Airport Authority - May 23, 2017 Minutes

The Regular Meeting of the Municipal Airport Authority of the City of Fargo, ND was held Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 8:00 a.m. in the Airport Boardroom.

The members present or absent were as follows:
Present: Clark, Linn, Kilander, Haugen, Blazek
Absent: None
Others: Bossart
Chairman Blazek presiding.

Approved the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Municipal Airport Authority Held April 25, 2017:
The minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Municipal Airport Authority held April 25, 2017 were approved without objection.

Approved the Airport Vouchers Totaling $53,953.74:
Mr. Kilander moved to approve the airport vouchers totaling $53,953.74.
Second by Dr. Clark.
On the call of the roll, members Clark, Linn, Kilander, Haugen, Blazek voted aye.
No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.

Approved the Individual Voucher to Flint Communications:
Dr. Clark moved to approve the individual voucher in the amount of $7,399.04 to Flint Communications for partial payment request for 2017 Airport Marketing Program.
Second by Gen. Haugen.
On the call of the roll, members Clark, Linn, Kilander, Haugen, Blazek voted aye.
No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.

Approved the Individual Voucher to Mead & Hunt:
Dr. Clark moved to approve the individual voucher in the amount of $16,864.00 to Mead & Hunt for partial payment request for engineering services in connection with the PFC Application #8, APFC08.
Second by Gen. Haugen.
On the call of the roll, members Clark, Linn, Kilander, Haugen, Blazek voted aye.
No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.

Approved the Individual Voucher to Mead & Hunt:
Dr. Clark moved to approve the individual voucher in the amount of $5,940.00 to Mead & Hunt for partial payment request for engineering services in connection with the Employee Parking Lot Reconstruction Project.
Second by Gen. Haugen.
On the call of the roll, members Clark, Linn, Kilander, Haugen, Blazek voted aye.
No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.

Approved the Individual Voucher Mead & Hunt:
Dr. Clark moved to approve the individual voucher in the amount of $11,051.77 to Mead & Hunt for partial payment request for engineering services in connection with the Taxiway A Reconstruction Project, AIP45.
Second by Gen. Haugen.
On the call of the roll, members Clark, Linn, Kilander, Haugen, Blazek voted aye.
No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.

Approved the Individual Voucher to Mead & Hunt:
Dr. Clark moved to approve the individual voucher in the amount of $10,813.28 to Mead & Hunt for partial payment request for engineering services in connection with the Terminal Taxiway and Taxiway A Reconstruction, Project AIP46.
Second by Gen. Haugen.
On the call of the roll, members Clark, Linn, Kilander, Haugen, Blazek voted aye.
No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.

Approved the Individual Voucher to Mead & Hunt:
Dr. Clark moved to approve the individual voucher in the amount of $53,360.00 to Mead & Hunt for partial payment request for engineering services in connection with the Taxiway A &
A1 Reconstruction - Design, Project AIP147.
Second by Gen. Haugen.
On the call of the roll, members Clark, Linn, Kilander, Haugen, Blazek voted aye.
No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.

Approved the Individual Voucher to Sixel Consulting Group - $5,757.92
Dr. Clark moved to approve the individual voucher in the amount of $5,757.92 to Sixel Consulting Group for consulting services for the Allegiant Air Conference and the quarterly reports.
Second by Gen. Haugen.
On the call of the roll, members Clark, Linn, Kilander, Haugen, Blazek voted aye.
No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.

Approved the Individual Voucher to EideBailly:
Dr. Clark moved to approve the individual voucher in the amount of $1,950.00 to EideBailly for accounting services in connection with the audit for PFC program for the year ending December 31, 2016, APFC07.
Second by Gen. Haugen.
On the call of the roll, members Clark, Linn, Kilander, Haugen, Blazek voted aye.
No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.

Welcomed Tammy Linn to the Airport Authority:
Chairman Blazek stated we were not able to officially welcome new board member, Tammy Linn, at the last meeting and stated we would like to take that opportunity today. Ms. Linn gave a brief bio and stated she was happy to be on the board, ready to be a team member and support what this team decides.

