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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-12-10 Airport Committee Minutes Meeting Agenda City of Bangor Airport Committee Meeting City Council Chambers rd 3 Floor December 10, 2013 The following City Councilors were in attendance: Nelson Durgin, David Nealley, Gibran Graham, Patricia Blanchette and Pauline Civiello. The following City staff was also in attendance, Airport Director, Anthony Caruso, Marketing Manager Risteen Bahr and Assistant Airport Director James Canders. Also in attendance was City Manager Cathy Conlow. Agenda: 1. Public fast-charging electric station. Assistant Airport Director Canders presented the Airport Committee information about a vehicle charging station. Recently Bangor International Airport was approached by the Dean of Institutional Advancement at the College of the Atlantic (COA). She wanted to discuss the possibility of installing a public fast-charging station at BGR. The COA has a partnership with Nissan North America and has already established 3 charging stations on their campus, although different from the kind proposed. If installed, this system would allow any electric vehicle to pull up and simply plug in for a fast charge. A sufficient charge could be supplied to a vehicle in as little as 10 minutes. The COA feels that a location at BGR would not only be a benefit to the airport and the region, but would benefit their institution. The COA has students and faculty that frequently drives from Bar Harbor to the airport. This charging station would allow the COA to utilize their fleet to come up to BGR and return to Bar Harbor. This unit would be a brand new unit donated to the COA by Nissan North America and would only require a designated location with access to a 480 volt, three phase power supply. All maintenance of the unit will be the responsibility of the COA. This unit would be also the first of its kind installed north of Connecticut and would further demonstrate the Airport’s desire to explore energy efficient modes of transportation. Airport staff request authorization to continue to explore this possibility and work with the College of the Atlantic on this exciting opportunity. Questions/Comments Councilor Durgin asked where this would be located; Canders responded a location is yet to be determined but possibility over by the U.S. Airways Gate area. And it would charge one vehicle at a time. Councilor Civiello asked how customers will pay for this service. Canders responded that this is a free station, we are just using electricity. Councilor Graham indicated that this is very exciting, a very good opportunity. Canders responded that this is a standard hook up for all electric vehicles. Graham asked what the cost of this unit is, Canders responded that it is roughly $15,000 and it is COA’S equipment. Councilor Blanchette asked why are providing a free service for the electricity. Councilor Neally asked if we could look at charging the customers a fee for this service. City Manager Conlow asked if the machine could have a POS option on this equipment. Councilor Civiello asked if we have to have additional staff or liability insurance for this and are other cities doing this? Councilor Durgin asked the Airport Staff to get more information on this and this item will be tabled for next meeting. 2. PFC application request Airport Director Caruso presented this request for approval to submit an application for a new PFC charge. He indicated that a Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) is a fee paid by passengers that is used to make improvements to the Airport Infrastructure. This fee is $4.50 per passenger and is collected by the Airlines when a ticket is purchased and the fee is then remitted to the Airport. The tenant airlines have an opportunity to review the Passenger Facility Charge Application and make comments. The final application is subject to review and approval by the FAA. The Airport’s previous PFC’s were used to reconstruct the aircraft parking aprons and to purchase several pieces of snow removal equipment. The Airport is currently on its third PFC st project which consists of the Domestic Terminal 1 Floor Renovation. The current PFC project collection will come to an end near August of 2014. This current PFC collection is dedicated to eligible terminal improvements related to the installation of the inline checked baggage screening system that will not be directly included in the TSA grant. The new PFC application will consist of an enclosed baggage carousel for the airlines, a new generator that will operate the entire domestic terminal in the event of a power outage, install glass windows in the front of the terminal, and new signage to improve way finding. The Airport is requesting a PFC application in the approximate of $3 million dollars for these much needed improvements. The airport requests authorization to proceed with the application as outline. Questions/Comments Airport Director Caruso indicated that it will be a 3 million not a 2.5 million for four projects. Councilor Nealley asked if the fee needs to be changed. Caruso indicated that it will not be increased, it will just be extended. Councilor Civiello asked if this a new PFC. Caruso responded that the new PFC’s will start in August. Moved and seconded. 3. Airport construction projects updates: a. C & L Aerospace- Airport Director Caruso indicated that the C & L office complex is underway. J.M. Brown Company is the General Contractor working on the site. The office complex is a two story building being built between hangers 11 & 13 and consists of approx. 14,000 square feet. This project is on schedule and will be completed by February. b. Maine State Police-Director Caruso indicated that the Maine State Police are currently in st the process of moving in to the Airport as of November 1. The former FAA Flight Service Station building has been renovated to meet the needs of the State Police as they move from their operations in Orono. The State Police will also be leasing building 92 located by Airfield Maintenance as their vehicle service bay. Currently the airport is renovating building 92 and should have that ready for use by early spring. Questions/Comments Councilor Neally asked if they had a formal opening on this. Caruso responded not yet, but when they do he will let the Committee know. c. Trench Drain Project-Director Caruso indicated that the gate 3 trench drains has seen some significant damage over the years and what is called ASR. This is a concrete condition that forces the concrete to push up and against whatever might be in its path. In this case the concrete pushed against the trench drain that takes care of the water runoff from the ramp causing significant damage to the drain and creating an aircraft hazard. This 30 day project was to remove the existing drain and replace with new sections of precast structures. Once in place relief strips of pavement were put in to give the movement more flexibility. This project was completed by November 22, 2013. d. In-Pavement Guard Lights-Caruso indicated that the Airport is also replacing the runway In-Pavement Guard lights. These lights are located on the Runway Hold line which instructs pilots they are about to enter the runway and need tower permission. The current lights are no longer supported by the manufacturer and spare parts are no longer available. The new lights will be LED which will provide the Airport with energy savings along with a much brighter appearance which enhances safety on the Airfield. e. Canal fill-wildlife abatement-The drainage canal located on the airfield near the Helicopter pad has been considered major wildlife hazard. During the winter months the canal can hold up to over 1000 ducks at a time. The first phase of the canal fill has started late in the fall and will consist of covering the section closest to the Runway. The main focus of this project is to cover the exposed water on the Airfield. The project is moving along well and the footings are just about done and ready for the concrete box culverts. The second phase of the project will be completed in the spring. 4. Airport Statistics. Assistant Airport Director Canders indicated that from November total monthly passengers count was slightly down by 1.9% but the YTD was up by 4.9%. The Market share is just about even across the board for the airlines, US Airways has 43%, Delta has 35% and Allegiant was 22%. The Military flights re declining. Load factors Allegiant is at 77%, Delta is at 66% and US Airways was at 64%. Questions/Comments None 5. Airport Parking Airport Director Caruso indicated that the Shuttle Lot from last year, had very good feedback. We will be opening the lot up again during our peak season, which is from FEB through early May. The Rates for the Long Term and Short Term parking will be increasing in January. We haven’t had an increase in 3-4 years, and we are still lower than the other Airports. Questions/Comments None Meeting Adjourned