HomeMy WebLinkAboutMar14_2023 Town of Nantucket
NANTUCKET MEMORIAL AIRPORT
14 Airport Road
Nantucket Island,Massachusetts 02554
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Noah J. Karberg,Airport Manager
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Phone: (508) 325-5300 Arthur D. Gasbarro, Chairman --
Fax: (508) 325-5306 Andrea N. Planer, Vice Glair
Anthony G. Bouscaren
Jeanette D. Topham
Philip Marks III
AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING
March 14,2023
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 pm by Chairman Arthur Gasbarro with the
following Commissioners present: Jeanette Topham and Philip Marks III.
This meeting was conducted remotely by video conference via Zoom app and posted after
the meeting on the Town of Nantucket YouTube Channel.
Airport employees present were: Noah Karberg, Airport Manager, Preston Harimon,
Assistant Airport Manager, Boyana Stoykova-Nelson, Office Manager, and Jamie
Sandsbury,Business and Finance Manager.
Also present: Philip Cox, CHA Companies, and Joseph Sullivan, CHA Companies.
Mr. Gasbarro read the Town's virtual meeting statement.
Mr. Gasbarro announced the meeting was being audio and video recorded.
Mr. Gasbarro asked for comments on the Agenda; hearing none,the Agenda was adopted.
Mr. Gasbarro asked for comments and concerns on the 02/14/23 Draft minutes; hearing
none,the 02/14/23 Draft Minutes were adopted by unanimous consent.
Ms. Topham made a Motion to ratify the 02/22/23 and 03/08/23 Warrants. Second by Mr.
Marks and Passed by the following roll call vote:
Ms. Topham-Aye
Mr. Gasbarro -Aye
Mr. Marks -Aye
Public Comment
None.
021423-02 Lawrence Lynch Corporation Taxiway Echo Price Adjustment Request.
Mr. Karberg drafted and submitted a letter to the FAA requesting a review of the
previous eligibility determination and consider the phase change and related repayment
requests as a change order. Mr. Karberg has not heard back but will continue to track.
031423-01 Crew Quarters: Invited comments from Nobadeer Farm Meeting House
Association.
Mr. Gasbarro acknowledged the receipt of the several letters of concern from the
Nobadeer Farm Meeting Association and residents. Mr. Gasbarro explained that all
comments will be taken under advisement.
Mr. Karberg reiterated that the airport has received six(6) or seven (7) letters regarding
the Crew Quarters Plans from leadership and residents of the Nobadeer Farm Meeting
House Association. The Airport has invited Mr. Geoffrey Keeler,Association President,
to the meeting to address the Commission with his concerns.
Mr. Gasbarro open the floor for public comments.
Mr. Michael Freedman, homeowner of Park Circle, expressed concerns regarding the
density of the project,the location, and the buffer.area. Mr. Freedman echoed comments
made in Mr. Geoffrey Keeler's letter and asked for the project to be pushed farther north
away from Park Circle to help reduce the amount of traffic and congestion that will be
introduced to the area. Mr. Freedman asked how far along the plans are and when the
starting day would be.
Ms. Katy Perales,homeowner of Park circle, commented that her family has strong
concerns about the location and suggested to the Airport Commission to consider
amending the location of the dormitory, keeping the trees as a visual and sound buffer
between Park Circle and the dormitory, and to keep the bike paths in place. Ms. Perales
requested a timeline of the project and to be included in future communication.
Ms. Janine McMullen, resident of Park Circle, agreed with the other residents `comments
and added that the main concern is the foot and bicycle traffic in that area,because the
bike path is highly populated and used during the summer months. Ms. McMullen asked
the commission whether there has been contact made with the Nantucket New School
and Strong Wings Adventure School.
Mr. Gasbarro responded that he was not aware of any conversations with the New School
and Strong Wings Adventure School and added that the airport hasn't reached that point
of the project yet.
Mr. Cox, CHA Companies,the Owner's Project Manager (OPM) for the airport, added
that the project is in a very early stage of the planning process. Mr. Cox explained that
the airport would like to take input from the residents and will keep in mind the concerns
as the airport goes through the planning process.
Mr. Gasbarro assured residents that this is a long-term project, and the airport wants to be
a good neighbor. Mr. Gasbarro added that the Commission welcomes residents' input and
that this is the planning process, and nothing is set in stone. Mr. Gasbarro explained that
the Commission will communicate with the President of the Nobadeer Farm Meeting
House Association and all residents will get updates and information on the project.
