Jackie Rossetti, Administrative Secretary
Rod Propst, Fullerton Airport Manager
Jay Saltzberg, Buena Park Staff
STAFF ABSENT:
None.
Chair Bob Barclay called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the February 5, 2005 meeting were unanimously approved.
OLD BUSINESS
1. NOISE AND OPERATIONS REPORT/AIRPORT INCIDENTS
Airport Manager Rod Propst spoke about Fullerton Airport's air traffic operations for the quarter, about specific operations managed by the control tower that were not included in the operations count, and about the impact of the operational count on funding for the control tower. Propst and committee members discussed reasons why it would be unlikely for the control tower to lose funding, which would force its closure.
Manager Propst then discussed, in detail, the noise and safety complaints that were received by the airport since the last committee meeting. He compared the number of complaints for that period with the number of complaints for the same period last year. Propst stated that complaints increased during the recent reporting period compared to complaints during the same reporting period in the previous year; most came from Fullerton residents. Propst elaborated on complaints about Air Combat U.S.A, Inc.'s aircraft; their practice of flying in formation over residential neighborhoods. Propst and committee members briefly discussed this practice, and Propst said, while he tried to reassure residents by explaining that formation flying by Air Combat's pilots is relatively safer than it is by non-commercially rated pilots; however, many of the concerned residents were not often appeased by his explanation.
-Public Comments on Individual Complaints - None.
2. AIRPORT MONTHLY SAFETY INSPECTION
Manager Propst discussed airport monthly inspections conducted during the quarter. He talked about some of the airport's landscaping maintenance issues.
Committee Member Robert Hynes commented favorably about the recent weed maintenance on the north side of the airfield. Propst responded by mentioning several factors that contributed to the recent weed and grass growth, and the airport service workers' continued efforts to control it.
Manager Propst and committee members discussed scheduling future safety inspections. Propst stated that a more diligent effort would be made to schedule monthly inspections.
Committee Member Robert Hynes and Manager Propst then had a short discussion about a vehicle that was on General Aviation Co., Inc.'s leasehold property. Member Hynes stated he noticed it during the past two inspections, particularly because of the vehicle's poor condition. Manager Propst responded saying he was also aware of the vehicle, and he explained how he intended to handle the matter.
3. MANAGER'S AIRPORT UPDATE
Manager Propst reported on the status of the Anaheim Police Department air operations plans to relocate to Fullerton. Propst said the project was in the design phase, and he estimated that relocation of their helicopters would begin in January 2006.
Manager Propst then reported on the status of plans for new hangar construction. He spoke about negotiations with the construction company, the pending contract, and projected time frames for planning and construction of the first phase.
Manager Propst announced that the airport's fiscal years 2005-06 and 2006-07 budgets would be presented for approval to the City Council at their next meeting, and he welcomed committee members to attend the meeting. Propst mentioned proposed increases in revenue and expenditures; said a hangar rent increase of five percent and a one cent increase in the fuel flowage fee were included in the budget for FY 2005-06; but, revenue from the rental of new hangars would not exceed the cost for building them until after 15 years.
Manager Propst proceeded with an open discussion about an airplane that had recently departed from Fullerton, which attempted to transport illegal aliens to New Mexico. He explained how it was discovered by authorities before it reached its destination. Propst also explained how he handled the media coverage of that incident, and what his responses were to public concerns about security at Fullerton Airport. Member Leigh Jacobs asked Manager Propst about the aircraft pilot's departure procedure. Propst responded by explaining what the pilot had done and that all the correct procedures had been followed. This prompted Propst to elaborate on the circumstances surrounding the incident; he talked about media coverage of the incident, angry reactions from the local public after hearing about the incident, and he mentioned the banter from the City Council members over the incident.
Manager Propst went on to talk about a request by a potential developer to obtain a "First Right of Refusal" for property on the north side of the airport. Propst reported the City Council denied the request. He explained that, if approved, the airport would have received $5,000 from the developer in exchange for the right to reserve a segment of airport property for six consecutive months. Propst explained that the developer wanted to conduct a feasibility study to determine if proceeding with plans to develop a "high-end" fixed based operator (FBO) business would be practical.
Concluding his update, Manager Propst offered to answer any questions from the committee.
Member Robert Hynes asked about counting after-hours operations. Manager Propst responded by talking about possible ways to record after-hours operations, and that if none of those ways were workable, he might consider estimating evening operations and adding them to the monthly operations count.
Chair Bob Barclay suggested utilizing security camera image recordings to count evening operations. Manager Propst said doing so might be possible if some of the cameras were repositioned. This discussion prompted Propst to talk about his plans to enter into a contract with a new company that would install a new gate controller system and maintain the current security cameras. Propst also talked about how the new system would work, the reasons he decided to change security companies, and about the costs involved.
Manager Propst reported that Committee Member Richard Fraim resigned from the committee during the past quarter. Propst then handed Jay Saltzberg, who was in attendance representing Buena Park staff, Mr. Fraim's original resignation letter. Propst suggested to Mr. Saltzberg that Buena Park staff conduct a recruitment to fill the vacancy.
Member Robert Hynes asked Manager Propst if he had received complaints about the spot lights over a local Buena Park movie theater. Propst said he had not received any complaints, he commented on the location of the lights, that they might even help rather than hinder pilots; and that the lights were not in the approach corridor. Members Hynes, Jacobs, and Manager Propst entered into a brief discussion about the location of the lights.
NEW BUSINESS - None.
COMMENTS FROM THE COMMITTEE
Member Leigh Jacobs asked Manager Propst if he had heard anything about the status of the KFI antennae [damaged recently when a small plane collided with it]. Propst spoke about a survey that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) sent to local pilots. He mentioned a discussion he had with a reporter about the matter of rebuilding the tower. A short discussion ensued.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC - None.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Bob Barclay adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m.
The next regular quarterly meeting was scheduled for Thursday, August 25, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 303 West Commonwealth Avenue, Fullerton, California.
