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HomeMy WebLinkAbout23.05.11 - Minutes, Hag Regional AirportHAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION Minutes of the Open Meeting May 11, 2023 The Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission held a public meeting on Thursday May 11, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at the Hagerstown Regional Airport Terminal Conference Room, 18434 Showalter Road, Hagerstown, Maryland. Commission members at the meeting were: Rob Ferree Chair, Gary Bockrath Vice Chair, George Stone, Curtis Berry, Laurence Gross, Austin Colby. Ex -Officio County Commissioner Randall Wagner. Jonathan Horowitz Director of Business Development. Airport staff members present were Andrew Eshleman Director of Public Works, Neil Doran Airport Director, Gene Bolanowski Operations Manager, Peggy Siler Airline Station Leader, Richard Lesh Administrative Assistant and Amy Blair Office Associate. CALL TO ORDER Rob Ferree called the meeting to order on May 11, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION John Douglas Stine was in attendance to observe the meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion made by Mr. Cool seconded by Mr. Bockrath to approve the minutes of the April 13, 2023, meeting. The motion passed unanimously. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Doran and Mr. Eshleman gave a power point presentation of the Allegiant Briefing that was presented at the Allegiant Routes Conference in Las Vegas, NV last month. The presentation was well received by the Airport Advisory Commission (AAC) members. AIRPORT DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mr. Doran reported the following: A lobbying group asked if the Airport would be interested in joining in coalition with other communities regarding Essential Air service (EAS) and small community air service. This group wants to collect $96,000 in fees, and Mr. Doran expressed that we do not have resources on that level to support those efforts. Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR) is continuing to refine and improve Air Service Development Solicitation for May or June 2023 publishing. Mr. Doran will be attending the Maryland Regional Aviation Conference in Ocean City, MD on June 7th -9th The Airport Advisory Commission members were all in agreement to reschedule next month's meeting to June 15th HGR is looking into the Maryland Special Police Officer program as a potential way to reduce Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) coverage costs associated with the Terminal's Security Checkpoint. The Hangar 61/Royal Aircraft Services roofing project was completed. Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes of May 11, 2023 Page 2 of 3 HGR is receiving two new Airport snow removal pickup trucks that are being built at the Ford Factory and is a Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) project. Mr. Doran and Mr. Shirley picked up forty donated leather chairs from Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) airport for the Terminal hold room. The Airport Traffic Control Tower project was not selected for referral to appropriations by Congressman Trone, Van Hollen or Cardin's office for this year's earmarks. HGR will try to apply again next year in 2024. One new Airline staff member was hired, and interviews will be conducted for an airport grounds maintenance worker/airline staff member position in mid -May. Washington County will advertise a part time Snack Bar Cashier position for the airport. The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved an Airport Rescue Fire Fighter (ARFF) Manager/Fire Chief position back in house. This position will be advertised soon. AIRLINE REPORT Ms. Siler reported an update on our inbound and outbound numbers: Since the last AAC meeting, Sanford/Orlando had an inbound passenger load of 1,120 and outbound passenger load of 939. 854 bags pushed. St Pete/Clearwater had an inbound passenger load of 1,044 and outbound passenger load of 991. 867 bags pushed. As of April 23' HGR is at 1,028 enplanements for the year. Running ahead of schedule compared to enplanements this time last year. This is 10 years running that HGR has collected one million dollars for reaching 10,000 enplanements. To date Sanford/Orlando has a total of 10,703 passengers. 5,507 inbound passengers and 5,196 outbound. St Pete/Clearwater has a total of 9,464 passengers. 3,839 inbound passengers and 5,655 outbound passengers. Ms. Siler provided a tour for the Paradise Mennonite School on April 4th. Another tour is scheduled for June 21St with the Beacon House Summer Camp. Ms. Siler has an upcoming tour with The Seeing Eye puppy organization. This tour will allow the organization to bring dogs out to the Airport to get acquainted with a large environment. OPERATIONS REPORT Mr. Bolanowski reported: Staff is still preparing for the annual Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspection that is scheduled for May 17th through May 19th• Mr. Bolanowski is getting paperwork prepared and ready for review for the Full -Scale Drill in October. COUNTY COMMISIONERS UPDATE Mr. Wagner reported the following: The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) are wrapping up the Budget for Fiscal Year 2024. There was a public hearing held Tuesday May 9th . There will be a Budget discussion at the next BOCC meeting on Tuesday May 16th Washington County is short on employees and positions for employment are listed on the County's web site. Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes of May 11, 2023 Page 3 of 3 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REPORT Mr. Horowitz reported the following: The BOCC allocated 6.5 million dollars towards upcoming projects. Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) received money from the George Edward fund and the BOCC and will be fully funded for their expansion project. Mr. Horowitz reviewed all grant agreements and will be collecting signatures to submit for verification and for funds to be released. Mr. Horowitz is to give an economic update to the community via the Washington County Chamber of Commerce at the Eggs and Issues Breakfast event on June 14tH Business Development is sponsoring Hagerstown Startup week from May 22nd to May 26th hosted by the Business Incubators at the Hagerstown Community College. This conference is to help inspire entrepreneurship and help business leaders gain resources. Antietam Broadband Innovation Fund will be awarding one million dollars over the next 4 - years to qualifying early -stage innovation businesses. The BOCC approved the Business Development Department's Impact Grant Program. It is a support program that the Commissioners are giving to small businesses in Washington County that meet the requirements. Program applications will go live on June 5th at 8:00 am. The Business Development Department is hiring for a Business Leader position and the application is live on the Washington County website. MEMBERS COMMENTS No comments to report. CLOSED SESSION No topics to discuss in Closed Session. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Berry made a motion, seconded by Mr. Gross to adjourn the meeting at 4:08 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Respe fully submitted, Amy Blair, ffice Associate