MINUTES AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COLUMBUS AIRPORT
COMMISSION HELD AT THE COLUMBUS AIRPORT
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2015 AT 9:30 AM
The following Commission members were present for the entire meeting.
NAME EXPIRES
Mr. Winfield G. Flanagan,
Chairman December
31, 2018
Mr. Kerry W. Hand, Vice
Chairman December
31, 2017
Mr. Carl Rhodes, Jr. December 31, 2019
Mr. Chris Badcock December 31, 2016
The following Commission members were absent:
Mr. Thomas G. O. Forsberg,
Treasurer December 31, 2015
Staff members present:
Richard C. Howell, A.A.E., Airport Director
W. Donald Morgan, Jr., Legal Counsel
Mary Scarbrough, Secretary
Eric Trivett, Maintenance Manager
Jennifer Wright, Restaurant Manager
Melissa Chadwick, Chief of Public Safety
Andre? Parker, Public Safety
Lorrie Brewer, Chief Accountant
Sonya Hollis, Marketing Manager
Others present:
Jay Pease, Robinson, Grimes & Company, P.C.
BUSINESS OF THE MEETING
The October 28, 2015 Columbus Airport Commission Meeting was called to order by
Mr. Winfield Flanagan.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Mr. Kerry Hand to approve the minutes as amended for the September
23, 2015 meeting; seconded by Mr. Chris Badcock and unanimously approved by the
Commission. Ayes: 4 / No: 0
CONSIDER ACCEPTANCE OF FISCAL YEAR 2015 AUDIT REPORT FROM ROBINSON, GRIMES &
COMPANY, P. C.
Mr. Richard Howell introduced Mr. Jay Pease from Robinson, Grimes & Company,
P.C. to speak on the Fiscal Year 2015 Final Audit Report for the Columbus
Airport.
Mr. Pease stated the Fiscal Year 2015 Audit went smooth, a copy of the report
was provided to each Commissioner. There being no questions or comments, Mr.
Pease reported it was a good audit.
Staff recommends acceptance.
Motion by Mr. Kerry Hand to accept the Fiscal Year 2015 Final Audit Report from
Robinson, Grimes & Company, P.C. for the Columbus Airport was made: seconded
by Mr. Chris Badcock and unanimously approved by the Commission. Ayes: 4 / No: 0
CONSIDER REQUEST FOR THE OUTDOOR BILLBOARD INSTALLATION
Mr. Howell reported the Marketing Department is submitting a request to the
Commission to install a full color digital billboard at the Main Entrance of
the airport located on W. Britt David Road in order to increase awareness,
signage and generate Non-Aeronautical Revenue for the Columbus Airport. Bids
were requested from Command Systems, Signs Unlimited and Sunshine Banners &
Signs. After reviewing all proposal submittals I would like to recommend that
we move forward with Sunshine Banners & Signs. Sunshine Banners & Signs is
familiar with the current monument that stands at the main entrance and can use
it in its current state. The billboard would not have to be cut and simply
requires the top to come off and be replaced with the larger, updated LED
screens. The estimated costs to install signage will be $33,967.50 which
doesn?t include operating expenses, estimated at $80.00 per month. No
additional maintenance is required. Installation will take eight to ten weeks.
Software available to run the program can be run onsite from a designated
workstation or remotely. Based on current calculations with an average of
$1,500 in new revenue a month the airport will make a ROI in less than two
years. With the other additional opportunities to advertise within the airport
the ROI on the billboard could pay for itself within eighteen months or less.
Staff recommends approval to install the Outdoor Billboard.
Mr. Chris Badcock asked the size of the sign?
Ms. Sonya Hollis said the sign would be sixteen feet wide and three feet wide
which will meet city ordinance guidelines.
Mr. Kerry Hand inquired will the advertising banner be with scrolls, and can it
be set for certain times?
Ms. Hollis stated yes. She had completed research with the city personnel and
received information that twenty thousand cars come by the airport per day, it
is a high traffic area. Another benefit there are no other billboards until
you reach Moon Road from Airport Thruway.
Mr. Badcock asked for confirmation that there would be no problems concerning
the sign. He asked Ms. Hollis if she will be in charge of the advertising.
Ms. Hollis answered yes, and will be in charge of the rates for the advertising
on the sign.
Mr. Don Morgan stated that the Supreme Court authority indicated by letter in
previous years to the airport that it is not bound by the sign ordinance
because the airport is a governmental entity, and because the constitutional
amendment gives this Commission sole and total control of the real estate it
owns.
