TICO Board Meetings
January 17, 2007 - Today's meeting was
rather short as TICO meeting go.
Tony
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October 18, 2007
TO: BAA President
BAA Membership
IN TURN
Subject: Tico Board Meeting, 18 Oct 2007
1. On 18 Oct 2007 I attended the meeting of the Tico Airport Authority Board. The primary BAA interest in this meeting was the proposed Spacecoast Executive Airport Master Plan, as well as other items of general interest.
2. The only old business addressed was that of approval of the Development Review Agreement between the Authority and the City of Titusville. In the future the City will notify the Authority of any land use changes that may affect Spacecoast Executive Airport. The Board approved the Agreement contingent to detailed review by the board members.
3. In the matter of the firms selected for general consulting services, the Board voted to approve the selection of the Airport Engineering Company and The LPA Group for a 5 year contract.
4. I requested to comment on the general consulting services issue, since that was the topic most closely related to the Master Planning issue. I stated that while the BAA had some concerns over the costs associated with the Master Planning effort, we were even more concerned with the proper inputs being made to the process, including both the user perspective and the overall philosophy driving the planning. Jack Chandler of the BAA had suggested that a highly select advisory group be formed, to be co-chaired by a BAA member as well as the Airport Authority and conceivably other interested parties as well. I suggested this idea. Mr. Powell replied that the creation of Technical Advisory Group for Master Planning was a normal part of the process and that such a group would include user viewpoints. Further discussion was halted because this topic was in reality outside the general consulting service issue.
5. Also related to Master Planning, Ken Rivard stated that the development of Master Plan for Merritt Island Airport had stretched on for some time without apparent completion and that perhaps a new company should be found for the effort. Mr. Powell replied that the effort not only was not complete but seemed to be unusually costly as well and that they were looking into it.
6. Another topic discussed was that of the use of the remaining unexpired funding for the new Tico Terminal. While $1.4 million of grant money expired and was pulled back by FDOT, around $1 million of uncommitted, unspent grant money remains.
Mr. Powell stated that while they were looking into the possibility of finding additional funds for the terminal project, in the event that the lost $1.4 million could not be replaced, the remaining funds might be used for other projects. One use might be to expand the apron in front of the proposed terminal location. Another possibility might be to build one or two fairly large “corporate” hangars at Spacecoast Executive. FDOT had not yet approved such use of the funding.
7. Related to the new terminal funding was the announcement that FDOT had decided not to provide funding for other Tico Authority projects, such as the new hangars at Merritt Island Airport, until the Authority demonstrated the ability to plan and execute projects in a manner somewhat superior to that evident in the terminal project.
8. There was considerable discussion of a proposed land trade between the Authority and Brevard County. The Authority sought to acquire County land to the west of Spacecoast Executive Airport, in the vicinity of the departure end of Runway 27. The Authority proposed to offer land to the south of the airport in exchange for this property, but the environmental department of the county was seeking a 9 to 1 trade ratio rather than the more normal 2 to 1 ratio. This matter may be referred to the County Commissioners.
9. Ken Rivard asked that the Authority consider installing a self-service fueling facility at Merritt Island Airport. He pointed out that at Spacecoast Executive, an airport with around 90 aircraft, there are two firms selling fuel, while at Merritt Island there was only one fuel provider. The Board agreed to give the idea consideration at a future date, but did not appear to be enthused by the concept.
10. The condo hangar lease at Merritt Island Airport is being terminated and the Authority plans to administer the sub-leases directly. Tenants are reportedly excited over the idea.
11. A representative of Atlas Aviation requested to speak. He pointed out that the company had invested a considerable amount of effort and funds into upgrading their building at Merritt Island Airport but that numerous commitments for investments to be made by the Authority had as yet gone unfulfilled. These included repair of the ceiling in the hangar, which has been dropping insulation, resurfacing of the ramp area, and improved lighting. He also stated that Atlas Aviation had attempted to follow the standards set by the Authority but had noted numerous instances of the same standards not being adhered to by other tenants. Examples he cited included four T-hangars being used for commercial activity and T-hangars crammed with all kinds of inappropriate items. He also stated that of the 150 aircraft at Merritt Island Airport he estimated that at least one half of them were derelict and could not be made airworthy within the 90 day period required by the Authority standards – and so should be ordered removed from the airport. He requested that the authority either enforce the current standards or revise them accordingly. The Board seemed to agree that something would have to be done about enforcing the standards. However there was also general agreement that the “90 day rule” should not apply to homebuilt aircraft under construction. Ken Rivard pointed out such concerns would apply to all of the Authority airports, not just Merritt Island.
12. A number of other items of no special interest were discussed and will not be described. A transcript of the meeting will be available from the authority if desired.
