Upper Fifteen, Inc.

Meeting Minutes

12/17/2001

 

Present: Barnewall, Correa, Cusick, Dorgan, Gomez, Heslin, Kiraly, McCarthy, Moss, Murray, Paige, Schewe, Taber, Thompson

 

Pres. Murray called the "extraordinary meeting" (as provided in the Bylaws) to order at 2003.

 

Minutes: December minutes were sent e-mail just before the meeting, waived reading.

 

New Business:

Club RelocationThe meeting was called for the Board to present and the members to consider approval of the general terms of a deal with the Airport to relocate the Club. Under the deal, we would move from our present hangar to new quarters in the T-hangar project now under construction on the east side of the field. The meeting was needed on this date to allow a response to the Airport by its requested date of Wednesday, December 18th.

 

Dorgan, Gomez and Heslin (the Committee) met on Thursday, December 13th with John Egan, Airport CEO, and John O'Donnell, Airport chief operating officer. At the meeting, the Airport offered the Club several incentives to encourage a move to the new T-hangar project. The general terms include:

1. Cash payment of $45,000 for our old hangar, with no restrictions on use of the funds; 2. Several (2 or 3) months of free rent in the new hangars;

3. First pick of the two hangar bays needed for our aircraft;

4. Permission to conduct regular aircraft maintenance activities in each bay;

5. Annual rent of $3,600 per aircraft at the outset;

6. Flexible, negotiable terms in a long-term lease;

7. Access to the community lounge included in the project;

8. Ramp maintenance at Airport expense (sweeping and snow removal)

9. An available self-service fuel pump, presumably with more favorable pricing than Signature.

 

The recommended "first pick" units include one end bay (Bay #1), which is about 20% larger than any other bay, plus a neighboring standard-size bay (Bay #9). The larger bay will allow us to construct an operations room for the computer, and install our air compressor, shelving and benches. The wall between Bay 1 and Bay 9 can be omitted to provide even more free space. The entire space will be insulated to R-19 on the perimeter walls, and R-13 in the ceiling. A 42-foot, electrically operated door will serve each bay, eliminating the "airplane ballet" now frequently needed to pull out a pilot's desired aircraft.

 

Other than rent and a maintenance fee (included in the $300/month figure), the Club will need to maintain a larger liability insurance policy than is now the case with our general building policy. Barnewall will investigate the costs involved.

 

For comparison to the Airport offer, the Committee contacted Signature prior to the Airport meeting to request a quotation on hangaring our aircraft in the large "Signature #1" hangar to be vacated by the State Police in the near future. The initial quote was $350 per month per aircraft, and an indication that a final deal of $300-$325 per aircraft could be negotiated. Discussions were discontinued when it became known that Signature could not offer a rental past October of 2002 due to uncertainties in its lease relationship to the Airport.

 

Following Dorgan's presentation, members conducted an extended discussion of questions concerning the potential new facility, the prospective lease, and related items.

 

Following discussion, Thompson moved to authorize the Board to negotiate a relocation of the Club from our current location to the new T-hangar project, on terms similar to those presented and discussed. The motion did not include authorization for final disposition of the money to be received from sale of the hangar. Moss seconded the motion, which passed with the required 2/3 vote of senior members present.

 

Other New Business

Although the meeting was not called for the purpose of added business, several additional items were discussed. These include:

 

Membership: Members asked to encourage any guests or membership applicants to show up for the next meeting, which will be on Wednesday, January 9th, 2002.

 

Hangar & Grounds: The heater for 75Romeo has been repaired, with new ductwork. It is important to note that the ductwork has clips that allow the ducts to be clipped to the sides of the cowl flaps. That leaves enough room that you don't have to push the entire unit under the aircraft. Also, the fan will always be on when the unit is plugged in. This is a safety measure to prevent overheating. The heater coils are controlled by the time clock, and are currently timed to operate from 5AM to 7PM. Heat may be obtained at other times by flipping the switch on the time clock to the "ON" position.

 

Logbooks: Up to date, per Barnewall.

 

Aircraft9075R: Problems were reported with the digit displays in the comm radios. The plane will be taken to Saratoga for a look, and to replace the loaner DME with ours.

 

Aircraft55144: An oil change is due in 5-6 hours. Plan your schedule accordingly.

The meeting was adjourned at 2104.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Tom Thompson, Secretary