Mr. Gasbarro reiterated that the location is not final and recommends taking the
comments into consideration.Mr. Gasbarro believes that there is a significant buffer zone
03/14/2023 Airport Commission Meeting Page 2 of 10
to where the dorm is being proposed. Mr. Gasbarro clarified that this is not the location
that he supports, but the proposed building is certainly not right next to the property line.
Mr. Gasbarro recommended that the consultants review the plans,take the comments into
consideration, and propose alternatives for April's meeting.
Ms. Janine McMullen asked if this is the only location that the airport can build this
project.
Mr. Gasbarro answered that this location is the only one that has been approved by the
FAA to construct the housing on.
Mr. Karberg made a clarification that the figure that was referenced in Mr. Keeler's letter
does not reflect the immediate building envelope available to the Airport or the
Commission 's intent on the project. The figure cited in Mr. Keeler's letter was
developed at the Capital Committee's request, after the Capital Committee asked the
airport to show the potential full buildout of the parcel in December of 2022. Mr. Karberg
explained that the airport was not permitted, and this is not what the airport could build in
the next five (5)years.
Mr. Karberg shared the figure as scoped in the airport's Federal and State environmental
permitting. The airport permitted two immediate building envelopes, and the limits of
disturbance as shown. Mr. Karberg believes that is reasonable to ask to "flip"the two
structures but only within the extent of the permitting figure, not a hypothetical full
buildout. Moving outside of the limit of disturbance will likely delay this project.
Mr. Gasbarro suggested working with the OPM and engineer to configure the proposed
building and site plan that is responsive to the residents' concerns. Mr. Gasbarro hopes
that the airport can move forward with the project in a positive and mutually beneficial
way. The airport desperately needs housing to run the operations for the benefit of the
community.
Pending Leases/Contracts — Mr. Karberg presented Exhibit 1 for approval of the
following loan agreement and lease agreements and recused himself from presenting
Exhibit 2 based on potential conflict of interest.
• Nantucket Historical Association-Loan agreement for Temporary Custody of the
Provincetown-Boston Airlines Plane model DC-3 hanging in the non-secure
departure area of the Terminal.
+ American Airlines, Inc. — Lease Agreement in the amount of $ 5,023.20 for
Storage of Airline Equipment on Bunker Road. Two-year agreement with two 1-
year options to extend. Lease commencement date is 10/01/2023.
• American Airlines,Inc.—Non-signatory airline lease agreement in the amount of
$31,632 plus$1,500 Annual Business Fee,plus landing,ramp,baggage, and Remain
Overnight fees. Expires 03/31/24.
• JetBlue Airways Corporation — Non-signatory airline lease agreement in the
amount of$78,869 plus $1,500 Annual Business Fee,plus landing,ramp,baggage,
and Remain Overnight fees. Expires 03/31/24.
03/14/2023 Airport Commission Meeting Page 3 of 10
Mr. Marks made a Motion to approve the loan agreement and the lease agreements as
set forth on Exhibit 1.Second by Ms.Topham and Passed by the following roll call vote-
Ms. Topham-Aye
Mr. Marks -Aye
Mr. Gasbarro-Aye
Pending Leases/Contracts—Mr.Harimon presented Exhibit 2 for approval the following
lease amendment:
+ Nantucket Marine Inc. — Lease Amendment in the amount of$1,241 to adjust
land lease by 1,420 square feet. The As-built survey incorporated into the lease as
part of Exhibit A.New Base rent is $38,267 adjusted annually.
Ms. Topham made a Motion to approve the lease amendment as set forth on Exhibit 2.
Second by Mr. Marks and Passed by the following roll call vote-
Ms. Topham-Aye
Mr. Marks -Aye
Mr. Gasbarro-Aye
Pending Matters—Mr. Karberg reported on:
091019-01 Capital Approval Process/Home Rule Petition-The airport will need to
wait until after the current Annual Town Meeting(ATM) cycle.
071420-03 Per-a Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).Investigation Update-Mr.
Karberg gave an update on the PFAS Investigation Status Table.All data and reports are
available via website,www.ack-pfas.com.
Mr. Karberg reported that the airport is still holding 540 samples taken from 80
individual wells. Activity table report update in packet.
The Task Order/Phase2 Status: Mr. Karberg reviewed the Task Order MJ-PN-11,
Amendment 2. Status items are the same as last month. Work is ongoing with the
Downgradient Property Status and Potentially Productive Aquifer Exclusion. Draft
documents for an internal review are expected in late March of 2023.
