06/10/2025

Meeting Minutes for:
June Board Meeting
Yuma International Airport, Conference Room
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 04:00 PM

    Call to Order:
    The Yuma County Airport Authority, Inc. (YCAA) Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors was called to order at 4:00PM on June 10, 2025, in the Yuma International Airport Conference Room, 2191 E. 32nd Street, Suite 218, Yuma, Arizona 85365. The Presiding officer was Bill Craft, President.

    YCAA DIRECTORS PRESENT WERE:
    Bill Craft, President
    Dean Hager, 1st Vice President (joined the meeting at 4:03PM)
    Juan Guzman, 2nd Vice President
    Stanley Gourley, Treasurer
    Dr. Brian Cullen, Secretary
    William Fox, Director
    Jenny Torres, Director
    Ken Scott, Director
    Eric Saltzer, Director
    Daniel Hann, Director

    YCAA DIRECTORS ABSENT WERE:
    Reetika Dhawan, Director

    ALSO PRESENT WERE:
    Gladys Brown, Airport Director
    Gerald Hinkle, Jr., Chief Financial Officer
    LtCol John J. Leone, USMC, Military Liaison
    Silvia Gunderman, 1st Bank Yuma (joined the meeting at 4:06PM)
    Ryan Hart, Million Air Yuma

    CALL TO THE PUBLIC
    There were no Public Comments.

    APPROVAL OF MINUTES
    Mr. Craft, the YCAA President, called for a motion to approve the minutes of the May 13, 2025, Regular Board Meeting. Mr. Gourley so moved. Mr. Hann seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

    Votes in Favor:
    Mr. Craft
    Mr. Guzman
    Mr. Gourley
    Dr. Cullen
    Mr. Fox
    Mr. Scott
    Ms. Torres
    Mr. Hann
    Mr. Salzer

    Votes Opposed: None

    COMMITTEE REPORTS

    1) Election and Personnel Committee Chair, Reetika Dhawan will provide a summary on May 20, 2025, Meeting.

    Due to the absence of the Election and Personnel Committee Chair, Reetika Dhawan, Committee Member Bill Fox provided a summary of the meeting held on May 20, 2025. Further discussion on the topics discussed at the meeting are included in regular agenda item #6.

    2) Finance Committee Chair, Stanley Gourley, will provide a summary on the May 21, 2025, Meeting.

    Finance Committee Chair, Stanley Gourley, provided a summary of the meeting held on May 21, 2025. Mr. Gourley described actions recommended by the Committee that will be discussed in regular agenda items #1 and #2.

    REGULAR AGENDA
    1) Discussion and Possible Action to authorize the YCAA President, Airport Director, or their designated representative to sign all necessary documents to elect the Variable Rate of Interest option available as stipulated in the terms and conditions of long-term Note Payable #1713 held by 1st Bank Yuma.

    The YCAA’s Chief Financial Officer, Gerald Hinkle briefed the Board on the pending decision necessary regarding the election of an interest rate option available in accordance with the terms and conditions of long-term Note Payable 1713. After describing the available options, he briefed the Board on the action recommended by the Finance Committee after evaluating available options against market conditions at two different meetings. The consensus by the Finance Committee was to recommend that the Board authorize the Airport Director to elect the Variable Rate of Interest option effective July 21, 2025.

    Mr. Craft, the YCAA President, called for a motion to authorize the YCAA President, Airport Director, or their designated representative to sign all necessary documents to elect the Variable Rate of Interest option available as stipulated in the terms and conditions of long-term Note Payable #1713 held by 1st Bank Yuma, contingent upon final review and approval by Airport Staff and Airport Legal Counsel. Mr. Gourley so moved.

    During the subsequent discussion, Mr. Guzman asked if the effective annual rate of interest due as a result of the proposed election was “shopped around”. A discussion ensued on the process used by the Committee to come to their recommendation, including clarification that the election was a required decision to be made as part of existing terms and conditions. Mr. Hinkle reminded the Board that the Note 1713 was obtained many years ago as part of a competitive process and since there is no penalty for early retirement, there is nothing stopping the Board from seeking other sources of capital in an effort to improve the terms. After expressing his opinion that 87.5% of the Prime Rate of Interest was in fact quite competitive, the President called for a vote.

    Mr. Hager seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

    Votes in Favor:
    Mr. Craft
    Mr. Hager
    Mr. Guzman
    Mr. Gourley
    Dr. Cullen
    Mr. Fox
    Mr. Scott
    Ms. Torres
    Mr. Hann
    Mr. Salzer

    2) Discussion and Possible Action to authorize the YCAA President, Airport Director, or their designated representative to sign all necessary documents to utilize existing capital reserves to implement a one-time “Off-Budget” payment against the balance due on Note #1713 in the amount of $312,000 on or before July 20, 2025.

    The YCAA’s Chief Financial Officer, Gerald Hinkle, Jr. briefed the Board on the issues surrounding the Committee’s recommendation that the YCAA Authorize the Airport Director to implement a one-time “Off-Budget” payment against the balance due on Note #1713 in the amount of $312,000 on or before July 20, 2025. Mr. Hinkle provided how the reduce the amount of principal affected by the increased rate of interest, and reduce the amount of annual debt service payments required as compared to not doing so.

    It was noted and disclosed the payment would also have the effect of reducing the total amount of long-term debt held by the YCAA to less than $1 Million for the first time since January of 1999.

