MINUTES AT THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COLUMBUS AIRPORT
COMMISSION HELD AT THE COLUMBUS AIRPORT
THURSDAY, JULY 22, 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. Thomas G. O. Forsberg,
Treasurer December 31, 2015
Mr. Carl Rhodes, Jr. December 31, 2019
Staff members present:
Richard C. Howell, A.A.E., Airport Director
W. Donald Morgan, Jr., Legal Counsel
Mary Scarbrough, Secretary
Sonya Hollis, Marketing Manager
Jennifer Wright, Propeller?s Manager
Lorrie Brewer, Chief Accountant
Melissa Chadwick, Chief of Public Safety
Eric Trivett, Maintenance Manager
Ed Gibson, Public Safety
Others present:
Richard DesPortes, R. D. Aircraft; Emily Belobraydic, CSG Aviation; Carter
Woolfolk, Yates, Woolfolk Insurance; Chris Badcock, Blaise Sharkey, Jack
Wright, Amber Clark, Joshua Marcy
BUSINESS OF THE MEETING
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Winfield Flanagan at 9:30 AM.
Mr. Flanagan welcomed everyone in attendance to the meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion made by Mr. Thomas Forsberg to approve the minutes for the June 25, 2015
Commission Meeting as presented; seconded by Mr. Kerry Hand and unanimously
approved by the Commission. Ayes: 4 / No: 0
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE COOLING TOWER PROJECT CONTRACT FOR THE COLUMBUS AIRPORT
Mr. Howell reported the Request for Proposal (RPF) process to select a
contractor to install two new cooling towers for the main passenger terminal
has been completed. The bid was written to replace one failing unit and had an
additive bid of replacing the remaining tower. Both towers have been in
service since 1991.
The apparent low bidder for this work is Holbrook Service Company, Inc. of
Columbus, GA at a bid price of $117,073.00 to replace both towers. The project
is being funded with a previously approved and collected Passenger Facility
Charges (PFC).
The available funding for this project is $122,507.00. Our consultant costs to
design and manage the project will be an additional $12,050 .00. Therefore,
the total project expense is anticipated to be $129,123.00 or $6,616.00 over
the allocated funding. It is proposed to use Airport Enterprise funding to
cover any expense beyond the available PFC funding for a project that has an
anticipated life expectancy of twenty plus years.
Staff recommends award and the Commission chair to sign the contract.
Motion by Mr. Thomas Forsberg to approve the Cooling Tower Project Contract for
the Columbus Airport: seconded by Mr. Kerry Hand and unanimously approved by
the Commission. Ayes: 4 / No: 0
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE FBO REWARDS PROGRAM FOR FLIGHTWAYS COLUMBUS
Mr. Howell stated Flightways Columbus is submitting a request to the Commission
to implement an incentive rewards program for local tenants rewarding them for
purchasing products and services from the FBO. The Rewards Program will give
tenants points for every dollar spent at the FBO elevating them to various
levels based on participation. The program was developed in conjunction with
the new fee schedule adopted for services in the FY16 budget to minimize the
impact to our customer base that consistently purchases good and service from
Flightways. The program will run for one year with the levels resetting at the
end of every fiscal year.
Implementation date is anticipated to be August 1, 2015. The program has been
reviewed by the GA Committee.
The levels of Rewards are as follows:
PLATINUM 5,000 points GOLD 3,500 points
Free Aircraft Towing 10 Free Aircraft Tows
$100 Flightways Credit $75 Flightways Credit
Weekend Fuel discount ($0.50 per gallon) daily Self-Service fuel discount
(~$0.30/gallon) on Full Service
SILVER 2,000 points BRONZE 1,000 points
5 Free Aircraft Tows 2 Free Aircraft Tows
$40 Flightways Credit $25 Flightways Credit
Rewards are cumulative and can be used anytime during the year once the level
has been achieved.
Staff recommends approval of the FBO Rewards Program for Flightways Columbus.
Motion Mr. Thomas Forsberg to approve the FBO Rewards Commission Fee Schedule
for the Columbus Airport was made: seconded by Mr. Kerry Hand and unanimously
approved by the Commission. Ayes: 4 / No: 0
CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR THE REVISED AIRCRAFT STORAGE AGREEMENT
Mr. Howell reported the Commissions current aircraft storage permits were
developed eight years ago. Since that time many aspects of certain provisions
of the agreements (e.g. t-hangar policies, insurance levels, etc.) have changed.
