Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Town of Airport Users Committee held on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at 1:00 pm in the Committee Room, Town Hall, 660 Primrose Street, Qualicum Beach, BC

PRESENT: Wayne Barrie, Parksville-Qualicum Aero Club Alternate Allison Cooney, Skydive Island Gord Gauvin, Skydive Ian McLaughlin, Airport Restaurant (Final Approach) Alternate Don Murphy, Chartwell Residents’ Association Pavel Novak, Private Hangar Representative Alternate Adam Potter, Airport Restaurant (Final Approach) Jim Young, Island Air Express

Staff: Bob Weir, P. Eng., Director of Engineering and Operations Geoff Graham, Deputy Airport Manager Bernadette Ritter, Recording Secretary

Absent: Paul Anders, Member at Large Paul Connor, T-Hangar Representative Amanda Prothero, Chartwell Residents’ Association Brian Sallows, Sunwest Helicopters Ltd. Ben Miller, Airport Operator

Chair, Bob Weir, called the meeting to order at 1:00pm.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA The Qualicum Beach Airport Users Committee adopted, by unanimous consent, the October 23, 2019 meeting agenda.

ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES I. McLaughlin MOVED and G. Graham SECONDED, THAT the Town of Qualicum Beach Airport Users Committee approves the October 18, 2018 regular meeting minutes. CARRIED

RECOMMENDATIONS FROM COUNCIL Review of Committee Structure and Mandate Options (a) Referrals from Council, July 31, 2019, In Camera Council Meeting THAT Council instructs staff to arrange a meeting in September 2019 for the Council liaison and staff to meet with the Town of Qualicum Beach Airport Users Committee membership to discuss committee structure and mandate options.

The Chair read out the Purpose of the Committee from the Select Committee’s Terms of Reference. The committee agreed to continue with the current purpose and format of the committee.

Town of Qualicum Beach October 23, 2019 Airport Users Committee Minutes Page 2 of 4

The Terms of Reference are to be updated under the section Composition of the Committee in keeping with changing airline names.

It was suggested that the committee reduce the number of meetings from three per year, to two per year, or as required.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Verbal Update on airport projects: a. Terminal building expansion underway. Town will be entering into a long term lease with the restaurant operators. b. Parking - Phase 1 of a 2 phase process. The project includes one entry road, one set of parking stalls, lighting, cameras, and pay parking. Pay parking fee amounts have not been decided, and input is welcomed. Hoping to use technology that uses license plate numbers and credit cards. c. Redevelopment of south side of the airport. There is no imminent development, but remains part of the airport business plan. The area proposes a variety of functions, including a clean, light industrial area. Light industrial is in short supply in the Town, and the addition would offer a revenue source for the Town to fund airport operations. d. Funding in the amount of $10,000 was received from the Regional District of . The funding will go toward signage to market the airport; either way- finding signage on the highways, or a large sign at the entrance of the airport that landmarks the location and promotes onsite operators.

2. Round Table: • D. Murphy asked about communications to new airlines regarding airport flightpath protocol. B. Weir advised that they have been bought up to speed. • W. Barrie reported that the Aero Club were losing their skydivers, and bringing in Sealand Instructors. • G. Graham provided an update on the change of the airport identifier from CAT4 to XQU. We have been advised by NAV Canada that the Town cannot change the code. He will make some more calls to further investigate options. • J. Young advised that Island Air Express are using XQU for their booking system. Advised that the Town could use XQU for public interface, and CAT4 for all aviation interactions. He also suggested that for signage, the Town could place the XQU in yellow and bold, and CAT4 underneath in brackets (as Comox and Nanaimo do). • G. Graham provided an update on the noise abatement process, which involves reviewing airport footage and sending a letter to offenders. B. Weir advised that are currently conducting two video reviews a week arising from complaints. G. Graham advised that the complaint process seems to be working, and there have been no repeat offenders once a letter had been written. • A. Cooney asked for an update on the airport complaint process. B. Weir advised that a process has been communicated with the front end staff at Town Hall, who direct Town of Qualicum Beach October 23, 2019 Airport Users Committee Minutes Page 3 of 4

calls to B. Weir, who then does a video review. The council motion to make the process more formal is still pending. A. Cooney advised that all operators are watching for offending planes and reporting immediately. • B. Weir advised that the Town is looking at putting a camera on the Village Way Reservoir site that would capture NAP violators in the area of Qualicum Woods. An internet connection has been installed in readiness, and the camera installation is pending. • I. McLaughlin reported that he is happy things are moving ahead with the renovation, and that concrete has just been poured. • B. Weir advised that he, B. Miller and I. McLaughlin need to meet regarding conflicting user codes. • B. Weir advised that Transport Canada has identified a lack of security to the airport apron. Plans involve adding swipe card access to all doors, except west door (in case of power outage). B. Weir will review the site with the installers. • A. Cooney asked about marketing for the new meeting room and extra office space at the terminal. B. Weir advised that the spaces will be opened for renting/leasing to the public when the renovation is no longer using that space for storage or project management. • G. Graham asked about the status of the LED lighting grant. B. Weir advised that the BCAAP grant for $800,000 decision is still pending. • G. Gauvin advised that they are planning on moving their operation to a Row A lease lot. B. Weir advised that the Town is discussing a lease with them. • A. Cooney reported that the lease process experience has hugely improved. • The committee discussed operational issues when power outages occurred, and contingency plans. • B. Weir reported that discussions have taken place around the airport being identified as an emergency facility, necessitating the need for a backup generator. Airports Capital Assistance Program may assist with funding. B. Weir advised that the Town is looking to upgrade the generator at the Civic Centre, so could potentially relocate the current one to the airport. • The committee discussed the garbage arrangements for onsite operators. B. Weir advised a final garbage system still needs to be resolved. Town is currently picking up the garbage. • The Committee discussed pass cards. J. Young will confirm with other airports if there are any conflicts with adding a chip to crews’ current pass cards. He will also provide B. Weir with any protocols so IT staff can consider when developing the system. • J. Young encouraged the promotion of the airport to assist with business in the slow season. He also advised that free parking is an important part of their marketing strategy to compete with other airports. Suggested that price should be lower than Nanaimo or Comox. B. Weir suggested the cost be approximately $2 or $3. Town of Qualicum Beach October 23, 2019 Airport Users Committee Minutes Page 4 of 4

• J. Young suggested the use of Honk mobile app as a parking solution. This is what BC Ferries have successfully used, and has the benefit of low enforcement costs and top- up options. • The committee discussed car sharing/rental options for the airport. J. Young advised that Island Express Air would happily provide car sharing options on their website, as well as facilitate the rental logistics onsite. • D. Murphy asked if affordable housing is still on the table for the airport. B. Weir confirmed that affordable housing is still being pursued, and Council is looking at possible interested parties. • A. Cooney reiterated a desire for the committee to meet twice a year minimum and as needed. B. Weir will take this request to Council. • B. Weir updated that communication with helicopter companies is going well, and getting schedules in advance is improving communication with public and resident associations. • It was asked if an ATM will be installed onsite. B. Weir advised that an ATM is not a viable option as the airport is largely unattended and it poses a security risk.

ADJOURNMENT A. Cooney MOVED and I. McLaughlin SECONDED, THAT the Town of Qualicum Beach Airport Users Committee adjourns the meeting. CARRIED

Meeting Adjourned: 2:10pm

Certified Correct:

Bob Weir, Chair

Next Regular Meeting: To be advised