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>> COURAGE: ARE WE ONLINE? >> WE'RE GOOD. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU.
GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY. WELCOME TO THE TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MEETING. AND LET'S GO AHEAD AND BEGIN WITH ATTENDANCE, PLEASE.
[Approval of Minutes ]
QUORUM. >> COURAGE: OKAY. THANK YOU.
LET'S GO AHEAD AND CONSIDER OUR MINUTES FROM OUR FEBRUARY 20TH MEETING, IF I CAN SPIT THAT OUT. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? IF NOT, I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 20TH
>> SO MOVED. >> COURAGE: MOTION MADE AND SECONDED.
ANY -- LAST TIME, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR OR ANYBODY, ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT IT? IF NOT, A YOU ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
COUNCILMEMBER KAUR CAN YOU GIVE US APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.
[Briefing and Possible Action on ]
THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, TODAY OUR ONLY MAJOR ACTION IS A BRIEFING WITH POSSIBLE ACTION ON NINE AT-LARGE APPLICATIONS TO THE AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE.AND I HOPE ALL OF YOU HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK OVER THE MATERIAL THAT'S BEEN PRESENTED, AND WE'RE HERE TODAY TO INTERVIEW ANYONE WHO HAS COME IN PERSON TO GO AHEAD AND LET US KNOW THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SERVE.
WE'VE GOT APPROXIMATELY, WHAT, 13, 14 PEOPLE WHO HAVE LET US KNOW THEY ARE INTERESTED. WE HAVE NINE SEATS TO VISIT, TO FILL IN, I BELIEVE.
SO LET US GO AHEAD AND BEGIN. DO ANY COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE BEGIN? OKAY.
IF NOT, I'LL GO AHEAD AND BEGIN BY ASKING FOR THOSE WHO MAY BE HERE, DO WE HAVE A LIST FROM THE CLERK'S OFFICE YET? WHO ARE HERE?
>> COURAGE: IS MARK HERE? GOOD. TELL US WHY YOU WOULD LIKE
TO SERVE OR CONTINUE SERVING. >>
>> COURAGE: THEY ARE IN THE OTHER ROOM. >> HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO
QUESTIONS AMONG STAFF? >> COURAGE: I'LL GO AHEAD AND START WITH YOU AFTER
HE'S HAD HIS PRESENTATION. GO AHEAD, MARK. >> HELLO, MY NAME IS MARK FESSLER. I'M THE PRESIDENT OF MILLIONAIRES SAN ANTONIO WHICH IS A LOCAL AVIATION BUSINESS AT THE AIRPORT. I'VE BEEN A PILOT FOR -- I GUESS I'M SUPPOSED TO TELL YOU ABOUT MYSELF. IS THAT WHAT THE THREE MINUTES -- OKAY, I'M NOT REAL GOOD ABOUT THAT SO LET'S SEE HOW THIS GOES.
>> YEARS, MY DAD WAS AN AIRCRAFT MECHANIC. I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN SAN ANTONIO SO SAN ANTONIO IS MY HOMETOWN. I'VE BEEN WORKING IN THE AIRPORT SYSTEM FOR OVER 35 YEARS. MY FIRST JOB WAS AT AIRCRAFT MECHANICS SCHOOL SO MY FIRST JOB OUT OF COLLEGE WAS AT STINSON.
I'M CURRENT CHAIRMAN OF THE AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION AND IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO SERVE IN THAT CAPACITY. WE ARE EMBARKING ON PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT FIVE YEARS OF OUR AIRPORT'S HISTORY AND THERE'S SOME EXTREMELY EXCITING THINGS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE A WONDERFUL AIRPORT SYSTEM, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE AMAZING IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AND NOT JUST BECAUSE OF FACILITIES BUT BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE'RE GETTING TO SERVE WITH RIGHT NOW.
SO I'VE SERVED UNDER FIVE DIFFERENT AIRPORT DIRECTORS AND I CAN WITHOUT HESITATION SAY THE LEADERSHIP WE'VE GOT AT THE AIRPORT IS BY FAR THE BEST.
WE HAVE AMAZING PEOPLE IN PLACE, AN AMAZING PLAN AND, OF COURSE, THE CITY COUNCIL
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HAS NOW APPROVED THE FIRST PARTS OF THAT. SO THERE'S A LOT TO DO FOR OUR AIRPORT SYSTEM AND THAT INCLUDES STINSON AND SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. THE AIRPORT -- THE REASON I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO SERVE IS I'M A FATHER OF FIVE AND MY CHILDREN HAVE GROWN UP HERE AND SAN ANTONIO IS THE PLACE WHERE MY WIFE AND I WILL RETIRE AS WELL.I LOVE THIS CITY AND I THINK THERE'S SO MUCH POTENTIAL THAT WE HAVE IN OUR CITY AND NOT JUST THE AIRPORT BUT AS ALL OF YOU KNOW, THE AIRPORT IS AN ECONOMIC GENERATOR.
IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT ASSET OF THE CITY. I WOULD ARGUE IT'S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASSETS THAT WE HAVE. AND WE HAVE A VERY GOOD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE, A VERY GOOD MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE WITH THE AIRPORT FALLING UNDER THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE. SO JUST A LOT OF EVACUEE THINGS ARE IN PLACE RIGHT NOW -- A LOT OF KEY THINGS ARE IN PLACE AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ME STAY, I'M HAPPY TO CONTINUE TO SERVE IN THIS CAPACITY.
I LOVE WHAT WE DO AND THE AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION IS FILLED WITH SOME OF THE BEST MEMBERS THAT WE'VE EVER HAD. SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, I JUST WOULD LIKE TO OFFER MY SUPPORT AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO CONTINUE, THEN I
WOULD BE HONORED TO DO THAT. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MR. FESS. WE'RE GOING TO GO AROUND AND SEE IF WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR YOU. I'LL START WITH
COUNCILMEMBER GAVITO. >> GAVITO: WE'VE KNOWN EACH OTHER FROM THE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE. WHAT DID YOU THINK WAS THE MOST IMPACTFUL ON THE AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION IN YOUR PREVIOUS TERMS? LIKE IMPACTFUL DECISIONS
OR -- >> ONE OF THE THINGS EARLY ON I WAS PART OF THE COMMITTEE THAT SELECTED THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR FOR THE RENTAL CAR FACILITY, WHICH IS ONE OF THE -- YOU KNOW, WITH OUR AIRPORT AT ITS CURRENT AGE, IT'S ONE OF THE NEWEST ASSETS THAT WE HAD ADDED. AND SO I THINK PROBABLY A BETTER ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION, THOUGH, WOULD BE I FEEL LIKE MY ROLE ON THE AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION IS TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE ALL THE VOICES AT THE TABLE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. BEFORE WHEN I FIRST JOINED THE COMMISSION, OUR MEETINGS WOULD AVERAGE 45 MINUTES TO AN HOUR.
IT'S NOT UNCOMMON FOR US TO HAVE TWO-HOUR MEETINGS NOW, NOT THAT THAT MEANS THAT'S A GOOD THING, BUT I'VE REALLY ENDEAVORED TO FOSTER COMMUNICATION AND INPUT FROM THE OTHER MEMBERS. I THINK THAT'S BEEN ONE OF THE MOST IMPACTFUL THINGS, JUST HAVING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE HAVE THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT CAN REALLY
ADVISE AND SUPPORT THE AIRPORT DIRECTOR. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> COURAGE: NO QUESTIONS. OKAY.
I'LL JUST ASK, DO YOU THINK FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE THE INPUT THAT YOU OFFER IS BEING SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED BY THE STAFF FROM THE AIRPORT?
>> COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE, IF I COULD SPEAK FOR THE LAST 35-YEAR HISTORY, I COULDN'T ALWAYS HAVE SAID THIS, BUT I CAN HONESTLY SAY NOW THAT WE HAVE A VOICE.
AND I EVEN HAVE THE DIRECTOR'S CELL PHONE, HE'S TAKEN MY CALLS ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON. HE DOESN'T HAVE TO DO THAT, HE PROBABLY SHOULDN'T DO THAT, BUT I'VE HAD SITUATIONS EVEN IN OUR BUSINESS UNRELATED TO THE AAC, BUT HE'S ACCESSIBLE AND HIS TEAM IS ACCESSIBLE AND SO I DO FEEL LIKE MY VOICE
IS HEARD NOW AND I CAN'T SAY THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE. >> COURAGE: OKAY.
THANK YOU. I THINK THAT'S THE END OF THE QUESTIONS WE HAVE, SO WE APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE, MR. FE. WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING IS INTERVIEWING EVERYBODY, THEN GOING INTO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION MAKING OUR CHOICES OR DISCUSSING THE OPTIONS.
AND THEN WE'LL COME OUT AND DECIDE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. >> THANK YOU. >> COURAGE: NEXT ON OUR LIST IS REBECCA GONZALES. WELCOME, MS. GONZALES. YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES AND THEN WE'LL SEE IF ANY OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
WELCOME. >> OKAY. JUST TELL ME WHEN.
OKAY. BORN AND RAISED DOWN THE STREET FROM ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY. MY FRIENDS CALL ME ROAMING REBECCA BECAUSE THEY NEVER KNOW WHERE I AM AND WHERE I'M HEADED. I'M HERE TO CONVINCE YOU THAT YOU NEED FRESH EYES. I'M HERE BECAUSE MY EXPERIENCES OF CULTURE AND TRAVEL HAVE EDUCATED ME IN A WAY YOU CANNOT LEARN FROM TRADITIONAL EDUCATION.
