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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/24/2007 - Regular (3) July 24, 2007 615 Roanoke County Administration Center 5204 Bernard Drive Roanoke, Virginia 24018 July 24, 2007 The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia met this day at the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission, 5202 Aviation Drive, Roanoke, VA 24012, for the purpose of a joint meeting with the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission and the City of Roanoke. INRE: CALL TO ORDER (ROANOKE REGIONAL AIRPORT COMMISSION) Chairman James M. Turner, Jr., called the meeting to order for the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission at 12:20 p.m. The roll call was taken. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman James M. Turner, Jr., Commission Members John Dooley, H. Odell Minnix, J. Granger Macfarlane, Vic Stewart MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Jacqueline L. Shuck, Executive Director; Efren Gonzalez, Deputy Executive Director; Mary Snyder, Acting Director of Administration and Finance; Mark Williams, Attorney for the Commission; Sherry Wallace, Manager of Marketing and Communications; John Katon, Director of Safety and Security; Mike Stewart, Director of Operations and Maintenance; Roger Bohm, Network Administrator; Cathy Pendleton, Secretary INRE: CALL TO ORDER (CITY OF ROANOKE) Mayor Harris called the meeting to order for the Roanoke City Council at 12:20 p.m. The roll call was taken. 616 July 24, 2007 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor C. Nelson Harris, Vice-Mayor David B. Trinkle, Council Member Gwendolyn W. Mason MEMBERS ABSENT: Council Members Alfred 1. Dowe, Jr., Beverly T. Fitzpatrick, Jr., Sherman P. Lea, Brian J. Wishneff STAFF PRESENT: Darlene L. Burcham, City Manager; William M. Hackworth, City Attorney; Stephanie Moon, City Clerk; Sheila Hartman, Assistant City Clerk IN RE: CALL TO ORDER (COUNTY OF ROANOKE) Vice-Chairman Flora called the meeting to order for the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors at 12:21 p.m. The roll call was taken. MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice-Chairman Richard C. Flora; Supervisors Michael W. Altizer, Joseph B. "Butch" Church, Michael A. Wray MEMBER ABSENT: Chairman Joseph P. McNamara STAFF PRESENT: Elmer C. Hodge, County Administrator; Paul M. Mahoney, County Attorney; John M. Chambliss, Assistant County Administrator; Dan O'Donnell, Assistant County Administrator; Brenda J. Holton, Deputy Clerk INRE: REMARKS AND INTRODUCTIONS Chairman Turner expressed appreciation for the willingness of the members of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors (County Board), Roanoke City Council (City Council), and staff to meet with the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission (Commission). He advised that the Commission is one of the best examples in the state of a city and county working together to do something for their respective citizens. He advised that since the Commission was created approximately 18 years ago, it has been guided by the excellent leadership of Executive Director Jacqueline Shuck, and July 24, 2007 617 her staff. He advised that after the invocation, Ms. Shuck would report on the status of the Airport. INRE: INVOCATION The invocation was given by John M Katon, Director of Safety and Security, Roanoke Regional Airport Commission. INRE: PRESENTATIONS ~ Update on the Roanoke Reaional Airport. (Jacaueline L. Shuck. Executive Director. Roanoke Reaional Airport Commission) Ms. Shuck advised that she previously provided an update on the Airport at the joint meeting of the Commission, City Council, and County Board in October 2006. Ms. Shuck provided the following information via a Power Point presentation: (a) The relocation of Taxiway A and G will take three years and cost $23.7 million. . Project required to meet FAA runway-taxiway safety separation standards. . Project being accomplished in three work seasons (2006-2008). . 95 percent of funding from Federal Airport Grant. . Branch Highways is the contractor. (b) The relocation of Taxiway A and G requires the demolition of two hangars. . In 2008 Phase, Hangars 2 and 3 to be demolished. . Airport plans and leases have contained provision for demolition since at least 1993. . Construction bids for new, but smaller hangars are due August 1, 2007. . New hangars may not meet business plans of current hangar tenants. 618 July 24, 2007 (c) The improvements to the General Aviation (GA) area continue. . GA Phase 3, programmed for 2008, includes the final major pavement and drainage areas needing rehabilitation. . By 2009, total infrastructure investment of approximately $8.3 million in general aviation pavements/drainage since 2000. (d) The Master Plan Update anticipates new GA hangars. . The Master Plan Update forecasts the need to construct up to five corporate hangars over the next five years. . One set of new hangars will be under construction this year. (e) Air service improvements introduced in the past year include: . Allegiant began low-fare service to Orlando in May 2006 and added twice-weekly service to St. Petersburg/Clearwater in December of 2006. . Worked with US Airways to restructure business fares to twenty- two markets by offering 25-49 percent fare reductions. (f) Year-to-date (YTO) air service statistics show healthy passenger demand. . Passenger numbers year-to-date are up 8.5 percent. . Overall load factor for May of 70%, with Allegiant at 83 percent. . 32 daily departures to 8 Hubs . 21 regional jet (1,011 seats) . 11 turboprop (456 seats) . Five weekly departures to two Florida destinations . 