AIRPORT COMMISSION

Airport Conference Room

Tuesday

December 11, 2007

5:00 PM

 

 

Members Present:         Heath Gatlin, Michael Leger, Steven Page,

Steve Tait, and Michael Valenti.

 

Members Absent:                   None

 

Others:                          Michelle Haynes, Butch Lisenby. and Dan Wolf.

                                       

                       

 

MEETING AGENDA

The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. 

 

MINUTES

Motion:  Move that the minutes of the November 13th meeting be approved as amended.

Motion:  Steve Tait       Seconded:  Heath Gatlin     Vote:  5-0-0.   

 

CAPE AIR

Dan Wolf arrived to join the meeting.  He was introduced to the people he hadn’t met and was told that this was Steven Page’s last meeting because term limitations made him resign as an Airport Commissioner.  Dan thought that - maybe when the Airport celebrates their 20 year anniversary – they would invite all the past and present commissioners and have a celebration.  This year Cape Air will have carried around 22K round trip passengers.  The rider-ship is down 33% and Dan has tried to put together fly one way and boat the return.  Some of the problem is the high speed ferry and some people say it’s price - but everything has gone up in the last year.  If we could serve the year round community and then make money off the people who come up here to recreate – this would be the ideal.   Michael L. asked, “Have you thought about a non-secure air trip?”  Dan said that any time you split the services into different segments, you incur more costs. 

 

Most of the complaints that Cape Air received dealt with the security requirements as implemented at the airport; but the inspection process has improved and the line backups have been eliminated. 

 

We are required, because of our size, to inspect all luggage.  Another area of complaint was in the scheduling of flights from Boston in the latter part of the day.

 

In searching for ways to beef up the bottom line there were several questions raised.  What we can do – we can’t give tickets away – and we’re doing a low price roundtrip – but maybe in partnerships with lodgings?  When jetBlue and Cape Air partnered on Valentine’s Day last year - it was very cold – and it couldn’t have been worse for getting the word out.  It takes about 2 years to turn around reputations. 

 

Steve Tait said that jetBlue doesn’t have any lay over opportunity and that’s one reason people aren’t taking it.  Some of his guests said they would like – on their way to a vacation on the Cape – to lay over for a night or two in Boston to sightsee.  Sebastian White from jetBlue will address this issue at a future meeting of the PBG. 

 

A great feature is that the passengers can still draw the boarding pass here so that when they get to Boston they can just board and eliminate any security concerns.

 

The reliability of the current fleet was then discussed.  It was found that they have had all the adjustments/repairs necessary and are now safer than they ever were.

 

Dan said that he would like the Commissioners to communicate with him and if there are areas where we can do better – we need input - we’re in a partnership.

 

Dan also praised Provincetown’s Airport and said that part of the beauty is it’s accessibility and also non-accessibility.  He looks at other modes of transportation – not as competition – but as complimentary.  He also thinks they should be pitching the international travel – we should go after international dollars.   

 

Michael Valenti suggested showing some of the guesthouses how easy it is to use Cape Air – and make it Provincetown specific by updating the website with the possible slogan “Only 20 minutes from Boston!”

 

M. Leger would like to see more emphasis on general aviation and would also like to have a maintenance facility here.  Dan responded by saying that he had huge praise for Russ Kimball and Roger Putnam and he thinks they’re fantastic; they are committed and they’re growing their business.

 

REPORTS

                               

Budget – FY2008 & FY2009

After a discussion between Mike Leger, Butch Lisenby and Sharon Lynn, the following was decided.

Motion:  Move to return $10K from the Airport FY2008 Operating Budget to the Town if it is needed.

Motion:  Steve Tait       Seconded:  Michael Leger       Vote:  5-0-0.

 

The FY2009 budget will be reviewed by the Town Manager Wednesday DEC 12th.  The proposed operating budget is for $87,850.  It has been heard that the FinCom has asked about instituting airport passenger fees and that will only increase the amount of the ticket.   

 

Handicapped Access – Terminal Door Update

January 14th is the day for the installation.  It will cost about $2,200 + or - including the electrical work. 

 

Airport Pay Phone Update

Butch has arrived at a compromise with Mr. Telephone who wanted to do cost plus job – the problem is when we’re going to schedule it.  When the project is completed it should cost 40 or 50 dollars a month to operate.

 

M. Leger announced that the Town will be erecting a cell phone tower at the wastewater treatment plant and that should benefit cell phone use for the Airport.

 

Access Gate to Aircraft Parking Ramp Update

Everything possible has been replaced; about $3,400 was expended last year on this problem and it is hoped that this entire fix will work.

 

Sightseeing Shack Porch Repair

Butch has calls into Tony Lemme and is waiting for him to come and look at the problem.

 

OLD BUSINESS

EA/FEIR/DRI Update

Mike Garrity didn’t have anything to add and didn’t attend the meeting.  This Thursday there will be a meeting at Natural Heritage in Westborough; they are a big player in wetland mitigation.  The DEP is concerned about the coastal dunes. 

 

Michael L. has had a couple of conversations with George Price from the NPS.  He will continue his ongoing relationship.

 

Terminal Ramp Reconstruction Update  

This project is moving along – reconstruct the south side of the terminal apron.  There has already been a preconstruction meeting and the info has been submitted to the FAA and MAC – now we have to have an independent cost estimate and the project should be done in about a year.

 

LEO Contract Update

A Flexible Response Agreement has been achieved and will happen from DEC 1 to APR 30th of each year.

                             

NEW BUSINESS

There wasn’t any.

                                   

OTHER BUSINESS

The annual town report is due.  Michael L. will write something about it.

 

PAYMENT VOUCHERS       

1.  Cape Cod Oil                                                                    $857.66

Motion:  Move to pay Cape Cod Oil in the amount of $857.66.

Motion:  Steve Tait          Seconded:  Michael Valenti        Vote:  5-0-0.

 

2.  NStar                                                                                 $985.15

Motion:  Move to pay NStar in the amount of $985.15.

Motion:  Steve Tait           Seconded:  Heath Gatlin             Vote:  5-0-0.

 

Adjournment happened at 6:50 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Evelyn Gaudiano

Evelyn Rogers Gaudiano

 

APPROVED:  JAN 15, 2008