    Mr. Craft, the YCAA President, called for a motion to authorize the YCAA President, Airport Director, or their designated representative to sign all necessary documents to utilize existing capital reserves to implement a one-time “Off-Budget” payment against the balance due on Note #1713 in the amount of $312,000 on or before July 20, 2025, contingent upon final review and approval by Airport Staff and Airport Legal Counsel. Mr. Gourley so moved. Mr. Scott seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

    Votes in Favor:
    Mr. Craft
    Mr. Hager
    Mr. Guzman
    Mr. Gourley
    Dr. Cullen
    Mr. Fox
    Mr. Scott
    Ms. Torres
    Mr. Hann
    Mr. Salzer

    3) Monthly report by Chief Financial Officer on current financial status.

    Mr. Hinkle, Chief Financial Officer, briefed the Board on our current financial status. Mr. Hinkle also provided an update on operations by the airport’s Rent Car Agencies, Airport’s Parking Lot and Brewers restaurant.

    4) Discussion and possible action to enter into an agreement with Guardian Flight, LLC for the purpose of leasing Joe Foss Facility, Suite #2 for a term of five (5) years effective June 1, 2025.

    Ms. Brown, Airport Director, described Guardian Flight, LLC has been a tenant of the Yuma County Airport Authority (YCAA) since April 2019, operating out of the Pappy Boyington Hangar. Due to ongoing operational growth at both the local and national levels, Guardian Flight has expressed a need for additional space to support its aircraft maintenance and pilot training activities.

    Joe Foss Suite #2 (East Side) has been identified as a suitable and immediately available space to meet Guardian Flight’s current needs.

    The YCAA authorized the Airport Director to enter into an amendment to their current sub-lease of the Pappy Boyington Hangar facility at the May regular meeting which would have added Joe Foss Suite #2 as an additional premises, but the tenant has requested a stand-alone agreement for insurance and accounting purposes.

    The proposed Sub-Lease contains the identical business points approved by the YCAA in May including a five (5) year term with an option to extend for an additional five (5) years.

    This amendment supports Guardian Flight’s expansion while maximizing occupancy and operational use of airport facilities.

    Mr. Craft, the YCAA President, called for a motion to authorize the President, Airport Director or their authorized representative to enter into an agreement with Guardian Flight, LLC for the purpose of leasing Joe Foss Facility, Suite #2 for a term of five (5) years effective June 1, 2025, contingent upon final review and approval by Airport Staff and Airport Legal Counsel. Mr. Hann so moved. Mr. Guzman seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

    Votes in Favor:
    Mr. Craft
    Mr. Hager
    Mr. Guzman
    Mr. Gourley
    Dr. Cullen
    Mr. Fox
    Mr. Scott
    Ms. Torres
    Mr. Hann
    Mr. Salzer

    MILITARY LIAISON
    LtCol John J. Leone, USMC, Military Liaison, provided updates at MCAS Yuma.

    5) Presentation and update regarding current construction projects, associated contracts, grant status, general aviation, marketing efforts, terminal improvements, aviation conferences, meetings, and items of interest with the city and county or other federal or state agencies. This will include, but is not limited to, additional information, FAA and ADOT grant updates, an overview of projects underway, airport operations, Rolle Airfield, airline recruitment and retention efforts, general aviation, future events, and other Airport business.

    Ms. Brown, the Airport Director, provided an update on improvements underway:
    - Terminal Roof Replacement is complete.
    - Airport Round About Re-Stripping
    - Water Leak at the Taz Trailer
    - Taxiway Sign Replacement
    - Entry Way Barricades
    - Taxiway F1 Paving

    Ms. Brown also provided an update on American Airlines load capacities, marketing and community outreach over the past month to include social media. She shared with the Board any information on the work being performed or questions regarding the projects at the Army Proving Ground was provided in the packet for review and to re-briefed in the meeting.

    6) Discussion and possible action regarding the existing employment contract of the Airport Director. Possible executive session for discussion and/or consideration of the existing employment contract of the Airport Director, and related personnel matters under the provision of A.R.S. § 38-431.03(A)(1).

    Mr. Craft, the YCAA President, called for a motion to enter executive session for discussion and/or consideration of the existing employment contract of the Airport Director, and related personnel matters under the provision of A.R.S. § 38-431.03(A)(1). Mr. Hager so moved; Mr. Scott seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

    Votes in Favor:
    Mr. Craft
    Mr. Hager
    Mr. Guzman
    Mr. Gourley
    Dr. Cullen
    Mr. Fox
    Mr. Scott
    Ms. Torres
    Mr. Hann
    Mr. Salzer

    Votes Opposed: None

    Mr. Craft excused the Public at 4:55PM so the Board could enter Executive Session.

    The Board began Executive Session at 4:56PM after excusing YCAA staff including Ms. Brown and remained in executive session until 5:48PM.

    RECONVENE REGULAR BOARD SESSION
    The Board reconvened its regular session at 5:48PM.

    Mr. Craft, the YCAA President, called for a motion to approve the direction agreed to in executive session regarding the Airport Director’s retention and financial compensation. Mr. Hager so moved. Mr. Gourley seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

    CALL TO THE PUBLIC
    There were no Public Comments.

    ADJOURNMENT
    There being no further business before the Board the meeting adjourned at 5:51PM.



    // Approved //
    Dr. Brian Cullen
    Secretary, Yuma County Airport Authority
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