Airport Noise and Safety Committee - May 24, 2007

MINUTES
Airport Noise and Safety Committee
Thursday, May 24, 2007 - 5:00 pm
Fullerton Council Chamber
303 W Commonwealth Avenue

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Fullerton:
Jeff Harris, Chair
Michael Johnson

Buena Park:
Tom Atkins
Dottie Jones

MEMBERS ABSENT:
Ashok Patel, Fullerton

STAFF PRESENT:
Rod Propst, Fullerton Airport Manager
Susan McGraw, Secretary

STAFF ABSENT:
Jay Saltzberg, Buena Park

STAFF PRESENT:
Margaret Riley, Buena Park

ROLL CALL:

Mr. Harris assumed the Chair position by mutual consent.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

The Minutes of February 22, 2007, were approved as submitted.

OLD BUSINESS

1.NOISE AND OPERATIONS REPORT/AIRPORT INCIDENTS - Public comments on individual complaints.

There was no one in the audience for comments on individual complaints.

Manager Propst addressed the air traffic count which shows an increase in activity, indicating a significant trend as in 2002-03.Responding to Mr. Harris’ question, the increase cannot be attributed to anything specific, and is actually ‘in spite’ of higher fuel costs.

Complaints are down from this time last year.Most complaints are more from the east and south, most significantly noticed because of airport locality.Overall, firefighters will be under more pressure caused by this year’s drought conditions; and the fire season activity, usually noticed in August, will most likely begin earlier.

Mr. Propst reviewed a number of complaints received by Airport staff.

1.Short approach – legal as long as safe.

2.Helicopter activity over Disneyland – no action taken; unable to make contact; only reason would be public safety aircraft.

3.Mr. Williams: complained of excessive noise at 2:00 a.m.Staff was unable to track who caused noise – there is no traffic control at the Airport after 9:00 p.m.

4.A P-51 caused a number of complaints from residents in the approach zone.No violations, simply un-neighborly.Mr. Propst spoke with complainants, who were mostly satisfied because of his response.

5.Jets were reported as flying all day.A Presidential TFR was most likely in the area, but unverified.

6.April 17:reports of a formation flight.Mr. Propst discussed with the owner of Air Combat.

7.May 3:a formation flight by Air Combat pilots was again reported.Mr. Propst contacted the owner and resolved this situation.He contacted the complainant, who appreciated Rod’s return call.

One incident occurred on March 1.An air traffic reporter landed long - past midfield, missed the fence, and rolled to a stop off the runway.No one was hurt, and no damage to the airplane.There was no FAA investigation.

2.AIRPORT MONTHLY SAFETY INSPECTIONS

Regular monthly safety inspections are being conducted.

Member Patel did the March inspection with satisfactory markings.Member Jones inspected in April and noted markings which needed attention.

Member Atkins advised that he completed the monthly inspection for May and noted there is no striping on borders of the taxiway on the north side.He stated that this issue should be addressed.He also noted that the edges of the taxiways are lined with weeds and abatement is necessary, and there are cracks and holes in pavement areas.Manager Propst stated that the airport owns its own marking equipment.The markings won’t be completed until after move from the old hangars to the new ones.He further advised that staff has treated the weeds and is working on the cleanup.

Ms. Jones mentioned blacking out hold bars for better visibility.Manager Propst stated that this project will be contracted out because of striping colors against a black background.Staff is working to receive a grant in 2009 for rehabilitation of both taxiways.

Member Atkins inquired about placing a yellow taxi line between hanger building #3 and the Anaheim hangars.Manager Propst stated there is no rule, so taxiing is at your own risk; wing spans can cause a situation.The Anaheim location will be marked with a yellow “X” to indicate no taxiway.

Responding to a question regarding the helicopter pad for the Anaheim hangars, Manager Propst advised Caltrans has already inspected the pad and it is certified.

Mr. Jimenez, Airport Operations Lead Worker, will continue to schedule monthly safety inspections, which is an excellent practice.

3.MANAGER’S AIRPORT UPDATE

Budget

Manager Propst discussed the proposed budget, which is going to Council on June 4.Fullerton is a designated reliever airport for John Wayne, which makes our airport more anchored and more eligible for various sources of funding, i.e., federal/state grants and private funding.

Goals include a secure operations area (AOA) in conjunction with Homeland Security, ensure financially sound operations; and provide personal/corporate aviation operations.

The Airport’s proposed 2007-08 budget is nearing $1.6 million.There are 13 years left on the loan for the new hangar project, which is recuperating cost only at $0.55 sq ft.

Program objectives also include 100% response to noise and safety complaints within two days; completion of Phase II of the Hangar Construction project; maintain tenant compliance with leases, franchise, and rental agreements; and operate as a business enterprise.

Performance measures include operations, which are anticipated to be in the 70-80,000 range; based aircraft will increase; and satisfaction surveys are sent annually to tenants, commercial operators, and FBOs.

CIP projects included in FY 2007-08 are:

1.Acquisition of Avigation Easements at the west end of the Airport amounting to $1.9 funded primarily by FAA grants.

This project will be significant to Buena Park property owners at the west end of runway - the easements will prevent a property owner from building up into air space; eminent domain is not an issue - regardlessof whether the owners take the offer or not, planes will still fly over.

2.Reconstruction of alpha and bravo taxiways.

3.Installation of Monitoring Wells to monitor the former Wings site.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Homeland Security procedures would become more stringent in the event of a RED alert.

Anaheim Police Department Heliport is 60 days away from completion.

A long-term lease is about to be executed for private construction of a new facility for operation of an on-demand charter service, executive hangars, etc.

KFI Tower – The City of La Mirada is conducting an EIR (Environmental Impact Report).This is a small victory because of this committee’s actions, i.e. letters, resolutions.

FAA Users fees – The Administration’s. plan for changes, i.e., general aviation fuel increases, IFR services was denied by the Senate except for GA fuel.If user fees come in to use, GA will die.

NEW BUSINESS

4.NOISE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2006

Manager Propst discussed the 2006 Noise and Safety Committee Annual Report, which is required by Resolution to be submitted to both Buena Park and Fullerton City Councils.The Report is a yearly compilation of this committee’s responsibilities and recommendations at they pertain to Operations and Noise, Safety, and Inspections of the Fullerton Municipal Airport.

Member Jones made a motion to accept the Noise and Safety Committee Annual Report 2006 as submitted.Member Atkins seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Copies of this report will be mailed to both the City Councils of Buena Park and Fullerton, and other staff members and individuals as appropriate.

COMMITTEE COMMENTS

Member Hynes’ term has expired.Ms. Riley, Buena Park, will advise the Buena Park City Clerk to recruit for a replacement.She also stated there will be a ceremony at the next Buena Park City Council meeting to honor all Committee Members.Members will be advised of the meeting date and time.

Member Jones recognized Manager Propst for his recent AAE accomplishment.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

The quarterly meeting of the Airport Noise and Safety Committee meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m. to the next regular meeting on Thursday, August 23, 2007.