Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Airport Board - 11/12/2003 Minutes Airport Board Meeting November 12,2003 Board Members Present City/Airport Staff Present Jerry Kane, Chair Jorge Cruz-Aedo,Assistant City Manager Mark Meyer,Member Debra Keller, Assistant Director Ramiro Gamboa, Member Roy Rodriguez,Facility Manager Glenn Lyons, Member Terence Whately,Operations Manager Capt. Frank"Rocco"Montesano,Member Ralph Zapata, Engineer II Willard Hammonds, Member Hector Hinojosa, Finance/Admin. Manager Jan Rehler,Member John Valls,Business Development Analyst J.C. Ayala, Member Gloria DeLeon,Management Assistant Board Members Absent Airport Construction Project Representatives Ed Hicks, Vice-Chair, -Excused Bob Horton,Project Manager,AGCM .� Nelda Martinez,Member-Excused The meeting was called to order at 3:34 p.m. by Chair Kane. Approval of Minutes Chair Kane called for a motion to approve the minutes of the Airport Board meeting held October 8, 2003. Member Montesano moved to approve the minutes of October 8th. Member Hammonds seconded the motion. The motion passed. Chair Kane commented that in fairness to all,he requests that the Airport Board Agenda be mailed out a week prior to the scheduled meeting. Debra Keller, Assistant Director of Aviation, explained that normally agenda packets are mailed out the Friday before the meeting,but due to an emergency situation, agenda packets were mailed out on Saturday morning and assured the Board that agenda packets will be mailed out a week prior to the scheduled meeting. Introduction of Guests Ms. Keller introduced Hector Hinojosa,Airport Finance and Administration Manager. Ms. Keller informed the Board that Mr. Hinojosa has been with the Airport three weeks and is doing a great job. The Board welcomed Mr. Hinojosa. Action Items No action items posted on the Agenda. Chair Kane commented that several Board Members have communicated to him that in essence, the Airport Board has always acted as an advisory committee; however,for the past four or five years,due to all the changes associated with major construction projects, the Airport Board has played more of a partnership role with the Council and has served as an advocate for Airport Board Minutes November 12,2003 Page 2 of 4 staff; however, several Board members expressed they feel the role of the Airport Board has fallen back into an advisory committee,because at times,Board members are not engaged in the decision making of Airport projects. Chair Kane explained that it is not his intent nor does he believe it is the City's intent not to have the Board involved in a more decision making role. Ms. Keller acknowledged Chair Kane's comments. Director's Report Ms. Keller informed the Board that Mr.Hamrick,Director of Aviation,was ill and apologized for his absence. Ms. Keller provided an update on the following items: 1. Update on Lease agreement with Ability House,LTD., DBA Lighting Connect, for the operation of wireless intemet services at the Corpus Christi International Airport. Ms. Keller explained that the agreement with Lighting Connect was signed and equipment will be installed within the next couple of weeks. The Board expressed their interest on service also being provided in the non-sterile area. John Valls,Business Development Analyst, explained that intemet service will be available to passengers in the waiting area; however, the possibility of providing intemet service on the non-sterile area is also being explored. Mr.Valls further explained that this service will not be a revenue stream for the Airport nor will there be a charge to customers who utilize this service. Mr.Valls explained that Lighting Connect will make their money from ads customers view when using the service. Mr.Valls informed the Board that since Lightning Connect will only provide wireless service with no hardware,the Airport is also exploring the idea of providing an intemet kiosk system. This system/equipment will be available for customers to use to access intemet service and will be located in a central area in the terminal. Mr. Valls explained this service will be a revenue stream for the Airport. 2. Outcome of selection of new Airport logo. Ms. Keller provided a copy of the Airport's new logo and informed the Board the logo selected was based on the majority of votes from Board members and thanked the Board for their voting participation. Ms.Keller explained the new logo will be added to Airport stationary and business cards. 3. Air Service Update Ms. Keller informed the Board she visited with Allegiant Airlines representatives by teleconference and the probability of CCIA being selected as the new air service site looks very promising. Ms. Keller also informed the Board that Allegiant anticipates starting service in April 2004, with an announcement of their new service 90 days prior to that date. Ms. Keller informed the Board that CCIA has taken the initiative to prepare an agreement before-hand which is ready for their signature as soon as CCIA receives confirmation from ;u Allegiant Airlines. A short discussion was held regarding the flight schedules Allegiant would be providing. Airport Board Minutes November 12,2003 Page 3 of 4 Ms. Keller informed the Board that AeroLitoral was the only airline that responded to the Mexico Air Service RFP. Ms. Keller also informed the Board that a meeting will be scheduled within the next few weeks between AeroLitoral and CCIA representatives. A short discussion was held regarding service options within the AeroLitoral agreement. 4. Art Committee Update Ms. Keller explained that Member Martinez had planned to provide the Board an update on the Art Committee; but due to her absence, she would provide an update. Ms. Keller informed the Board that fifty-three(53)artists responded to the RFP and that two artists are still in the running. Ms. Keller explained the Art Committee is planning to reach a decision by the end of 2003 and plans to make a recommendation to the Arts and Cultural Commission,which is a committee who this committee reports to per City Ordinance. Ms. Keller further explained that before a final recommendation is presented to the Arts and Cultural Committee,the Airport Board will be given an opportunity to view and respond to the recommendation being made. 5. Other Information Ms. Keller informed the Board that restaurant service pre-checkpoint is not available at this time due to violations of TSA regulations. Ms. Keller also informed the Board that after meeting with the manager of the restaurants, an agreement was reached and reconfiguration of the restaurant areas will allow for service to return to the pre-checkpoint area and anticipates this will take place by the end of next week. Ms. Keller explained that the owner is working on providing breakfast, sandwiches and beverages past checkpoint. The Board asked for clarification of regulations violated. Mr.Terence Whatley, Operations Manager, explained that there were special arrangements made for Whataburger to operate pre-check point and some provisions were not kept in compliance,which resulted in repeated security violations. Mr. Whatley further explained that some of the violations were inadequate key control for a door located pre-checkpoint used by restaurant employees to access the restaurant and also some procedures used by restaurant employees when handing-over monetary deposits to armed security guards. Mr. Whatley explained that security regulations post 9-11 and CCIA's original design of the restaurant area that was implemented pre-9-1 i were the main contributing factors that placed a burden on the operation of the restaurants at CCIA. Construction Update Mr. Bob Horton, Project Manager,AGCM, provided an update on the terminal, roadways and parking lots construction projects, the Apron Phase 2 and Passenger Bridges projects. The Board shared comments regarding the lack of siding on the exterior wall covering of the cargo area located on the west side of the terminal building. Airport staff responded they would look into this. Airport Board Minutes November 12,2003 Page 4 of 4 A short discussion was held regarding the Parking Lot being ready for operation during the Thanksgiving holiday. Ms. Keller informed the Board that the Parking Lot is ready to handle the holiday traffic. Ms. Keller explained that construction on International Drive will not start until after the Thanksgiving holiday. Board Business and Reports Chair Kane called for a motion to excuse Vice-Chair Hicks. Member Montesano moved to excuse Vice-Chair Hicks. Member Gamboa seconded the motion. The motion passed. Chair Kane called for a motion to excuse Member Martinez. Member Ayala moved to excuse Member Martinez. The motion was seconded. The motion passed. After no further discussion,the meeting adjourned.