Airport Authority

Athens Ben Epps Airport Authority Meeting December 7, 2021, 3:00PM Live Stream on ACCGOV YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/syWZXi7ljEc In attendance: Mike Mathews, Diane Napier, Keith Sanders, Grant Tribble, David Asman, Craig Westwood, Robert Miles, Davin Welter. Rick Cowick (ACC Planning). Chris Lowery (Holt Consulting), Jacob Redwine (Holt Consulting) Note-taker: Davin Welter 1) Chair Update and announcements: Dr. Napier welcomed the participants and previewed the agenda. Dr. Napier welcomed Davin Welter who is the new Business Coordinator and who started on November 15. She then introduced Mr. Richard Cowick (ACC Planning) who offered to visit the meeting to provide context and information related to the proposals in items 6 b (i & ii) below. Mr. Cowick presented information on the proposed decision to remove the 1-acre lot minimum requirement for tracts in the Airport Overlay Zone, followed by information and context on the Little Oak Street proposal. He took questions from members of the group. 2) October Meeting Minutes: The October minutes were approved as submitted, per unanimous vote. Dr. Napier offered thanks to Mr. Sanders for having drafted the Minutes for the three months of interim period prior to Mr. Welter coming on board as Secretary. Mr. Tribble moved and Mr. Sanders seconded to approve Minutes. 3) Airport Manager Reports a) Financial & Operations Report: Mr. Mathews had very good news to report. Sales of fuel have been slowly increasing after the pandemic. Mr. Welter and Mr. Mathews need to review the concession line in the financial report which is primarily Hertz. Airport Services revenue is up because of the football and basketball games this fall. Credit card expenses are also up because of the increase in sales. On the expenses side, the amounts are as normal. Operations are in the 3,000 range and this is normal. Mr. Mathews will provide pre-Covid vs Covid numbers during the next meeting for more context. Mr. Mathews shared updates in the graphs for Operations, Avgas and Jet fuel. Mr. Mathews also provided updates on several changes in personnel. Davin Welter is replacing Angela Dalton. Chris Lewis who has been the maintenance person for the last 25 years has retired but he will stay on part-time to help the new person who will be hired in the coming month. This is important because we will not lose Mr. Lewis’s institutional knowledge. Mr. Mathews said we have been without a full-time operations person on the second shift. Hopefully, we will have a person on board in that position in the next three weeks. Mr. Mathews expressed his appreciation to the staff, adding that they are a “good crew”. Alton Brent is the new firefighter and he is currently receiving EMT training which will be finished this month. He is doing an outstanding job. ACTION ITEM: Mr. Mathews to provide a report about operations numbers before, during, and after Covid. b) Capital Improvement Project Updates: The schedule C – localizer project is moving along well. Work on the Schedule B – taxiway project has run into some issues. The contractors have found veins of rock in the area of the Alpha 3 connector and part of the taxiway. Mr. Lowery reported that they will have to blast the rock to remove it and they are obtaining a quote now for that work. It will take a few months. Once the rock is removed, the project can resume. The runway 2-20 design process is underway. This project should be out for bid in March of 2022. This will be a tight schedule but is necessary to take advantage of DOT funding. Mr. Asman asked if Alpha 3 would be shut down during the blasting and until the work is done. The answer is yes; Alpha 3 will not be open until after the blasting. The rock is mainly impacting the ditches and ponds that need to be put in for the project. Mr. Asman asked if the tower is aware and Mr. Mathews said  that the airport has been in good communication with them. Jessica Turner is the Tower Chief is included in the construction meetings every week. The capital budget and capital improvement requests have been submitted. New items added include a firefighting vehicle and a self-serve Avgas unit. c) Marketing & Outreach: Mr. Mathews stated that there is no update this month. Mr. Welter will be receiving ACC training so he will be able to work with the website and social media. d) Clear Point Data System Update: Mr. Mathews stated that there is no update on this item. Mr. Welter will be receiving instruction on updating Airport data in the system, after which updates will be back on track. e) In-person meetings update: Mr. Mathews said that given indications from and in ACC, he does not see us meeting in person at any time soon. 4) Old Business a) Lexington Highway Projects: Dr. Napier said there is no real update. The ACC staff and engineers are still working on the surveys and data gathering processes. Additional updates from the User Group are likely once preliminary reporting occurs, or when the data gathering stage is complete. Dr. Napier noted that Mr. Mathews is likely to be approached at some point, as the staff gather data related to airport projects. Dr. Napier added that GDOT work on reconstruction of the loop 10 interchange is proceeding regularly at present. b) Micro Park installations: Mr. Mathews reported