MY BACKGROUND IS EXTENSIVE WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY AND TRAVEL.
MANY PASSENGERS ARE ANGRY, RUSHED AND IMPATIENT EVEN BEFORE THEY MAKE IT TO THE
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DOOR. I'D LIKE TO SEE CALM AND SERENITY WHEN STEPPING INTO THE AIRPORT. COLORS THAT CALM, LIGHTING THAT IS NATURAL AND MAKES THE SPACE LOOK BIGGER THAN IT IS. I'D LIKE TO UNIFY US ALL FINDING COMMON GROUND, CELEBRATING THE INTERNATIONAL BACKGROUNDS OF TEXAS. MUSIC, NATURE, ART, DESIGN, COLOR, I'D LIKE TO SEE AS BIKE AND CART SELLING, USED TO SELL ICE CREAM WHEN IT'S 110 DEGREES OUTSIDE.I WOULD INTERVIEW SOME EMPLOYEES. THEY ARE SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE. I'D LIKE TO CREATE SPACES OF QUIET FOR SOME AND SAFE PLAY FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES BUT BETTER THAN JUST A SPACE, A ROOM, SOMETHING MORE THOUGHT OUT AND CHARMING. OUR HISTORY IS RICH BUT OUR FUTURE IS WHAT WE SHOULD FOCUS ON. ALSO CREATING A DECOMPRESSION SPACE FOR VICTIMS OR EMPLOYEES, NOT A COLD, STARK ROOM.
WE COULD LEARN FROM THE JAPANESE. THEY ARE WONDERFUL AT BRINGING CALM TO AN AIRPORT AND TO THE ENVIRONMENT, MAKING IT EASY TO GET AROUND. YOU SIMPLY FOLLOW THE AIRLINES, THE SYMBOLS.
LET'S GO TO JAPAN AND CHECK OUT GOOD NATURE HOTEL, SUSTAINABLE, RESPECTFUL, EDUCATIONAL, SO MUCH SO THAT THE COMMUNITY AROUND IT HAS ALSO EMBRACED BETTER WAYS TO ENJOY A SPACE. I'D LOVE TO SHARE IDEAS OF WHAT I'VE LEARNED AROUND THE WORLD. THERE ARE MANY FUNCTIONAL, PRETTY AIRPORTS.
ANYBODY CAN HAVE A FUNCTIONAL, PRETTY AIRPORT. BUT IF YOU REALLY WANT TO STAND OUT, YOU'VE GOT TO THAT'S THE FIRST STEP IN DESIGNING SOMETHING MEMORABLE AND DIFFERENT.
THANK YOU. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. GONZALES.
WE'RE GOING TO GO AROUND AND ASK EVERY COUNCILMEMBER IF THEY HAVE A QUESTION THEY WOULD LIKE TO ASK AND I'LL START WITH COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA.
COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. NO?
GO BACK TO COUNCILWOMAN COUNCILWOMAN GAVITO. >> GAVITO: YOU HAD MENTIONED YOU ARE SERVING PAST PATIENTS WITH VOLUNTEER WORK.
GIVE ME MORE INSIGHT. >> I USED TO HAVE A SMALL CLINIC OUT OF MY HOME, A DETOX CENTER. I WORKED WITH MOSTLY VETERANS AND TEACHERS BUT OCCASIONALLY I WOULD GET SOMEBODY TO FLY FROM WHY GERMANY OR FRANCE AND I WAS EASY TO GET TO, SO I'M REALLY CLOSE AND THAT'S MOST OF THE ONE ON ONE, MOSTLY
PEOPLE WITH CANCER, BUT ALSO HEALTHY PEOPLE. >> GAVITO: SOUNDS GOOD.
THANK YOU. >> COURAGE: LET ME ASK YOU, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN
AWAY FROM ACTIVE FLIGHT DUTY OR ARE YOU STILL DOING THAT? >> I WAS MARCH 4TH WAS MY
LAST DAY. THIS PAST MARCH. >> COURAGE: CAN YOU TELL ME IF YOU'VE HAD ANY INTERACTION WITH ANY OF THE LEADERSHIP AT SAN ANTONIO
AIRPORT WHILE YOU'VE BEEN FLYING? >> I CAN TELL YOU THE LEADERSHIP AT THE AIRPORT, I DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW TO ANSWER THAT AS SOMEONE WHO COMES OUT IN A UNIFORM AND GOES THROUGH THE AIRPORT, BUT I CAN SAY THERE'S SOME BIG CHANGES I THINK THAT NEED TO BE MADE. ONE OF THEM IS THE DETAINEES OR THE IMMIGRANTS, WHERE THEY ARE LINED UP. A LOT OF THE FOLKS THAT OUR AIRLINE HAVE TO GO THROUGH KNOWN CREW MEMBER SO THAT'S NOT A VERY GOOD HUMANITARIAN PLACE TO PUT THEM, I THINK IT'S VERY HUMILIATING BECAUSE RIGHT NEXT YOU'VE GOT UNITED, EVERYONE IS HAPPY TO GO ON VACATION, NEXT TO THEM ARE PEOPLE GETTING A SACK LUNCH AND WITHOUT ANYTHING. I THINK IF WE CAN WORK ON BRINGING KINDNESS AND THE HUMANITARIAN ISSUES BACK TO PLAY.
THE AIRPORT TO ME SEEMS VERY MASCULINE AND I THINK WE NEED TO EACH OUR HEARTS AND MIND TO WHAT OUR CULTURE IS AND BRING THAT IN. NO, I HAVEN'T REALLY HAD ANYTHING -- I JUST THINK THE PEOPLE AT THE AIRPORT NEED TO BE PAID MORE.
THEY WORK VERY HARD. >> COURAGE: WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I APPRECIATE THAT INSIGHT. I THINK THAT'S IT. NO ONE ELSE HAS ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE'LL BE DELIBERATING AFTER WE'VE TALKED TO EVERYBODY AND YOU WILL HEAR MORE IN A WHILE.
>> BECAUSE TWO MINUTES REALLY DOESN'T [INAUDIBLE] MUCH.
>> COURAGE: I KNOW. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU.
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HELL LOW, MS. GORIN. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES AND THEN WE'LL HAVE SOMEQUESTIONS FOR YOU. >> THANK YOU. I'M HONORED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERVIEW FOR A POSITION ON THE SAN ANTONIO AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION. MY PASSION FOR AVIATION AND COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT MAKE ME AN IDEAL CANDIDATE FOR THIS ROLE. THROUGHOUT MY CAREER I HAVE DEVELOPED A DEEP UNDERSTANDING IN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY.
FROM FLYING DRONES FOR AGRICULTURAL COMPANIES RIGHT OUT OF COLLEGE TO FLYING TURBO PROPS INTO AIRPORT AS BIG AS DALLAS FORT WORTH AND AS SMALL AS PAMPA, TEXAS.
NOW I FLY HEAVY JETS ALL NIGHT LONG AND I DELIVER THINGS AS SMALL AS AS AN AMAZON TRANSACTION TO AN ORGAN. THESE EXPERIENCES HAVE PROVIDED ME WITH INSIGHTS INTO CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FACING THE AIRPORTS TODAY. FROM INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT TO JUST MOTHER NATURE. IN ADDITION TO MY PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND, I AM DEEPLY INVESTED IN THE WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY. I BELIEVE THAT AIRPORTS PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN DRIVING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND CONNECTING PEOPLE AND CULTURES. AS A MEMBER OF THE AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION, I AM EAGER TO COLLABORATE WITH FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS, STAKEHOLDERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ENSURE THAT OUR AIRPORT SERVES THE NEEDS OF BOTH TRAVELERS AND RESIDENTS ALIKE. MY STRENGTHS LIE IN WORKING AS A CREW.
AS A PREVIOUS CAPTAIN AND NOW A FIRST OFFICER, AND I KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING AS A TEAM AND BEING ABLE TO COME TO A CRITICAL DECISION TOGETHER.
AS A TEAM PLAYER, I VALUE DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES AND CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE.
I AM ALSO COMMITTED TO TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND I WILL WORK WITH EXCITEMENT OUR AIRPORT AND HELP ITS FUTURE DIRECTION. THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING MY APPLICATION. I LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING ON THE AIRPORT ADVISORY
COMMISSION AND A MEANINGFUL INTACT IN OUR COMMUNITY. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU.
WE'RE GOING TO GO AROUND AND SEE IF ANY OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS HAVE QUESTIONS THEY WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU. I'M GOING TO START WITH COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. NOTHING? OKAY.
COUNCILWOMAN GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE AND ALSO THANK YOU FOR THE RESUMÉ. I APPRECIATE THAT. I SAW IN YOUR VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE YOU ARE WITH WOMEN IN AVIATION INTERNATIONAL, THE BLUEGRASS CHAPTER AND ALSO THE MISSION PILOT FOR PILOTS FOR PAUSE MISSIONS.
CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT? >> I'VE BEEN A PART OF WOMEN IN AVIATION INTERNATIONAL FOR A FEW YEARS, GOING TO THE CONFERENCES FOR A FEW YEARS. THE BLUEGRASS CHAPTER IS A CHAPTER IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY. I'M NEW TO THE SAN ANTONIO AREA, ONLY BEEN HERE ABOUT THREE YEARS. WE HAVE AN ALAMO CITY CHAPTER THAT I PLAN ON BEING A PART OF. FOR THE PILOTS FOR PAWS MISSION, THAT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY I WILL NEVER FORGET. IT IS WHERE I VOLUNTEER MY FLIGHT TIME AND TO RENT AN AIRCRAFT ON MY TIME, MY DIME, AND BE ABLE TO TAKE
FOSTER PUPPIES TO THEIR NEW HOMES. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU.
