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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-3-26Town of Nantucket NANTUCKET MEMORIAL AIRPORT 14 Airport Road RECEIVED Nantucket Island, Massachusetts 02554 7013 R ?R 25 AEI 10 20 Thomas M. Rafter, Airport Manager Aa CommisslgAYgUCKET TOWN CLER Phone: (508) 325 -5300 Daniel W. Drake, Chairman Fax: (508) 325 -5306 Arthur D. Gasbarro, Vice Chair David C. Gray, Sr. Sonny Raichlen Jeannette Topham AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING March 26, 2013 The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM by Chairman Daniel W. Drake with the following Commissioners present, Vice Chair Arthur D. Gasbaro, David C. Gray, Sr., and Jeanette Topham. Commissioner Sonny Raichlen was absent. The meeting took place in the 1" Floor meeting room at the Public Safety Facility, 4 Fairgrounds Rd. Mr. Drake announced the meeting was being recorded. Airport employees present were Thomas M. Rafter, Airport Manager, David Sylvia, Training and Compliance Officer, Noah Karberg, Environmental Coordinator and Janine Torres, Office Manager. The Commission M/S/P Unanimously approval of the Agenda. The Commission M[/S/? Unanimously approval of the 3/12/13 Minutes. The Commission M/S/P with Mr. Gasbarro abstaining to ratify the Warrant of 3/20/13. Public Comment None. Pending Leases and Contracts Mr. Rafter presented two (2) leases for approval: • Jesse Dutra Landscaping, Inc. — A five year Lease with up to five — 5 year renewal options for an acre parcel in the Bunker area. Mr. Rafter noted two Proposals were received for this parcel and Mr. Dutra's bid of 89 cents per square foot was one penny more than the other bidder. Annual rental income for this parcel is $38,768. The Commission M/S/P Unanimously to approve the Jesse Dutra Landscaping, Inc. Lease. • Planet Ack, Inc. - A five year lease with zero renewal options for the gift shop space in the terminal. Annual rental income for this space is $30,830.00. Mr. Rafter noted all open issues from the Proposal have been addressed and are ready to move forward. Mr. Gasbarro asked if there were any discrepancies in regards to food sales in the gift shop. Mr. Rafter reported the restaurant has asked for a more specific list of food and beverage items. When asked if the vote should be postponed for one more meeting, Mr. Rafter responded he didn't feel it was necessary to postpone indicating a letter of clarification to both parties will be sufficient. After brief discussion the Commission M/S/P Unanimously to approve the Planet Ack, Inc. Lease in principle and agree to sign after the food item sales letter of clarification has been established. Pending Matters 120412 -3 Existing Bunker Lease Review — Mr. Rafter reported sending Toscana an amended lease and its return is still pending. An amendment has not yet been sent to Atlantic Aeolus. Mr. Rafter reported working under the guidance of John Giorgio from Legal Counsel's office on these amendments. 021213 -1 Fee Structure — Mr. Rafter remarked on the Landing Fee for single engines noting it has always been on the Fee Structure but not enforced. Reasons for it being waived have not been documented. The Fee is currently being charged. Mr. Rafter is reviewing this fee as part of the entire process. Mr. Gray would like to we some sort of accommodation made for single engines. Mr. Gasbarro added it should not be zero. 021213 -2 Supplemental Agreement to the Other Transactional Agreement (OTA) - ATCT Mr. Rafter reported we are still waiting for comments back from the FAA Contracting Office. Drawings of the current tower are being forwarded to FAA Engineers for their use in studying the present structure to determine if the possibility of raising the tower height is feasible. GA/Administration Building Project Update Mr. Rafter reported the second payment to the Surety from the money withheld from Baybutt was made. Construction by Fasano Acchione (FA) was set to restart today. There are people on the job site but not much movement in the form of labor. FA has submitted their completion schedule showing a completion date near the end of June. Mr. Rafter added being told by Mr. McGuire of Nantucket Architecture Group, the questions on the site plan as well as the electrical issues appear to be resolved. Mr. Drake added the drawing for the site work has been updated but the Change Order for the site work is still pending. Mr. Gasbarro requests the work schedule be updated to represent the actual start date of work noting the schedule received shows a start date of two weeks ago. Ms. Topham added the schedule needs to reflect a more realistic timefratne other than one day for final building inspections to be performed. Mr. Gasbarm concurred noting a week is more realistic. 