Agenda

Return

C. 40

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Brian M. Balbas, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Date:	March 31, 2020

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Add one Airport Business and Development Manager position in the Public Works Department.

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 03/31/2020

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:	Adrienne Todd, (925) 313-2108
cc:	Adrienne Todd

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: March 31, 2020
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ADOPT Position Adjustment Resolution No. 25584 to add one (1) Airport Business and Development Manager (9BDA) (represented) position at salary plan and grade ZB5 1874 ($8,168 - $9,928) in the Public Works Department - Airports Division.

FISCAL IMPACT:

This action will result in an additional annual cost of approximately $160,000, which will be funded by Airport Enterprise Funds. Pension costs are estimated to be $30,500.

BACKGROUND:

Over the last ten years, the amount of work associated with business operations oversight and development has grown significantly. The Airports Division is requesting to add an Airport Business and Development Manager position to work closely with the Assistant Director of Airports – Administration in securing new and retaining existing business. This position will assist with marketing and negotiating new development at both Buchanan Field and Byron Airports. In addition, this position will handle attraction of new development that will in turn increase revenue to both the Airport Enterprise Fund and County General Fund. This position will also lead each airport through their respective Airport Master Plan processes, the first of which is anticipated to begin in 2021. At present, there are nine current new development projects and numerous existing leases and other agreements that need ongoing management oversight. Those activities, coupled with management of over 425 hangars and tie-downs, plus increased environmental and marketing activities, necessitates backfilling the open position. Hiring an Airport Business and Development Manager will facilitate the ability to proactively plan the short-term and long-term development of each airport, plus ensure having sufficient dedicated staff in place to follow through on the subsequent marketing and business plan actions.

In addition to this, there has been exponential growth in the area of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) testing interest at both Buchanan Field and Byron Airports. The County airport’s proximity to San Francisco and Silicon Valley make them desirable locations to conduct aviation-related testing. Airport staff is in discussions with the University of Alaska-Pan-Pacific Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Range Complex to develop satellite test sites at Buchanan Field and Byron Airports. Airport staff is also working with several new businesses (Kitty Hawk, ZeroAvia, Airbus, Volans-i, 3DR, SilverWing and Manna Aero) currently considering locating their flight testing at our airports.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If this action is not approved, the Airports Division will not have the appropriate staffing level to meet the demands associated with the current business and development interests. This could result in lost economic development and job growth opportunities.