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HomeMy WebLinkAbout24.06.27 - Minutes, Hag Regional AirportHagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2024 Page 1 of 3 HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION Minutes of the Open Meeting June 27, 2024 The Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission held a public meeting on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at the Hagerstown Regional Airport Terminal Conference Room, 18434 Showalter Road, Hagerstown, Maryland. Commission members present: Rob Ferree (Chair), Austin Colby (Vice Chair), Curtis Berry, Randal Leatherman, Laurence Gross, George Stone, and ex-Officio County Commissioner Randall Wagner. County staff members present included Andrew Eshleman (Director of Public Works), Neil Doran (Airport Director), Gene Bolanowski (Airport Operations & Security Manager), Jonathan Horowitz (Director of Business Development), Giselle Butt (Administrative Assistant) and David Douglas (Office Associate). CALL TO ORDER Rob Ferree called the meeting to order on June 27, 2024, at 3:04 pm. CITIZEN’S PARTICIPATION Carolyn Motz was present representing the Rider Jet Center. She had an update that Ben Rider is anxiously waiting County building permit approval for their Hangar 26 expansion project. Also, it was announced that there will be a merger between South Mountain Aviation and R & M Enterprises effective July 1st. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion was made by Mr. Leatherman and seconded by Mr. Gross to approve the minutes of the May 9th, 2024, meeting. The motion passed unanimously. AIRPORT DIRECTOR’S REPORT Neil Doran, Airport Director, provided his report including that airport staff intends to bring before the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on July 16th a proposal to apply to the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT)’s Small Community Air Service Development Grant Program (SCASDP). Volaire, HGR’s Air Service Development consultant, will also reach out to Allegiant Air for their feedback regarding the grant and to see if they will write a letter of support to be included in the application. The airport could ask for marketing funds in the amount of approximately $300,000.00. Or the airport could seek a hybrid grant asking for a larger amount to reduce the financial risk and ground handling costs associated with a commitment for entirely new service. The airport is also reaching out to marketing partners Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2024 Page 2 of 3 asking for cash or discounted services as in-kind commitments in support of the application. Mr. Doran has also been reaching out to federal and state officials to obtain letters of support. In May, Mr. Doran attended JumpStart, an Air Service Development Conference, in Washington, DC. The Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA) were receptive to the idea of a Landline motorcoach bus service at their airports. MWAA has locations/available space within their terminals at Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) where buses could be accommodated. American Airlines may perhaps be interested in Landline service to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Allegiant also suggested Punta Gorda as a potential new, profitable destination/route for HGR in the future. Mr. Doran also attended the Maryland Aviation Council’s (MAC) Regional Conference in Ocean City in June, and additionally held a quarterly meeting with representatives of the Rider Jet Center. The airport has many summer constructions projects underway, and the staff has been busy working on many plans for the airport to prepare and submit to Federal regulatory agencies including a Title VI Plan, Community Participation Plan (CPP), and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) “49 CFR Part 23” Plan. The corporate safety team at Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is interested in planning for future transitions away from the use of overhead fire suppression systems using foam over to water sprinkler systems in the hangars they occupy nationwide. Further discussion was had on this subject as SNC here in Hagerstown occupies hangars owned by the Airport (County) and in other instances by the Rider Jet Center (private ownership). Newton & Associates have been assisting the airport in completing a Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) application that will be submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The airport is hopeful that this revenue could be collected by the end of this calendar year or perhaps in early 2025. This is expected to generate $135,000 to $195,000 a year for the airport. Honeywell conducted flights at the airport using Embraer 170 and Boeing 757 aircraft to test their Surf-A system in development. This is a new technology intended to improve pilot situation awareness and reduce the risk of runway incursions. AIRPORT OPERATIONS REPORT Mr. Bolanowski, Airport Operations & Security Manager, provided his report including that HGR held its annual Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 139 certification inspection May 28th-30th. Minor discrepancies were discovered but most were able to be corrected during the inspection. Multiple construction projects are underway or expected to begin this summer including Taxiway Foxtrot reconstruction, Runway 9/27 painting and lighting, Museum apron and fence Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes of June 27, 2024 Page 3 of 3 realignment, Taxiway C Object Free Area (OFA) paving, and a terminal Parking Lot-related bid process should begin shortly. Numerous operations in support of the President of the United States (POTUS)’ movements are expected this summer. Staff is undergoing rebadging training. Starting in July, the airport will also begin transitioning to use of an online airport badging platform known as “AirBadge”, and a web-based on-demand training system known as “Digicast”. Both are provided by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). AIRLINE SERVICES UPDATE Ms. Smith was unable to attend the meeting. No update given. COUNTY COMMISIONER UPDATE Mr. Wagner, ex-Officio County Commissioner, provided updates including mention of County Fire and Resue needs and additional efforts to fill various County staffing positions. Overall County government revenues are good and should exceed revenue expectations. The County concluded its audit and has been given an AA+ bond rating. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT UPDATE Mr. Horowitz, Director of Business Development, provided updates including that the County has leased two more warehouses, one behind Black and Decker and the other in the Currwood Development across from Twigg Cycles. The County is down to two buildings that are not yet leased. Mr. Horowitz also spoke about the proposed 7-11 convenient store that may be built across from the airport on Showalter Road. Further discussion mentioned the proposed site location and if it would impact the airport’s crosswind Runway 02-20. AAC MEMBER UPDATES No updates from the members ADJOURNMENT Motion made to adjourn by Mr. Gross. Motion was seconded by Mr. Berry. The meeting was adjourned at 4:24 p.m. Respectfully submitted,