1. CALL TO ORDER

President David Rosenthal called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were: Directors Linda Bozack, Paul Farris, David Rosenthal, Manager Scott Seymour and Administrative Assistant Suzanne Turner. Director Arden Wallum and District Counsel Scott Nave participated via phone conferencing.

Members of the Public were also in attendance.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

Director Bozack led the assembly in the pledge of allegiance.

3. CONSENT CALENDAR

A. Minutes for the February 1, 2006 meeting were unavailable.

B. Approval/ratification of the Payment Register of February 28, 2006.

C. Acceptance of the January 2006 Financial Report.

Director Bozack requested that Sue inquire about the December Financial Report.

A motion to approve the Consent Calendar without the minutes was made by Director Farris and seconded by Director Bozack.

The motion was passed by voice vote: 4 ayes.

4. BUSINESS ITEMS: DISCUSSION/ACTION

A. DISCUSSION: APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED TO FILL THE RECENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS VACANCY.

Director Rosenthal told those present that the Board intended to discuss the applications received and fill the Director’s vacancy tonight if possible, stating that it is a difficult process for a four member board to undertake. They must decide which one of the six applicants they will select.

Director Rosenthal said he wanted to give all Board members a chance to express their views and comments. If a decision cannot be made tonight after going through this pre-selection process, then he would outline the next step.

Director Rosenthal said that they would first ask for motions to appoint, proceeding in alphabetical order. If a motion gets a second, then they will take a vote. By law a candidate must receive at least three “yes” votes to be approved. If there are not three “yes” votes, the motion dies and they will proceed to the next candidate.

District Counsel stepped in and informed the Board that the process was not correct. He told them that they should allow time for questioning and, when that time is over any Director can make a motion to appoint one of the applicants to fill the vacancy. If there is a second then they would take a vote. They cannot go through a list in alphabetical order. It is up to individual Directors to make a motion to appoint someone. If there is not a second then another Director makes a motion to appoint another applicant. It is just like an action on any other item the Board takes. If, on the first motion there is a second with three “yes” votes then the process is complete If not and there are no further motions, then no further action can be taken.

Director Rosenthal asked Counsel if at that point he could appoint an ad hoc committee to meet with candidates and come up with a recommendation. Director Bozack reiterated her view on an ad hoc committee to question candidates and make recommendations. She feels that this type of action leaves some of the Directors at a disadvantage because they would not be able to hear the interviews with candidates. District Counsel responded that all directors could attend the interviews but would not be allowed to say anything.

Director Rosenthal stated that he and the Board have a good feel for what each candidate brings to the table and their vision for the airport. He would like to give each candidate present a few minutes to address the subsequent concerns that the Board members may have. Important considerations include:

a. Meeting attendance: Being elected to the Board requires a commitment to attend Board and Committee meetings. This commitment is critical to the daily lives of the staff operating the airport and to pursue goals and standards.

b. Commitment to the Job: A need to understand and serve the concerns of the entire spectrum of the public, thereby creatively blending the needs, expectations, and costs of general aviation and the commercial worlds. The successful candidate needs to have a broad perspective.

Director Farris stated that he appreciated all six of the applicants volunteering their time and felt that all were worthy of filling the position. He said that it is an important position but perhaps not as dramatic as Director Rosenthal presented. Director Farris would love to see all six of the names on the November ballot. Tonight’s appointment is only until the November elections. He asked that those candidates not chosen not be discouraged.

Director Wallum added his concerns next. He agreed with Director Rosenthal about attendance but added that his main concern was a relationship issue.

a. The Board and General Managers Relationship: Director Wallum wants to see someone that can provide direction but not micromanage. He feels that micromanagement can be destructive to this organization.

Director Bozack wanted to encourage all candidates, whether appointed or not, to run again in November and, in the meantime look for ways to be active at the airport: come to board meetings, share feedback, and contact members outside Board meetings.

Dave opened the meeting to the candidates present, giving them each 3 minutes to address the Board’s concerns. For this candidates went in alphabetical order.