>> COURAGE: COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR PROGRAM THAT I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE OFF LINE, FOSTER PUPPIES
PROGRAM. THANK YOU. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU.
HAVE YOU HAD OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT WITH ANY OF THE LEADERS AT THE AIRPORT, GONE
TO ANY MEETINGS AND TALKED WITH THEM OR ANYTHING? >> I ACTUALLY HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT, BUT I DO LOOK FORWARD THE THE NEW TERMINAL.
I LOVE THE NEW LOGO THAT INCLUDES THE S AND THE A AND THE T.
BUT HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO INTERACT WITH DIRECT MEMBERS BUT I AM IN THE TERMINAL
QUITE OFTEN. >> COURAGE: LET ME ASK COUNCILMEMBER KAUR WHO IS
ONLINE IF SHE HAS A QUESTION. >> KAUR: NO, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WANT TO GO APPLY FOR THIS BOARD. WE KNOW IT'S TAKEN TIME OUT
OF YOUR DAY AND LIFE SO APPRECIATE THAT. >> COURAGE: I GUESS ONE OF THE OTHERS IS DO YOU SUE THE TIME COMMITMENT WITH WHAT THE AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD REQUIRES, DO YOU SEE ANY KIND OF DIFFICULTY IN MEETING THEIR SCHEDULE AS
WELL AS CONTINUING WITH YOUR OWN? >> GREAT QUESTION, SOMETHING I WAS THINKING ABOUT EARLIER THIS MORNING. MY SCHEDULE IS WEEK ON, WEEK OFF AND I DO PLAN TO ALIGN THE WEEK ON OR WEEK OFF WITH MEETINGS HERE.
I'M STILL LOW ON THE SENIORITY POLE AT UPS SO I CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT, BUT I LOOKED AT MY SCHEDULE STARTING JANUARY TILL NOW AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE
TO MAKE ALL THE MEETINGS SO FAR THIS YEAR. >> COURAGE: OKAY.
AGAIN, ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? HEARING NONE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. GORIN.
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>> THANK YOU. >> COURAGE: NEXT ON OUR LIST IS JEFFREY FAIR.
HELLO, YOU WILL BE GIVEN THREE MINUTES TO GO AHEAD AND TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE OR WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO SERVE
AUDIO]. >> CHAIRMAN COURAGE, DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF MY APPLICATION TO BE REAPPOINTED TO THE AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION.
I'M PROUD OF THE EFFORTS BEING MADE BY AIRPORT SYSTEM TEAM AND BELIEVE THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE THEIR SUCCESS IS CONTINUE TO INCLUDE OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN THIS ENDEAVOR. MY ROLE AS VICE PRESIDENT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE GREATER SAN ANTONIO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, I LEAD THE ORGANIZATION'S AVIATION, AEROSPACE AND COMMERCIAL SPACE EFFORT. I FACILITATE THE CHAMBER'S AEROSPACE COMMITTEE WHERE WE CONVENE IN SAN ANTONIO'S AEROSPACE INDUSTRY ON A MONTHLY BASIS. I'M THE LEAD FOR THE GREATER CHAMBER'S CONTINUED SUPPORT TO THE TEAM, INCLUDING CELEBRATING THE AIRPORT'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS, PROVIDING SUPPORT TO FEDERAL GRANT APPLICATIONS AND PROMOTING OUR AIRPORT BOTH REGIONALLY AND NATIONALLY. WE ARE A STAUNCH ADVOCATE FOR BUSINESSES BASED BOTH AT S.A.T. AND STINSON. IN MY JUST OVER 18 MONTHS WITH THE COMMISSION, I PRIDE MYSELF ON REPRESENTING THE COMMISSION BOTH IN THIS CHAMBER AND AT EVENTS AT STINSON AND S.A.T. I'VE ARGUED FOR THIS COMMISSION TO BE MORE AVAILABLE FOR AND TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE PUBLIC COMMENT.
I HAVE ALSO ENCOURAGED THE AIRPORT TEAM TO TO RUNNING OF THE COMMISSION. AND FINALLY, I BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE SEVERAL VETERANS ON THE COMMISSION AS THE AIRPORT LEADERSHIP GRAPPLES WITH SOME PARKING CHALLENGES. AS A 23-YEAR VETERAN OF THE ARMY, I'M ACTIVE WITH SEVERAL MILITARY AND VETERANS GROUPS ACROSS THE CITY AND I THINK IT WILL BE ESSENTIAL TO HAVE SEVERAL VETERAN VOICES ON THE COMMISSION AS WE SEEK TO SUCCESSFULLY DESIGN SOLUTIONS FOR A COMPLEX ISSUE. PERSONALLY I'M EXCITED AT THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTINUING TO SERVE ON THE COMMISSION. I SUPPORT THE AUDACIOUS PLAN OF OUR AIRPORT TEAM AND WHAT THEY WILL BE EXECUTING. I BELIEVE A MORE ACTIVE COMMISSION WILL HELP OUR CITY ACHIEVE SUCCESS AND I APPRECIATE THE COMMITTEE'S
TIME TODAY. THANK YOU. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU.
WE'LL SEE IF ANY OF THE MEMBERS HAVE QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
WE'LL START WITH COUNCILWOMAN GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANKS TO BE APPLYING AND BEING ENGAGED IN THIS. SINCE YOU ARE A REAPPOINTMENT, I WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M GETTING THE TITLE RIGHT, WHAT DID YOU THINK WAS THE MOST IMPACTFUL DECISION YOU GAVE TO THE AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION
IN THE PAST? >> I THINK SO FAR THE MOST IMPACTFUL PROBABLY PIECE OF -- PIECE OF ADVICE I'VE GIVEN THEM, ON THE VERY FIRST DAY I MET AS A COMMISSION, THE ENTIRE GROUP STARTED TALKING ABOUT THE PARKING ISSUE.
AND I WAS REALLY SURPRISED AT KIND OF THE TONE IT TOOK AND THEN I REALIZED I WAS THE ONLY VETERAN IN THE ROOM. I SAID HEY, NOT ONLY AM I DISABLED VETERAN SO I HAVE THE PLATES YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, I HAVE THE HANG TAG TOO. WE STARTED TALKING AND I THINK BEGAN A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW CAN WE APPROACH THIS SITUATION NOT JUST WITH STICKS BUT WITH CARROTS AND
HOW DO WE HAVE A POSITIVE ROUTE FORWARD. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU.
>> COURAGE: COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA. NO? OKAY. COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.
OKAY. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> KAUR: A QUICK QUESTION, WHERE ARE THEY ON THE PUBLIC COMMENT PROCESS? WAS THAT A SUGGESTION YOU MADE THAT WAS ACTUALLY TAKEN UP?
>> SO ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES ON THE COMMISSION ACTUALLY MADE THE RECOMMENDATION, BUT HE WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE THE MEETING WHERE WE DISCUSSED IT.
SO I FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT POINT OF VIEW DISCUSSED.
I WASN'T NECESSARILY TIED TO IT, BUT I THINK WE HAD A GOOD DISCUSSION ABOUT WHEN THAT COMMISSION SHOULD MEET TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC COMMENT. WE'VE HEARD FROM SEVERAL HOAS AROUND THE AIRPORT THAT THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT, BUT PERHAPS THE TIMING ISN'T BEST. SO IT WAS A GOOD DISCUSSION.
ULTIMATELY WE DECIDED NOT TO MOVE THE MEETING TIME, BUT I FEEL IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION, AS A COMMISSIONER, TO BE ABLE TO ENCOURAGE THE REST OF MY FELLOW CITIZENS IN SAN ANTONIO TO BE ABLE TO
PROVIDE COMMENT. >> COURAGE: OKAY. THANK YOU.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR? NO? LET ME ASK -- THAT WE JUST DISCUSSED, HOW IS IT THAT WE CAN ENCOURAGE PUBLIC COMMENT OR DO YOU
[00:25:01]
THINK THAT THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS SHOULD BE GETTING OUT INTO THE PUBLIC TO HEARMORE FROM THE PUBLIC ABOUT THESE THINGS? >> I THINK THE COMMISSION MEMBERS SERVE A VITAL ROLE IN THAT CONNECTIVITY SO I THINK THEY NEED TO GET OUT INTO THE COMMUNITIES. I DO THAT AS ONE OF THE BUSINESS PEOPLE ON THE COMMISSION THROUGH DIFFERENT COMMITTEES THAT I MENTIONED AND COUNCILS THAT I MENTIONED, BUT ALSO I KNOW THAT EACH OF YOU HAVE SOMEONE ON THE COMMITTEE.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE REACH OUT. I KNOW THERE ARE SOME FOLKS THAT REALLY WANT TO TALK TO THE COMMISSION AND I THINK A LATE-AFTERNOON TIME IS A GOOD -- IT'S A GOOD TIME SO WE DON'T HAVE COMMISSIONERS HAVING TO MEET AT 7:00 P.M., BUT IT'S LATE ENOUGH IN THE AFTERNOON PEOPLE CAN COME TO THE COMMISSION.
I THINK IT WAS A GOOD COMPROMISE TIME. >> COURAGE: OKAY.
