Security Committee

FALCON FIELD TENANTS AND USERS ASSOCIATION

SECURITY COMMITTEE

Minutes of July 25, 2008 Meeting

ATTENDEES:  Corinne Nystrom, Jeffery Trip and Jim Law from Falcon Field; Edward Murphy, Bob Reid, and Dennis Taylor from the FFTUA Security Committee:

PURPOSE:  Obtain an update on the status of Phase III of the airport’s security fencing airport and access gate usage restrictions.

DISCUSSION:  The meeting commenced at approximately 1:30 pm.

Corinne and Jeffery indicated that a grant from the FAA has been received to construct Phase III of the airport fencing.  Bids were solicited and a low bidder has been identified.  Jeffery indicated that a pre-construction briefing with the contractor will be held in approximately 2 weeks.  He also indicated that he anticipates a notice-to-proceed will be issued to the contractor in approximately 2-3 weeks. 

If all proceeds well the estimated completion time for Phase III, the final phase, will be early 1^st quarter of 2009.

Access cards will be issued as the fencing nears completion.  Corinne advised that photos of card holders will not be used.  Each tenant will be issued the number of cards they need at a fee of $20 each even though the cost of the photo has been eliminated.

Ed Murphy asked why security had to be tied into the city of Mesa’s municipal system.  Per both Corinne and Jeffery, it is primarily because this is the most cost-effective system to use.  A portion of the infrastructure is already in place.  Plus, city employees not working at Falcon Field still need access to the airport and they will be able to use their cards to access the airport.  Corinne also said she doesn’t want the airport to administer its own security system because that would be too time consuming and cumbersome.  Both Corinne and Jeffery indicated the municipal system is very reliable.  Jeffery confirmed that a card will not be necessary to exit the airport.

Corinne confirmed that tenants south of the runways will have use of all access gates with one card.  She stated that when the cards are issued the users will be advised of this but asked to cooperate by minimizing their passage across Taxiway B and on the ramps between the tower and the runways.

Ed Murphy asked about the issue of a pedestrian gate near the terminal that could be operated with a separate code so that transient pilots could get on and off the airport with minimal problems.  Corinne indicated that this issue has not been resolved but acknowledged that a pedestrian gate is important and will probably be added.  She asked Jeffery to look into that issue.

Corinne also added that the access gate adjacent to Falcon Aviation’s fuel office will be turned over to them and be completely under their control.

Questions were asked by various attendees information regarding access to the airport property from the Higley Road side.  Corinne advised that Air West will soon be closing the driveway at the cul-de-sac at the end of Roadrunner Drive just before Higley Road and adjacent to their property.  Once that happens an additional access gate will be opened along Roadrunner somewhere in the vicinity of the old paint shop.  Corinne also advised that, ultimately, Roadrunner will be opened at Higley but will cul-de-sac on both sides of the future taxiway that will be built to accommodate future hangar tenants on developed property in front of the post office.  Eagle Drive will more than likely be cul-de-sac’d just past the post office entrance as well.  Jeffery indicated that 30% plans are being prepared to open Roadrunner Drive at Higley.

On the issue of recent security problems at the airport, Jeffery indicated he is aware of 1-2 fuel thefts per month.  He hopes that the security fence will eliminate these, unless of course the fuel thefts are initiated by a tenant(s) of the airport.

The meeting adjourned with Corinne advising the attendees that a city council member has requested that Falcon Field pay for the dedicated fire equipment and fire fighting personnel that are assigned to the Air Rescue and Recovery Station on McKellips.  She is reviewing this because the assessment could amount to over $300,000 per year, money which would have to be generated either by increased fuel flowage fees or increased fees to tenants, or a combination of both.  She asked that if anyone has any suggestions on how to avoid this assessment she would appreciate hearing from them.

Corinne also advised that the state airport authority will NOT be making any grants in 2008.  This means the annual registration fee that aircraft owners are paying into the aviation fund for airport improvements will go into the general fund, against the law.  It was suggested by all attendees that their local state representatives be contacted to ask why this is being allowed to happen and to find out what we can do to get our fees refunded if they are not be used as legislated.