Mark Backes:

a. He stated he had a pretty good attendance record at meetings. He has been on several boards and committees over the years, attending meetings and keeping himself informed on the issues so that he can make intelligent decisions. His commitment is there.

b. Regarding the Board / Manager relationship, he stated that the manager works for the Board not for any individual director. The Board sets the policy; and the manager carries out the policy until the Board changes the direction. Any single Board member should not direct the manager.

c. He has been on some of the committees and attended meetings. During the past two years he has attended few Board of Director meetings because he has not been a member of the Board.

d. His background is a balance between being a private pilot and being involved in the commercial aspects of aviation. He has formal training in both commercial and private aviation issues.

e. He was instrumental in acquiring one of the long-term commercial tenants for the airport, currently residing in the big hangar.

f. In his opinion, the key issue for being a good board member is to keep informed about issues and needs of all customers, including commercial carriers, individual airline passengers and private pilots.

Richard Bruce was not able to attend tonight’s meeting.

Brad Glasco:

Mr. Glasco stated that his response would be the same as on his application whether or not he is picked tonight. He had nothing to add to his record at this time.

Anne Norris:

a. She is a resident of Inyokern and this makes her accessible to the airport.

b. She is a retired teacher and would like to act as a liaison between the school district and the airport in an effort to promote student awareness and involvement in aviation.

c. She is involved with another local organization and would like to build a relationship between them and the airport.

d. Ms. Norris informed the Board she has hopes of obtaining her pilot’s license this summer.

e. She also said that since she is retired she was able to attend board meetings regularly.

Jim Parris:

a. He would like to work with the Board and Management.

b. He believes the airport needs outside businesses and would work to promote what we have to offer here whether it is general aviation or commercial.

c. He believes that the growth at the airport will correspond with the potential growth at China Lake.

d. He would like to become more active at the airport, serve on committees and has attended most Board meetings.

e. Regarding Board / Staff relationships, Mr. Parris felt the Board should work hand-in-hand with all the staff and also be able to work with the contractors and airlines.

Mr. Valovich was unexpectedly called to Washington and sent his regrets at not being able to attend tonight’s meeting.

Director Rosenthal opened the meeting to nominations. Director Bozack placed Mr. Glasco’s name in nomination but the motion died when there was no second to the motion.

Director Farris placed Paul Valovich’s name for nomination to the Board and Arden Wallum seconded the nomination. Director Rosenthal called for a voice vote.

The motion did not carry. The vote was 2 ayes.
Three aye votes are needed to carry the motion.

Director Rosenthal placed Mark Backes’ name in nomination and was seconded by Director Farris. Director Rosenthal called for a voice vote.

The motion was carried by voice vote: 3 ayes.

Mark Backes was voted in as the new Director to the Board filling the seat vacated by Mike Mohn in February 2006 with his resignation.

5. DISTRICT COUNSEL REPORT: Nothing to report.

6. MANAGER'S REPORT

Manager Seymour reported that he had only two things to report:

a. Sky West emplanements for January were 976 and for February they were 979.

b. He would like to thank Gene Hart and his son Tim for installing the new front door to our building. They saved us $400.00 with their time and labor.

7. COMMITTEE REPORTS: No committees have met since the last meeting.

8. PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comments.

9. BOARD COMMENTS

Director Bozack reported that the Web Master would like to remind everyone to check the Web site for contact information. Please make sure it is current and valid and that you are listed as you wish. If changes are required please e-mail the Web master with the appropriate information. As of today, people from 54 different countries have visited our Web site.

Director Bozack would like the next agenda to include an item on our fuel prices, explaining how we achieve a price per gallon and what our profit is for a year on our gas sales.

Director Farris thanked all candidates for their interest in serving the Airport District and congratulations to Mark Backes on his appointment to the Board.

Director Wallum was very impressed with Mark Backes’ candidate’s statement and congratulated Mark Backes on his appointment to the Board. He stated that all the candidates were at one time his first pick, but is glad to have Mark and his past experience on the Board. He thanked Scott and asked him to pass on his compliments to the staff at Sky West for their excellent service.

Director Rosenthal said he was pleasantly surprised that we received so much interest in the Board appointment process. He felt that perhaps people were waking up to the importance of the airport to the community.

A motion to adjourn was made by Director Farris and seconded by Director Rosenthal.

Meeting adjourned 7:41 P.M.

Disabled individuals who need special assistance to attend or participate in the meeting of the Indian Wells Valley Airport District may request assistance at the District Office, 1669 Airport Road (P.O. Box 634) Inyokern CA, 93527 or by calling 760-377-5844. Every effort will be made to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities by making materials available in alternative formats. Request for assistance should be made at least three (3) days in advance whenever possible.

Next regular meeting is scheduled for April 5, 2006