The document has evolved into an Aircraft Storage Agreement that encompasses
both tie-down, gang hangar and t-hangar agreements. All general provisions for
lease, rental fees, use maintenance, etc. remain unchanged. Staff?s efforts
were focused to address discrepancies 1) between the storage agreement and with
the Master Lease Agreement adopted by the Commission in 2014 and 2) areas where
processes for certain provisions fell short of intents.
Incorporation of five percent fee for late rental payments, along with security
and lock deposits are included. On the recommendation of our insurance
underwriter the insurance requirements were increased to $1,000,000.00 from the
existing $100,000.00. Exhibit A and B were incorporated to a single Exhibit
B. Exhibit A was modified to be ?Registered Owners List? to fully identify the
persons holding the aircraft stored on the premises.
Staff recommends the approval of the revised Aircraft Storage Agreement.
Mr. Howell asked Mr. Richard DesPortes, General Aviation Committee, if he would
like to provide any questions or comments at this time?
Mr. DesPortes in regards to the Fee Schedule has received some positive
feedback. He does not believe the Fee Schedule is unfair. However some
people he has spoken with suggested it by used on a trial basis and possibly
the be a town hall meeting on it or using the first six months of this year as
a basis for what reward level they are at starting in August. The fee schedule
indicates a $25.00 charge for each time a plane is moved in and out of the
community hangar, which may be hard to keep up with and can be very costly.
The pay by the rewards is a positive for the tenants. Regarding the Hangar
Agreement he requested clarification on #7; would this eliminate people who
operate maintenance businesses from their hangar because it is just for hangar
storage? On 16C, from a maintenance stand point he thinks it is not fair, and
will impact their neighbors in other hangars, which can block hangars, and
cause more issues.
Mr. Howell stated regarding these questions, at this point of time we are not
dictating what goes on in a hangar. This will be the desire of the Commission
on how far they want to address use of hangars.
Mr. DesPortes believes his comments are more of a good steward, and not allow
people to have maintenance in difference hangars. He appreciates the
consideration to these matters.
Mr. Matt Hinkle would like to address these topics, being an active airport
supporter and a tenant for ten years. He believes you need to support the
airport where your airplane is based. In terms of maintenance, he thinks they
(maintenance operators) should meet minimum standards, insurance, the square
footage required; etc. with the need for the Commission to create a level
playing field. (An established provider) can?t compete with someone who has
zero overhead. We have to pay more in terms of the Rewards Program, he
believes it is great but, will not accomplish what it has been set up to.
Ultimately, (Mr. Hinkle believes) if you take the hangars and add $120.00 per
month to everyone?s hangar and give each of them a credit of twenty gallons
fuel from Flightways Columbus you will accomplish three things.
1) Someone using the hangar for storage or a plane that doesn?t move, at some
point you will get a cost preventive to keep them up there, and that hangar
will open up for the next person wanting to come to the airport.
2) You will immediately sell another three thousand gallons of fuel through
Flightways Columbus every month.
3) It will force people to go out and use the twenty gallons of fuel. The
airport is all about safety and there is a direct correlation between pilots
being current and safety.
T
Mr. Howell clarified one thing for the minutes before moving forward to be
official in the minutes. He and the Commission have discussed Mr. Hinkle?s
suggestions in Work Sessions for the record.
Mr. Forsberg said the suggestions should be reflected in the minutes with one
being to increase the rent on the hangars, to entice people who are using
hangars for storage to get out.
Mr. Jack Wright stated two previous tenants have relocated their planes due to
the higher price on fuel. Why would they stop here at $1.50 per gallon for
fuel?
Mr. Sam McQuagg said there is stiff competition up the road at Pine Mountain
and you are dealing with higher taxes (in Columbus).
Mr. Hinkle said there are some things the Commission cannot do anything about
some things. If you are sensitive to that, in reviewing the services of the
airport and people are nickel and dimed for all services, it makes tenants feel
unappreciated.
Mr. Winfield Flanagan responded in extending appreciation to everyone for their
services at the Columbus Airport. We may consider the cost of fuel.
Mr. Hinkle said he would like to know why the fuel is priced higher at this
airport.
