COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

Transcription

1 DONALD L. WOLFE Director of Aviation COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES AVIATION COMMISSION To Enrich Lives Through Effective and Caring Service 900 SOUTH FREMONT AVENUE ALHAMBRA, CALIFORNIA Telephone: (626) LOS ANGELES COUNTY AVIATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF OCTOBER 25, 2006 El Monte Airport 4233 Santa Anita Ave El Monte, CA COMMISSIONERS CLINTON SIMMONS CHAIRMAN DENNIS C. LORD VICE CHAIRMAN ARON A. WOLF SECRETARY CLYDE G. BAILEY ANGELO R. CARDONO CURT CASTAGNA BOBBY E. CHASE EVELYN A. JEROME ROGER L. PERSONS IN ATTENDANCE Chairman Clinton Simmons Vice Chairman Dennis C. Lord Secretary Aron A. Wolf Commissioner Clyde G. Bailey Commissioner Angelo R. Cardono Commissioner Bobby E. Chase Commissioner Evelyn A. Jerome Commissioner Roger L. Persons LOS ANGELES COUNTY - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS STAFF Mr. Ted A. Gustin, Chief, Aviation Division Mr. Richard L. Smith, Airport Project Coordinator, Aviation Division Mrs. Miriam Gomes Oprişan, Staff Assistant, Aviation Division AMERICAN AIRPORTS - AIRPORT SERVICES DIVISION STAFF Mr. Scott Wardle, Regional Director Mr. Jared Fox-Tuck, Manager, Brackett Field Airport Mr. Andrew Marino, Manager, Compton/Woodley Airport Mr. Rafael Herrera, Manager, El Monte Airport Mr. Steve Irving, Manager, General Wm. J. Fox Airfield Mr. Jason Morgan, Manager, Whiteman Airport GUESTS Mr. Don Hagopian, Whiteman Airport Association Mr. Ken Hanson, San Gabriel Valley Airport Association Mr. Jack Kenton, Compton/Woodley Airport Mr. Joseph McClendon, Compton/Woodley Airport Mr. Les Slifkin, San Gabriel Valley Airport Association Mr. Scott Stevenson, San Gabriel Valley Airport Association Mr. Jack Tippie, Former Aviation Division employee

2 2 CALL TO ORDER Vice Chairman Dennis C. Lord called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. A. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice Chairman Lord led the Pledge of Allegiance. B. MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION AND ACTION BY THE COMMISSION 1. Minutes of the Meeting of September 27, 2006 The minutes were amended by Commissioner Cardono who noted that the last meeting was adjourned by Chairman Simmons. Commissioner Cardono made a motion for approval, second by Commissioner Jerome. The minutes were approved and adopted as amended. 2. American Airports - Project Manager s Report Mr. Scott Wardle introduced to the Commission Mr. Ed Sauce as the new President of American Airports Corporation (AAC). Mr. Wardle informed the Commission that new furniture was purchased for General Wm. J. Fox Airfield, Brackett Field Airport, and Whiteman Airport. He also mentioned that additional computers will be purchased and be available for the customers at the airports, especially at Fox Airfield, which does not have a computer for the pilots. Mr. Jared Fox-Tuck reported on events at Brackett Field Airport. The slurry seal project on the transient parking ramp is almost complete. Out of the 105 hangars inspected, 89 hangars were occupied by aviation tenants. The 50 third-party hangars were also inspected, and 43 were occupied by aviation users. The hangars that will revert to the County by the end of 2006 have not been inspected. Those hangars can accommodate twin-engine aircraft, for which Brackett Field Airport has a waiting list. The airport currently has three vacant hangars. The Precision Approach Path Indicator lights were replaced. The majority of the large executive hangars are rented to aviation users. Brackett Field Airport will host a National Flight Competition in February The air conditioner compressor in the terminal building needs to be replaced. Mr. Fox-Tuck informed the Commission that a memorial fund has been established in honor of Tyler Stanger, a very well-known aviator at Brackett Field Airport, who tragically died when his plane crashed into a New York high-rise building on October 11, Chairman Simmons asked if the hangars that will revert to the County will accommodate the number of people on the waiting list. Mr. Fox-Tuck said that they will.

