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Meeting Minutes for:
Special Board of Directors Meeting
(as revised)
Yuma International Airport, Conference Room
Friday, February 19, 2010 at 12:00 PM
Call to Order:
CALL TO ORDER
The Yuma County Airport Authority, Inc. (YCAA) Special Meeting of the Board of Directors was called to order at 12:00 PM on Feb 19, 2010 in the Yuma International Airport Conference Room, 2191 E. 32nd Street, Suite 218, Yuma, Arizona 85365. The Presiding officer was William Gresser, President.
YCAA MEMBERS PRESENT WERE:
William Gresser President
Rob Ingold 1st Vice President
Albert Gardner 2nd Vice President
Ed Whitehead Treasurer
Dr. Brian Cullen Secretary
James Carruthers, Director
Jeanine Rhea, Director
Karl Moedl, Director
Jesse Haines, Director
Larry Gould, Director
ALSO PRESENT WERE:
Mr. Williams, Airport Director
Gerald Hinkle, Jr., Chief Financial Officer
Gladys Wiggins, Airport Operations Director
Lynn Hall, Director of Maintenance
Gen Grosse, Corporate Account Manager
Andrea Lopez, Executive Assistant
Blaine Rice, Airport Counsel
Joe Gamez, CareFlight
Leo Pilkington, P.C.C.
REGULAR AGENDA
1) Discussion and Possible Action to authorize the Board President to sign a lease with Freeman Holdings LLC, a Million Air FBO franchise, for the 1.7 acre parcel of land between the Boyington Hangar and the Proposed FedEx facility on the 40th Street ramp area with the purpose to establish a military fuel sales FBO facility, contingent upon final review and approval by airport staff and the airport attorney.
Mr. Gresser briefed that at the February Board meeting the decision was made to reject Million Air's latest offer, in which they wanted exclusive use of the GA Terminal.
He recounted the history of how Million Air had made several proposals and each had been rejected because each had included some type of exclusivity that the Board felt it could not accommodate due to FAA regulations and our grant assurances. But now, Million Air had returned one more time and with this latest proposal, Million Air had accepted each of the stipulations that the Board had established.
Mr. Scott Freeman had called one last time to examine any possible options that would meet the objectives of the Board and of Million Air. One of the options discussed had included the question allowing Million Air to set up a temporary manufactured office building in the south GA ramp and start operations? Then, after getting their operation firmly established, they would build their high-end Million Air FBO facility. In return, they asked that the Airport supply them with a starter fuel farm, (i.e. the 3 fuel tanks of Lux Air) and they would do the rest.
The Airport staff coordinated this concept with Mr. Gresser and Mr. Ingold to ensure it would be acceptable.
This proposal was in accordance with the Airport's two-tier FBO model. Million Air would invest in a new FBO facility within their initial lease period (conceptually we agreed to consider a five year investment deadline) and they would upgrade to TIER 2 level prior to selling fuel because of the substantial requirement to service the DESC contract.
A new visit was scheduled and airport staff reviewed several options with Chris and Scott Freeman. Mr. Gresser asked Mr. Williams to brief the Board on the details of the proposed agreement.
Mr. Williams explained that the proposed Million Air lease included the parcel of land between the NASA hangar and FedEx. They would first install a manufactured building as a temporary FBO and during their initial 5 year lease term would construct their final Million Air FBO Facility.
The airport's cost to bring in Million Air will be to provide two 20,000-gallon Jet-A fuel tanks in the DCC fuel farm. Staff is working with AvFuel to obtain a cost. Related but separate from this agreement is a requirement to repair the airport's perimeter access road between the DCC and the GA areas to allow for fuel trucks to transition between the two areas. The cost for this fix is estimated at $100,000.
Mr. Williams emphasized that it was very important to recognize that Mr. Freeman's Million Air franchise focuses almost exclusively on military fuel sales. Million Air does not appear to be a significant threat to CareFlight operations due to that focus on the Military.
There followed a lengthy discussion concerning the proposal. The discussion included the fact that use of the DCC by GA Aircraft is necessarily restricted, but not prohibited, due to the absence of a parallel taxiway connecting the DCC to the GA area. Large frame aircraft would still use the DCC, as there are no other ramps stressed for heavy weight aircraft. The Board acknowledged the necessity of the perimeter road rehabilitation, not just for this proposal, but also for all airport operations.
A significant discussion centered on the potential impact Million Air would have on CareFlight Aviation. It was agreed that the impact was unknown, but it was felt that competition would be good for the airport and the aviation community.
Mr. Gardner strongly questioned the validity of having Million Air in the DCC. Mr. Ingold explained that Million Air would add value to the Airport's customers and the community. Mr. Gardner questioned why Million Air said they would build a new facility when the plan called for a manufactured building. Mr. Williams explained that the lease agreement conclusively established the requirement for Million Air to have the new FBO facility under construction at the end of the first five years of the lease or the lease would be terminated. Mr. Gardner questioned the realistic nature of the lease agreement. Mr. Gresser explained that this was the Airport's standard lease and was the same as that used by CareFlight. Mr. Gardner raised several more questions about the Million Air proposal when CareFlight had carried us through a difficult time. Mr. Gardner felt that CareFlight was serving our needs as an airport.
Mr. Moedl summarized the discussion by stating this was a great opportunity for the airport and that it was very important for this measure to pass. Mr. Gresser concluded by underlining that the first two proposals from Million Air had been rejected because they would have created exclusivity for Million Air; and that the current proposal could not be rejected to create exclusivity for CareFlight Aviation.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
Mr. Joe Gamez of CareFlight Aviation stated his opposition to the proposal.
ACTION
Mr. Gould made a motion to Motion to authorize the Board President to sign a lease with Freeman Holdings LLC, a Million Air FBO franchise, for the 1.7 acre parcel of land between the Boyington Hangar and the Proposed FedEx facility on the 40th Street ramp area with the purpose to establish a military fuel sales FBO facility, contingent upon final review and approval by airport staff and the airport attorney. Mr. Carruthers seconded the motion. A voice vote was requested. Mr. Gardner voted Nay. All others voted Aye. The motion Passed.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The public notice of this scheduled meeting of the Yuma County Airport Authority, the Board of Directors states, "The Board of Directors may vote to go into executive session during the noticed meeting concerning any of the agenda items mentioned above. If authorized by the requisite vote of the Directors, the executive session will be held immediately after the vote and will not be open to the public. The executive session, if held, will be at the same meeting location set forth above. The discussion may relate to personnel, public records, legal, litigation, and/or real estate matters pursuant to A.R.S. §§ 38-431.03(A)(1)-(7)."
A.R.S. §§ 38-431.03(A) subparagraph 7, provides an authorized purpose of an Executive Session includes, "Discussions or consultations with designated representatives of the public body in order to consider its position and instruct its representatives regarding negotiations for the purchase, sale or lease of real property."
Pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes paragraph 38-431.03.A. subparagraph 7, Mr. Ingold made a motion to go into executive session. Mr. Gould Seconded. The Vote was unanimous.
The public was excused and the Board entered an Executive Session at 1:15pm.
RECONVENE REGULAR BOARD SESSION
The Board returned to public session at 1:25 PM. The doors of the conference room were opened and an examination was made of the public area. No one was waiting to enter.
No action was required from the executive session.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Board, Mr. Moedl made a motion to adjourn Mr. Gardner seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 1:26 PM.
// Approved //
Craig Williams
Airport Director | |
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