AUBURN-LEWISTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

AUBURN, MAINE

 September 6, 2007

A meeting of the Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport Board of Directors was held on Thursday, September 6, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. at the Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport, 80 Airport Drive, Auburn, Maine.

Present: Chairman Plourde

Board Members:  Jean, Sargent, Lunt, Bickford, and Metivier.

Absent Board Member Smith.

Also Present:  Airport Manager, Rick Cloutier and HTA representative Mr. David Guadalupe.

Chairman Plourde called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

ON MOTION BY MR. LUNT SECONDED BY MR. BICKFORD IT WAS VOTED (1) TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF AUGUST 2, 2007 AND PLACE THEM ON FILE.

 VOTE: 5:0

 Mr. Sargent arrived.

 TREASURER’S REPORT

Chairman Plourde reviewed the final treasurer’s report with the board.  Landing fees are currently low, Vector had problems with the equipment at start up and invoices went out late for May and June billings.  We have currently received $1,600 for collections to date.  Accounts receivable are at $9,000 invoiced.  When aircraft land it can take three or more months for collection, (1^st month is the landing, 2^nd month is the invoicing, and 3^rd month is when collections are received).  The equipment has already been moved due to the taxiway construction and when the project is complete, Vector will probably bring in two more cameras to cover the other locations.  This system also benefits the airport by knowing exactly the operations happening at the airport. 

 The auditor has been at the airport collecting information and will present the final year-end figures for FY06-07 at the October or November board meeting.   

 ON MOTION BY MR. SARGENT SECONDED BY MR. LUNT IT WAS  VOTED (2) TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER’S REPORT AS PRESENTED.

 VOTE:  6:0

 PROPOSAL FOR PART TIME MAINTENANCE TECH EMPLOYEE TO FULL TIME

Operations and demand are constantly increasing at the airport.  Most maintenance projects require two employees according to OSHA standards and when one of our employees is out on vacation/sick it makes it difficult on our crew.  The airport currently has one part time/seasonal employee, two maintenance techs and one chief of maintenance.  The seasonal employee will be leaving for college shortly and with the addition of the taxiway/apron, it was requested to hire a full time employee instead of a part time as previous years.  Although the cost was not currently budgeted, the additional money could come from the anticipated overage from the landing fees and Christian Hill project.  The addition of a fourth maintenance tech would help eliminate overtime.  The board under stood the need and the timing of the additional employee, but the airport does have a budget that needs to be kept in line.  After more feedback from board members

 ON MOTION BY MR. JEAN SECONDED BY MR. BICKFORD IT WAS VOTED (3) TO ACCEPT THE POSITION BEING CHANGED TO A FULL TIME EMPLOYEE AS PRESENTED BY THE AIRPORT MANAGER.

 VOTE:  5:1

Mr. Metivier opposed.

 TAXIWAY AND SAFETY AREA IMPROVEMENT UPDATE

HTA representative, Mr. David Guadalupe, updated the board on the taxiway project, stating it was progressing.  The FAA has paving requirements due to weather conditions and temperature.  (No paving below temperatures of 40º.)  After the paving, there will be painting, marking, lighting and signs.  The fill is being monitored, the good fill is being recycled, and all is accounted for. 

 The runway safety area 4/22 enhancement study contract is being reviewed at HTA and will be sent to the Airport Manager for signature next week.  With the material from Airport Hill being removed, it is a good opportunity to fill in the safety areas at the end of the runways at this time, save the airport money, and request funding from the FAA for this as the next airport safety project, but the FAA will not move forward unless this study is completed.   

 OPEN SESSION

 September 4, 2007 Auburn City Council approved the request of adding two board members to the Airport Board of Directors.  The eighth member being an employee representative of the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments and the ninth member an employee representative of Lewiston Auburn Economic Growth Council.  The Airport Manager will meet with Lewiston City Council next for council approval.  Maine Department of Transportation will be the last to sign off.

Mr. Akerley suggested the airport install some turf tie downs on the east side of the field.  The Airport Manager will research the idea and get back to the board.

Mr. Roundy, Manager of Silver Wings, stated he was available to the board to mediate the letter from owner Mr. Pohl and try to come to a resolution of the matter.  Chairman Plourde stated he could discuss this issue further in executive session with the board.

Mr. John Leblond gave a short presentation to the Airport Board to rename the airport to the Samantha Smith International Pease Port.

ON MOTION BY MR. METIVIER SECONDED BY MR. SARGENT IT WAS VOTED (4) TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THE FAA COMPLAINT.

 VOTE:  6:0

 ON MOTION BY MR. BICKFORD SECONDED BY MR. SARGENT IT WAS VOTED (5) TO COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION AND ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:18 PM.

 VOTE:  6:0

 Respectfully Submitted,

  Richard Cloutier

       Airport Manager