Airport Advisory Committee Minutes January 23, 2003
M I N U T E S
Airport Advisory Committee Thursday, January 23, 2003 - 7:30 p.m.
Fullerton Council Chamber
303 W. Commonwealth Avenue
| MEMBERS PRESENT: | Chuck Blumer, Certified Aviation Mechanic
Jeff Harris, Noise and Safety Committee Representative
Sid Gillman, Member-At-Large
John Lake, Chamber of Commerce
Peggy Lindenberger, FAPA, General Use Aircraft Owner
Tom Polley, Fixed Base Operator
John C. Woosley, Buena Park Pilot |
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| MEMBERS ABSENT: | Denise Jennings, Fullerton Ninety-Nines
Brian Rennie, FAPA/Certified Flight Instructor |
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| STAFF PRESENT: | Rod Propst, Airport Manager
Jackie Rossetti, Administrative Secretary |
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The meeting was called to order by Chair Chuck Blumer at 7:32 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Moved, seconded and carried to accept the minutes of the November 21, 2002. One editorial change was noted. OLD BUSINESS MANAGER'S AIRPORT UPDATE Manager Propst reported on airport operations for the year. He noted that there has been an increase in operations over the past three years, which is a positive trend. He also reported that there were six noise complaints for November and December 2003. He estimated that the average number of noise complaints is 50 per year. He then talked about how the City of Fullerton is preparing their two-year budget, and about how the City may be affected by the State of California's 35 billion dollar budget deficit. He described the City's plans to prevent a future budget deficit, and how those plans may affect the airport. He disclosed that, based on the Fullerton Municipal Airport Master Plan Update, he anticipates that airport rates and charges may soon be increased; however, he did not know how much the increases would be. He updated the committee on the status of the master plan process, telling them about future planning meetings, about the preferred alternative optional hangar development alternative developed by the consultant, and that the goal for presenting the plan to the City Council for approval is April or May. Having budgeted about two million dollars for hangar construction, he hopes construction can begin in July 2003. He expressed concern that CALTRANS Aeronautics Division might be disbanded, and discussed the potential economic consequences for airports. In addition to reducing funding to airports, another consequence would be that there would be no annual airport safety inspections, resulting in a possible increase in the cost for airport liability insurance. He presented a copy of Assembly Bill 2776 to committee members. He explained the significance of this bill, that it establishes an "airport influence area," and by doing so puts a burden on the real estate industry to notify buyers when they are buying a home in that area. He elaborated on this issue, explaining what the "airport influence area" is for the Fullerton Municipal Airport, how this will affect developers, and that he thinks it is a very positive change from an airport land use perspective. On an overhead projection, he presented two drawings that showed different concepts for hangar development, one he referred to as the "recommended concept for hangars," and the other was an option presented at the request of Chair Chuck Blumer. He explained the similarities and differences between the two plans; essentially, the second option initially provides a net of more hangars. AIRPORT SECURITY Manager Propst spoke about the actions he has taken to mitigate some of the problems with repairing and maintaining the gate card readers. Prompted by the recent difficulty with repairing the terminal building gate, which was inoperable for almost eight weeks, a laptop was purchased so that airport staff can program the gates as needed. He explained that this would reduce costs and eliminate the wait for a contract technician to arrive at the airport to conduct repairs. He reiterated that, given the current economic environment, he has no immediate plans to purchase the wireless gate access system he had recently considered buying. Following up on the promise to have the airport's security camera images viewable on the Internet, Manager Propst explained that he has been assured by the provider that there will be a resolution soon, but he warned members not to get their hopes up. He announced that new airport vehicle security tags will be issued and a letter will go out asking customers to contact the airport office to revalidate their gate cards. He projected that this process will be complete by the end of February 2002.
NEW BUSINESS GENERAL DISCUSSION OF AIRPORT BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AT FULLERTON AIRPORT Manager Propst announced that this agenda item was added at the request of Member Tom Polley, and therefore, deferred discussion to him. Member Polley addressed Manager Propst, asking if anything is being done to attract or bring more businesses to the airport; for example, businesses like avionics shops. Manager Propst explained that the airport staff does not solicit businesses to the airport, and he does not know any airports that do. He endorsed the function of capitalism as a prescribed means for accommodating supply and demand: If there is a need for a particular type of business at the airport then the demand for goods and services will attract the appropriate business. He also pointed out that facilities are limited at the airport.
COMMENTS FROM THE COMMITTEE A member inquired about the concepts for hangars, asking why accommodations for Ray's Flying Club were not shown on the plans, suggesting that this might be an oversight on the part of the consultants. Additionally, he emphasized that Ray's Flying Club is an important business on the airport. Manager Propst responded by explaining, in detail, where Ray's Flying Club fits into the plans, why the business is not specifically noted, and that it was not an oversight. He also affirmed that Ray's does provide a valuable service to a segment of the airport population. A member asked if there have been any security incidents, to which Manager Propst responded saying that there have been some at other local airports, but there have been no planes stolen from Fullerton for several years. He attributed this to measures taken to secure the airport. He mentioned an article published recently in an airport magazine that told about the camera system at the Fullerton Airport, and he professed that the security system at the airport is the benchmark for general aviation nationwide. In response to another question, he reported that there have been no recent reports of hangars being broken into since the security cameras were installed. A member asked when hangar construction might begin, to which Manager Propst replied that his goal is to begin this summer, if not this fall. He summarized the process involved and explained his plans to secure financing. A discussion about hangar construction, as it relates to the capital improvements program (CIP), ensued between Manager Propst and a member. Manager Propst explained that hangar construction is not in the current CIP, but it was planned, it is the number one project, and it is in the budget for the two-year budget effective July 1, 2003. In response to a member's request, Manager Propst announced when and where the City's Department Head/City Council workshop will be. He explained the purpose of the meeting, what will be discussed, and that the public was welcome to attend. Responding to an inquiry, he said he did not know if the issue of hangar construction would be discussed, but that he will be prepared to discuss it. A discussion followed about City staff's perspective on building hangars. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Bill Griggs, Jr. of Aviation Facilities, Inc., (AFI) a fixed based operator (FBO) at the airport, addressed the committee. He introduced himself, announcing that he had once been a member of the committee as the FBO representative, and he explained that his intention was to discuss his views pertaining to the airport business environment. He spoke about the following: Fullerton Airport's history (in brief); the City's proactive approach to improving the airport; avionics businesses; AFI's business growth and trends in their success; how the current economy has affected their business; services AFI provides; current actions being taken and future goals for expanding their business; his support for the City's plan to build new hangars; and, his own and his family's background and experience in aviation. He concluded by saying that aviation is a tough business to be in, but that he has a positive outlook for the future. Mr. Griggs answered a member's inquiry about AFI's fuel island, in detail. He then answered a member's inquiry about the modular structure on AFI's leasehold. NEXT AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING The next scheduled meeting will be Thursday, February 27, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. |
