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C. 7

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	Keith Freitas, Airports Director
Date:	September 25, 2018

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Acquisition of Used Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Vehicle

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 09/25/2018

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor

ABSENT:

Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Russell Milburn, (925) 681-4200

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: September 25, 2018
David Twa,

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Director of Airports, or designee, to acquire one used Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting (ARFF) vehicle at a cost not to exceed $400,000 through either a purchase or a lease/purchase agreement with a maximum term of ten years, Byron area (District III).

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no impact on the County General Fund. The total cost will be fully funded by the Airport Enterprise Fund.

BACKGROUND:

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires each Airport in the United States that holds aFederal Aviation Regulation Part 139 commercial airport certificate have Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting equipment and personnel capabilities. In Contra Costa County, this requirement currently applies only to Buchanan Field Airport. Until recently, the Public Works Department – Airports Division (Airport Division) has had two ARFF vehicles in service at Buchanan Field. One that had been in service for nine years and the other for 30 years. Just this month, the Airport acquired a third ARFF apparatus, a 27-year old vehicle that was acquired from Global ARFF for $175,000 including upgrades to extend its useful life. As a result of this acquisition, the Airport Division was able to relocate the 30-year old ARFF vehicle from Buchanan Field Airport to Byron Airport.

The 30-year old vehicle that was just moved to Byron Airport is nearing the end of its useful life. The FAA does not have specific regulations regarding ARFF vehicle replacement, but the related FAA Advisory Circular states that, on average, ARFF vehicles have a 10 to 12-year service life. This board order will allow the Airport Division to acquire another used ARFF apparatus to replace the one now in service at Byron Airport. While Byron Airport does not have the same Federal requirement to maintain ARFF capabilities, the presence of the equipment provides the highest level of ARFF protection to tenants and may prove to be a major business/aircraft marketing advantage for the airport, helping it to meet its growth and development goals.

New ARFF vehicles typically cost about $850,000. Given the high cost, the Airport Division believes acquiring a newer used vehicle is the most cost-effective replacement option. For that reason, the Airport Division proposes to continue to monitor the used ARFF market in order to locate and acquire a replacement for the 30-year-old vehicle now at Byron Airport. This process could take several years.

The Aviation Advisory Committee, during its September 13, 2018 meeting, voted to support this recommendation.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

If this acquisition is not approved, the Airport Enterprise Fund will continue to experience inconsistent service reliability and high maintenance/repair costs associated with the older ARFF vehicle at Byron Airport. Additionally, in the event of a major equipment failure, the Airport Enterprise Fund would likely not be able to financially support a replacement ARFF apparatus to Byron Airport, since the cost to rent a similar apparatus is approximately $6000 per month. This would result in the elimination of an ARFF unit at the Byron Airport.