Airport Authority

Athens Ben Epps Airport Authority Meeting February 28, 2023, 3:00PM Minutes This meeting lacked a quorum Live Stream on ACCGOV YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/live/maQwjzjWSDk?feature=share In attendance: Mike Mathews, Craig Westwood, Grant Tribble, David Asman, Davin Welter, Frank Henning (MBI), Andrew Bolin (RS&H) Apologies: Diane Napier, Keith Sanders, Jeff Benjamin, Blaine Williams Note-taker: Davin Welter 1) Chair Update and announcements: Mr. Tribble welcomed the participants and previewed the agenda. Mr. Tibble noted that there were only three members of the Authority present and that there was a lack of a quorum. 2) January Meeting Minutes: The January minutes were not approved because there was not a quorum. Mr. Tribble said that we would vote on the January minutes at the March meeting. 3) Airport Manager Reports a) Financial & Operations Report: Mr. Mathews reported that our financials continue to look good. UGA Athletics should be thanked for this positive outlook because of the charter flights that are buying jet fuel and paying airport fees. Expenses are higher because of maintenance and upgrades that are needed. b) Capital Improvement Project Updates: Mr. Mathews said the 2-20 Runway project is slated to begin in April. It includes new runway surface, runway lighting, and upgrading safety areas. The Runway Obstruction Free Area (ROFA) project passed GDOT’s inspection. In May, AHN is installing foam testing equipment for our Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Truck. Lastly, working with RS&H, we are redesigning and rebidding the Taxiway Alpha project. Mr. Asman asked if the lighting on 2-20 runway is going to be LED. Mr. Mathews said that he would need to look into that. c) Marketing & Outreach: Mr. Mathews said that Youth Leadership Athens visited and had a good tour. Mr. Tibble and Mr. Asman discussed having a small park in front of the Flight Center on the airside for kids and picnic tables. 4) Old Business a) Strategic Plan Update: Mr. Welter reported that the Manager’s Office has requested a reworking of the AHN Strategic Plan to match the other ACC Department plans. This will include providing more details and adding some explanation as to the why for the goals. It will also readjust the headings in Clearpoint. 5) New Business a) Standing Committee Member Assignments: The vote on committee assignments will be postponed until the March meeting when we have a quorum. 6) Standing Committees: Issues & Updates a) Business/Finance: Mr. Sanders was not present and therefore there was no report. b) Operating: Mr. Asman had no report.  c) Air Service Development/Marketing: Mr. Mathews attended a Mead and Hunt Air Service Development conference in Arizona on January 31. He had discussions with American Airlines and encouraged them to continue to give AHN serious consideration. He also said that he has sent an email to the Air Services Development (ASD) group and he will schedule an ASD meeting and will present the new market study and any updates from the conference. The Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) grant according to Mr. Mathew’s discussion with DOT official will be able to be extended a year at a time. 7) Other Business: a) The next meeting will be held on March 28, 2022, 3-5 p.m., in the conference room in the Flight Center Building. 8) Adjourn: 3:34 PM Minutes Approved, DATE: Grant Tribble, Authority Chair Davin Welter________________________