MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY
The Regular Meeting of the Municipal Airport Authority of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held Tuesday, October 13, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. in the Airport Boardroom.
The members present or absent were as follows:
Present: Haugen, Lind, Linn, Engen (via zoom), Cosgriff (via zoom)
Absent: None
Others: Bossart, Strand
Chairman Linn presiding.
Approved the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Municipal Airport Authority Held September 22, 2020:
The minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Municipal Airport Authority held September 22, 2020, were approved without objection.
Approved the Airport Vouchers Totaling $58,669.70:
Gen. Haugen moved to approve the airport vouchers totaling $58,669.70.
Second by Mr. Lind.
On the call of the roll, members Haugen, Engen, Cosgriff, Lind, Linn voted aye. No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.
Approved the Individual Voucher to TL Stroh Architects:
Mr. Lind moved to approve the individual voucher in the amount of $6,001.00 to TL Stroh Architects for partial payment request for architectural services in connection with the SRE Building Project.
Second by Gen. Haugen.
On the call of the roll, members Haugen, Engen, Cosgriff, Lind, Linn voted aye. No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.
Approved the Individual Voucher to TL Stroh Architects:
Mr. Lind moved to approve the individual voucher in the amount of $3,152.65 to TL Stroh Architects for partial payment request for architectural services in connection with the SRE Building Project.
Second by Gen. Haugen.
On the call of the roll, members Haugen, Engen, Cosgriff, Lind, Linn voted aye. No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.
Approved the Individual Voucher to Sixel LLC:
Mr. Lind moved to approve the individual voucher in the amount of $528.00 to Sixel LLC for September passenger enplanement fees, Allegiant-Nashville.
Second by Gen. Haugen.
On the call of the roll, members Haugen, Engen, Cosgriff, Lind, Linn voted aye. No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.
Approved the Individual Voucher to Sixel LLC:
Mr. Lind moved to approve the individual voucher in the amount of $2,750.00 to Sixel LLC for the quarterly airline report.
Second by Gen. Haugen.
On the call of the roll, members Haugen, Engen, Cosgriff, Lind, Linn voted aye. No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.
Approved the Individual Voucher to Northern Improvement Company:
Mr. Lind moved to approve the individual voucher in the amount of $1,583,810.55 to Northern Improvement Company for Partial Payment Request #3 for construction of the Cargo Apron Expansion Project - Phase IV (ASUP50).
Second by Gen. Haugen.
On the call of the roll, members Haugen, Engen, Cosgriff, Lind, Linn voted aye. No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.
Approve the Individual Voucher to Northern Improvement Company:
Mr. Lind moved to approve the individual voucher in the amount of $487,826.51 to Northern Improvement Company for partial payment request for construction of the Cargo Apron Expansion Project – Phase IV (AIP51).
Second by Gen. Haugen.
On the call of the roll, members Haugen, Engen, Cosgriff, Lind, Linn voted aye. No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.
Approve the Individual Voucher to Flint Communications:
Mr. Lind moved to approve the individual voucher in the amount of $8,255.04 to Flint Communications for partial payment request for 2020 Airport Marketing Program.
Second by Gen. Haugen.
On the call of the roll, members Haugen, Engen, Cosgriff, Lind, Linn voted aye. No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.
Airport Property Update – Public Ad:
The proposed advertisement for the sale of property in the Stockman's Subdivision was received and filed without objection.
Mr. Dobberstein reviewed the proposed advertisement to be placed in The Forum legal section for the sale of the 2.3 acres of land in the Stockman’s Subdivision. He stated if there is no objection this advertisement will be placed in The Forum and also on the airport website.
There was no objection.
