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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-10-25Town of Nantucket NANTUCKET MEMORIAL AIRPORT 14 Airport Road Nantucket Island, Massachusetts 02554 Alfred G. Peterson, Airport Manager �4 Commissioners Phone: (508) 325 -5300 Daniel W. Drake, Chairman Fax: (508) 325 -5306 Arthur D. Gasbarro, Vice Chair Sheila O'Brien Egan Carl D. England, Jr. David C. Gray, Sr. AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING October 25, 2011 The meeting was called to order at 5:16 PM by Chairman Daniel W. Drake with the following Commissioners present: Vice Chair Gasbarro, Sheila O'Brien Egan, Carl D. England, and David C. Gray, Sr. Also present were Airport Manager Al Peterson, Airfield Supervisor Jeff Marks, Finance Director Tina Smith, Administrative Assistant to the Airport Manager Janine Torres, Training /Compliance /Noise Coordinator David Sylvia, and Administrative Coordinator Yolanda Taylor. The Meeting took place at the Public Safety Facility at 4 Fairgrounds Rd. Chairman Drake announced the meeting was being recorded. The Commission Unanimously MISIP approval of the October 25, 2011 Agenda. The Commission Unanimously MISIP approval of the October 11, 2011 commission minutes. Public Comment There were no audience members wishing to speak at this time. Commission Signing Authority Chairman Drake stated the Commission Signing Authority recently changed from one signature to having all commission signatures required on contracts and after checking with Town Counsel, should remain so. The Commission MISIP unanimously to keep the Signing Authority to all five Commissioners. Sub - Committees After brief discussion, the following Sub - Committee appointments were made: • Long -Range Plans /Policy — Chairman Drake and Vice Chair Gasbarro • Financial Policy — Chairman Drake and Vice Chair Gasbarro • Airfield Policy /Facilities /Maintenance — Commissioner England and Commissioner Gray • Personnel — Commissioner Egan and Commissioner England • NoiselEnvironmentallEnergy — Vice Chair Gasbarro and Commissioner Egan • Commercial Airline Service Public Relations — Commissioner Egan and Commissioner Gray Forensic Audit Vice Chair Gasbarro stated the Town received four proposals to the Forensic Audit RFP. Two firms were disqualified and the remaining two will be interviewed on Thursday and Friday of this week. The cost of the Forensic Audit will be around 25,000 — 28,000 as a base price. Chairman Drake discussed with Town Counsel if there was formal authorization for the cost of the Forensic Audit to be paid by the Airport Enterprise Fund, but until the amount is known, should only agree to pay in principle. Upon a motion from Vice Chair Gasbarro, the Commission Unanimously approved to pay for the Forensic Audit in principle until the final cost is known. Procurement Chairman Drake stated the Town Manager sent out an implementation memo to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Chairman Drake feels it needs to be discussed further; therefore, Chairman Drake has requested a meeting with the Town Manager and all the appropriate people. Mr. Peterson stated the Memorandum of Understanding has been forwarded to MassDot. Under Chapter 90 it is required that MassDot approve of the Airport giving up any rights of the Airport Commission. A copy of the implementation memo has also been forwarded to MassDOT. Open Staff Positions • Building & Technical Systems Specialist • this position has been filled, Glynn Franklin, Jr. will start on Monday the 31 sc and will report to Jeff Marks. • Internal ITIWebsite Technical & Noise Program /Statistic Coordinator — is being advertised in the paper. • Environmental Coordinator vs Consultant — nothing is being done with this position at this time. Contract Review — Geno Geng Productions Mr. Peterson reported this contract covers the filming of the Commission Meetings until the end of the year. Chairman Drake stated he talked to Gene Mahon and as January 1, 2012, Nantucket Public Television should be functional and will record the Commission Meetings at no charge. Vice Chair Gasbarro recommended adding a phrase noting payment would not occur should a scheduled meeting be cancelled. Chairman Drake felt it the wording already implied that. Commissioner Egan asked if this contract went out to bid, Mr. Peterson responded no, it is under the threshold. Ms. Torres added the Chief Procurement Officer reviewed the contract. The Commission Unanimously MISIP approval of Geno Geng Productions contract. Travel Reimbursement Policy Discussion Chairman Drake asked if the issue was resolved in regards to an employee who needed to go to training but without a credit card from the Airport did not have the means to go. Mr. Peterson stated the employee did not go to the training. Vice Chair Gasbarro stated he spoke to the finance department in regard to a new credit card and will have all the information at the next Commission Meeting. Commissioner Training Chairman Drake stated the Administrator of the MassDot has been invited to the November 8, 2011 meeting to discuss training with the Commissioners. Commissioner Gray stated there is also video training on the computer and a test when finished which he has taken several to date and feels they are very beneficial. Winter Parking Special Discussion 10.25.11 Airport Commission Minutes Page 2 of 4 Mr. Peterson stated he does not recommend consecutive passes; the system was put into place to help people who need to go off for a few days and not to have people take advantage. Vice Chair Gasbarro stated he supports the Managers decision on no consecutive passes. The other Commissioners concurred. Project Updates • SW Ramp Extension — preliminary environmental approval for the widening of taxiway Delta has