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The meeting was called to order at 10:00am. Roll call was taken with six members present. Officials and guests present included: Lou Gomez, NMSA, Mike Holston, Procurement Solutions, Luci Woodard, DMJM and Dr. Burton H. Lee.
Authority Members Present:
Kelly O’Donnell, Chairperson
Jerry Hanks representing Lt. Gov. Diane Denish
Jim Manatt
William Loomis
Richard Holdridge
Ben Woods
Authority Members not present:
Toots Green
Motion: Jim Manatt moved to approve the agenda. William Loomis seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Motion: Richard Holdridge moved to approve the minutes from the NMSA meeting held on May 15, 2007. Jim Manatt seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Motion: Richard Holdridge moved to adopt a resolution honoring Casey Luna. Jim Manatt seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Program Update:
Mike Holston gave an update on the design competition stating that three finalist teams have been selected. The teams selected are: Gensler – Santa Monica, CA, HKS Architects-Dallas, TX, URS Corporation- Seattle, WA/Albuquerque. He stated that the concept designs are due on July 18th and the architect announcement will be made on July 26th.
Mr. Holston stated that Spaceport America Planning and Design Advisory Committee held their first meeting on May 29th. At this meeting there were four primary areas of interest that were identified: site layout and design, facility design, El Camino Real education opportunities and site access. He advised that Pat Beckett agreed to chair a sub-committee that will collaborate with Spaceport America on the educational opportunities.
He went on to discuss the preparation that is being done for construction. Evaluation is in process for the need of a man camp during the construction process. Mr. Holston stated that meetings and discussions have taken place in order to analyze the labor requirements and loading. He also stated that a project control system is being developed for cost, scheduling, resource management and risk management.
Luci Woodard (DMJM) gave an overview of the cost of each phase of the design package and also reviewed the schedule of the project. Discussion followed on the approved budget for the project and the fact that DMJM will keep the Authority updated and aware of any changes. There was also discussion on options that are being looked at to use renewable energy. Luci Woodard stated that the options being considered will be presented at the July meeting. Mike Holston discussed the fact that one of the criteria for the design competition is that the design meet a minimum LEED’s gold level of certification.
Tom Mills gave an update on the status of the lease agreement with Virgin Galactic. He stated that the Development Agreement should be in place by the end of July. He also stated that the facilities lease will take a little longer, but should be complete by the first part of November. He discussed the key issues that still need to be resolved are insurance, and environmental liabilities. He reviewed other legal issues such as the Ranch Management Plan, MOU with BLM, test wells, DEIS sections, spaceport development districts, JPA with NMDOT, Sierra Electric Coop Agreement, WSMR MOA, zoning, UPA contract, XPrize MOU and DFA certification of funding process.
Mike Holston stated that the original MOA/JPA with WSMR was signed in 2002. Meetings have been held in order to discuss several issues and update these agreements.
Mr. Holston continued stating that the FAA license application is currently being reviewed, and will be submitted in late June. The draft EIS was submitted to FAA on May 4th. Tetra Tech has incorporated comments from Spaceport America and FAA, they are now revising the document and incorporating information from the field survey and will resubmit in July. Mr. Holston advised that a meeting was held with Albuquerque ARTCC to discuss what needs to be done to be prepared for the spaceport. There will also be a meeting with FAA-AST on June 29th in order to discuss the EIS, license application, air traffic agreement, and the vehicle licensing process.
Mr. Holston discussed the Cooperating Agencies and stated that El Camino Real was named one of the most endangered historic places in America. He discussed upcoming meetings with BLM, State Land Office, Game and Fish Dept., and Sierra County.
Mr. Holston also reviewed the cost management process beginning with early economic impact reports by NMSU/PSL and Futron in 2002. DMJM prepared a cost estimate in March 2007 which will be presented to the NM Finance Department on June 22 for review and approval.
Mr. Holston reported that meetings were held with Hatch and T or C leaders on June 7th to discuss the Welcome Centers. A meeting with the Dept. of Cultural Affairs is alsobeing planned to discuss collaboration. He also stated that an RFP will go out in July for a feasibility study and programming and design. There will also be a meeting with various organizations to discuss keeping the public informed during the construction phase.
Mike Holston advised that a meeting with Aerospace Corporation was held and there will be future meetings with operations consultants. The DMJM team is developing a cost estimate for operations which will be completed by July.
COMSTAC Report:
Lou Gomez reported on the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee. Mr. Gomez advised that the goals of the COMSTAC are to evaluate the economic, technological and institutional developments related to the commercial space transportation industry. It also provides a forum to discuss problems involving the relationship between industry activities and government requirements and makes recommendations to the Administrator on issues and approaches for federal policies and programs regarding the industry. Mr. Gomez reviewed information on satellite demand forecasts and launch demand forecasts. He also discussed the upcoming Space and Air show scheduled for October 26-27, 2007. Mr. Gomez presented a spaceport summary on all of the non-federal spaceports and proposed spaceports, giving information on the locations, owners, infrastructure, and development status. He also presented a summary of NMSA outreach and meeting activities.
Aerospace and Tourism Market:
Dr. Burton H. Lee, who is a technical consultant to NMSA presented on Spaceport America’s position and growth prospects in the global aerospace and tourism marketplace. He advised that the commercial space industry is showing a growing momentum and also substantial investments. Dr. Lee prepared a SWOT analysis of the spaceport and reviewed in detail the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats related to the spaceport. He also reviewed the economic impact the spaceport will have according to the Futron Study results from December 2005.
Financial Update:
Mary Ann Myers handed out and reviewed a breakdown of the operating budget with current balances and also the capital outlay expenditures and balances. She stated that the new fiscal year will begin on July 1. Some discussion followed on the $100 million in capital outlay funds. Mary Ann Myers stated that we will get $33 million the first year and explained the severance tax bond funds are being processed and will become available on July 1. She also explained that the gross receipts tax funds will be become available to us until January. Mike Holston advised an update on these funds will be provided at the next meeting.
Public Comment:
Jerry Hanks submitted the name of Sid Gutierrez to replace recently retired Casey Luna as Spaceport Authority Member.
William Loomis advised that he attended an Associated Contractors of NM meeting and felt that DMJM was able to gain the sense of the local ability for this project.
Jim Manatt expressed gratitude to Commissioner Kent Evans and the tax payers of Dona Ana County for getting the gross receipts tax passed.
Steve Traver commented on the ribbon cutting in Albuquerque for Operation Responsive Space and how it represents what the nation is doing with space. He also commented on the positive impact the XPrize Cup and Air show in October will have.
Paul Higby commented on New Mexico’s potential for scientific research and also discussed some of the competition.
Motion: Jim Manatt moved to adjourn the meeting. Richard Holdridge seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
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