Nov 13, 2024 Airport Development Board Meeting

[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:10]

>> CAN CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER. IT IS 3:35.

WE HAVE A GROUP OF VISITORS HERE WITH US TODAY. IF YOU CAN

DO SOME INTRODUCTIONS PLEASE. >>

[MINUTES]

>> OKAY, EVERYBODY HAS THE MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 9TH. WE ARE GOING TO GET AN APPROVAL. HOLD ON, WE ARE MOVING FORWARD

[3. Airport Management Reports]

>> I HAVE THE ONE THAT I PRINTED OUT THAT WAS JUST THE AGENDA IS SELF. ANOTHER GOOD MONTH. OCTOBER WAS FOR US. IN THE BEGINNING OF OUR FISCAL YEAR, FY 25, OFF TO A GOOD START. WE WERE UP FOR THE MONTH. 4%. 5% INCREASE, ON BOARD AMERICAN AIRLINES IN CLAIMANTS. CHARTER WERE DOWN TWO POINTS IN THE LAST YEAR. OVERALL, FOR THE YEAR, WE ARE UP 21%. AT A LOAD FACTOR ON AMERICAN EAGLE, 70%. PARKING REVENUE, WHICH IS ALWAYS EXCITING TO WATCH. 9.2% UP.

OVER THE LAST YEAR. AGAIN, KEEP IN MIND, LAST YEAR, OCTOBER 1ST, WE INCREASED THE PARKING RIGHT. THAT 9%, IS ABOVE EVEN THAT INCREASE. THE FIRST INCREASE MONTH. THAT IS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THAT. LAST YEAR, THIS PAST FISCAL YEAR, WE SURPASSED $1 MILLION. 1.1 MILLION IN PARKING REVENUE.

THAT WAS A FIRST FOR US. EXCITED TO SEE THAT. WE HAVE ANOTHER $101,000 A MONTH, WE WILL BE EVEN PAST THAT. PARKING LOT FOR THIS CALENDAR YEAR, .4%.

>> I HAVE NOTICED THE LAST FEW TIMES I HAVE BEEN OUT THERE, THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH SOME -- THAT. WHAT'S THE

TIMELINE? >> WE HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THAT. ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE EXIT LANE? WE HAVE HAD CREDIT CARD READER PROBLEMS. WE THINK THAT HAS

BEEN RESOLVED. RIGHT? >>

>> TO THAT POINT, KIRK, WE ARE REPLACING THAT SYSTEM. WE HAVE ISSUED THE PURCHASE ORDER FOR THAT, CORRECT? FOR THAT RIGHT LANE, THAT IS ALL THAT IS. CREDIT CARD. WE THINK THAT IS GOING TO INCREASE THE RELIABILITY OF THAT. IT HAS BEEN FRUSTRATING. CAR RENTAL REVENUES, DOWN ALMOST 6% FROM THE MONTH OF OCTOBER. UP 27.86%, FOR THE YEAR. THAT IS COMING OFF OF SEPTEMBER, OFF OF A GOOD YEAR TO DATE. NOT SURE WHAT IS GOING TO GO ON WITH THAT, THEY BOTH HAD DOWNS. THEY ARE ALWAYS RELUCTANT TO TALK TO ME ABOUT THAT. A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH CORPORATE CONTRACTS. WE ARE JUST NOT PRIVY TO IT.

LOOKING AT THE PRICING REPORT, WE ARE ON THE 14 DAYS OUT. WE

[00:05:04]

REGULATORY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE. REGULATORY -WISE, THERE'S NOT REALLY A LOT ON THE HORIZON THAT WE HAVEN'T ALREADY TALKED ABOUT. NOTHING PENDING RIGHT NOW. NOTHING HAS GOT AS WORRIED, OR IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING HOW WE DO THINGS. OF COURSE, THE ELECTION COULD HAVE CONSEQUENCES. I THINK FOR THE GOOD, SINCE THE HOUSE REMAINS IN REPUBLICAN CONTROL. AT LEAST THAT IS THE WAY IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW. WE THINK THAT IS GOING TO GET THE FY 25 BUDGET, THIS IS THE NEXT CALENDAR YEAR AFTER THE INAUGURATION. IF IT AT A BIT MIXED RESULTS. THAT IS GOOD NEWS. WE WILL HAVE SOME STABILITY, I HOPE, GOING INTO NEXT YEAR. THE NEW ADMINISTRATION GETS IN PLACE.

HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, LOOKS LIKE THAT NOMINATION WITH THE SOUTH DAKOTA GOVERNMENT. THAT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT. DHS, TSA FALLS UNDER DHS. WE WILL SEE WHAT COMES OUT OF THAT. AS FAR AS D.C. GOES, I THINK THERE IS A MATTER OF SETTLING BACK INTO THE NEW ADMINISTRATION COMING IN. I'M ENCOURAGED THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A BUDGET. SHORTLY INTO THE NEW YEAR. CURRENT PROJECTS. A LOT GOING ON. TERMINAL IMPROVEMENTS, WE HAVE A DESIGN CONCEPT, THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH PARK HILL ON, FOR THE TERMINAL. EXPANSION IMPROVEMENTS. I'M GOING TO SHOW THAT TO YOU NEXT MONTH. IN THE DECEMBER MEETING. WE WILL SPEND A GOOD TIME ON THAT. WE HAVE THE OPINION OF PROBABLE COST YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. IT IS A LITTLE BIT SCARY. WAS NOT EXPECTING THE NUMBERS THAT I SAW. WE HAVE A CALL WITH PARK HILL. ON MONDAY. MONDAY MORNING. WE WILL TRY TO DIGEST SOME OF THAT, AND EVENTUALLY GET THAT TO COUNSEL. COUNSEL RETREAT, TO BE DETERMINED. I DON'T KNOW WHEN THAT DATE IS GOING TO HAPPEN YET. I WANT TO GET IT TO YOU GUYS FIRST, FOR YOUR REVIEW AND COMMENTS. I THINK THE OVERALL DESIGN CONCEPT, WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE.