that the bench, picnic table, garbage container and the dog waste cleanup station have been installed. People have been observed already using this little park area. Eventually, landscaping edging will be installed to contain the gravel base on which these furnishings stand. c) CCSD & Ben Epps Airport Outreach Opportunity: Mr. Miles reported that he has been staying in touch with his contacts at Clarke County School District and is making them aware of events and activities at the airport, and highlighting the tangible portions of the airport that the public can visit. ACTION ITEM: Mr. Miles to continue giving updates during the monthly Authority meetings 5) New Business a) FY 2021 Annual Report status: Mr. Welter presented a rough draft on the Annual Report. Members offered suggestions to improve the document. Mr. Welter will send the draft to all members. All agreed to observe a deadline of December 17 to make suggestions. ACTION ITEM: Board members will provide input on the Annual Report before December 17. b) TSPLOST 2023 application: Mr. Mathews provided an update on the status of the two applications for TSPLOST 2023 funding. One for hangers and one for a multiuse trail. The TSPLOST Committee asked follow up questions about the projects but unfortunately, our projects did not make the (first) list sent to the Commissioners. Mr. Mathews stated that there are a lot of good projects that are one the list and so the competition is great. Currently, the airport holds two loans for T hangers and Mr. Mathews believes them to have 6-8 years left to pay. There is room on the Eastside for a new T-hanger. Mr. Mathews is considering the possibility of applying for another loan for more T-hangers. Mr. Mathews also stated that fencing will have to be installed for some portions of the airport perimeter and it would make good sense to enhance it by creating the multiuse trail. The trail would provide a means to connect other ACC assets like Satterfield Park, the Firefly Trail and the future quarry park. Dr. Napier added that the TSPLOST  2023 selection process is a long one, and in later stages there might be possible opportunities to put these projects back in. Mr. Westwood asked if a land-lease procedure would be an option to pursue for T-Hangars. Mr. Redwine stated that the Paulding County Airport has hangers with a private land lease situation. Mr. Asman said Gwinnett and several others also have private land lease hangers. Mr. Mathews responded that a land-lease option would be worth investigating, given the growing demand for hangars at AHN. ACTION ITEM: Mr. Mathews to look at options and the potential for leasing back newly constructed hangers. c) Fly-in Event sponsored by EAA: Mr. Westwood report that the event on November 27 turned out really well with about 30 - 40 folks attending. He felt this was great since it was a holiday weekend. Great hospitality was provided and $83 were raised. Dr. Napier asked how the funds would be used. Mr. Asman replied that such funds are used to support club activities and operations; the UGA Aviation Club has supported scholarships for flight school. The UGA Aviation Club will continue the events in January and will go through the spring. Mr. Asman said that we are seeing what we want to see for this event. Georgia Pilots/Aviator group on Facebook has covered it and is providing good publicity. Mr. Asman also stated that these events are bringing positive exposure for the airport. Community members are coming out for these events as well as folks flying in. 6) Standing Committees: Issues & Updates a) Business/Finance: There are no updates according to Mr. Sanders. b) Operating: i) Review of 437 Little Oak Street Planning Proposal: The presentation by Mr. Rick Cowick at the start of the meeting provided broad context for the review and discussion of this proposal, led by Mr. Asman who chairs the Operating Committee. This is a proposed private elementary school development - two buildings and an athletic field. Height is not an issue in regards to the airport. Lighting has been mentioned as a concern related to the airport. Some 150 to 200 children will be onsite. Mr. Mathews has responded to the zoning areas that impact the airport and Planning has put these responses in the report. Mr. Mathews said that he does not see any issues with it the proposed development, but he does want to add having the area in the overlay that is part of the football field shielded. Mr. Cowick said that if there are any other concerns to put them in the Authority motion. Mr. Cowick would like to have a decision by a week before the January 6 Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Asman summarized the main features of the proposal and said that it is fairly close to the airport, but the precision approach is on the other side of this project. Originally, there was confusion as to where the overlay line was on the lot map. This was satisfactorily clarified. Further discussion occurred about lighting and for the most part it was determined that it is not an issue except when using instruments in inclement weather. The Operation Committee wants to add a stipulation regarding the lighting and when it can be used. The specific proposed lighting plan and any changes to the plan will need to have approval from the Director and the Airport Authority especially if the property changes ownership. Mr. Asman moved for the Airport Authority to recommend for approval the proposed school development at 437 Little Oak Street (see motion below). Mr. Westwood seconded the motion. The motion was approved with a unanimous vote. Motion: I move for the Airport Authority to recommend approval of the proposed school development at 437 Little Oak Street, provided that the specific athletic field lighting plan is kept on record with the Airport Director’s office, and that any changes to that plan, or to the lighting once built, seek approval of both the Airport Director and the Airport Authority.  