AIRCRAFT NOISE ABATEMENT TASK FORCE FOR THE ST. PETERSBURG-CLEARWATER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. March 31, 2004

Transcription

1 AIRCRAFT NOISE ABATEMENT TASK FORCE FOR THE ST. PETERSBURG-CLEARWATER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT March 31, 2004 The Aircraft Noise Abatement Task Force for the St. Petersburg- Clearwater International Airport (PIE) met at the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport Administration Building, Conference Room 234, at 3:05 P.M. on this date with the following members present: Thomas Jewsbury, Director of Operations Connie Bardgett, American Trans Air (ATA) Alan Clendenin, FAA PIE Air Traffic Control Rick Cortez, Fixed Base Operator Peter Cunzolo, Execujet Charter Service Bruce Haddock, City of Oldsmar resident H. D. Holland, Feather Sound resident John Padavich, Safety Harbor resident Timothy F. Robinson, Pinellas Park resident Stephen Torpey, United States Coast Guard Russ Weltzien, FAA PIE National ATC Association Absent: Saundra Curry, Clearwater resident Captain James Fitzgerald, U.S. Army Reserve J. B. Johnson, Clearwater resident Phil McNiff, United Parcel Services (UPS) Steve Ochsner, Feather Sound resident Richard Peiffer, FAA TPA National ATC Association Commander Paul Ratte, U. S. Coast Guard Michael Yuska, FAA Tampa ATC Also Present: Noah Lagos, Airport Director Robert Choyce, Pinellas Park resident Gene Hastings, UPS, representing Phil McNiff Gerald Meaders, County Attorney s Office Jason Schwartz, Airport Michael Thompson, URS, Inc. Lloyd Tillman, Airport Operations Manager Other interested individuals Caroline J. Jones, Board Reporter 1

2 AGENDA 1. Introductions and Opening Comments 2. Semi-Annual Task Force Report 3. Flight Activity New Service Discontinued Service Cargo Operations Baseball Charters (Japan Airlines B747) 4. MacDill Airfest (April 2 to April 4) 5. Sunshine Law 6. Proposed Scopes of Work Airspace Study 2004 Noise Study 7. Open Discussion 8. Adjournment INTRODUCTIONS AND OPENING COMMENTS Mr. Jewsbury welcomed everyone in attendance and following introduction of the members, indicated that Airport staff member Jason Schwartz has been appointed the Airport Noise Abatement Operations Supervisor; and that he is available to answer questions via the noise abatement hotline and website between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday. SEMI-ANNUAL TASK FORCE REPORT Mr. Jewsbury referred to the Semi-Annual Task Force Report, a copy of which has been filed and made a part of the record, and indicated that it has been forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners; and that it is posted on the Airport Website. 2

3 Responding to queries by Messrs. Padavich and Robinson, Mr. Jewsbury related that the attachments referred to in the report would be provided to the members; that the random noise measurements taken by the Department of Environmental Management were located in communities immediately surrounding the Airport; and that the Task Force members will be part of the decision making process with regard to the areas in which future noise measurement studies are conducted. FLIGHT ACTIVITY following: Referring to agenda Item No. 3, Flight Activity, Mr. Jewsbury reported the ATA to start new daily service to LaGuardia Airport beginning May 5 and beginning June 1, ATA will be testing seasonal service to San Juan on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays (flights will not interfere with the quiet window). ATA to discontinue service to Los Angeles as of April 26, resulting in elimination of two early flights, 5:30 A.M. and 6:35 A.M., and its 11:20 P.M. flight to Toronto, which he concluded will leave one aircraft operating between 11:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M. Monitoring UPS for compliance with commitment to prevent flights from arriving more than 15 minutes early with regard to 6:00 A.M. flights; concerns with Tampa Air Traffic Control allowing a straight-in approach with regard to Airborne Express 7:00 A.M. arrival. Japan Airlines (JAL) selection of PIE to provide service for Devil Rays and Yankee baseball charters to Tokyo. Mr. Lagos referred to the baseball charter flights by JAL and indicated that he had met with the necessary parties; that JAL is a charter service that schedules its arrivals and departures pursuant to the needs of its customers; that the airline is obligated to operate within a certain window with regard to the Tokyo airport; and that JAL has agreed to fly the St. Pete-2 Noise Abatement Procedure and request a higher departure altitude from air traffic control to alleviate the noise impact during the quiet window 3

4 time. Mr. Jewsbury indicated that arrivals are scheduled for 11:20 P.M. and 12:05 A.M. with departures at 2:15 A.M. and 3:00 A.M. Mr. Schwartz presented an overview of the upcoming Airfest event scheduled to be held on April 3 and 4 from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the MacDill Air Force base; and indicated that neither the St. Petersburg or Tampa control towers expect any significant noise impact to the St. Petersburg-Clearwater community; whereupon, discussion ensued with regard to possible deviations in air traffic due to the event. SUNSHINE LAW Attorney Meaders presented an overview of the Sunshine, Public Records, and Ethics Issues for Task Force Members, a copy of which has been filed and made a part of the record. Responding to queries by the members, he indicated that the law does not differentiate between voting and non-voting members; that the resolution creating the task force sets forth the requirement that the membership be composed of individuals having an interest in the noise issue; and that the Code of Ethics under Florida Statutes Chapter 112, Part III, states that members of an advisory committee should not include individuals who could gain or lose by the outcome of a vote or decision. Following discussion by the members and at the request of Mr. Lagos, Attorney Meaders agreed to further research the matter and present his findings to the Task Force at a future meeting. PROPOSED SCOPES OF WORK Mr. Jewsbury indicated that staff has been speaking with a consultant with regard to developing a scope of services for an airspace study that would examine the current configuration for approaches and departures, and determine whether specific changes would benefit the airport and its operation relevant to noise factors. Referring to the 2004 Noise Study and the Task Force s request that the report reflect future events such as the global positioning system (GPS) and the possible extension of Runway 17L/35R, Mr. Jewsbury explained that rather than make assumptions prematurely, Phase I could be implemented as soon as possible; and suggested that the uncertainties be addressed at a later date in Phase II of the report. 4

5 Mr. Thompson conducted a computer presentation entitled St. Petersburg- Clearwater Airport (PIE) Airport Noise Study Initiative Scope of Services (Draft), a copy of which has been filed and made a part of the record, outlining Phase I of the project. In response to Mr. Robinson s questions as to the purpose of the study, Mr. Lagos indicated that the updated data would create a new day and night level (DNL) baseline noise contour; that there has never been a reliable single-event noise test done in the community; that the consultants will work with the task force members to identify the exact locations for the placement of 14 test stations in the communities surrounding the airport; and that the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) will not use the study in any decision-making process. He expressed his concerns with regard to conducting future noise contours for the year 2008; and indicated that it could result in confusing information to the Task Force and to the public as the sequencing of the various studies is unknown; and that, alternately, a baseline contour showing current year with and without variables such as the runway extension and single event noise monitoring could be done. Responding to queries by the members, he related that the timeframe for the study could be left up to the Task Force; that he recommends a five-year review for the purposes of seeking shorter term impacts with greater precision; and that the five-year window would capture all of the envisioned expansion. Following additional discussion, Mr. Haddock moved, seconded by Mr. Holland, that the Phase I Noise Study be conducted to assess potential aircraft generated noise exposure levels using the most current 12-month period and that Phase II be authorized at a later date following completion of Phase I. Mr. Lagos suggested that staff proceed with negotiations to engage a consultant; and that the final scope of services be presented to the Task Force for its approval. Upon call for the vote, the motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT At the direction of Mr. Jewsbury, there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 5:08 P.M. 5