08 - Appointment of John Strahan as the Airport Manager-Fixed Based OperatorItem No. 8
TO: Mayor, Mayor Pro -Tem & City Council
FROM: Grayson Path, City Manager
SUBJECT: Airport Manager
Appointment of John Paul "Paul" Strahan
City Municipal Code Section 10.04.003
DATE: October 11, 2021
BACKGROUND:
The City of Paris created a new full-time Airport Manager / FBO position following the
announcement of the third -party contractor's retirement this summer of 2021. With the approval
of the City Council, it became the task of the City Manager to seek out and select an appropriate
candidate to fill this position. A copy of the Job Description is found below.
The City Manager worked with Sandy Collard, Human Resource and Civil Service Director, to
serve as an Interview Team. A total of nine individuals applied and all nine were interviewed.
STATUS OF ISSUE:
When implementing this process, I unfortunately did not take note of City Code 10.04.003 as I am
used to City Charter Section 23 with the appointment of Department Heads. As the Airport
Manager / FBO is not a Department Head, I did not bring my selected candidate to the City Council
for approval. But, I recently realized what 10.04.003 states and therefore, after the fact, am
bringing my selection for Airport Manager / FBO to you.
I am pleased to present to you John Paul "Paul" Strahan as my selection for Airport Manager /
FBO. Mr. Strahan was most recently serving as the Airport Operations Supervisor and Interim
Airport Manager of the Shreveport Downtown Airport. He has 22 years of Airport Management
and Operations experience. He has displayed a great depth of knowledge and understanding that
matches the job description. He is currently seeking his Master Degree in Aerospace Management.
I am very impressed with this individual, both in his experience as well as his character. He
possesses the right combination of potential, experience, attitude, energy, professionalism and
civility that I want to see as the leader of our Paris Cox Field Airport. He holds an impressive
array of education and training credentials that have helped prepare him to take on the challenges
of leading the Airport as its new Manager and FBO.
Pursuant to the Paris City Code, Section 10.04.003, "There is hereby created the office of airport
manager. The airport manager shall be appointed by the city manager and approved by the city
council and shall be paid such compensation as is prescribed from time to time by the city council."
A copy of his resume is available upon request.
As was stated, I neglected to bring Mr. Strahan forward to you upon hiring him. I did make the
City Council aware of my selection of Mr. Strahan and have introduced him to several on the City
Council thus far. We have already brought Mr. Strahan on board, thus not approving of him would
cause complications, nevertheless that is at the discretion of the City Council. Once again, I
apologize for putting the City Council in this position. At the same time, I do think it best to
memorialize his approval, even after the fact, via the typical Resolution in case issues are raised
with this in the future. This was my mistake.
BUDGET:
Paul Strahan was given a starting salary of Step 5, which is $67,376.57. This is a salaried position.
OPTIONS:
A resolution has been presented to you tonight to appoint the City Manager's selection of John
Paul Strahan as the Airport Manager / FBO.
1. Approve the resolution as presented.
2. Request edits to the resolution as presented.
3. Request additional information regarding John Paul Strahan or the process.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the Resolution to appoint John Paul Strahan as the Airport Manager / FBO.
JOB DESCRIPTION
AIRPORT MANAGER / FIXED BASED OPERATOR
General Statement of Duties
Administrative position responsible for the management and operation of all aspects of the City
of Paris Municipal Cox Field Airport including Fixed Based Operation. Works under the direction
of the City Engineer; however, position requires extensive skills in leadership, management,
communications, planning and organizing.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
1. Directs, plans, supervises, oversees, implements and organizes the financial
management, operations, work flow and maintenance of the Cox Field Municipal Airport.
2. Serves as the Airport Fixed Based Operator.
3. Manages the daily operations of the Airport including building and grounds care and
maintenance; ordering of supplies and equipment; filing; reporting; research; contractor
oversight; inspection of ramps, runways, and taxiways; maintaining of lighting, PAPI
lighting, and other safety equipment.
4. Administers the fueling operations for the Airport including, but not limited to, the
ordering, supplying, maintaining, selling, marketing and providing of aviation and jet fuel
through both self -serve pump and tanker pump.
5. Monitors flight activity through the Airport.
6. Provides excellent customer service to citizens, visitors, tenants and patrons who utilize
the Airport.
7. Enforces the City of Paris Airport Minimum Standards.
8. Issues Notices to Airmen (NOTAMS).
9. Maintains all Airport Safety Programs for personnel and tenants at the Airport.
10. Meets with Airport Hangar tenants to maintain harmony at the Airport as well as enforce
the requirements in the tenant hangar lease agreements.
11. Maintains all Airport activities and facilities in strict compliance with federal and state
requirements.
12. Manages various grant opportunities, through state and federal programs, including FAA
and TxDOT-Aviation, overseeing application, award, project development, project
completion, and reporting.
13. Collaborates with architects, engineers, professional services, contractors and other
construction specialist.
