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, December 21, 2023, 16:00L Terminal Conference Room Chairman Hosmer called the meeting to order at 4:03 pm. ROLL CALL:  PRESENT: Laconia Mayor Andrew Hosmer ; Mr. Eric Tierno ; Ms. Kim Weeks; Mr. Jason Larrere ; Belknap County Commissioner Peter Spanos  ABSENT: Town of Gilford Selectman Dale Chan Eddy*; Mr. Steve Cotter ; Ms. Vicky VieBrooks ; Mr. Dodge  GUESTS: Mr. John Gorham , Mr. Dave Emerson , Mr. Lee Avery, Mr. Steve LaBonte, Mr. Pete Thompson AGENDA: 1. Action on Approval of 11/16/2023 Meeting minutes. MOTION: Upon a motion by Ms. Weeks, seconded by Mr. Larrere, the minutes of the November 16, 2023, meeting were unanimously approved as submitted by the recording secretary. 2. Public Input: a. Mr. LaBonte and Mr. Thompson raised concerns regarding the large cracks in the pavement on Taxiway Alpha. Mr. LaBonte said that he had taken photos of the existing gaps and that they had experienced damage to aircraft due to the present condition. The Chair commented that the topic was addressed at the November 16, 2023 meeting; it was agreed at that time that the Authority intends to address the condition of the Alpha Taxiway by soliciting proposals for pavement repair early in 2024. 3. Review of Finances – The manager led a discussion regarding the finances. *NOTE: Mr. Eddy joined the meeting at 4:19 pm. 4. AIP Projects Update (Mr. Gorham) a. SBG-15 Obstruction Removal – The contractor has scheduled a crane to remove the trees adjacent to the end of the bypass, which will necessitate  the closure of the runway for up to four days. The grant funds for the project expire in March, so the project must be closed out by then. b. SBG-20 Perimeter Fence – We are still looking into redesignating the wetlands to allow us to construct the fence where it would be best situated. The DES is considering a rule change regarding wetlands; we are monitoring the outcome to see how it might affect our project. c. CROSSWINDS Development – We submitted the design grant application and await a response from NHDOT BA. The construction grant application needs to be signed and submitted. (Item 6.b. below) Upon receipt of the grant offers, we will have assistance paying for the work, some of which has already occurred. The contractor has agreed to hold his prices until January 31, 2024. The responses to the RFP will determine how many taxiways we construct. i. RFP response – There has been substantial activity in response to the RFP. Ads have been posted on several sites and periodicals. A discussion occurred regarding the development of the RFP and whether it was done appropriately. 5. Old Business a. 15 Airport Rd. – A discussion occurred regarding the property's condition and the lease's status. MOTION: Upon a motion by Mr. Larrere, seconded by Mr. Tierno, a decision was made by unanimous vote to instruct our attorney to begin proceedings to terminate the lease agreement due to breach of contract. b. Lot 4 – A communication occurred to the concerned party that the LAA is not actively marketing Lot 4, and we will agree to his investigation of the feasibility of developing the lot. We still hold to the requirement of being included in his findings, but there is no need for a right of first refusal. If he decides to move forward with the development of that lot, and the LAA agrees with his plans, we can proceed with a lease agreement. If he chooses not to develop the lot, we want to know why – hence, the engineering firm's finding. 6. New Business a. Authorization for the Chair to sign an Option to Ground Lease Agreement with Revision Energy to install and operate a solar array on airport property on Lily Pond Road/Rout e 11C.  The Authority tabled the item until the January meeting, requesting confirmation from the New Hampshire Municipal Association on whether we are following the proper protocol for leasing public lands. b. Authorization to sign Grant Application to Construct West Side Access Road and Taxiways E1 , E2, and E3 MOTION: Upon a motion by Mr. Larrere, seconded by Mr. Tierno, the Chairman was authorized to sign the GRANT APPLICATION for CONSTRUCTION OF WEST SIDE ACCESS ROAD (1,800±' LONG BY 22' WIDE) & UTILITIES AND TAXIWAYS E1, E2, AND E3 (115' LONG BY 25±' WIDE EACH) SBG-09-TBD-2024 by unanimous vote. c. Authorization to sign a proposal with D&K to create a lease lot : The 1.9-acre lot outside the fence adjacent to Recycle Way abuts the Emerson Aviation property. Meadow Brook Holdings wants to lease the lot from the airport; before leasing, we must designate it as a lease lot with the Town of Gilford. The proposal from Dubois & King is to perform the following SCOPE OF SERVICES for $7,000 to $8,500:  Update research and abutters  Field check plan  Set corners  Draft plan  Application to Gilford Planning Board  Meetings/Representation MOTION: Upon a motion by Mr. Spanos, seconded by Mr. Eddy, the Chairman was authorized by a unanimous vote to sign the proposal from Dubois & King to perform the listed SCOPE OF SERVICES necessary for creating a lease lot for a cost of no more than $8,500. d. Remote monitoring for obstruction lighting. - Ms. Weeks stated that she wanted to put a placeholder in the minutes indicating that the board, within the near future, would be looking at costs for remote monitoring of the nine obstruction lights when visual observance is not possible with the ultimate objective of improving safety. A general discussion regarding the benefits of such a system followed. 7. Other Business  a. User experience - Ms. Weeks mentioned the need for an avenue for positive or negative pilot feedback. After a favorable discussion, it was determined that the means of that accomplishment would be investigated. 8. Next Scheduled Meeting: January 18, 2024 9. The Chair declared the meeting adjourn ed at 5:41 pm.