IT COMES WITH AN IMPRESSIVE PRICE. I WAS VERY PLEASE WITH WHAT I SAW. I HOPE YOU WILL BE PLEASED WITH WHAT I SAW. WE WILL FIGURE OUT THE FUNDING PART OF IT IF WE CAN GET THEM COMMITTED TO THAT DESIGN. AND, THE PHASING OF THAT OVERALL

PROJECT. >> IS THE BROKEN INTO THE

PHASES LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT? >> NOT ONLY JUST A TOTAL, BUT A PACKAGE OF PHASES. WITH THE BOARDING AREA BEING THE FIRST RECOMMENDED, THIS IS WHERE IT IS RIGHT NOW. THE AIRCRAFT RAMP PROJECT, THAT IS THE TINKER MAP. LEGO'S COUNSEL NEXT THURSDAY, THE 21ST. COUNSEL WILL ALSO CONSIDER TAKING OUT THE DEBT FOR THAT. IT WILL IMPROVE. WE HOPE THAT THEY WILL

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THE CONTRACT FOR THAT PROJECT. CAR RENTAL QUICK TURN FACILITY.

WE HAD JUST BEEN SITTING ON IT FOR A LITTLE BIT. ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, RELATED TO THAT. I WANT TO REMOVE THAT FROM THE AGENDA.

FOR CONSIDERATION. THAT FEE IS ACTUALLY BELOW THE THRESHOLD TO GO TO COUNSEL. WE CAN DISCUSS IT. THIS IS THE DESIGN WITH JACOB MARTIN. IT DOES NOT HAVE TO HAVE YOUR APPROVAL. YOU CAN DISCUSS IT. OUTSTANDING MAINTENANCE, AND REPAIRS, WE ARE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE. THERE IS REALLY NOTHING THAT IS BEING ADDRESSED. WE HAVE FISCAL YEAR MONEY NOW, SO WE CAN TAKE CARE -- OF SOME OF THOSE THINGS. LIGHT BULBS FOR THE AIRFIELD.

THEY ARE EXPENSIVE. ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE RUN THROUGH ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. WE ARE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE. WE HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH SEAN IN FACT. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS MANAGER, MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR, I TALKED ABOUT SNOW AND ICE. WE ARE GETTING TO THAT SEASON. LASHER, WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING IN A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT. WE HAD SNOW MELT MATERIALS. PERSONAL EFFORT. YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET THIS YEAR. WE ARE PREPARED. WE HAVE THREE YEARS WORTH OF STOCK PILE ON HAND. I'M NOT LINKS -- SAYING LET IT SNOW, BUT WHEN IT DOES, WE WANT TO DO THAT AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

OPERATIONS EVENTS, WE HAVE HAD THEIR STRING ATTACK LAST MONTH.

ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO. BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND AGAIN LIKE IT WAS THE FIRST WEEKEND THAT THEY HELD IT IN 21. DECENT TURNOUT FROM THE PUBLIC. AGAIN, THAT IS NOT THEIR FOCUS. I THINK THEY HAD A RECORD YEAR. AS FAR AS THEIR TEAMS GO, AND SPONSORSHIPS. THE PAST TWO YEARS, THEY HAVE HAD TWO TO FOUR MOTORCYCLES RACING. THIS YEAR, I BELIEVE THEY HAD 20. A LOT OF CARS. THERE'S ENOUGH OF THAT. THE OLD RUNWAY WHERE THOSE TEAMS ARE SET UP, IT IS JUST AMAZING. MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF THAT OUT THERE. IT IS REALLY COOL. THEY WERE VERY HAPPY WITH THE EVENT. RESTAURANTS AND VENDING SERVICES, WE HAVE THE CHICK-FIL-A OPEN NOW. THEY HAVE BEEN OPEN FOR THREE WEEKS I THINK. SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I THINK THEY HAVE BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY THE PUBLIC AND THE TENANTS. I HAVE EVEN MORE CHICK-FIL-A IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS THAN I HAVE EATEN IN THE LAST 10 YEARS. NOT A GOOD THING FOR ME. WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE VENDING MACHINES. HAS OUT THERE. USE AGREEMENT WITH US FOR VENDING AND HEART OF THAT AGREEMENT. HE IS INSTALLING, AS WE SPEAK, GETTING INTO SERVICE IN THE VENDING MACHINE CONCEPT. AND IN THE BOARDING AREA, THAT HAS BEEN MORE OF A SOMEWHAT AN HONOR SYSTEM. YOU HAVE OPEN ACCESS TO THE ITEMS IN THE MACHINE. THEN YOU SCAN THOSE ITEMS TO PAY. KIND OF SIMILAR THINGS IN SOME LARGER AIRPORTS. SOME UNATTENDED. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE MORE RELIABLE. A LOT MORE OF WHAT YOU HAVE ON THE VENDING MACHINES, THE PROBLEMS ARE IN THIS DISPENSING -- DISPENSING OF THE ITEMS. JUST A SCAM, AND THEN YOU READ THE CARD. I HAVEN'T SEEN IT YET, PERSONALLY, HE DID NOT WANT TO

[00:15:02]

STANDARD VENDING ITEMS, I DON'T THINK HE HAS REALLY CHANGED THE ASSORTMENT OF ITEMS. DRASTICALLY. MAYBE SOME FRESH ITEMS. IT IS A REFRIGERATED COOL OR SECTION.

FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND. WHEN I GO LOOK AT IT IN THE MORNING, I WILL TAKE A PICTURE AND SEND IT TO YOU. I'M EAGER TO SEE IT TOO. I'M EAGER FROM WHAT HE SAID A WHILE BACK. WHAT HE

LOOKED LIKE. >> HOW HAS THE COFFEE VENDOR?

>> COFFEE VENDOR IS NO LONGER VENDING COFFEE. THAT WORKED OKAY FOR A FEW WEEKS. THEN I KIND OF PETERED OUT. WE ARE LOOKING AT WAYS FOR US TO DO THAT. WE HAVE HAD SUCH BAD LUCK WITH COFFEE VENDING MACHINES, I JUST DON'T KNOW IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AN OPTION FOR THAT. WE ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR WAYS TO DO THAT. THE MOST SUCCESSFUL THING THAT WE DID, WITH THE CURING MACHINE THAT WAS OVER THERE, PROVIDING THE K CUPS, WE WERE DOING THAT FOR FREE. JOSH IS CONSIDERING DOING SOMETHING SIMILAR. TO DO THAT. WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND A SPONSOR FOR COFFEE, THAT CAN COVER ABOUT $400 PER MONTH.

THAT IS WHAT IT IS COSTING US THE LAST YEAR THAT WE PUT IT THE K CUPS OUT FOR FREE. WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A SPONSOR FOR THAT. HAVEN'T HAD ANY SUCCESS YET. WE CAN'T ABSORB $400 PER MONTH IN FREE COFFEE AT THIS POINT.

>> HAVE YOU TALKED TO H-E-B? >> AGAIN, WE HAVE NOT. THEY WERE ON OUR LIST. JUST A MANNER OF GETTING TO THAT.

>> MAY MORE -- WAY MORE OF THE OFFICES IN ABILENE.

>> THAT IS HOW IT STARTED WITH THESE COFFEE PLACES. I THINK THE HESITATION WAS THEY CAN'T CONTROL THE QUALITY. UNLESS THEY COME OUT AND MAKE THAT COFFEE EVERY DAY, USING THEIR FILTERED WATER AND SUCH, YOU ARE GOING TO GET A DIFFERENT TASTING PRODUCT THAT IS OUR STAFF MAKING IT EVERY EVENING, OR BEFORE WE OPEN THE GATE AREA. I UNDERSTAND WHERE THEY ARE COMING FROM, NOT WANTING TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING LIKE THAT UNLESS THEY WERE MAKING IT READ WITHIN THEIR CONTROL.

MAYBE SOMEBODY LIKE ONE OF THE OTHER STORES IN TOWN, WOULD BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY. JUST ON THE COMPANY THAT WOULD PUT THEIR NAME ABOVE THE COFFEE MAKER. AIRPORT TENANT ISSUES AND PERFORMANCE, GOING WELL. I HAVEN'T HEARD ANY COMPLAINTS FROM THE TENANTS. I DON'T HAVE ANY COMPLAINTS ON ANYTHING.

SURELY IT IS GOING WELL. THAT IS IN DESIGN. I THINK WE PROBABLY HAVE A DESIGN COMPLETED BY THE END OF JANUARY. EARLY PART OF FEBRUARY. THE READY TO GET AROUND THAT TIME. EXCITED ABOUT THAT. SERVICE AND BUSINESS

UPDATE. >> ELIZABETH, AT THE TEXAS MIDWEST COMMUNITIES NETWORK. THE CONFERENCE TODAY. SHE GAVE ME THE REPORT THAT SHE HAS ENTRUSTED ME TO MAKE FOR HER.

AND, SHE AND I WENT TO GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN LAST MONTH, FOR THE TAKEOFF AIR SERVICE CONFERENCE. WE HAD FIVE MEETINGS. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE FIVE MEETINGS. WE ALWAYS TRY TO MEET WITH OUR INCUMBENT. WE HAVE PROSPECTIVE AIRLINES. THE MOOD THERE, WAS MUCH MORE UP THAN IT HAS BEEN IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS. THEY HAVE REALLY RESULT OF THE PILOT SHORTAGE. FOR THE REGIONAL JETS, THE REGIONAL

[00:20:06]

]. ABILENE CORRAL. JUST FOR THAT MESSAGE. WEBSITE DEVELOPED, EXPLORING NEW DIGITAL STRATEGIES FOR OUR WEBSITE, TO IMPROVE USER EXPERIENCE AND FUNCTIONALITY.

WITH PARTICULAR FOCUS ON SHOWCASING THE UNITED SERVICES.