ii) Planning Department action to remove 1 acre minimum lot size in Overlay Zone: For nine years there has been a minimum one acre lot size regardless of classification in the Airport Overlay Zone. This requirement did not exists before then. Mr. Cowick stated that there seemed to be a desire to remove the one-acre lot minimum in the Overlay Zone. Under the new rule a lot split would not be sent to airport which will be the main impact of this action. If there is a variance, it would still come to Authority. Mr. Sanders asked a clarifying question about the process. This action will formalize the process to get a waiver or a variance to receive the Authority approval of any planned developments. Mr. Mathews said that the number of bedrooms and the lighting are the two biggest concerns for the airport. Mr. Asman and the Operating Committee recommended that the Authority approve the changes. Mr. Asman moved, and Mr. Sanders seconded a motion for the Airport Authority to recommend for approval the changes to the county’s zoning ordinance with respect to the airport overlay, as shown below. The vote was unanimous in support of the motion. Motion: I move for the Airport Authority to recommend approval of the changes to the county’s zoning Ordinance with respect to the Airport Overlay, as provided in a draft document to the Airport Authority. Following the vote, there was brief discussion that this change was the outgrowth of a request by the Authority to the Planning Department. The Authority asks that all proposals involving the airport Overlay be sent to the Authority for our information. Mr. Mathews and the planning staff will work out a professional courtesy to let the authority know of proposals in the Overlay Zone. c) Air Service Development/Marketing: Mr. Mathews met with a Charlotte representative of American Airlines, American is still interested in Athens but things are not solid. Commercial service should be obtained between 2022 and 2024 in order to utilize the SCASDP grant the airport received. Mr. Mathews stated that 2023 or 2024 look very positive for commercial service. American continues to evaluate their operations in Columbus, GA and this will impact the possibilities in Athens. Mr. Mathews will continue to attend conferences and continue to talk to other service providers about commercial service. Mr. Mathews also stated that the Authority will talk about air taxis in the January meeting. 7) Other Business: a) Election & Vote: Airport Authority Chair, Vice Chair: Dr. Napier and Mr. Sanders were nominated as chair and vice chair respectively. Dr. Napier asked for a vote on Mr. Sanders. Mr. Sanders was elected for another one-year term as vice chair by a unanimous of the Authority. Mr. Sanders then asked for a vote for Dr. Napier as chair of the Authority. She was elected for another one-year term as Chair by a unanimous of the Authority. b) Airport Authority Secretary: Appointment by Chair: Dr. Napier formally appointed Mr. Welter as Secretary of the Authority, in keeping with the By-Laws, Article IV, Section 3 (5) that note such appointment is one of the responsibilities of the Chair. Note that Mr. Welter is an ACC employee but one of his roles is to serve as Secretary of the Authority. c) Schedule for tasks following December meeting: Dr. Napier obtained agreement on December 17 as the deadline for input on the FY21 annual report. She asked for members to provide other community impacts not listed in the report. There was a discussion about the number of humanitarian flights (Angel Flights, Pilots and Paws, etc.) being made from AHN. Mr. Asman suggested surveying the aircraft tenants to find out if they do any humanitarian missions. Mr. Asman state that he knows of at least 30 humanitarian flights or missions out of Athens. Dr. Napier suggested that the community needs to know about these kinds of good works being done at the airport. It was suggested that Mr. Mathews will put a paragraph in  his next tenant email with a Google form to capture this information. Also Dr. Napier suggested that we determine if these humanitarian efforts need to be added to the Destination diagram. ACTION ITEM: Mr. Mathews to include a request for information about humanitarian flights in the nest tenant newsletter. d) Next meetings: January 25, 2022 & February 22, 2022: Dr. Napier will not be able to chair the January meeting and Mr. Sanders will lead the meeting. However, Dr. Napier noted that all materials for the January meeting will be assembled and ready for Mr. Sanders to lead the meeting. 8) Adjourn: 5:18 PM Mr. Sanders moved, and Mr. Westwood seconded to adjourn the meeting, with unanimous agreement.