13. The workshop with the Brevard County Commissioners is scheduled for 8 Nov 2007 at 1400.
Wayne Eleazer
Secretary, Brevard Aviation Association, 2007
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May 17, 2007 - All
board members were present.
Richard Todd representing the Servant Air
Ministries is requesting a land lease to build an 80' X 80' hangar on the ground
presently occupied by a double wide trailer of the CAP. Todd also indicated that
they would be subleasing a portion of this hanger to Voyager Aviation and would
be performing maintenance for general aviation. Dawn Haun of Voyager Aviation
was also present but did not speak. The TICO Staff was assigned the
responsibility to perform a complete work-up on the proposal and report back to
the board by the next or a subsequent meeting.
A brief TICO Staff
presentation was made giving a basic layout of proposed hangars, tie-downs and
taxiways on the Northwest section of the Merritt Island Airport. There are still
quite a few questions to be answered, and decisions to be made!
An
amendment to the lease for the Valiant Air Command's buildings to be added to
the Airport Authority's Property Insurance through Brevard County for a significant cost savings
was unanimously approved.
A motion was made and passed to continue with
construction plans for the Corporate Building Project at the Space Coast
Regional Airport. The project if started with in a month should be completed by
February 2008, with a cost escalation of $540K and a total cost of $4.7M. In
light of extended project delays and the miss handling of funds previously
issued by FDOT, the agency must re-approve the allocation of their funding prior
to the restart!
BAA Presentation and questions of the board - Tony
Yacono. Thanks Gill.
The Terminal Building -- The BAA made reference to the fraudulent invoice from the Haskell Company and the check written and signed to pay that invoice.
First, the invoice states the Terminal Building is 48 % completed, (nothing has been done) Secondly, the folks signing this 1.5 plus million dollar check knew this was a fake invoice.
It was stated The Haskell Company was asked for this fraudulent invoice from TICO, so that the FDOT grant did not expire time wise.
Now, as Mr. Griffin related to this illegal doings, he stated, we broke the law. Mr. Sansom immediate stated “WE”. Mr. Griffin than stated. Somebody broke the law.
He also stated. Is it strange that The Haskell Company was so will to return 1.3 million dollars, was it because The Haskell Company found out some one was looking into the situation?
As for the “WE”, the TICO Board still has persons responsible for this illegal move as part of the TICO Board and they still have all the rights of position. This in My Humble opinion, makes the Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority of today, responsible for breaking the law. No excuse for breaking any law is expectable. Attempting to let it go or sweep it under the rug will not happen. The Brevard Aviation Association will stay with it for a proper solution.
All that was needed, was to tell the truth to the Department granting the funds.
It also seems to be a
TICO concern as to what the Brevard County Commissioners might ask at the July
workshop.
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April 19, 2007 - TICO Meeting held on April 19 was very informative.
Mr. Shank and Mr. Niazi were not present. Tony Yacono was not at this meeting, however BAA representatives were in attendance.
The Hangars on the North West and the South West side of the Merritt Island Airport were approved to begin the construction phase.
A workshop relating to the TICO Budget was set for the 9th of May at 0830 hours.
The County Commissioners update workshop meeting was set for July 12, 2007 at 0900 hours.
It was also noted the CPI figure used as part of the TICO Staff presentation was 2.4 not 3.5 as the increase in Hangar rent.
ACCOUNTABILITY *** seems the TICO board has spent over two million dollars for the Corporate Terminal Building and not a blade of grass has been moved. This amount of money has been paid to The Haskell Company in three checks. The last check for over one million dollars was sent to The Haskell Company on January 5, 2006. (Two million dollars in someone’s bank account drawing interest or what ever and The TICO Board is in debt.)
THEREFORE *** The BAA is asking for a copy of the following documents:
Site Plan – Building Permit – A1A form –G702 form – Haskell Company Invoices –
Continuation documents – checks sent – agreements made with Haskell.
Also a copy of all bids for this building.
The cost of this building is, in my opinion, very over priced. When will this Corporate Building be built? This has been going on for several years, which again increases the material cost.
WHERE AS, *** I have built Five Dealership building in three different states. The above documents are a necessity
WOW, what would the news media do with a picture like this?
In a meeting with Mike Powell on Monday April 23, 2007. We discovered Mike is working very professionally to account for the concerns and voids. Mr. Schenck and Mr. Carr did not share all the necessary documents and information. This, in my humble opinion, was very poor management and the lack of sharing the needed items and information with the TICO Board is inexcusable. We did see and old site plan (2005) and I have a copy of the agreement signed by Scott Carr on January 12, 2006 and Haskell Company (seven days after the check for $1,580,000.00 us written to Haskell Company and signed by Carr and Schenck) I wonder why the TICO Treasurer did not sign the check (?)
