PROCEEDINGS OF THE AIRPORT DISTRICT, PARISH OF BEAUREGARD, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT REGULAR MEETING APRIL 6, 2006.
The Beauregard Parish Airport District met in Regular Session on Thursday, April 6, 2006 at 5:00 P.M. The following board members were present: Hollis Ray O’Neal, Chairman; Elton Pickering, Secretary/Treasurer; Hugh DuBose, Karl St. Romain, Wayne Hall, and Eugene Loftin. Absent: R.M. Simmons. Also present John B. Jones, Airport Manager; Tim Cooper, Forestry Consultant; Lee Lancon, Lancon Engineers, Inc. and Bucky Nugent, Fire Protection District 4.
Mr. O’Neal called the meeting to order and asked Mr. St. Romain to give the invocation. He then welcomed all those present to the April meeting of the Airport Board of Commissioners.
Mr. O’Neal asked if there were any amendments to the agenda. Mr. Jones requested that the agenda be amended to include Budget Amendment 1 to the 2006 budget. Mr. O’Neal asked if there were any other amendments. There were none. Mr. Hall made a motion to approve the amended budget. The motion was seconded by Mr. DuBose and unanimously approved. The Budget Amendment was added as Item 4.5.
Mr. O’Neal then asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes. There were none. A motion was then made by Mr. Pickering and seconded by Mr. St. Romain to approve the minutes of the March 2, 2006 meeting as written and mailed. The motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. O’Neal then asked Mr. Jones to address the requested amendment to the budget. Mr. Jones told the board that the amended budget would have only a small change for the “Bottom Line” figure of surplus funds to be carried over into 2007. However, several internal line items would have substantial changes. These would include the carryover amount from 2005, federal grant receipts, and state grant revenues. Part of the change will be because of the loss of major grant funded projects originally anticipated for 2006. Another change will be damage repairs originating from Hurricane Rita and the possible receipt of funds to offset those repairs. He further explained that since much of this will involve offsetting revenues and expenditures there will be little change in the reserve funds left over at year end. Mr. Jones pointed out that even though the storm had occurred over six (6) months ago no funds had been received from any source. In spite of repeated visits, numerous forms, and numerous phone calls, no funds had been received from our insurer, no payments made by FEMA, and no grant funds approved by the State/FAA. He said that, based on available estimates, it appeared that airport damages would be in the range of $20,000-$22,000. After a brief discussion Mr. Hall made a motion to amend the budget as requested. Mr. DuBose offered the second and the amended budget was unanimously approved.
The next item was to discuss advertising for the 2006 Timber Sale. Mr. O’Neal recognized Mr. Tim Cooper, Forestry Consultant. Mr. Cooper told the board that this was the timber sale discussed earlier in the year and postponed due to the glut of damaged timber after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. He said that prices had improved slightly but he did not expect any further improvement. Therefore, he was recommending the sale at this time. A motion was made by Mr. Pickering and seconded by Mr. DuBose to authorize advertising the timber sale – bid to be opened at the May Meeting. After a short discussion the motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. O’Neal then asked Mr. Jones to address the written request submitted by the Beauregard Country Club. Mr. Jones read a letter sent by the Country Club requesting permission to construct a small pavilion for a scoreboard. Mr. Jones said that in accordance with the terms of the lease, airport board permission was required. There was a very short discussion. A motion was then made by Mr. Hall and seconded by Mr. St. Roman to approve the request. The motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. O’Neal introduced Mr. Bucky Nugent who was representing Fire Protection District #4. Mr. Nugent said that the fire district was in need of an office that would serve the district as their headquarters. The office would require high speed internet service. He was under the impression that the room previously used as the Emergency Response office might be available. Mr. Jones replied that the room was vacant and only being used by the airport to store used electronic equipment. Mr. Jones said that the room was not currently wired for high speed internet. However, there was wiring already to that side of the building and it would be re-routed to go to that office. There was a general discussion among the board members. It was agreed that there could be specific terms drawn up to permit leasing the room to the fire district and protecting the interest of the airport. A motion was made by Mr. Pickering to lease the room for $100 per month if the fire district approved. Mr. St. Roman offered a second and the motion was unanimously approved.
The last item to be discussed was the priority listing for the federal/state projects. Mr. O’Neal recognized Mr. Lee Lancon, Airport Engineer. Mr. Lancon reminded the board that at the last meeting the board had adopted a prioritized list of projects for submittal to the FAA for the CIP (Capital Improvement Plan). He said that shortly after the last meeting Mr. Taylor, LaDOTD, had visited. During discussions with Mr. Taylor it became apparent that a revision to the priority list might be needed. That was because the primary aim of all the projects at this time was for an ILS approach. After the visit by Mr. Taylor there was a conference call held with Mr. Jones, Mr. Lancon, Mr. Slater, and Mr. Taylor. It became apparent during the call that the priorities had to be changed to achieve the desired end result of an ILS approach. Therefore, the priorities had been submitted to the FAA as follows:
Completion of Taxiway A and Mandatory Signage.
Acquisition of additional land for the RPZ for Runway 36 approach
Relocation of ODALS to Runway 18; Install MALSR for Runway 36
Perform A.N.A.P.C. Survey of Runway 18-36
Install an ILS Glideslope for Runway 18-36
Lighting and Guidance Signage for Taxiway A, B, C, D, and E.
Parking Apron for Future Hangars.
Rehabilitation of existing parking apron.
There was a brief discussion after which Mr. Pickering made a motion to adopt the new priority order. The motion was seconded by Mr. Loftin and unanimously adopted.
There being no further business to come before the board a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Pickering and seconded by Mr. Loftin. The motion was unanimously adopted.
Hollis Ray O’Neal, Chairman
Elton Pickering, Secretary/Treasurer