THIS IS FROM THE UNITED EDGE. SOCIAL MEDIA, THE ENGAGEMENT HAS GROWN WITH POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM FOLLOWERS AND POSTS AND CAMPAIGNS. ELIZABETH, REALLY HAS STEP THAT UP. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU FOLLOW US ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS.

PROBABLY NOTICED THE INCREASE IN THE PRESENCE THAT SHE HAS CREATED. SHE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB WITH THAT. SPONSORSHIPS, ACTIVELY PURSUED LOCAL CO-OP MARKETING EFFORTS AND SPONSORSHIPS, AND EVENTS, WHERE SHE IS AT TODAY. TO INCREASE VISIBILITY, BUT TO REINFORCE OUR COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY. THIS IS IT FROM THE MARKETING SIDE. AIR SERVICE ISSUES, REALLY NOTHING ON THAT. OUR SCHEDULE, REMAINS VERY STABLE, AND OUR DISCUSSION WITH AMERICAN FOCUS ON THAT. THEY ARE SATISFIED. I CAN EVEN SAY HAPPY WITH ABILENE'S PERFORMANCE, AT FIVE DEPARTURES A DAY ON AVERAGE. EXCEPT FOR TUESDAYS AND SATURDAYS. LOOKING FARTHER INTO THE FUTURE AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR. WE DO NOT SEE THAT REDUCTION IN FIVE PER DAY. TYPICALLY, WE DON'T SEE THAT IN THE SCHEDULE. WE ARE HAPPY ABOUT THAT. LAND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES, REALLY NOTHING HAPPENING. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. REALLY, NOTHING FOR US TO GO ON THAT. WE ARE ALMOST FULLY STAFFED. WE HAVE A VACANCY COMING UP IN THE NEAR POINT OPERATIONS. I WILL THROW IT BACK TO THE EARLIER REFERENCE. NOW ON BOARD WITH US AS THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR. HAS BEEN WITH US THREE WEEKS NOW.

>> OKAY. I HAVE ONLY BEEN HERE PART OF THAT. I DON'T THINK I HAVE HAD A FULL WEEK IN TOWN, SINCE HE STARTED. CAN YOU COME UP TO THE MIC AND INTRODUCE YOURSELF? TELL THE BOARD A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW YOU GOT HERE. WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN. YES.

>> LET'S SEE. HOW DID I GET HERE. LOCAL KID. MY MOM AND DAD ACTUALLY WENT TO SCHOOL HERE. MY BROTHER AND SISTER WENT TO SCHOOL HERE. I WAS THE LUCKY ONE THAT GOT TO GO TO SWEETWATER, AND WATCH THEM PLAY IN THOSE DAYS. IF ANYONE REMEMBERS THAT, I CAME IN AND LOVED IT. FROM THAT POINT ON, I STAYED THERE FOR FIVE YEARS. I GOT TO HOUSTON. FOR 13.5 YEARS.

I WAS MANAGER OF OPERATIONS. WENT TO TULSA FOR IN OPERATIONS. THIS IS A MANAGER OF HOBBIES. KIND OF GOT THAT WHOLE REALM OF OPERATIONS AND SECURITY MANAGEMENT. ALL OF THAT FUN STUFF. DOING SOME WORK IN SAN ANTONIO. THIS IS BEFORE

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IT IS GOING TO TAKE A WHILE. THERE'S A LOT GOING ON. I'M

GLAD TO BE HERE. >> WELCOME ABOARD.

[4. Committee Reports and Appoint Chairs]

>> THANK YOU. >> OKAY, COMMITTEE REPORTS,

FACILITIES AND PLANNING. >> THERE WAS A MARKETING

MEETING. >> SURE. THIS IS NOT WHAT IS TO BE SAID. TAKE A CONFERENCE, THIS IS FROM THE TAKEOFF CONFERENCE. THIS INCLUDES THE AIR REPORTS. WE HAVE PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS, WITH MULTIPLE AIRLINE REPS. WE HAVE POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM THE POTENTIAL PARTNERS. THIS IS EXPANDING THE SERVICE IN THE FUTURE. SECOND ITEM, WAS THE ANNUAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REPORT, AND WE DISCUSSED THE PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION OF ANNUAL BUSINESS DEVELOPER REPORT, TO THE D.C.

AWAY. REPORT OUTLINES, KEEP THE GROSS ACHIEVEMENTS. THIS IS OUR SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS. INCLUDING THE STRONG SUPPORT.

CONTINUED GROWTH, AND REPORT FINDINGS, WILL INCLUDE FUTURE MARKETING AND DEVELOPMENT GOALS. LIKE YOU SAID, EXPLORING THE DIGITAL AD STRATEGIES, THE COMMUNITY -- COMMITTEE IS LOOKING AT THE ABIS REACH AND ENGAGEMENTS. WE HAVE THE TARGETED CAMPAIGNS TO INCREASE AWARENESS. AND PROMOTE PASSENGER EMPLOYMENTS. ASSESSING OPTIONS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA ADS. RETARGETING CAMPAIGNS AND PARTNERSHIPS, WITH LOCAL INFLUENCERS, TO MAXIMIZE EFFECTIVENESS. THOSE OF THE KEY ITEMS THAT WE WERE DISCUSSING. ANYTHING AFTER