I THOUGHT I HEARD YOU TALK ABOUT MAYBE PROCESSES OR OTHER THINGS THE COMMITTEE IS UNDERGOING THAT YOU THINK YOU HAVE -- WOULD WOULD TO MAKE SOME MORE INPUT ON.
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT COMES TO MIND? >> WE DID NOT MEET ONE MONTH LATE IN 2023 JUST BECAUSE THE STAFF MEMBER WHO NORMALLY FACILITATES THE COMMISSION WAS UNAVAILABLE. AND TO ME THAT'S A SINGLE POINT OF FAILURE.
I ALREADY TALKED TO JEFF ABOUT IT. I THINK THAT'S JUST SOMETHING WITH A CITY OF 13,000 EMPLOYEES, WE CAN BE BETTER THAN THAT.
WE CAN HAVE MULTIPLE FOLKS PREPARED TO FACILITATE A COMMISSION MEETING SO WE'RE
NOT MISSING A MONTH BECAUSE OF ONE PERSON'S SCHEDULE. >> COURAGE: VERY GOOD.
OKAY. I DON'T SEE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS COMING UP.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE'LL BE DELIBERATING AND LET YOU KNOW OUR DECISION IN
A LITTLE WHILE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
>> CLERK: MANUEL REYNA IS NOT PRESENT. >> COURAGE: JUANITA
PERSON WHO DROPPED OUT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS -- MY APOLOGIES.
>> COURAGE: NO, THAT'S OKAY. WE WERE JUST ASKING AN INTERNAL QUESTION, BUT I DO THINK ONE PERSON DID WITHDRAW.
>> CLERK: ACTUALLY THERE WERE THREE IN THIS CATEGORY AND WE CAN BRIEF THAT AFTER.
>> COURAGE: OKAY. THANK YOU. YES, WELCOME, MS. REYNA, AND WOULD YOU PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO SERVE
ON THE AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE. >> YES, SIR.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. MY NAME IS JUANITA SEPULVEDA. AS AN ADVOCATE IN THE COMMUNITY IN DEVELOPMENT, I WORK WITH THE BELIEF THAT TRANSFORMING SOME POWERING AND EFFECTIVE WAY TO LOOK AT THE TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE. IF I'M GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY AS ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS, MY INTEREST WOULD BE DEEPLY ROOTED IN THE CONVERSATION OF PERSONAL COMMITMENT NOT ONLY TO MY COMMUNITY BUT ALSO TO BRING MY PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND THAT ALIGNS WITH THE GOALS AND CHALLENGES THAT MOST MODERN AIRPORTS ARE NOW FACING. I HOPE TO BE AS I WITNESSED FIRSTHAND THE RAPID GROWTH OF SAN ANTONIO AND UNDERSTAND THE PIVOTING ROLE THE AIRPORT PLAYS IN OUR FUTURE. I'M MOTIVATED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE STRATEGIC PLANNING AND FORESIGHT AND ENHANCE THE AIRPORT'S FACILITIES AND SERVICES. MY INTEREST IS IN SUSTAINABILITY AND POSITIONING OURSELVES IN A WELL OPPORTUNITY. WITH INSIGHT THAT I HOPE JUST BENEFIT JUST TO TRAVELERS BUT AS WELL IN THE GROWTH AND THE FINANCIAL STABILITY OF OUR CITY. FURTHERMORE, I'M DRIVEN WITH THE DESIRE TO ENSURE SAN ANTONIO'S AIRPORT NOT ONLY MEETS CURRENT NEEDS OF USERS BUT ALSO ANTICIPATES FUTURE TRENDS IN AVIATION AND TRANSPORTATION. I BELIEVE THAT BY SERVING IN THE AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION I CAN PLAY A PART IN MAKING A GATEWAY THAT REFLECTS THE VIBRANT CULTURE AND THE BELIEFS THE CITY HAS TO OFFER THE REST OF OUR NATION. BE AN ECONOMIC ASPIRATION AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT OF SAN ANTONIO. MY ROLE WOULD BE WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COLLISION AIRPORT STAFF IN A WIDER COMMUNITY TO FOSTER AN ENVIRONMENT OF MY GOAL IS TO MAKE SAN ANTONIO A MODEL OF EXCELLENCE IN THE AIRPORT MANAGING AND BEING A STEPPING STONE FOR OTHER AIRPORTS TO BE ABLE TO VIEW HOW WE LOOK AT INNOVATION AND GROWTH FROM THE COMMUNITY STANDPOINT.
THROUGH THIS APPOINTMENT, I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO LEVERAGE MY SKILLS, MY PASSION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR AIRPORT. WITH MY BACKGROUND NOT JUST IN LOGISTICS FROM THE MARINE CORPS BUT ALSO IN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGIC PLAN, I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO BRING A BENEFIT NOT JUST TO THE COMMUNITY AND OUR CITIZENS BUT THE GROWTH FOR
THE FUTURE. THANK YOU. >> COURAGE: SEE IF WE'VE
[00:30:01]
GOT SOME QUESTIONS FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS. OF COURSE, WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK OVER YOUR APPLICATION ALSO. LET ME START WITH COUNCILWOMAN CABELLO HAVRDA. COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: NO QUESTIONS. >> COURAGE: COUNCILWOMAN
GAVITO. >> GAVITO: I'M GOOD. >> COURAGE: COUNCILWOMAN
CARR DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? >> KAUR: NO THANK YOU.
>> COURAGE: HAVING LOOKED AT THE WORK SCHEDULE OF THE COMMITTEE, DO YOU KNEEL -- FEEL LIKE YOU WILL HAVE PROBLEMS MAKING THE COMMITMENT?
>> I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN COMMAND OF MY CALENDAR.
>> COURAGE: HAVE YOU BEEN TO ANY OF THE MEETINGS JUST AS AN OBSERVATORY LEARN
WHAT'S GOING ON? >> NO, SIR, I HAVE NOT. I'VE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DO SOME READING. I HAVEN'T PARTICIPATED PHYSICALLY, BUT IN DOING THE
READING JUST THROUGH OBSERVATIONS. >> COURAGE: WERE THERE ANY ISSUES OR THOUGHTS THAT YOU HAD ABOUT THE AIRPORT AND WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE
AS YOUR PART ON THE AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE? >> LIKE I STATED, INNOVATION TO ME IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. BEING ABLE TO DO COLLABORATIVE, CREATING AN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE'RE GOING TO PLAN STRATEGICALLY TO MOVE INTO THE NEXT ERA. NOT JUST LOOKING AT IT JUST FROM THE BENEFIT OF FINANCIAL, WHICH, OF COURSE, IT IS IMPORTANT CREATING THAT FINANCIAL STABILITY, BUT BEING ABLE TO TO WHERE THE REST OF OUR NATION IS ABLE TO LOOK AT OUR COMMUNITY AND WE HAVE A HIGH NUMBER OF GROWTH AS FAR AS THROUGH EVENTS AND TOURISM AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. BUT SETTING ASIDE JUST THOSE, YOU KNOW, EVENTS AND OCCURRENCES, HOW DO WE DRAW THEM, WHAT IS IT THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE CONVENIENCE. THE OTHER THING TOO I WAS LOOKING AT IS AS WE'RE GETTING READY TO GROW AND EXPAND, WE HAVE A LARGE PRESENCE OF MILITARY HERE.
HOW DO WE HAVE THOSE DIRECT FLIGHTS SO WE CAN COMPETE WITH OTHER CITIES THAT DO HAVE THOSE DIRECT FLIGHTS THAT EXPANDS NOT JUST AS FAR AS ECONOMICALLY BUT AS WE'RE VIEWED, HOW DO WE ENTICE OTHER BUSINESSES BECAUSE THOSE DIRECT FLIGHTS.
>> COURAGE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. SEPULVEDA. WE'LL LET YOU KNOW AFTER OUR
DISCUSSIONS. THANK YOU FOR APPLYING. >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> COURAGE: THE NEXT APPLICANT IS VAUGHN CAUDILL. HELLO, MR. CAUDILL.
THANK YOU FOR APPLYING. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES, GO AHEAD AND TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE AND THEN WE'LL
HAVE QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS HERE. >> I'M A RETIRED ARMY COLONEL. I'M A CPA AND ALL KINDS OF LETTERS AFTER MY NAME, BUT I'M ALSO A COMMERCIAL PILOT. I HAVE MY MULTI-ENGINE AND I FIGURE OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS, I DON'T KNOW SOMEWHERE OVER TWO MILLION AIR MILES THAT I HAVE TRAVELED. I'VE BEEN IN 23 OF THE TOP 25 -- 23 AIRPORTS OF THE LARGEST 25 CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES.
AND THEN I'VE BEEN IN ALL TEN OF THE LARGEST -- AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY AIRPORTS I HAVE BEEN ACROSS EITHER ON COMMERCIAL OR THAT I HAVE FLOWN INTO.
I ALSO FLY -- I'VE GOT 90 HOURS OF ROTARY TIME SO I HAVE FLOWN HELICOPTERS AND I'VE ACTUALLY LANDED A HUEY HELICOPTER ON A PAD SIX FEET TALL AND SIX INCHES WIDER THAN THE SKIDS ON A HUEY. I WAS ON THIS COMMISSION BEFORE PRE-COVID.
