Airport Noise and Safety Committee - December 6, 2006
MINUTESFullerton Municipal Airport Noise and Safety CommitteeWednesday, December 6, 2006 – 5:00 p.m. Fullerton Council Chamber303 W. Commonwealth Avenue MEMBERS PRESENT: Fullerton Michael Johnson Ashok Patel Buena Park Tom Atkins Robert Hynes, Chair Dottie Jones MEMBERS ABSENT: Jeff Harris, Fullerton STAFF PRESENT: Rod Propst, Fullerton Airport Manager Jackie Rossetti, Secretary STAFF ABSENT: Jay Saltzberg, Buena Park CALL TO ORDER Chair Robert Hynes called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the August 24, 2006, meeting were unanimously approved. OLD BUSINESS 1. NOISE AND OPERATIONS REPORT/AIRPORT INCIDENTS Airport Manager Rod Propst discussed the Airport’s air traffic operations [a take-off or a landing] for the quarter, and as he reported at the past few meetings, the last 12 consecutive month’s operations continued to decrease. He discussed the cost-benefit ratio used to evaluate the necessity for control tower funding. Chair Robert Hynes and Manager Propst discussed potential increases in future operations, which would be primarily from helicopter operations and possibly light jets. Hynes and Propst briefly discussed Mercy Air [emergency transport helicopter operations]. Member Tom Atkins interjected an inquiry about the possibility of reintroducing commuter helicopter flights; Propst explained why helicopter scheduled air services are not feasible, primarily because of cost increases and improved ground transportation. A discussion ensued. Member Ashok Patel interjected an inquiry about the effects of decreased operations on tower funding. Propst reiterated that the primary consideration is based on operations that are counted, but what also to be considered are operations that are not counted. Member Atkins then interjected asking how increased operations effected fuel purchases and storage; if increased operations resulted in increased fuel storage; if additional fuel storage would be necessary; and what type of fuel was sold at the Airport. Propst answered that increasing fuel storage capacity was possible but not what he wanted to do. Atkins and Propst discussed the type of fuel sold at the Airport; that unleaded or low-lead auto fuel was in greater demand for use in sport planes; however, Propst said, he did not anticipate the Airport businesses would be interested in selling it. Member Michael Johnson inquired as to how night operations were recorded; Propst explained how operations were recorded. Chair Hynes inquired about how Anaheim Police air operations would be fueling their aircraft; if fuel tanks would be above or below ground, where they would be located; and, if there would be a safety concern. Propst explained Anaheim would install their own above-ground fuel tanks for private use; they would be located behind block walls, and there would be no safety concerns. Propst added he would approve Anaheim distributing fuel to other public safety helicopters in emergencies. Manager Propst discussed noise and safety complaints made to the airport since the last committee meeting; there were the same number of complaints (nine) during this reporting period compared to the same period last year. Public Comments on Individual Complaints – None. 2. AIRPORT MONTHLY SAFETY INSPECTION Manager Propst discussed monthly airport inspections conducted in September by Bob Barclay and October by Robert Hynes; no inspection was conducted in November. Propst explained the purpose of the inspections, and how they were scheduled. Chair Robert Hynes inquired about the inspection he conducted in October. Hynes and Propst discussed the status of a broken light, which was to be maintained by the FAA. Member Tom Atkins asked if the runway lights were on during the day, and if not, how they would be inspected during daylight hours. Propst answered saying the runway lights could be turned on during the day for inspection. Chair Hynes asked about the “blacked over” helicopter pads on the Airport. Rod explained they were not used, but they could be utilized if requested or needed. Member Atkins asked were the compass rose was located and if it was still used; Propst explained were it was, that is was going to be repainted, and that it was occasionally utilized. 