Task Order MJ-PN-11,Amendment 3, Status:
Immediate Response Actions (IRA) Status Report#13: The results are uploaded to
www.ack-pfas.com website, and Weston Solutions is confirmed for attendance in April's
meeting to review the IRA update and Spring sampling protocol. Mr. Karberg reviewed
the two specific technical items that are appropriate for the consultant's update: Figure 4
on page 39 Bunker source information and Figure 6 on page 43 - Shallow soil samples
exceeding the S 1 results and step out sampling will be required by Massachusetts
Department of Environmental Protection(MassDEP) and discussed in April's meeting.
The above-mentioned figures can be found on the www.ack-pfas.com website under
Study Documents heading.
03/14/2023 Airport Commission Meeting Page 4 of 10
Madequesham Valley Road (MVR)Resident. The airport has received an estimate for.
connecting MVR resident to the town's water main in the amount of$18,000. The airport
staff is working to contract and procure that work.
Airport Gas Stormwater.The airport has received the As-builts for the stormwater
project.
Miscellaneous- On 03/14/2023 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a
request for comment for new PFAS drinking water standards as low as four(4)parts per
trillion for PFOA and PFOS. It's unknown what these standards will mean immediately
for Nantucket Airport's investigation. At an industry level, it may increase the role of
airports, but it could also lead to more join remediation and other third-party sources are
captured.
Mr. Marks asked if the airport could ask the consultants before April's meeting for any
information with respect to the waterflows to the south and if there are any signs that the
PFAS is diminishing.
Mr. Karberg responded that the consultant will be ready to address that question.
Finance—Mr.Karberg reported on:
a.031423-03 Final Financial Statement Audit FY2022-pending
b.031423-04 Final Passenger Facility Charge Audit FY2022-pending
c.031423-05 Budget Transfers
Mr. Karberg explained that the Massachusetts Department of Revenue was delayed in
certifying Retained Earnings,which delayed the airport Finance team's ability to make
informed decisions regarding budget transfers. The Budget Transfer information is
included in the packet as a handout.
Retained earnings are Enterprise Fund's certified net assets available for appropriation.
The airport retained earnings for Fiscal 2022 are approximately$8.3 million. The
Airport has not taken any projects to long-term borrowing in seven (7)years, and Mr.
Karberg believes this is the appropriate strategy given the airport's financial opportunities
again this year. Ms. Sandsbury has developed the following recommendations,which
Mr. Karberg has reviewed and offered to the Commission for recommendation. I can
speak to any single item in more detail, but in brief:
+ Transfer approximately $7 million of the available $8.3 million to pay off projects
instead of taking long-term borrowing.
• Reappropriate $924,000 of unused borrowing authority into employee housing.
+ Transfer$2 million from Retained Earnings to Operating account. This includes:
+ A very conservative $1.5 million to cover costs due to inflation and outsourcing
work due to low staffing.
+ $500,000 to hold for additional transfer to town repayment for a total of$819,000
against balance as follows:
o Regular payment of$235k,plus
o Payment in kind for materials of$84k
o $500k additional principal.
03/14/2023 Airport Commission Meeting Page 5 of 10
o Payments to cover sponsor, ineligible or not-yet-reimbursed Capital
project costs, as well as anticipated sponsor project costs.
Mr. Marks made a Motion to approve the Budget Transfers as proposed. Second by Ms.
Topham and Passed by the following roll call vote-
Ms. Topham-Aye
Mr.Marks -Aye
Mr. Gasbarro-Aye
021423-08 Discuss in Person,Hybrid and Remote Meeting Alternatives
Mr. Gasbarro deferred the discussion to April's Commission meeting.
Manager's Report-Mr. Karberg reported on:
Project Updates—AIP
+ Taxiway Echo (TW E)-The work has begun on drainage improvements to
TW/E. Anticipating the work to be completed in two weeks.
+ Taxiway Golf(TW G). The airport issued a Notice to proceed (NTP) for
03/13/23. The week of 03/13/23 will perform the botanical survey, staking and
erosion control installation. The week of 03/20/23 will begin pavement removal,
excavation, and drainage installation.
+ Mr. Karberg noted that the two large and active projects coincided on alternate
ends of the airfield.Both projects involve a lot of oversight and coordination.Mr.
Karberg recognized the staff for accomplishing the coordination.
+ Airport Master Plan Update. The aerial survey is delayed.
• Geometry Study—The consultants are addressing comments received on the
inventory chapter.
• HVAC-The contractors were unable to mobilize to the airport as planned and the
next visit has been rescheduled.
+ Southwest Ramp Expansion.—The Last item of informal scoping completed.
