COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

Transcription

1 GAIL FARBER Director of Public Works IN ATTENDANCE 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 October 29, 2014, Meeting Whiteman Airport Airpark Way Pacoima, CA (818) Chairman Peter M. Amundson Vice-Chairman Harvey A. Holloway Secretary Penelope Cornwall Commissioner George G. Butts Commissioner Marc Carrel Commissioner Dennis C. Lord Commissioner Aron A. Wolf OFFICIALLY EXCUSED Commissioner Angelo R. Cardono Commissioner Bobby E. Chase Commissioner Clinton Simmons COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS STAFF Mr. Richard Smith, Aviation Division Chief Mrs. Claudia Delgado, Staff Assistant AMERICAN AIRPORTS CORPORATION - AIRPORT SERVICES STAFF Mr. Scott Wardle, Regional Director Mr. Rafael Herrera, Manager, Compton/Woodley Airport Mr. Alvaro Escobedo, Manager, San Gabriel Valley Airport Mr. Steve Irving, Manager, General William J. Fox Airfield Mr. Andrew Marino, Manager, Whiteman Airport GUEST Mr. Ed Anhalt, Civil Air Patrol, Squadron 35 Mr. Dick Millais, Civil Air Patrol, Squadron 35 Mr. Richard Wollrich, Civil Air Patrol Mr. Alfred Altschul, Western Hangars, LLC Mrs. Shellie Hagopian, Whiteman Airport Association Mr. Gene Gleeson, Whiteman Based A/C Owner Mr. David Snyder, Tenant at Whiteman Airport Mr. Eduard Pason, Tenant Mr. Don Hagopian, Whiteman Airport Association COMMISSIONERS PETER M. AMUNDSON CHAIRMAN HARVEY HOLLOWAY VICE-CHAIRMAN PENELOPE CORNWALL SECRETARY GEORGE G. BUTTS ANGELO R. CARDONO MARC CARREL BOBBY E. CHASE DENNIS C. LORD CLINTON SIMMONS ARON A. WOLF

2 GUESTS (CONT.) Mr. Dean Edwards, Department of Regional Planning Mr. Charles Davis, Tenant Mr. Richard Mend, Guest Mr. Ed Sause, American Airports Corporation CALL TO ORDER Chairman Amundson called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Lord led the Pledge of Allegiance. II. MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION AND ACTION BY THE COMMISSION A. Minutes The minutes for the August 20, 2014, meeting were unanimously approved on a motion from Commissioner Carrel, seconded by Commissioner Butts. The minutes were not approved at the September 17, 2014, meeting for lack of a quorum. The minutes for the September 17, 2014, meeting were unanimously approved on a motion from Commissioner Lord, seconded by Commissioner Carrel. B. American Airports Corporation - Contract Manager Report Mr. Scott Wardle Reported on Brackett Field Airport Items Mr. Wardle informed the Commission that one of the doors was repaired on the aircraft firefighting and rescue truck which is now back in service. A malfunctioning sensor was repaired by a third-party company on the Automated Weather Observing System, and it is now functioning properly. Ninety-three percent of the aircraft hangars at the airport are occupied. Twenty-eight percent of the occupied hangars are used for non-aviation storage purposes. Page 2

3 Avgas fuel sales were flat, and Jet-A fuel sales were up 250 percent, compared to the same month last year. Aircraft operations on the airport for were up 7.58 percent, compared to the same month last year. Meetings and Events Mr. Wardle announced that the annual Brackett Field Airport Open House was held on October 19, The San Gabriel Valley 99s meets on the airport on the second Thursday of every month, at 7:30 p.m. The Brackett Airport Association meets on the first Thursday of every month, at 7 p.m., and has its Display Day on the third Sunday of every month. Miscellaneous On October 10, 2014, the presidential helicopter squadron and Marine One flew President Barack Obama into Brackett Field Airport for a speech at Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park. On October 13, 2014, a U.S. Marine Corps CH-53 helicopter had an emergency landing at Brackett Field Airport due to engine trouble. Mr. Alvaro Escobedo Reported on San Gabriel Valley Airport Items Mr. Escobedo informed the Commission that all faded tie-down markings and safety areas have been repainted, along with the Ansul System on the aircraft firefighting and rescue truck. On October 9, 2014, a photo cell that was causing problems on Hangar Row V was replaced. In addition, some lights on Hangar Row W and the light on the beacon tower were also replaced. Projects The new gate card access system project is almost complete. Avgas fuel sales were down 5.8 percent, and Jet-A fuel sales were up 222 percent, compared to the same month last year. The increase in sales is attributed to Winco and Southern California Edison s work on local power lines. Page 3

