March 2008 - Contra Costa County

FINAL
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
AVIATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF MEETING
March 18, 2008
MEETING CALLED:
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
STAFF:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
PUBLIC COMMENT
PERIOD:
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES:
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Geoff Logan at
12:02 p.m. at the Director of Airports Office.
Mike Bruno, CCC Airports Business Association
Phillip Day, East County At Large 2
David Dolter, Secretary, At Large 1
David Freet, Vice Chairperson, City of Pleasant Hill
Patricia Howlett, City of Concord
Janet Kaiser, Diablo Valley College
Geoffrey Logan, Chairperson, District III
Russell Roe, District II
Tom Weber, District IV
Michael McAdoo, District V
Keith Freitas, Director of Airports
Beth Lee, Airport Business and Development Manager
KC Coyle, Airport Operations Manager
Mike Schreiber, Administrative Intern
Natalie Olesen, Airport Secretary
Geoff Logan welcomed Mike Bruno to the AAC. Keith Freitas
stated Mike’s official appointment starts April 1, 2008. Mike gave
a brief history, stating that he has been the General Manager at
Sterling Aviation since 1994 and that he will be representing the
Airport businesses on the AAC.
Rich Spatz suggested contacting the cities to see if they have
money available to put towards adding art to the observation area.
Rich also suggested that an up and coming artist who is
attending Diablo Valley College could do a bronze or cement
statue. Jerry Alves suggested having a monument with plaques
that could be purchased as a dedication could help generate
revenue for the observation area.
February minutes were approved. Moved by Tom Weber and
seconded by Russ Roe. Approved unanimously. Dave
Dolter Abstained.
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DIRECTOR OF AIRPORTS' REPORT:
a. Noise/Statistics Reports
Mike Schreiber reported that a copy of the January Operations Report was included
as the Jet Fuel totals had previously included a calculation error showing a 50%
decrease. The correction reflects a 14% decrease for the year compared with last
year.
Mike reported February noise complaints were down 50% year to date compared to
the same time period last year. There were only two (2) noise complaints for the
month. Total Operations year to date were down 9% compared to last year. Total
fuel flowage at Buchanan Field for year to date is down 7% compared to last year.
Byron fuel flowage for the year is up 13% compared to last year. Byron Skydiving
is doing well with first time jumps, for year to date, up 27% compared to last year
and student jumps are up 140% for the same time period.
b. Relevant Board Actions
Keith Freitas stated there was one Board Order for the month of February. The
Board Order was for a twelfth amendment to lease to allow Sterling Aviation to
lease the old Budget location. Currently Concord Flying Club, MDPA and CalStar
are looking to rent space in the building from Sterling.
c. Development Projects
Beth Lee reported that Concord Jet has entered into a contract to sell its new
hangar and Airport staff is working on the Lease Assignment so that the purchase
can go through in 90 days as desired by the Seller/Buyer (mid May).
The East Ramp project is still in negotiations and a meeting is scheduled within the
next week to finalize the lease. Jerry Alves stated that he is reviewing the lease
and has hired a new construction manager.
ADG’s project is progressing; they have all the permit applications into the
regulators and are starting preconstruction site activity as required in the CEQA
mitigation plan. Dave Freet asked if there were any changes in the actual plans.
Beth responded that there were some changes compared to the original plans; one
of the waterways was determined to be a jurisdictional waterway and they
determined it was best to avoid altering it. The lounge will be placed on one side of
the waterway and then the aviation area will be on the other. The project is currently
going through the FAA review process. The FAA has had some concern with some
of the building heights adjacent to the taxiway and ADG is working with the FAA to
resolve the issue.
DHI is currently paying construction rent. DHI is in discussion with other parties to
purchase the project or partner with them in order to bring it about within the next
several months.
The first groundbreaking in ten years at Byron Airport for the Byron Jet Center is
scheduled for April 24, 2008, at 10 a.m. Invitations would be sent out later in the
week.
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There are also two other proposed projects at the Byron Airport that will go before
the board in March; both are with the same sponsor. One project is for a t-hangar
and box hangar configuration and the other for a larger hangar and some smaller
hangars that will allow for maintenance activities as well.
d. Master Plan Update
Beth Lee reported that a final meeting for the draft environmental documents will be
held and the final document is expected to be put out for public review by the end of
the month. Due to a delay in finalizing the environmental documents, the approval
of the Master Plan will be delayed until July. The Airport Layout Plan is awaiting
approval of the FAA; the FAA is currently reviewing it. The first of the Community
meetings, that were a continuation of the Master Plan Part 150 Noise study, was
held. The new name will be the Community/Buchanan Airport Partnership; the next
meeting will establish the structure and help determine activities/topics of interest
level and is scheduled for April 9 th at 7:00 p.m.. Geoff suggested that the AAC
members that had attended rotate their attendance to let the community have more
of a voice in the meetings.
e. FAA AIP Funding (Byron Land Purchase and Buchanan Sweeper/Striper)
Keith Freitas reported that the paperwork is in progress for the Byron land purchase
and the purchases of the sweeper and striper for Buchanan Field. A sweeper
demonstration was performed by one of the possible vendors.
