Airport Authority - October 9, 2017 Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Municipal Airport Authority of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held Monday, October 9, 2017 at 8:00 a.m. in the Airport Boardroom.
The members present or absent were as follows:
Present: Clark, Linn, Kilander, Blazek
Absent: Haugen
Others: Bossart, Gehrig
Chairman Blazek presiding.
Approved the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Municipal Airport Authority Held September 26, 2017:
The minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Municipal Airport Authority held September 26, 2017, were approved without objection.
Approved the Airport Vouchers Totaling $23,744.59:
Mr. Kilander moved to approve the airport vouchers totaling $23,744.59.
Second by Dr. Clark.
On the call of the roll, members Clark, Linn, Kilander, Blazek voted aye.
Absent and not voting: Haugen
The motion was declared carried.
Approved the Individual Voucher to Northern Improvement Company:
Dr. Clark moved to approve the individual voucher in the amount of $511,904.70 to Northern Improvement Company for Partial Payment Request #3 for construction of the 2017 Cargo Apron Expansion Project.
Second by Ms. Linn.
On the call of the roll, members Clark, Linn, Kilander, Blazek voted aye.
Absent and not voting: Haugen
The motion was declared carried.
Approved the Individual Voucher to Flint Communications:
Dr. Clark moved to approve the individual voucher in the amount of $29,028.30 to Flint Communications for partial payment request for 2017 Airport Marketing Program.
Second by Ms. Linn.
On the call of the roll, members Clark, Linn, Kilander, Blazek voted aye.
Absent and not voting: Haugen
The motion was declared carried.
Approved the Individual Voucher to TL Stroh Architects:
Dr. Clark moved to approve the individual voucher in the amount of $21,800.00 to TL Stroh Architects for Payment Request No. 1 for architectural and engineering services in connection with the Elevated Walkway.
Second by Ms. Linn.
On the call of the roll, members Clark, Linn, Kilander, Blazek voted aye.
Absent and not voting: Haugen
The motion was declared carried.
Received Communication from Hanson Design Associates Regarding Shelterbelt Replanting Plan:
The communication dated October 6, 2017 from Mr. Jim Hanson, Hanson Design Associates, was received and filed without objection.
Mr. James Hanson, Hanson Design Associates, was recognized and stated he, Scott Liudahl
(City Forester), Tony Peterson (Cass County Soil Conservation) Henry Swedberg (MAA) and Sharon Bartels (Hanson Design) met on October 3 to discuss a replanting plan for the airport shelterbelts.
He stated this spring we completed 2.7 miles of tree removal. He stated the plan right now is to replace 2.3 miles with trees consisting of five rows, four of trees and one row of shrubs, approximately 21' apart. He stated the new tree species selection has been reviewed and they feel complies with the current FAR Wildlife Management Plan. That selection is as follows:
Row 1 - Bur Oak alternated with Hybrid Poplar, 8-10' oc spacing, "whip" plant size
Row 2 - Hackberry, 8-10 oc, "whip" plant size
Row 3 - Elm (mix of Accolade, Cathedral, Siberian and other varieties, 8'10' oc, "whip" plant size
Row 4 - Flame Willow, 8-10' oc, "whip" plant size
Row 5 - Lilac and Dogwood (Lilac for dry locations and Dogwood for wet locations)
Weed barrier fabric will be utilized in each row to help with the individual plant establishment by helping control weed growth. Utilizing the wood much stockpiled for reuse was discussed, but it was determined that better results would be likely without the use of wood mulch with or without weed barrier fabric.
The two areas that will not be replanted include the area west of the Army National Guard, in anticipation of the 40 acre expansion proposed for that area, and the area south of the lift station along County 20, for an approximate length of 200-250', due to wet conditions.
Total estimated replanting cost - $62,337.00
Site preparation by Cass County Soil Conservation - $6,043.00
Trees, shrubs and weed barrier fabric installed - $45,930.00
Remove 2,591 cy stockpiled wood chips @ $4.00 per yd - $10,364.00 (estimated)
Mr. Hanson stated the wood chips would be hauled to Benson, MN to a power generating plant. He stated that is where the other wood waste from the project went. He stated the cost to spread the woodchips among the newly planted tree rows would be $17 per cy or about $44,000.00.
Mr. Dobberstein stated the estimate project cost is below what was budgeted for the project. Dr. Clark moved to approve the Shelterbelt Replanting Project as proposed for an estimated cost of $62,337.00.
Second by Mr. Kilander.
On the call of the roll, members Clark, Linn, Kilander, Blazek voted aye.
Absent and not voting: Haugen
The motion was declared carried.
