MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY
The Regular Meeting of the Municipal Airport Authority of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at 8:00 a.m. in the Airport Boardroom.
The members present or absent were as follows:
Present: Linn, Engen, Lind, Clark, Haugen
Absent: None
Others: Bossart, Piepkorn
Chairman Haugen presiding.
Approved the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Municipal Airport Authority Held April 23, 2019:
Mr. Engen moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Municipal Airport Authority held April 23, 2019.
Second by Mr. Lind.
All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Approved the Airport Vouchers Totaling $80,356.94:
Ms. Linn moved to approve the airport vouchers totaling $80,356.94.
Second by Dr. Clark.
On the call of the roll, members Linn, Engen, Lind, Clark, Haugen voted aye. No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.
Approved the Individual Voucher to Sixel, LLC:
Dr. Clark moved to approve the individual voucher in the amount of $2,924.00 to Sixel LLC for passenger enplanement fees, Frontier Airlines, April 2019.
Second by Mr. Lind.
On the call of the roll, members Linn, Engen, Lind, Clark, Haugen 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 $2,109.00 to Mead & Hunt for partial payment request for engineering services in connection with the CAT II Feasibility Study.
Second by Mr. Lind.
On the call of the roll, members Linn, Engen, Lind, Clark, Haugen 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 $18,439.45 to Flint Communications for partial payment request for 2019 Airport Marketing Program.
Second by Mr. Lind.
On the call of the roll, members Linn, Engen, Lind, Clark, Haugen 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 $13,815.58 to Mead & Hunt for partial payment request for engineering services in connection with the Dakota Drive Lighting Improvements, AIP48.
Second by Mr. Lind.
On the call of the roll, members Linn, Engen, Lind, Clark, Haugen 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 $209,000.00 for partial payment request for engineering services in connection with the Cargo Apron Expansion, Phase IV, AIP49.
Second by Mr. Lind.
On the call of the roll, members Linn, Engen, Lind, Clark, Haugen voted aye. No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.
Approved the Individual Voucher to The Forum:
Dr. Clark moved to approve the individual voucher in the amount of $150.88 to The Forum for legal advertisement for Request for Qualifications from Architectural firms for the SRE Building.
Second by Mr. Lind.
On the call of the roll, members Linn, Engen, Lind, Clark, Haugen voted aye. No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.
Approved the Individual Voucher to Strata Corporation:
Dr. Clark moved to approve the individual voucher in the amount of $154,664.75 to Strata Corporation for Partial Payment Request No. 1 for the Dakota Drive Lighting Rehabilitation Project, AIP 48.
Second by Mr. Lind.
On the call of the roll, members Linn, Engen, Lind, Clark, Haugen voted aye. No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.
Received Communication from Mr. Victor Gelking Regarding South General Aviation Area Hangar:
The communication dated May 14, 2019, from Sylvia and Victor Gelking, was received and filed without objection.
Mr. Dobberstein stated we received notice from Mr. Victor Gelking that they plan to sell the assets of their business to Fargo Jet Center and they anticipate the closing to be on or before June 5, 2019. He stated he has had the hangar for sale for some time but they have now come to terms for the sale of the hangar.
Mr. Dobberstein stated this item is related to the next item on the agenda.
Received Communication from Mr. James Sweeney, JP Development LLP Regarding South General Aviation Area Hangar:
The communication from Mr. James Sweeney, JP Development LLP, dated May 23, 2019, was received and filed without objection.
Mr. Dobberstein stated Mr. Sweeney is requesting a 15 year ground lease with (2) five-year options. He stated there was a fire in the hangar and JP Development plans to put a considerable amount of money into it to repair the damage.
Chairman Haugen stated he would like to hear from Mr. Sweeney about their plans for the hangar.
Mr. Sweeney was recognized and stated they do not have any immediate plans other than to fix up the hangar and use it for aircraft storage. He stated he would like to get approval from the board on the lease before the purchase is finalized.