3 3 Vice Chairman Lord asked who was responsible for replacing the air conditioner compressor. Mr. Ted Gustin said that it was the County s responsibility. Secretary Wolf requested an update regarding the new fixed base operator at Brackett Field Airport. Mr. Fox-Tuck responded that a second flight school has arrived, and once he receives the insurance papers, the flight school will be eligible to start its activities at the airport. Mr. Steve Irving reported on events at General Wm. J. Fox Airfield. Hangar inspections are in progress. Out of 85 hangars, 72 were inspected and occupied by aviation tenants. The runway and taxiway project started on October 25, and the runway closure is scheduled from November 7 to November 9, The Pilots Association will hold a safety seminar in the terminal building on November 6, 2006, at 7 p.m. Mr. Andrew Marino reported on events at Compton/Woodley Airport. Out of 170 hangars inspected, 151 were rented to aviation users. Mr. Marino informed the Commission a new aviation user has moved into a T-hangar, totaling eight new aviation tenants at the airport. Mr. Marino reported that airport staff have been performing maintenance on the shoulder of the runway and taxiway. Runway 25L and the south taxiway have been fixed, and repairs will continue with the north taxiway. Signs have been installed at the fuel pumps to inform the pilots that the pumps are open. New lights have been installed in the AA and M hangar rows. Chairman Simmons asked where the hangars occupied by non-aviation users are located. Mr. Marino said that 11 hangars are located in the south side and 8 in the north side. Commissioner Jerome asked if Compton/Woodley Airport has a hangar waiting list. Mr. Marino stated that five potential aviation users are currently waiting for a hangar in the south side. Commissioner Jerome asked if Mr. Marino is considering moving out the non-aviation tenants on the south side to accommodate the five potential aviation users. Mr. Marino said that he will make every effort to ensure that new aviation tenants can be accommodated. Mr. Jason Morgan reported on events at Whiteman Airport. Mr. Morgan informed the Commission that he attended the Whiteman Airport Association s meeting on October 18, Hangar inspections are in progress. Out of 262 hangars, 157 were inspected. Weed abatement and other ground improvements are taking place along the runway. A response letter was sent to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding actions taken to comply with the Runway Safety Action Team. Beginning October 27, 2006, crack-sealing of the runway and taxiway will be performed in preparation of the slurry-seal project. Runway closure will occur from October 31 to November 2, Mr. Morgan made a

4 4 comment about his efforts in establishing good communication with the airport community. Mr. Wardle added that extensive weed abatement work will be done during the runway closure. Chairman Simmons advised that Whiteman Airport has a Community Outreach Program that seeks to positively impact specific quality-of-life issues within the communities served by the airport. He also emphasized the importance of communicating with the community members in order to prevent future complaints. Commissioner Jerome asked if the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) is operating at Whiteman Airport. Mr. Morgan stated that the ATIS is operating on frequency Mr. Rafael Herrera reported on events at El Monte Airport. The airport has been swept. Hangar inspections are 100 percent complete. Out of the 193 hangars inspected, 148 were occupied by aviation tenants. The new fuel accounting system has been fully implemented. Mr. Herrera anticipated having the landscape work completed along Tyler Avenue and Emery Street by the end of November. Secretary Wolf asked if El Monte Airport has a hangar waiting list. Mr. Herrera stated that the waiting list was cleared. Mr. Herrera stated that all the people on the list were contacted, and they were no longer interested in renting a hangar. Vice Chairman Lord noted that the available hangars might not be of interest to potential tenants; therefore, the airport should still have a waiting list. Commissioner Jerome asked Mr. Wardle if the third-party leases have a clause granting AAC, or the County, the right to approve subtenants. He said that the leases prohibit any other use that it is not defined. Commissioner Jerome expressed interest in receiving a report describing the status of all hangars in all five County airports, including the third-party hangars. Mr. Wardle concluded by saying that after all the inspections are conducted, a detailed report will be provided. Commissioner Cardono asked if the 20-year leases have a clause specifying that any construction made is for aviation use only. In response, Mr. Gustin said the new leases have a specific clause that is very restrictive. However, the old leases state that the tenants are allowed to build for aircraft storage, and any other use must be approved by the County. 3. County - Project Administrator s Report Mr. Ted Gustin announced the resignation of Commissioner Curt Castagna. He also anticipated the First District s vacancy would be filled by Supervisor Gloria Molina by the next Commission meeting. Mr. Gustin