Received Update from ND Air National Guard - Col. Thomas Hatley:
Chairman Blazek introduced the new wing commander of the ND Air National Guard 119th, Col. Thomas "Britt" Hatley. Col. Hatley was recognized and gave a brief bio. He also gave an update on the MQ-9 aircraft operations at the 119th Wing. He stated not all of the information in the media has been accurate so there will be a media roundtable at the base this Thursday to correct any inaccuracies. He stated the MQ is a highly scripted mission, no different than what the F16 used to do, the only difference being that the pilot is not in the aircraft and the degree of oversight is exceptional.

Chairman Blazek stated the Happy Hooligan pilots today are a very modest group of professionals and very humble as well. He stated just to show how good they are, since World War II, the Hooligans were the first unit to ever step in from flying one aircraft right into a new aircraft without losing any combatant command capabilities. Col. Hatley stated that is correct. He stated they continued to fly the MQ-1 mission while training on the MQ-9 without any down time, which is unheard of since WWII, and that is a significant feather in their cap.

Chairman Blazek stated when you walk through the halls of the Pentagon, everyone knows of the Hooligans and that is because of the great work they do.

Received Communication Regarding revised Legal Descriptions for the Fargo Air Museum Hangar #2 and Proposed Addition to Hangar #1:
The communication dated May 4, 2017, from Mr. Jon Scraper, Mead & Hunt, on behalf of the Fargo Air Museum, was received and filed without objection. Mr. Dobberstein stated some time ago he received an inquiry from Gen. Macdonald on behalf of the Fargo Air Museum on whether or not there would be ample room for a 22.5' addition to the west side of the museum for additional restrooms. He stated he provided this information to Mr. Jon Scraper, Mead & Hunt, and after he looked into the matter further it was discovered that the City of Fargo had an inaccurate legal description for the hangar west of the museum (ABHN Partnership).

He stated the description the city had included more land that the actual description. Mr. Jon Scraper, Mead & Hunt, was recognized and stated in revisiting the lease descriptions they also discovered that the lease for Building #2 was incorrect due to the fact that at the last minute before construction the second building they decided to move the building further south and the lease description was never modified.

Mr. Scraper stated the museum is requesting additional lease space in order to construct a 22.5' addition to their building for restrooms in order to meet City of Fargo code. He stated the museum will conduct the air space study for this project. He stated there will also be additional sanitary sewer installed and we will also need to move a transformer. Mr. Scraper stated this is the Fargo Air Museum's official request for an amendment to the lease.

Mr. Kilander moved to authorize Attorney Bossart to draft a lease amendment for the expansion requested by the Fargo Air Museum.
Second by Haugen.
All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Received and Discussed Proposal to Upgrade ARFF Emergency Alert System:
Chief David Bush was recognized and stated our current emergency alert system is functioning but degrading over time. He stated we do not have a maintenance contract on the current system. He stated the system he is proposing to purchase is the same system used by the Guard and it was upon their recommendation that they began working with Forum Communications International. He stated this is a modular system so if one module goes out the system would never be inoperable. He stated this system would also allow us to tie directly into the regional dispatch center so there could be a quicker response to the airport by other resources. He stated the proposal for the system is $24,380.00 and the annual support agreement would be $3,150.00. He added that all of the infrastructure is in place so this system would tie into the existing infrastructure.

Dr. Clark moved to approve the upgrade to the ARFF Emergency Alert System per the proposal from Forum Communications International for a total of $24,380.00.
Second by Mr. Kilander.
On the call of the roll, members Clark, Linn, Kilander, Haugen, Blazek voted aye.
No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.

Received Proposal and Update from Mamava:
The communication from Mr. Sam Hart, Mamava, dated May 19, 2017, was received and filed without objection. Mr. Dobberstein stated that he had been contacted by Ms. BriAnna Wanner, on behalf of the North Dakota Breastfeeding Council and the State of North Dakota Department of Health, regarding the installation of a Mamava unit in the terminal. He stated the NDBC and the State Department of Health are providing grant funds to place these units in the four largest airports in the state. He stated these units are private pods for use by nursing mothers. He stated the state is paying to purchase the unit and we will assemble the unit when it arrives as well as provide the electricity needed and also daily cleaning of the facility. He added that the unit would be handicapped accessible. He stated he would like to see us purchase a second unit for the public area on the main floor.

