HomeMy WebLinkAbout21.01.14 - Minutes, Hag Regional AirportHAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION
Minutes of the Open Meeting
January 14, 2021
In response to the existing State of Emergency, this meeting of the Hagerstown Regional Airport
Advisory Commission was conducted with a virtual component allowing for AAC Members and
Staff participation with a virtual component via remote video/audio conference on Thursday,
January 14, 2021 at 3:00 p.m.
Commission members present were: Norm Morin, Jr., Chair, Jack Miller, Sam Cool, Gary
Bockrath, John Barr, and Ex -Officio County Commissioner Randall Wagner with special guest
County President Jeff Cline. Airport staff members present were Washington County
Department of Business Development- Jonathan Horowitz, Business Development Leader,
Garrison Plessinger, Airport Director, Gene Bolanowski, Operations Manager, Peggy Siler,
Airline Station Leader, and Richard Lesh, Administrative Assistant.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Norm Morin called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
Closed Session
There were no topics to discuss in Closed Session.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion made by Mr. Bockrath, seconded by Mr. Barr to approve the minutes of the November
12, 2020 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
Special Note:
Due to County policies the meeting was not open to the public.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mr. Morin reported:
The Terminal Expansion Project is nearing completion. The Passenger Boarding Bridge is being
used for the Allegiant flights and the administration offices are almost complete. The old floor
tile is being removed in the main terminal and the new Airline Ticket counters will be installed
by the end of January.
Mr. Plessinger reported the following:
• The ribbon cutting date for the Terminal Expansion Project is tentatively set for March
10th
• Runway 9/27 is Completely milled and overlayed, there is still 400 feet of grooves cut in
the asphalt and painting needed to complete the project.
Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission
Meeting Minutes of January 14, 2020
Page 2 of 3
• Working on the land acquisition, numbers from the appraisals should be in within the
next few weeks. The application process for the FAA grant should be initiated within
next two months.
• The Hangar 21 Vestibule Project should be started in the spring.
• Purchases are being made for the much needed equipment for the Airport, such as New
Harris Radios, existing security camera repairs, Airport Baggage Tugs, Belt Loader, Flail
Mower, and Repairs to Rental properties.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Plessinger reported the following:
• The Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) Grant came through to pay 75 percent for the
VPMS Camera system, Fire Fighting Foam testing equipment and a Live Scan Fingerprinting
Machine.
• The Airport will have to find funds in the budget since signage needed in the final phase of the
Terminal Project will not be completely funded by Federal and State grants.
AIRPORT DIRECTOR'S UPDATE
Mr. Plessinger reported the following:
• With the new Administration in Washington, there is a better chance for new Air Service
Development.
• There is no new information on the bill presented by Maryland Representative David
Trone to restore the Essential Air Service.
• The new Snow Plow recently purchased is still not working properly.
AIRLINE REPORT
Mr. Plessinger reported:
Working with the County Budget and Finance Department to set up the proper accounts and
obtain a Point of Sale system for the Snack Bar in the passenger hold room. The Maryland Sales
Tax account has been acquired. Any restaurant equipment purchased for the Snack Bar will not
be funded by Federal or State Grants.
Ms. Siler reported:
• The year-end review showed 28,542 passengers and 9,843 bags through Hagerstown
Regional Airport with 17 cancelled flights. Allegiant is pleased with those numbers.
• Passengers have an overwhelmingly positive response to the new Gate and Passenger
Boarding Bridge.
• The passenger numbers for the flights are increasing.
• Service to Myrtle Beach will start Friday. May 28th. Service to Clearwater/Saint
Petersburg will start Thursday, June 3rd. Starting June 2nd, there will be an additional
flight to Orlando/Sanford on Wednesdays through the summer months.
• Since the Snack Bar is not currently open for business, Ms. Siler is providing free coffee
for passengers and crew.
Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission
Meeting Minutes of January 14, 2020
Page 3 of 3
OPERATIONS REPORT
Mr. Bolanowski reported:
• Winter Operations: Only one snow event so far this year.
• The traffic count difference from 2019 to 2020 of take offs and landings are down
10,467, but Corporate/Business traffic has been increasing.
• The Airport has lost some T -Hangar tenants but interest has recently increased. Currently
there are two T -Hangars available for rent.
• New computer-based training will start soon to expedite the annual required Airport
driving and Security training.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS UPDATE
Mr. Wagner introduced the Washington County President Jeff Cline who thanked Mr. Plessinger
and the entire Airport Staff for their hard work. Mr. Cline also stated he has heard many
compliments about the new Gate and Boarding Bridge.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REPORT
Mr. Horowitz reported:
• Commercial Real estate in the County is booming. Large developers are looking for
buildings for transportation/fulfillment type centers.
• The restaurant assistance phase 2 program just closed and all the money allotted was
given away. The Hotel and lodging assistance program was just launched.
• Because of the demand there are fewer commercial properties available in the County.
• Mr. Horowitz stated there are businesses that would use the Airport if there was a Freight
Carrier. The Freight Carriers' ask how much freight business is available at the Airport.
Efforts are being made for the collaboration of the two.
MEMBERS COMMENTS
The members that have been vaccinated, show no adverse reactions.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Cool made a motion, seconded by Mr. Bockrath to adjourn the meeting at 3:46p.m. The
motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Norma Morin, fr., hair