APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The committee noted that the September 2002 minutes were not completed and could not be approved at this meeting, and there was no meeting in October 2002.

OLD BUSINESS

1. NOISE AND OPERATIONS REPORT/AIRPORT INCIDENTS

   Operations were reported by Manager Propst as follows:

   • October 2001 - 6,086 operations
   • October 2002 - 8,323 operations
   • September 2001 - October 2002 (12 consecutive months) - 103,574

   Manager Propst commented that despite the poor weather conditions in October, operations were higher than expected and considerably higher than October 2001. Additionally, operations for local air carrier airports (Los Angeles Airport, John Wayne Airport) are down. He said that Fullerton Airport is one-fifth as busy as Los Angeles Airport. Then, in response to an inquiry by a committee member, Manager Propst reported that, over a seven year period, 2002 has the highest operations count for the Fullerton Airport. He also explained how operations have been counted in years past in comparison to the way they are counted presently. He explained that there are approximately 20,000 to 40,000 additional aircraft each year that may fly through the Fullerton airspace, requiring service, which are not included in the operations count, but which were once factored in operations counts before he was hired.

   Manager Propst mentioned that a woman called with concern about the recent aircraft incidents in her neighborhood (Buena Park). He discussed a minor aircraft accident at the Fullerton Airport on November 11, 2001 that resulted in some damage to the plane and no damage to public property. Additionally, there were no injuries. He went on to say that, a Fullerton based pilot crashed his plane early November 2002 while on his way to the Fullerton Airport from French Valley, early in the morning. While flying low through the Santa Ana Canyon in overcast and rainy weather conditions, the plane hit electrical wires, crashed, and the pilot was killed.

   Manager Propst reported on 2 noise complaints for September 21, 2002 through November 21, 2002 in comparison to 13 noise complaints during this same period in 2001.

2. AIRPORT MONTHLY SAFETY INSPECTION

   Member Leigh Jacobs conducted the monthly safety inspection for November 2002. Manager Propst commented on the improved condition of the airport since hiring Leonard "Lenny" Jimenez, Airport Operations Lead Worker, who is very motivated and "is doing a great job." In fact, a visiting pilot who was impressed with Lenny commended him. Among his many positive comments to Manager Propst, the pilot said that Lenny was friendly, courteous, and made him feel welcome.

   Manager Propst also told the committee that Robert "Bob" Nelson, retired from the aerospace industry, was hired recently as a part-time Airport Service Worker. Manager Propst reported that he is confident that with a full maintenance staff (Leonard Jimenez, John Pacheco, Richard Fierro, Bob Nelson) the airport will be well maintained. He noted that various taxi lights must be replaced and a few areas of the airport need maintenance. Lenny is attending to these.

3. FAPA REPORT

   Nothing to report.

4. MANAGER'S AIRPORT UPDATE

   Manager Propst spoke about two agenda items that he plans to present to the City Council at an upcoming council meeting, if approved by the City Manager. One is concerning approval to apply for funding from the underground storage clean-up fund to clean the site at Ray's Flying Club, previously operated by Liberty Aviation, where tanks were removed about 10 years ago. The other agenda item he discussed was for installation of new digital gate access controllers for the airport vehicle gates. He explained the advantages of the new system and the disadvantages of the current system, which was installed three years ago and needs repairs.

   He mentioned that the City is reconsidering commercial operating insurance requirements, and he briefly discussed this issue.

   Airport Administrative Secretary Jackie Rossetti announced that Wade Richmond will be the next chairperson in January 2003 and Bob Barclay will be alternate chair.

   Manager Propst commented that he hopes that the two unfilled Buena Park committee seats will be filled soon.

NEW BUSINESS

There was no new business to discuss.

COMMENTS FROM THE COMMITTEE

Member Jeff Harris asked about the status of the grant to improve the northwest area of the airport. Manager Propst explained that the FAA awarded the airport a grant for the design work and that the grant application for the construction work will be submitted within the next week, once the City of Fullerton engineers estimate the costs. He commented on the ease with which he is now able to complete grant applications since the forms are available on-line. He also reported on the availability of airport improvement funding from the aviation trust fund for the next few years. He expressed his reluctance to pave the northwest corner of the airport, preferring to build hangars in that area; however, he did not want to miss the opportunity to receive the funding for improvements, given that hangars might not be built in that location. He remarked that the pavement in that area has deteriorated badly, needs repair, and should be repaired as long as funds are available.

Manager Propst announced that the Master Plan Update consultant will be attending the next meeting, and the issue of building hangars will be discussed. He expressed that once the Master Plan Update is approved by the City Council he will pursue financing for building new hangars. He commented on the current California State budget deficit and how it may impact his plans for hangar development, considering that state funding for hangars is probably not available; however, he has investigated other financing opportunities.

In response to an inquiry by Member Jacobs, Manager Propst described where he anticipates that new hangars might be built on the airport. He proposed that two rows of hangars might be built between Ray's Flying Club and Air Combat U.S.A, Inc., and that a corporate hangar structure might be built on the north side the airport (off Artesia), west of the building where the Cardinal Air hangar is located. He specified that new hangars would be built by public rather than private sector contractors. This would result in cost savings, primarily because a private builder would need to make a profit.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

No comments from the public.

NEXT NOISE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING

The next scheduled meeting will be Thursday, January 23, 2003.

ADJOURNMENT - 6:20 p.m.

Recorded by: Jackie Rossetti, Administrative Secretary