PROCEEDINGS OF THE AIRPORT DISTRICT, PARISH OF BEAUREGARD, STATE OF LOUISIANA, TAKEN AT SPECIAL MEETING, JANUARY 14, 2003.
The Beauregard Parish Airport District Board met in Special Session on Tuesday, January 14, 2003 at 5:00 P.M. The following board members were present: Hollis Ray O'Neal, Chairman; R.M. Simmons, John Sandlin, Eugene Loftin and Wayne Hall. Those absent were: Karl St. Romain and Elton Pickering. Also present were: John B. Jones, III, Airport Manager; and Tim Cooper, Forestry Consultant.
The meeting was duly convened by Mr. O'Neal, Chairman.
The invocation was given by Mr. Sandlin.
Mr. O'Neal opened the meeting and welcomed all those present.
Mr. O'Neal then asked if there were any amendments to the agenda. Mr. Jones requested the addition of four items to the agenda under Grounds and Maintenance -
C. DBE - Disadvantage Business Enterprise Study regarding taxiway project.
D. Request from Traxentergy Co.
E. Fence Change order
F. Additional Timber Sale
Mr. Sandlin then made a motion to amend the agenda by adding the four items as C, D, E, and F respectively. Mr. Hall offered a second and the motion passed unanimously.
The first item of business was to open the Timber Bids. Mr. O'Neal asked the Airport Forestry Consultant, Mr. Tim Cooper to open the bids. Mr. Cooper opened the bids and read each one to the board. The bids were as follows:
Harralson Tie & Lbr. $ 93,800
Terry Bailey Logging $ 96,500
Fortune Forest Products $113,431
Mr. Cooper then recommended the high bid of $113,431.00 submitted by Fortune Forest Products. Mr. Hall made a motion to accept the high bid as recommended. A second was offered by Mr. Sandlin and the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. O'Neal then recognized Mr. Cooper, to address the board concerning a sale of timber for poles. Mr. Cooper told the board that he had identified a suitable tract of land, which was near the seed orchard and contained about 90 acres. He said he felt this would yield about 1,200 trees suitable for poles. He explained that this would be a thinning on the 90 acres - not a clear cut. After a short discussion Mr. Simmons made a motion to authorize the Airport Manager to advertise for pole bids to be opened at the March 2003 meeting. Mr. Hall seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Mr. O'Neal then asked Mr. Jones to open the discussion on the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise study. Mr. Jones told the board that he had been contacted by Mr. Lancon, Engineering Consultant, and Mr. Saupp, FAA Project Officer. Both had brought up the requirement that any grant project exceeding $250,000 would require a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Study (DBE) and goals established for the project. Since the proposed taxiway project would exceed $250,000 this requirement would have to be met. The cost of the study which is estimated to be approximately $10,000 and is eligible for reimbursement through the grant.
Mr. O'Neal stated that he had also been contacted by Mr. Lancon regarding the study. He further stated that, although he understood the need and requirement for the study, he had strong objections to performing a study until funds were available for reimbursement. He said that even though the study was eligible, reimbursement could not be received by the airport until funds were actually allocated and available. Mr. Jones said that he was in agreement with Mr. O'Neal. He said that the board could go ahead and authorize the study but stipulate that the study could only be done when the reimbursement funds were actually available. After a short discussion Mr. Sandlin made a motion to authorize a study to begin when funds have been allocated and are available for reimbursement. Mr. Simmons seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
The next item was a request from Traxenergy, Inc. to rent a parcel of land from the airport on a short term basis of less than one year. Mr. O'Neal asked Mr. Jones to brief the board on this request. Mr. Jones said that Traxenergy, Inc. had expressed interest in renting 4 acres for a period of six months to a year. The area discussed was on the east side of the Old Airport Road next to the property leased to Mr. Lee Cook.
Traxenergy, Inc. would be collecting old discarded crossties from area railroads. They would bring the ties to the rented property and separate them - good ones would then be sold while unsaleable ties would be ground up and carried to Boise for chip fuel. There was a lengthy discussion regarding rental rates. In addition, all board members shared a concern regarding any environmental issues that might result since the ties contained old creosote. After the discussion a motion was made by Mr. Hall to offer a monthly lease of $500 with an up front, refundable, deposit of $2,000. The deposit would be refunded if the property was left as found at the end of the rental period. If not the deposit would be forfeited. The motion was also conditioned upon proof of approval of DEQ and obtaining any necessary permits from DEQ. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sandlin and passed unanimously.
Mr. O'Neal then advised the board that a change order had been received from the Engineer, Mr. Lancon, regarding the Fence Relocation Project. The change order was to approve a 21 day time extension for completion of the project. No monetary changes were involved. After a short discussion Mr. Sandlin made a motion to approve the change order which was seconded by Mr. Simmons. The motion was unanimously approved.
The last order of business was to consider a request from the Police Jury Public Works Department. Public works would like to use the small triangle of land between the Maintenance Yard and Bennett Timber for a material stockpile location. This would allow stockpiles of materials inside the airfield fence to be moved into the new area. At present there are saleable trees in the small triangle that need to be harvested. A motion to approve sale of the timber and use of the property by the Police Jury was made by Mr. Sandlin and seconded by Mr. Loftin. The motion passed unanimously.
There being no further business a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Loftin and seconded by Mr. Simmons. The motion passed unanimously.
Hollis Ray O'Neil, Chairman
Elton Pickering, Secretary/Treasurer