GAINESVILLE-ALACHUA COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY
MONTHLY MEETING
Highlights
Airline Terminal - Restaurant
Thursday, May 15, 2003, 5:00 p.m.
Call to Order by the Chair
Vice Chair Morris called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m.
Authority Members Present at Roll Call: Billy Brashear, C.B. Daniel, Jim Gallagher, Janice Honeyman-Buck, Jon Morris, and Jim Stringfellow. Bob Todd arrived at 5:06 p.m.
Pat Bainter and Marilyn Tubb were excused.
Determination of a Quorum It was determined that a quorum had been reached.
Approval of Meeting Highlights of April 17, 2003
Dr. Gallagher moved to approve the meeting highlights of April 17, 2003. Dr. Honeyman-Buck seconded the motion. Motion passed
Adoption of the Agenda
Mr. Stringfellow moved to adopt the agenda. Mr. Daniel seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Citizens Input – Non-Agenda Items
Mr. Dashwood Hicks, representing the Gator Exchange Club, asked the Authority to consider purchasing a new set of Freedom Shrine documents. He reported that the club’s Freedom Shrine, which was installed at the Airport many years ago, was dismantled in November 2002 to allow space for TSA to expand its screening apparatus. He indicated that the Freedom Shrine documents will need to be remounted on new fixtures and that several are damaged and will need to be replaced. Mr. Hicks indicated that the Gator Exchange Club was willing to pay for remounting the documents for display in the airport, but requested financial assistance to purchase the shrine documents from its national organization. He reported that the national organization is offering the documents for a price of $650.00 through the end of May, and cost almost twice as much when not on sale.
Mr. Crider stated that providing a new location for the Freedom Shrine will be considered during the airline terminal renovation project.
Dr. Honeyman-Buck moved to approve a contribution of up to $650.00 to purchase the Freedom Shrine set of documents. Mr. Todd seconded the motion. Motion passed 7-0.
Mr. Jay Curtis, University Air Center General Manager, reported that UAC’s first day of operation as an FBO was very busy. He also reported that the Canadian Snowbirds aerobatic team visited UAC for refueling while traveling to an air show in Fort Lauderdale.
Airport Authority Input – Non-Agenda Items - None
Consent Agenda – None
Airport Business:
Information Items
Mr. Crider reported that he and Dr. Brashear attended an American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) Annual Conference in Los Angeles in April.
Mr. Crider reported that the agenda packet for this meeting was made available on the airport’s website. He stated that if any Board member was having a problem accessing the packet, that arrangements would be made to continue delivering the packets. He also suggested that arrangements for computer assistance could be made to help identify specific issues or problems experienced by Board members in accessing the packet from the website.
Mr. Crider reported that he has written to the congressional delegation representing the Airport’s market area, and to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to voice concern over the proposed personnel cuts announced by TSA on April 30, 2003. Gainesville Regional Airport is slated to loose 13 screeners, 41% of its workforce.
Mr. Crider reported that the FBO transition from Flightline Group, Inc. to University Air Center has gone smoothly and he commended Dr. Lukowski, Jay Curtis and their staff.
Mr. Crider reported that Mr. Don Stanley, Attorney for the Authority, is assessing the amount of liquidated damages owed to the Airport due to problems experienced with access control equipment installed by Texas Commercial Fence.
Mr. Crider reported that the North Central Florida Sportsman’s Association has renewed its interest in establishing a shooting range at the old police-training academy on Airport property.
YTD 2003 (January – April) Air Traffic Volume is down only 3.5% compared to the same period 2002. This decrease can be attributed, in part, to a decrease in available number of seats available in the market, as well as the war and a recovering economy.
Finance Report
Mr. Gordon Rowell, Finance Manager, reviewed the March 31, 2003 year-to-date operating budget and actuals. Through the first six (6) months of this fiscal year, the Airport reported an income (before depreciation) of $60,600.
Parking Letter of Agreement
Mr. Crider reported that the current parking lot management contract with USA Parking, Inc. expires on June 30, 2003. The contract cannot be renewed, and proposals for managing the parking must be solicited via an RFP process, which cannot be accomplished by June 30, 2003. He reported that USA Parking, Inc. has agreed to continue in its management role on a month-to-month basis, for up to three (3) months. During this period, the airport will consider its options of fulfilling this parking lot management requirement.
Vice Chair Morris recommended that the Finance and Operations Committee consider the options for managing the parking lot.
Mr. Daniel moved to approve the letter of agreement extending the ending date of the current contract between USA Parking System, Inc. and GACRAA on a month-to-month basis for up to three (3) months and direct the Director of Aviation to execute the letter of agreement. Dr. Honeyman-Buck seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Air Service, Advertising and Marketing Committee Report
In the absence of the committee chair, Mrs. Marilyn Tubb, Mr. Crider provided the report.
Mr. Crider reported that the committee endorsed the recommendation to provide complimentary baggage carts and directed staff to investigate a cart sponsorship campaign.
Mr. Crider reported that staff has plans to meet with Continental Airlines in Savannah, GA in June and also in the Fall.
Mr. Crider reported that the committee is investigating ways to improve food and beverage service in the terminal.
Mr. Crider reported that the committee is considering a schedule of Air Service Incentives that can be offered to airlines who are interested in initiating new service.
Mr. Crider reported that our Master Plan consultant, Reynolds, Smith and Hills, Inc., will conduct a strategic planning session with GACRAA members later this summer.
Dr. Morris suggested that an Airport delegation should visit with Delta Airlines in Atlanta to discuss customer service problems. Dr. Honeyman-Buck endorsed this proposal.
General Aviation Committee Report
Dr. Morris reported that the committee discussed the FBO transition from Flightline Group, Inc. to UAC.
Mr. Crider reported that UAC will develop a policy and fee schedule for pulling aircraft in and out of Authority managed hangars.
Dr. Morris stated that the committee discussed issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the east site. He recommended that the RFP be flexible enough to allow respondents to propose the type of business they wish to establish on the site.
Mr. Crider reported that the committee considered a staff recommendation to establish a deadline for owners to file a claim for reimbursement of moving expenses of their Port-A-Ports. Eight Port-A-Ports were relocated last October, and to date, six owners have been reimbursed for the move. The owner of two Port-A-Ports has not submitted a claim for reimbursement and this delay prohibits the Airport from closing out a state grant. The owners are eligible to receive up to $2,000 per unit in reimbursement from GACRAA. Mr. Crider stated that he had discussions with the Port-A-Port owner earlier in the day in an effort to expedite the reimbursement process. Mr. Crider recommended that the Authority establish a deadline at the next monthly meeting if all owners have not been reimbursed by that time.
Mr. Crider reported that the committee endorsed the recommendation to solicit proposals for the operation and management of the Fuel Farm for a one year period. An RFP will be drafted and submitted to the Authority for consideration at the June meeting.
Tenant Reports - None
Airport Authority Attendance – No Issues
Adjournment
Vice Chair Morris adjourned the meeting at 5:50 p.m.
GACRAA Monthly Meeting
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Patrick Bainter Date
Chair
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Janice Honeyman-Buck Date
Secretary/Treasurer
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