The airport is waiting to receive the scope and fee proposal.
+ Runway 6/24. —This project is anticipated for the calendar year 2026. The
magnitude of the project will likely require the airport to obtain an Owner's
Project Manager(OPM) under state procurement laws. If that is the case,the
airport will need to work to issue a Request for Qualification (RFQ)for OPM in
the fall of 2023.
+ Terminal Optimization. The Airport recently received interpretation that the
Terminal Optimization project may not be included in the current on-call RFQ
solicitation. The airport may face a delay of three (3)months in design while the
RFQ is re-advertised. Mr. Karberg doesn't believe that the delay is impactful for
potential grant timing, and the airport has the benefit of the OPM already being
onboard and available to assist with that process.
• ARFF Truck—index change. -Mr. Karberg sent the letter to FAA.
03/14/2023 Airport Commission Meeting Page 6 of 10
+ South Shore Fence. This project was originally part of the project list awarded
to Stantec in 2020 and will be re-awarded following the consultant selection
currently underway.
Project Updates—Non-AIP
• Crew Quarters. The airport received a scope of work and fee proposal from
McFarland-Johnson Inc. and are currently negotiating via the OPM. The OPM
has raised the question if the Commission would consider a special meeting prior
to April to keep the project on track for fall construction.
+ Airport Gas Stormwater Improvements.As-builts were received and the
Tenant Alteration Application is closed.
+ Town of Nantucket Surfside Area Water and Transportation Group—The
airport continues to coordinate meetings and share project updates between Town
and Airport projects.
RFP/Bid Status
+ Request for Proposals (RFP)to Lease 60 & 66 Bunker Road Parcels-The
award letters sent to Nantucket Oasis and Toscana.
+ Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Planning and Engineering Services-
The airport received one (1)proposal for planning from McFarland-Johnson Inc.,
and two (2)proposals for engineering from McFarland-Johnson Inc. and Burns
McDonnel. The proposals are under internal review and will continue with the
evaluation process.
• Invitation for Bids (IFB) for ARFF Truck Maintenance-Available to the
public on 3/23/23 and bids are due on 04/06/23.
*� RFQ for Terminal Optimization. A meeting is scheduled for 03/15/23 to
review the process for drafting and releasing the documents.
• RFP for lots of J and K-The airport is in the process of completing the
environmental permitting of the lots. The target date for release of the RFP is the
summer of 2023.
+ General OPM/On call-Mr.Karberg is recommending the airport to issue an
RFQ for"OPM services". When required by state law on AIP projects,the OPM
costs may be AIP eligible. The OPM services are also helpful on large and
complicated projects. There is expertise on structuring the RFQ that Mr. Karberg
will discuss with the Town, but the envision is a combination of assigning project-
by project basis,with additional time-and-materials costs for assisting with
drafting scopes of services.
Operations Update
+ Delta Kiosk replacement in the Terminal is complete.
+ The airport notified safety partners that Gate 31 will temporarily replace Gate 15
for mutual aid mustering point.
+ The airport's staff performed a mock FAA inspections week to review airfield
conditions and recordkeeping.
03/14/2023 Airport Commission Meeting Page 7 of 10
• ARFF and Wildlife recurring trainings are coming up this month.
+ Ground Service Equipment(GSE)for Delta Airlines will arrive at the Daisy Way
lot in early April of 2023.
+ The airport is reviewing the Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) with TSA on
Checked Baggage Inspection System (CBIS)remediation project. The project
involves improvements to the bag belt to facilitate TSA screening and sorting
operations, and the airport would own and maintain bag belt equipment.
• The airport received the draft Transportation Network Company (TNC)and Turo
agreements from the airport's counsel. The agreement is under internal review
and will be presented in April/May of 2023 to the Commission.
+ A preliminary meeting will be held with the Town of Nantucket to review
potential impound lot in the Bunker Road area.
+ Air Service Update
+ Southern Airways will not return for the 2023 season.
+ Large Air Carrier—The airport advised the carrier that accommodating a
737-700 was a difficult proposition for Nantucket Airport at this late hour in
the season. The airport will be revisited in the fall of 2023.
Statistics—Mr. Karberg reviewed the January 2023 Statistics:
4- Operations are up 12 % from January 2022 and down 10.68%FYTD.
• Enplanements are down 10.80%from January 2022 and are up 2.54%FYTD.
+ Jet A Gallons are down 8 %from January 2022 and are down 0.82%FYTD.
+ Jet A Gallons are down 10.16 %from February 2022.