Mr. Howell said when he became the Airport Director in 2013; it was a bleak
outlook for the airport at that time. However the margins built into fuel
pricing has not changed. Looking into the Fall Work Session, one issue to be
addressed is having a rates and charges policy. The primary goal to balance the
rates charged to the carriers and other users. Maybe Mr. Hinkle is right, with
$105.00 per month for a hangar, thinking an aircraft will be pulled in and out
at any time it is reasonable. In moving forward it becomes a decision do we
want a rate structure with lower hangar rents, or do we want to pick all our
services up in the hangar rents. This is a decision that we need to discuss,
and a good suggestion. .
Mr. Hinkle stated the margin has remained the same so apparently overhead cost
has gone up. Is there a possibility to reduce the cost structure of Flightways
Columbus? If so as it moves down you make your same margins, but the price
goes down, because volume fixes a lot.
Mr. Jack Wright ask how will it help the overhead in hiring a Fixed Base
Operation manager for $60,000.00.
Mr. Hinkle thanked the Commission again for allowing him to voice his concerns.
Motion by Mr. Thomas Forsberg and to approve the revised Aircraft Storage
Permit was made: seconded by Mr. Kerry Hand and unanimously approved by the
Commission. Ayes: 4 / No: 0
Mr. Hand would like the Commission to review these suggestions as discussed, so
they do not disappear.
Mr. Howell said these items will be discussed again at the fall work session.
CONSIDER APPROVAL TO PURCHASE NEW LEKTRO TUG 8700 CX-EZ
Mr. Howell stated a new Lektro Tug 8700 CX-EZ for Flightways Columbus will cost
approximately $53,000.00. In the acceptance of the FY 2016 budget, the
Commission also approved capital improvement items. One of the items being a
new electric aircraft tug, specifically a Lektro tug. The purchase of this new
electric tug will optimize our towing operations while providing additional
capacity for our Airport. The benefit to having an electric tug versus a
conventional tug is these units cost less to run than engines that use gasoline
or propane. The unit will also come with a Ground Power Unit (GPU) expanding
the FBO capacity to handle multiple aircraft at one time and an assortment of
towing heads that will allow the unit to move any aircraft it is capable of
moving. Using electricity rather than gasoline is much better for the
environment and our staff because the Lektro emits none of the harmful
substances that gas vehicles emit on a regular basis.
Staff is recommending waiving the requirement for a Request for Proposals (RFP)
and performing a sole source purchase of the Lektro product for a variety of
reasons.
1. Continuity: the FBO currently has a 1999 Lektro tug that has performed
exceptionally well over time and as such the line staff is familiar with use of
a Lektro product
2. Safety: For the reason listed above of staff being familiar with the
equipment operation as well as the Lektro feature of having both dead-men
braking as well as a foot brake versus dynamic braking included on other
electric tugs makes this unit a safer choice. The dynamic braking is
challenging to you and not intuitive to the employee.
Staff recommends Commission waive the RFP requirement and approve the sole
source to purchase new a Lektro tug.
Motion by Mr. Kerry Hand for the Commission to waive the RFP requirement and
approve the sole source to purchase a new Lektro tug was made: seconded by Mr.
Thomas Forsberg and unanimously approved by the Commission. Ayes: 4 / No: 0
INFORMATION - REYNOLDS, SMITH AND HILLS (RS&H) WORK ORDERS
#6 AND #7
Mr. Howell reported 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. Staff is suggesting that
our consultant RS&H perform some work to assist in closing these items. Under
the Commissions Purchasing Policy, the Airport Director has the authority to
execute both these work orders but wanted to brief the Commission on the
activity.
Work Order #6 ? Runway 6 Approach End Safety Area Analysis
Perform survey work for lump sum fee of $14,722.00 to identify potential
project to repair discrepancies or close the matter.
Work Order #7 ? Markings for both Runways
The FAA inspector wrote discrepancies on the quality and correctness of marking
on both runways at CSG. Airport Administration was aware of the issues but was
anticipating a marking project for runway 6/24 that would be in conjunction
with a proposed crack seal project scheduled for FY 2017 that would be paid for
using FAA grant funding. The Certification Inspector was not in favor of
waiting that length of time to correct the issue. Staff has been working with
Georgia Department of Transportation Aviation Division for a rehab project to
runway 13/31, but this project would not get done until next year but there is
no guarantee GDOT would be able to participate. Therefore, it falls to the
Commission to perform this runway maintenance project. The RS&H work order
will provide design and bidding services and staff will bring the successful
bidder back for Commission approval. RS&H Lump sum fee of $21,290.00.