14. Holds consultants, engineers, architects, professional services, contractors and other
related firms accountable to ensure that all projects are in compliance with Local, State
and Federal Laws and Agreements.
15. Develops and implements goals, priorities, policies and procedures relating to the Airport.
16. Oversees the proper procurement of all purchases pursuant to applicable City and State
laws.
17. Develops realistic and fiscally sound budget requests based on program need and
monitors budget expenditures to ensure they remain within budget allocation.
18. Directs ongoing research into new municipal aviation concepts, technologies and trends
and recommends implementation of programs and equipment to help department
achieve its objectives more efficiently.
19. Develops and maintains an efficient complaint tracking system for the Airport,
investigating issues, and responds to citizen, tenant and patron concerns.
20. Advises City Engineer on Airport issues and solutions to address issues.
21. Coordinates additional and other assigned activities with other departments and outside
agencies.
22. Serves as staff liaison for the Airport Advisory Board.
23. Maintains a regular and predictable work schedule, but will include some evening and
weekend work as needed.
24. Prepares and manages the Airport Emergency Plan.
25. Manages the UNICOM communication system to include day-to-day operations and
operator training.
26. Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
• Education and/or Experience — Graduation from a four-year college with major course
work in Business Management or a related field and at least three (3) years of municipal
experience or related airport operations, including management and administrative
experience. A pilot's license is preferred but not required.
• Computer Skills — Microsoft Internet Explorer and other internet-based search engines;
Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software; Microsoft Outlook; Microsoft Word processing
software; Microsoft Powerpoint; and Laserfiche document storage and retrieval
software.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
• Valid Class "C" Texas driver's license
Knowledge, Shills and Abilities
• Knowledge of TxDOT-Aviation and FAA Regulations;
• Knowledge of Federal Aviation Administration standards for airport operation;
• Knowledge of aviation principles;
• Knowledge of fuel sale activities;
• Knowledge of airport management and operation requirements;
• Knowledge of contract procurement, administration and oversight;
• Knowledge of construction maintenance methods, materials and equipment;
• Knowledge of grant writing and administration;
• Knowledge of inspection processes;
• Ability to plan for municipal airport needs;
• Ability to lead, direct, delegate and distribute personnel;
• Ability to direct, coordinate and review the work of personnel and contractors;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials,
employees, citizens, patrons, tenants, vendors and contractors;
• Exceptional customer service skills and abilities;
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills and ability to effectively communicate
with courtesy, professionalism, civility and tact;
• Knowledge and ability to prepare and interpret complicated reports and standards;
• Knowledge and ability to operate UNICOM radio and AWOS-III;
Physical Demands
• Physical ability to lift 50 pounds;
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, climb stairs, and operate a motor vehicle;
• Must be able to perform minor maintenance of equipment;
• Must be able to perform exterior maintenance including operating mowers and
machinery;
• Sensory demands typically require speaking, hearing, touching and seeing;
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust
focus;
• Ability to communicate in writing and verbally with the public;
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard
or other office equipment;
• Physical mobility needed for moving around a worksite for the purpose of monitoring
quality of work.
Work Environment
• Employee will be exposed to adverse weather conditions while performing duties and be
exposed to mechanical and chemical hazards.
• Employee will be exposed to dirt, dust, loud noises, fumes and odors.
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, PARIS,
TEXAS, APPROVING JOHN PAUL STRAHAN AS THE AIRPORT MANAGER/ FIXED
BASED OPERATOR AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CITY MANAGER IN
CONFORMANCE WITH SECTION 10.04.003 OF THE CITY OF PARIS
MUNICIPAL CODE; MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED
TO THE SUBJECT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Section 10.04.003 of the City of Paris Municipal Code provides that the
appointment of the airport manager by the City Manager is subject to the approval of the City
Council; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager has recommended for appointment to the office of Airport
Manager / Fixed Based Operator, John Paul Strahan; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to approve the City Manager's appointment of John
Paul Strahan as the Airport Manager / Fixed Based Operator for the City of Paris;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS,
TEXAS:
Section 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this resolution are hereby in all things
approved.
Section 2. That John Paul Strahan shall be and is hereby approved as the Airport Manager /
Fixed Based Operator of the City of Paris, on the recommendation of the City Manager, and as a
consequence of said approval to serve as Airport Manager / Fixed Based Operator, said approval to
be in conformance with Section 10.04.003 of the City of Paris Municipal Code, and the aforesaid John
Paul Strahan shall be and is hereby authorized and directed to perform any and all responsibilities
and obligations incident to the office of Airport Manager / Fixed Based Operator.
Section 3. That this resolution shall be effective from and after its date of passage.
PASSED AND APPROVED on this 11th day of October, 2021, by the City Council of the City of
Paris, in regular session, following notice and publication as required by law.
Paula J. Portugal, Mayor
ATTEST:
Janice Ellis, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Stephanie H. Harris, City Attorney