HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Airport Board - 03/14/2007 NOTES ON DISCUSSION
CORPUS CHRISTI INTERNATIONAL AIRPO._2BOARFRE C Imp_ 1400 INTERNATIONAL DRIVE �l!I El AVIATION ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE ROOM
CORPUS CHRISTI �T ry� �i���r �p 0 INTERNATIONAL CORPUS CHRISTI,TEXAS 1 a ?01g
AIRPORT MARCH 14"',2007,3:30 P.M.
BOARD MEMBERS S
Jerry Kane, Chairman _Don Feferman,Member
Frank"Rocco"Montesano,Vice-Chair _WiIliam Dodge,Member
J.C.Ayala,Member Jesse Olivares,Member
Glenn E. Lyons,Member _Jay Wise,Member
Sylvia Whitmore,Member _Sam Susser,Member
Ed Hicks, Sr.,Advisory Member
AIRPORT STAFF
Dave Hamrick,Director of Aviation Debra Keller,Asst. Director of Aviation
Adelle Ives,Management Assistant
I. Call to Order
As a quorum was not present,the meeting could not be called to order. Discussion
followed.
R. Approval of the minutes for the February 7''special-called meeting of the Airport Board..
Since a quorum was not present, Vice-chair Montesano reported that the minutes would
be approved at the April meeting of the Airport Board
(Director Hamrick Director Hamrick introduced Carl Gross, the new Operations Manager for CCLI
to the Board members present. Carl was formerly the Asst.Director of the Burlington, Vermont
airport.)
III. Presentations:
1. Presentation of Mercury Air Center's Proposed Facility Expansion
At the last Board meeting, Mercury Air Centers had expressed an interest in
extending their lease which will expire within the next two years. In light of their
interest to renew their lease,Director Hamrick informed the Board that Mercury Air
Service was invited to make a presentation to the Board regarding anticipated
improvements their corporate offices will be making to their facility.
Director Hamrick introduced John Gravell, Mercury Station Manager, and Chris
Kontur, Mercury Project Manager, who would be making the presentation for
Mercury Air Centers. He added that this presentation was part of the lease
negotiation process, especially since additional outside interest regarding this lease
has been expressed.
Corpus Christ. 4mational Airport Board Minutes
March 14,2007
Page 2 of 6
Mr. Kontur began his presentation with a brief background report on Mercury's
facilities. He informed the Board that in 2005 Mercury began a capital expenditure
program system-wide which totals twenty-two facilities across the country. He has
been charged with spending approximately $50 million on these facilities. These
renovations are part of a re-branding effort by Mercury Air Centers and to put
capital improvements into facilities that are in need.
Mr. Kontur reported that he will be assessing this facility and targeting what needs
to be done to bring it in line with the rest of Mercury's facilities. His vision for this
facility is to have more of a presence from both the ramp and street side. He
presented a rendering of the anticipated renovations of the facility to the Board. He
informed the Board that the entire facility would be renovated; all four hangars, the
fuel form, the canopy and the parking lot. Mr. Kontur went on to give a detailed
description of all the proposed renovations, following along with informational
packets distributed to those present at this meeting.
Mr. Kontur added that based on the needs of this facility the changes would not just
be aesthetic but operational as well. The customer service area would be expanded
as well as the line service area. He added that the operational aspect would be
expanded to include an additional 10,400 foot hangar for corporate storage. Mr.
Kontur reported that painting has already begun on Hangar 3. Along with this
painting, all hangar roofs will be redone, new curbing, new drainage, resurfacing of
the entire parking lot, landscaping, lighting and signage and at completion of this
project the entire facility will be completely redone.
Once a new agreement has been negotiated on this lease, Mr. Kontur stated that he
would put together a master plan for the new facility.
To accommodate the General Aviation community, Mr. Kontur proposed to include
insulated t-hangars, self-fuel facilities and wash-racks.
Vice-Chair Montesano opened the floor to questions from the Board.
Board member Lyons strongly expressed his feelings on the new facility meeting
ADA accessibility compliance. He also asked for Mr. Kontur's opinion on the need
for a fire sprinkler system in a hangar that contains fuel and solvents. Mr. Kontur
stated that he has come across this issue nationwide. He reported that regulation
NFPA 540 states that hangars larger than 10,000 square feet must have a sprinkler
system that is a foam fire suppression system. He also added this type of system
would be$600,000 to$700,000 and cost prohibitive for a 10,000 square foot hangar.
Mr. Kontur assured Board member Lyons that this facility, as well as others he has
worked on throughout the nation, will strictly adhere to ADA accessibility
compliance.
y w f
Corpus Christ. bmational Airport Board Minutes
March 14, 2007
Page 3 of G
Board member Fefe man questioned what the timeline for this project would be. Mr.
Kontur hoped to have the start of construction within 90 days after the lease renewal
has been approved. He felt that completion of the facility would follow within the
Year.
Vice-chair Montesano questioned what the standard length of time would be for this
type of lease. Director Hamrick stated that the typical lease length of time is twenty
years. He added that the Airport is prohibited by state law to have a lease longer
than forty years but, industry wide, twenty years is the typical length of time for this
type of lease.
Vice-chair Montesano questioned the outside interest on this lease. Director
Hamrick stated that Mercury's proposal was attractive enough to move forward with
it as soon as possible after Board and Council approval, but since outside interest
was expressed, he felt that the Board should consider all options. He added that at
this point in time, the outside interested parties have not submitted a proposal. Vice-
chair Montesano questioned what would be the time line for moving forward with
this or any other proposal. Director Hamrick reported that Mercury still had another
30 months on their existing lease;but,negotiations with Mercury or an outside party
for this lease could begin.
