HomeMy WebLinkAbout23.09.14 - Minutes, Hag Regional AirportHAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION
Minutes of the Open Meeting
September 14, 2023
The Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission held a public meeting on Thursday
September 14, 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, Austin Colby Vice Chair, George
Stone, Curtis Berry, Laurence Gross, Randal Leatherman. Ex-Officio County Commissioner Randall
Wagner and County Commissioner President John Barr. Airport staff members present were Andrew
Eshleman Director of Public Works, Neil Doran Airport Director, Gene Bolanowski Operations
Manager, Richard Lesh Administrative Assistant, Amy Daversa Office Associate.
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Ferree called the meeting to order on September 14 2023, at 2:58 pm.
CITIZENS PARTICIPATION
Carolyn Motz, former Hagerstown Regional Airport Director was in attendance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion made by Mr. Gross seconded by Mr. Colby to approve the minutes of the July 06, 2023,
meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
AIRPORT DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Mr. Doran reported the following:
Allegiant signed an updated Business Permit Agreement that will bring in an additional
$65,000 per year in revenue.
Mr. Doran attended the Take Off Conference in Atlantic City, NJ on August 12th-August 16th
and networked with Landline, Cape Air, Elite Airways and Allegiant. A presentation booklet was
given to Sun Country and Breeze reps. There is a potential for an upcoming meeting with Volaire
Consultants, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority/Dulles Air Service Development officials
and United Airlines. Shenandoah Regional Airport (SHD) is also interested in United (Landline)
service to Dulles.
The application for the Rural 50 grant funding will be amended to put towards additional
utilities on Airpark Road for future expansion and reduce development costs.
HGR's Current Year 2022 Air Cargo data was submitted to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) for the first time in August 2023. The FAA is starting to allocate funds based
on cargo activity. HGR has a reportable quantity, but not yet enough to qualify for those funds.
The Global Entry event will be held on September 26th and September 27th . The event had to
be extended to two days due to popular demand.
Danny Shirley was selected as the Airport Rescue & Firefighting Manager (ARFF) Fire
Chief.
Mr. Doran had a meeting with John Potter, CEO of Commonwealth Airways. The carrier
searches for Airport's that are within the periphery of major cities. Mr. Doran reported that Mr. Potter
took interest in HGR's branding and proposed name change.
Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission
Meeting Minutes of September 14, 2023
Page 2 of3
A new commercial lease was signed for Hangar# 14.
Strategic Plan Update-Mr. Doran and Mr. Eshleman gave an initial presentation of the Strategic
Plan to the Washington County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). A follow up presentation
is scheduled on Tuesday September 19th. The Strategic Plan will focus on Business and Economic
Strategies including Air Service Development, Passenger Facility Charges (PFC's) and Parking
revenue. The Airport Advisory Commission (AAC) members were all in consensus and it was
suggested to save the rebranding and name change for a later date.
NEW BUSINESS
See Airport Director's report.
AIRLINE REPORT
Ms. Siler was not in attendance for the meeting.
OPERATIONS REPORT
Mr. Bolanowski reported the following:
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Solo School was July 1st-July 9th and was completed.
HGR has been working with the Washington County Environmental Department and Airport
Design Consultants Inc. (ADCI) in order to update the Stormwater Pollution and Prevention Plan.
Airport staff is beginning to work on revision the Primary Guiding Documents. The last
revisions were published in 2006.
The Local Runway Action Safety Team (RSAT) had a successful meeting.
The Full-Scale Disaster Drill planning is underway. The drill is scheduled for Saturday
October 7th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Multiple first responders and volunteers will be at both the
airport and Meritus Medical Center to simulate a mass casualty event. Krumpe's Donuts will be
donating 3 00 donuts for the event.
Mr. Bolanowski and Mr. Doran had a meeting with Mike Monroe, the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) inspector for a joint vulnerability assessment meeting and using HGR as a
training base for new inspectors.
A Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) system is currently undergoing testing at the
Airport.
Wings and Wheels event was held Saturday September 9th. The Experimental Aircraft
Association (EAA) 101 Young Eagles flew with 4 aircraft. Mechanical issues grounded another 3
aircraft.
Mr. Bolanowski had a meeting with the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-
B) tracking solution provider.
There was a successful President of the United States (POTUS) visit at HGR on August 17th.
Selected Airport staff completed Wildlife Training and certified by the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Hangarfest 2023 will be held on September 23rd at Rider Jet Center.
There will be an Aviation Security Tabletop Exercise with TSA and Law Enforcement on
October 18th.
Mr. Bolanowski will be attending the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)
Security Summit on December 12th-December 14th in Washington D.C.
Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission
Meeting Minutes of September 14, 2023
Page 3 of3
COUNTY COMMISIONERS UPDATE
Ex-Officio County Commissioner Mr. Wagner reported that Wings and Wheels was a very
nice event and brought in a good crowd. He commended the Hagerstown Aviation Museum on a job
well done.
Mr. Wagner wanted to welcome new AAC member Randal Leatherman.
Washington County is still looking to fill the Director of Human Resources and Deputy
Director of Human Resources positions. A new Permits and Inspections Director has recently been
announced.
Washington County has appointed Michelle Gordon as the new County Administrator.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REPORT
No report to update.
MEMBERS COMMENTS
Mr. Colby reported that the Wings and Wheels event was very successful, and the
Hagerstown Aviation Museum (HAM) received over $15,000 in donations. The event brought in
3,000-4,000 people despite competing with other events taking place in Washington County and
impeding bad weather.
Mr. Doran met the manager at Avis Budget Car Rental and discussed various matters
regarding car rentals.
Mr. Berry inquired about the vehicle restrictions on the runway. Mr. Doran said a
memorandum and an advisory circular was distributed about safety on the runway and unnecessary
mid-field crossings.
The self-service fuel pump at Rider Jet Center is currently inoperable and needs to be
repaired. Mr. Bolanowski reported that there is a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) in place that the
pump will be out of service through September 21 st.
CLOSED SESSION
No topics to discuss in Closed Session.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Gross made a motion, seconded by Mr. Stone to adjourn the meeting at 4: 18 p.m. The motion
passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
~ 11m ~ Amy Daversa, Office Associate