Mr. Kilander stated he thinks it is important to move forward with this and he would be in favor of purchasing a second unit. Ms. Linn recommended we approve the first unit and see how much it is used before we purchase a second unit. Mr. Darren Anderson stated this is not for use by anyone. He stated access is granted hrough a smart phone app.

Dr. Clark moved to approve the installation of one Mamava unit in the departure lounge as proposed.
Second by Gen. Haugen.
All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.

Authorized Attendance at the AAAE/ACI Legislative Conference, July 25-26, 2017, Washington, DC:
Mr. Kilander moved to authorize attendance by board members and staff at the AAAE/ACI
Legislative Conference, July 25-26, 2017, Washington, DC.
Second by Linn.
On the call of the roll, members Clark, Linn, Kilander, Haugen, Blazek voted aye.
No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.

Received Final Easement Agreement with CenturyLink for Cargo Area Project:
Mr. Dobberstein stated Attorney Bossart has reviewed the final easement agreement with CenturyLink for the installation of fiber going into the FedEx facility. He stated we will now sign this agreement and forward it to CenturyLink for their signature and they will have the document recorded.
The final easement agreement was received and filed without objection.

Reviewed Draft Airport Master Plan Development Operations for North General Aviation Area, South General Aviation Area and Cargo Areas:
Mr. Dobberstein stated the board members had wanted a review of the concepts in the Airport Master Plan. He stated at the last meeting we reviewed the terminal area and parking. He reviewed the layouts for the North General Aviation Area, South General Aviation Area and the Cargo Area.

Discussed Compensation Review:
Chairman Blazek stated in 2014 the board retained the services of ADK Consulting do a survey of airport executives salaries and he is recommending that we hire ADK to update that information for us. He stated he would also like to see the board appoint a subcommittee of two board members to pursue the review of the Executive Director's compensation. He stated he is requesting that Mr. Kilander and Ms. Linn serve on that subcommittee.

Gen. Haugen moved to retain the services of ADK Consulting to update salary information, not to exceed a cost of $5,000.
On the call of the roll, members Clark, Linn, Kilander, Haugen, Blazek voted aye.
No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.

Airport Construction and Security Review:
Mr. David Negron, Assistant Federal Security Director, TSA, was recognized and distributed a proposed checked baggage screening solution. He stated the screening room is not up to ergonomic standards and he requested that a site survey be conducted. He stated the survey was conducted by Raytheon and they have presented two options. He stated Option #1 would basically be swapping the existing power conveyors, those now in the front would go to the back of the room and those in the back would be moved to the front.

He stated Option #2 would be to install a new power conveyor in the front which would mitigate the slipping of bags. He stated all of the electrical infrastructure in in place. He stated the drawings presented are just initial concept drawing and would need fine tuning. He stated one item that is not covered in either of these options is a manual control for the photo eye that stops the conveyor. He stated he would like to see the airport consider adding that feature.

Mr. Negron stated he is not looking for approval today as he does not have cost proposals for either options.

Mr. Dobberstein stated he would recommend that since Glidepath installed the system we have them design the changes and move forward with them. He stated we can check with our contacts at Glidepath.

Mr. Jeff Klein, Mead & Hunt, was recognized and stated we are working with Northern Improvement on the punch list items from last year's Taxiway A and also with Olaf Anderson on the cargo area project.

Mr. Klein stated on June 8 we will be opening bids on our project for this year which is the reconstruction of Taxiway A and A1, the expansion of the cargo ramp, and the addition of a taxilane in the north general aviation area.

Mr. Dobberstein stated we did receive the independent fee review for the architectural services contract with TL Stroh Architects on the skyway. He stated the review came back with the findings that the proposed contract was within FAA guidelines. He stated the proposed fee in the contract is $1,090,000 plus construction administration fees and other incidentals.

Mr. Dobberstein reviewed some of the funding options for the proposed skyway project as well as other upcoming projects. Chairman Blazek stated he and Mr. Dobberstein will be meeting with Attorney Jim Stewart who is an expert on municipal and bond financing to review some financing options on airport
projects. Mr. Kilander stated for clarification, we have authorized TL Stroh Architects to move forward with the design phase of the skyway so that we have everything in place and are prepared to pull the trigger on construction when we are ready.

