02-23-2006 City of las Cruces
AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
City of Las Cruces,New Mexico
February 23, 2006
Members Present: Randy Ranels, Larry La Beau, Joe Beck, Leon Billstone
Members Absent: Dyne Buckley, Robert Paul, Bill Squires
Others Present: Gil Jones, City Councillor; Dolores Archuleta, City Councillor; Steve
Trowbridge, City Councillor, Jose Frietze, City Councillor; Terrence
Moore, City Manager; Robert Garza, Asst. City Manager; Brian Denmark,
Facilities Director; Lisa Murphy, Airport Manager; Susan Pfeiffer,
Recording Secretary; Christine Ochs, Community Development Director;
Tim Gormley, Rocket Racing League; William Madden, WAM, Inc.
Chair Randy Ranels called the meeting to order at 11:03 a.m. in City Council Chambers, and a
quorum was noted. Since this was a joint meeting of the Airport Advisory Board and the West
Mesa Design and Review Committee, Mr. Ranels had those present introduce themselves and
state which board they were affiliated with.
NEW BUSINESS:
Rocket Racing League Proposal: Community Development Director Christine Ochs
presented the Rocket Racing League (RRL) Proposal as it pertained to each Board, and passed
out copies of the RRL Business Plan. She said the two airport issues that the City would like a
recommendation from the Airport Advisory Board on were, the leasing of six existing parcels,
and extending the east end taxiway to the airport property boundary. Ms. Ochs stated that this
taxiway extension would allow them to lease an additional eight parcels to build racing team
hangars on with additional aircraft parking apron.
Mr. Tim Gormley stated that RRL is committed to move their headquarters to Las Cruces where
they have adequate land to expand and where other related industrial businesses could build
around them. He said that they would like to build their headquarters at the end of the extended
taxiway, on 12 acres of West Mesa Industrial Park land, where they could see the airport
infrastructure, and team hangars and aircraft from their upstairs conference room. Mr. Gormley
stated that they already have the support of the FAA, the State, and the Mesilla Valley Economic
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AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES—FEBRUARY 23,2006
Page 2
Development Alliance to relocate in Las Cruces. He said that they would like to build two
hangars by October of this year for the X PRIZE Cup.
Following a brief question and answer period Mr. Billstone moved, seconded by Mr. La Beau,
that the Airport Advisory Board supported RRL's land lease application on the existing six
hangar parcels numbers 36, 37, 40, 41, 42, and 43; motion carried unanimously. (Note: written
concurrences of motion from Mr. Buckley and Mr. Squires are attached.)
Mr. Beck moved, seconded by Mr. La Beau, to recommend support of the taxiway extension to
the airport property boundary; motion carried unanimously. (Note: written concurrences of
motion from Mr. Buckley and Mr. Squires are attached.)
With no further business to conduct, it was moved, seconded, and passed to adjourn the meeting
at 12:00 noon.
Chair Recording Sec aryl
Page 1 of 1
Susan Pfeiffer
From: ranlinranels [ranlinranels@zianet.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 2:37 PM
To: Lisa Murphy
Cc: Susan Pfeiffer
Subject: Fw: Special Meeting
Both Bill Squires and Dyne Byckley are in favor of the RRL if the company(consortium) has a solid business
plan and financial support. The taxiway is problematic unless RRL helps fund the extension. Ideas???
----Original Message----
From: DYNEAMITE(a-aol.com
To: ranlinranels(cD-zianet.com
Sent:Wednesday, February 22, 2006 9:10 AM
Subject: Special Meeting
Hi Randy,
Just wanted to let you know I will be unable to attend the Special Airport Meeting on Thurs. the 23rd as I have a
dental appointment that day. It is scheduled to take about 2 hours.
I would be in favor of approving the Rocket Racing League lease application assuming they will meet any
requirements the advisory board feels necessary. I would support the extension of the taxiway.
Sorry, I have to miss the meeting.
Dyne
3/9/2006