Randy Rowe with Halo-Flight questioned Mr. Kontur of his organization's status in
light of the new renovations. Mr. Kontur responded that Mercury would impose
their design on Halo-Flight recently renovated office space. He also added that at
present there would not be an increase in use of the facility, but added that at some
point in the future, it would be necessary.
Director Hamrick questioned Mr. Kontur on working with U.S. Customs to have a
facility at Mercury. Mr. Kontur stated that he was very interested in considering this
issue.
Director Hamrick explained to Mr. Kontur that CCIA is looking into a QTA facility
on-property thereby possibly leaving the area across the street from Mercury
available for lease. He questioned whether Mercury would be interested in leasing
this additional space. Mr. Kontur was very interested in leasing this area as this
facility needs additional parking space. Director Hamrick responded that discussion
of this issue would be held during lease negotiations.
Vice-chair Montesano requested Mr. Kontur provide photos of other facilities he has
renovated. Mr. Kontur stated that he would provide this information to Director
Hamrick to distribute to the Board.
Mr. Gravell informed the Board of steps that Mercury has taken towards improving
the current facility by starting to paint Hangar 3 and two weeks ago a new $250,000
� s
Corpus Christ, national Airport Board Minutes
March 14,1007
Page 4 of 6
fuel truck has been ordered. He felt that Mercury is moving forward to continue to
improve the facility.
Mr. Gravell stated that he would come back to make another presentation to the
entire Board. Mr. Kontur added he would also be available for another presentation.
Director Hamrick stated that after staff conferred with the City Manager, Legal and
Purchasing and after looking at other options, they will put out a Request for Interest
for this lease in order to move forward. He added that he would provide the Board
with a list of options for the next meeting.
2. Presentation of Corpus Christi International Airport's Quarterly Financial Report
Director Hamrick stated that this presentation would be put on hold to begin the
presentation of the Master Plan.
N. Action Items:
1. Motion to recommend approval of the Corpus Christi International Airport
Master Plan.
Mr. L.J. Vincik, with PGAL, and Mr. Mark McGrath, with PB Aviation,
introduced themselves to the Board and began their presentation. Mr.
McGrath gave background information on the development of this Master
Plan. Since the September, 2006 public hearing meeting, the report has been
finalized and the Executive Summary will soon be finalized. The Planning
Committee will be meeting next on the Master Plan and the following week
the Master Plan will be presented to the City Council. He added that the
FAA tentatively approved the plan in December, 2006. Once City Council
approves the final draft, it will then be re-submitted for final approval by the
FAA. He added that the public document of record will be the Airport
Layout Plan(ALP).
Mr. McGrath re-capped for the Board that the Master Plan consists of
forecasts, planning activity levels, airfield analysis,alternative analysis, final
recommendations of the airfield and terminal, support facilities and financial
plan.
Mr, McGrath continued with the steps the plan has taken to be brought
before the Board. He reported the plan envisioned an increase in passenger
activity Ievels, additional new services and routes in both domestic and
international area, increase volumes in air cargo; increase in the military
aircraft operations, and the extension of the runways.
He covered the plan's recommendations as the additional inline baggage
system; a second screening at checkpoint; an additional rental car area; two
* X V r(
Corpus Christ. ernational Airport Board Minutes
March 14, 2007
Page S of 6
additional baggage claim areas; larger meet/greet area; additional parking
and additional retail area. He added that an additional cargo facility and a
supporting apron; the widening of the ARFF facility; additional jet fuel
storage and additional GA corporate hangars; and additional landing and
take-off area were also envisioned in the plan.
Mr. McGrath concluded his presentation and the floor was opened for
questions. Board member Feferman questioned whether international air
cargo would be available. Director Hamrick stated that there was no current
CIP funding for this but the FAA would be changing it for the next funding
cycle.
Director Hamrick also added that TSA would be obtaining the additional
equipment for the second security lane which is expected to be operational
by April 15".
2. a. Motion to recommend Ordinance terminating the airline use and lease
agreementwith an effective date of October 17,2004 between the City
and ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. for use of space at Corpus Christi
International Airport; and declaring an emergency.
b. Motion to recommend Ordinance authorizing the City Manager, or his
designee, to execute an airline use and lease agreement with
Chatauqua Airlines, Inc. for use of space at Corpus Christi
International Airport in consideration of fees that total approximately
$5.95 per enplaned passenger for a term expiring July 31, 2008; and
declaring an emergency.
Asst. Director Keller explained to the Board the changes in the lease
with Continental. Continental will remove ExpressJet from the lease
as ground service provider. Originally, Continental was to have
Chatauqua Airlines as the lease holder operating under their masthead.
It has since decided to hold the lease under Continental with
Chatauqua as the ground service provider. Chatauqua will take over
providing services to Continental from ExpressJet.
3. Motion to recommend Ordinance authorizing the City Manager or his
designee, to execute an airline use and lease agreement with ExpressJet
Airlines, Inc. for use of space at Corpus Christi International Airport waiving
most airport fees normally associated with such a lease in consideration of
ExpressJet, Inc.'s establishing new air service to a destination not previously
served by the Corpus Christi International Airport for a term expiring July 31,
2008; and declaring an emergency.
Corpus Christ. Jernational Airport Board Minutes
March 14,2007
Page 6 of 6
Asst. Director Keller reported that this lease was for ExpressJet to provide new direct
air service to Austin.
V Director's Report
Director Hamrick stated there was a drop in passenger traffic,but he felt it was due to the
weather.
L Board Business
a. Board member term expirations
No quorum present to act on this item.
b. Board absences
No quorum present to act on this item.
"OJT. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 5 p.m.