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HomeMy WebLinkAbout22.01.13 - Minutes, Hag Regional AirportHAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION Minutes of the Open Meeting January 13, 2022 The Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission held a public meeting on Thursday January 13, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. virtually via go -to meeting due to COVID-19 restrictions. Commission members at the meeting were: Rob Ferree Chair, Gary Bockrath Vice Chair, Sam Cool, George Stone, Curtis Berry, Jonathan Horowitz, Business Leader and Ex -Officio County Commissioner Randall Wagner. Airport staff members present were Rick Johnson Airport Director, Gene Bolanowski Operations Manager, Richard Lesh Administrative Assistant, and Amy Blair Office Associate. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Rob Ferree called the meeting to order on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 3:02 p.m. Closed Session No topics to discuss in Closed Session. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion made by Mr. Cool, seconded by Mr. Stone to approve the minutes of the October 14, 2021 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Mr. Johnson reported the following: Land Acquisition Update - 0 New Heights Industrial Park Property - Currently have the appraisal and required second appraisal. The Airport Design and Consulting firm ADCI is working with the County Real Property Administrator to reach an agreed upon number for the appraisal amount. • 14318 Pennsylvania Avenue Property - Received appraisal on 8/11/21. The Airport submitted an offer. The current owner has chosen to list the property for sale. H21 Stairs Proiect (Royal) Update- There were setbacks due to COVID-19, materials, and contractor delays. Funding increase of $50,000 was approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) due to cost increase of steel. Project has kicked off and is moving forward. Snow Blower- No new updates. Vendor is still waiting on the parts that were ordered. Terminal Roof Leaks- Plan set for repairs. Drawings are in place. Waiting for a cost estimate for the work to move forward and bring before the BOCC. Industrial Permit- Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has not mandated a permit update. Due to COVID-19 the MDE has allowed extensions for renewals of Storm Water Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes of January 13, 2022 Page 2 of 4 Pollution Prevention Plans. The Airport is still working with ADCI Consultants to update expired permit. Waiting on a revised proposal to complete work. T -Hangar Gate Rehabilitation- Work was completed and the gate is operating and functioning properly. Airport Staffing Update- The Airport is close to offering jobs to fill all part-time positions. References and paperwork are being submitted to Human Resources for approval. Airport Advisory Commission Members Update- Welcome new Member Curtis Berry. Still waiting for the last open position to be approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). The approval could be presented to the BOCC on 1/25/22. GRANTS FAA - Hagerstown Regional Airport, Reconstruct Taxiway F Pavement and Lighting - ADCI will report the 30% stage on the Taxiway F design. Should receive drawings for review and comment within the next week. The Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will not comment on the 30% report but ensuring we are hitting the check marks as project moves forward. Next year planning will be made for the construction phase of the project. • Grant 60 and 61 Closeouts - Grant 61 — Still waiting for the amendment from the FAA for an overrun of $38,705. FAA has already approved the change order to cover the overrun. Once the details about the submission are received, the closeout will be completed. The Grant 60 closeout will follow. • FAA - CARES Act Grant: Closed Out. • FAA- Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation (CRRSA) Act $1,009,930. Drawdowns are continuing. • FAA -American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA)- $1,168,383. Grant drawdowns will continence following the closeout of the CRRSA Grant. • MAA -Terminal Access Control Grant- $60,000 (75% MAA, 25% Local Match) Installation of access control to offices and enhance existing security. Vendor has ordered materials and waiting to come in to move forward with project. Work to be completed by mid-June for grant closeout. Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes of January 13, 2022 Page 3 of 4 NEW BUSINESS Infrastructure Grant - The overall grant is $5,000,000 over 5 years. Currently in discussions with the FAA in regard to what projects are eligible. Planning with ADCI for projects in million -dollar increments. AIRPORT DIRECTOR'S UPDATE • FY23 Proposed Budget submitted for approval. Revenues proposed to go up 4% and expenditures are up almost 4%. T -Hangar rates and fees are proposed to increase 3%. • There are currently 6 T -Hangars available. The waiting list quickly dissolved, and Mr. Johnson will reach out to the Public Relations Department to advertise available T - Hangars. AIRLINE REPORT Mr. Johnson reported: • Ending for 2021, the total combined passengers was 44,462. This was an increase of 55.78% from 2020 at 28,542 and a baggage total of 19,837. Beginning for 2022, the total combined passengers was 1,267 and a baggage total of 627. • Allegiant had two cancelled flights to St. Pete/Clearwater on December 20, 2021, and on January 6, 2022. Staffing issues at this destination and weather were contributing factors for these cancellations. OPERATIONS REPORT Mr. Bolanowski reported the snow team was called out twice and once for stand-by so far this season. Snow operations will be on stand-by for the winter storm to come through on 01/16/2021, and additional planning for the scheduled Allegiant flight to St. Pete/Clearwater. HGR prides themselves in getting the Airfield open ASAP after snow events. COUNTY COMMISIONERS UPDATE • Mr. Wagner reported that COVID-19 is the big issue at moment. Rotating county staff in and out of the building to help socially distance and prevent departments from shutting down due to covid cases and quarantine. • The County Chief Financial Officer has resigned, and Kelcee Mace will be taking over into the Budget season. • The County is down several snowplow drivers, and it is hard to fill these positions that are currently open. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REPORT Mr. Horowitz reported that Business Development is working with the City of Hagerstown with water connection issues. Trying to get all projects across the finish line. Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes of January 13, 2022 Page 4 of 4 MEMBERS COMMENTS • In a discussion about possible freight service out of HGR, the consensus was that it was unlikely due to distance from a metropolitan area and runway constraints. • It was suggested the article in Business View Magazine was well done and should be used for additional promotion of the Airport. • Mr. Ferree read some articles about the FAA being more lenient about putting solar panels around Airports. Mr. Johnson stated we would have to find the right project to do that and define the usage of the land. This could be a future project if a parking garage was erected. If funding was available, solar panels would be a great option on top of parking deck. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Cool made a motion, seconded by Mr. Stone to adjourn the meeting at 4:08p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Amy BlaifJ, Office Assocr e