Airport Advisory Board

DEKALB TAYLOR MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES October 24, 2017 Chairman Bob Owens called the meeting to order at 5:05pm Roll Call: Robert Owens, Bernie Pupino, Jim Rhoades, Matt Duffy, Paul Borek, Gary Hanson and Ryan James. Guests: Jack Penning – Volaire Aviation Consultants, Melissa Galvan Peterson – Volaire Aviation Consultants, Tim Holdeman – Public Works Director, City of DeKalb, Patrick DiDiana – Management Analyst – City of DeKalb, Bessie Chronopoulos and Dewayne Brown. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Motion by Jim Rhoades. Seconded by Bernie Pupino. Motion passed. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – None APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Motion by Ryan James. Seconded by Bernie Pupino. Motion Passed OLD BUSINESS – None Chairman Bob Owen’s introduced Jack Penning and Melissa Galvan Peterson both from Volaire Aviation Consulting. Volaire Aviation created a presentation for the Airport Advisory Board, (AAB), to discuss the airport Mission Statement, Vision Statement, and Core Values to move forward with the airport strategic planning. A SWOT Analysis was discussed from the list of airport strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that the AAB put together at the last meeting. New branding of the airport was discussed. Mr. Penning discussed FAA Part 139 – Limited Commercial Airport Certification. Will it be worthwhile to do this for the City to do this was the question. More discussion and a cost benefit analysis is needed on this topic. Corporate and General Aviation – fuel pricing, new fuel types and hangar construction was discussed. The jet fuel incentive program is going well and will continue into the Fall. The AAB discussed the new fuel, Swift Fuel, which available now to replace the 100 octane low lead fuel being used for piston aircraft. The AAB discussed DeKalb Airport becoming a Swift fuel distributer because there are not many distributors in the industry yet. Hangar construction was discussed by the AAB. Hangars are expensive to build and pay back takes a long time. The airport has a 15 person waiting list for hangars. AAB members Gary Hanson and Matt Duffy had to excuse themselves from the meeting at 6:00pm. Land Development – Mr. Penning stated there already is an industrial park next to the airport, Airport North Industrial Park. Land adjacent to the airport could be purchased to allow for additional industrial development. Mr. Penning discussed the option of solar farms on the airport land. This could be very lucrative for the airport. FAA approval is needed for a solar farm on the airport. Further discussion is needed. Greenhouse farming was another option for airport property. Mr. Penning stated if the airport could secure a greenhouse farming company and find a market for the perishable goods, this could increase cargo flights out of the airport which would increase fuel sales and land lease income. Mr. Penning and the AAB discussed all options of this idea. A suggestion was made that we look for small industry entrepreneurs for airport development instead of one large industry. The airport could have many niche industries on property. Further discussion is needed. Airport Adjacent Businesses – The AAB and Mr. Penning discussed the potential of a restaurant on airport property. Specifically on the corner of Peace Road and Pleasant Street. Mr. Penning said restaurants have a hard time staying open on airports. Further discussion is needed. Rental Cars being available at the airport was discussed. It was stated that the rental car companies in DeKalb are only open until noon on Saturday and closed on Sunday. There has been an issue with air travelers on weekends not being able to get a rental car. The airport is looking into a concierge agreement with one of the rental car agencies to have cars on site to resolve this problem. Further discussion is needed. Mr. Penning discussed two other business options, air cargo and a NIU Aviation Program. Mr. Penning discussed the outlook for air cargo at this airport. He stated we are surrounded by large air cargo hubs so it will be very difficult to secure a cargo carrier. This is why this airport needs a niche market. Fresh, perishable vegetables grown on airport ground that can be flown out of this airport to anywhere in the country quickly. Small niche industries that need to get their product out could support additional air cargo. The AAB liked these ideas and would like to do additional research to see if they are feasible. The idea of creating a Northern Illinois University (NIU) Aviation Program was discussed. AAB members stated with the pilot shortage, it may be a good time to get one started. Funding and liability of the program was discussed. Mr. Penning said he would contact NIU for discuss to the idea. The entire AAB thanked Mr. Jack Penning and Mrs. Melissa Galvan Peterson for a very informative presentation. Mr. Penning will back at the January AAB meeting with key recommendations for the airport strategic plan. Airport Managers Report – Airport Manager Tom Cleveland stated that the DTMA Transportation Improvement Program (TIPs) will be taken to the Illinois Department of Transportation – Division of Aeronautics for our annual TIPs meeting on October 25, 2017. TIPs recommendations will be discussed at the November AAB meeting. Motion to adjourn by Bernie Pupino. Seconded by Ryan James. Motion passed. Meeting was adjourned at 7:28pm. Minutes submitted by Airport Manager – Tom Cleveland Minutes Approved – November 21, 2017