4 Ninety-six percent of the aircraft hangars are occupied, and 28 percent of the occupied hangars are used for non-aviation storage purposes. Meetings and Events On October 15, 2014, the Federal Aviation Administration conducted its annual Runway Safety Advisory Team meeting at the airport and acknowledged the airport for having a good track record over the past 2 years. Mr. Escobedo announced that the annual San Gabriel Valley Airport Open House will be held on November 16, Mr. Steve Irving Reported on General William J. Fox Airfield Airport items Mr. Irving informed the Commission that an underground conduit short-circuited, causing a large outage on the ramp lighting system. The issue was corrected, and all ramp lighting is now working. Mr. Irving informed the Commission that the new aircraft firefighting and rescue truck acquired by the County was delivered and is waiting for the chemicals to be loaded. Projects The new emergency generator is being installed in a building close to the terminal building and will no longer be housed in the terminal building basement. Avgas fuel sales are up 23 percent, and Jet-A fuel sales are up 58 percent, year to date. There are 2 vacant hangars, and no hangars are used for non-aviation purposes. Miscellaneous The fourth annual Chili Cook-off was held on October 25, Mr. Rafael Herrera Reported on Compton/Woodley Airport Items Mr. Herrera informed the Commission that hangar lights on Rows R and Q were repaired. Page 4

5 Projects The new gate card access system will be up and running on November 7, 2014, and tenants will be properly notified. Ninety-nine percent of the hangars at the airport are occupied, and 29 percent of the occupied hangars are used for non-aviation purposes. Avgas fuel sales were down 7 percent, compared to same time last year. Miscellaneous On October 25, 2014, the museum and FedEx hosted the FedEx Day of Care, and approximately 200 people attended the event. Mr. Andrew Marino Reported on Whiteman Airport Items Mr. Marino welcomed the Commission and attendees to the building recently acquired by the County. The building will ultimately serve as the airport s new terminal building. Mr. Marino informed the Commission that a malfunctioning fuel meter was replaced at the self-serve fuel island. On Airpark Way, one of the stadium lights and some of the street lights were repaired. On October 23, 2014, a CPR class was held for five airport staff members. Projects The new airport access gate and fencing project is complete. The contractor is still making minor adjustments, and tenants seem happy with the results. Eighty-two percent of the aircraft hangars are occupied, and 6 percent of the occupied hangars are used for non-aviation purposes. Avgas fuel sales are down 6.6 percent, and Jet-A fuel sales are down 25.9 percent, year to date. Aircraft operations are up 4.3 percent, year to date. Page 5

6 Meetings and Events On October 20, 2014, A Larger-than-Life Event took place at the airport. The annual Whiteman Airport Open House was held on October 25, The event included classic cars, aircraft displays, food trucks, and plane rides for kids. The Whiteman Airport Association meeting was held on October 16, 2014, and an aviation application for the Apple ipad was an item of discussion. Next meeting will be held on November 20, 2014, and the Annual Holiday Party will be held on December 11, 2014, at 6 p.m. The annual fire extinguisher recertification will be held on November 17, The next Experimental Aircraft Association Young Eagles event will be held on November 22, C. County Aviation Division Report Mr. Richard Smith Reported on the Following Items Expense and Revenue Report for September 2014 Mr. Smith provided the Commission with copies of the expense and revenue report for September 2014 and offered to answer any questions. Commissioner Lord inquired about the expenditures pertaining to County Counsel reported for September Mr. Smith replied that the expenditures pertained to their involvement in various projects. Commissioner Lord also mentioned the new revenue line on the M02 Enterprise Fund Expenditure Report. Mr. Smith informed the Commission that the new revenue amount is rental payments from Vista Aviation in the newly acquired building at Whiteman. Mr. Smith informed the Commission that his new boss, Deputy Director Patrick DeChellis, was not able to make the meeting but is expected to attend the next meeting at the San Gabriel Valley Airport. Mr. Smith announced that Commissioner Bobby E. Chase turned in his resignation, and next month will be his last meeting. Mr. Smith announced that Mr. Jack Tippie, former Aviation Division Chief, who retired in 1987, passed on October 9, Page 6