THAT? >> ANYTHING TO THE TAKEOFF CONFERENCE. CONFERENCES IN GENERAL, YOU HAVE THE PROCESSIONS AND SUCH. THEY ARE SOMEWHAT INFORMATIVE. THIS CONFERENCE IS DIFFERENT. YOU ARE MEETING WITH AIRLINES FACE-TO-FACE. IT IS HARD TO GET DURING THE REST OF THE YEAR. IF YOU ARE ACTUALLY MEETING WITH NETWORK PLANNERS, WITH AIRLINES, THAT IS IMPORTANT. EVERY CONFERENCE, HAS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR NETWORKING WITH PEERS, BUT ALSO WITH VENDORS AND CONSULTANTS. THIS ONE WAS JUST EXCEPTIONALLY PRODUCTIVE FOR US. WE MET WITH A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT COMPANIES THAT WE MAY BE DOING BUSINESS WITH IN THE FUTURE. ONE IN PARTICULAR, IS A MARKETING FIRM THAT HAS A LOT OF DIGITAL MARKETING FOR AIRPORTS. THIS IS THE FIRST COMPANY OF THAT TYPE I HAVE RUN ACROSS. THEY WERE ACTUALLY DOING A SESSION. WHEN THE COMPANY WAS LOOKING AT THE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING. ACTUALLY LEADING THE SESSION THAT WE ARE NO RECEIVING IN. LOOKING NOW AT WHAT SHE WAS SAYING. PARTICULARLY, WHEN IT CAME TO MEASURING PERFORMANCE OF MARKETING. THIS IS ALWAYS HARD, IN MOST PLACES, WHATEVER YOU ARE TRYING TO DO. MEASURING THAT AGAINST YOUR MARKETING EFFORTS. DID IT HAPPEN ORGANICALLY? DID IT HAPPEN BECAUSE OF OTHER FORCES? DID IT HAPPEN BECAUSE YOU ARE ENGAGING POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS? THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT TAKE ON THAT. WE ARE BRINGING THEM ON BOARD FROM THE FIRST OF THE YEAR. ELIZABETH AND I ARE GOING TO SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT WHAT WE WANT FROM SUCH A CONTRACT. AND, WORK TO THAT PROCESS. WE MIGHT BE BRINGING THAT TO YOU GUYS AT THE FIRST OF THE YEAR, TO SEE IF THIS IS SOMEBODY THAT WE WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH. AGAIN, IT IS VERY PRODUCTIVE. I

[00:30:04]

[5. Discussion and Action to Approve a Recommendation to City Council to Reassign all Abilene Aero Leases]

>> ALL RIGHT, ITEM SIX, DISCUSSING ACTION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL, TO REASSIGN ALL ABILENE AERO RELEASES.

>> JUST FOR QUICK VERIFICATION, ITEM FIVE.

>> YES. YOU DID. >> I KNEW IT WAS FIVE.

>> JOE CRAWFORD, HAS DECIDED TO HANG HIS OF TO SOME DEGREE. HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR A COMPANY TO TAKE ON ABILENE AERO. I THINK HE HAS FOUND THAT WITH FREEMAN HOLDINGS. THEY APPROACHED ME A FEW WEEKS AGO ABOUT THIS. CAME OVER AND MET WITH ME. TALKED ABOUT THEM. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING THAT YOU WANT TO COME SAY? IT IS ESSENTIALLY THAT THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE WITH THEM.

STILL IN THE WORKS, I BELIEVE. STILL WAITING TO HAVE THEM.

>> WE HAVE FILLED INTO AN AGREEMENT. I WILL LET THEM KIND OF TELL ABOUT THE COMPANY. I HAVE BEEN THERE 36 YEARS.

ABILENE AERO, 56 YEARS. IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO SELL TO A COMPANY THAT WOULD KEEP THE LEGACY GOING, IMPROVE WHAT WE HAVE DONE AT THE AIRPORT, AND REALLY TAKE CARE OF OUR BORDERS. THAT WAS THE BIGGEST THING THAT I WANTED. WE JUST FELT LIKE HE WAS THE RIGHT GROUP TO PUT IT TOGETHER.

FATHER AND SON ORGANIZATION. OUR EMPLOYEES. WE PLAN TO CLOSE AROUND THE 15TH OF JANUARY. OUR EMPLOYEES ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. EXCEPT FOR ME BEING GONE. THESE PEOPLE LET THEIR PEOPLE RUN. STILL, THEY BOTH ARE PATIENT. WE FEEL LIKE IT IS A REALLY GOOD DEAL. I HAVE ONE THAT I FOUND OUT OVER THE WEEKEND. I HAVE ONE MORE ON THE WAY. WE WILL SPEND SOME TIME WITH GRANDKIDS. WE WILL DO SOME OTHER STUFF. ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT EARLIER THAN I WANTED TO HAPPEN. IT TOOK SOME TIME TO DO IT. WE PRESENTED TO THE AIRPORT BOARD A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. I WILL LET YOU TELL PLANS. I DO WANT TO SAY FROM THAT RELATIONSHIP, BOTH IN LUBBOCK, TEXAS AND IN ABILENE, IT HAS BEEN GREAT. THE AIRPORT BOARD HAS BEEN GREAT. THAT IS NOT TYPICAL ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

BETWEEN AIRPORT DIRECTORS, YOU HAVE A GREAT ONE RIGHT HERE.

