1. Call to Order, Roll Call Community Outreach Committee (COC) Co-Chair Richard Jay called the meeting to order at 5:35 PM.

Transcription

1 *** These draft minutes have not yet been approved and are subject to revision at the next regularly scheduled meeting. *** RENO-TAHOE AIRPORT AUTHORITY COMMUNITY OUTREACH COMMITTEE BRIEF OF MEETING MINUTES Thursday, at 5:30 pm Airport Administrative Office, Conference Room A/B COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Jessica Sferrazza (Chair) Daniel Farahi (Co-Vice Chair) Richard Jay (Co-Vice Chair) Jennifer Baker Brianna Bullentini Patrick Flynn Michael Knox Don Kornstein Rick Murdock Jim Nadeau Thomas Petersen Ann Silver Sharon Spangler Vick Wowo Charlene Bybee (Liaison) Jennifer Cunningham (Liaison) ALSO PRESENT: Marily Mora (CEO) Dean Schultz (COO) Tina Iftiger Marty Mueller Heidi Jared Mary Lee Mansfield Erica Olsen (OnStrategy) COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT/EXCUSED: Matt Harris Karl Hutter Rick LaMay Noah Silverman Jaime Tibaduiza Aaron West Bob Lucey (Liaison) Hillary Schieve (Liaison) 1. Call to Order, Roll Call Community Outreach Committee (COC) Co-Chair Richard Jay called the meeting to order at 5:35 PM. Roll call was taken. 2. Public Comment (Limited to 3 Minutes) There was no public comment. 3. Approval of Meeting Minutes from October 19 and November 16, 2017

2 Page 2 of 6 The meeting minutes from October 19 and November 16, 2017 were approved on motion by Trustee Jay and second by COC Member Michael Knox. 4. New Business: Update on Key Issues Facing the Airport Authority a. Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority Strategic Plan A Discussion Facilitated by Erica Olsen of OnStrategy, the RTAA s Strategic Planning Consultant Marily Mora, President/CEO, gave a short overview on the background of a previous Strategic Plan in place from , and the need for a new Strategic Plan going forward. She stated that the Strategic Plan stakeholders include all COC members, whose input is valuable in this process. The Strategic Plan helps staff be in alignment with the Board of Trustees and has been a terrific guide for the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA). Ms. Olsen began by seeking the thoughts of the COC members on where the priorities are for RTAA in the future. What needs to change, shift or stay the same? She indicated that the timeframe for the Strategic Plan is to have it wrapped up by April/May Tina Iftiger, Vice President of Airport Economic Development, added that it was the feedback from COC members regarding the Airport Master Plan that also helped inform the Strategic Plan, particularly in the area of drones, transportation network companies, etc. Ms. Olsen introduced Marty Mueller, Chief Information Officer, and asked him to set the framework for the Strategic Plan Mission Statement. Mr. Mueller said the statement incorporates the why in why the RTAA exists. It includes the RTAA influence on: people, businesses, air transportation industry, community and employees. The mission statement is simple, We Move You! We Bring the World to Reno-Tahoe and Reno-Tahoe to the World. Mr. Mueller said we envision a day when someone could approach any RTAA employee and ask what the RTAA s vision is, and the employee would be able to respond with conviction, We Move You. Dean Schultz, Executive Vice President/COO, added comments in support of the mission statement and gave an example of how Mr. Mueller s team in Information Technology helps move customers by ensuring the flight information display screens (FIDS) are operational. Committee Liaison Charlene Bybee expressed her support for the mission statement and reminded the COC members that the purpose of travel for passengers is varied and the more that airports address not only the amenities, but also the feeling customers have when they travel, it will add to that overall impression on travelers, which is so important.

3 Page 3 of 6 The Strategic Plan incorporates the RTAA s business description to support what they do, which is provide/maintain air transportation facilities and deliver safe, customer support services that connect our region to the world. The Strategic Plan also includes the THRIVE values of Teamwork, Honesty & Integrity, Respect & Recognition, Inspire & Innovate, Versatility, and Enthusiasm for Excellence. Ms. Olsen explained that the Strategic Plan looks at the overall organizational strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOTs). It looks at where the RTAA is now and where they are going, with 2036 as the vision marker which is based off the Master Plan working dates. The vision includes Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) being a hub of the community; an economic engine; a modern, flexible facility; financially self-sufficient; a best place to work; pride of the region, and innovative and adaptive. COC Member Vick Wowo vocalized his desire for the Airport to include a level of empathy for travelers and what they are going through in the Strategic Plan process. Mr. Schultz presented the eight working priorities in the Strategic Plan: Air Service, Customer Experience; Safety & Security; Financial Growth & Diversification; General Aviation; People; Implementation of Master Plan; and Environmental Responsibility. These priorities include some from the previous Strategic Plan, but also new priorities or combination of priorities. Ms. Olsen asked the COC members where the RTAA should be in the future? And to that end, the next step in the planning process was to have each COC member walk around the room and write down on the post it notes where the RTAA is today, versus where they should be in What level of change is needed: sustain, substantive, or transformational change? Regarding air service, Mr. Wowo s feedback centered around adding more nonstop flights. COC Member Sharon Spangler wanted to be sure that cargo was addressed, adding more space for cargo if needed. COC Member Jennifer Baker expressed the need for more air service to southern California. An explanation of the catchment area was given by Ms. Mora. COC Member Rick Murdock stated that it is his belief that passenger and cargo air service is the most important priority. COC Member Tom Petersen asked whether there are sufficient facilities for air cargo. COC Liaison Jennifer Cunningham addressed the need to be innovative; ready for various aircraft types at our gates, while Ms. Baker talked about the need to adapt to different types of human movement to and from the Airport. Mr. Petersen brought up his thoughts on parking and rental cars, stressing the need to maintain the balance between convenient parking for arriving local

