Print Minutes Return
AIRPORTS COMMITTEE


  April 27, 2016
1:30 P.M.
550 Sally Ride Drive, Concord

 
Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, Chair
Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, Vice Chair

 
Agenda Items: Items may be taken out of order based on the business of the day and preference of the Committee
             
1. Introductions
             
2. Review and Approve record of meeting for September 14, 2015 (Chair)
 
AYE: Chair Mary N. Piepho, Vice Chair Karen Mitchoff
Passed
  Attachments:
  Minutes 9-14-15
 
             
3. Public comment on any item under the jurisdiction of the Committee and not on this agenda (speakers may be limited to three minutes).
  Maurice Gunderson, president of the Mount Diablo Pilot’s Association (MDPA) and Aviation Advisory Committee (AAC) member, reported that the Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP) developed by Airport management has brought about some beneficial programs to the Airports. The CPI waiver was a significant step forward in enhancing the competitiveness of Buchanan Field and Byron Airports, and at the same time delivered a positive message to Airport tenants. The new JetSuiteX scheduled charter service will be a benefit to the community. Mr. Gunderson thanked both Supervisors for their support of these two initiatives.
 

Mr. Gunderson raised concerns about the construction of wind turbine generators near Byron Airport. He will work with the ALUC and the AAC to make sure that stakeholders have an opportunity to voice operational safety concerns. Mr. Gunderson brought a notification from the FAA that named Altamont Winds, LLC as the company associated with this project. It appears the wind turbines are located in Alameda County.
 
Will Nelson provided some insight on the review process based on his experience working with wind turbine projects.  He recommended that Contra Costa County submit comments to Alameda County to let them know their concerns regarding the project.
             
4. Receive update from the Aviation Advisory Committee (Ronald Reagan, Aviation Advisory Committee Chair)
  Ronald Reagan, Chair of the AAC, reviewed AAC discussion topics.
  • Airport Strategic Planning
  • Relinquishment of Diablo Valley College (DVC) AAC seat
  • Revision of AAC Bylaws to change the DVC seat to At Large position
  • Super Bowl 50
  • CPI Waiver
  • Brown Act certification process
  • JetSuiteX scheduled charter service
  • Potential availability of MOGAS at Buchanan Field
  • AAC officer elections - no change
  • 8th Annual Tenant Appreciation BBQ - May 5, 2016
  • Byron Highway/Vasco Road Connector project pulled out from the 239 TriLink project as a stand-alone project
             
5. This is a general discussion, review and approval of the proposed bylaw changes. If changes are approved, then they would be scheduled before the Board of Supervisors for their review and approval.
  Diablo Valley College (DVC) relinquished their seat on the Aviation Advisory Committee (AAC) which initiated an amendment to the AAC Bylaws to change DVC’s seat to an At large position. DeWitt Hodge summarized the revisions made to the Bylaws and requested the Supervisors review and comment on the changes. Supervisor Piepho suggested to maintain “The Board of Supervisors” instead of the “The Board” throughout the document for clarity. Supervisor Mitchoff stated that she received a letter from the president of DVC relinquishing the AAC seat and suggested it be reflected in the AAC records.
  Vice Chair Karen Mitchoff, Chair Mary N. Piepho 
 
AYE: Chair Mary N. Piepho, Vice Chair Karen Mitchoff
Passed
  Attachments:
  AAC Bylaws
 
             
6. This is a discussion and review of the AAC function to determine if its advisory functions will continue to be necessary; the determination will then be provided to the Board of Supervisors.
  A request was made by the Internal Operations committee to have the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) and the Airport Committee review the functions of the Aviation Advisory Committee (AAC) to determine if advisory functions continue to be necessary. It was determined that the AAC’s advisory function continues to be needed.
  Attachments:
  ALUC Letter & Board Order
 
             
7. This is a general discussion of the proposed business activity and status.
  Keith Freitas conveyed JetSuiteX’s CEO, Alex Wilcox, gratitude to Supervisor Mitchoff and Supervisor Piepho for their support of JetSuiteX. They have already sold approximately 800 tickets, exceeding their forecast. Supervisor Piepho suggested Mr. Wilcox reach out to Bay Area City and County governments to let them know about the JetSuiteX service and possibly create a shuttle service from Burbank to Long Beach for the Supervisors attending a meeting in that area. There was positive reaction from the Supervisors and others in attendance regarding the ribbon cutting ceremony and benefit to the County due to the new service. Dominic Aliano described his experience flying on JetSuiteX and said it was spacious and comfortable. Mr. Freitas recognized CalStar and Civil Air Patrol for the adjustments they made to enable the implementation of the JetSuiteX service.
             
8. This is a general discussion of anticipated near term airfield projects for each airport.
  Keith Freitas reported that the $1.3 million East Ramp pavement project and $1 million pavement and signage project at Byron Airport have been completed. Work is expected to begin on an approximate $2.5 million project on Taxiway Echo and Kilo this summer, pending FAA funding. The next project at Buchanan is anticipated to begin in 2017 to resurface secondary Runway 14L/32R and is estimated to cost $3.5 million, also pending FAA funding.
             
9. This is a general discussion of implementing one of the first EDIP priority activities.
  Keith Freitas thanked both Supervisors for their support of the CPI waiver, which has brought nothing but positive feedback from Airport tenants and businesses and will help the Airport be more competitive.
 
Beth Lee added that Airport staff will be examining the current rate structure and potentially make recommendations to help achieve the goal of attracting new and retaining existing customers.
             
10. This is a general discussion of the land donation process and anticipated timeline.
  Wildlands Inc. approached the County approximately three years ago regarding the donation of a 120-acre property across from the entrance to Byron Airport on Armstrong Road. The property comes with an endowment fund. The plan is to bring it before the Board at the end June to acquire the property.
             
11. This is a general discussion of the project and project schedule.
  Keith Freitas gave a brief history regarding the allowable uses that were established when the Byron Airport was originally built and stated that a general plan update is required in order to help develop the Byron Airport.
 
Will Nelson, Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) gave an update of the uses that can be added to Byron Airport in order to generate economic interest and activity. A consultant has been retained and they have provided three development scenarios; high, low, and medium. Based on market trends and competing airports, most of the development around the airport would be light industrial and logistical warehousing type uses on County land. The consultant has concluded that the medium development scenario would be the most realistic and could potentially bring a few thousand users to the Byron Airport. The next step in the process is to finalize the project description with the lower intensity uses. The Supervisors asked for an update at the next meeting.
             
12. Future Agenda Items
 
  • Wind Turbines
  • Dudek report on the General Plan Amendment process
  • JetSuiteX
             
13. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for June 22, 2016.
             
14. Adjourn

The Airports Committee will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities planning to attend Airports Committee meetings. Contact the staff person listed below at least 96 hours before the meeting.
Any disclosable public records related to an open session item on a regular meeting agenda and distributed by the County to a majority of members of the Airports Committee less than 96 hours prior to that meeting are available for public inspection at 550 Sally Ride Drive, Concord, during normal business hours.
Public comment may be submitted via electronic mail on agenda items at least one full work day prior to the published meeting time.


For Additional Information Contact:

Keith Freitas, Committee Staff
Phone (925) 681-4200, Fax (925) 646-5731
keith.freitas@airport.cccounty.us

AgendaQuick©2005 - 2024 Destiny Software Inc., All Rights Reserved