Laconia Airport Authority

1 LACONIA AIRPORT AUTHORITY 65 AVIATION DRIVE, GILFORD, NH 03249 (603) 524-5003 Q FAX (603)528-0428 www.laconiaairport.com RECORD OF MEETING Thursday, July 22, 2017, 4:00 pm Airport Terminal Conference Room Present: Chairman, Ed Engler; Treasurer, Bill Moran; Clerk, Scott Davis; Gilford Selectman, Dale Chan Eddy; County Commissioner, Dave DeVoy; Authority Member, Bob Glendening; Authority Member, Russ Dumais; and Airport Manager, Marv Everson. Absent: Vice Chairman, Karmen Gifford Guests present: Dave Emerson, John Leahy, Drew Gillett, and eight members of Double Tee Hangars, Inc.: John Bourdon, Steve LaBonte, Mark Sullivan, Bob Stephens, Mark Gangi, Richard Grant, Doug Schumacher, and Bob Reise. Minutes of Meeting: Chairman Engler opened the meeting at 4:02 pm, noting that there were eight board members present, constituting a quorum. 1. Action on approval of 6/22/2017 meeting minutes: MOTION: Upon a motion by Mr. Eddy, seconded by Mr. Davis, the minutes of the June 22, 2017 meeting were unanimously approved as submitted. 2. Public Input: The representation from the Double Tee Hangars, Inc. spoke at length regarding their lease rate, presenting their reasoning as to granting a temporarily lowered rate which would enable them to invest that savings toward the improvement of their facilities. Also, Mr. Gillett addressed his concern regarding difficulty in reading the recently painted numbers on Runway 26. 3. New Business A. Double Tee Hangars, Inc. – A general discussion took place regarding the concerns that were presented by the representation from the Double Tee Hangars, Inc., the upshot of which was that Double Tee Hangars, Inc. would return to the LAA in one month with a proposal stating their requests more precisely, including a cost estimate and timeframe for the completion of the proposed upgrades to their facilities.  2 Also, that a determination would be made as to what other leased parcels contain unusable wetlands, and what is the size of the areas involved. B. Airport Vehicle – Mr. Moran presented the idea of the airport purchasing a vehicle for the Airport Manager’s use for airport-related activities. Up to this point, the manager has been using his own vehicle for all airport usage; the vehicle is no longer available due to age and deterioration. Currently, the airport is reimbursing the manager for the use of his vehicle. That reimbursement would discontinue if a vehicle was provided. It was suggested that leasing a vehicle would be advantageous as against purchasing. MOTION: Upon a motion by Mr. Moran, seconded by Mr. Eddy, the manager was directed to “look into” the possibility of leasing a vehicle for airport use and report back in one month, by a vote of seven “yes”, and one “no” (Mr. Dumais). C. Proposed Non-aeronautical Hangar Usage – One of the airport’s current tenants is requesting to use a portion of his hangar to operate of a limousine service. The hangar is uniquely set up in such a way that no part of his aircraft storage portion would be affected, and the limousine service would not/could not have access to the airfield – with access only to the street side of the airfield. The tenant would sub-let the space as a commercial use. The FAA and NHDOT BA discourage such use, but do not dis-allow it. A general discussion transpired as to whether the LAA should allow such usage. The matter will be re-visited at the next meeting following a thorough review of the FAA regulations regarding non-aeronautical hangar usage for commercial purposes. NOTE: Mr. DeVoy exited the meeting at 4:57 pm. NOTE: Mr. Gaudet exited the meeting at 5:03 pm. 4. Old Business A. Lawn Mower – At last month’s meeting it was suggested that if the airport owned a zero-turn mower, it would be possible to invest an hour or two as needed to keep the infield - particularly around the lights and signs - free of long grass and improve the overall appearance. It was suggested that we could rent a mower; that would necessitate picking up the mower and returning it when finished, as well as using it all day to make the best use of the