The meeting was attended by: Corinne Nystrom, President, Rex Tippets, Vice President, Ron Dent, Secretary/Treasurer, Dennis Heap, Past President, Jim Fluhr, Scott Brownlee, Mike Reisman, Kevin Gould, Janelle Barrilleaux, Dave Gordon, Ken Lawson, Eddie Storer, David Anderson and Travis Vallin.

President Corinne Nystrom called the meeting to order at 10:05 am.

Dennis Heap requested that two items be added: a request for a new Colorado Pilots Association liaison and whether to hold a Board Meeting at the FAA conference in April. Mike Reisman offered the motion to accept the agenda as amended, Scott Brownlee seconded the motion and all were in favor.

Corinne welcomed Dave Gordon and Ken Lawson who were attending as guests.

Kevin Gould requested that the minutes from the Board Meeting at the fall conference in Steamboat Springs be corrected to indicate that Colorado Springs’ desire to host the IAFC conference in 2006 be listed as possible, not definite, due to the change in administration since the letter was written. NWAAAE will need another letter of commitment. Janelle offered the motion to accept the minutes as amended, Mike Reisman seconded the motion and all were in favor.

V.    REPORTS OF OFFICERS & COMMITTEES

        A.    Financial Report

Ron Dent presented the Financial Report for calendar year 2003. The report showed $33,282.62 in income with $34,568.78 in expenses for a loss of $1,285.16. The balance in the account was $29,988.69. Rex Tippets offered a motion to approve the financial report, Janelle seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

        B.     Conference Committee

                    1.    Steamboat Conference

Dennis Heap reported that a check for $7,441.28 was sent to the hotel to cover the room shortage for the Steamboat conference. He suggested that the organization change the way of doing conferences and that the conference handbook be carefully adhered to. Dennis also suggested that the conference host use competitive bids or rfp’s for conference hotels to insure competition in those areas which have multiple facilities. Dennis thanked the corporate members for their financial assistance in stemming the losses from the conference. He also suggested that CAOA hire someone to help with the organizational work.

Corinne Nystrom reported that the letter of agreement and the contract with the Hampton Inn and the Hawthorne Suites have been signed. The conference is scheduled for the May 12-14. 90 rooms have been blocked. There is a shortage of rooms on the night of the 12th. Room rates are $75 at the Hampton Inn and $89 to $199 at the Hawthorne Suites. The conference center has been recently remodeled. Janelle Barrilleaux reported that the golf outing would be at the Redlands Mesa Golf Course. The contract for the golf outing will be signed shortly. Corinne passed out a draft budget for the conference.

Corinne requested volunteers to host the conference in Spring. Rex stated that he might be interested but he is looking at the NWAAE conference also. A discussion was held regarding possible locations for the meeting. Corinne stated that she will put out feelers for possible hosts.

Ron Dent reported that membership applications and invoices were being sent to members.

Rex Tippets discussed the reason for including the sponsorship fees in the corporate membership fees. This reduced the necessity of continuously contacting the corporate membership for sponsorship fees during the year. Ron Dent asked whether a portion of the membership fees go the conference host to assist in covering expenses. Rex explained that, if necessary, some membership revenues would be used to cover conference expenses if necessary. Jim Fluhr asked about how the Wyoming Airport Operators Association memberships work. Kevin Gould thought that a flat rate might be best. Ken Lawson stated that in his opinion the CAOA method was better because the corporate member only needed to write one check per year. He also suggested that the membership levels be reduced to two levels rather than four. Jim Ellwood agreed that two levels might be easier. Ron Dent suggested three levels - $2,000, $1,000 and $200. Ron, Kevin and Jim will work on recommendations for the Grand Junction Conference. Ron Dent also advised that he will be sending invoices to all corporate members shortly.

Dennis Heap suggested that we delete all references to the individual membership and just have the Friend of CAOA and Student membership for individuals.

Dennis Heap suggested the Association name Greg Isbill as an honorary member of CAOA. Ron Dent suggested that we also name Nance Early. Dennis Heap suggested that we also name Alan Weichman and George Brewer. It was decided to name Greg Isbill at this time and the others at a later date. The motion was offered by Scott Brownlee and seconded by Mike Reisman and passed unanimously.

Mike Reisman presented a report on the Association’s website. Highlights of the report included the fact that the website received 17,960 hits in 2003, averaging 1,497 per month. Corinne thanked Mike for his hard work on the excellent website.

1.     Legislative Reception

Dennis Heap reported that 80 people had R.S.V.P.’d for the reception at the Brown Palace. He reported that Chocolate Airplanes and the Economic Impact of Colorado Airports had been placed on every Legislator’s desk.

Travis Vallin discussed the fall 2004 conference. He suggested October 21-22 as possible dates. This would schedule the CAOA conference one week behind NBAA. The conference will be held at the Embassy Suites at DIA. Janelle Barrilleaux will organize the golf outing. The goal will be to keep costs down and to try to get a representative of Frontier Airlines as a guest speaker. He requested assistance from CAOA. One change would be that there will be few grant hearings. Only those airports who have unusual or major grant requests will actually need to do a presentation.

Also, the association and the Aeronautics Division need to present a basic course on air service for new Board Members and Commissioners. No dates have been confirmed.

Travis then discussed the issue of the association’s NBAA membership. He advised that the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Technology is no longer a member of NBAA. He asked whether CAOA should pick up the slack for the booth at the NBAA conference. There was also the issue of what would go into the booth. CAOA, CDOA, CDOT, etc.? Mike Reisman suggested that the CAB needs to take the lead. Travis said that the CAB could not do this without support from the economic development office. If the CAOA were to participate, the cost would be approximately $3,000. Mike Reisman suggested that CAOA contribute up to $3,000. Dennis Heap seconded the motion and modified that motion to agree to participate at the NBAA conference if the CAB also participates. The motion passed unanimously.

Rex offered a motion to establish 2-year terms for corporate board members with officers being elected during even numbered years beginning in 2006. Dennis seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Kevin Gould reported that COS definitely wants to host the 2007 IAFC Conference. Corinne requested that they send a letter of interest.

C.    2006 NWAAE Conference

Corinne reported that DIA might be interested. Eddie Storer asked whether this should be a joint conference with INAC, CAOA, etc. There was no consensus on this issue. Eddie also reported on the 2004 conference in Victoria, B.C. Rex Tippets said that the conference needs to be scheduled soon. Eddie Storer gave the new NWAAE contact phone number - 970-640-0551.

Scott Brownlee asked whether we should change the $600,000 governmental immunity level as most airports carry one million dollar insurance requirements. There was no decision on this item.

Corrine Nystrom discussed a need for legislation for armed security guards to have peace officer authority, provided they meet all P.O.S.T. requirements for peace officers in the state. Corinne offered to research this further.

Dennis Heap presented an update on the program. He would like for the Association to issue a scholarship this year. Travis Vallin suggested that the recipient should help with CAOA activities.

Dennis Heap stated that the proposed slate of officers for 2004 is: Rex Tippets, President; Ron Dent, Vice-President; Mike Reisman, Secretary-Treasurer; and Corinne Nystrom, Past President.

Dennis Heap requested a volunteer to be the liaison for CAOA to the Colorado Pilot’s Association. There were no volunteers but Steve Lee was suggested as a possible replacement.

There being no further business, Dennis Heap moved to adjourn, Mike Reisman seconded the motion and the meeting was adjourned at 1435.

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