were proposed and discussion was held concerning such. Mr. Fluck will make the requested changes and send back to the Authority for their review. Ms. Higgins made a motion to recommend to approve Mr. Fluck to proceed with submitting the RFP to ACC Purchasing once changes have been made. Mr. Asman 2nd. Motion approved with unanimous vote. E. Chairman Update a. Meeting with Mayor: Mr. Shindelman reported that he met with the Mayor and reviewed the strategic business plan flow chart with her and how that relates to the air service development process the Authority is currently focusing their efforts. b. Current Authority Initiatives: No discussion to be noted outside of E.a. above. F. Old Business a. Airport Director Search: Mr. Hiss noted that the job posting closes on March 30th. The consultant will forward a short list of candidates on April 16 for the Manager’s review. b. Civil Air Patrol Space Request: Staff met with CAP representatives and offered the temporary trailer space for their use at a different location on the Airport. Staff is currently working on an agreeable lease agreement and the associated relocation costs. The Airport will relocate the trailer at ACC expense and CAP will be responsible for all upkeep and maintenance of the facility as well as all associated monthly utility costs. CAP was very appreciative and accepting of the proposal. c. Incentive Plan: Mr. Hiss noted that he compiled a first draft of an incentive plan by researching information from other comparable Airports. The ASD committee will review the plan and forward to the Authority for their approval and ultimate submittal to the Mayor & Commission for their review and approval. G. Business, Finance & Planning Committee a. Strategic Planning Process: Mr. Smith updated via phone a summary of the meeting with Catherine Bennett, ACC Organizational Development Director, and staff concerning the steps to be taken in the planning process. A spreadsheet was distributed outlining the proposed process and timeline. b. Strategic Planning Process Next Steps: Combined with 7. a. H. Operations Committee a. General Aviation Customer Satisfaction & Competitor Review Process: Mr. Asman noted that Ms. Dalton is researching regional area “peer” airports to assist in developing a customer satisfaction survey. The survey may contain different elements based on the type of customer that is being questioned. Staff is also working to update a based customer email database.  b. Sustainability Meeting Update: Mr. Asman noted that he and Mr. Shindelman attended the ACC hosted meeting this morning assuming it would be geared more toward a “green” initiative, but found that it was based upon the sustainability of a business and/or the Airport itself and what effort it takes to support their sustainability. One take away from that meeting was that the UGA Office of Sustainability will work to support and could potentially provide subsidized interns to assist in the Authority’s strategic planning process or wherever else may be needed. I. Air Service Development Committee a. SCASD Grant Update: Ms. Higgins noted that the ASD meeting was held yesterday and the discussion centered mainly on the consultant RFP and the incentive plan. To date, there has been no further release of information concerning the grant submittal. b. Marketing & Promotion Partner Status: Ms. Higgins noted that this process is on hold until the grant award has been announced so that a partnership with the Classic Center can be more clearly defined based upon the funds available. c. ASD Working Group: Ms. Higgins distributed a handout listing the current members of the working group along with the invite letter sent to those members. She noted that the list could be reviewed and refined as needed by the ASD Committee and requested input from all Authority members on their ideas of how the stakeholders should be defined and whom to include to obtain the best community input. J. New Business Mr. Shindelman proposed that instead of having set Committee meeting time and dates, the chair of the committee will call a meeting as needed during the month. Ms. Higgins noted that she would like to continue to hold the ASD Committee meeting as a standing meeting to be held prior to the monthly Authority meeting. Mr. Pierce noted that he has a conflict on the 4th Tuesday at 2:00. It was determined that the ASD Committee meetings will continue to have a standing meeting every month immediately following the Authority meeting. All other Committee meetings will be scheduled on an as needed basis. Adjourn at 5:03 p.m. Respectfully Submitted ____________________________ Angela Dalton, Secretary