Airport Authority

Athens Ben Epps Airport Authority Meeting October 26, 2021, 3:00PM Live Stream on ACCGOV YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/4WqYTrGG76o In attendance: Mike Mathews, Diane Napier, Keith Sanders, Grant Tribble, David Asman, Robert Miles, Craig Westwood, Jacob Redwine, Chris Lowery. Note-taker: Keith Sanders 1) Chair Update and announcements: Dr. Napier welcomed the participants and previewed the agenda. 2) Corrected draft September Minutes: Approved as submitted, per unanimous vote. Dr. Napier offered thanks to Mr. Sanders for continuing to draft the Minutes during this interim period without a Secretary. 3) Airport Manager Reports a) Financial & Operations Report: Mr. Mathews reviewed the Financial Report for September 2021, pointing out that once again the airport was able to operate at a profit, all the while as indicators increase at a modest rate monthly. Mr. Mathews mentioned that flight school business is particularly good, as are the prospects for other schools developing an interest in locating operations at the Athens Airport. This, and other flight activity at AHN in the past month, is all partly due to pent-up demand from COVID. b) Capital Improvement Project Updates: i) Mr. Mathews stated that the Localizer project should be complete in about 2 weeks. ii) Mr. Mathews also reviewed status of work along runway 9/27, including that work is now underway for Alpha Phase 2-3—making the taxiway ramp perpendicular as well as laying down rock base for the new taxiway. Action Item: Mr. Mathews stated that in the next meeting he will review the updated status of the full set of CIP projects. c) Marketing & Outreach: Mr. Mathews stated no update. (See 6-c below) d) Clear Point Data System Update: Mr. Mathews stated that there is no update. e) In-person meetings update: Mr. Matthews stated that he has a meeting next week with ACC management to discuss the latest outlook for this. 4) Old Business a) Lexington Highway Projects: Dr. Napier reported that Derek Doster and the ACC staff are working with design engineers on the projects listed for the Lexington Road corridor, including listed projects associated with the airport. b) Micro Park installations: Mr. Mathews reported that his team will be working on assembling all the components, anticipating site preparation and installation. Action Item: Mr. Matthews expects installation to be completed by the end of November. c) Playground at Kennesaw Airport FYI: Dr. Napier shared an article in AJC about the Kennesaw Airport Aviation-Themed Park. That airport has been working with Kennesaw State University’s Education School regarding ideas for this park. d) Airport Business Coordinator position/hire- update: Mr. Mathews stated that this position is now filled with the new Coordinator starting November 15th. Mr. Mathews also stated that Christina Morales has been promoted to Administrative Assistant II, and that long-time Maintenance Technician Chris Lewis is retiring from full-time work November 12, but is expected to continue on a part time basis. e) CCSD & Ben Epps Airport Outreach Opportunity: Mr. Miles reported that he has been staying in touch with his contacts at Clarke County School District, but there is no update yet. Action Item: Mr. Miles previously asked that we have this as a standing item for monthly Authority meetings. 5) New Business  a) FY 2021 Annual Report status: Mr. Sanders gave a brief report on the status, including that our latest timeline is to complete the draft report and review it with the authority at our next airport authority meeting, then finish production/printing soon after that. Dr. Napier reviewed the Location/Convenience page, asking members for feedback on appropriate maps/visuals to include. Mr. Miles suggested that we give Google Maps or other applications for driving directions reference information for quick mobile phone lookup, and that the only distance information that we should keep would be to/from Athens downtown/the UGA arch to the airport. Mr. Asman suggested that we provide FAA-only info in any mention of specifications about the airport. It was agreed to leave the Driving Distances visual (esri map) in the set as it approximates the airport’s catchment area. It was also agreed to retain the standard ACC location map showing Clarke County, major roads, Athens downtown and the airport location. Mr. Westwood suggested that we should even remove the data about the airport on this page, since pilots obtain that information elsewhere, and that we enlarge the airport map—but only show the buildings and streets and not the runways. Subsequently it was agreed to omit the airport diagram altogether. Mr. Tribble further commented and agreed with these suggestions on the page. b) UGA Aviation Club Fly-in Event: Mr. Asman reported that the latest Fly-In event was a great success, with approximated 100 people in attendance—all per his discussion with the club president after the event. The next Fly-In event is preliminarily scheduled for end of November, but might be pushed to January due to the holidays. Hosting of the November event is still to be finalized, either hosted by the UGA club again, or alternatively by EAA or another group. Mr. Westwood agreed to investigate the interest of EAA in hosting the event. Mr. Asman added that the new flight school coming to AHN attended all three social events of the Club in recent months, and on the basis of their experience they developed their interest in locating business at AHN. Action Item: Mr. Asman suggested that a consistent, ongoing schedule will be key to success with these events. 6) Standing Committees: Issues & Updates a) Business/Finance: Mr. Sanders stated that at present there are no updates other than focus being on the FY2021 annual report. b) Operating: Mr. Asman reported that State Senator Frank Ginn is expressing interest in meeting with Athens airport representatives. Regarding zoning around the airport, Mr. Mathews stated that the ACC Planning Department spoke with him regarding a reduction in minimum lot size for properties within the overlay zone. Action Item: Mr. Mathews will set up a call meeting with ACC Planning to discuss further the proposed amendment reducing lot size to half an acre. c) Air Service Development/Marketing: Mr. Mathews stated that he has a Zoom meeting set with American Airlines on November 10th, regarding follow up on commercial air service at Athens. 7) Other Business: a) Event Idea: Fernandina Beach Airport “Run the Runway 5K”: Mr. Sanders gave a review of this event the he participated in at Amelia Island, FL, which was a 5K on a closed runway. b) Schedule for November, December, January meetings and elections: Dr. Napier asked for interest in the positions of Chair and Vice Chair for calendar 2022. The authority discussed possible dates in November but agreed to hold the next Authority meeting on December 7th, which will cover November and December. At the December 7th meeting, the Authority will elect the new Chair and Vice Chair for calendar 2022 since Dr. Napier will be abroad in January. Dr. Napier asked for nominations for the positions of Vice Chair (Diane Napier nominating Keith Sanders) and Chair (Keith Sanders nominating Diane Napier).  c) Mr. Westwood asked if the new Federal vaccine mandate (for any organization accepting Federal funds to require employees to be vaccinated) will be any issue for the airport. Mr. Mathews confirmed that airport employees (full-time and part-time) are already vaccinated. 8) Adjourn: 4:30 PM