Airport Authority

Athens Ben Epps Airport Authority Meeting June 28, 2022, 3:00PM DRAFT Minutes Live Stream on ACCGOV YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/t8rHoXBziXE In attendance: Mike Mathews, Diane Napier, Keith Sanders, Grant Tribble, Craig Westwood, David Asman, Robert Miles, Davin Welter, Chris Lowery (Holt Consulting), Peter Hughes (RS&H), Jim Duguay (Michael Baker International), Jeff Benjamin (visitor, incoming Authority Member July 1). Apologies: -- Note-taker: Davin Welter 1) Chair Update and announcements: Dr. Napier welcomed the participants and previewed the agenda. Dr. Napier welcomed Jeff Benjamin who is a visitor today and who will be joining the Authority as a member effective July 1. 2) Robert Miles, Airport Authority Member: Recognitions, words of appreciation, and a presentation were presented to Mr. Miles whose term on the Authority ends on June 30. Mr. Mathews spoke about the contributions of Mr. Miles to the Authority and expressed his appreciation. He presented Mr. Miles with a token of the Authority’s appreciation, a mantle clock with engraved plaque to be affixed. Dr. Napier talked about Mr. Miles tireless efforts to connect the airport with the University of Georgia (Athletic Department) and with the Clarke County School District and the ACC community. She expressed her sadness for his leaving but wished him health, happiness, and good adventures. Mr. Miles said that he is humbled to have been a member of the board and said if there is any way he can be of service to the airport, he is more than happy to continue to assist. He said the work done here is important and he appreciates having been involved with the airport. Mr. Sanders also expressed his appreciation of being a member of the same team with Mr. Miles. Mr. Westwood concurred with the appreciation. Mr. Asman has known Mr. Miles as a customer and now as a board member and is grateful for his friendship. 3) May Meeting Minutes: The May minutes were approved as submitted, per unanimous vote. Mr. Sanders moved and Mr. Miles seconded to approve the minutes. 4) Airport Manager Reports a) Financial & Operations Report: Mr. Mathews stated that we had tremendous amount of Jet A sales in May. The Conquistadors (an aviation society) met at Reynolds Plantation and used AHN as one of their airports. Because of this, the airport almost ran out of fuel but fortunately we were able to refuel. All other revenue was normal for the month and AHN is looking well for the year end. AvGas sales were down a little because of the heat because hot weather impacts flying frequency. The price of fuel continues to be high and that has impacted fuel sales as well. Mr. Sanders asked about fuel pricing and how it works. Mr. Mathews responded as follows. He said he has never seen the price of fuel this high. Mr. Mathews explained that normally, we look at area airports and compare their prices and try to be in the middle of group. We have a set margin that we have to have to generate revenue to support airport operations. Recently, we lowered our margin on AvGas and raised our margin on Jet to help the General Aviation public. Price updates from suppliers come on a weekly basis and that is the reason for the weekly fluctuation in prices. Dr. Napier asked Mr. Mathews to review the tax holiday as to its relevance for airport fuel sales, and Mr. Mathews responded that it does not affect aviation, unfortunately. Mr. Sanders asked  about the next fiscal year budget. Mr. Mathews responded that it will be very similar to this year. However, AHN will be paying more in administrative costs to the county. b) Capital Improvement Project Updates: Mr. Mathews said that we are waiting on a flight check for the Localizer to bring it back online. The Localizer has been painted (Orange and white as required by the FAA). The Runway 2-20 project is being designed and the preparation for construction has begun. The project will be delayed because of supply chain issues which actually could be helpful during the UGA home football season. The Taxiway Alpha project is waiting on the change order from Astra Group and it has to go to Mayor and Commission for approval before construction will start again. The ROFA and ARFCart projects received a tentative allocation letter from GDOT. Dr. Napier asked about the new tower. Mr. Mathews said we were number six on the list and the new tower will be much taller than the current tower. The site location for the new tower is in process. The AHN tower is fully funded by the FAA. c) Marketing & Outreach: Mr. Mathews reported that the ACC Chamber of Commerce is holding a regional event here at the airport on Thursday June 30 focusing on regional development issues. Mr. David Bradley, ACC Chamber CEO, has invited members of regional chambers to the meeting and Mr. Mathews will make a presentation about the airport and prospects for air service development at this meeting. Mr. Welter (Airport Business Coordinator), Dr. Napier (Authority Chair) and Mr. Sanders (Vice Chair) will also attend. Action Item: A report will be made to the Authority at the July 26 meeting. d) Clear Point Data System Update: Mr. Welter said there is no report this month. An update will be forthcoming in subsequent weeks once work begins on tasks such as updating the Strategic Plan. 5) Old Business a) CCSD & Ben Epps Airport Outreach Opportunity: Mr. Miles reported that he continues his campaign to connect the school district, currently focusing on cultivating connections with school principals to see the airport as a valuable resource in the community and a destination for field trips. Mr. Miles wants to continue to foster that relationship. b) Lexington Highway Corridor Update: Dr. Napier reported that she had sent an update about a week ago about the public input that included a survey and an in-person engagement session on June 23. The focus of the in-person meeting was primarily on the impact that the sidewalk extension projects will have on Lexington Highway and on property owners along the corridor. Current and next activity will center on right of access issues, imminent domain, and property acquisition efforts. The possibly for an airport entrance on Lexington continues to exist especially if the tower is located on the Southside. A four-way traffic light and intersection required as part of a large residential development (Trintas Corp) is the likely route in, for a new airport entrance fronting on the Lexington Highway. Intersection improvements are slated for surveying and preliminary plan development after the summer. 6) New Business a) There is no new business at this time. 7) Standing Committees: Issues & Updates a) Business/Finance: Mr. Sanders said there is nothing to report from this committee. b) Operating: Mr. Asman informed the Authority that the Athens Tower is holding their Airport Runway Safety Action meeting tomorrow, June 29, at 10 am in the airport conference room and it is open to the public.  c) Air Service Development/Marketing: Mr. Mathews and Mr. Tribble stated that they had no new business to report. 8) Other Business: a) The ACC Leisure Services Fireworks event will be held at the Airport on Saturday July 2, with 9:30 pm as the time that the fireworks will begin. Parking off Buddy Christian and Satterfield Park will open at 7 pm. This is the third year that the community event has been held at the airport. AHN will be shut down for the event and will not open until everything has been cleaned up. Members of the public are not allowed access to the airport property during this event. b) Sustainability, ACC Proposed Clean & Renewable Energy Plan Public Input period through July 22. The Authority will continue to wait until this ACC plan is further developed before moving forward on any plans at the airport. Currently, the ACC plan is still in its early stages of development. However, Mr. Welter noted that a small next step for the airport is the investigation of installing some vehicle recharging stations on the airport property. c) Next meeting: Tuesday July 26, 2022, 3-5 p.m. 9) Adjourn: 3:55 PM - Mr. Sanders moved and Mr. Miles seconded to adjourn the meeting, with unanimous agreement.