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The meeting was called to order by Chair Kelly O’Donnell at 10:00am. Roll call was taken with six members present and one attending by conference call. Officials and guests present included: Mary Ann Myers, NMSA, Belinda Lucero, NMSA, Mike Holston, Procurement Solutions, Jim Hayhoe, Village of Hatch, Wayne Savage, DMJM, Cathy Harper, NM Museum of Space History, Alvin Dominguez, NMDOT, Sherri Holliefield, NMDOT, Sarita Nair, Sutin, Thayer & Browne.
Authority Members Present:
Kelly O’Donnell, Chair
Ben Woods
William Loomis
Richard Holdridge
Brent Westmoreland
Toots Green
Jerry Hanks (conference call)
Authority Members Not Present:
Jim Manatt
Motion: Toots Green moved to approve the agenda. William Loomis seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Motion: Toots Green moved to approve the minutes from the October 5, 2007 meeting. Richard Holdridge seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Motion: Brent Westmoreland moved to approve the minutes from the November 3, 2007 meeting. William Loomis seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Update on Executive Director Position:
Chairwoman O’Donnell reported that Steve Landeene was chosen and has accepted the position of the NMSA Executive Director. He will begin full time in January.
Summary Report XPrize/Air Show and ISPS:
Jim Hayhoe reported on the ISPS 2007. He advised that there were over 300 attendees, with 12 countries represented, 40 commercial space companies, 13 astronauts and private citizens. He stated that NMSA now has a role in International Procedures development and will be taking the lead in establishing a Global Spaceport Federation. Mr. Hayhoe recommended that NMSA take a more active and proactive role in ISPS 2008. He also stated that the proceeds from the ISPS go to funding for the UNM and NMSU Aerospace Internship Program. A short film was shown from the 2007 ISPS.
Cathy Harper reported on the XPrize/Air Show held at Holloman Air Force Base in October. She advised that 6,500 students from across New Mexico attended on Education Day. The Executive Summit and reception had a turnout of 120 aerospace CEO’s and industry leaders. The air and space expo featured over 140 displays and 85,000 people attended the 3 day event. The event had extensive media coverage. She reported that having the event at Holloman cut costs in half and increased attendance by 4 times. She stated the goal of official’s at Holloman is to make the nations only live air and space show a continuous successful event.
Chair O’Donnell discussed the XPrize and the economic impact the event has on southern New Mexico. Discussion followed on the importance of determining where the XPrize will be held on a regular basis until the spaceport is built, in order to assure that the participating communities are coordinating efforts to maximize the likelihood of obtaining the funding to build the spaceport. Discussion continued with the gross receipts tax and the fact that passage of the tax by another county is critical in order for the funding to get to the spaceport and must be passed by the end of next year.
Project Status Report:
Mike Holston reviewed the project activities for October and November. Mr. Holston discussed the THF design status and stated that the final agreement with URS is complete and detailed programming meetings will be held December 11-13 in London. He advised that the key issues at this time are fueling operations, compliance with state fire codes and concept design adherence to budget limitations.
Wayne Savage with DMJM gave an update on the THF programming phase. He advised that Bid Package 1 is 40% complete which includes internal roads, electrical, water/waste water, airfield and communications. Bid Package 2 is at 30%. Discussion followed on studies conducted on alternate energy sources and the findings will be reviewed again at the next meeting. Bid document preparation is scheduled to be complete in April. He stated that cost reviews are being completed to keep within budget. He reported that a checklist is being followed and LEED requirements are being met. Mr. Savage reviewed the status of the site electrical service and water well fields.
Alvin Dominguez with DOT gave an update on the roads. He advised that they are designing a temporary facility to allow for construction and advised at this point they are not acquiring right of way. He also stated that a consultant has been hired for the corridor study for the final layout for a permanent facility.
Mike Holston gave an overview of the Bid Package process. He stated that DMJM will soon be presenting their recommendations to the Board on bid packages for construction contracts.
Wayne Savage reviewed some milestones and stated that the Record of Decision is scheduled for November 2008 followed by the FAA license and then construction. Construction should continue through early 2010. He stated that all of the design activities should be complete by early January 2008. Mr. Savage also reviewed the construction budget and costs. Mike Holston stated that Rick Tiegens from URS will begin presenting updates on the THF budget and status.
Mike Holston advised that People for Aerospace has been formed in Sierra County and they are moving forward with putting the gross receipts tax up for vote in April 2008. Sierra County has asked to have the NMSA meeting scheduled for March or April in TorC. Discussion followed on having an update prepared on the economic forecast of the operational spaceport and the development of the spaceport.
Motion: Rick Holdridge moved to have Mike Holston research possible contractors, the costs and time needed for an economic analysis that would help the local governments that are weighing their participation in the spaceport project understand the potential economic impact for their communities. William Loomis seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Mike Holston discussed the Virgin Galactic lease and advised that significant progress has been made on the development agreement and negotiations should be complete by 12/31/07 and will then be brought to the Board for approval.
Mr. Holston advised that scale models of the White Knight Two and Spaceship Two will be unveiled on January 23rd in New York City.
Mr. Holston stated that a Cultural Resources Review meeting was held on October 19th with all of the Section 106 parties. He stated that the first internal draft of the EIS has been submitted to FAA. The public review period should be in April 2008.
Mr. Holston gave an update of the SAPDAC committee. He advised that at the next SAPDAC meeting a facilitator will review all of the comments, concerns, suggestions and questions and discuss how they have all been incorporated into the design of the spaceport and facilities. At this meeting a decision will also be made on whether the group needs to continue since the design phase is nearing completion.
Mr. Holston stated that the development of the Ranch Management Proposal is moving forward.
Mr. Holston advised that UP Aerospace will be conducting a test flight during the month of December from Spaceport America. He also stated that Beyond Earth has requested to launch suborbital flights from Spaceport America in April 2008.
Budget Status Report:
Mary Ann Myers advised that operating expense balances are very low. A BAR (Budget Adjustment Request) will be submitted tomorrow to transfer funds from personal services into operating expenses. She advised that a Supplemental Request has been submitted for FY08. She gave an update on the severance tax bonds advising that the sale of bonds will take place at the end of the month with the draw down of the balance occurring in January 2008.
Hatch Welcome Center Resolution:
Motion: William Loomis moved to approve a resolution to support a Welcome Center in the Village of Hatch. Ben Woods seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Next Meeting:
Motion: Ben Woods moved to have the next NMSA meeting on January 31, 2007 in Santa Fe at 10:00am. Richard Holdridge seconded the motion. Motion carried.
The frequency and schedule of the NMSA meetings for 2008 will be discussed at the next meeting.
Public Comment:
James Webb advised that XPrize has no hyphen and wanted to make everyone aware.
Motion: Brent Westmoreland moved to adjourn the meeting. William Loomis seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 12:15pm.
Approved: ______________________ Date: ____________________ Kelly O'Donnell, Chairman
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