7 Wildlife Hazard Management Plan Training Two Wildlife Hazard assessments are completed, and two are still in progress. He noted that division staff members and one AAC manager on the Wildlife Hazard Management Plan were attending training and airport managers will lead the Wildlife Hazard Working Groups. The results of the working groups will recommend mitigation measures for whatever hazards may exist. San Gabriel Valley Airport Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony The airport Open House will take place on November 16, There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony to formally rededicate the airport as the San Gabriel Valley Airport. Rio Vista Trees The removal of the trees is set to commence in January Expenditures will be reflected through the revenue coming from American Airport Corporation. San Gabriel Valley Airport Sign Mr. Smith informed the Commission that the sign will not be ready for the ribbon cutting ceremony as previously planned. Presidential Visit at Brackett Field Airport On October 10, 2014, President Barack Obama flew into Brackett Field Airport for a speech that took place at Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park. This was President Barack Obama s second visit to the airport. Model Expo at Compton/Woodley Airport The Model Expo produced by Commissioner Lord at Compton/Woodley Airport was a success, and Mr. Smith recommended attending the next event for those who missed it. Air Show at General William J. Fox Airfield Mr. Smith briefed the Commission on the plans for the 2015 air show and informed the Commission that the application to have the Thunderbirds perform at the next air show was submitted timely. Follow up on the Museum at General William J. Fox Airfield Briefing The County and American Airports Corporation are working closely with the Museum to assist with the Museum s lease agreement compliance Page 7

8 issues. A Notice of Violation was previously sent and Notice of Default on some submittals is pending. The goal is to make sure that the public has a museum and that it remains an asset to the community. Catalina Island Commissioner Cornwall inquired on the status at Catalina Island, and Commissioner Wolf inquired on the type of assistance that the County has provided. Mr. Smith briefly explained the current situation at Catalina Island and the County s recent involvement. D. Hangar Rental Rates Non-Aviation Surcharge Approval Chairman Amundson provided a summary on the hangar rental rates proposal and the documentation that Mr. Smith provided. The documentation includes data on the rental activity at the airports. In addition, Mr. Smith explained that the slight rate increase would affect only those hangars that are used for non-aviation purposes. Commissioner Carrel inquired on the comparisons with the airport and current market rates in the community and questioned if the 4 percent increase would cause current tenants to leave. Mr. Wardle explained that the average public storage rate is approximately $1.00 per square foot which is higher than hangars at the airport. He therefore, does not see the rate increase as a reason to leave the airport. Commissioner Wolf inquired on how the increase would be determined; if the increase would be applied to an entire row or various units within a hangar row? Mr. Smith explained that the Non-Aviation Surcharge is applied only if the occupant is not storing an aircraft. Commissioner Lord moved to approve the Non-Aviation Surcharge increase. Commissioner Cornwall seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote. E. Whiteman Airport Items Mr. Smith presented and discussed the layout plan for the second floor of the new terminal building that will house the future restaurant and administrative offices. A second presentation of the layout plan for the parking lot across the street was presented, and Mr. Smith described the accommodation of the 62 parking spaces and the expected time frame for construction. Mr. Smith also noted that the Civil Air Patrol will need accommodation at the airport as the airport is further developed consistent with the master plan. Mr. Smith discussed the various options to accommodate the Civil Air Patrol. Page 8

9 Commissioner Wolf inquired about the previous plan to build a new terminal building. Mr. Smith and Chairman Amundson explained the current status of the Master Plan and that the acquisition of the new building to serve as the new terminal building eliminated the need to construct a new building. Whiteman Airport Master Plan Recommendation Mr. Smith briefed the Commission on the Whiteman Airport Master Plan recommendation for Board approval. Regional planning had already presented the plan to the Airport Land Use Commission who unanimously approved a recommendation to send it to the Board of Supervisors for their approval. Mr. Smith asked for the Commission s recommendation to move forward in presenting the master plan to the Board of Supervisors for their approval. Commissioner Lord made a motion to recommend that the master plan is presented to the Board of Supervisors for their approval. Commissioner Butts seconded the motion, and a brief discussion followed. The Commissioners voted unanimously to support the master plan. III. PUBLIC COMMENT OPEN FORUM None. IV. NEXT COMMISSION MEETING WILL BE ON: Wednesday, November 26, 2014, at 10 a.m. San Gabriel Valley Airport 4233 Santa Anita Avenue El Monte, CA (626) Chairman Amundson adjourned the meeting at 11:03 a.m. in memory of Mr. Jack Tippie, who retired from County service in 1987 as the Aviation Division Chief, and who gave 30 years of dedicated service to our system of airports and the flying community of the County of Los Angeles. Respectfully submitted, Peter Amundson, Chairman Los Angeles County Aviation Commission CD: \\PW01\PWPUBLIC\AVPUB\ADMIN\COMMISSION\MINUTES\2014\MINUTES_ OCTOBER 29, 2014.DOC Page 9