650 jet departure seats (g) Air service targets for the future include: . Continued focus on Continental Express and American Eagle for service to the west. . Closely track continuing evolution and growth of Air Tran and JetBlue. (h) Roanoke passengers can share the benefits of being registered travelers. . The Commission has arranged to establish a vendor's presence in the terminal as part of an agreement with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. . Registrants will be able to take advantage of this program at airports where special registered traveler lanes are present. July 24, 2007 619 (i) The Master Plan Update process is coming to a close. · Five Technical Advisory Committee meetings have been completed. · A public workshop will be conducted this fall so that the Master Plan Update can be completed. (j) The proposed improvements to the lower level of the terminal include: · Restroom renovations and expansion (2008-2012) · Upgrade Flight Information Display System (FIDS) (2008) · Baggage security inspection improvements - out of the lobby (2008-2012) (k) The proposed improvements to the second level of the terminal include: . Additional queuing (2008-2012) · Checkpoint expansion (2008-2012) . Restroom renovations (2008-2012) · Replace terminal carpet and flooring (2008-2012) · Upgrade Flight Information Display System (FIDS) (2008) (I) Sound insulation continues in the Noise Compatibility Program. · Phase 1A - 21 homes have been sound insulated to date. · Phase 1 B - 15 homes under contract to be sound insulated this year. . Phase 2 is funded. · Future Phases - The Commission will continue to apply for Federal funds to continue the program for the remaining 125 eligible residences. (m) Plaza security improvements will be constructed in 2008. · Improvements to help secure terminal from intentional or unintentional entry by vehicle. . New planter structures, bollards, seating and lighting. 620 July 24, 2007 Ms. Shuck advised that Owen Curtis, Director of Airport Landside Planning, HNTB Corporation, would make a presentation on issues regarding the proposed entrance roadway project. 2. Issues reaardina the proposed entrance roadway proiect, (Owen Curtis, Director of Airport Landside Plannina, HNTB Corporation) Mr. Curtis made a Power Point presentation of the following information concerning the proposed intersection improvements for Aviation Drive at Towne Square Boulevard, the Airport entrance, and Thirlane Road. Mr. Curtis advised that the basic issues of the proposed entrance roadway project include the following: . City's need for relief on Hershberger Road. . Commission's concern about long-standing confusion regarding the Airport entrance and Thirlane Road. . Need to develop short-term solutions. Mr. Curtis reviewed the City's proposal and the HNTB's findings on the base case and explained the following issues: . Acceptable traffic operations . Lane encroachment by trucks . Occasional blockages by trucks . Wayfinding - how to separate Airport traffic from Thirlane Road traffic . Very minor decrease in weaving distance . Works for the City but not for Airport July 24, 2007 621 Mr. Curtis presented the Airport's response to the City's proposal and advised that the Airport recognizes the need which the City is trying to meet and agrees that aligning the Airport entrance with Towne Square Boulevard is sound; however, the Airport still sees the need to separate Thirlane Road from the Airport entrance to resolve the confusion. Mr. Curtis advised that the impacts of relocating Thirlane Road would include: (1) no shared entrance eliminates confusion; (2) reduced traffic and weaving on Aviation Drive; (3) reduced traffic and weaving on Hershberger Road; (4) all movements would be served except eastbound Hershberger Road to Thirlane Road; (5) Interstate-581 access to Thirlane Road via Peters Creek Road; and (6) Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) approval required. Mr. Curtis advised that the relocation of Thirlane Road and Aviation Drive meets the City's and Airport's needs, improves traffic operations, and is safe, affordable and viable in the long-term. He advised that there is a question about the affordability of the Airport's proposal since the costs have not yet been determined. There was discussion among those present regarding the entrance road project. Mayor Harris advised that since a majority of City Council members were not present for this discussion, he suggested that Chairman Turner, Ms. Shuck, and Mr. Curtis meet with City Council at their next meeting to make their presentation. Mayor Harris advised that City Council is aware of the needs of the Commission; however, the 622 July 24, 2007 question of affordability will have to be considered, and he requested that cost estimates be obtained before the meeting with City Council. INRE: COMMENTS BY THE AIRPORT COMMISSION, CITY COUNCIL AND BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Chairman Turner introduced Vic Stewart and advised that he was appointed by the County Board and is the newest member of the Commission. Commissioner Stewart advised that he was pleased to serve on the Commission and thanked Mr. Curtis for his presentation. Commissioner Macfarlane advised that the Airport is a crown jewel of government operations, and he appreciates the opportunity to meet with the City Council and County Board. Commissioner Dooley expressed appreciation to the City Council and the County Board for their partnership and support. He advised that the Airport is a major investment for the area, and they are looking at a 3D-year decision that must be made wisely concerning the entrance roadway project. Vice-Mayor Trinkle advised that he was pleased to receive the updated information about the roadway project and Master Plan and requested that the Commission keep up the good work. July 24, 2007 623 Mayor Harris expressed appreciation to the Commission for hosting the joint meeting. He requested that Ms. Shuck and Ms. Moon arrange for Chairman Turner, Ms. Shuck, and Mr. Curtis to meet with City Council at their next meeting to make the same presentation on the proposed airport entrance roadway project. He advised that he felt that members of City Council would be pleased to have further discussions on these issues since it involves a very significant decision with long-term implications. Ms. Burcham advised that the City Council meeting on August 6 had a full agenda and suggested that the presentation could be scheduled for the August 20 meeting. Vice-Chairman Flora, Supervisor Altizer, Supervisor Church, and Mr. Hodge expressed their appreciation to the Commission for hosting the meeting and providing the updated information. Chairman Turner advised that the Commission welcomes input from the members of the City Council and County Board, and he invited them to attend any of their meetings. He thanked Ms. Shuck and Mr. Curtis for their presentations. IN RE: ADJOURNMENTS Chairman Turner adjourned the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission meeting at 1 :42 p.m. Mayor Harris adjourned the Roanoke City Council meeting at 1 :42 p.m. 624 July 24, 2007 Vice-Chairman Flora adjourned the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors meeting at 1 :42 p.m. until Tuesday, July 24, 2007, at 3:00 p.m. for the regularly scheduled meeting of the Board. Submitted by: Approved by: ~~.~ Brenda J. Ho ton, CMC Deputy Clerk to the Board ~/-2.\~y.= D c ~ Richard C. Flora Vice-Chairman