Gen. Haugen stated it became obvious to him at the recent AAAE conference that the trend in parking at airports, due to the revenue shortfall some airports are experiencing, is not toward more parking but toward more service drop-offs. He stated there were many statements from airports that have recently built parking ramps that if they had known the impact of Uber and Lyft they would not have built parking ramps. He stated he is even more convinced that the skyway is the better solution for us.

Mr. Dobberstein stated it was reported that 25% of the traffic that pulls up to the terminal at LAX is Uber and Lyft and increasing all the time. He added that some of the larger employers in Fargo are highly encouraging their employees travelling on business to use Uber rather than park at the airport as it lowers their costs.

Ms. Linn stated she thinks it would be important to have some data on where our passengers that fly out of Fargo are coming from. She stated if you live in Grafton or Hillsboro you are not going to take Uber. She stated it would also help to know the mix of business and leisure travelers. She stated she knows the trend at larger airports is less parking but our market is a little different.

Mr. Dobberstein stated he has discussed this with SP+ and about the only way to do that is to have someone stationed in the terminal gathering that information. He stated that could easily be done, possibly hiring college students to conduct surveys.

Other Business:
Mr. Rick Flacksbarth, Cityscapes Development, was recognized and stated he was contacted by the son of the owner of the property at the southwest corner of the airport, west of the entrance road. He stated he was first contact by him in 2014 regarding the sale of the property but nothing transpired. He stated the son lives out of state and indicated it was now time to sell the property. He stated he did not want to name a price so he suggested that the family have the property appraised. He stated the city's current appraisal is about $63,000. He stated he would suggest to the board, if they are interested in pursuing purchase of the property, to start with a Phase I Environmental Site
Assessment.

He stated he indicated to the son that either the seller will have to clean up the property or if it is the buyer's responsibility the cost would be deducted from the value of the property. He stated the cost and extent of any contamination is unknown at this time. Mr. Dobberstein stated in October 2014 Attorney Stewart provided us with information that city ordinance 4818 requires that land within 175' of the centerline of any legal drain be dedicated to the public for purposes of such drain at the time of platting. He stated there is no plat for this property. He stated if someone were to purchase the property, it's basically public property as no one would be able to develop the property. He stated the property was offered to us years ago but it was not the right time.

It was the consensus of the board to work with Mead & Hunt to engage someone to conduct a Phase I Environmental Assessment of the property and communicate our plans with the son.

Adopted Resolution of Appreciation to Mr. Ken Pawluk:

Mr. Kilander offered the following resolution of appreciation to Mr. Ken Pawluk and moved its adoption:

WHEREAS, Mr. Ken Pawluk has served as a member of the Municipal Airport Authority for 21 years, since April 8, 1996, and

WHEREAS, Mr. Pawluk has labored diligently and given unsparingly of his time and efforts over those 21 years, playing a key role in the steady forward movement and constant improvements to Hector International Airport in its service to commercial aviation, general aviation, and military aviation, and

WHEREAS, Mr. Pawluk leaves behind a track record of serving with great distinction and has made contributions unmeasurable in terms of value and his presence on the board will be greatly missed, and

WHEREAS, it is the desire of the members of the Municipal Airport Authority and its staff that Mr. Pawluk continue his interest in and regard for Hector International Airport and remain involved by maintaining a relationship with the board and being willing to continue to offer input in the future.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the members of the Municipal Airport Authority hereby convey their thanks and deep gratitude for the many years of dedicated service from Mr. Ken Pawluk and wish him the best in his future endeavors and community service.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be inscribed upon the permanent minutes of the Municipal Airport Authority and a certified copy of the herein resolution be forwarded to Mr. Ken Pawluk.

Second by Dr. Clark.
All members present voted aye and the resolution was declared to have been duly passed and adopted.

The meeting of the Municipal Airport Authority was adjourned until the next regular meeting to be held Tuesday, June 13, 2017, at 8:00 a.m.

Time at adjournment was 9:35 a.m.