DIDN'T I GUESS REALIZE THAT YOU HAD TO REAPPLY AND THEN I WAS TOLD, WELL, YOUR NAME WASN'T PUT FORWARD SO I CAME OFF OF IT. AND IT'S KIND OF LIKE WHY DO YOU WANT TO DO THIS? I WAS A KENTUCKY HILLBILLY. I GREW UP IN THE HILLS OF EASTERN KENTUCKY. AND I USED TO SEE AIRPLANES. IT WAS KIND OF LIKE WHAT ARE THOSE. AND ONE OF MY THREE GOALS THAT I HAD WAS TO FLY.
AND SO I'VE GOT MY LICENSE AND SO I'VE KIND OF DONE FLYING-TYPE ACTIVITIES EVER
SINCE. >> COURAGE: NEXT WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND SEE IF WE HAVE QUESTIONS FROM THE OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS. THANK YOU.
COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. OKAY.
COUNCILMEMBER KAUR, IF YOU ARE STILL ONLINE, IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION.
>> KAUR: NO QUESTIONS, THANKS. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU.
[00:35:04]
COUNCILMEMBER GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU FOR APPLYING.
WHEN YOU SAID YOU SERVED ON THE AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE BEFORE, WHAT DID YOU FEEL WAS THE MOST IMPACTFUL DECISION THAT YOU OFFERED?
>> IT'S REALLY KIND OF HARD TO SAY BECAUSE IT WAS PRE-COVID.
I WAS BRAND NEW, WE HAD KIND OF STARTED AND THEN SOMETHING CALLED COVID STOPPED IT. YOU KNOW, WE HAD NO MEETINGS AT ALL.
SO IT'S -- AND I GUESS THE MOST EVENTFUL WAS I USED TO LISTEN TO THE PLANS THAT ARE NOW BEING EXECUTED FROM THE AIRPORT. SO WE GOT INTO ALL THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF EXPANSIONS GOING ON AT THE AIRPORT.
BEFORE WE WAS HIT AND STOPPED. MEETING.
AND WE ALSO, YOU KNOW, NEEDED -- WE WENT TO VISIT STINSON SO THAT WE COULD --
YOU KNOW, THERE'S ACTUALLY TWO AIRPORTS, NOT JUST ONE. >> COURAGE: COUNCILMEMBER
CABELLO HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: THANK YOU. >> COURAGE: I'LL GO AHEAD AND ASK, YOU SERVED PRIOR. DID YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS OR IDEAS THAT YOU MOVED FORWARD OR THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO MOVE FORWARD SHOULD YOU GET BACK ON THE COMMISSION?
>> WELL, I WANTED -- YOU KNOW, THAT WAS MY VERY FIRST TIME DOING ANYTHING, YOU KNOW, AS FAR AS CITY COMMISSIONS OR ANY OF THAT, SO I WAS BRAND NEW TO THE PROCESS. I SPENT 40-SOME YEARS WITH THE MILITARY.
MY LAST DUTY WAS DEPUTY COMPTROLLER FOR THE JOINT BASE.
AND SO WE KIND OF GOT SOME EMAILS AND ALL, AND I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT I GUESS YOU HAD TO REAPPLY. AND SO THAT KIND OF HAPPENED AND THEN I WAS TOLD THAT A COUPLE PEOPLE ON THE COUNCIL WANTED TO APPOINT SOME PEOPLE TO THE COMMISSION AND
SO MY NAME WASN'T SENT FORWARD. >> COURAGE: SO YOU DON'T THINK THAT BEING ON THERE YOU HAD ANYTHING YOU WANTED TO BRING FORWARD FOR
IMPROVEMENTS OR CHANGES OR IDEAS? >> NOT THAT I CAN REALLY
THINK OF. >> COURAGE: OKAY. >> I WAS KIND OF SOAKING IT IN, SO TO SPEAK, AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW IT ALL WAS AND I GUESS I FELT I HAD JUST GOTTEN MY FEET WET AND I WAS PROBABLY ABOUT READY TO BECOME A PRODUCTIVE
MEMBER AND -- >> COURAGE: OKAY, I UNDERSTAND.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I DON'T BELIEVE WE HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, BUT IF YOU'LL STAY, WE'LL BE GOING INTO DELIBERATIONS AND MAKING OUR DECISION SHORTLY.
>> OKAY. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> WHICH DOOR DO I GO OUT? THE BACK ONE? >> COURAGE: YES.
OKAY, NEXT WE HAVE ROGERS DILLARD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.
>> COURAGE: THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. >> BY ALL MEANS.
>> COURAGE: YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO GO AHEAD AND TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO SERVE AND THEN WE MAY BE ASKING YOU SOME QUESTIONS.
>> MY NAME IS ROGER DILLARD. THIS IS MY SECOND OR YEAR ON THE COMMISSION.
I'VE BEEN THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE REPRESENTATIVE. HAVE ENJOYED THE DUALITY.
I TEACH HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICS. THIS PART OF MY WORLD EVERY MONTH IS THE ABILITY TO SWITCH ROLES AND LISTEN TO THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON THAT ARE REALLY OUTSIDE OF MY NORMAL SCOPE. IT'S A CHANCE TO PUT ON A SPORT COAT INSTEAD OF TEACHING IN MY BIRKENSTOCKS. I'VE ENJOYED GETTING TO KNOW ALL THE PEOPLE ON THE COMMISSION. I'VE ENJOYED TO GIVE INFORMATION TO PEOPLE WHEN THEY ASK AT THE GROCERY STORE OR PEOPLE WHO KNOW I'M ON THE COMMISSION WHO HAVE HAD QUESTIONS. BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING, I'VE JUST ENJOYED SERVING THE CITY. I'VE ENJOYED THE SMALL PART THAT I CAN DO FOR MY COMMUNITY. MY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND PRINCIPAL APPRECIATE THIS IS SOMETHING I CAN BE PART OF AND IT'S AN IT'S A GOOD EXAMPLE TORE STUDENTS TO SEE IT'S AN IMPORTANT ROLE FOR US TO TAKE TO BE SOUNDING BOARDS AND SOMETIMES HAVE SMALL
[00:40:01]
IDEAS THAT CAN EFFECT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AIRPORT OR OTHER BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. SO HOPEFULLY I CAN CONTINUE TO SERVE, I'VE ENJOYED MY TIME. PROBABLY THIS YEAR AND BEYOND.>> COURAGE: THANK YOU. WE'LL GO AHEAD AND ASK SOME QUESTIONS.
I'M GOING TO START OFF WITH, COUNCILMEMBERS, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
THEN COUNCILMEMBER GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. DILLARD, FOR APPLYING. SO IS THIS -- DID YOU USED TO SERVE ON THIS COMMISSION
AND THEN IT WAS A BREAK -- OH, IT'S A REAPPOINTMENT. >> YES, MA'AM.
>> GAVITO: I DID NOT SEE THAT. THANK YOU.
>> YOU BET. >> GAVITO: THAT'S IT. >> COURAGE: COUNCILWOMAN, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? OKAY. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR, DO YOU
HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? >> KAUR: JUST A QUICK QUESTION.
I LOVE THAT YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT AND SCHOOL IS SUPPORTIVE OF YOU SERVING ON THIS COMMISSION AND HOW DO YOU TALK TO THEM AND ALLOW, YOU KNOW, JUSTIFY THE WORK?
>> YOU KNOW, I HAVE AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, DR. FRANK ALFARO IN ALAMO HEIGHTS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT WHO IS VERY ACTIVE IN VOTER REGISTRATION AND ENCOURAGING TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TO REGISTER TO VOTE.
SO WHEN I MENTIONED TO THE DISTRICT I WAS SERVING ON THIS COMMISSION AND THAT ONCE A MONTH I WOULD NEED APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR EARLY RELEASE TO GET SOME COVERAGE FOR MY CLASSES, I GOT NOTHING BUT SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE ALAMO HEIGHTS IS SO CLOSE TO THE AIRPORT AND MANY OF OUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR AIRPORT AND I LIVE CLOSE TO THE AIRPORT, SO ALL THOSE THINGS HAVE REALLY COME IN CONJUNCTION. THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
>> KAUR: THANK YOU. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN.
LET ME JUST ASK ARE THERE ANY THOUGHTS OR IDEAS THAT HAVE COME TO YOU THAT YOU HOPE TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE ADVISORY COMMISSION?
>> YOU BET. I THINK THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT AND THE EXPANSION OF OUR AIRPORT, I THINK IT'S BEEN A GREAT PLACE FOR ME TO KIND OF JUST MENTION AS A TEACHER THINGS THAT I'VE NOTICED THAT PERHAPS ARE MISSING OR PERHAPS ARE SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THE ARCHITECTS PRESENT THE PLANS FOR THE NEW EXPANSION OF THE AIRPORT, WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT AQUA DUCTS, WE TALKED ABOUT BRIDGES, BUT I QUICKLY POSED THE QUESTION IF WE CONSIDERED WHETHER CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AS A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE WAS SOMETHING WE WANTED TO FOCUS ON, BUT I FELT LIKE THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO BE SPOTLIGHTED FOR OUR CITY. AND SO IF I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE THAT KIND OF SUPPORT OF THE WORLD HERITAGE STATUS OF SAN ANTONIO, THAT WILL BE A GREAT PLACE TO KIND OF MENTION THAT PERHAPS, BUT ALSO JUST TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT MY COMMUNITY AND ANY QUESTIONS THEY HAVE BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG AND ARDUOUS PROCESS I THINK FOR THE AIRPORT EXPANSION FROM A PARKING STANDPOINT AND A TRAVEL STANDPOINT AND BEING ABLE TO BE A POINT FOR
PEOPLE TO ASK, I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MR. DILL.
