[JYO] Leesburg Airport Commission Meeting Notes

Thanks to Dennis Boykin for taking the notes for tonights meeting.

Ed

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Leesburg Airport Commission Meeting Notes:
Tuesday, January 20th, 2004


The Airport Commission met in working session at 6 PM
to consider lease rates for the new terminal,
allocation of the leasable space, and leasing of pad
sites for corporate hangars.  This discussion centered
on how to allocate debt service and cost centers to
properly allocate lease rates, while keeping them
competitive with the local officespace market.

An interesting part of the discussion centered around
the possible conversion of the space designated as the
Deli (restaurant) to office/FBO space.  The existing
space is probably not marketable as a food service
establishment.

The full Commission met at 7:30 to consider those
items that were put forth on the agenda published
January 15th.

Petitioners:
   - Mr. Jim Haines - Reacting to comments during the
working session that the airport is a drain on the
Town of Leesburg, Jim, a business pioneer at JYO and
former airport manager, relayed several thoughts
regarding the economic impact of the airport.  He
specifically referred to several previous studies that
called Leesburg Executive Airport an 'economic
engine'.

1)  Katy Hamler (I hope I spelled that right), Chair
of the Marketing Committee of the Economic Development
Commission of the Town of Leesburg made a presentation
regarding the concept of putting a kiosk in the new
terminal building to promote local businesses.

2)  Mark Peters of Blue Sky Aviation made a
presentation on his business.  Blue Sky Aviation is
the Mid-Atlantic & Southeast Regions Diamond Dealer.
Mark, a longtime Leesburg Airport businessperson who
chaired the 35th Anniversary celebration, open house,
and airshow in 2000, has grown a significant business
selling 4 models of Diamond Aircraft.

3)  Chairman's Report:  The Chair recognized Mr.
Robert Noe, Leesburg's Town Manager, who attended at
the invitation of Town Council Member Bob Zoldos.  Mr.
Noe came to explain the now 7 month long delay in
hiring a new Airport Director, which he said was based
on his search committee's unanimous selection of 1
finalist from 5 interviews of 60 candidates.
Unfortunately, they could not come to terms with that
finalist, and chose to continue negotiations and wait,
rather than going to the next candidate.
Consequently, the hiring action has now been reopened,
and another 2+ month delay is anticipated.

Mr. Lissner asked the Town Manager if he intended to
conduct the next search as he had the last, which
excluded any participation by the Airport Commission.
Mr. Noe stated that he would, in fact, utilize his 3
person committee again, and that he had already
explained his decision to not involve any Town
Commission's in the hiring of his staff, and he would
not discuss that decision again.  Mr. Lissner
expressed his disappointment in this posture (as did
other members).

4)  Committee Reports:
   - No significant items.

5)  Councilmatic Report - Bob Zoldos:
   - Yielded his time

6)  Airport Director's Report:
   - Terminal completion 1 March - 1 April occupancy
(estimated)
   - Damaged T-Hangars on South End will begin
demolition next week.
   - Master Plan update ongoing - next working group is
tomorrow (Technical Advisory Group)
   - Runway rehabilitation will be moved to spring 2005
based on federal funding issue.  Because FAA funding
for FY2004 is not yet firm (continuing resolution
authority), the airport director thought it best to
delay until funding is firm.  The runway will be
operated at half length during the process.
   - A new resident of Tavistock has complained to the
town regarding touch and go activity prior to 9 a.m.
Cindi noted this just for general information for the
commission.  With growing residential development in
the area of the airport, noise issues will continue
into the future.
   - Cindi read a letter from Cosmo Hamilton (unable to
attend due to health reasons) from the Flight Service
Station complimenting Terry Brant for his quick action
in responding to a plumbing problem that potentially
required evacuation of the station.  Terry was
presented with a plaque from the AFSS for his
assistance in this, and many other actions.

7)  Old Business
   - None

8)  New Business

   - Airport Security Enhancements:  Based on input
from the Chief of Police and the Leesburg Town
Manager, Town Staff is considering directing the
implementation of ID badges in the AOA, and mandatory
use of prop locks in order to address homeland
security concerns.  A representative of the AOPA
Airport Support Network, Mark Lowdermilk, and
Leesburg's ASN volunteer, Ed Levine, were in
attendance at this meeting and were prepared to
address this issue.  However, Mr. Whyte recommended
moving that discussion to the security committee, and
it was so decided.  The security committee will
consider those issues at their next meeting, and will
invite Town Staff to present their concerns.
Interested residents & airport tenants are invited to
attend or send comments beforehand.

   - Lease rates:  Base rates for the new terminal were
considered for an RFP-type auction system to the
incumbent tenants (AvEd, Piedmont, Blue Sky, and
AvAd).  The base rate will be $ 24.89 per square foot,
triple net, and incumbents are free to bid higher.
   - Base rates for leasing of pad sites for corporate
hangars (to be incorporated in the RFPs) were
considered for $ .60 per square foot.  These rates
were developed considered rates at Manassas, Stafford,
and other locations.  The actual approval of those
rates will be deferred to the February meeting.

9)  Mr. Lissner made comments that the economic impact
of the Leesburg Airport does not mitigate the fact
that the airport does not generate direct revenue for
the Leesburg taxpayer who foots the bill for the
airport.  The airport currently requires budget
subsidy from the town.


Future meeting dates were noted as:

- Airport Working Group:  February 5th
- Airport Commission Security Sub-Committee:
February 11th
- Airport Commission Regular Monthly Meeting:
February 17th







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