Airport Board Minutes

May 2005 

May 5, 2005

A meeting of the Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport Board of Directors was held on Thursday, May 5, 2005, at 5:30 p.m. at the Auburn-Lewiston Airport, Conference Room, 80 Airport Drive, Auburn, Maine  04210.

Present:  Chairman Plourde; Messrs. Metivier, Lunt, Paradis, Wolf and Ms. Finnigan and Rowell.

Also Present:  Airport Manager, John McGonagill.

Chairman Plourde called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.    

ON MOTION BY MR. WOLF SECONDED BY MR. PARADIS IT WAS

VOTED (1) TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF APRIL 7, 2005 AND PLACE THEM ON FILE.

VOTE:  6:0

TREASURER’S REPORT

Mr. Metivier reviewed the treasurer’s report with the board, stating overall the budget is looking good, no real changes at this point.    

ON MOTION BY MR. PARADIS SECONDED BY MR. WOLF IT WAS

VOTED (2) TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER’S REPORT AS PRESENTED.

VOTE:  6:0

NEW BUSINESS

Ms. Finnigan arrived.

TCAS TRAILER SPACE REQUEST

Mr. Humphrey is looking to put a temporary trailer on the airport, stating his business needs more office space.  This trailer will not be for public use, the location currently looking at is right by his building next to the yellow addition with skirting around the bottom and landscaping.  The southern hangar is too far away to connect the computers and phone lines with the heated hangar.  Another location would be behind the bandit, along the fence and car parking.  Mr. Humphrey is looking to lease the trailer for two years, or until a better facility becomes available or built.  Mr. Metivier would like to see a short-term agreement, like the last storage trailer, which was approved last summer.  The reason TCAS is requesting this is because the airport cannot currently bring the hangars up to code, so no additions or expansions can be done to the hangars. 

ON MOTION BY MR. WOLF SECONDED BY MR. PARADIS IT WAS

VOTED (3) TO ACCEPT THE TEMPORARY TRAILER AS PRESENTED, FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR WITH REVIEW AND 90 DAYS AT WILL INCLUDED AS AN ADDEMDUM 2 TO THE TCAS LEASE, AT THE LOCATION BY THE YELLOW ADDITION OF TCAS HANGAR WITH LAND LEASE PAYMENTS FOR THE TRAILER TO BE NEGOTIATED WITH THE AIRPORT MANAGER AND MR. HUMPHREY.

VOTE:  7:0

Chairman Plourde requested the localizer shack is long over due to be painted as agreed by TCAS.  Mr. Humphrey stated it would be completed shortly.

REPORT OF THE AIRPORT MANAGER

FY05-06 AIRPORT BUDGET

City councils of Auburn and Lewiston met and passed the airport budget.  The airport has used increased airport user fees for FY05-06 budget and needs to adopt the increase and change the Exhibit “B” in the minimum standards for the airport.  The board also recommended increasing the overnight fee for single aircraft from $3 to $5.

ON MOTION BY MR. LUNT SECONDED BY MR. WOLF IT WAS

VOTED (4) TO ACCEPT THE DRAFT EXHIBIT “B” AS PRESENTED WITH THE RECOMMENDED CHANGE.

VOTE:  7:0

FEMA SNOW REIMBURSEMENT

The airport has received a letter stating we would be reimbursed for the first storm and is sending in the applications for storms 2 and 3 for reimbursement.  A total of $10,000 is estimated to be expected to help with our overtime expense. 

PROJECTS

The PAPI has been certified and completed with many thanks to the FAA for new PAPIS.

The parallel taxiway is a safety project and has been moved ahead of the ramp expansion.

PROPOSED TOWER

Another aeronautical study has been sent to us and forward to aircraft users and tenants on the field recommending to object to this proposed tower which it affects our airport.  Location is approximately 2.6 miles to the north of the airport. 

SILVER WINGS LEASE

Mr. Pohl (Silver Wings) was called away on a family emergency and asked if the Airport Manager could present his proposal to the board along with Frank Johanson.  The Airport Manager presented the slides for the turnkey operation for a fuel farm.  The tanks Mr. Pohl wants to install will be two above ground double walled 12,000-gallon tanks, self serve and full serve when requested.  The footprints of the tanks which will be on airport property will become a land lease with the airport.  These tanks will have no maintenance or cost required by the airport.  The liability will be Mr. Pohl’s responsibility according to the current lease. The companies Mr. Pohl talked with will not deliver to a single wall tank refueler, which is why Mr. Pohl has chosen to install the tanks for his business.  The ramp area is in poor condition and the Airport Manager has received quotes to upgrade the ramp.  Mr. Pohl has agreed to match the airport’s $15,000 to upgrade, add five tie downs as required by the airport in Silver Wings lease, and add an additional 6-8 electrical tie downs as a source of revenue for airport (the west ramp is currently 90% full).   

ON MOTION BY MR. METIVIER, SECONDED BY MR. WOLF IT WAS

VOTED (5) TO TABLE THIS ITEM UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO INCLUDE PLANS, CONTAINMENT SYSTEM, LIABILITY EXPOSURE, INDEMITY ISSUES, APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT, SITING AND PAVEMENT PLANS. 

VOTE:  7:0

ON MOTION BY MR. METIVIER SECONDED BY MR. WOLF IT WAS

VOTED (6) TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS LEASE ITEMS.

VOTE:  7:0

ON MOTION BY MR. LUNT, SECONDED BY MS. FINNIGAN IT WAS

VOTED (7) TO COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION AND ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:30 P.M.