Several of the TICO Board members as well as the Director did not know of some of these doings, There are no meeting minutes recorded to cover above activates. WHY???
There are many questions with no answers today, but I have the confidence that Mike Powell will be in a position to share this information with us in a few days.
I will also talk with Ken Revard and Ken Griffin after we receive the above requested items.
More to follow.
BAA President.
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March 15, 2007 - The meeting
started at 0834 hours and was adjourned at 0932 hours.
It
seems the agenda was shortened to accommodate a board member. Only four TICO
Board members were present; Jerry Sansom, Ken Rivard, Ken Griffen and Veronica
Clifford.
Approval of the Davis, Houser & Seacrest audit was accepted.
Assignment of the Helicopter Adventures Inc.’s lease at Space Coast Regional Airport to Bristow Group Inc. was also approved.
The vault at COI is still not functional, therefore the Papi lights are inoperative and the new frequency is not being used. Some manner of work is being completed at the new Sheriff Hangar.
Oddly enough, after several meetings concerning hangars at Merritt Island, this item was not on the agenda. However, Ken Griffin did bring up the program and was supported by Ken Rivard. The TICO Board was asked to revisit the sites. It was taken for granted that the board would not get the four approving votes because only four board members were present. Therefore the vote was not called for. ??????
We asked if soil borings were done
on the southeast site. It was noted that this major item was not done. The BAA
has information at some areas of the site have “MUCK” which of course must be
removed before any building can be done.
The BAA did recommend that the county start working on the site, redo the retention area and start stockpiling dirt. Due to the time it will take to make this site ready, it was also recommended that hangars on the northwest and the southwest area be started. No action was taken.
We also found an article making reference to getting additional funds for hangar construction. This was sent to the TICO staff.
Also, the feedback I am getting
in reference to types hangars and where they should go is being sent to the TICO
staff. We have also asked for the estimated rental fees.
BAA President.
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February 22, 2007 -
The meeting started at 0831 hours and adjourned at 1219 hours.There was standing room only in the
visitor’s section. All seats were full.
10 BAA members
were present of which 4 were BAA Board members. Thank you all!
The meeting followed the written agenda. The audit team of Davies, Houser & Seacrest CPA, P.A. reviewed the past year. Tony Yacono has a copy of the report for those of you who would like to review it. It will become part of the BAA controlled library. Sign it out and sign it in. Please note the TICO meetings are copied on CD’s and are also in the controlled Library.
The Gryphon group
requested a lease extension and it was granted. The Collins Group, Willow Creek,
roadway agreement was also approved. Both of these items took an
excessive amount of time due to questions, which in some cases, had been
discussed at earlier meetings.
The hangars at
Merritt Island were again presented but in a new layout. This layout was a
surprise to the BAA president. We had no input to the changes.
However, the TICO staff did contact the Brevard officials
relating to the storm water retention areas, etc. It was stated
that, “The county is ready to work with us”. This newly
revised layout of site “A” will be sent to all as soon as we get a copy. A
lot of discussion did take place in reference to these hangars. The staff wishes
to get started so that the county will also start with their part of the "verbal
agreement". This section will be constructed in four (4) stages. The NW
site and the SW sites will also be looked at. Whichever plan is put into
play, the move date will be approximately a year.
A new TICO
Board secretary was also voted in. The TICO Board secretary is Mr. Ken
Rivard.
There also was some discussion on the hangar waiting list
and ways to purge and clean this list for all three airports.
It was also noted by several attendees that some TICO Board
members do not take the time to read the minutes of past meetings nor do they
listen to the tapes of meetings not attended.
Thank Your for your time and support.
BAA President.
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December 21, 2006
- The TICO board meeting was from 0840 to 1100 hours and
several Brevard Aviation
Association members were present.
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December 2, 2006 - As per my commitment to you, the interviews
today at the TICO Board for a new TICO Director went very well. The three
that were interviewed seem to have what is needed to fill the position.
The TICO Board had a set of questions that were asked of each candidate. After
these questions each member of the board had the privilege of asking other
questions or additional information. Each session was in the area of 70
minutes.
I was also given the privilege of viewing the questions,
listening to all comments and given the opportunity to take part
in the
process. The TICO Board now has the job of which one. Mike Powell was
complemented on his interim work, he has done a very good job. (he did not apply
for the position) Mr. Larry Runyon and I did discuses "briefly" the
opportunity of the BAA being put on the agenda at the TICO meetings. This
will have to be approved by the TICO Board. As we talked at our BAA
meeting, this alone could be the beginning of the respect, understanding and
communication process that is needed. Down side, the chairs do become very
hard after a few hours.
More as the TICO Board makes their
decision.
Thank You for your time and support,