022613 -2 Master Plan & Sustainability Program— Mr. Rafter reported participating in a conference call today with Jacobs to discuss future IT/Facilities Infrastructure needs including the Master Distribution Frame Room and other electronic cabinets such as security systems, flight display screens and fire alarm system to ensure integration and the needed infrastructure for each. This added section to the Master Plan scope was discussed at the Client Group Meeting at which the entire draft scope was reviewed with only a few comments received from the FAA. The final draft of the scope is expected in two weeks. 3.26.13 Airport Commission Minutes Page 2 of 6 The next public meeting date needs to be verified but thought it was to take place in April. Mr. Drake asked for more than one week of public notice for this meeting. 032613 -1 Environmental Presentation Mr. Rafter reported Nantucket and Barnstable have been chosen as the two finalists in the State's Carbon Neutral Airport Proposal. We were asked to provide supplemental information demonstrating support of the program as well as demonstrate financial commitment towards completing the program. Mr. Karberg is putting together the response. Noah Karberg presented an overview on the Airport's environmental permit status: • Nantucket Airport is the third- biggest land owner on the Island. Environmental groups as well as the State see this as significant. Inhabited species are rare both at the State level and nationwide. • 277 acres of "Aeronautical Grasslands" able to manage /mow as needed for safety of aviation activities • 302 acres of "Natural Heritage Area Mitigation" comprised of sandplain grasslands, a habitat that exists on Nantucket because of human involvement and whose continued existence relies on the right amount of human involvement. Rare habitat attracts rare plant and moth species. • The Airport is required to survey and monitor rare species. Mr. Karberg presented charts showing both plant and moth monitoring schedules. Some plant and moth monitoring took place in 201 land there are two areas scheduled for plant monitoring this year. • The plant habitat area completed in 2011 has entered into the second phase of the Management Plan, the Prescribed Fire Plan. Two units of the Bum Plan were completed in late 2012 with additional bums scheduled for 2013. • 2008 NHESP Permit had several requirements that are have not been completely complied with: • Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), required to meet annually, is about to hold its thud meeting. • Only 25% has been completed on our inventory and monitoring requirements. • A Comprehensive Management Plan has yet to be developed. • Reporting updates are incomplete • Conservation Funding and Planning goals have not been achieved. • Plan is being implemented to correct discrepancies going forward starting with a Baseline inventory scheduled for 2013. • A Comprehensive Ecological Management Plan has been drafted and will be reviewed at the TAC meeting on April 10'". • Airport needs to consider off -site sources of land such as FAA, Coast Guard or Town land to "bank" for future mitigation. Only eighty (80) acres of Airport land left for this purpose. Mr. Rafter commended Mr. Karberg for his effort in putting this together noting this work is critical for the future planning of the Airport. Mr. Gasbarro added Mr. Karberg's plan will help put the Airport in a positive position with Mass. Natural Heritage. Conversation moved towards the "bank" concept of land and all agreed needs to be pursued. 032613 -2 Rental of Space for Special Events Discussion 3.26.13 Airport Commission Minutes Page 3 of 6 Mr. Rafter reported having received two separate requests for large space to hold a special event. Mr. Rafter pointed out the policy set by the Commission in 2004 restricts events to only aviation related; and, wasn't sure the present Commission felt differently. Mr. Rafter suggested looking at it more closely with some limitations as to how many, time of year etc. After brief discussion, the Commission asked Mr. Rafter to draft a policy for limited events for consideration at a future meeting. Manager's Report Projects Update • 6/24 HIRLS protect is progressing on time. The entire airport will be closed after 9:00 PM March 275 for approximately 6 to 8 hours to allow for work on the runway intersection. • Lighting fixtures and LED bulb replacement project — The lighting fixtures are in and operational. The LED bulb supply arrived and the Maintenance staff will be installing them next week. The next step will be to compare the electric bills after a full month of usage. • Taxiway Delta — We are waiting for the Independent Fee Estimate. In the meantime the conceptual layout is in progress. RFPBid Status • Still waiting to hear back from UPS regarding their new Lease. • The environmental assessments of the recently bid Bunker parcels should be completed this week and survey work is being procured. • Restaurant HVAC work is anticipated the first week of April and we are waiting for the contractor to confirm their schedule. Operations Update • Operations personnel had required wildlife