County Commission Meeting- 1/23/12

This was an unusually brief meeting.  Items of  interest:

1.  The office of Constable in Sumner County has been dissolved as of a vote of 22-1 on second reading of  resolution 1112-01.

2.  Public hearing on a zoning change from Agricultural to Commercial on approximately 5 acres of land owned by Wayne and Bobbie Bandy at 101 Sunshine Lane, Portland.  No speakers appeared.  The zoning change was approved as was a resolution to amend the 2035 Comprehensive Plan for Sumner County to reflect the change.

3.  Several housekeeping items were addressed by the commission.  Approval of several resolutions for expenditures that had been previously approved by the budget committee.  Some of the items approved included funds for Station Camp Greenway ($133,499.00), Courthouse and Jail Maintenance Fund($399,640.00), and Sheriff’s Data Processing Fee ($53,528).

Airport Authority Meeting on 1/23/2012

There were several items of note from this meeting.

1.  Election of Officers for the Airport Authority-  Motion made and passed unanimously to retain current officers for another 1 year term.

2.  Annual Audit-  The results of the annual accounting audit were discussed with the auditor.  Gave an unqualified opinion in which no significant deficiencies were noted.  Over the last year net assets of the Authority increased by $763,000 due primarily to $1,071,000 received in state grants.  Decrease of $304,000 in cash and equivalents on hand.  The authority currently has $334,000 on deposit with the State and $3.4 million in grants currently available. 

3.  Engineers report on current construction of parallel taxiway-  Several EPA violations by the contractor noted and will need to be addressed.

4.  Treasurer’s Report- Cash flow for Nov was positive by $938, December cash flow negative by $15,000 causing a draw of $17,000 on Authority’s line of credit.  So far in January cash flow is positive by $12,000.

5.  Airport Manager’s concerns for immediate and extended future- Reba McIntire has new jet aircraft and needs hangar space which may be accommodated in one of the corporate hangars.  Secondly, how to fund pads for future hangars.  Also needed are additional t-hangars.  Will need matching funds to accomplish this.

6.  Long term lease agreement with the CASP (GTO Aviation) has not yet been agreed upon, although discussions have been positive and a tentative agreement may be in the offing.  Authority attorney, Mr. McClellan will need to view the tentative agreement for legal approval.  Motion made and passed to extend the temporary lease for an additional 90 days to allow for completion of longer term lease agreement.

Airport Authority meeting 10/24/11

Meeting came to order at 5:30 PM.

1. There is a port-a-port type hangar for sale.  Since Airport Authority has right of first refusal motion was made not to purchase and permit present owner sell for $21,000.  Motion approved.

Public Comments:

1.There is also another Port-a-port for sale.

2. GTO Aviation, the current Commercial Aviation Service Provider (CASP) has concerns regarding the appearance of the office building and in particular the kitchen and other common areas.  Request to have Airport Authority approve funding for some remodeling and repairs.  Airport Administrator, Mr. Steve Sudbury indicated that funds were very tight at present as the Authority is needing funds to make up its match on grants which will be coming due.  Authority previously authorized up to $10,000 for funding improvements.  GTO owners volunteered to do the work if Authority would provide funds for the materials.  Motion was made and approved to that end.  Discussion of not wanting to spend a lot of funds on current building since their plan is to build a new facility in 2014.

3. Treasurer’s report.  Negative cash flow in Sept., but positive in October by approx.$3,500.  Discussion of expenses associated with bushhog equipment in need of repair or replacement.  Also, expenses associated with bringing the fuel trucks up to standards.  Total net assets of about $365,000 of which approx. $302,000 is a CD associated with funds previously provided as a loan by County Commission.

4. Long term contract with GTO Aviation has not been agreed to.  Airport Authority committee met to draft contract and forwarded it to Authority Attorney.  Then to GTO Attorney.  GTO spokesman indicated that the draft was unsatisfactory.  He indicated that if they could not work out satisfactory terms, they would cease operations at the airport.  Motion by Airport Authority to extend the temporary agreement for another 30 days.

5. Meeting adjourned at approx. 7:05 PM.

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