Discussed 2018 Airport Marketing Campaign Planning Process with Flint Communications:
Ms. Tara Olson, Flint Communications, was recognized and stated she is here today to get feedback from the board members on the current marketing campaign and get input for the planning process for 2018 on how to meet objectives and stay ahead of the competition. She stated we are at the end of the three-year creative campaign.
Mr. Kilander stated in their meetings with stakeholders, he and Ms. Linn received multiple suggestions that the airport have a periodic, whether that be monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, etc., public relations campaign that would be handled in more of a direct contact with stakeholders, discussing things going on at the airport and possibly even having a quarterly press release. He stated they found that the Airport Authority is an unknown commodity and people are not aware that the Airport Authority is autonomous and not part of the City of Fargo. He stated we can look at the cost factor and what ideas Flint might have in spreading our message.
Ms. Linn stated she would like to see information focused on our stakeholders, such as Fargo Jet Center or the Foreign Trade Zone, etc. She stated we could look at both internal and external communications. She stated it might be just a template developed to update those within the airport on current events and a monthly recap that can be updated periodically, including story ideas or announcements submitted by stakeholders. She stated one example would be the results of the recent parking survey that was conducted.
Chairman Blazek stated he feels the previous campaign themes, "Fly FAR" and "Do the Math" have been very effective.
Mr. Kilander stated he agrees but this would be in addition to what we are already doing. Chairman Blazek stated he would like to see us exploit the number of flights available in
Fargo as that sets us apart from our closer competitors.
Dr. Clark stated without pointing out specific competitors, we need to get the message out that if you have a problem with your flight you have more options in Fargo because of the greater number of flights each day. She stated when those delays do happen it adds other costs such as driving, hotel, parking and time if you do not have other flight options.
Ms. Olson asked if the board likes the ideas of commercials including the visual experience within the terminal building or more toward the passenger's personal side such as more time at home with their kids, not missing your child's game, etc.
Chairman Blazek stated he likes to see the commercials emphasize the comparisons of flying from Fargo vs. another airport. He added that he has liked the good time slots we have had for our commercials.
Ms. Olson asked the board members if there were any thoughts on the length of a creative campaign. Is three years too long? She asked that the board members submit any comments to her between now and early December when they begin work on the new creative campaign.
Received Update of Proposed Baggage Conveyor System:
Mr. Dobberstein stated we have been working on the TSA's request to modify the baggage screening conveyor system. He stated some time ago we received an initial proposal from Glidepath that was in excess of $140,000. He stated we recently had an on-site visit from a Glidepath representative who was actually involved in designing this system in 2006. He stated after this visit the estimate for the modifications is $85,130.00, which may still be a little high.
Mr. Darren Anderson stated Glidepath is currently work with the TSA on some smaller details on how the system should work but we are getting closer. Mr. Dobberstein stated the system as it is now is exactly what the TSA requested at that time. He stated we will have more to report in November. He stated he does not want to see this project
cause any disruption during the holiday travel season.
Mr. Anderson stated it is not a complicated project so it should not take that long. He stated it will just take coordination between the TSA and the contractor.
Airport Construction and Security Update:
Mr. Jeff Klein, Mead & Hunt, was recognized and stated the paving on Taxiway A and A1 is complete and they are conducting strength tests. He stated they are also working on seeding and mulching. He stated all of the concrete for the cargo ramp expansion is also complete and they are working on grading, seeding, mulching, edge lighting, joint sawing and sealing. He stated there were some issues with the smoothness of the pavement but Northern is working on grinding those areas.
Mr. Klein stated the concrete for the taxilane in the north general aviation area is being poured today. He stated Mr. Skatvold has been working with Mead & Hunt on site design for his hangar project and he came up with some changes that are being addressed.
Mr. Dobberstein stated the TSA will be rolling out a new program called EAPS which is a new search model which will slow down the process at the checkpoint. He stated the TSA has informed us that our wait times will go up significantly, which would justify our desire for a third lane at the checkpoint. He stated so far we have been told that we do not have the justification for a third lane. He stated if we are successful in getting a third lane we would then have a designated "TSA Precheck" lane all of the time. He stated right now pre-check is provided when the que is not busy. He stated if the que is busy, pre-check passengers are given a card and then go through a modified screening.
Other Business:
Mr. Dobberstein stated Indigo Signworks is putting together a proposal for the rehabilitation of the lighted sign on the entrance sign. He stated we are going to upgrade all of the face panels and the lighting to LED. He stated it is part of regular maintenance of the sign and we will probably move ahead with that.
The meeting of the Municipal Airport Authority was adjourned until the next regular meeting to be held Tuesday, November 14, 2017, at 8:00 a.m.
Time at adjournment was 8:32 a.m.