time/cost, negating the idea of being able to do the work when “short” time was available. MOTION: Upon a motion by Mr. Moran, seconded by Mr. Eddy, approval was given by a unanimous vote for the manager to investigate the purchase of a suitable used lawn mower for the maximum general budgeted amount of $4,000.00. B. Sand Hill – The City of Laconia and the Town of Gilford have reached agreement regarding the removal of the hill of sand that lies on the border between the town’s Recycle Center and the airport property. The hill will be removed and a line clearly delineated – contingent on the City Council voting favorably at its next meeting.  3 5. Finance A. Current Status – Treasurer Mr. Moran led a discussion regarding the current financial status showing an “exceptionally good year”. B. Capital Improvement Projects (Local) – Mr. Moran recommended the completion of the installation of three terminal windows (these are three that were not replaced during the ’15-’16 FY – estimated cost of $8,000.00) and the completion of the inside terminal rehab – office, resource room, kitchen (Limit expense of $8,000.00). MOTION: Upon a motion by Mr. Dumais, seconded by Mr. Glendening, approval was given to expend the suggested amounts for the replacement of the windows and the completion of the terminal rehab by a unanimous vote. C. Proposed Budget – This will be addressed at the next meeting. 6. Operations Report A. 192 Lily Pond Road (Belknap County Sportsmen’s’ Association) – the Land Release Request (LRR) has been approved by the FAA. We have begun the process of the Purchase and Sale Agreement with the Belknap County Sportsmen’s Association. B. 240 Lily Pond Road – The logging operation has been completed. A very clean and – for all parties involved – quite profitable operation resulted. C. State Block Grant Projects Update 1. SBG-11: Pavement Maintenance and Marking – Phase II (R/W 26 Seal Coating; T/W Crack Sealing; Airfield Pavement Marking); Install Runway Distance Remaining Signs on Runway 8/26 – the schedule for completion of this project is to finish the striping the week of July 30, and install the RDR Signs after Labor Day. 2. SBG-12: Conduct Environmental Assessment – this project is ongoing. 3. Taxiway E Extension – Contingent on FAA funding, this project could begin in the fall, and continue until the weather prohibits further work. D. Beacon Maintenance – Recent electrical storms necessitated repairs to the beacon on Beacon Hill. An assessment of some of the others shows that attention needs to be given to the design/support of the lights to keep them from tipping away from vertical. E. Airdrome Lighting Maintenance – An unusual number of the lights are needing repairs/replacement; primarily due to how long they have been installed – they are just wearing/burning out. 7. NON-PUBLIC SESSION: According to RSA 91-A: 3, II, (a) the dismissal, promotion or compensation of any public employee. MOTION: Upon a motion by Mr. Dumais, seconded by Mr. Eddy, by Roll Call Vote: Mr. Moran – yes, Mr. Eddy – yes, Mr. Glendening – yes, Mr. Dumais – yes, Mr. Davis – yes, and Mr. Engler – yes, approval was given to enter into CLOSED, NON-PUBLIC SESSION at 5:48 pm. Mr. Engler led the Authority in a general review of the job performance of airport Manager Marv Everson, and in a review of his current compensation package.  4 MOTION: Upon a motion by Mr. Dumais, seconded by Mr. Glendening, the Authority members present unanimously voted to increase the annual salary of Mr. Everson to $60,000 and to annually contribute up to 3 percent of his calendar year salary total toward his individual retirement account, with the understanding that Mr. Everson will contribute no less than the same amount at the same time. MOTION: Upon a motion by Mr. Dumais, seconded by Mr. Eddy, the Authority members present unanimously voted to exit non-public session at 6:10 p.m. NOTE: Non-public Session minutes were recorded by Mr. Engler. 8. Adjournment — Mr. Engler declared the meeting adjourned at 6:11 p.m. 9. Next Meeting – August 17, 2017 Respectfully submitted, Marv Everson Airport Manager, LCI