04/04/2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6. MIKE OLSON, CENTRAL NEBRASKA REGIONAL AIRPORT-- UPDATE ON ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE BIDS AND SELECTION —Mike Olson Executive Director of the Central Nebraska Regional Airport was present to update the board on the essential air service and the new terminal. The City of Grand Island has to concur with the Hall County Airport Authority regarding the essential air service. They have been on the essential air service program since 1980 and are working to get off that program. They are the third lowest subsidized essential air service. They are also subsidized by federal dollars and local tax dollars. The essential air service has had its ups and downs. In 2005 there were 7,617 boardings and now are at 69,009 boardings. American Airlines has a huge investment in the airport and in Hall County. They have submitted to the Federal Department of Transportation a request for bids and will continue with American Airlines. They received word on February 16, 2017 that American has proposed to upgrade the 50 seat jet to a 76 passenger jet. The official word on the actual award should be coming soon. Allegiant has cancelled the Orlando flight and he is trying to get that service back for the once a week flight. March 23, 2017 the new passenger terminal celebrated its 15t anniversary. They have has 140,000 passengers and Afternooner's has served 30,000 people. They have an approved security program and can serve the secure side and the public side. The electrical service is 35% per square foot less in the new terminal so the cost to operate is much less. They parking lot configuration was completed last fall. They will have the hero flight celebration May 2nd Mr. Olsen stated the next phase of the parking will be the Parking Access Revenue Control Systems (PARCS). They may have to move forward with it. He does not want the taxpayers to subsidize operations for the airport so they need the paid parking to help with the revenue. The airport continues to grow bigger and more people are needed to run the facility. The revenue has not been keeping up and the paid parking will help. LB 339 merged the Department of Aeronautics into the Department of Roads and formed a Department of Transportation. It calls for the elimination of the essential air service program. The control tower is also subsidized. He also stated that he appreciates the partnership with law enforcement and share the expenses with governmental agencies. There is a proposal for an 11% cut in Homeland Security and TSA would put the law enforcement office reimbursement in jeopardy. Discussion was held on the paid parking and Mr. Olson stated there will be an expense to install the system and there are federal requirements. Richardson ask when it would be installed and Mr. Olson stated later this year. He noted some flight times that will be changed to accommodate connecting flights to other places. The will be installing a new electronic imaging device next week. Lancaster noted she missed a flight because of mechanical issues but American Airlines promptly had her rescheduled. Quandt thanked Mr. Olson and Doug Brown for their help on the Hero Flight. 4