5 5 presented the monthly expense and revenue report and the proposed Fiscal Year budget request. Commissioner Jerome expressed concern regarding the amount under the Services by Contract account on the expense and revenue report. Mr. Gustin explained that the account reflects the special projects, which includes items such as the upgrades and replacement of the self-serve fuel system that is estimated at $49,000, and the replacement of the air conditioner compressor at Brackett Field Airport, estimated at $8,000. Secretary Wolf asked if the County has any costs to operate the airports. Mr. Gustin responded that the AAC is responsible for operating and maintaining the airports, but explained that the Aviation Division is responsible for items outside the scope of the contract. As an example, Mr. Gustin explained that charges shown in Services by Other Divisions are for extracting contaminated material in the ground at Compton/Woodley Airport. Commissioner Cardono asked who made the determination that the airport was responsible for contaminating the ground, instead of the former gas station located on the corner of Alondra Boulevard and Wilmington Avenue. Mr. Gustin replied that the determination was made by the California Water Resources Board. Vice Chairman Lord asked if any tanks were identified as the cause of the contamination. Mr. Gustin said no. Vice Chairman Lord suggested the County obtain the State Board s report and share it with the Commission for further discussion. Mr. Richard Smith stated that the job order contract to replace the perimeter lighting circuitry at Compton/Woodley Airport has been approved. The joint scope meeting is scheduled for October 31, The sole-source contract for the Airport Layout Plan Updates for El Monte Airport and Compton/Woodley Airport are being reviewed by County Counsel. The Notice to Proceed is expected to be issued in November. Mr. Smith informed the Commission that a 3-hour runway closure for crack filling at Whiteman Airport is scheduled for October 26, 2006, in preparation for the slurry-seal application. Chairman Simmons asked how many days in advance the runway closure notice is released to the airport users. Mr. Smith responded that the airports were given more than 30 days notice. 4. El Monte Airport Items No additional items for El Monte Airport. C. PUBLIC COMMENT OPEN FORUM Mr. Jack Kenton expressed concern about the pilot-controlled lighting system at Compton/Woodley Airport. Mr. Kenton suggested sweeping the airport more

6 6 often. He also expressed his concern that Compton/Woodley Airport might be getting Jet-A fuel, which will increase the helicopter activity at the airport. Mr. Gilbert Viramontes expressed concern regarding the number of non-aviation tenants at El Monte Airport. Mr. Viramontes noted that the gas prices for cars, reduced by $1.00 per gallon, while aviation fuel was reduced only by $0.31 per gallon. Mr. Viramontes informed the Commission that a joint effort between AAC and the San Gabriel Valley Airport Association was made to install a WiFi antenna in the terminal building. The antenna will provide wireless Internet access to the pilots who will be able to check weather conditions in a faster and more efficient way. Commissioner Cardono explained that AAC is allowed to rent out hangars to non-aviation users as long as aviation users are not on the waiting list. Vice Chairman Lord stated that at the airports with hangar waiting lists, the non-aviation users should be served with a Notice to Quit. He continued by saying that non-aviation tenants at El Monte Airport will be asked to move out, if potential aviation users request a hangar. He also commented that a correlation between automotive and aviation fuel prices was not known to exist. Mr. Scott Stevenson stated that the number of non-aviation users in hangars at El Monte Airport create an artificially inflated demand at the airport, which, consequently, increases the rent for the pilots. He also stated that five area lights were out by the south hangar development. Chairman Simmons commented that aviation demand is not as high as it has been in the past. Therefore, some hangars have been rented to non-aviation users. He also added that the rates currently applicable at the County airports are more competitive than at some airports with only aviation tenants. Vice Chairman Lord informed the Commission of the upcoming event for October 29, 2006, Wings, Wheels, and Rotors, organized by the Los Alamitos Army Airfield. Commissioner Persons announced an Air Show at Edwards Air Force Base scheduled for October 29 to October 30, THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE AVIATION COMMISSION WILL BE HELD ON: Wednesday, November 29, 2006, at 10 a.m., at Whiteman Airport Osborne Street Pacoima, CA (818)

7 7 Commissioner Jerome made a motion to adjourn the meeting in memory of Tyler Stanger, one of the pilots who died in the airplane that crashed into a high-rise building in Manhattan, New York. The motion was approved, and Chairman Simmons adjourned the meeting in memory of Tyler Stanger at 8:44 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Secretary Aron A. Wolf Los Angeles County Aviation Commission MGO P:\avpub\ADMIN\Richard\Aviation Commission\MINUTES\Minoct25-06.doc