171012 Airport Advisory MIN=
ATTENDANCE
Henry Atkinson, Euclid Benoit, Andre Brisson, Valerie Durston, Geoffrey Lee, Rick Lee, John
Prno, Jeremy Stockmans, Richard Van Maele Staff: Annette Murray, Dan Locke
Guests: Michael Desroches, Jay Heaman (By Skype)
MEMBERS ABSENT/REGRETS
Mel Getty, Chris Rosehart
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:04 p.m. Euclid Benoit sat as the Chair and John Prno
acted as Recording Secretary for the meeting. Euclid opened the meeting by introducing Dan
Locke as the Town’s new Manager of Public Works, and the Committee’s Staff Liaison.
2. Adoption of Agenda
Resolution #1
Moved By: Richard Van Maele Seconded By: Jeremy Stockmans
THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Airport Advisory Committee meeting of October 12,
2017, be adopted.
Carried
3. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
None Declared
4. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting
The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg
AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
October 12, 2017
5:00 p.m.
Tillsonburg Regional Airport Boardroom
244411 Airport Rd., South-West Oxford
MINUTES
Airport Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, October 12, 2017 - 2 -
4.1. Minutes of the Meeting of March 23, 2017.
Resolution #2
Moved By: Andre Brisson Seconded By: Richard Van Maele
THAT the Minutes of the Airport Advisory Committee Meeting of March 23, 2017, be
approved.
Carried
5. Delegations and Presentations
5.1. Michael Desroches, CEO, Tillsonburg Hydro
Michael presented a comprehensive summary of the hydro limitations at the Airport
(presentation attached). The Airport presently exceeds Hydro One’s Conditions of
Service, with five transformers on the property exceeding 200kVA. As a result, Hydro
One has capped growth to this location. Once a property has exceeded these
conditions, the property owner needs to own all of the power assets within. Previous
discussions had led the Committee to understand that this “re-powering” initiative could
cost as much as $1 million. Michael has clarified in discussion with Hydro One that the
two conventional options, i.e., purchasing the aging Hydro One infrastructure and
continuing to use it, or purchasing and having the Town replace with new infrastructure,
would cost under $100,000. There are also opportunities to partner and take advantage
of government programs to reduce the cost to generate electricity and contribute to the
improvement of climate change. In summary, Airport growth is achievable, but will
require investment.
5.2. Jay Heaman, Manager of Strategic Initiatives, Oxford County
Jay concurred with Michael’s comments and started by discussing the County’s
adopted commitment to 100% renewable energy by 2050, and the Town’s documented
interest in partnering with the County on green energy initiatives. He went on to discuss
how the timing of our discussions was ideal, given the number of funding opportunities
pending. Among them:
Hydro One has approached the County to see if there are projects they could
partner together on. They have a new senior management goal to work on
micro-grid development on customer property.
Smart Cities Canada has $300 million in Federal funding available for green
energy projects.
Airport Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, October 12, 2017 - 3 -
Up to $10 million per project is available through the Ontario Ministry of the
Environment Greenhouse Gas Reduction program. Weaning hangars from
propane heating to renewable energy (geothermal) would qualify.
The Oxford Community Co-Operative Foundation is also interested in green
energy partnerships locally.
Timing is critical as some of these projects have application timelines forthcoming in
2018. Priority should be on measuring baseline hydro usage by hour of day through a
real-time reporting application. Many reasonable technologies are available, or a
reputable company can be hired to do the study. Once this data is in hand, a Blue Sky
think tank involving the Committee and other interested stakeholders, could be convened
to discuss options and develop a plan for moving forward. The Town and County could
work jointly on funding submissions.
Resolution #3
Moved By: Valerie Durston Seconded By: Rick Lee
THAT the Committee explore the cost of monitoring hydro consumption, and continue to
work with Michael Desroches and Jay Heaman on opportunities for Green Energy in
developing Airport Hydro options going forward.
Carried
6. General Business & Reports
6.1. Update on Airport Activities
As the Committee had not met for the past six months, Annette Murray provided an
update on airport activities since the last meeting:
The Fuel Card Lock System was installed in May. Staff have worked through a
number of issues including user familiarity and poor WiFi coverage, but most of
the kinks have now been worked out.
Crack sealing of the entire runway and apron have now been completed as per
the capital budget. The plan is to include an amount annually to ensure the
condition is maintained.
After having received four responses to the RFP, Council has approved the
agricultural land use contract with a Norwich company. The 5 year term is for
$260/acre, a reduction from the previous $385/acre, but on par with what is
Airport Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, October 12, 2017 - 4 -
expected at area airports. The new contract results in reduced annual revenue
of approximately $51,000.
Work is underway on renovations to the reception area in the terminal building.
Due to the reduction in staff on duty, the large reception desk is no longer
needed, and is being removed. Staff will work out of the office as needed, and
additional seating will be provided in the reclaimed space.
No options have been found to improve the maintenance (rolling) of the grass
runways. The Woodstock Airport roller was found not to be available and the
traditional small roller was used again this spring. No complaints about runway
conditions have been received to date.
6.2. Committee Vacancy
With the receipt of Donna Scanlan’s resignation from the Committee, discussion took
place on the need for a replacement. As the Committee has strong membership well in
excess of the requirements in the Terms of Reference, and as Donna’s position was not
from one of the stakeholder groups with minimum membership numbers, the Committee
felt there was no need to add a new member at this time.
Resolution # 4
Moved By: Andre Brisson Seconded By: Valerie Durston
THAT, no additional Airport Advisory Committee member be added at this time.
Carried
7. Correspondence
None Received
8. Other Business
8.1. Terms of Reference
As Committee Terms of Reference should be reviewed annually, and as this was last
done May 5, 2016, the Secretary distributed copies of the current Terms of Reference
for review prior to, and discussion at the next Committee meeting.
Airport Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, October 12, 2017 - 5 -
8.2. Taxiway Condition
Discussion took place regarding the deteriorating condition of the East-West Taxiway in
the area north of the Harvard hangar. Annette Murray noted this was not on the current
capital work plan, but would review the request.
8.3. Hangar Numbering
The lack of hangar numbers to aid emergency services in locating a specific location
was discussed. Staff have been waiting for finalization of the Airport Master Plan to
number the buildings, but after discussion it was decided to temporarily number the
hangars using the existing numbers. Annette Murray will source numbers and apply in
a standard position easily seen from the paved access to each hangar. Upon
finalization of the Master Plan, consideration will be given to a large sign on the
entrance road to clarify building locations.
8.4. Colour of Miller Hanger
Discussion took place about the exterior colour of the new hangar being a shade lighter
than that required of tenant buildings, and the precedent being set for following other
Airport rules if this one is disregarded. Dan Locke will take this issue forward to senior
management for discussion.
9. Closed Session
No actions requiring documentation.
10. Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Airport Advisory Committee will be on Monday, November 20, 2017
at 5:00 p.m.
11. Adjournment
Resolution #4
Moved By: Rick Lee Seconded By: Richard Van Maele
THAT the Airport Advisory Committee Meeting of October 12, 2017, be adjourned at 6:30
p.m.
Carried