• AvGas Gallons are up 34%from January 2022.
AvGas Gallons are down 11%from February 2022.
+ Freight is up 6.43%from January 2022.
+ 0 Noise complaints were filed for January 2023 as expected.
Annual Air Carrier Enplaned PAX,ACK to HYA
Total Cape/ACK Air Island Air -ACK Shuttle Rectrix Southern
200,000
175,000 u`\
it ti
150,000 f
d 125,000,
c a,
m ,
O. 100,000 �'
Irci 75,000 y�....*...••
i ••.•.............. •..• • �°.
<• 50,000 . .
25,000
i .
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Calendar Year
03/14/2023 Airport Commission Meeting Page 8 of 10
Mr. Karberg reviewed the graphic included in the packet. The ACK-HYA market has
been in free fall since 2007,which is as far back as the airport has reliable data. This is a
market choice and regulatory issue. Mr. Karberg explained that the market is only served
by one carrier, less than daily service, and the market is non-responsive to airport
economic incentives.Airport fees represent$6 per enplaned passenger for Cape Air on a
$109-119 ticket. The is very low for the industry. Mr. Karberg believes that investing in
electrification might be a solution—future eVTOL/electric aircraft routes where
Operations and Maintenance is 25%cost of piston engine.
Mr. Karberg proposed another solution to set incentives toward year-round regional jet
service.
Mr. Gasbarro requested to add this item to a future agenda and discuss alternatives with
the Commission as a whole.
Personnel Report-Mr. Karberg reported on:
• John Grangrade, Maintenance Superintendent has informed the airport of his
resignation effective in early May. Mr. Grangrade has worked at the airport for
34 years and is long valued member of the team. His absence will leave us a big
hole to fill, but I hope you can join me over the next 2 months and celebrate his
tenure and role here.
• Aiofe Varian has accepted an Operations Specialist Position.
• Vilina Ilieva will join the airport as a Town transfer on 03/20/23 to fill the
administrative assistant position.
+ New Seasonal Kelly Paradis,who may be recognized from the Cape Air Counter,
will join FBO on 04/03/23.
+ Sergio Rivera, a returning seasonal ramp employee,will rejoin ACK on 03/06/23.
+ The Airport made an offer to a very strong Operations candidate who could not
find housing and has declined the offer.
+ The Maintenance Mechanic and two (2) Operations specialist positions are
unfilled.
+ Tim Mooney is retiring as Operation Specialist in May of 2023.
+ Strain on our ability to accomplish projects and tasks. •
+ Environmental Coordination position will be advertised in Spring of 2023.
11. Commissioner's Comments
12. Public Comment
Having no further business for Open Session,Mr. Marks made a Motion to go into
Executive Session, under G.L. Chapter 30A, Section 21A, not to return to Open Session,
to review Executive Session Minutes as enumerated on the Agenda; Clause 3: To discuss
strategy with respect to collective bargaining. Clause 3: To discuss strategy with respect
to the litigation regarding Walsh. Clause 3: To discuss strategy with respect to the
litigation regarding potential claim for damages in re: 3&5 Evergreen Road where the
Chair has determined that an open session may have detrimental effect on the litigating
position of the Airport Commission. Second Ms. Topham and Passed unanimously,by
the following roll-call vote:
03/14/2023 Airport Commission Meeting Page 9 of 10
Ms. Topham-Aye
Mr. Bouscaren
Mr. Gasbarro-Aye
The meeting adjourned at 6:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Boyana Stoykova-Nelson, Recorder
Master List of Documents Used
03/14/23 Agenda including Exhibit 1 (Handout) and Exhibit 2
02/14/23 Draft Minutes
02/22/23 Warrant Approvals
03/08/23 Warrant Approvals
Crew Quarters Nobadeer Farm meeting House letter 2.24.23
10 A Park Circle Homeowners' letter
18 B Park Circle Homeowners' letter(handout)
1 B Park Circle Homeowners' letter(handout)
14 A Park Circle Homeowners' Letter(handout)
16 B Park Circle Homeowners' Letter(handout)
Nantucket Historical Association Loan Agreement
American Airlines, Inc. Storage Agreement(handout)
American Airlines, Inc.Airline Lease Agreement (handout)
JetBlue Airways Corporation Airline Lease Agreement
Nantucket Marine Inc. Amendment No.2
PFAS Investigation Status Table
Budget Transfers (handout)
January 2023 Monthly Statistics Presentation
Annual Enplaned Passengers ACK-HYA
03/14/2023 Airport Commission Meeting Page 10 of 10