4 Page 4 of 6 passengers and rental cars for out of town travelers. Mr. Schultz replied that the RTAA will try to keep rental cars within walking distance. He also explained that aircraft performance is improving such that RNO will able to stretch the boundary of where we can fly. COC Member Brianna Bullentini indicated she wants the Airport to incorporate local vendors and the diverse concepts of the region. She added, build an airport with a strong community base, rather than an environment where passengers come to RNO just to catch a flight. She stressed the importance of keeping the Airport community-centric. Mr. Murdock stressed the need to keep the convenient access inside and outside the terminal. He stated that we must keep it fun and easy to get in and out of the Airport. Regarding customer experience, Ms. Baker advised that the Airport should keep people first in its focus. Mr. Knox cautioned the RTAA not to lose its strength, stating that it is pleasurable to travel through RNO and we need to keep it that way. Adding on to that, Ms. Cunningham said to keep the dogs, as she likes the Paws 4 Passengers therapy dogs. COC Member Jim Nadeau said that it can be cumbersome for the disabled to travel through RNO and the Airport should improve the wheelchair service and decrease the wait times for wheelchair assistance. Clarification was given that wheelchair service is provided by a sub-contracted company hired by the airlines. Mr. Petersen asked that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) experience be improved and gave kudos for the Airport s efforts thus far, which have shortened wait times. Mr. Wowo again brought up the need for empathy and to try to understand what the customer is experiencing. He feels that almost everyone has touched on this same theme in their comments. Mr. Knox said the RTAA should involve all the airlines and tenants in their efforts to improve customer service. He agreed with the comments made that the regular traveler does not recognize the difference between each business/company on property and that they only see the airport. On the priority of environmental responsibility, COC member feedback was to continue on the good path the RTAA is already on. Kudos were given for the Airport solar panel installation and LED lights. General Aviation comments from Ms. Baker included a desire for more charter junkets for business, like there is for gaming. Ms. Cunningham cautioned not to undermine the air service efforts to grow/maintain flights in certain business-

5 Page 5 of 6 centric markets, if charters were added. Ms. Mora said charter business flights are on the radar and that the Airport is considering if such an option is possible. On the topic of financial growth and diversification, Ms. Spangler said she feels like Reno-Stead Airport is underutilized. To that end, Ms. Iftiger informed the Committee that developer Dermody Properties will be designing a very aviationcentric property with areas for aviation suppliers and manufacturers built around Reno-Stead. COC Chair Jessica Sferrazza referred to Stead Airport as a type of campus and sees the vision for the growth and development that can occur there. COC Co-Chair Daniel Farahi talked about the revenue from the parking garage and rental cars and asked what the Airport s long term plan is for sustaining revenue and diversifying the revenue in an era of Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft. Ms. Baker suggested quiet places where business travelers can make private phone calls. Ms. Mora replied that is similar to the feedback from the millennials - a need for quiet spaces where people can do business, charge phones, be on their laptops, etc. How do you retain good talent? Mr. Wowo challenged staff to find innovative ways to attract and retain quality talent. Mr. Murdock said that with 5,000 new homes being built in the North Valleys, he believes Reno-Stead is the next Tahoe Reno Industrial Center (TRIC) in terms of development opportunities. Trustee Farahi asked if the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) Flyover/Spaghetti Bowl plan could be presented to the COC members. Trustee Sferrazza agreed this would be a good idea and Ms. Mora said it could be added to the agenda for the next COC meeting on April 19th. COC Member Don Kornstein said before moving on in the agenda, he would like to say that while transformational change is exciting, we need to be financially balanced and ensure the resources are in place thereby focusing on the true priority. Trustee Sferrazza reminded all that the Board of Trustees will set the vision and fund the priorities. The Master Plan will be critical in how RNO moves forward. Ms. Iftiger clarified that by generating revenue at Reno-Stead with the planned development, the costs can be kept low at RNO for the airlines, thus helping to attract new flights. b. Escape Lounge RNO Following the Business Portion of the Meeting, COC Members will Tour the New Passenger Lounge and Enjoy its Amenities

6 Page 6 of 6 Following the business portion of the meeting, COC Members took a tour and enjoyed a tasting of the new Escape Lounge RNO, a common-use business lounge for passengers of any airline. Ms. Iftiger first gave an overview of the Escape Lounge with its food and beverage features and its success so far since opening in December of 2017, due in part to the sponsorship of American Express Platinum card holders who can access the lounge at no charge. 5. Discussion of Upcoming Meeting Dates The next meeting of the COC is scheduled for April 19, General Committee Comments, Questions & Items of Future Committee Meetings Ms. Mora gave a quick update on the Runway 8-26 reconstruction project planned for Reno-Stead Airport funded by the largest federal grant ever received. The project will enhance safety and security and be completed in time for the 2018 Air Races. Ms. Mora also announced to the Committee that Frontier Airlines will be starting new non-stop service to Austin, TX on April 10, Update from Public Officials There was no update from public officials. 8. Public Comment (Limited to 3 minutes) There was no public comment. 9. Adjournment Trustee Sferrazza encouraged all to attend the April 19, 2018 COC meeting to hear about NDOT s Spaghetti Bowl construction plans. The formal portion of the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m., following which COC members went to the Escape Lounge RNO for a tour and tasting of the new common use passenger lounge. JS/hj/cj *** These draft minutes have not yet been approved and are subject to revision at the next regularly scheduled meeting. ***