Mr. Jack Wright inquired about the current Hangar Waiting List, if they have an
airplane.
Mr. Howell stated yes.
Mr. Flanagan said they should to our knowledge, they do.
Mr. Howell asked Ms. Mary Scarbrough to research if those on the waiting list
have an airplane.
Ms. Scarbrough agreed, she would research the Hangar Waiting List Applications.
Mr. DesPortes would like the opportunity to bid on work for maintenance on the
airplanes. Someone has expressed concern on maintenance being done on the
airport property
DIRECTORS REPORT
Mr. Howell introduced Ms. Jennifer Wright.
PROPELLERS
Ms. Wright provided the following information.
? Enplanement count was 3056 for the month of June 2015. Hours of operation
was 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. for June 2015. Delta was unable to provide the
enplanement count for all 6 A.M. flights. Delta?s supervisor will try to aid
in collecting the initial flight count of the day for future purposes on behalf
of Propeller?s.
? Total net income loss for June 2014 was $6088. June 2015 total net income
loss was $3115. Jennifer Wright and Propeller?s staff cut the net loss by 49%
year over year.
? Sales were significantly down by 37% year over year. June 2014 sales was at
$10, 653.00 versus 2015 at $6729.82. Majority of the sales decline was in
beer. Peak time for alcohol sales usually range between 2P.M to 5 P.M.
Propeller?s was not open during those hours for the month of June 2015.
? Total Expenses year over year has decreased by 39%. Labor was down by 46%
and purchases decreased by 53%.
? Jennifer Wright was able to purchase the Clover Station with the help of our
Airport Director. It is our new Point of Sale system that will enhance speed
and customer service. Propeller?s staff members are excited and the transition
has been outstanding. The system will be able to configure sales daily, weekly
and monthly. It will be fundamental to selling food in the holding secured
area in the future during delays or diversions.
Mr. Howell stated there will be no financial reports at this time due to year
end June 30, 2015 and the delay in receiving data from some of the tenants.
The audit will begin in August 2015.
Also, there will be no report from Flightways Columbus however the following
information was provided to the Commission.
? Fuel gallons pumped year over year comparison:
Fuel item Gallons pumped June 2015 Gallons pumped
June 2014 Change
Auto 197 222 -11%
AVGAS 6467 8751 -26%
Diesel 122 114 7%
Jet A (Express Jet) 13,729 22,740 -40%
Jet A (Retail) 10,803 13,773 -22%
Jet A (Contract) 10,092 8,480 19%
Jet A (Gov?t/Mil) 804 511 36%
Jet A (Justice Flights) 9,551 4,641 51%
? Justice Flight number of aircrafts handled in the month of June of 2015 (14)
compared to June 2014 (11).
? Darryl and I along with the ARFF station had 90 kids from the Parks and Recs
centers for the Airport Field trips. The ages ranged from 6 to 13 years of
age. We also had 12 young adults with the Juvenile drug court system from
Muscogee County visit with FWC, AARF Station and FAA Control Tower.
We said good bye to another employee at Flightways Columbus. Justin Daugherty
started with us on March 23, 2015. Justin left for a full time job with Blue
Cross and Blue Shield.
Mr. Howell introduced and welcomed Mr. Eric Trivett, the new maintenance
manager.
Mr. Howell stated as a comment in the General Aviation Committee Meeting, was
that the Community Hangar tenants do not have an option to pull their planes in
and out of the hangar. Mr. Howell proposed director to Flightways Columbus, to
not charge Tenants the fee of $25.00 to move their planes in and out of the
hangar.
OTHER MATTERS
Mr. Howell provided the Strategic Planning Presentation, which will be posted
on the website after the meeting. The Strategic Plan was provided for the
Commission?s acceptance. He said the Staff had been receptive to change in
being successful, clarifying duties. The Columbus Airport Strategic Plan was
voted on and provided as an attachment to the minutes.
The following information was provided in a slide show presentation.
Mr. Forsberg thanked Mr. Howell for the great presentation he provided.
Motion by Mr. Thomas Forsberg to vote in accepting the Strategic Plan was
made: seconded by Mr. Kerry Hand and unanimously approved by the Commission.
Ayes: 4 / No: 0
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 11:03 A.M.
APPROVED:
____________________________ _____________________________
Mary Scarbrough, Secretary
Winfield G. Flanagan, Chairman
Attachments
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