HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Airport Board - 08/10/2005 Minutes
CoRPUIST! Airport Board Meeting
INTERNATIONAL August 10,2005
AIRPORT
Board Members City/Airuort Staff
®Ed Hicks, Sr., Chairman ®Dave Hamrick,Director
Mark Meyer,Vice-Chairman ®Debra Keller,Assistant Director
❑Nelda Martinez,Member ❑ Mario Tapia,Finance&Admin. Manager
® Frank"Rocco"Montesano,Member ®Roy Rodriguez,Facilities Manager
® Glenn E.Lyons,Member ❑Celina Y. Pulcher,Management Assistant
®J.C. Ayala.,Member ®Adelle Ives,Management Assistant
® Wayne Bennett, Member
® Don Feferman, Member
❑ Sylvia Whitmore,Member
® William Dodge, III,Member
I. Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order by Chair Hicks at 3:30 p.m. A quorum was not present.
II. Approval of the minutes for the Airport Board meeting held July 13,2005:
Approval of the minutes for the July 13'h Board meeting was not possible as a quorum
was not present.
III. Action Items:
There were no Action Items for this meeting.
IV. Reports:
a. Second Quarter CCREDC Report:
Director Hamrick introduced John Plotnik and Roland Mower with CCREDC. Mr.
Mower,as the new President and CEO of the Corpus Christi Regional Economic
Development Corporation,began his presentation to the Board with a brief
description of his background and experience.
Mr. Plotnik took over with the presentation. He informed the Board that the
Industrial Asset Management Corporation(IAMC) would be holding their convention
in Corpus Christi. Mr.Plotnik showed the Board a short video on the IAMC. This
video is located on the CCREDC website. The group will begin arriving in Corpus
Christi on Friday, October 7'h and leaving on October I e.
Mr. Plotnik informed the Board that the brochure on the Airport's Industrial Park was
also available for viewing on the CCREDC website. He added that 1,500 brochures
had been sent out to target industries by the end of the second quarter.
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Mr.Plotnik distributed to the Board the Second Quarter report following with a
verbal accounting of personal visits and phone calls to developers in the CCIA
Industrial Park. . He informed the Board that most businesses are waiting to see
construction starting.
Chair Hicks asked when the ground breaking would take place. Director Hamrick
stated that ground breaking would be in October and construction complete by the
end of March. Vice Chair Meyer questioned what would be of interest to prospective
tenants. Mr. Plotnik responded that CCREDC has ordered an industrial report that
was published last year which indicated that our community's industrial space is 94%
occupied. He has been able to show developers that there is no more space available
in Corpus Christi and that projections indicate that Corpus Christi can absorb 150,000
to 185,000 square feet a year.
Discussion was held regarding a joint venture development with the Port of Corpus
Christi Authority in regards to establishing an FTZ at the Airport. A question was
raised by Board member Dodge regarding whether the Airport was a Foreign Trade
Zone. Director Hamrick stated that he has been in contact with the FTZ person at the
Port who would be willing to assist the Airport in looking into this.
Rocco Montesano arrived at 3:50 p.m. and a quorum was then present. Chair Hicks addressed
the first item of business.
Chair Hicks called for the approval of the minutes for the meeting on July 13,2005. Chair
Dodge moved to approve the minutes as read. Board member Montesano seconded and the
motion carried.
Chair Hicks reverted to the Order of Business.
b. Parking Revenue Report:
Director Hamrick distributed copies of the Parking Revenue Report for the Board's
information. He informed the Board that the$169,306 for last month's revenue is the
second highest revenue in six years.
c. General Activity Report{GAR}:
Director Hamrick informed the Board of a 7.1%increase in July,2005 from July,
2004. He continued the good news by adding that there is a 7.7%increase YTD from
last year.
d Entrance Way Redesign:
Director Hamrick brought this item to the Board's attention as the City Manager had
mentioned that the signage at the Airport entrance was not suitable and did not flow
with the look of the new terminal. He had asked that a new sign be designed for the
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August 10.2005
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terminal along with signage for the entrance way to the Industrial Park. The Airport
amended an agreement with PGAL who is handling the A/E services for multiple
projects for the City. The cost for this design was$9,300. He also stated that the
architect for this project will want to meet with the Board for input. This will be
scheduled for the next meeting in September.
e. Director's Report:
Director Hamrick wanted to bring to the Board's attention an issue with the Industrial
Park. He stated that the original estimate from City Engineering was$1.5 million
with the Airport's portion being$685,513 for the infiastructure improvements
needed. The rest of the project will be split up by the other utilities,Waste Water,
Stormwater and the Water Department. The Executive Summary on the bid
documents that were sent out on Monday have changed. The cost of the entire project
is now estimated at$2.95 million with the Airport's portion being$851,482. He
wanted to advise the Board of this change and that the Airport's portion would be
funded from Series B Bonds and Operating Fund Balance. He added that$680,000
was saved from the Roadway Project and was dedicated to fund this project. He
stated that there is$3.1 million in the Operating Fund Balance and anticipates an
increase to $3.7 million,conservatively, at the end of this fiscal year.
Discussion was held regarding this topic.
Chair Hicks discussed the trip to Mexico City that he and staff would be taking to
meet with the Vice President of Aeromar. Chair Hicks informed the Board that he
would be going to Mexico City to promote the proposed service for both business and
tourism. He added he felt positive that next meeting would bring good news.
Director Hamrick reported on his meeting with staff at the Baton Rouge Airport,
where the last Bawling Conference was held. He stated that over 130,000 people
visited Baton Rouge during the conference. He added that the conference had a direct
economic impact of$74 million on Baton Rouge. He informed the Board that he has
called for a meeting with the CVB and the Chamber of Commerce in order to
coordinate efforts in making the bowlers visit to the City enjoyable. He also added
that Baton Rouge's enplanements increased 39%and anticipates Corpus Christi will
see a bigger increase.
Director Hamrick also addressed the fact that the federal government or DHS will be
decreasing TSA screeners by 19%which will have a direct impact on the traveling
public as well as those attending the Bowling Conference. Chair Hicks also added
that he has addressed this topic with the Roberto Fernandez with TSA. Discussion
was heard on this topic.
Director Hamrick reported that there are 160 acres of Airport property with 50%
minerals rights that are not currently leased out for oil and gas production. He stated
that he wanted to make the Board aware that an RFP has been prepared to send out to
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prospectors wanting to drill on Airport property. He added that EOG would probably
be doing the drilling as they are currently working in the proposed drilling area and
have the other 50%of the mineral rights. He will be notifying the Mayor and Council
in writing regarding this action.
Director Hamrick formally thanked Board member Montesano for filling in for him
on July 25'h at a Rotary presentation. Board member Montesano mentioned to the
Director that he had several questions presented to him at this event regarding airport
operations. Discussion was heard regarding this topic.
V. Board Business and Reports:
a. Board Member Absences:
Chair Hicks moved to excuse Nelda Martinez and Sylvia Whitmore absences. Board
member Montesano moved and Board member Fefenman seconded. The motion
carried.
b. General Comments:
Director Hamrick introduced Peter Kendig from Air Czar who would be providing
helicopter rides from the Memorial Coliseum parking lot. Mr.Kendig informed the
Board of his background and experience. Discussion and questions by the Board
were directed to Mr. Kendig.
Board member Bennett commented that Southwest Airlines has revised the limit on
use of Frequent Flier Miles. The limit has been extended from 12 months to 24
months.
VT. Adjournment:
As there was no further business to discuss,Chair Hicks called for a motion to adjourn.
Board member Fefennan moved and Board member Montesano seconded the motion.
The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 4:54 p.m.