08-25-2009 special called meeting
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Peachtree City Airport Authority (PCAA)
. Special Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Aviation Center, Peachtree City - Falcon Field
7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Chairman - Mike Brady, Vice-Chairman - Bill Flynn, Zaheer Faruqi,
Aviation Director - John Crosby, Assistant Aviation Director - Barry Griffith, A.A.E., Airport
Attorney - Doug Wamer and City Council Member - Doug Sturbaum
Absent: Jerry Cobb (excused), SecretarylTreasurer -Richard Whiteley and PCAA Alternate-
Bill Rial
Chairman Brady called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and requested that all audience
members sign in. Chairman Brady indicated that this meeting was being held to give further
opportunity to speak on the subject of the Airport Name; that the marketing plans to enhance the
name have been discussed in many PCAA meetings and workshops. He stated that this was not
a name change but an enhancement to the existing name where Peachtree City-Falcon Field
would do business as (dba) Atlanta Regional Airport Peachtree City - Falcon Field. He
indicated that in the interest oftime a notice had been sent out to everyone requesting those
qualified individuals who would like to speak on this subject notify PCAA prior to the meeting;
that each individual would have five minutes to speak and should address the PCAA directly and
not the audience.
1.
NEW AGENDA ITEM
08-09-0 I
Airport Name
The Peachtree City Airport Authority is a holding a public special meeting on
Tuesday, August 25, at 7:00pm to provide an opportunity for Tenants of Falcon
Field and citizens of Peachtree City and Fayette County to provide the Airport
Authority with further input on the recent decision to enhance the airport name by
adding "Atlanta Regional Airport" (ARA) as a Doing Business As (d/b/a) addition
to the present airport name.
Those tenants of Falcon Field and citizens of Peachtree City and Fayette County
that wish to provide further input on this decision will have a total of five minutes
each to present their input to the Airport Board. Those qualified tenants and
citizens that wish to avail themselves of this opportunity for further input on this
name enhancement decision must contact the Airport Director, John Crosby, or
Assistant Director, Barry Griffith, at 770- 487-2225 to place their name on the
presentation list of qualified input participants before close of business at 5:00pm
on Monday, August 24, 2009. A maximum of twenty-five participants will be
accepted for input on a first come, first presentation basis until the maximum
25 input presentation number is reached. No other participants will be accepted
after this close-out time and presentation number.
The following people have requested time to speak at the
PCAA 08-25-09 SPECIAL MEETING
YOU WILL BE ALLOTED FIVE MINUTES TO SPEAK
JIM SA V AGE read a prepared letter to the audience; see attached.
MIKE ROSETTI stated that he assumed that the PCAA wants the airport to grow
and as airport revenues grow so must the services in order to relieve the pressure
off taxpayers. He indicated that the action plans underway make good business
sense and have great goals to grow revenue; that in life and business you have two
choices where you either grow up or you grow down but you never stay the same.
He stated that the airport name is a business decision which will help bring Falcon
Field to the top of the list with the various search engines on the internet; that he
is in support of the airport name and that we should give it a chance to see how it
works out.
JIMMY KELLY stated that he has been in the aviation business for many years.
He indicated that it was a rare occasion that a pilot would plan a flight based on a
search engine review for the airport name. . He gave an example that a pilot would
not type in the word Orlando when searching for Kissimmee Gateway Airport;
that corporations are not going to choose and airport based on its name alone. He
indicated that when picking an area such as Atlanta that he would look at the
approach charts and see that there are 5 or 6 airports to choose from and that when
enroute the Approach Controller will give an option on which Approach he
should shoot; that based on the name Atlanta Regional Airport, the listing would
still be behind Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International Airport (ATL). He stated
that the reported 5 aircraft a month landing at FFC instead ofPDK in error
seemed extreme and that if this were occurring that the FAA should be made
aware of this issue; that if it is not occurring then this statement should be
retracted. Mr. Kelly stated that he has been a part of the marketing committee and
that he appreciates the hard nose approach of Chairman Brady. He indicated that
he is aware of how the airport name issue came about from the review of the
FBO's including ATL Atlantic Aviation where Jet A fuel is being pumped at
about 2 million gallons a year at Atlantic Aviation and that ifFFC could tap into
5-10% of this amount it could equate to another 50,000 gallons offuel sold at
FFC. He stated that the recommendation to the PCAA was not a name change for
a google search but rather a phone call done by airport staff as a service oriented
gesture to the corporations stating that FFC is a few miles south of Atlanta and
that your company could save money and time ifby flying into FFC; that is more
reflective of who FFC really is versus the needle in the haystack approach of
locating FFC. He indicated that as a FFC business that he and others would have
to re-adjust their advertising/marketing materials to reflect the new name and that
there should have been more interaction with the businesses prior to this decision
being made. ..
Chairman Brady stated that he was taken-back by some of the comments by Mr.