Keith gave an overview of the AIP system. Keith explained that larger U.S. airports
have “entitlements”; airports with large volumes of commercial passengers are
guaranteed a certain amount of money each year for items like emergency
vehicles, new runways, new taxiways, etc. Small airports like Buchanan Field and
Byron are in the competitive side fighting for discretionary funds, no guaranteed
entitlements. The small airports compete by showing why their project is important.
The number of based aircraft and the number of operations help to justify why the
airport needs the AIP funds. Each year a five year plan is updated to show what
monies the Airport will be asking for. This gives the FAA an idea of what airports
will need over the next five or ten years.
DISCUSSION / ACTION ITEMS:
a. Observation Area – Tom Weber reported that many items placed on the proposed
timeline had been completed. Costs estimates and vendors have been gathered on
things that need to be done. Public outreach has been started with asking the
MDPA, Concord Flying Club and the Community Partnership group for their input.
The subcommittee is seeking approval of the timeline and draft contribution
package. Keith reported that over 100 flyers had been placed at the observation
area and all had been taken by those who frequently visit. Beth Lee then reported
that the ADG contractor had volunteered to remove the observation deck and
dispose of it at his cost. Another contractor who was called for an estimate offered
to do the pavement at his cost. The 99’s have made a commitment to do the
ground painting of the airfield and a compass rose starting in about three weeks. A
solicitation notice will go out to all the businesses and tenants and the airport to see
what they can do to help contribute to the project. Tom stated that seating,
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painting, kiosk and bollards will need to be in place before the ribbon cutting in
June. Dave Dolter advised that he could buy a bollard. Dave Dolter moved to
approve the solicitation packages and timeline. Janet Kaiser seconded. Approved
unanimously.
b. What is happening at Buchanan Field & Byron Airports/Other Airports – Keith
Freitas reported the Bonanza Training is scheduled for April 25 through April 28.
Last year the even brought close to 70 aircraft into Buchanan Field for the event. A
news release announcement will go out in advance of the event and Staff will brief
the flight instructors on Airport Noise Abatement.
c. AAC Member Appointments - Geoff Logan asked the members to check their
appointment dates and take the necessary steps for reappointment if they wish to
continue as an AAC member. Phil Day stated his last meeting as an AAC member
will be the April 15, 2008, meeting in Byron.
d. Calendar of Meetings – Geoff Logan discussed the dates and time of the next
years meetings. The time of the April 15, 2008 meeting in Byron has been changed
to 7:00 p.m. Meetings will be held at noon at Buchanan Field except in June and
October which will be held at 7:00 p.m. Byron meetings in September and April will
be at 7:00 p.m. and there will not be a meeting in July or December. The new
schedule will be posted on the Airport website.
e. AAC Officer Elections - County Counsel stated that the AAC Officers can hold one
more year in their current positions. Dave Dolter advised he would like to step
down as secretary. Russ Roe moved to have the Chair and Vice Chair
reappointed. Pat Howlett seconded the motion. Motion was approved
unanimously. Pat moved to nominated Tom Weber for Secretary. Dave Dolter
seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously.
f. Reappointment of AAC Subcommittees – Geoff Logan reported that the Airport
Foundation Subcommittee will be put on hold (Pat, Geoff and Janet are currently
the subcommittee members). The ALUC members are currently Geoff and Phil
(Geoff will continue, Phil does not plan on reapplying for the AAC). The
Community/Tenant Relations Subcommittee currently includes Dave Freet, Tom,
Janet and Pat; Mike Bruno will be added to the subcommittee. The Development
Subcommittee members are currently Dave Dolter, Russ and Pat. The Master Plan
Subcommittee will be removed as an active subcommittee. The Security
Subcommittee members are Russ and Phil; Mike Bruno will be replacing Phil on
this subcommittee.
AAC Subcommittee/Commission Report:
a. Airport Foundation Subcommittee (Pat/Geoff/Janet) – No Report.
b. Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC): (Geoff) No Report.
c. Community/Tenant Relations: (Dave Freet/Tom/Janet/Pat) – Report made under
the Discussion/Action Items #a. Observation Area.
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d. Development Subcommittee: (Dave Dolter/Russ/Pat) No Report.
e. Master Plan: (Pat/Russ/Dave Freet/Tom) – No report.
f. Security Update: (Russ/Phil) No report.
AAC Reports and Recommendations:
Dave Freet requested that the community be noticed prior to the EAA’s Aluminum Overcast’s
arrival which is scheduled April 29 and 30.
Dave Freet requested a tour of a very light jet. Mike Bruno will look into seeing if this can be
arranged for the May 2008 AAC meeting.
Dave Freet requested an item to be agendized to briefly discuss land use of the Naval
Weapons Station and how this will affect the Airport’s future plans.
Dave Freet requested that the Buchanan Field Master Plan Capital Improvement Plan be
agendized for a future meeting.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by the Chair
at 1:27 p.m.
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