South General Aviation Area Hangar Deed Updates – ABHN Partnership:
Mr. Dobberstein stated no action will be required on this item but he just wanted to give the board an update on the situation. He stated when the Fargo Air Museum constructed an addition to their building a couple of years ago, Mead & Hunt updated the legal description for their lease. He stated during that process it was discovered that the legal descriptions for the leases with ABHN Partnership and the lease for the Carousel Hangar (now owned by the Fargo Air Museum) were not correct. He stated after much time spent researching matter, Attorney Bossart has prepared an affidavit to provide the county with correct legal descriptions and prepared a Modification of Lease Agreement for ABHN Partnership.
NDPERS Update:
Chairman Linn stated at the last MAA meeting during the NDPERS Update discussion, Attorney Bossart stated since this has been going on for as long as it has, following the September 6 meeting with MaryJo Anderson, NDPERS, and representatives of the MAA and the COF, she drafted this proposed language to amend the MOU to start discussion and hopefully get to a resolution. She stated in that meeting it was made clear by NDPERS representatives that the MAA, being an independent political subdivision, can move the MAA firefighters into a separate MAA NDPERS account.
Chairman Linn stated after much discussion of the item, Attorney Bossart stated she would go back and discuss the matter further with COF Attorney Erik Johnson, as he has indicated that the COF feels this change would impact so many different things in the MOU, such as IT and other services provided under the MOU. She stated the MAA members had a hard time wrapping their arms around that concept so it was agreed that Attorney Bossart would continue discussion with Mr. Johnson.
Attorney Bossart was recognized (via zoom) and stated she and Mr. Johnson had a lengthy discussion on October 2 where they walked through a lot of issues. She stated her draft of the proposed amendment was not that the MAA was going to make a decision unilaterally to move the firefighters into the Public Safety Plan but rather to put pen to paper to get this rolling. She stated this now puts it in the hands of the COF. She stated it is clear that we have firefighters that want to transfer into the Public Safety Plan as it is a better plan for them. She stated as Mr. Engen stated, if this is in the best part of the airport employees they should have the opportunity to do so. She stated we have been told this can be done and now we just need someone to tell us what it means administratively for the COF to do this. She stated the MAA has done its due diligence and we know this can be done, now we have to do what is in the best interest of these firefighters.
Mr. John Strand was recognized (via zoom) and stated he also likes to see things in writing. He stated it is his understanding that the COF HR Department and legal counsel will be reducing to writing the issues that are triggered to this discussion. He stated he senses the next step will be to provide these items in writing and present them to both the MAA and COF representatives to be discussed at the next MAA/COF roundtable meeting.
Chairman Linn asked that the MAA members be provided with that document at least five (5) days prior to that meeting to make certain we have time to review it and come up with questions before that meeting. She stated if we do not have time to review the information prior to the meeting this will just continue to be delayed and the can kicked down the road.
Mr. Strand stated that sounds reasonable.
Gen. Haugen stated he would like all parties to put themselves in the seats of our firefighters and ask themselves, how you would like it if this was happening to you with your retirement. He stated we have been at this for a year and a half or more and this needs to get finished.
ARFF Chief David Bush was recognized (via zoom) and stated as firefighters of an independent political subdivision they are eligible for this benefit and it is frustrating for them to be excluded from the ability to enroll in the plan. The stated the Public Safety Plan gives firefighters the ability to retire at a younger age than the current plan and firefighting is a young man's game. He stated no one has really given us a reason why we are not able to enroll in this benefit.
Mr. Engen was recognized (via zoom) and stated at some point this is could be an issue of discrimination if those firefighters are not able to receive a benefit that is available to them. He stated he would appreciate it if Attorney Bossart would take that information back to Mr. Johnson and the City of Fargo.
Attorney Bossart indicated she would do that.
Airport PEC and ADK Study Update:
Chairman Linn stated as the board members know, the Airport PEC did complete the task of job evaluations and salary changes for the ARFF staff and those changes have been implemented retroactive to July 1, 2020.
Chairman Linn stated she has received the results of the salary study conducted by ADK for six positions and this information has been forwarded to Jane Pettinger, the chair of the APEC. She stated she will also provide copies of this to the other MAA board members. She stated without any objection from the other board members she would suggest any change as a result of this study be effective January 1, 2021.