>> BY ALL MEANS. >> COURAGE: PLEASE STICK AROUND, WE'LL LET YOU KNOW
AFTER OUR DELIBERATIONS. >> THANKS. >> COURAGE: NEXT WE HAVE
WILLIAM GARRISON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> COURAGE: HELLO, MR. GARRISON. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
WE'LL ASK YOU TO TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND WE'LL GIVE YOU THREE
MINUTES. >> I HAVE REMARKS FOR EVERYONE IF IT'S OKAY TO
GIVE OUT. >> COURAGE: SURE. ABSOLUTELY.
AND WE'LL STILL GIVE YOU THREE MINUTES. >> PERFECT.
AND I LEFT MY GLASSES, OF COURSE, IN MY POCKET IN THE WAITING ROOM.
WE'LL SEE IF I CAN READ THROUGH THIS. COULD I GO GET MY GLASSES,
PLEASE, I'M SORRY. >> COURAGE: GO AHEAD. >> I'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
>> COURAGE: NO PROBLEM. >> MY APOLOGIES. >> COURAGE: THAT'S OKAY.
[00:45:30]
NOW YOU ONLY HAVE TWO MINUTES. [LAUGHTER]ONLY KIDDING. GO AHEAD. >> MY NAME IS WILLIAM GARRISON, WILL NUMBER PATTON GARRISON. I'M APPLYING FOR THE COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE ON THE COMMISSION. IF YOU LOOK AT MY BIOGRAPHY, YOU CAN SEE THAT I HAVE A MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, ACCOUNTING, CERTAINLY LACKING SOME OF THE CREDENTIALS THAT SOME OF THE PEOPLE ON THE COUNCIL HAVE. I WAS A VIETNAM VETERAN. I FLEW C-130 AIRCRAFT IN VIETNAM. I WAS AN AIRLINE PILOT FOR CONTINENTAL FOR 30 YEARS.
RETIRED FROM CONTINENTAL, BECAME A CORPORATE PILOT IN SAN ANTONIO.
I HAVE BEEN ON A COUPLE OF THE NOISE BOARDS THAT HAVE BEEN CONVENED FOR AIRPORT NOISE AND I WAS ON THE ARROW-WHATEVER, THE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN, I WAS A MEMBER OF THAT WHILE THAT WAS GOING ON. I'M MARRIED WITH TWO KIDS.
I HAVE SEVEN GRANDCHILDREN. A LIFE-LONG TEXT SON AND A 40-YEAR SAN ANTONIO RESIDENT. MY FIRST QUESTION TO YOU IS WHERE WOULD SAN ANTONIO BE WITHOUT AN AIRPORT? AND THE SECOND QUESTION IS WHERE WOULD SAN ANTONIO BE WITHOUT AN INNER CITY AIRPORT? WELL, THOSE QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED BY THE STRATEGIC PLAN THAT SAYS THAT SAN ANTONIO SHOULD REMAIN AN AIRPORT IN ITS CURRENT SITUATION FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL DECADES.
ONE REASON THAT I I AM APPLYING FOR THE ADVISORY COMMISSION IS RESULTS OF MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN THESE NOISE STUDIES. AND I WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN SAN ANTONIO AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN AND THIS IS WHERE MY AREA OF EXPERTISE IS.
I DID NOT LOOK AT THE APPOINTMENT AS A STEPPING STONE OTHER THAN THE FACT I WISHED TO WORKED WITH THE COMMISSION AND BE A CONTRIBUTING MEMBER.
THE AIRPORT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT IN BOTH THE MACRO AND THE MICRO SENSE N THE MACRO SENSE, WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT THE NEW TERMINAL, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY, THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE FAA. AND TO MAKE SAN ANTONIO THE BEST MID-SIZED AIRPORT IN THE NATION. ON THE MICRO SIDE, I LIVE IN THE NORTHWOOD OAK PARK AREA, WHICH IS THE MOST NOISE IMPACTED AREA BY THE AIRPORT. I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN NOISE ISSUES AND I THINK THAT THERE'S A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE AIRPORT AND THE CLOSE-IN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT NEEDS TO BE ESTABLISHED AND CULTIVATED. I TAKE MY APPOINTMENT VERY SERIOUSLY. I JEALOUSLY GUARD MY TIME TO MAKE SURE THAT ATTEND ALL MEETINGS AND I RESPECTFULLY ASK TO BE REAPPOINTED TO THE COMMISSION.
THANK YOU. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MR. GARR. WE'LL SEE IF ANY OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS HAVE QUESTIONS. COUNCILWOMAN GAVITO.
>> GAVITO: THANK YOU, CHAIR. IN SERVING ON THE AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION PREVIOUSLY, WHAT DID YOU FEEL WAS THE MOST IMPACTFUL
SITUATION OR INMUTT THAT YOU PROVIDED? >> -- INPUT THAT YOU PROVIDED SUE INTERRELATED WITH THE COMMISSION AS WELL AS THE STRATEGIC PLAN, THE FACT THAT THERE WERE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT TAKING AWAY THE NORTH-SOUTH RUNWAY AND JUST HAVING A SINGLE IF NOT A DUAL EAST AND WEST RUNWAY. THE NORTH-SOUTH RUNWAY DOES A NUMBER OF THINGS. IT ALLOWS FOR THE TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT, THE FEDEX AND THE UPS AIRPLANES TO TAKE OFF TO THE SOUTH, AND IT SHORTENS THE TAXI TIME FOR THE AIRLINES BY USING RUNWAY 4, THE NORTH DEPARTURES. THE FACT THAT I DILIGENTLY THOUGHT TO KEEP THAT RUNWAY -- FOUGHT TO KEEP THAT RUNWAY OPEN AND IT IS PART OF THE PLANS IS WHAT I HOPE IS MY GREATEST CONTRIBUTION.
>> GAVITO: THANK YOU. >> COURAGE: COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO HAVRDA.
>> HAVRDA: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY. I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
[00:50:03]
FOR YOU. >> COURAGE: COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: NO QUESTIONS, THANK YOU. >> COURAGE: COUNCILMEMBER
KAUR, ANY QUESTIONS? >> KAUR: [INAUDIBLE] >> COURAGE: ARE THERE ANY OTHER THINGS THAT YOU BELIEVE THE AIRPORT NEEDS TO BE LOOKING AT BEYOND THE
CURRENT PLANS FOR ITS GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT? >> WELL, I THINK THAT WITH THE NEW TERMINAL THERE'S AN AWFUL LOT OF ACTIVITY GOING ON WITH THAT, BUT I DO THINK THAT WITH IT STAYING AS AN INNER CITY AIRPORT AS IT IS, THAT THERE ARE PRECISION DEPARTURES THAT CAN BE IMPLEMENTED TO KEEP THE DEPARTING AIRCRAFT OVER THE NOISE MITIGATED HOMES RATHER THAN ALLOWING THE AIRLINES TO BE BLOWN OFF COURSE BY THE WINDS. AND THESE ARE VERY SIMPLE THINGS THAT CAN BE DONE.
ALL IT REQUIRES IS A LITTLE BIT OF DILIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE FAA TO DO.
>> COURAGE: AND I APPRECIATE YOU BEING AN ADVOCATE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY AND PARTICULARLY ABOUT THE NOISE SITUATION. EVER SINCE I WAS ELECTED TO COUNCIL, I'VE HEARD A LOT OF COMPLAINTS. I KNOW YOU THINK NORTHWOOD OR MAYBE YOU KNOW NORTHWOOD IS THE NOISEST NEIGHBORHOOD BUT I HEAR THAT ON MY SIDE AS WELL. BUT IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A DEVOTED ADVOCATE ABOUT THE NOISE LEVELS AND HOW IT AFFECTS FAMILIES. UNFORTUNATELY THE AIRPORT WAS THERE BEFORE THE NEIGHBORHOODS WERE AND SO, YOU KNOW, THEY KIND OF GOT -- GREW UP AROUND THE AIRPORT AND YOU JUST CAN'T MOVE THE AIRPORT FOR THE NOISE FACTOR. BUT ANYWAY, I APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING OUR QUESTIONS. WE'LL BE DOING SOME DELIBERATION AND COME BACK
AND LET YOU KNOW. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO
GET MY GLASSES. >> COURAGE: NEXT IS DEBORAH JAMON.
SHE'S NOT PRESENT. OKAY. NEXT IS JUSTIN RORICK.
IS JUSTIN PRESENT? WE THINK SO. THANK YOU.
>> CHAIRMAN COURAGE, HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND TROUBLING COMMITTEE, MY NAME IS JUSTIN RORICK, INTERVIEWING FOR ONE OF THE SIX SEATS ON THE AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION. TO GIVE YOU BACKGROUND ABOUT MYSELF, I'M 25 YEARS OLD.
I MOVED TO SAN ANTONIO A LITTLE OVER THREE YEARS AGO. SINCE BECOMING A SAN ANTONIAN, I'VE BECOME AN ATTORNEY, MET MY FUTURE WIFE, BOUGHT MY FIRST HOME AND VOLUNTEERED AND WORKED NUMEROUS JOBS TO SUPPORT MY COMMUNITY.
SOME OF THESE POSITIONS INCLUDE WORKING IN THE STAFF ATTORNEY'S OFFICE CITE ACROSS THE STREET AT THE BEAUTIFUL DISTRICT COURT IN DOWNTOWN WHERE I ASSISTED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO ATTEND COURT WHO CANNOT AFFORD A PHONE.
