Airport Advisory Board

MINUTES AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD Date: April 29, 2015 Convened at 5:29 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Jim Rhoades, Bryant Irving, Chuck Lanning, Dick Anderson, Bob Owens, Larry Luxton, Jack Bennett, Jeff Jacobson, and Bernie Pupino. Excused: Mitch Hallgren and Ron Naylor. Also present: Tom Cleveland, Airport Manager, John Laskowski, City Engineer/Interim Director of Public Works, Tim Hunter, AOPA, Jack Penning, Jeffrey Hayes, Melissa Peterson, all with Sixel Consulting Group, Inc. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: A motion was made by Mr. Jacobson to approve the April 29, 2015 meeting agenda, seconded by Mr. Anderson, and carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made by Mr. Lanning to approve the March 17, 2015 and April 15, 2015 minutes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bennett and carried unanimously. SCHEDULE OF PERSONS TO BE HEARD FORM THE FLOOR: None CONSIDERATIONS: 1. Review and Discussion of the Airport Governance Study – Sixel Consulting Group, Inc. Jack Penning, Sixel Consulting Group, Inc. introduced himself and staff to the Board and advised that they will interview several dozen individuals to obtain information for the Airport Governance Study, including DCEDC and DeKalb Chamber personnel. He pointed out that, unlike similar sized airports nationwide and in Illinois, DTMA is governed directly by the Public Works Department. Sixel is in the research phase of the study; goals are:  Understand governance and internal organization at DTMA to recommend the most efficient and responsive structure for the future.  Ensure Airport stakeholders have direct lines to leadership for streamlined decision making and cost savings. The governance options being considered are: Airport Authority, private management, Mass Transit District, Regional Planning Commission, City Department, and status quo. In Illinois, the most common governance is through an Airport Authority, followed by City departments, City sub-departments, and finally University sub-departments. DeKalb is a City sub-department; in order to be more responsive to its users, the layers of government need to be removed and authority given to the Airport Manager regarding the budget. This improves revenues and eliminates lost business caused by indecisiveness. The pros of making such a change would result in more community input through Board representative, more transparency, lower operating costs, increase in based aircraft, a more responsive airport, and better chances for long term success with better positioning to be competitive. The potential cons of change are increased debt / responsibility / funding uncertainty, more layers of government, and taxing concerns. Both pros and cons are weighed when making the decision by looking at:  What the Airport does well  What the challenges for the Airport are  What is the biggest opportunity not being taken advantage of  How quickly are decisions made  What is the ideal vision and best change for the Airport Mr. Penning noted that an FBO does well when it is run like a business using economic development partners as a prime recruiting tool to impress the Airport’s value as a way into and out of DeKalb. The Airport is a gem with an attractive location and is a low cost alternative to the higher priced Chicago airports but it has lots of competition. The advancement of Part 139 would make the Airport a viable business for cargo and chartering. The report will illustrate, define, and monetize the business and revenue lost at the Airport during the last several years. The City is costing itself money and without change will lose six figures annually and remain where it is now five years from now. The loss of de-icer revenue and NIU Sports Teams charter revenue were given as examples. More interviews are planned, a review of the budget, researching Illinois airport governance, defining and quantifying the information, ending with preparation and submission of the report. The timeline for completion of the report is approximately 3-4 weeks. It will state the worth and value of the Airport which is also highlighted in the State Economic Development report. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Airport Manager’s Report Q Painting airfield and runways this week Q Elliott & Wood will start work on the large draining project May 4 Q Work will start on the concrete threshold project July 1 Q The fuel supply agreement bid will go to Council on May 11 Q A Drone/UAS seminar will be held August 10 at DTMA b. Flight and Ground Operations c. Airport Rules & Regulations d. Budget e. Public Affairs/Historical – Hangar ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:52 p.m. Approved: May 19, 2015