training today. • Lakes Region Environmental is on site performing the fuel farm annual inspection as well as the sump pump replacement. • The State has awarded a contract to paint the striping of the runways. • A response to the Planning and Land Use office regarding the possible permit violation of Windmill Auto is being drafted. Legislative Conference Report Mr. Rafter noted the one of the most discussed topic was the overall impact of air travel this year due to sequestration. Mr. Rafter met with Congressman Keating who reiterated his support of keeping our control tower open. Mr. Rafter also met with Congressman LoBiondo, Chan of the House Aviation Sub - Committee. Another topic of the conference was Homeland Security noting their top priority will be on US border security as well as cyber security. Mr. Drake asked what impact of local TSA staff might be. Mr. Rafter knew furlough days must be taken by TSA staff but not sure the local impact. Mr. Drake noted Cape Air may need to adjust their website for arrival time prior to the flight. Mr. Rafter announced Island Airlines is adding two more Caravans to their fleet and have requested holding a ribbon cutting ceremony prior to Daffodil Weekend. They will also be sending out a press release and hope for a quote of support from the Airport to include. Statistic Report Mr. Rafter noted the report has not yet been changed to fiscal year reporting. 3.26.13 Airport Commission Minutes Page 4 of 6 Mr. Sylvia reported: • Operations for February were 5,546 • Enplanements for February were 5,892 • Freight for February was 121,076 Ibs, up 17.20& from 2012 • Three noise complaints were received in February from the mid -island and Tom Nevers areas For Enplanements, Mr. Sylvia was asked to provide a one year comparison on the breakdown and a five year comparison on the combined year -to date basis. The decline is mostly attributable to multiple storms resulting in several airport closures, most notably in Hyannis. Mr. Gasbarro asked when the 6/24 HBtLS project will be complete. Mr. Rafter responded the schedule calls for a completion date of early June but all indications appear sometime in May. Mr. Drake noted at least two grant reimbursements have been submitted for this project to date and asked if the accounting of the reimbursements have been properly posted. Mr. Rafter remarked Ms. Christ is working closely with the Finance Department to track the financial transactions. Sub - Committee Reports None. Commissioner's Comments Ms. Topham asked if Mr. Rafter bas looked into the FAA parking yet which Mr. Rafter replied he had not. Mr. Gray commented on the well attended tenant meeting noting more held in the new future. Mr. Rafter commented four meetings were scheduled through the year. Mr. Gray asked if a similar meeting with the corporate jets will be scheduled. Mr. Rafted noted the biggest user, NeUcts comes and meets yearly. Mr. Rafter will try to arrange but prefers to wait until the new building is open. Mr. Gray remarked many of the seasonal operations staff are returning this summer. Mr. Rafter added the same may be true for the seasonal FBO staff and is additionally is contemplating a swing position between the FBO and a receptionist. Mr. Gray asked about the parking lot. Mr. Rafter explained the investigation into the credit card breach involves the secret service and is still ongoing. Mr. Wilson may have a solution going forward but cannot implement until approved. Mr. Gray asked about the seasonal police. Mr. Rafter responded Chief Pittman has reported having an individual lined up. 3.26.13 Airport Commission Minutes Page 5 of 6 Mr. Gasbarro asked when the Part 139 inspection was scheduled for. Mr. Sylvia thought June 5% 6'h and 7' but will verify. A reminder that Town Meeting begins Tuesday April 2nd and that a Commission meeting will be posted in case any business must be enacted upon. The Moderator's Conference is scheduled for March 286 at 2:00. Mr. Gasbarro will attend along with Mr. Rafter. Public Comment None. The Commission M/S/P to enter into Executive Session, not to reconvene in Open Session, to review Executive Session minutes of 3/1/12, 3/13/12, 327/12, 4/3/12, 4/19/12, 4/26/12, 5/8/12, 522/12, 6/12/12, 626/12, 7/10112, 724/12, 8/28/12, 9/18/12, 9/25/12, 10/30/12, 11/6/12, 12/4/12, 12111 /12 and 12/18112 for possible release; and to address a matter that arose earlier today, by the following vote: Chairman Drake — Aye Vice Chair Gasbarro —Aye Commissioner David C. Gray, Sr. — Aye Commissioner Jeanette Topham - Aye Meeting adjourned at 6:18 PM (--R-elm,ctfully Submitted, Janine 1. Torres, Recorder Master List of Documents Used 326/13 Agenda including Exhibit 1 3/12113 Draft Minutes 320/13 Warrant Jesse Dutra Landscape Draft Lease Planet Ack Inc Draft Lease Environmental Presentation (Power Point) 10/12/04 .& 1/10/05 Commission Minute Excerpt re Public Events February Statistics Report 3.26.13 Airport Commission Minutes Page 6 of 6