Mr. Badcock said this should bring in some funds to the Columbus Airport with
the advertising fees.
Mr. Howell confirmed yes the advertising on the sign will bring in some funds
for the Columbus Airport.
Mr. Hand inquired if the distance from the road if the sign can be seen and
read clearly.
Ms. Hollis said yes the sign will be full color, and big enough for people to
see.
Motion by Mr. Carl Rhodes, Jr. to approve to purchase the billboard for the
Columbus Airport was made: seconded by Mr. Chris Badcock and unanimously
approved by the Commission. Ayes: 4 / No: 0
CONSIDER RUNWAY 6/24 PAVEMENT MARKING CONTRACT
Mr. Howell stated the Commission is aware that as a result of the annual
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certification Inspection we had a couple
of write ups and remarks that need to be resolved. The FAA inspector wrote
discrepancies on the quality and correctness of marking on both runways at
CSG. Airport Administration put out a competitive Request for Proposal and
received four bids for the work. One bid was found unresponsive for not adding
an addendum to the RFP that would affect the pricing. Of the remaining bids,
JJ Cunningham, LLC was the successful low bidder at $61, 485.40. This pricing
was low enough that Administration added a refresh of the runway centerline
that brought the total to $70,061.00. The contract period is 35 days. To
expedite the process while the weather remains fair, the Airport Director
executed the contract.
Staff request the Commission ratify the Director?s action.
Mr. Howell reported the work will begin on Monday November 2, 2015.
Motion by Mr. Carl Rhodes, Jr. to approve Runway 6/24 Pavement Marking Contract
for the Columbus Airport was made: seconded by Mr. Kerry Hand and unanimously
approved by the Commission. Ayes: 4 / No: 0
The Fence project should be complete in approximately twenty days. An
extension has been issued until December 12, 2015 for the fence.
Mr. Badcock stated so there will be two separate projects going on. Where is
JJ Cunningham, LLC out of?
Mr. Howell said yes there will be two projects on the airfield at one time and
that JJ Cunningham, LLC is out of Pennsylvania.
DIRECTORS REPORT
Mr. Howell stated there have been a couple variations on the agenda where two
items had been pulled based on some off line discussions by the Columbus
Airport Commission.
FINANCE
Mr. Howell introduced Ms. Lorrie Brewer who provided the following financial
update.
The Airport sustained an overall loss of $105,364 with an adjusted net profit
(without depreciation, amortization, grant or PFC revenues) of $52,115 in
September. Year over year it amounts to loss of approximately 25% in comparison
to September of last year in which we had an adjusted net profit of $69,837(see
Summary of Airport Revenues & Expenses).
Fuel sales and flowage fees were down approximately $34K compared to last year
and rental fees were up by $19K compared to last year this time. We incurred a
$15K loss on our investment account in September as well. Actual rents from the
rental car agencies were available at the time of closing and are reflected in
the increase in rental fees for this month.
Propellers will present their own reports. The Flightways report will be
submitted with the agenda.
Compared to this month last year, labor and benefits expenses were down
approximately $12K; repairs and maintenance expenses were up significantly by
$17K (Sign Markings & Repairs making up a significant portion of this amount);
utilities and other services expenses were up around $3K; insurance costs
showed little change and administrative expenses were down by around $2K over
last year.
Tenants Past Due 60 Days or More: See report with financials.
Update on Airport Improvement Project 39:
AIP 39?Construct Airport Perimeter Fencing & Wildlife Hazard Management:
Grant Balance: $776,066.00.
Cash flow was negative for the month. This reflects some projects being due for
reimbursement from PFC account (see the Cash Flow Summary).
Mr. Badcock asked about detail on the report provided, and why fuel sales were
down $34,000.00?
Ms. Brewer reported they were due to fuel prices being higher last year.
Mr. Howell stated due to the cost of goods was substantially different and
starts affecting your profit.
PROPELLERS
Ms. Jennifer Wright provided the following update on Propellers:
? The Chamber?s Inner City Leadership Tour Breakfast catering went very well
and smooth on September 30th.
? Jennifer Wright and Propeller?s employees were able to drum up business with
Delta for their employee appreciation day in September.
? The new Combo 3000 vending machine has been quite successful in the ice cream
area with $164 total sales in a two week period.
? Cost of goods sold decreased by 18% year over year. September 2015 cost of
goods sold were $2,800.
