MBS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT COMMISSION
June 17, 2010
MINUTES
The meeting was held in the Airport Commission Board Room, 8600 Garfield Road, Freeland, Michigan 48623. Chairman George Biltz called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. Roll was called by Debbie Meisel.
Present Absent &
Excused Staff Other
Jon
Lynch
Steve
Westerbeke, RS&H
MINUTES: Mr. Gwizdala made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Commission Meeting held on May 20, 2010. Mr. Krygier seconded the motion. Chairman Biltz asked airport counsel about the May meeting minutes and the fact that the vote for the Hangar #5 lease was listed as unanimous even though there was one abstention. After a brief review, counsel advised that the minutes were satisfactory and the most important point was to note the abstention, which was done in the minutes. There being no further discussion, the motion was unanimously approved by the Board.
MAY 2010 WARRANTS AND CASH & INVESTMENT SUMMARIES: Mr. Gwizdala made a motion to approve the Warrant Registers for the May Payroll Account Check Numbers 85407-85462; the May Operations and Maintenance Check Numbers 40364-40432; and the May Cash and Investment Summaries. Mr. Krygier seconded the motion and the Board unanimously approved it.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Mr. Ron Thurlow stated that he is from Ohio but formerly from Freeland. He is very interested in the airport and asked if there is an expected occupancy date for the new passenger terminal. Chairman Biltz stated that the estimated date is 2013.
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS: Mr. Nagel stated that each year the MBS committee assignments are made by the Chairman. The current committee structure has worked very well and the following list reflects little change to the committees.
OPERATIONS FINANCE MARKETING PERSONNEL
Gene Gwizdala,
Chairman Brian Elder, Chairman George Biltz, Chairman Darnell Earley, Chairman
Darnell Earley Tom Adams Brian Elder Jon Lynch
George Biltz Greg Branch Bregitte Braddock Ernie Krygier
Mr. Lynch made a motion to approve the
2010-11 committee structure. Mr. Adams
seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
PHASE II WATER LOOP: Mr.
Nagel stated that in 2008 when the utilities for the new terminal were
installed, the Township determined that a “looped” water system was required to
supply the new building. Because
additional coordination was needed, and because of a very tight FAA timeframe
for grants, the Township allowed the airport to install a portion of the water
main with an understanding that additional water main would need to be
constructed at joint Township and Airport expense. Since that time, staff has worked with the
Township to develop a plan which meets the Township requirements,
MBS needs and keeps the project on schedule.
The Commission approved the easements for this water main at the April
15, 2010 meeting.
The Township has bid the project and will be
responsible for construction oversight.
MBS is responsible for paying the airport’s allotted share of the
project. Original estimates had a total
project cost of $957,100 with the MBS share being $350,050. However, bids came in lower than expected
($565,380.89) so the MBS share is anticipated to be $140,660.25 plus the MBS
share of engineering, legal and/or contingencies.
The Township has requested a billing cycle of
partial payment due on July 1, 2010 with the balance due on or about September
1, 2010. These would be local funds with
reimbursement requested through future AIP entitlement grants. Mr. Gwizdala made a motion to approve the
Airport Manager to pay Tittabawassee Township $75,000 toward the Phase II water
loop project, as a portion of the MBS share of the project. Mr. Adams seconded and the motion passed
unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS:
AIP Funding: Mr. Nagel stated that there was no news on AIP funding. It is still expected to expire on July 3, 2010. He has seen some discussion through ACI and AAAE that both Houses of Congress are working on the bill and hopes that at a minimum it will be extended to the end of the year.
Construction: Mr. Nagel stated that the current phase of construction is ongoing. There has been a slight delay due to the wet weather and site conditions. They are currently setting steel in the hold room area. Phase IV which is the connector taxiway that was bid last fall started a week ago. The wet weather also has slowed that down slightly.
Current Terminal
Report: Mr. Nagel stated that he is in the process of
reviewing the report on the current terminal.
Mr. Nagel will be forwarding comments back to Mr. Wilcer.
Legislative
Caucus: Mr. Nagel stated that the Legislative Caucus
that was scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed. Although five out of eight members were
attending, something apparently took precedent and legislators started
canceling. Mr. Nagel has been working
with the Michigan Airport Association lobbying group coordinating the event. They have communicated with the legislators
and recommended postponing the caucus in hopes of better attendance for
possibly the middle of July. Mr. Nagel
will keep the board members updated.
Air Service: Mr.
Nagel stated that he continues to work with Tom Rockne. He received the May reports yesterday but has
not yet reviewed them. Mr. Rockne
continues to work with the incumbent carriers.
Mr. Nagel stated that through business contacts not specific data, he
has heard the United Express conversations may be helping with the fares
between here and Chicago and the Delta fares may be a little more
competitive.
Mr. Nagel said that he and Mr. Rockne met with Mike Boyd in an effort to recruit an additional carrier. There is no news in respect to that effort. Mr. Nagel stated that it was good having Mr. Rockne available to assist with it and his experience has proven helpful.
Phase V: Mr. Nagel stated that Phase V is approximately $21 million worth of work. RS&H is continuing the evaluation process of the bids. RS&H and Mr. Nagel did meet with the FAA in Detroit and laid out the finance plan of the project over the next several years. Based on comments from the FAA for discretionary funding in 2011, the recommendation for the award may be made in July or August. The delay is purely a funding cycle issue. Positive comments were received from the FAA. The Operations Committee has been kept up to date. There is no Commission action needed at this time.
NEW BUSINESS:
Tall Ships: Mr.
Nagel stated that MBS is participating in the Tall Ships Celebration in Bay
City next month. The airport receives
nine VIP passes as part of the sponsorship.
Mr. Nagel will send out a letter to the commissioners with more
information.
Vice-President Visit: Mr. Nagel stated that the Vice-President is coming to the area on Monday. Details are being worked on.
Terminal Site Visit: Chairman Biltz stated that a suggestion was made for the Board members to visit the construction site after the July or August Commission Meeting. The steelwork should be complete by then so the site could be seen before the next phase of work. Chairman Biltz also suggested inviting John Lore from GLBRA. Mr. Nagel agreed and will make arrangements.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS: Mr. Lynch thanked and complimented the fire staff for their responses to TV5’s “Spending Time in the Fire Station” morning segment on Fridays. It was a very positive story. They explained the difference between the typical municipal fire operation and airport fire operation which was important and relevant. They did a good job.
Next regular meeting is scheduled for July 15, 2010.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Mr. Krygier made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Gwizdala seconded and the Board unanimously passed the motion. The meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
Darnell Earley, Secretary