Chair Denise Jennings called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Approval of the minutes for the September 26, 2002 meeting was postponed until the next meeting in November 2002 to allow more time for committee members to review the document.

OLD BUSINESS

1. MANAGER'S AIRPORT UPDATE

   Manager Propst reported on Airport operations for September 2002, which were 8,554; and that total operations for 2002 have reached over 100,000, which has not happened in over six years. He also said that for the last four months operations have been over 9,000, a positive trend. He briefly talked about recent noise complaints.

   Hangar Waiting List Survey

   - Manager Propst explained that a survey was mailed to all who are on the Hangar Waiting Lists (about 100 surveys). So far, about 53 percent of the surveys have been returned with responses, and two people have asked to be removed from a list. Responses, he said, have been similar to those from a survey sent about two years ago-most people want to remain on the lists. He admitted that one question that should have been asked on the survey, but was not, was: "Do you own an aircraft?" He said that he is reluctant to require one-month's rent in advance to be on a waiting list because he does not think it is good business practice/policy to hold someone's money for potentially up to five years (an approximation) or more without any guarantee of being offered a hangar. If he can get approval to build new hangars, which would be contingent upon the Master Plan Update being approved by the City Council, he might reconsider requiring a deposit as it might be more appropriate. He explained that he expects the final draft of the Master Plan to be completed and presented to the City Council late in the spring of 2003. He also told the committee that the total number of people on the waiting lists (some are on several lists) is about 95 to 100.

   Building New Hangars

   - Manager Propst talked about his analysis of the demand for hangars and how he plans to try to meet that demand while being prudent so as not to over build. He said that the number of people on the waiting list is not a reliable resource for making a good assessment of the demand, saying, "The numbers are somewhat deceptive." He said that if there were 25 empty hangars today they would be filled, but if there were 36 empty hangars today they would probably be filled with an assurance factor of about 85 percent; going beyond 36 hangars it becomes difficult to have a higher level of confidence. He explained that the Master Plan draft suggests that about 39 hangars should be built, with a mix of rectangular and T-hangars.

2. AIRPORT SECURITY

   Manager Propst reported that he has purchased two computerized locks for the pedestrian gates at the Terminal building and on the east side of the restaurant at a cost of $1,800. He explained that they are programmable and data can be retrieved from them by using a transmitting device programmed to interface with computer software. He also explained that codes may be temporarily programmed into the system for special purposes.

   Questions from the Committee

   - In response to questions by Committee members, Manager Propst explained that a reentry code is visible inside a metal box that is attached to the pedestrian gate at the Terminal building, which allows pilots leaving the Airport to reenter after 9:00 p.m. or before 6:00 a.m. when the gates are locked. He explained that the new locks are "battery wired in a unit that is supposed to be water proof." He also reported that next year he plans to budget about $40,000 to put all of the vehicle gates on a programmable system that can be accessed from the Airport office using cellular technology and the Internet. He briefly explained how this system works and why he wants the new system. He said gate cards will be revalidated in January and at that time a new type of tag for 2003 will be distributed (to hang from vehicle rearview mirrors), which would replace the existing security tags. He explained that he has hired a half-time Airport Service Worker and that all Airport Service Workers will eventually have the capability of distributing security tags and gate cards on weekends when the Airport office is closed. He talked about Airport staffing and that his goal is to have an Airport Service Worker on duty from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. every day of the week. He explained that there would not be anyone working after 9:00 p.m. since he has chosen to use security cameras rather than a security guard, which he thinks is more effective. A discussion ensued.

   Manager Propst discussed the problems that he is currently having with getting the security cameras on the Internet. He explained that the primary problem is with the vendor software.

   Manager Propst discussed how planes are stolen and when, and measures he has taken to protect the Airport from thieves, explaining that if a thief wants to steal an airplane it is relatively easy to do, even with security measures in place. He discussed the value of improving security around the perimeter of the Airport and that security cameras can help identify a plane that has been stolen. He said he does not intend to spend more money on perimeter security, other than the gates-the new gate system will save money in the long run-and there is the capability of installing four more cameras. He suggested that the fuel islands needed surveillance-which would require installation of two more cameras-because thieves have been known to fuel a plane before stealing it. He admitted that it is probably impossible to prevent a thief from flying into the airport and stealing an airplane; however, it might be easier to catch them by using security camera surveillance. He also proposed that at some time cameras might be added to monitor areas around the Fixed Based Operators.

NEW BUSINESS - None.

COMMENTS FROM THE COMMITTEE

Responding to an inquiry by Member Tom Polley about Joe Craig's death, (Craig's Aircraft Maintenance at Aviation Facilities, Inc. - AFI) Manager Propst told what he knew about the accident, saying that he thought the accident occurred on a Thursday night rather than a Friday night, that the business will probably no longer be in operation, and AFI will provide their own aircraft maintenance.

Manager Propst discussed Airport Day with members saying that he thought it was a success and that it was a fun event. He estimated that there were about 3,000 visitors from the community at large. He commented that Airport Day was intended to familiarize the local community with the Airport, and that he does not expect the event to draw large crowds like an air show might. In response to an inquiry made by Chair Jennings, he talked about Airport restaurants and explained why he thinks that Tartuffle's (the restaurant at the Airport) may not stay open longer than 2:00 p.m. (it's usually closing time) during Airport Day, even though there were people wanting to eat there (especially after the Sunrise Rotary ran out of food).

In response to an inquiry by Member Polley, Manager Propst discussed the upcoming event at Los Alamitos ("Helicopter Awareness Day") saying that the Airport was not going to participate, however he encouraged Airport businesses to attend and advertise.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC - No comments from the public.

NEXT AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

The next scheduled meeting will be Thursday, January 23, 2002 at 7:30 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT - 8:00 p.m.