>> THANK YOU, JOE. I CAN ATTEST TO THE FACT THAT THESE RELATIONSHIPS AT THESE AIRPORTS ARE NOT ALWAYS WHAT THEY ARE HERE. THIS IS A GREAT ONE. VIDEO CALL TODAY. GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE. WE GET APPROACHED OF BY OMAK -- BUY A LOT OF THESE ON US. NOT ALWAYS IS THE FIT GOOD FOR US. COMMUNITIES, AIRPORT LEADERSHIP, EVERYBODY HAS A DIFFERENT WAY TO DO THINGS. PROBABLY SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS NOW, I WOULD STOP IN. WE WOULD GO TO VARIOUS PLACES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. YOU ALWAYS JUST RUN A GREAT FBO. TEAM IS REALLY GOOD. TEAM WAS PROFESSIONAL AND RAN IT WELL. IF YOU GET TO THAT POINT, I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO CALL ME. WE HAVE SIGNED AN AGREEMENT. WE ARE SHOOTING FOR CLOSING IN JANUARY. FAMILY OWNED, PRIVATELY OWNED COMPANY. WE DON'T HAVE PARTNERS, EQUITY FIRMS, WE RUN IT OURSELVES. SECOND-GENERATION, 20+ YEARS.

MY FATHER STARTED WITH THE FIRST FBO IN KANSAS CITY. THREE BUCKETS THAT WE INVEST IN AS A FAMILY. AVIATION WITH THE LARGEST HOLDINGS. WE HAVE THE LARGEST STATE, COMMERCIAL, AND RESIDENTIAL. THIS IS BY FAR MY SORT OF BIGGEST PASSION. I GOT

[00:35:02]

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT. WE ARE THE LARGEST LICENSEE IN THE MILLIONAIRE NETWORK. THOSE THAT ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE BRAND. WE OPERATE MILLIONAIRE, FREEMAN JET CENTER, PCI ARE A COUPLE OF LOCATIONS THAT WE HAVE OUT IN THE JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT. BUSY AIRPORT OBVIOUSLY. THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION, WE ARE GOING TO OPERATE UNDER THE FREE JET CENTER. IT JUST FITS THAT BRAND A LITTLE BIT BETTER. WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. WE ARE THE LARGEST PRIVATELY HELD FBO NETWORK. FAMILIAR WITH OUR SPACE, THERE IS SOME EQUITY BACKED AND PUBLICLY TRADED COMPANIES, THAT ARE SIGNATURE IN ATLANTIC FOR EXAMPLE. THOSE GUYS ARE ENORMOUS. I DON'T THINK I EVER WANT TO BE THAT.

I'M INVOLVED IN THIS EVERY DAY. I BREATHE IT, NEED IT, AND SLEEP IT. IT IS FUN STILL. 24 LOCATIONS, IF YOU HAVE 100, I DON'T KNOW WHY IT IS FUN ANYMORE. THEY ARE IN FOR A DIFFERENT GAME. MILITARY, IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THAT, PRIME CONTRACTOR FOR 35 YEARS. WE UNDERSTAND THE BUSINESS VERY WELL. OUT OF OUR 22 LOCATIONS, NONE OF THEM HOLD THE CONTRACT.

THIS IS IMPORTANT TO THE TRAINING COMMUNITY. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF LOCATIONS. REALLY, WE STARTED OUR FIRST SEVEN OR EIGHT. THIS IS PART OF THE FOCUS LOCATIONS. WE GOT TO A POINT WHERE WE HAVE TAKEN DOWN ALL THE BIG ONES. WE GOT INTO TRADITIONAL AVIATION AIRLINES, AND SO FORTH. WE ARE FAMILY OR WITH THE SCHEDULE AIRLINES. WE HANDLE THOSE IN FIVE OF OUR SIX LOCATIONS. WIESE UNDERSTANDS THAT BUSINESS AND THE TANKER BASIS. WE HAVE THREE LOCATIONS THAT HAVE FIRE TANKER LOCATIONS AT THEM. WE KIND OF GOT SPREAD AROUND. WE UNDERSTAND THAT BUSINESS AS WELL. AS JOE SAID, HIS TEAM IS REALLY GOOD. OUT IN LUBBOCK IS GREAT. WE HAVE NO DESIRE TO RE-CREATE THIS REAL.

WHAT I THINK WE DO BRING, IS A LARGER NETWORK. WE CAN BRING BY A LITTLE BIT MORE EFFICIENCY. WE HAVE A BETTER REACH AS FAR AS MARKETING GOES. BACKGROUND, I'M CONFIDENT WE CAN BRING THAT BUSINESS DOWN AS WELL. WE ARE NOT CHANGING ANYTHING. WE ENHANCE IT. I HOPE YOU GUYS SEE THAT OVER TIME. WE WILL DRIVE MORE TRAFFIC AS WELL. WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT. I'M REALLY HAPPY ABOUT THE TEAM THAT WE HAVE GOT HERE IN LUBBOCK. I'M EXCITED ABOUT WORKING WITH DON. HE HAS BEEN ARKANSAS GUY. HE'S A BIG ARKANSAS GUY. EXCITED ABOUT IT. EXCITED ABOUT QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE, IF YOU HAVE ANY. COMPANY PROFILE, GIVES YOU BACKGROUND ON EACH LOCATION. A LOT OF THE GM'S AND RETIRED MILITARY, YOU WILL SEE THAT. WE HAVE FOUND THAT IT BRINGS A AN INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE. THEY ARE REAL RELIABLE. FORMER MILITARY, EAST COAST VP IS MILITARY. TWO STAR ARMY GENERAL, WE BELIEVE IN THE RETIRED MILITARY PIECE OF IT.