Mr. Engen moved to approve the request for a 15-year ground lease with (2) five-year options as requested by JP Development LLP for the hangar at 1631 19th Avenue North being purchased from Vic’s Aircraft Sales, subject to the successful sale closing.
Second by Ms. Linn.
All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Received Communication from Mr. Gerald Eid Regarding South General Aviation Area Hangar Lease Extension:
The communication from Mr. Gerald Eid, dated May 9, 2019, was received and filed without objection.
Mr. Dobberstein stated Mr. Eid is requesting a five-year extension of the ground lease for his hangar in the south general aviation area. He stated Mr. Eid is aware of some minor exterior repairs needed on the ramp side of his hangar.
Ms. Linn moved to approve the request from Mr. Gerald Eid for a five-year extension to his hangar ground lease.
Second by Dr. Clark.
All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Receive Communication from CityScapes Development to Renew Listing Agreement for Eastside Terminal Building:
The proposed Listing Agreement with CityScapes Development, LLC for the Eastside Terminal Building was received and filed without objection.
Mr. Dobberstein stated we have had a listing agreement for the Eastside Terminal Building with CityScapes Development, LLC for a number of years and Mr. Rick Flacksbarth has done a good job in keeping the Eastside Terminal Building full of tenants. He stated he recommends renewing the listing agreement.
Dr. Clark moved to approve the renewal of the Listing Agreement with CityScapes Development LLC through June 1, 2020 for the Eastside Terminal Building.
Second by Mr. Lind.
All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Received Communication from Mr. Dell Arneson Regarding North General Aviation Area Hangar:
The communication dated May 17, 2019, from Virginia Stockburger, CFO, Dell Arneson, Inc., was received and filed without objection.
Mr. Dobberstein stated we have been advised that Mr. Dell Arneson is selling his unit in the 380 North Condo Association in the north general aviation area. He stated it has been sold to Wheelberg Partners, LLP. The communication indicates that Jerry Kern and Jim O'Day will be heading up the association. He stated Mr. Arneson is one of the primary signatories on the lease documents for 380 North so Attorney Bossart will draft an amendment when we receive further details.
Receive Purchase Amendment from Bert's Truck Equipment for Additional Plow Attachment - $32,059.00 (State Bid Price):
Mr. Dobberstein stated back in October we ordered a large truck with a wing plow to replace a current unit with a cracked frame. He stated this is the same type of truck the Highway Department uses and it was purchased under the state bid. He stated the proposal we received was for $111,060.00 and it was approved by the Airport Authority on October 24, 2018.
Mr. Dobberstein stated it was recently brought to our attention by Bert’s that they had printed the wrong proposal for us back in October. He stated the paperwork we received was actually for a truck ordered by the City of Moorhead, not the truck we were ordering. He stated our truck had some additional accessories.
Mr. Dobberstein stated Bert’s has now provided us with the correct paperwork and the total cost for our truck is $142,123.00 (state bid price). He stated everything we wanted is on the truck but the original documentation was wrong.
Mr. Lind moved to approve the purchase amendment for the truck from Bert’s Truck Equipment for the new total of $142,123.00.
Second by Mr. Engen.
All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Received RFQ Responses for the SRE Building and Selected an Architectural Firm for the Project:
Mr. Dobberstein stated we advertised a Request for Qualifications for architectural firms interested in the SRE Building Project and submissions were due by May 21 at 4:00 pm. He stated we received submissions from the following eight firms:
Michael J. Burns Architects Ltd. Foss Architecture and Interiors Image Group Architecture & Interiors JLG Architects
RHRA Architects
TL Stroh Architects & Interiors
UBL Design Group
YHR Partners
Mr. Dobberstein stated the proposals were provided to the board members to be reviewed and scored. He stated the score sheet comes directly from the FAA Advisory Circular. He stated the legal ad stated how the firms would be evaluated and all of the questions are point blank out of the Advisory Circular. He stated if a firm did not respond to a particular question that was their prerogative. He added that we are very fortunate to have so many qualified firms in the area.
