Berlin Airport Authority
June 5, 2007
Present were: Commissioners Grenier, Lamontagne, Lafleur, and Cusson; Commissioners Donovan, Roy and Chair Danderson were absent. Eric Kaminsky, Mike Deletetsky, Patrick MacQueen, media and public were also in attendance.
In the absence of Chair Danderson, Commissioner Lafleur moved with a second from Commissioner Cusson to assign the chair to Commissioner Grenier
Minutes
Commissioner Cusson moved with a second from Commissioner Lamontagne to accept the minutes of the previous meeting as presented.
Financials
Commissioner Grenier commented that the airport will run into an operational deficit. Mr. Kaminsky indicated that 86% of the budget is spent and 71% of anticipated revenues have been collected. There are three weeks left in the fiscal year.
Commissioner Grenier asked for a report of the deficit noting that there are AIP projects that are still open and there are anticipated funds from these projects.
Commissioner Lafleur moved to approve the financials; Commissioner Cusson seconded and the motion carried.
Master Plan Update and Review
Mike Deletetsky reported that a ruling is needed about the ILS issue from Ralph Nicola Russin but he's been delayed with personal issues. What to do with the undeveloped land and how the Town of Milan looks at it with their ordinance, needs to be addressed in the Master Plan. How the ILS will be handled and whether the authority wants to go ahead will also be addressed.
Mr. Deletetsky went on to say that the Authority will need to make a decision regarding precision approach. There are different alternatives for the terminal area depending on the approach. There is also an LPV Approach which uses GPS and Berlin could be considered for that.
Commissioners asked if GPS would have less impact on abutting property and Mr. Deletetsky stated that any precision approach has an impact. GPS would require the same safe areas. There are major costs involved with relocating buildings and redirecting a stream.
Commissioner Cusson asked if there is a time frame for a decision and Mr. Deletetsky explained that the State will review and likely make a recommendation to go with the better airport in the North Country. It will be a matter of whether the Authority is interested or not. He offered to report back on information for the LPV system so that the Authority can make an informed decision.
Mr. MacQueen pointed out that the FAA was saying the ILS did not meet their cost/benefit analysis. Nobody has overcome the cost benefit ratio. Mr. Deletetsky acknowledged that the issue will become political. No one has articulated what benefit the city will have if there is an ILS and there are issues in the Town of Milan that would have to be overcome. Commissioner Lamontagne made it clear that the issues in Milan wont disappear.
Commissioner Cusson suggested waiting until Whitefield's report is complete to make a decision. Mr. Deletetsky commented that the Master Plan wont be done until the BAA is satisfied.
FAA
Mr. Kaminsky mentioned a communication from the FAA asking the BAA to relinquish $4,057 of unspent AIP money that would go into a fund for additional projects. Commissioner Grenier made the point that the Berlin Airport has been the beneficiary of these kinds of monies in the past and we should reciprocate. Commissioner Lafleur referenced that the form needs to be signed by the city attorney and it was noted that the city attorney is not affiliated with the airport. Commissioner Lafleur moved with a second from Commissioner Cusson to return $4,057 of unspent AIP money to the FAA.
Managers Report
Mr. Kaminsky reported that there was some damage to the porch roof of the terminal building. There is a good chance that FEMA will pay for the repair. The fire escape will be painted as part of the work. Commissioner Grenier indicated that the corrugated fiberglass allows light to come through and should be replaced as opposed to making a roof out of some other material.
Pike will be repairing the frost heave at the end of June. Commissioner Lafleur confirmed that the existing crack did not cause any additional damage. Mr. Deletetsky further explained that the FAA produced the plans that said there was underdrain in the area of the crack and it was found that there was no underdrain.
AV Fuel Update
Mr. Kaminsky reported that the most effective marketing tool for AV Fuel is the AV trip points. The more fuel they buy, the more points they get and those points are traded for a savings bond.
Civil Air Patrol
A weekend at the airport for training in August is planned. They could buy as much as 500 gallons of fuel. We will do our best to make it happen.
Commissioner Lafleur moved to accept the managers report; Commissioner Lamontagne seconded and the motion carried.
Other
Mr. Kaminsky commented that he will try to get another employee on board due to the other part timers being unavailable. The addition will be budget neutral.
Mr. Kaminsky made the BAA aware that he will have to put an antenna on the building for broadband. He will be paying for this and it is for personal use in his apartment.
Authority Comments
Commissioner Lafleur thanked Mr. Kaminsky for allowing him to experience snow plowing during this past snow storm.
Public Comments
Al Caouette, 12 Chickwolnopy Road. He said that he thought the ILS idea had dried out. He is puzzled as to why the ILS is up for discussion again. There are more properties that are in the safety zone.
Commissioner Grenier stated that his position has not changed. We do not want to upset property owners in Milan and Berlin cannot afford to pay the bill for the hobby of a few airport users. The point was also made that the discussions at this meeting are for the airport's Master Plan. Even if the ILS were to get into the Master Plan, it is just a plan and would not likely come to fruition for many years.
Non Public Session
Commissioner Lafleur moved to go into non-public session per RSA 91-A:3II (d) Consideration of the acquisition, sale or lease of real or personal property which, if discussed in public, would likely benefit a party or parties whose interests are adverse to those of the general community; Commissioner Lamontagne seconded and the motion carried unanimously by roll call.
Jim & Marcia McKinnon, Don Bouchard from Horizons Engineering were present for the session. Mr. Bouchard explained that his company was hired to survey the McKinnon's property. One property was transferred from Brown Company and the Airport abuts on two sides. There is a spring on the property. The McKinnon's are asking for the transfer of a small sliver of land along their property that would give them frontage on French Hill Road.
Mr. Deletetsky commented that the BAA has to exercise caution when considering transferring airport land. The BAA owns 3.7 acres that would put frontage on the McKinnon's land. The FAA paid for the land there is a process to go through if the BAA is inclined to disperse the land.
There would need to be an appraisal to determine the land's value. The well belongs to the airport; however it does not show up on the FAA plan. This process should not take a year but will likely be more than a month.
Commissioner Cusson motioned post haste to have Mr. Deletetsky move ahead with the necessary process for a land transfer; Commissioner Lafleur seconded and the motion carried.
Commissioner Cusson moved to allow the clearance of trees on the sliver of land in question; Commissioner Lafleur seconded and the motion carried.
It was noted that, prior to cutting, a certificate of insurance will be presented to Mr. Kaminsky with the Berlin Airport named as additionally insured.
Commissioner Cusson moved to come out of non-public session; Commissioner Lamontagne seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment
Commissioner Cusson moved to adjourn; Commissioner Lamontagne seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
Administrative Assistant
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