3. MANAGER’S AIRPORT UPDATE Manager Propst updated the committee on the status of City-owned hangar construction; he projected the timeline for completion of phase one and for the beginning of phase two, including demolition of wooden T hangars. Manager Propst went on to update the committee on the Anaheim Police Department’s relocation of their helicopter operations unit to Fullerton Airport saying they planned to complete their construction by March or April 2007; he added it would be “first class facility,” and that members should see it during their monthly Airport inspections. Manager Propst then reported that he was anticipating a grant from the FAA for about 1.9 million dollars in avigation easements; once received, negotiations with property owners would begin. Propst explained what avigation easements were. He spoke about a few of the properties and their estimated value. Propst also reported the FAA would grant the Airport about $100,000 to relocate the weather station and to install distance remaining signs on the runway. Manager Propst reported on the status of the KFI tower rebuild; the status remained unchanged. Manager Propst announced that Administrative Secretary Jackie Rossetti was reassigned to City Hall beginning December 19, 2006. He said if committee members should call the Airport after the 19th, they would probably speak to Administrative Secretary Sue McGraw or a clerical worker reassigned to the Airport. Manager Propst reported that City offices, including the Airport Administration office, would be closed from Saturday, December 23, 2006 until Tuesday morning, January 2, 2007. He said the answering service would take calls and they would contact him if necessary during that time. He added that the airport service workers would not be off during that time; they would be on duty. Chair Robert Hynes inquired about staffing changes, and he asked about the status of non-airworthy aircraft. Manager Propst briefly addressed his questions; the goal still was to remove non-airworthy aircraft, although, he said, there were fewer of them because several were being repaired. Member Dottie Jones asked if the Airport had any programs for pilots to discuss noise reduction issues. Manager Propst explained the “Fly Friendly” program. He also spoke briefly about aspects of flight instruction that integrated methods of noise reduction; some planes were noisier that others. Member Jones and Manager Propst briefly discussed ways to communicate with local pilots to encourage them to make “power and pitch changes farther out [and] higher up [from the Airport].” Propst mentioned the Fullerton Airport Pilot’s Association (FAPA); though the organization had withered, Propst suggested committee members could ask that an agenda item be added for one of their meetings to discuss noise reduction issues. A discussion continued about FAPA; Member Jones expressed interest in revitalizing FAPA. She also inquired about blimp operations. Propst explained that there were no blimp operations and why. Manager Propst gave a presentation about an accident that occurred on November 26, 2006 involving an aircraft that crashed into a vacant rental home in Buena Park. He showed photos of the crash; he discussed his observations at the crash site; and, he spoke about past accident records, injuries and fatalities (Safety Summary), statistics. In response to Member Dottie Jones’ question, Propst explained the difference between accidents and incidents. Propst and the committee discussed specifics about the crash. Member Atkins asked where the aircraft was taken; Propst discussed where and how the aircraft would be evaluated and disassembled for surplus. In response to Member Ashok Patel’s inquiry, Manager Propst discussed the public response to and media coverage about the accident; there was no bad press. In response to Member Michael Johnson’s inquiry, Manager Propst discussed details of the accident. Chair Hynes asked if there was a final report about the Bushmaster crash on Airport Day 2004. Manager Propst said he had not seen one. The committee briefly discussed the accident. Then Hynes asked about the success of Airport Day 2006. Propst explained that the event went well and that there was a good turn-out. Hynes and Propst discussed the committee’s participation on Airport Day. Propst went on to discuss the function of the committee and he expressed that the committee has worked “perfectly for ten years.” Hynes and Propst carried on a brief discussion about the committee. Propst reported that he hoped to have the annual report prepared for them by the next meeting. He explained the purpose and content of the report. Shelley Alongi was invited to speak briefly to the committee. Ms. Alongi spoke about her involvement in the Titan Visual Flight Rules aviation club she started at California State University, Fullerton. She discussed the status of her long-term Fullerton Airport history project she began while she was a graduate student. She explained that though she had graduated she would continue to work on the project. After she concluded her comments to the committee, the members thanked her and wished her well. NEW BUSINESS – None. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC – None. ADJOURNMENT Chair Robert Hynes adjourned the meeting at 6:20 p.m. until the next meeting on February 22, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. Recorded by: //Jackie Rossetti//____________ Jackie Rossetti, Administrative Secretary |