Board members handed in their score sheets and they were compiled by Darren Anderson as the meeting continued.
Later in the meeting, the tabulation of the scoring sheets was complete. Mr. Dobberstein stated the top three scores were TL Stroh Architects, JLG Architects and RHRA Architects.
Ms. Linn moved to select TL Stroh Architects as the architect for the SRE Building Project, based on their high score.
Second by Mr. Engen.
All members present voted aye the motion was declared carried.
Received Communication from The Arts Partnership:
The communication from Dayna Del Val, The Arts Partnership, dated April 24, 2019, was received and filed without objection.
Ms. Del Val was recognized and stated she came before the Airport Authority about a year ago to propose artwork displays in the terminal building and the board agreed to enter into an agreement with The Arts Partnership. She stated we have already had two displays in the terminal and the third display will be installed next week. She stated the Airport Authority’s investment for the first year was $1,500.
Ms. Del Val stated she visited with Mr. Dobberstein recently about enhancing the arts presentation at the airport. She stated they have been very pleased with both the traditional media and the social media reach of the project at the airport. She stated they are proposing to continue the art displays and to add some live music performances in the terminal building. She stated they could probably offer 12 performances throughout the year. She stated they have in mind using various performers but limiting the size of any group to four. She stated the location for the performers would be on the public side of the terminal. She stated they love what they have been doing at the airport and would like to add this to it. She stated they would work with Mr. Dobberstein on scheduling of events.
Ms. Del Val stated they are requesting $5,000 to continue the visual art program shows and to launch the performance series as well. She added that assuming both parties feel this was successful at the end of the next year, this would be the going price for the next two years (through 2021).
Mr. Dobberstein stated the project has worked out well.
Ms. Linn moved to approve the request from The Arts Partnership for $5,000 (per year) to continue the visual art program and add the performance series for two years.
Second by Dr. Clark.
All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Received Communication from the FM-CVB Regarding Airport Information Center Coordination and Support:
The communication from the FM-CVB with data on the Airport Information Center was received and filed without objection.
Mr. Dobberstein gave a brief history of the Airport Information Center. He stated it was started in 1989 through a joint effort of the Fargo Chamber of Commerce and the FM-CVB. He stated the Airport Authority paid for the construction of the booth. He stated RSVP was involved in the process of staffing and volunteers staffed the center for many years until recently. He stated without our knowledge, the CVB began paying the volunteers. He stated the last couple of years, the CVB requested an annual amount of $6,000 from the Airport Authority to help offset those costs.
Mr. Dobberstein stated he met with Charley Johnson recently and he advised that effective September 1, 2019, they are no longer going to pay the volunteers. He stated if the Airport Authority chooses to continue paying the volunteers the CVB would be willing to contribute a portion. He stated we have until September to decide.
Mr. Dobberstein stated we could engage the RSVP Program to see if we can get back to a true volunteer center. He stated he does not know that it is in the airport’s best interest to continue to pay for that service. He stated the volunteers answer a lot of phone calls and assist people in the terminal so they provide a valuable service. He stated we did not ask the CVB to begin paying them, they just did, so they created their own problem.
Mr. Dobberstein stated Mr. Johnson has talked about putting in an automated kiosk with a touch screen for information on hotels, etc. He stated we currently have a touchscreen kiosk in the baggage claim area as part of our Clear Channel advertising program but he does not know that it is used very much.
Ms. Linn stated the information provided by the CVB on walk-ups and phone calls go back three years to 2016 and we have seen a lot of changes since then.
Mr. Dobberstein stated Mr. Johnson has also talked about moving the information center to the baggage claim area to greet visitors. He stated he does not think that would make any difference.
Mr. Piepkorn stated he is disappointed to hear this. He stated the CVB probably encounters more people at the airport than any other place. He stated he feels it means a lot to have a person on site to answer questions.
