02-A Airport Adv Min 04-21-05
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD
COX FIELD AIRPORT TERMINAL
MEETING ROOM
PARIS, TEXAS
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2005
5:30 O’CLOCK P.M.
1.The Airport Advisory Board meeting was called to order by Chairman Vic
Ressler, Jr. at 5:30 p.m.
A.The following members were present:
Glenn Chapman
Andrew Fasken
Harry Michaelwicz
Jack Ashmore
B.The following members were absent:
James Proctor
C.Also present was Lisa Wright, Airport Director, and J. B. Richey and
Jerry Richey, Airport Managers.
2.
Discussion of and possible action on insurance requirements related to
Lisa Wright reported that she had so much
permitted aeronautical activities.
trouble getting any information from insurance companies that she instead
called other airports to see if their mechanics were able to get insurance. She
told the board the most comprehensive conversation was with the Texarkana
airport manager, Steve Leubbert, so she would like specifically to report that.
She stated that Mr. Leubbert said “out of the truck” mechanics can get
insurance if they are licensed through the FAA and in good standing. They
are considered contract maintenance. Texarkana has one person who works
through the fence at their airport who has insurance, and Mr. Leubbert
advised that American Airlines just hired him to work on a plane that hit a
coyote. If he did not have his insurance, he would not have been hired. Mr.
Leubbert said mechanics can make it work to their benefit.
Mr. Leubbert also added that he felt, for the privilege of practicing on the
airfield, mechanics should pay a fee and have the necessary liability
coverage; because, but not for the airport, they would have nowhere to
practice their craft. Mr. Leubbert recommended at least one million dollars.
He added that he recommended that Paris level the playing field for the guy
who’s required to be here, because he has overhead that the tailgater doesn’t.
April 21, 2005
Page 2
Because there is not a level playing field, naturally, the tailgater can work for
less. He stated said fees and insurance are standard practice at other
airfields.
Ms. Wright reported that Mr. Leubbert went on to list what he felt were the
problems in not requiring insurance: (1) we could end up a defendant in a
lawsuit if an unlicensed mechanic works on plane, it crashes, and we knew he
was there without insurance and did nothing about it. Although we have
immunity, that last part could hurt us; (2) it can hurt long-term viability of the
airport if the local mechanic shuts down and we end up with none; (3) most
importantly, if we accept federal grant money, we have to affirm that we’re
policing the minimum standards that make the airfield support itself by
generating a revenue stream, which our current maintenance facility does
provide to us and tailgaters do not, and that don’t unnecessarily expose
airfield to risk. He stated that, if the airport violates those, the FAA could
require repayment of grant monies. Ms. Wright stated that Mr. Leubbert
offered to put any mechanic in touch with the mechanics on his airfield to help
them find out where they can get insurance.
The Board asked what action needed to be taken, and Ms. Wright advised that
the Board could either recommend that the standard be left as is or
recommend a revision to the Council. She stated that, if nothing was done to
the current standards, then she would have to ensure that the current
insurance requirements are being adhered to, especially since the City is
currently seeking grant funds to build new hangars. She told the Board that,
as part of the grant application, she would have to sign assurances that the
minimum standards were being enforced, and she would not sign something
she wasn’t certain was true. Andy Fasken recommended that the existing
standards be enforced. Ms. Wright stated she would look into any needed
revisions to the ordinance in order to streamline the current permit process.
No action was taken.
3.
Recommending to the City Council a replacement for outgoing Board member
Motion to recommend Bill Boothe or Pete Miller was made by
James Proctor.
Andy Fasken, seconded by Harold Michaelwicz. Motion carried 6-0.
4.
Receipt of report from the Airport Director.
A. Ms. Wright advised that the
Status of hangar construction project.
letter to TxDOT advising that the airport did wish to utilize the grant
funds had been sent. She stated that a follow-up for additional
April 21, 2005
Page 3
information had been received by the City, and she would gather all the
necessary information and send it to TxDOT next week.
B. Ms. Wright reported to the Board that
Status of World War II museum.
Gary Vest had informed her that Mr. Nichols was in the process of
preparing a counter-proposal to the standard lease that had been
provided to them a few months ago. She said she did not know how
quickly the Nichols would provide their proposal, but she wanted the
Board to know that the project was not dead in the water.
5. Jack Ashmore requested that
Request items from Board for future agendas.
the Board consider ways in which it can improve the public relations for the
airport. He recommended possibly placing weekly reports in the newspaper
about airport activities such as landings and takeoffs. He requested that an
item be placed on the next agenda to discuss other possible ways of getting
information to the public.
Ms. Wright asked the Board why there had not been any fly-ins or air shows
at the airport in some time. She stated that she felt some members of the
public were negative about the airport simply because they saw no use in it
for them specifically. She stated that she felt some kind of activity at the
airport that the public can attend and enjoy would do wonders for the airport’s
image. Mr. Ressler asked that this item be placed on the next agenda.
6.The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
APPROVED THIS 19TH DAY OF MAY, 2005.
________________________________
Vic Ressler, Jr., Chairman