There was no objection to that effective date.
Chairman Linn stated employees in these six positions have been asked to review their job descriptions and make any updates. She stated that this study involved positions for which there are not comparable positions in the City of Fargo. She stated she will be visiting with Jane Pettinger regarding scheduling a meeting for the APEC. She added that the detail in this comparison is much greater than the firefighters study.
Discussed Airport Strategic Plan:
Gen. Haugen stated he would like the board to look at the current strategic plan for the airport, which is mainly the FAA's idea of our Capital Improvement Plan. He stated he would like to see us add a mission statement or vision statement. He stated he has reviewed some plans of other airports and he would like for us to expand ours. He stated he would like a couple of members to work on this project and come back to the board with something.
Chairman Linn agreed it would be good to put this in writing. She asked for volunteers to work with Gen. Haugen on this project. She stated if no one else is able to she would be happy to work with Gen. Haugen.
Mr. Lind stated he would also be willing to help with that project.
Adopted Resolution of Appreciation to Retiring ARFF Assistant Chief, Jonathan Gibson:
Mr. Dobberstein stated Airport Assistant Fire Chief, Jonathan Gibson, will be retiring October 18, after 36 years of firefighting in both the military and at Hector International Airport. He stated Jon has had a long and distinguished career and we have been grateful for his service. He stated he will be missed.
Gen. Haugen offered the following resolution of appreciation and moved its adoption:
WHEREAS, Airport Assistant Fire Chief, Jonathan Gibson, will complete his last shift as an airport firefighter at Hector International Airport on October 18, 2020. and
WHEREAS, Jonathan "Gibby" Gibson has served during a 36 year distinguished career as a firefighter both in military service and for Hector International Airport, providing valuable experience during the transition in 2014, and
WHEREAS, Assistant Chief Gibson 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. Jonathan Gibson 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 work on the cargo apron expansion is starting to wind down for the construction season. He stated they are still working on finishing the underground storage tank for glycol containment. He added the weather for construction this fall has been very good.
Mr. Terry Stroh, TL Stroh Architects, was recognized (via zoom) and gave an update on the SRE Building Project. He stated they are about one month behind schedule. He stated they hope to have the building enclosed by the end of November or the beginning of December. He stated they are working with the City Inspections Department on the possibility of storing equipment during the winter even though the building is not completely finished.
Mr. Dobberstein stated Darren Anderson, Henry Swedberg and Troy Smedshammer have been working with TL Stroh Architects on getting bids for the overhead crane in the building which is provided by the owner (MAA) and not part of the general contract. He stated we did receive quotes from three firms as follows:
Konecranes $65,179.00
Cranes Conveyors & Storage Systems, Inc. $67,600.00
Pro Industrial, LLC $61,205.00
Mr. Dobberstein stated this is not eligible for AIP funding through the project but it may be eligible for some CARES funding in the future. He stated the low bidder meets all of the “Buy American” clause requirements. He added that there is considerable amount of lead time required so he would like the board to approve this today.
Mr. Engen moved to accept the bid of $61,205.00 from Pro Industrial, LLC for the installation of a 5-ton crane in the SRE Building.
Second by Mr. Lind.
On the call of the roll, members Haugen, Engen, Cosgriff, Lind, Linn voted aye. No member being absent and none voting nay the motion was declared carried.
Other Business:
Mr. Dobberstein stated the TSA has installed their new X-ray unit and their employees are going through training. He stated the technology is newer but slower than the previous equipment. He stated we will do the best we can to let the public know the need to continue to be at the airport on time.
Mr. Dobberstein stated our traffic in August was down 51.9% and in September down 51.8%. He stated we are doing better than the rest of the country which is down 70-75%.
The meeting of the Municipal Airport Authority was adjourned until the next Regular Meeting to be held Tuesday, October 27, 2020.
Time at adjournment was 8:58 a.m.