HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-08 Airport Committee Minutes
City of Bangor Airport Committee
Virtual Meeting
September 8, 2020
Meeting Minutes
The following City Councilors attended: Airport Committee Chair Dan Tremble, Council Chair Clare
Davitt Rick Fournier, Susan Hawes, Gretchen Schaefer, Ben Sprague and Laura Supica. Also in
attendance were City Manager Cathy Conlow, City Solicitor Paul Nicklas, Airport Director Tony
Caruso and Airport Marketing Manager Aimee Thibodeau.
Agenda and Discussion:
1. Airport Improvement Program (AIP) #76
a. Resolve to ratify and authorize the application for and acceptance of a grant from the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA)
Airport Director Caruso requested Committee approval of a Resolve to ratify and authorize the
application for and acceptance of AIP grant #76. The total grant is for $3,321,487, and will be
used to replace our airfield lighting vault and installing a new airfield lighting control monitoring
system. We are currently operating with a 1950s-era system that is no longer supported by the
manufacturer. The funds will be used to bring the systems up to code and into compliance with
FAA Circular requirements. The project is included in our 5-year Capital Improvement Plan
(CIP). Sargent Corporation was the successful bidder when this project was put out to bid last
year. They have agreed to hold costs to the bid amount.
This Resolve is presented as an emergency measure. The funding was announced last week with
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a September 15 noon deadline for acceptance by City officials. These are funds from the Cares
Act so there will not be a 5% match requirement. If approved by the Committee, the Resolves
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will be on September 14 City Council agenda.
b. Resolve to appropriate the grant funds from the FAA
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The 2 Resolve is to appropriate the AIP grant #76 funds referenced above.
Motions made separately for each, seconded and approved by unanimous roll call vote. The Resolves
will be presented to the City Council for final approval.
2. Bald Mountain: First Amendment to Lease Agreement
Director Caruso requested Committee approval authorizing the City Manager to execute a first
amendment to the lease agreement with Bald Mountain, LLC. allowing a lease assignment to Nate
Holyoke Builders, Inc. Mr. Holyoke is Owner and President of both companies and leases a hangar
bay at the airport. The current lease is in year 1 of a 5-year term, with an additional 5-year extension
option. All other lease terms will remain in full force and effect.
Motion made, seconded and approved by unanimous roll call vote. The Order will be presented to
the City Council for final approval.
3. Airport Advertising and Marketing
a. Airport Statistics – July, 2020
Marketing Manager Aimee Thibodeau reported that July passenger counts increased over
June numbers. Allegiant’s load factor is lower than normal because they were bringing in
larger aircraft. This might have occurred because the planes needed airtime or because those
were the only planes available for this route. Military operations are up 27% over last year.
Our GA traffic is consistent with prior months and continues to reflect the lack of Canadian
and trans-Atlantic traffic. Strong DOD fuel sales are helping offset decreases in other
segments. In response to a question, Aimee indicated that our passenger declines are
consistent with other similar airports.
b. Marketing Update
Our August Social Media numbers show month-over-month declines only because July
numbers were so strong thanks to Cargo, the cat. Our Facebook Likes continue to be up 9%
over 2019 numbers. Thanks to Chelcie, we are seeing increased engagement on Instagram.
We are working on ways to re-align our marketing strategy in this pandemic environment.
Since we aren’t able to do tours, we are looking at ways to do virtual touring for classes and
other groups that would typically visit the Airport. We are also preparing two new Monty
videos.
Meeting Adjourned