CHESAPEAKE AIRPORT AUTHORITY MINUTES July 13, 2016

The regular meeting of the Chesapeake Airport Authority was held on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at 7:00 p.m., at the Chesapeake Regional Airport, Chesapeake, Virginia.

CALL TO ORDER
Mr. CT Cowling declared a quorum present and called the July 2016 meeting to order at 7:00 p. m.

MINUTES
A motion was made and passed unanimously to accept the minutes from the meeting of May 2016 as previously circulated.  

ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Mr. CT Cowling stated that Mr. Burke Craver put forth a slate of officers for consideration. Mr. CT Cowling asked if there was a motion to accept the slate of officers for nomination as presented? A motion to accept the slate of officers for nomination was made, seconded and accepted. Mr. CT Cowling asked if there were any nominations from the floor? There were no nominations from the floor. A motion was made to close the nominations, seconded and approved unanimously.

INTRODUCTION TO NEW MEMBER
Mr. CT Cowling introduced our newest authority board member, Mr. Wynn Dixon. Mr. Dixon was with Chesapeake Regional Hospital for almost 20 years.

MINUTES

A motion was made and passed unanimously to accept the minutes from the meeting of June 2016 as previously circulated.  

TREASURER’S REPORT
Mr. Don Britt reported that he inspected the financial statements before the meeting and found them in order. A motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the financial reports for June 2016.

INVOICES

Mr. Chris Schrantz reviewed the invoices for the month: Pender & Coward $1,073.25 (RPZ Rwy 5); Dixon Hughes Goodman $2,500.00 (Audit Billing); VSC Fire Security $2,325.00 (Annual Fee); Branscome $40,261.80 (Payroll Request); and Talbert & Bright $6,273.68 (AIP6-18).

Operating Invoices over $1,000 covered by the annual check signing resolution or previously approved and paid in 2016 included: Branscome, LLC $83,115.01 (NTA 6-20 Pay Request 1); Talbert & Bright $39,487.21 (NTA 6-20), $5,690.49 (AIP6-19 Environmental Assessment); Campbell Oil $1,060.00 (Filters); Clerk, City of Chesapeake $105,000 (Property Settlement); and Pender & Coward $10,794.25 (RPZ Rwy 5). A motion was made, seconded and passed to pay the invoices over $1,000 for the June/July 2016.

OLD BUSINESS
TV System
Mr. Chris Schrantz pointed out the new television and smart board that has been installed.

NEW BUSINESS
Presentation and Discussion of the Drone Resolution
Mr. Chris Schrantz stated that the intent is to have a guidance document in place when it comes to drone operations on or from the airport and a guidance document for drone operations if witnessed off the airport in which we have limited enforcement ability. Mr. Schrantz turned the discussion over to our attorney, Anita Poston, Vandeventer Black, LLP. Ms. Poston discussed the drone resolution and the reasons it was developed. Ms. Poston passed out a copy of the resolution after the corrections were made from the comments based upon the initial draft.

Draft 7.13.2016

RESOLUTION

ADOPTING POLICY GOVERNING USE OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS

CHESAPEAKE AIRPORT AUTHORITY

WHEREAS, the Chesapeake Airport Authority (the “Authority”) is a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia which owns and operates the Chesapeake Regional Airport (the “Airport”); and

WHEREAS, the Authority desires to provide for the safe and efficient operations of all aircraft arriving to and departing from the Airport; and

WHEREAS, the Airport is a general aviation reliever class airport, and desires to attract and maintain a corporate customer base, including but not limited to, executive transport aircraft; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Aviation Administration (the “FAA”) issued regulations governing both the routine commercial use of small unmanned aircraft systems, commonly referred to as “drones,” as well as special rules regulating the recreational or hobby use of model aircraft, including drones; and

WHEREAS, these regulations are designed to minimize the risks associated with the use of drones to other aircraft as well as people and property on the ground; and

WHEREAS, the City of Chesapeake adopted an ordinance creating airport safety zones to prevent the creation of obstructions, including “mobile objects,” that have the potential for endangering the lives and property of users of the airports in the City and the property or occupants of land in their vicinity, and which ordinance provides that it is necessary in the interest of public health, safety and general welfare that the creation or establishment of obstructions that are hazards to air navigation be prevented; and

WHEREAS, the Authority intends to seek enforcement of the FAA regulations and the City ordinance applicable to drones to the maximum extent of the law; and

WHEREAS, the Authority recognizes the potential safety hazards and unacceptable risks to aircraft arriving to and departing from the Airport resulting from the use of drones within the airspace at and around the Airport, even when operated in accordance with the FAA’s regulations and the City of Chesapeake ordinance; and

WHEREAS, the Authority also recognizes that allowing the unfettered use of drones at and around the Airport conflicts with the Authority’s desire to attract and retain corporate, charter and owner operated aircraft to the Airport.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Authority hereby adopts the following policy governing the use of drones at and around the Airport:

The Authority prohibits the operation, use and flight of all unmanned aircraft systems, commonly known as drones, on, from and over the property of the Airport, and the Authority discourages the operation, use and flight of all unmanned aircraft systems within two (2) miles of the property of the Airport.

THIS RESOLUTION ADOPTED by the Board of Commissioners of the Chesapeake Airport Authority at a duly called meeting on ____________, 2016.

4831-7129-4004, v.  1

The members discussed the resolution. Mr. Cowling asked if there is a motion to with an amendment that it is two nautical miles of the center of the airport property. A motion was made to adopt the resolution with adoption of the suggested amendment, seconded and passed 7 to 1 with Mr. Brian Miller opposed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
STEERING COMMITTEE – Report Discussion
Mr. Brian Miller stated he is still waiting to hear from members the wishes of the authority based upon his recommendations at past meetings. Mr. CT Cowling stated we need to have a special meeting or work session. Mr. Cowling asked that this meeting be put together as soon as possible. Mr. Miller agreed that a special meeting should be called to discuss the body of the report.

TALBERT & BRIGHT REPORT Submitted by Talbert & Bright
Off-Airport Easement Acquisition/Obstruction Removal EA
Mr. Steve Peterson stated no public comments were given but DEQ recommend that we do rattlesnake and rat survey.

North Terminal Area Apron Phase I & II
Mr. Steve Peterson stated that the contractor has gone back to work and they have put some pipe in the ground.

MANAGER’S REPORT
Mr. Chris Schrantz reported on the following:

            Sustainability Event
Mr. Schrantz discussed a meeting he attended in Richmond concerning sustainability events.

Dry Hydrant
Mr. Schrantz stated the hydrant next to terminal works fine, a couple of other hydrants didn’t perform as well. Mr. Schrantz stated that we will have to modify the dry hydrants to solve the problems.

CHAIRMAN COMMENTS
Mr. CT Cowling gave thanks to the employees and the authority members for everything they do. Welcome Mr. Dixon to the authority.

Mr. Brian Miller stated that he is disappointed about the outcome of the drone vote.

ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

                                                                                    CT Cowling
                                                                                    Chairman

The minutes are summary in nature and are not intended to be an exact transcript of the proceedings. The Authority maintains an audiotape of the meeting.