? Total expenses were decreased by 19% year over year. September 2015 expenses
were $7,500 compared to $9,207 last year.
? Net loss was decreased year over year by 46%. September 2015 the net loss
was $2,433 compared to $4,466 last year.
? Propeller?s staff and Jennifer Wright have continued to stay on course with
achieving the goal to increase profit by 5% and decreasing total expenses.
FLIGHTWAYS COLUMBUS
Mr. Howell reported Ms. Michele Renfroe could not attend the meeting today due
to working the counter at Flightways Columbus. Her report will be added to the
minutes as you view them today.
? Fuel gallons pumped year over year comparison:
Fuel item
Gallons pumped September 2015
Gallons pumped
September 2014
% Change
Auto
196
276
-28.99%
AVGAS
7,027
7,503
-6.34%
Diesel
130
159
-18.24%
Jet A (Express Jet)
13,602
25,455
-46.56%
Jet A (Retail)
9,437
12,666
-25.49%
Jet A (Contract)
12,963
8,387
54.56%
Jet A (Gov?t/Mil)
3,856
2,172
77.53%
Jet A (Justice Flights)
8,977
2,804
220.15%
?
? Justice Flight number of aircrafts handled in the month of September of 2015
(15) compared to September 2014 (11).
? FWC employees have been busy with several sports charters from Auburn
football and soccer to Texas A&M as well as the Chamber of commerce flight. The
month of October schedule will be just as busy.
Mr. Howell reported in looking at fuel sales, one of the biggest drops seen was
ExpressJet. Apparently they were tankered most of the month of September 2015,
and cut into our profit margins. Mr. Howell contacted our Eastern Sales
Representative who actually sells us fuel, he will provide us what kind of
profit margins happen in different areas in the region. We are identifying
different airports with the same level of service as the Columbus Airport, and
we have a list of vendors from Ms. Renfroe, intangibles and get other their as
to what we are providing in moving forward.
Mr. Howell gave a short briefing on the air service conference he attended last
week. In keeping with our policy, not giving out specifics to the public due
to the nature of carriers being upset. We met with all the majors, totaling
five airlines. In moving forward, the grant the Commission won last year
carries a lot of weight, there are carriers out there looking for new markets.
The Delta representative told Mr. Howell they had not seen the Columbus Airport
Director in a decade. Mr. Howell assured the Commissioner?s that will not
happen again.
Mr. Hand inquired regarding the research communication to the airfield and all
tenants.
Mr. Howell reported that Ms. Hollis is now in charge of all Tenant
Communications, and will be the focal point. He also confirmed all emails will
be copied to all Commissioners each time some information is sent out.
Mr. Hand asked if there was an update from the General Aviation Committee this
month.
Mr. Howell announce Mr. Richard DesPortes has resigned as the President of the
General Aviation Committee.
Mr. Badcock stated that Mr. Michael Greenblatt would be willing to speak with
the Commissioners regarding the General Aviation Committee and his interest in
becoming the new president of the committee.
Mr. Morgan stated the Commissioners need to meet prior to the November 2015
Commission Meeting to discuss filling the open position on the General Aviation
Committee. In previous years Mr. Greenblatt was the Commission Chair and on
the Commission several years and did a great job.
Mr. Howell said as with the Public Safety Wildlife Team, the General Aviation
Committee need folks that are engaged and interested in aviation to join the
committees.
Mr. Andre? Parker stated that information had been sent out and encouraged
anyone who would be interested in becoming a part of the Wildlife Team to
contact him.
Mr. Howell said that both general aviation and corporate people are needed and
welcomed for both Committees.
Ms. Hollis said she is currently working on a master list for all Tenants which
will improve all communication.
OTHER MATTERS
Mr. Flanagan reported that the current seat held by Mr. Thomas Forsberg as a
Columbus Airport Commissioner will end for his first term on December 31, 2015.
Mr. Howell stated he will reach out to Mr. Forsberg to see if he would like to
remain for another term on the Columbus Airport Commission.
Mr. Flanagan said he will announce Mr. Forsberg?s decision at an upcoming
meeting.
At the end of the October 28, 2015 The Columbus Airport Commission Meeting
adjourned at 10:10 AM for a closed session for a personnel discussion.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 11:32 AM
APPROVED:
____________________________ _____________________________
Mary Scarbrough, Secretary
Winfield G. Flanagan, Chairman
Attachments
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