VOTE: 7:0

May 20, 2005

A special meeting of the Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport Board of Directors was held on Friday, May 20, 2005, at 7:30 a.m. at Auburn City Hall, Room 302, Auburn, Maine  04210.

Present:  Chairman Plourde; Messrs. Metivier, Lunt, Wolf and Ms. Finnigan.

Absent:  Mr. Paradis and Ms. Rowell.

Also Present:  Airport Manager, John McGonagill; Mr. Pohl, Silver Wings Aviation, Inc.; Mr. Downer and Mr. Guadalupe, Hoyle Tanner & Associates; Mr. Hahn, Airport Attorney; Mr. Deangelis, City Electrician; Mr. Simard, AFPO; and Mr. Hebert, Airport Chief of Maintenance.

Chairman Plourde called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.

SILVER WINGS PROPOSAL FOR EAST RAMP IMPROVEMENTS.

The Airport Manager gave the board an updated review of the poor conditions of the ramp on the east side of the field.  The airport needs to have the same standards on both sides of the field.  Currently the ramp on the east side cannot accommodate jets due to the paving.  The airport has reached 96% of ramp parking on the west side and looking to install up to eight electrical tie downs to increase airport revenue.  A charge will be assessed for the footprint of the land the fuel farm will be using.  Money for crack sealing is being provided with a state grant at 90/10 and free up $5,000, FEMA snow reimbursement will free 100% of our overtime money, $5,000 to $7,000 and Rotating Beacon $5,000.  Then there is the possibility of borrowing the money for a 5-year loan at 7%.  Above ground, storage tanks meet all the Minimum Standards of the airport. 

Currently Mr. Pohl has upgraded the white hangar as follows:  sprinkler system, water main, bi fold door, heating and ventilation system (in progress), insulation, bathroom facility, air condition, steel siding, windows, electrical upgrade, new roof on side building, and a luxury FBO pilots lounge for pilots open 24/7 to include shower, washer/dyer, sleep facility.  The past ten years, there has been increased activity at this airport.  The current FBO, Twin Cities Air Service, is not open 24 hours (on a call system, or call ahead for service for fuel). 

The fuel company maintains the fuel system that is being installed.  The truck refuelers are rented directly from the fuel company if so desired.  Responsibility for liability is with the fuel company and Mr. Pohl, (which is currently in the Silver Wings lease).  These tanks are installed nationwide, and there are two airports in Maine currently with the credit card system.  Two double walled fire protected tanks, at 12,000 gallons each, unloading 8,000 gallons of fuel.  Interstitial monitor system for any leaks to set off an alarm to specified agency to send someone out to check the tanks.  Tanks will sit on concrete support.

These tanks are actually better than the ones at gas stations, they have more safety features.  The tanks will be inspected on a yearly basis, by local and the state.  A monitoring system is set up through either the city or an agency.  A phone/panic button is installed for any fuel leaks. -  Mr. Simard.

The Master Plan Update works with ongoing projects and projects that will happen in the future and fits everything together.  The clearances are there for the fuel farm and aircrafts.  No major changes are likely in the future to runway 17/35. - Mr. Downer 

Someone will be available like the current FBO, meeting all the minimum standards of the airport.  Silver Wings will be full service and self-service. Concern of an unattended facility with customers pumping gas.  There is a safety system is built in.  Phone numbers will be posted for after hour service, or any emergencies.  A senior operator will be on site with emergency numbers available after hours to the airport, and Mr. Pohl by cell when not in town.

The airport grant assurances states we cannot limit competition on the field.  The assurances were designed to ensure there is more competition and seeks out free enterprises, to encourage development.  The assurances do not address the issue of what a market can sustain (whose business can succeed and who cannot). – Mr. Hahn

        ON MOTION BY MR. METIVIER SECONDED BY MS. FINNIGAN IT WAS VOTED (1) TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS ISSUE WITH MR. HAHN, AIRPORT ATTORNEY.

VOTE:  5:0

            ON MOTION BY MR. WOLF SECONDED BY MR. METIVIER IT WAS VOTED (2) TO COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION.

VOTE:  5:0

Mr. Wolf left.

            ON MOTION BY MS. FINNIGAN SECONDED BY MR. LUNT IT WAS VOTED (3) TO ALLOW THE AIRPORT TO SPEND UP TO $15,000 MAXIMUM AS THE AIRPORTS OBLIGATION UNDER THE LEASE WITH SILVER WINGS TO SUPPORT THE FIVE TIE DOWN SPACES AND AN ADDITIONAL 6-8 TIE DOWN SPACES FOR THE AIRPORT IN THE REHABILITATION TO THE RAMP ON THE EAST SIDE.

VOTE:  4:0

ON MOTION BY MR. LUNT SECONDED BY MS. FINNIGAN IT WAS VOTED (4) TO ALLOW DOUG POHL, SILVER WINGS, TO LOCATE AND INSTALL THE FUEL FARM AS DISCUSSED AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE EAST RAMP ON THE EAST SIDE AND ALLOW FOR AMENDMENT TO THE SILVER WINGS LEASE COVERING THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE AIRPORT MANAGER FOR THE FUEL FARM FOOTPRINT RENT INCREASE FOR LEASED LAND.

VOTE:  4:0

ON MOTION BY MR. LUNT, SECONDED BY MR. METIVIER IT WAS

VOTED (5) TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:35 A.M.

VOTE: 4:0