Kelly and surprised at this stance since he has been on the marketing focus
committee for some time and had been aware of the proposed name. He stated
that while on the FBO tour on May 27, 2009 that Mr. Kelly was advocating the
corporate catchment program. He stated that the conversation in the car was
about FFC getting one chance to make a good first impression and that we must
have our product ready before we fully launched into the marketing program. He
indicated that the topic of the name change came up and that since we had just left
Cobb County - McCollum Field that the advantages of naming FFC Atlanta
Executive Airport or Atlanta Regional Airport were discussed. Mr. Kelly stated
that for the record he did not know that this was a correct statement from Mr.
Brady.
TED MALLORY stated that he was at the last meeting and that this meeting is a
great public forum; that maybe next time before action is taken that more
feedback can be elicited from the tenants in advance. He stated that he is
speaking today on behalf of the enhancement of the airport name. He spoke about
how nice it is to have courtesy cars available at the airport and how nice the newly
revamped, but not completed, website was looking. He indicated that the market
surveys showed many areas that needed improvement; that the sprucing up of the
terminal building and the fuel price reductions where some of the needed changes.
Mr. Mallory stated that the name change alone would not bring in more business
to FFC but that it was one of many tools being used by the marketing committee.
He thanked the many volunteers who have become more involved in FFC and
stated that there were many opportunities for tenants to get involved. He
indicated that the previous example of 2 million gallons being sold at an alternate
airport is where we could benefit at FFC if it captures an additional 5 flights a day
for 5 days in the week; that this would equate to approximately 480,000 additional
gallons sold a year. Mr. Mallory stated that increased volume fuel sales would
help keep margins low for airport tenants; that he would like to see a self-service
fuel station but understood that the cost of this type of system ($150,000) was
currently prohibitive due to the fact the PCAA is not making money. Mr. Mallory
stated that these marketing changes could have positive results and that if no
changes occur then you can expect the same results; that even though the Unicorn
calls may change to ARA that FFC will also be known as Falcon Field. Mr.
Mallory also reminded the audience about the tenant picnic on the 28th as an
opportunity to see the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Chairman Brady stated that had been a lot of blood, sweet and tears by many
volunteers working together on the Falcon Field Veterans Memorial Park
(FFVMP); that Clayton International (Michael Stille) has done a first class job in
painting the F-16 which looks gorgeous and that Mr. Mallory has done an
exceptional job as the project manager.
GARY LIND stated his comments mirrored what others had to say. He thanked
PCAA for all the hard work they have done in promoting the airport and making
the necessary changes that were long overdue. As the only commercial jet
operator on the field, he is appreciative of the new lower pricing structure of fuel
prices and the elimination of ramp related service fees. He indicated that he is
concerned about how the process of the airport name change occurred without the
proactive notification of this action to the airport tenants and businesses that rely
on FFC to support their businesses and provide a stable work environment for
their employees and families. He stated that Priority Jet contributes tens of
thousands of dollars every month to the local economy to sustain and grow their
business model; that the proposed name change was counter-productive without
an open comment period when these changes did not include active solicitation on
how these changes could undermine the collective effort of promoting FFC. He
stated that Priority Jet does a lot of its own promotional stuff and invest in
resources and advertising to educate its clients and brokers as to the virtues of
originating and terminating flights into FFC. Many of these materials require
specific lead times that cannot be stopped once specific deadlines are passed; that
yellow pages is a good example. These promotional materials outline the
advantages of using FFC and include: lack of ARR/DEP delays from a non-
towered airport, minimum security requirements, lower costs of doing business,
easy discreet access, convenient free parking, multiple supporting business (i.e.
shopping, food, lodging). By introducing the word "Regional" into the name in
conjunction with Atlanta, these virtues become less defined and lost in the
perception of big city congestion, air traffic/airline control delays, paid parking,
high facility fees, TSA mandates and the overall restrictions for freedom of
movement normally associated with airport located in large metropolitan areas.
The following regional airports have these before mentioned traits in common:
Middle Georgia Regional in Macon, Southwest Georgia Regional in Albany,
August Regional and Valdosta Regional Airport. All of these regional airports
have commuter airline service and by putting the word regional into the name,
Mr. Lind stated he was concerned about the perception of what FFC is all about.
Mr. Lind stated that since FFC was located in the shadow of ATL he has some
questions that include: 1) Is ARA the perception that we really want to create for
the quite peaceful community of Peachtree City (PTC) which for the second time
in the last four years was ranked as number 8 as one of the best places to live in
the U.S.? 2) Moving forward, how does the PCAA plan to notify the tenants of
any new agendas prior to their implementation? 3) Will a comment period
become a part of this process? 4) If so, will the rules of democracy prevail to any
binding procedures that will be extended to the tenants? 5) If not, how much
time do you think is adequate notice prior to these types of changes taking place?
Mr. Lind stated that since June 10,2009 he had received no fewer than 14 official
emails from the PCAA and its management team; that the only one that
mentioned a name change was on August 11, 2009 the day of the last rescheduled
PCAA meeting. Mr. Lind stated that tonight's meeting would not have been
necessary if timely notice been given in conjunction with a corresponding
comment period to all concerned parties with an active interest in the airport. Mr.
