Airport Commission | Feb. 18, 2025

The meeting primarily focuses on the approval of the Airport Capital Improvement Plan for FY26-FY30, other financial and infrastructural matters, and discussion of recruitment services for the airport manager position.

Watch the meeting. AI generated summary below. Corrections welcome; please see contact page.

Key Points

• Approval of Minutes: The commission approved the minutes from the January 21, 2025, meeting.
• Public Comment: No public comments were received.
• Subcommittee Reports: Reports were presented from the Finance and Infrastructure/Marketing subcommittees, summarizing their recent meetings and actions.
• Airport Capital Improvement Plan (CIP): A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing and approving the CIP for FY26-FY30. Key projects included:
  • Design and construction of aircraft hardstands to accommodate larger aircraft.
  • Design and construction of a terminal building seasonal structure (tent initially, then a more permanent structure) to handle increased passenger capacity.
  • Aeronautical study and airspace analysis for the future reconstruction of Runway 15-33.
  • Terminal building HVAC replacement.
  • Replacement of snow removal equipment.
  • Design and reconstruction of Runway 15-33, including pavement thickness improvements.
    The discussion included detailed explanations of the projects, funding sources (AIP, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grants, state funding, and local share), and projected costs. Concerns were raised about the accuracy of cost estimates, particularly given potential inflation and the use of FY24 estimates for FY26 budgeting. A decision was made to approve the CIP for FY26, with the understanding that future years' estimates would be updated.
• Contract Approvals: The commission approved contracts for:
  • Three-year on-call environmental services with HRP Associates.
  • Change order for Runway 624 EEMASS replacement project.
  • Change order (zero cost) for aircraft firefighting vehicle replacement project.
• Recruitment Services: The commission rejected a proposal to award a contract to ADK Consulting for recruitment services for the airport manager position, due to cost concerns, and a considerations for promoting from within.
• Strategic Plan Adoption: The commission voted to postpone the adoption of the proposed Cape Cod Gateway Airport Strategic Plan until the next meeting (March 18, 2025), to allow for further review.

Note: Such proposed Strategic Plan is not provided with the 2025 meeting agendas.

• Executive Session: The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss litigation strategy.

Highlights:

• Extensive discussion regarding the CIP, particularly concerning cost estimates and funding sources.
• Debate over the use of recruitment services for the airport manager position, highlighting the tension between cost-effectiveness and internal promotion.
• The development and (postponed) adoption of a comprehensive strategic plan for the airport.