I WORKED FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE A LITTLE WAYS UP THE STREET THIS THEIR CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION.
LAW STOOL WHICH ASSISTS VETERANS WITH FREE REPRESENTATION.
I'M NOW AN ATTORNEY ON THE NORTH SIDE OF TOWN WHERE I PRACTICE BUSINESS AND PROPERTY LITIGATION. SOME OF MY HOBBIES INCLUDE RESEARCHING AND TRAVELING FOUR AMERICAN HISTORY AND ATTENDING MUSIC CONCERTS. TO BRING MY DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES WHICH IS REQUIRED TO KEEP UP WITH EXPANSION WE ARE SEEING.
AS I DROVE HERE TODAY, I PASSED I-10/1604 INSTRUCTION.
I GET EXCITED WHEN I PASS IT BECAUSE IT REMINDS ME OF THE FUTURE AND POSSIBILITIES AS THE CITY GROWS. THIS IS PRECISELY WHY I'M HERE TODAY SEEKING AN APPOINTMENT TO THE COMMISSION. I USE THE SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ON AVERAGE ONCE A MONTH AND HAVE BEEN TO ALMOST EVERY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HAD THE COUNTRY. I BELIEVE MY AGE COUPLED WITH DIVERSE EXPERIENCES WILL ALLOW ME TO BEST FULFILL THE COMMISSION'S MISSION WHICH IS PROPERLY ADVISE THE AVIATION DIRECTOR ON MATTERS AFFECTING THE AIRPORTS AND TRANSPORTATION ISSUES INCLUDING NOISE COMPATIBILITY ISSUES.
IN THIS EXCITING TIME OF GROWTH, I WOULD BE HONORED TO HAVE A VOICE AND BE A STEWARD FOR THE NEXT GENERATION IN THE ALAMO CITY.
I WILL BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETINGS EVERY TUESDAY AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND
I'M HAPPY TO TAKE QUESTIONS. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE TODAY. WE'LL GO AHEAD AND ASK IF ANY OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. I'LL GO AHEAD AND BEGIN. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR EXPERIENCE HAS AS A WAY OF CONTRIBUTING TO THE AIRPORT ADVISORY COUNCIL?
>> SO YEAH, I'VE BEEN TO A LOT OF PLACES AROUND THE WORLD AND IN THE COUNTRY, DIFFERENT AIRPORTS, I SEE WHAT WORKS, WHAT DOESN'T. FOR SOMEONE THAT'S NOT AN
[00:55:04]
ENTRY EXPERT LIKE SOME OTHER PEOPLE ON THE COMMITTEE ARE, I BELIEVE MY EXPERIENCES WILL HELP, OH, THERE SHOULD BE A WATER FOUNTAIN HERE, HAND SANITIZER STATION THERE. BECAUSE I USE THE AIRPORT A LOT, I SEE IT IN THE NIGHT, IN THE MORNING AND I KNOW COMMON AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE PEOPLE USING THE AIRPORT IN THE CITY COMPARED TO OTHER CITIES WHERE THEY ARE SMALLER BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE TRAVEL, HERE WE HAVE A SMALLER AIRPORT FOR HOW BIG A CITY SAN ANTONIO IS.>> COURAGE: THERE WERE ANY THINGS IN PARTICULAR THAT'S COME TO MIND ABOUT OUR AIRPORT OR OTHERS THAT YOU SPECIFICALLY WOULD LIKE TO BRING FORWARD FOR A
CONVERSATION? >> YEAH, DEFINITELY ONE OF THE THINGS I SEE IS THE UBER AND LYFT DROPOFF AND PICKUP LINE. THERE'S A LOT OF TRAFFIC THERE CERTAIN TIMES AND OTHER TIMES IT ONLY TAKES 30 SECONDS.
I NOTICE WE HAVE A LOT OF OPEN SPACE TO HAVE EXTRA PARKING, MAYBE USING DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL BECAUSE AT THE SAME TIME FOR DROP CRIME STOPPERS OR PICKUPS BECAUSE USUALLY AT NIGHT THERE'S NOT A LOT OF FLIGHTS TAKING OFF, BUT EVERYONE IS ARRIVING, ONLY EVERYONE GETS TO THE BOTTOM LEVEL IN THE UBER AND LYFT AREA, AND WE HAVE FOUR LANES ON TOP THAT ARE COMPLETELY LEFT ALONE.
THAT'S SOMETHING FOR ME THAT WOULD STAND OUT AND I WOULD BRING THAT FORWARD.
>> COURAGE: THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, CHAIR. THE AIRPORTS YOU VISIT WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE AND WHY?
>> PROBABLY THE ATLANTA AIRPORT. IT'S VERY CONGESTED, IT'S DELTA'S HEADQUARTERS. OR DALLAS LOVE FIELD ALSO, BUT I'D SAY THAT'S MORE COMPARABLE TO SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT JUST BECAUSE IT'S SMALLER, IT'S SOUTHWEST'S HEADQUARTERS AND SUPER CLEAN JUST LIKE OUR AIRPORT, BUT THE GETTING IN AND OUT IS A LOT QUICKER I FEEL LIKE COMPARED TO HERE AT ALL TIMES IN THE DAY.
WHEN I FLY INTO DALLAS FOR WORK, I'M NEVER STUCK IN THE UBER OR LYFT SPOT.
THAT'S THE MAIN THING TIME IN OR OUT. EVEN FIVE MINUTES YOU CAN BE
LATE TO A MEETING OR WHATNOT. >> GAVITO: SURE.
THANK YOU. >> COURAGE: ANY QUESTIONS FROM ANY OF THE OTHER
COMMITTEE MEMBERS? COUNCILMEMBER KAUR? >> KAUR: I'M GOOD.
THANK YOU. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. RORICK.
WE'LL BE DELIBERATING AND LET YOU KNOW SHORTLY. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> COURAGE: OKAY, NEXT WE HAVE MR. EARL JACKSON. THANK YOU, MR. JACKSON.
YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO GO AHEAD AND MAKE YOUR PRESENTATION.
TELL US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT YOU, WHY YOU WANT TO CONTINUE TO SERVE ON THE
COMMISSION. >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. MY NAME IS EARL JACKSON.
I RETIRED FIVE YEARS AGO THIS MONTH FROM THE SAN ANTONIO CONTROL TOWER, OPERATIONS MANAGER THERE. I DID 40 YEARS IN THE MILITARY SERVICE AND THE MAJORITY OF THAT WAS OUT AT THE AIRPORT, FROM AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER, SUPERVISOR, TRAINER, OPERATIONS MANAGER, AS THE FACILITY MANAGER WORKING WITH MANY OF JESUS' TEAM AS THEY WERE BABIES GROWING UP IN THE INDUSTRY, RYAN, TIM AND EVEN HIS DEPUTY. I HAVE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF CORPORATE KNOWLEDGE.
I USED TO TELL ALL MY FOLKS YOU CAN'T TEACH EXPERIENCE, YOU HAVE TO LIVE IT.
SO PART OF THAT IS THAT I'M A SAN ANTONIO -- I WAS BORN HERE AND AVIATION HAS BEEN A BIG PART OF MY LIFE. I'VE SEEN THE AIRPORT GROW AND DEVELOP IN MULTIPLE WAYS AND WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT, CONTINUE TO BE A PART OF THAT.
AND LET ME SAY BEFORE I DO BELIEVE IS THAT I'VE BEEN ON THE COMMISSION A PRETTY GOOD WHILE, BUT I CAN TELL YOU WITHOUT A DOUBT THAT WE'RE IN ONE OF THE BEST POSITIONS THAT WE'VE BEEN IN THE AVIATION DEPARTMENT AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF THAT. IN ADDITION TO THAT LAST THING, GET MY TWO OR THREE MINUTES, ON THE LAST MEETING I WAS RE-ELECTED AS THE VICE CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE.
SO MY TEAM MEMBERS THINK I HAVE SOMETHING TO OFFER ALSO.
>> COURAGE: THANK YOU. YOU MENTIONED YOU USED TO BE UP IN THE TOWER.
FIVE YEARS AGO I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE CONTACTED YOU AND YELLED AT THE NOISE.
BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO HEAR THAT NOW. >> WELL, QUITE FRANKLY, WE'VE MADE SOME TREMENDOUS STRIDES WITH THE NOISE, REACHING OUT WHERE PEOPLE
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CAN CATCH UP ON COMPUTERS AND THINGS TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. WE'VE AGGRESSIVELY DONE THE THINGS SO THAT WE CAN COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE NOISE.AND, YOU KNOW, SO WE CAN HAVE THE LUXURY OF HAVING A WORLD-CLASS AIRPORT THAT YOU CAN GET TO IN 15 OR 20 MINUTES AS OPPOSED TO AN HOUR.
SO IT'S ALL GOOD. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT.
LET'S SEE IF ANY OF THE OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS -- COUNCILWOMAN GAVITO.
>> GAVITO: THANK YOU. I LOVE YOU HAVE SO MUCH EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH THE SENIOR AIRPORT STAFF. THAT'S AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE TO BRING.