Lind thanked PCAA for opening the forum to the public and that his purpose was
not to give a solution but more of a comment on how this issue was handled since
day one; that he had no knowledge of this proposed name change and in that in all
fairness should have had the opportunity to have played a more active role in the
decision. Mr. Lind stated that while he is not always able to attend the PCAA
meetings that in the 14 emails sent out in a 2 month period that more information
in regard to the name change could have been sent so that tenants would not feel s
violated as to how this was handled.
JEAN PECK stated that there have been many interesting points brought up in
regard to how FFC is used; that as a business owner in PTC that she has many
clients who frequent FFC. Ms. Peck stated that she is speaking on behalf of the
new airport name and that any effort to reduce the confusion of corporate traffic
mistaking FFC for PDK would be beneficial to her real estate business. She
indicated that she could not imagine why any of the tenants would not want to
take this proposed name into consideration because any leg up in the industry
only helps promote the airport and surrounding businesses; that she is thankful to
have the new Instrument Landing System (ILS) which helps her as a business
owner attract more clients. She indicated that the proposed name could help
generate income from increased fuel sales, that Falcon Field would not lose its
identity and that she completely supports this action.
MIKE AMOS stated that he came to PTC in 1987 and was appointed to the
PCAA in 1989 and that he has involvement in FFC for over 20 years. He stated,
as a previous PCAA member, that he was involved in the first name change which
added Peachtree City to Falcon Field; that this name change was also
controversial. He slated that the original name change was a part of an organized
marketing plan by the City CouncillPCAA to try and attract more business to
PTC, provide more jobs and improve FFC. He indicated that FFC, at that time,
was undergoing a huge Capital Improvement Program (CIP) where a second
runway was being added along with other improvements. Mr. Amos stated that
he remained on the PCAA until 1997 and was a part of the new terminal
dedication on July 4, 1997; that Airport Attorney Doug Wamer was the only
current member who was a part of this team back then. He agreed with what Mr.
Rosetti said that if you are not growing then you are stepping backwards and the
competition is passing you up; that Henry County and LaGrange airports are
making capital improvements and improving their facilities; that a tour of the
north Atlanta FBO's shows that the competition is not sitting still. Mr. Amos
stated that aviation enthusiast and the business owners want the same things; that
business in PTC's industrial park has been slow over the last 18 months and there
does not seem to be any relief in sight. He indicated that anything FFC could do
to get a leg up will help attract business/jobs and improve quality of life. Mr.
Amos said that PC~'s plans were great and needed; that successful
implementation including the name change would only benefit those looking to
find and use FFC. He indicated as a past Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce
that he has been a part of several economic development efforts aimed at
generating more business; that he continues to promote the area and wished
PCAA good luck in this endeavor.
Chairman Brady addressed comments from Gary Lind and stated that PCAA is a
public entity and that anytime more than 2 members are gathered that a public
notice goes out notifying the meeting agenda. He stated that the airport name was
a small part of a.large marketing plan to help raise revenues to make the airport
financially stable. He indicated that there had been numerous public meetings
where this item has been discussed; that the challenge was to get more
involvement from the tenants when these meetings were open and available to
them; that the PCAA announced and discussed these items in the formal
marketing plan which was partially created by the tenants, at an all day public
workshop in June and at the last PCAA meeting in August. Chairman Brady
stated that at the August meeting there was so much discussion that he stopped the
motion to allow further discussion on the subject and that the special meeting held
tonight was just to allow for more input into the decision on the Airport name. He
stated that there ha.s been no attempt to keep this subject a secret and that the
PCAA cannot control tenant involvement: Chairman Brady said he understands
the sensitivity toth!!. subject and as a retired airline CEO who started 5 successful
airlines that rumor has it that he was trying to bring commercial airline service to
FFC. Chairman Brady stated that with his 35 years of experience that FFC would
not even come close to having commercial airline service and that is not the
intent; that the intent is to put FFC on a firm financial footing and have enough
revenues to do the improvements that the tenants have asked for through the
surveys. Chairman Brady stated that all airports with the word regional in the
name do not have commercial airline service (i.e. Mid-Coast Regional Airport in
Hinesville, Georgia); that FFC does not have the type of traffic that would support
or qualify as a commercial service airport and that this analogy has no basis in
fact.
Chairman Brady gave a powerpoint presentation outlining the financial position
of the airport, five year cash needs for capital improvements, proposed revenue
sources, mission statement and revenue enhancers, summary of the five year
financial needs, corporate catchment program and the need for the name
enhancement to Atlanta Regional Airport - Falcon Field (see attached).
II. EXECUTIVE SESSION
III. ADJOURNMENT
Bill Flynn made a motion seconded by Zaheer Faruqi to adjourn the meeting at
8:00 p.m.; motion carries 4/0.
Note:
This agenda is subject to change up to 24 hours prior to the meeting.
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Mike Brady, Chairman