Laconia Airport Authority

LACONIA AIRPORT AUTHORITY 65 AVIATION DRIVE GILFORD, NH 03249 (603)524-5003 * FAX (603)528-0428 www.laconiaairport.com RECORD OF MEETING Thursday, June 11, 2020, 3:38 PM Airport Terminal Conference Room 65 Aviation Drive, Gilford, NH _________________________________________________________________________________ PRESENT: Chairman, Mayor Andrew Hosmer; Vice Chairman, Gilford Selectman, Dale Chan Eddy; Treasurer, William Moran; Clerk, Robert Glendening; Authority Member, Dale Crumb; Belknap County Commissioner, David DeVoy ABSENT : Authority Member, Paul Gaudet, Jr.; Authority Member, Eric Tierno GUESTS: Dave Emerson; Andrey Vegger; Drew Gillett; Dennis Didonna; Lee Avery; Bruce Rivard; Geoffrey Ziminsky; Josiah Ziminsky Meeting Minutes: Chairman Hosmer called the meeting to order at 3:38 pm. I. Action on approval of February 20, 2020 meeting minutes. MOTION: Upon a motion by Mr. Eddy, seconded by Mr. Crumb, the minutes of the February 20, 2020 meeting of the LAA were unanimously approved as submitted. II. Public Input: - Mr. Emerson expressed a concern regarding the meeting date and time having been changed and appropriate notification not being provided resulting in some who might have attended not being able to attend. - Mr. Didonna asked for a copy of the Wind Study that was completed for LCI. The manager agreed to provide him with a copy. NOTE: Authority Member Eric Tierno joined the meeting at 3:54 pm. III. Finance Report: Treasurer Moran led a general discussion regarding the status of the Authority’s finances. A discussion followed as to what effect COVID-19 has had or might yet have related to the airport’s finances and related to the FBOs. It was mentioned that turbine traffic was not what it normally is this time of the year. IV. Old Business  A. AIP Projects Update a. SBG-15 Obstruction Removal for Runways 8 and 26 Phase I: This project is in the data gathering stage to be able to pull together the necessary information to put it out to bid by July 31. Once a successful bid has been received, we will be able to apply for the grant. We have had to front the funds for the data gathering, but those funds will be reimbursed to the airport in the grant. This is for on-airport property and off-airport property that we have easements on. Phase II will be to acquire easements needed for other properties. We are hoping to begin the obstruction removal this winter. b. SBG-16 Pavement Maintenance and Marking: This project is to repair, slurry seal, and re-stripe our Apron and Itinerant Parking Lot. JJ Cunningham LLC submitted the successful bid. The work is scheduled to be performed in the fall. NOTE: At this point in the meeting, the Chair changed the order of the agenda to discuss the Right Traffic Pattern for Runway 26 due to some of the guests attending specifically for this discussion. B. Discussion: Right traffic pattern for Runway 26: - The discussion began with the manager explaining the background of how we arrived at the current position stating that after several discussions in the LAA meetings of 2019, he was directed to inquire of the FAA whether they would have any objection to changing the traffic pattern from left to right. The manager submitted the proper form in September of 2019; he admitted that he was somewhat at fault for improper wording on the application stating, “We would like to change”; it should have been worded, “We are considering ... and are inquiring as to whether the FAA would object.” In any event, the FAA did respond in March of 2020 with “We do not object”. The intention of the LAA was to be able to return to the table for further discussion, but due to the event of the lockdown, the LAA did not meet in the months of March, April, and May. However, in May 2020, a pilot arriving at LCI announced a “right downwind” pattern and when asked about it, stated that it was posted as such in “Foreflight”. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that it was indeed posted on other sites as well as the LCI 5010 form. After discussion with several parties it was decided that the best plan of action was to go with the change for now and make notifications in as many ways as possible. Then, when the LAA was able to meet, further discussion could take place. - A general discussion then followed with several individuals commenting – some asking questions, some making statements in favor of the right traffic pattern, others in opposition and in favor of the left traffic pattern.  - The result of the discussion was a motion to schedule a meeting to specifically discuss the traffic pattern. MOTION: Upon a motion by Mr. Tierno, seconded by Mr. Eddy, it was decided unanimously to schedule a meeting within the next two weeks to specifically discuss the traffic pattern for Laconia Municipal Airport. C. Update regarding Viking Technologies Corp. sale of hangar: - Mr. Vegger explained that due to the coronavirus the sale of his hangar to the prospective buyer has been postponed to an undetermined date. D. Current financial status of tenants in relation to lockdown: a. FBOs – both owners of the FBOs indicated that they experienced a slowdown but were able to do enough business to get them through. b. UHW Properties Inc. – due to the receipt of financial assistance they were able to remain current on their lease payment. c. 15 Airport Road – lease payment is due; may need relief from the LAA – will be discussed further in the July meeting. V. New Business A. Authorization needed for Chair as Mayor to sign the CARES ACT Grant Offer: - Due to the CARES ACT Laconia Municipal Airport has been offered a grant from the federal government in the amount of $69,000 to be used for operational expenses. MOTION: Upon a motion by Mr. Tierno, seconded by Mr. Crumb, authorization was granted unanimously for the Chair as Mayor to sign the CARES ACT Grant Offer. B. SBI Aircraft Services Laconia, LLC Letter of Intent to Lease: - SBI has submitted a Letter of Intent to lease a 2-acre lot on the newly created area adjacent to the closed runway. - It was explained that the subcommittee that was formed to develop a plan for the layout of that area had not been able to meet. Until a plan is developed, there could not be a guarantee of a lease to any party. It was determined that the subcommittee would plan to meet within the next two weeks. C. SBI 20-year review for lease:  - SBI’s lease for Lot 8 – their tie-down lot – is up for a 20-year review. It was decided that a subcommittee be formed to review the lease. Subcommittee members: Mr. Eddy, Mr. Tierno, and the manager. VI. Next Scheduled Meeting of the LAA: July 16, 2020 VII. Without objection, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned at 4:54 pm. Respectfully submitted by the Recording Secretary