been received. The environmental work continues with preliminary approval by the Tribes with the understanding to revisit when the dirt starts to get moved. • ATCT — Mr. Peterson received the disc of the report on the Tower which states there are some handicap accessible issues and some asbestos. The FAA is having an internal meeting on November 8, 2011 to review the siting report and Jacobs report on the existing Tower. There should be a formal report 2 weeks after this meeting. • RW 15133 Project — the funding for phase 1 and 2 have been approved, Victor Brandon won the contract and this project will begin in the spring. • GAIAdmin Offices Building — the ground breaking ceremony was today at 2:00 PM, Baybutt is the General Contractor for this project and will incorporate as many local businesses as they can. In order to comply with the building permit the footings will have to be put in by December 12, 2011. The contract is with Town Counsel. Environmental Report David Sylvia reported there were 95,096 total Operations year to date with 11,730 for the month of September which is down 18.75% from last year. Enplanements for the month of September were 18,744 which are down 7.9% from last year and 149,617 Enplanements year to date and are up 6.19% from the base year of 1986. Freight year to date is 1,689,788 which is down 43.75% from the base year of 2007 and from last year is down 6.5 %. Noise complaints year to date are 78 and 13 for the month of September which is down 83.19 %. Operations Report • There was fire training today • We have 2 new employees in operations • Mr. Peterson stated in the past the Airport has been a gold star sponsor for the Chamber of Commerce which is in the amount of $1,000 and would recommend being a gold star sponsor again this year. The Commission Unanimously MIS1P approval to be a gold star sponsor in the amount of $1,000. Commissioner's Comments Commissioner Gray asked if the summer employees who worked on the ramp were college or foreign kids and if there was a minimum age to work on the ramp. Mr. Peterson replied both and for next year he would like to have 4 foreign kids because of their ability to stay after Labor Day and 6 college kids for a total of 10 and they need to be 18 years of age. Public Comment Bob Atlee asked if Vice President Biden would be coming for Thanksgiving. Mr. Peterson replied yes. Whitey Willauer stated he was concerned about the SW Ramp Extension in regards to the noise from the large aircrafts that will be parked there. Mr. Peterson replied it is an issue and the Airport is trying to address it. The Airport is looking into putting trees, burms, and possible hangars to buffer the noise. The Airport pursued the VALE Program; however, was turned down by the FAA due to the fact that General Aviation airplanes cannot accept pre- conditioned air. 10.25.11 Airport Commission Minutes Page 3 of 4 Tom Cunningham, owner and President of Island Airlines, Cape & Island Air freight and Ocean Wings, Dual Macintyre and Bob Atlee, past Airport Commissioners, Steve Godwin, Ken Blackshaw, Steve Meadow, Bill Joyner and John McGuinn, all residents spoke in support of Mr. Peterson. Bruce King, Airport Union Steward spoke in favor of the forensic audit. Whitey Willauer stated he is speaking as a member of the public and has been operational manager at several airports. Mr. Willauer finds the operations at the airport excellent, however; his constituents have complained that the workers at the airport of certain contracts aren't paid the going rate and this caused an unfair situation. There have also been push backs with the finance committee when they have asked for reports and they are either late or non responsive replies. Chairman Drake called a five minute recess at 6:14 PM The Commission was called back into session at 6:37 PM by Chairman Drake. It was MISIP by the following vote to enter into executive session to discuss the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges brought against the Airport Manager. Chairman Daniel Drake — Aye Vice Chair Arthur Gasbarro — Aye Commissioner Sheila O'Brien Egan — Aye Commissioner Carl D. England, Jr. — Aye Commissioner David C Gray, Sr. — Aye The Commission was called back into open session at 7:25 PM by Chairman Drake. Chairman Drake announced the Commission has come to an agreement with Mr. Peterson and he will be terminated without cause. Mr. Peterson will be placed on administrative leave immediately and his last day will be October 28, 2011. Chairman Drake did not announce the amount of the settlement with Mr. Peterson due to a 21 day period where Mr. Peterson can reject the agreement and after it is signed Mr. Peterson would have another 7 days to reject. Chairman Drake recognized all the good work and contributions Mr. Peterson has done over the past seven years at the Airport. Chairman Drake announced there would be a Commission Meeting Friday October 28, 2011 to discuss management succession and in the mean time with the Commissions approval Chairman Drake proposed to ask Airfield Supervisor Jeff Marks to fill in as the acting Airport Manager. The Commission Unanimously MISIP to ask Airfield Supervisor Jeff Marks to be the acting Manager. Chairman Drake stated he would be attending the Airport staff meeting tomorrow and at the Airport for the next few days. It was Unanimously MISIP to adjourn at 7:28 PM Respectfully Submitted, Yolanda . Taylor, Recorde r Master Documents Used 10/25/11 Agenda October 11, 2011 Minutes Signing Authority Letter of Authorization dtd 10/25/11 Commission Sub - Committee List Airport Vendor Spreadsheet Geno Geng Productions Contract Chamber of Commerce Stroll Sponsorship Flyer MassDot Airport Signage Sample Environmental Report (power point) 10.25.11 Airport Commission Minutes Page 4 of 4