Mr. Dobberstein stated a lot of airports around the country have airport ambassadors that are strictly volunteers. He stated we have never had a problem staffing with volunteers as there are a lot of people, especially retired people, who like to get out and volunteer at the airport.
Chairman Haugen stated he would like to see us have another meeting with the CVB and see what can be worked out with RSVP.
Mr. Engen stated when you walk into the airport and see the information center attended with a person it gives the perception that the place is operating properly.
Chairman Haugen stated he agrees. He stated when you see a kiosk it says “find your own way."
Authorized Attendance at the AAAE Summer Legislative Conference, July 24-25, 2019, Washington, DC:
Mr. Lind moved to authorize attendance at the AAAE Summer Legislative Conference, July 24-25, 2019, Washington, DC.
Second by Ms. Linn.
All members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Adopted Resolution of Appreciation for Retiring Airport Fire Captain:
Mr. Dobberstein stated Airport Fire Captain Bruce Bauske retired May 17, after 32 years of service on this airport.
Dr. Clark offered the following resolution of appreciation and moved its adoption:
WHEREAS, Airport Fire Captain Bruce Bauske complete his last shift as an airport firefighter at Hector International Airport on May 17, 2019 and
WHEREAS, Bruce Bauske has served as a firefighter at Hector Airport for 32 years, first serving with the ND Air National Guard Fire Department and then with the Airport Fire Department, providing valuable experience during the transition in 2014, and
WHEREAS, Bruce Bauske has been a dedicated and valued employee on the airport, being an important asset to the fire department and his service has been greatly appreciated and will be missed.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Municipal Airport Authority thanks Mr. Bruce Bauske for his many years of service and extends its best wishes in his retirement and his future endeavors.
Second by Mr. Lind.
All members present voted aye and the resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.
Airport Construction and Security Update:
Mr. Jeff Klein, Mead & Hunt, was recognized and stated the Dakota Drive pavement rehabilitation is going well. He stated he was nervous about the project causing a lot of traffic problems but it has been going great. He stated the contractor has an anticipated completion date of June 5, with the exception of the replacement of the road by the Maintenance Shop. He added that all of the stakeholders have been very cooperative.
Mr. Klein stated they are proposing a change in the project involving the entrance to the car rental lot. He stated they are recommending it be removed and replaced rather than just rehabilitated. He stated he talked with the contractor about extending the bid prices for the concrete and adding some new sidewalk, curb and gutter and some landscaping. He stated we did not have any prices from Interstate in this project for removal and replacement of sidewalk and dirt work so they provided a cost of $120 per square yard. He stated he went back to some other sidewalk bids which averaged $20 per square yard for removal and $70 for replacement. He stated he is in the process of trying to find out why Interstate is so high and see if we can negotiate a lower price.
Mr. Klein stated next Thursday we have a conference call with the FAA on the cargo apron expansion project. He stated the airport is receiving $10 million in supplemental federal funding and the total project cost is estimated to be $15 million. He stated we will have a more detailed update at the next meeting.
Mr. Dobberstein stated June 3-7 the TSA will be conducting a pre-check event in the terminal building.
Other Business:
Mr. Dobberstein stated on April 25 the Mead & Hunt staff came to the airport and did a clean up of litter on the airport grounds. He stated they did and nice job and their efforts were appreciated. He stated this is the third year they have done this for us.
Attorney Bossart stated she is continuing to work with the City of Fargo on deferral of special assessment projects effecting airport property that will never be developed so the FAA will not approve the payment of special assessments with airport funds. She stated this was not on the agenda because the deferral agreement was just arrived at on Friday of last week. She stated she will have more to report at a later date.
Mr. Dobberstein stated DGS still has a number of TDY employees here helping. He stated they are waiting for approval from the airlines to increase the wage to $13.00 or $13.50 per hour. He stated DGS is dealing with this in 20 airports across the country.
The meeting of the Municipal Airport Authority was adjourned until the next Regular Meeting held June 11, 2019.
Time at adjournment was 8:56 a.m.