BACKGROUND ON THE GM'S. >> THANK YOU. I HAVE A MILLIONAIRE SHIRT. I AM FAMILIAR WITH THE FAMILIAR NAIR

-- MILLIONAIRE COMPANY. >> WILL HAVE THE SAME AMENITIES. WE OPERATE THE SAME WAY. VERY LITTLE DIFFERENCE FROM A CUSTOMER'S PERSPECTIVE.

>> WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THE LOCAL BE?

>> FREEMAN JETSON. >> WE HAVE FIVE OR SIX FREEMAN

CENTER JETS, OUT OF THIS. >> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU GUYS.

>> ALL RIGHT, CAN I GET A MOTION TO REASSIGN ALL THE ABILENE AERO LEASES? HAVE THE RECOMMENDATION GO TO CITY

COUNCIL? ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

[6. Discussion, Action and Public Comment to Approve a Recommendation to City Council to Approve the FAA Title VI Plan and the Community Participation Plan]

[00:40:06]

>> OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. NOW, ON TO ITEM SIX.

DISCUSSION, ACTION, PUBLIC COMMENT TO IMPROVE RECOMMENDATION OF CITY COUNCIL TO RECRUIT FAA TITLE SIX. PLAN AND COMMUNITY PARTNER FOR PARTICIPATION PLANS.

>> I'M GOING TO ASK THE RESIDENT EXPERT, TO COME UP AND SPEAK. ALEX HAS BEEN THE ONE THAT HAS PREPARED THIS FOR US.

I'M PROUD OF THE WORK THAT HE HAS DONE ON THIS. HE HAS PROBABLY BEEN READY TO SEE IT.

>> WITHOUT ANY QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO STOP READ TITLE VI PLAN. THEY ARE GOING TO BE SUBMITTING OR PLANNING TO SUBMIT. IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH TITLE VI, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, TITLE VI OF THE NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS IMPLEMENTATION OF 1964. THIS INCLUDES EVERYTHING. THESE ARE BOTH THE TITLE VI PLAN, AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PLAN.

THESE ARE REQUIRED FOR THE FEDERAL GRANTS. THIS IS THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE GRANTS. WE NEED TO LOOK AT IT ANNUALLY.

THE PLAN REALLY BEATS PUTTING IN PLACE. RELATED TO TITLE VI ISSUES. OR CONCERNS. IT ALSO INCLUDES LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY. LOOKING AT THE REQUIREMENTS, WE EXCEEDED FOR THE 1000 PEOPLE ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS. SPEAK SPANISH, DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH VERY WELL. WE WILL HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS.

WE WILL HAVE FREE TRANSLATION. THIS IS INTO OUR COMMUNICATIONS A LITTLE BIT MORE. IT ALSO LOOKS AT THE COMMUNITY IMPACT WITH THE AIRPORT. TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT CALLING OR CAUSING TROUBLE. INCREASING THE POVERTY RIGHT. WE WERE ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT WE ARE USING BOTH TEXAS AND THE COUNTY, REFER TO DIFFERENT Z.I.P. CODES. THIS IS REQUIRING US TO ASK FOR VOLUNTARY ETHICS, FOR DOING BIDS AND PROPOSALS AND STUFF. WE HAVE POSITIONS IN CITY COUNCILS. WE VOLUNTARILY LOOK AT THOSE THINGS. IF WE WANT TO. THIS IS THE ASPECT OF THOSE. I DID TALK ABOUT THE LIMITED EFFICIENCY. THERE ARE SOME TRAINING ASPECTS. THIS IS BASICALLY PEOPLE THAT ARE STAKEHOLDERS IN THE AIRPORT. CONTRACTS HAVE TO HAVE THE REQUIRED ONES. INCLUDING SUBCONTRACTS. NO DISCRIMINATING. IT IS CLEAR. IT IS A REQUIREMENT. RANDOMLY SELECTING ONE CONTRACT PER YEAR. TO MAKE SURE THIS IS IN PLACE. THIS ALSO LOOKS AT ANY INFECTED COMMUNITIES THAT ARE AFFECTED BY THE AIRPORT. IN ANY OTHER WAY, THIS INCLUDES TALKS WITH STAKEHOLDERS. DOING REPORTS ON ANY SUGGESTIONS.

THIS IS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. WHICH IS BASICALLY JUST A NARRATIVE. WE WERE DOING THE CALCULATIONS, AND USING THE CENSUS INFORMATION. WE DIDN' FIND ANY NEGATIVE EFFECTS, BASED ON FINAL ASPECT OF THAT REPORT. INCLUDING TAYLOR COUNTY AS A WHOLE. THIS IS ON MY SIDE.

>> THIS IS ALL IN THOSE PACKETS.

>> A LOT OF WORK THAT YOU DID.

>> IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER

THEM. IN THE FUTURE, -- >> I THINK WE ARE GOOD WITH MOVING IT FORWARD. CAN I PUT A MOTION FOR TITLE VI COUNSEL?

ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

[7. Discussion and Action to Approve a Recommendation to City Council to Approve a task order with Jacob Martin to complete design of the Car Rental Quick Turn Around Facility.]

[00:45:03]

>> OPPOSED? CARRIES. >> SEVEN, WE DON'T HAVE TO PUSH IT FORWARD TO COUNSEL. WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE QUICK TURN

FACILITY. >> WHEN WE BEGIN THE DESIGN OF THE QUICK TURNAROUND FACILITIES, YOU CAN RUN THE PORT. WE WERE UNDER CONTRACT. WE HAVE THE CONTRACT. TEST SCORE TO DO THIS WORK. THEY SUBBED THAT OUT TO JACOB MARTIN. JACOB MARTIN, TOOK THE LEAD ON. GOT US TO THE CONCEPTUAL PARTS. REALLY, WE ARE PROBABLY ABOUT 60 TO 55% DESIGN RIGHT NOW. THIS IS WITH THAT. CARRYING OVER FROM THE OREGON CONTRACT. IN ORDER TO FINISH THAT UP, WE DID CANCEL THE OREGON CONTRACT EARLIER THIS YEAR. AND I ASKED JACOB MARTIN, TO GIVE ME A FEE PROPOSAL, TO FINISH UP THE DESIGN. WHEN I HAD THIS ON HERE, I WASN'T CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THAT FEE PROPOSAL WAS. IT IS ESTIMATED RIGHT NOW AT $15,000. ANYTHING 50,000, OVER 50,000, GOES TO COUNSEL. THIS IS EVEN WITHIN MY OWN SIGNATURE AUTHORITY TO IMPROVE THE CONTRACT. WE DON'T NEED COUNCIL APPROVAL ON THAT. WE ARE JUST HERE FOR DISCUSSION. I'M PROUD TO HAVE THE LOCAL FIRM DOING THIS WORKER -- WORK FOR US. GOOD JOB WITH THE MULTITUDE OF OPINIONS FROM CAR-RENTAL COMPANIES. WE HOPE TO FINISH THAT OUT. AGAIN, PUT THAT ON THE SHELF FOR A LITTLE BIT. WHILE WE FINISH COLLECTING THE FUNDS THROUGH THE FACILITY

[8. Discussion and Action to Approve a Recommendation to City Council to Approve the sale of Lindbergh's ABI, LLC and Lease Reassignment. (Part 1 of 2)]

CHARGE FOR THAT. AWESOME. >> THANK YOU. ITEM EIGHT, DISCUSSION ACTION TO IMPROVE RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE SALE OF LINDBERGH ABI LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATION AND LEASE REASSIGNMENT.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SKIP THIS, GO TO NINE, AND GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, TO DISCUSS ITEM EIGHT. WE WILL COME BACK

[9. Discussion and Action to Approve a Recommendation to City Council Lease Hangar 1 to Abilene Aero.]

AND VOTE ON THAT ITEM. >> LET'S ROLL INTO ITEM NINE, TO PUSH FORWARD TO CITY COUNCIL LEE'S HANGER ONE TO ABILENE

AERO. >> HANGER ONE ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE, HAVE BEEN RELEASED -- LEASED BY ABILENE AERO, SINCE 2009. THAT LEASE IS CURRENTLY IN HOLDOVER. JOE AND I DISCUSSED THIS A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. THEY WANT TO CONTINUE THAT LEASE. IT WILL ALSO BE REASSIGNED AS PART OF THAT ASSIGNMENT. THE COUNTY WILL COME THROUGH A WILD BILL.

WE WOULD GO WITH THE SAME TERM. THIS WILL BE A NEW LEASE. IT WILL BE A 10 YEAR PRIMARY TERM. ANOTHER FIVE-YEAR OPTION AFTER THAT. THAT FIRST YEAR, $31,464.59 READ THAT IS AN INCREASE OF 60% OF THE CURRENT LEASE. IN THE RENT ADJUSTMENT, BUILT INTO THAT LEASE. CPI U. ADJUSTMENT EVERY THREE YEARS.

THE CUMULATIVE CPI ADJUSTMENT. ANY QUESTIONS? CAN I GET A MOTION? FOR HANGER ONE LEASE ASSIGNMENT TO GO TO ABILENE

AERO? >> SECOND.

>> ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

[EXECUTIVE SESSION]

>> OPPOSED? PASSES. ALL RIGHT. LOOKS LIKE WE ARE READY TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. PURSUANT CODE 551. BODY MAY CONDUCT CLOSED MEETING. GO INTO EXECUTIVE

[8. Discussion and Action to Approve a Recommendation to City Council to Approve the sale of Lindbergh's ABI, LLC and Lease Reassignment. (Part 2 of 2)]

>> ALL RIGHT, RETURNING FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 4:59.

LIMITING THE APPROVAL FOR ABI LEASE REASSIGNMENT. CAN I GET A

MOTION TO TABLE THIS? >> I MOVE THAT WE TABLE IT. AND

WAIT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. >> NANCY, STEVE? MOTION TABLED.

[00:50:05]

>> AND A VOTE. >> AYE.

>> OPPOSED? MOTION IS TAKEN. >> THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. HAVING ENDED THE AGENDA, AT 5:00, CAN I GET A MOTION TO ADJOURN?

>> SO MOVED. >> ALL IN FAVOR?

>> AYE.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.