HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Airport Board - 04/06/1981 Minutes
Airport Advisory Board
April 6, 1981
The AiPport Advisory Board met on Monday, April 6, 1981 , in the International
Arrival Building at Corpus Christi International Airport. The following were in
attendance: Hayden Head, chairman; Dick Bowers, Pauline Glasson, Clarence Priour,
and Pete Corona, members; B. V. Armstrong, James T. Kay, and Roland Rose of
Trailways; Bob Church, Van Dusen Airport Services; Bob Totten and Harry Patterson
of American Airlines; Marianne Elizondo and Richard Fields, Dyneteria; Terry Wolf,
Eastern Air Lines; Mary Nelson, Braniff Airlines; it Ridgeway, National Car
Rental ; Bob Whitley, David Thompson, and Don Cody, Chaparral Aviation; R. V. Tope
and Mike Welch, Airport Limousine; Paul Kennedy, American Funtier; Nancy Harrington,
Southwest Airlines; Gary J. Gabehart, S e Airways; James K. Lontos, Assistant
City Manager; William D. Wilder, Airport Manager; and John Pinson, Assistant Airport
Manager. Mr. Head called the meeting to order at 3:33 p.m.
Mr. Bowers made the motion, seconded by Mr. Corona, that the minutes of the
previous meeting be approved as written. The Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Armstrong informed the board that the idea of a central transportation center
combining bus service and air transportation is a new concept that Trailways is
exploring. He said that the airport in South Bend, Indiana, has invited Trailways
into their facilities and they would like to move their operations to the airport
in Corpus Christi . He said they were anxious to move on this project because they
will have to renovate their present facilities downtown if they do not relocate to
the airport. Mr. Cody of Chaparral said bus service of benefit the as far as
package service was concerned. Mr. Wilder recommended that Trailways ' proposal be
turned over to the airport planners. Mr. Priour made the motion that Mr. it is
recommendation to refer Trailways' request to the airport planners be approved.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Corona and it passed unanimously. The board asked
Mr. Wilder to refer the proposal to the planners and request them to have a pre-
liminary answer by the next scheduled board meeting.
Mr. Wilder said that Dyneteria was asking for an additional one year extension for
the restaurant lease. They have been operating the restaurant since August, 1970,
and had been granted a one year extension on the lease last year under the as-
umption that the terminal building renovations would be underway by the end of
that year. He stated that Dyneteria's performance was good and he recommended
that the one year extension be granted. Mrs. Glasson Moved, seconded by Mr. Bowers,
that Dynet a be granted an extension of one year for the restaurant lease at the
present rates to expire in August 1982. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Wilder said that the bar is part of the restaurant, and he recommended that
the bar lease also be extended for one year. Mrs. Glass on moved, seconded by
Mr. Priour, that the bar lease with Marianne and Oscar Elizondo be extended for
one year. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Wilder said that American Funtier, Inc. , was proposing to provide transpor-
tation from the airport to hotels with vans and possibly intra-city buses. He
recommended against their request due to the direct competition they would give
the limousine service, Dr. Kennedy stated that his company is working with the
Airport Advisory Board Minutes April 6, 1981 2
Convention and Tourist Bureau and that a large convention forthcoming this month
will require a large undertaking to move conventioneers around. He said it is
their intention to provide a backup service to the present limousine service with
vehicles that carry a larger number of people. Mr. Head stated that when the con-
vention trade in Corpus Christi is established, ground transportation for the
people attending these conventions will have to be given consideration.
Dr. Kennedy expressed his concern over the larger conventions in the immediate
future not having adequate ground transportation and the Convention and Tourist
Bureau wanted everything to move smoothly for the conventioneers. Mr. Corona
suggested that perhaps a joint venture between Funtier and the existing limousine
service could be arranged. Mr. Welch and Dr. Kennedy both expressed a willingness
to discuss the possibility of a joint venture.
Mr. Wilder reported that Charles Rayburn was proposing to construct three con-
necting hangars 550 feet by 120 feet to house both fixed wing aircraft and heli-
copters. He said that the equipment at DOT Helicopter has been upgraded and they
will be operating as a full service fixed base operator when the hangars are
built. His recommendation was to approve the hangar plan. Mr. Bowers moved that
the Rayburn hangar plan be recommended to the City Council . Mrs. Glasson seconded
the motion and it passed unanimously.
Mr. Wilder stated that Chaparral Aviation was ready to it an additional hangar
adjacent to their number three hangar. His recommendation was to approve their
hangar plan. Mr. Head said he understood that Chaparral Aviation had already
applied fora building permit, and that the Board of Adjustment was willing to
waive the City requirement for a sprinkler system in the hangar; but that the
Fire Marshall was against permitting the waiver and intended to pursue the matter.
He said that requiring sprinkler systems in the new hangars would set a precedent.
The present hangars were built before that ordinance was passed, and as far as he
knew military hangars were the only ones that were constructed with sprinkler
systems. Mr. Cody stated that they had conferred with their insurance carrier
and their insurance premiums would not be reduced if they installed a sprinkler
system. Mr. Bowers made the motion, seconded by Mrs. Glasson, that the board
recommend tot City Council that the proposed Chaparral Aviation hangar be
approved subject to the recommendation of the Board of Adjustment. The motion
passed unanimously.
Mr. Wilder reported that S Airways had applied for an airfield use agree-
men t. His recommendation was to approve their application subject to locating
terminal space to accommodate them. Mr. Gabehart stated that they hope to be
operating sometime between April 15 an lan to make arrangements with
one of the present tenant airlines for counter space, and plan to use Navajo
Chieftans. which carry eight passengers. Mr. Corona made the motion that the
board recommend to the City Council that an airfield use agreement with Sundance
Airways be approved. Mr. Bowers seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
American Airlines reported that they are preparing to initiate their service in
Corpus Christi on June 11 . They an to make a proposition to Braniff tomorrow
for use of their gatehouse. Mr. Wilder stated that he recommends that American
use gatehouse four.
Mr. Wilder reported that the ramp project has been completed, the parking lot
contractor will be finished soon, and that phase one of the airport master plan
Airport Advisory Board Minutes April 6, 1981 3
has been submitted and the whole plan should be completed by June. Mr. Lontos
said that the City does not recommend opening the new access road because of the
heavy construction vehicles still operating on the airport and that the old
section of the access road will be resurfaced.
Mr. Wilder reported that the aviation division is now under the Department of
Transportation and will report directly to James Lontos, Assistant City Manager,
until a Director of Transportation is hired. The board expressed their feeling
that they would like to see the aviation division continue to report to the
Assistant City Manager, and that creating a Director of Transportation would
only present another step in the chain of command for the aviation division.
Mr. Head told Mr. Lont os. that the board had established the third Monday of each
month as a scheduled meeting date and would like to have him attend the meetings.
He said their meeting dates were flexible if conflicts arose.
Mr. Wilder reported that on April 13 a pre-construction conference will be held
for the terminal building renovations and improvements.
Mr. Head said he noticed that we had a complaint on the operation oft security
checkpoint and he felt our checkpoint left a great deal to be desired. He said
the personnel at the checkpoint are not as tactful has they should be.
Ms. Harrington, the airline representative responsible for the checkpoint,
reported that she had contacted Stanley Smith Security who had investigated the
incident. She said that their investigation revealed the person in question
was training a new employee during the incident and perhaps a problem exists in
the training techniques.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:34 p.m.
Uk
William D. Wilder, AAE
Airport Manager
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