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HomeMy WebLinkAbout24.01.11- Minutes, Hag Regional AirportHagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes of January 11, 2024 Page 1 of 3 HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION Minutes of the Open Meeting January 11th, 2024 The Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission held a public meeting on Thursday January 11th, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at the Hagerstown Regional Airport Terminal Conference Room, 18434 Showalter Road, Hagerstown, Maryland. Commission members present at the meeting: Rob Ferree, Chair, Austin Colby, Vice Chair, Samuel Cool, George Stone, Laurence Gross, Randal Leatherman and ex-Officio County Commissioner Randall Wagner. County staff-members present: Jonathan Horowitz, Director of Business Development, Andrew Eshleman, Director of Public Works, Neil Doran, Airport Director and Gene Bolanowski, Airport Operations & Security Manager. CALL TO ORDER Mr. Ferree called the meeting to order on January 11th, 2024, at 3:01 p.m. CITIZENS PARTICIPATION Cristin Rydzewski from the Rider Jet Center was in attendance. No comments. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion made by Mr. Gross and seconded by Mr. Leatherman to approve the minutes from the November 9th, 2023, meeting. The motion passed unanimously. CLOSED SESSION Motion made by Mr. Gross and seconded by Mr. Cool to enter closed session at 3:02 PM, to discuss a preliminary matter that concerns a proposal for a business or industrial organization to locate, expand, or remain in the State. The motion passed unanimously. The members present during closed session were Rob Ferree, Chair, Austin Colby, Vice Chair, George Stone, Laurence Gross, Randal Leatherman and ex-Officio County Commissioner Randall Wagner. County staff-members present: Jonathan Horowitz, Director of Business Development, Andrew Eshleman, Director of Public Works, Neil Doran, Airport Director and Gene Bolanowski, Airport Operations & Security Manager. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION: Motion made by Mr. Gross and seconded by Mr. Cool, to reconvene in open session at 4:30 PM. The motion passed unanimously. AIRPORT DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Doran reported the following: • Strategic Plan goals were approved by the County Commissioners on 12/05/2023. • Budgets are being worked on and submitted. • Allegiant flights are running on time with minimal disruption. Jordan Leach and Tina Smith have been overseeing airline operations following Peggy Siler’s departure. • Land leasing arrangements related to the PIA Expansion have been approved. • Discussions with Avis/Budget about a new leasing arrangement, this could involve an expansion of the parking spaces used from 20 to 35 in the terminal lot. Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes of January 11, 2024 Page 2 of 3 • The new HGR airport logo will be included in outfield wall signage approved by the BOCC to promote Washington County at the new downtown ballpark. • Checked baggage screening equipment installation project was completed. Also, an additional upgrade to passenger credential screening equipment at the checkpoint was added. • Airport Fire – Heavy Rescue Unit acquisition. Purchased for $60,000, inclusive of many types of rescue equipment. Working to get the truck in service and ready for use here at the airport. • Had several employee resignations and transfers to other County departments in the November 2023-January 2024 time frame. Thanks to departing employees Richard Lesh, Peggy Siler, Kathy Kroboth, Steven Caho and Michelle Burkett for their service to the airport. Sara Demers hired as Office Associate and David Clark as a PT Airport Maintenance Worker/Firefighter. Looking to hire for another two positions soon. CY23 HGR airline service statistics were presented. • 64,713 total passenger operations. This represents a 6% increase over the previous year. • Anticipating an additional 30 flights next summer to Myrtle Beach, which could bring us close to or exceed our all-time peak of 69,000 annual passenger operations. OPERATIONS REPORT Mr. Bolanowski reported the following: • First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS) movement – Saturday, December 23, 2023 • Snow OPS – Saturday, January 6 - Sunday, January 7, 2024 COUNTY COMMISIONERS UPDATE Mr. Wagner reported the following: • HR fully staffed now. • New Bridge at Professional Blvd. opened. • Joint meeting with the City of Hagerstown. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REPORT Mr. Horowitz reported the following: • Con-Air wins national award for largest commercial real estate deal in the Country. • Citibank building update. • Watson Town Trucking – Breeze Hill Property; Water Extension till December of 2024. • Updates on additional commercial building developments. • February 2nd 5 PM to 9 PM– Groundhog Day party MEMBERS COMMENTS Mr. Colby reported on the opening of the Hagerstown Aviation Museum to the public. Asked about Prior Permission Requests for aircraft accessing the Museum Apron area for parking. Mr. Bolanowski asked that the PPR requests continue, to ensure situational awareness for airport events and conditions. Discussed the possibility of acquiring an A-10 for the museum. Mr. Bolanowski asked about educational opportunities and career opportunities from the group, and their interest in participating. Mr. Horowitz suggested reaching out to follow up to present options. Mr. Leatherman commented on the new AvGas self-service fuel pump and the paving in the t- hangar area. Thanked the airport and FBO staff for their efforts in making the improvements. The new LED lights in the Pilot’s Lounge, as well, were a nice addition. Additional words of commendation for the Airport Snow Team for their efforts on the January 6th – 7th snowstorm. Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes of January 11, 2024 Page 3 of 3 ADJOURNMENT Mr. Cool made a motion, seconded by Mr. Colby to adjourn the meeting at 4:47 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Neil Doran, Airport Director