Airport Authority

Athens Ben Epps Airport Authority Meeting March 28, 2023, 3:00PM Minutes Live Stream on ACCGOV YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/live/kMMZ0GO9XuE?feature=share In attendance: Mike Mathews, Grant Tribble, David Asman, Diane Napier, Keith Sanders, Jeff Benjamin, Davin Welter, Niki Jones Apologies: Craig Westwood Note-taker: Davin Welter 1) Chair Update and announcements: Mr. Tribble welcomed the participants and previewed the agenda. 2) January and February Meeting Minutes: The January minutes were not approved because there was not a quorum. Mr. Tribble called for a vote on the January minutes. The January minutes were approved as submitted, per unanimous vote. Mr. Sanders moved and Dr. Napier seconded to approve the January minutes. Then the February minutes were approved as submitted with one minor correction, per unanimous vote. Dr. Napier moved and Mr. Asman seconded to approve the February minutes. 3) Airport Manager Reports a) Financial & Operations Report: Mr. Mathews reported that our financials continue to look good. He said that it is difficult to predict what the revenues are going to be for each month. The Department of Defense is here for this week using our facility for training. We continue to have strong military fuel sales. The airport fees have increased because of the strong athletic charters operations. b) Capital Improvement Project Updates: Mr. Mathews said the 2-20 Runway project is slated to begin on April 10. We had a pre-construction meeting on March 16 with all parties involved in the project. Once this project begins we will have weekly meetings with this group. The project should be done in 75 days. Mr. Benjamin asked about rebates from Georgia Power to institutions who are installing LED lighting which could be part of the project. Mr. Mathews said he would check into that opportunity. Mr. Mathews reported that Congressman Mike Collins, Commissioner Patrick Davenport and Commissioner Tiffany Taylor visited the airport on March 14 and they reviewed the current status of Runway 2-20. Several needs were discussed including possible funding for a new Airport Rescue and Firefighting truck and appropriate perimeter fencing. The group also visited the Control Tower. Mr. Mathews informed the Authority that there are now five sites for a new tower that will be built at AHN. April 4 is the deadline to make a decision on the final site and the new tower will hopefully be completed in 2025. Working with RS&H, AHN is redesigning and rebidding the Taxiway Alpha project and hope to move as quickly as possible. The bid announcement for the project will be in July and then the bid opening is in August. Mr. Mathews does not like the back taxiing that is required currently because of Taxiway A being out of commission. Fortunately, he stated that with UGA Football having a light home schedule, it should not be a problem. c) Marketing & Outreach: Mr. Mathews reported that he spoke to the Kiwanis Club on March 21. Folks at the club asked about commercial service. Mike also reported that he has installed new furniture in the Flight Center and that an ACC monitor providing information about the county government has been added. He discussed the possibility of selling ads on that monitor. Mr. Mathew discussed with Mr. Asman the possibility of adding a mini park in front of the Flight Center. He passed around some examples of what could go in that space. Jamie Boswell, District  10 GDOT representative visited on March 27 and he got a comprehensive tour of the airport. Mr. Welter at Mr. Mathews request reported on the self-serve avgas unit project which is moving forward. 4) Old Business a) Strategic Plan Update: Mr. Welter reported on the strategic plan to update the language for ACC requirements. He hopes that it will be ready for the Authority’s review at the April meeting. 5) New Business a) Standing Committee Member Assignments: Mr. Tribble reported that Mr. Asman and Mr. Westwood will continue to serve on Operating, Dr. Napier and Mr. Benjamin will serve on Air Service Development, and Mr. Sanders and Mr. Tribble will serve on Finance. Mr. Tribble thanked all board members for their service on these committees. 6) Standing Committees: Issues & Updates a) Business/Finance: Mr. Sanders had no report. b) Operating: Mr. Asman had no report. c) Air Service Development/Marketing: Mr. Mathews had no report. 7) Other Business: a) Mr. Tribble gave Mr. Jones an opportunity to talk about his role with the airport management. Mr. Jones is excited about working with AHN and encouraged the board members to reach out to him if they have any needs. b) The next meeting will be held on April 25, 2022, 3-5 p.m., in the conference room in the Flight Center Building. 8) Adjourn: 3:53 PM Mr. Benjamin moved and Mr. Sanders seconded to adjourn the meeting, with unanimous agreement. Minutes Approved, DATE: Grant Tribble, Authority Chair Davin Welter________________________