IN PREVIOUSLY SERVING ON THE COMMISSION, WHAT DO YOU FEEL HAS BEEN THE MOST IMPACTFUL
IMPACT THAT YOU'VE PROVIDED TO THIS? >> I THINK IT HAS -- MOST OF MY INPUT HAS TO DO, WELL, OF COURSE I'M A CITIZEN LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, BUT MY PERSPECTIVE OPERATIONALLY HAS, YOU KNOW, AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT RUNWAY INCURSIONS AND A NEW PROGRAM THAT THE FAA IS INTRODUCING HERE AT SAN ANTONIO. AND QUITE FRANKLY, THREE-QUARTERS OF THE COMMISSION SAY WHAT DOES THAT MEAN, RFD. SO I WAS ABLE TO EXPLAIN, YOU KNOW, GIVE SOME INSIGHT AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. SO IT'S OPERATIONALLY AND THE CORPORATE, THE CORPORATE KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE, HOW THAT'S GOING TO EFFECT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO, ESPECIALLY WITH THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE MILITARY AIRPORTS, RANDOLPH, KELLY AND THE TRAJECTORY OF THE PATHS THAT WORK AROUND
THERE, IT'S A BIG DEAL. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU. >> COURAGE: ANY QUESTIONS FROM ANY OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS? COUNCILMEMBER CABELLO
HAVRDA. >> HAVRDA: I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, A COUPLE OF COMMENTS. I'VE NOT BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE AIRPORT FOR 40 YEARS BUT I AGREE WE HAVE NEVER BEEN BETTER POSITIONED SO I'M THANKFUL FOR YOUR WORK ON
THAT AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY. >> THANK YOU.
APPRECIATE THAT. >> COURAGE: COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: I ALSO HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE AIRPORT FOR 40 YEARS.
NO QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. >> COURAGE: COUNCILMEMBER
KAUR, DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION? >> KAUR: NO, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND WORK AT THE CHURCH.
I JUST HAD A QUICK QUESTION ON, JUST FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND OPERATIONALLY, HOW DO YOU THINK WE DO SUCH A GOOD JOB OF COORDINATING IN AND OUT SO THERE'S NOT A LOT OF WAIT TIME ON TARMACS VERSUS OTHER CITIES THAT ARE SUPER LONG?
>> WELL, SO -- NOW YOU'RE SAYING WE DO A GOOD JOB. >> KAUR: I THINK WE DO.
>> YEAH, WE ARE DOING A GOOD JOB. PART OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH, I BELIEVE IS THE FACT THAT WE AREN'T A HUB AIRPORT. AND SO WHEN YOU HAVE A HUB AIRPORT WHERE THEY HAVE 50 FLIGHTS COMING THAT ARE GOING TO COME IN AND OUT, THAT'S -- YOU KNOW, THAT'S A PROBLEM. QUITE FRANKLY, MOST OF THOSE AIRPORTS, HOUSTON AND DALLAS RELY ON US TO COME IN HERE, WE FIND SPOTS FOR THEM TO SIT UNTIL THEY CAN GO BACK INTO THEIRS. THEY BENEFIT.
DO WE CHARGE THEM FOR THAT? WE SHOULD. VERY GOOD.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE GETTING OUR MONEY. SO THEY BENEFIT FROM US.
AND SO REALLY THE SAN ANTONIO AIRPORT IS ALMOST LIKE A NICHE THING, YOU KNOW, AS OPPOSED TO WHERE -- PEOPLE COME HERE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO BE IN THE CITY. AND THEY COME FOR THE MILITARY AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. WE HAVE A GEM HERE AND WE DON'T WANT TO TELL EVERYBODY, BUT I THINK THE WORD IS GETTING OUT. JUST HOW WE SERVICE, YOU
KNOW, BECAUSE OF THAT. >> COURAGE: OKAY. THANK YOU, MR. JACKSON.
>> THANK YOU ALL. I HOPE YOU LET ME HANG AROUND.
>> COURAGE: YES. I THINK WE HAVE ONE MORE ON OUR LIST, JENNIFER CLAXTON.
JOHN GRIZELL. >> MY NAME IS JENNIFER CLAXTON AND I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO TALK TO YOU TODAY ABOUT MY SKILLS ANDIST REASONS FOR JOINING THE
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AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIFICALLY IN THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM CATEGORY.I AM A GRADUATE OF TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY AND CLASS OF '93. AND MY DEGREE IS ACTUALLY IN RECREATION PARK AND TOURISM SCIENCES WITH A STRONG FOCUS ON RESOURCES MANAGEMENT.
IN 2005, I LEFT MY MOST FAVORITE JOB EVER AS A SUPERVISOR OF AIRPORT SERVICES FOR CONTINENTAL AIRLINES AT THE AUSTIN-BERGSTROM AIRPORT.
AND JUST EVER SINCE THEN I'VE LONGED TO BE BACK IN THAT ENVIRONMENT, IN THAT CATEGORY OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM FOR A LONG TIME. I SPENT OVER A DECADE WORKING FOR VARIOUS AIRLINES INCLUDING JUST UNDER TWO YEARS HERE IN THE SAN ANTONIO AIRPORT FOR WHAT WAS THEN CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, WHICH IS NOW OF COURSE UNITED. AND THERE'S SO MANY GREAT STORIES I COULD TELL YOU ABOUT MY WORK IN THE FIELD, AND ALL OF THOSE GREAT PERSONALITIES, BUT I ONLY HAVE TWO MINUTES. I WILL TELL YOU ABOUT ONE OF MY FAVORITE TIMES WAS WHEN I WORKED FOR CONQUEST AIRLINES AIRLINES, AND I WAS STATION MANAGER IN MCALLEN, TEXAS.
AS PART OF THAT JOB OR ROLE I WAS ALSO ON THE MCALLEN AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD.
I WAS A MEMBER. AND I WAS THE ONLY FEMALE AND I WAS THE YOUNGEST PERSON ON THE ■BOARD AND THOSE MEN TAUGHT ME SO MUCH ABOUT HOW THE TOURISM AFFECTS THE CITY, THE CITY AFFECTS THE TOURISM AND HOW THE AIRPORT PLAYS A PART IN IT. AND SO WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY AROSE TO POTENTIALLY BE INVOLVED IN A SIMILAR CAPACITY HERE IN SAN ANTONIO, I LITERALLY JUMPED TO IT. SINCE LEAVING THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY, AS I'VE MENTIONED, I'VE LONGED TO RETURN, BUT ESPECIALLY IN A VOLUNTEER CAPACITY.
GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY I'VE CALLED HOME FOR THE LAST 13 YEARS IS VERY SPECIAL TO ME AND I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT THE CITY AND MAKING A CONSIDERATION.
ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AND I WELCOME ANY QUESTIONS THAT
YOU HAVE. >> COURAGE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MS. CLAXTON.
DO ANY OF THE COUNCILMEMBERS HAVE A QUESTION FOR MS. CLAXTON? NO? LET ME ASK, YOU ARE PRETTY OPEN WITH YOUR TIME? BECAUSE I NOTICE YOU WORK FOR CHECKED YOUR SCHEDULE, THAT SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM FOR YOU?
>> YES, YES, AND I DON'T WORK AT USAA ANY LONGER. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S NOT UPDATED ON THE RESUMÉ. I SEPARATED WITH THEM NOVEMBER 18TH.
>> COURAGE: SO YOUR TIME IS YOUR OWN. >> YES.
>> COURAGE: OKAY. THANK YOU. I THINK THAT'S IT AT THIS TIME. I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE. AND STICK AROUND IN THE ROOM, WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING SOME DELIBERATION SHORTLY.
>> SOUNDS GOOD. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> COURAGE: OKAY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE'RE GOING TO BE GOING INTO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR DISCUSSION ON THE APPLICANTS. AND I'D LIKE TO ASK EVERYBODY EXCEPT THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND ATTORNEY AND CLERK AND ANYONE ELSE WHO IS NEEDED FOR THIS EXECUTIVE SESSION TO LEAVE AND STAY AS APPROPRIATE. AND OUR TECHNICIAN IS GOING TO TURN OFF OUR AT THIS TIME WE'LL GO AHEAD AND SAY AFTER OUR DELIBERATIONS WHAT WE MAY RECOMMEND TO CITY COUNCIL. MADAM CLERK. CAN YOU READ THE NAMES OF THE
INDIVIDUALS WE'RE CONSIDERING. >> MARK FESSLER AND BAILEY FOR THE COMMUNITY SEAT.
JEFFREY FAIR. I'M SORRY. FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY SEAT.
JEFFREY FAIR. FOR THE COMMUNITY SEAT. ROGER DILLARD.
WILLIAN GARRISON AND JAUNETA, FOR GROUND TRANSPORTATION. JOHN.
FOR ADMINISTRATION, WILLIAM JACKSON. AND FOR THE SEAT.
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DEBORAH JARMON. >> I MOVE WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE LIST OF NAMES THAT OUR CITY
CLERK JUST MENTIONED TO CITY COUNCIL. >> COURAGE: OKAY.
IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED THAT THE NAMES MENTIONED WILL BE SECOND MENTIONED FOR THEY APPROVAL. AND ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? OKAY, HEARING NONE, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
AND THEN HEAR NONE IN OPPOSITION. I BELIEVE THAT CONCLUDES THE WORK WE HAD FOR TODAY. THANK YOU ALL OF YOU FOR PUTTING YOUR NAMES FORWARD AND COMING FORWARD AND TALKING TO US, AND, YOU KNOW, WE HOPE ALL OF YOU WHO ARE GOING TO HAVE A RECOMMENDED APPOINTMENT CONTINUE GREAT SUCCESS, AND FOR EVERYBODY ELSE WHO MAY NOT GET A RECOMMENDATION OR GET APPOINTED, WE HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO VOLUNTEER YOUR SERVICES TO HELP THE CITY IN ANY
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.