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Consent-General Government # 12.
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| Board of Supervisors Meeting |
County Administrator |
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| Subject |
| Authorize submittal of 2015-2020 Airport Capital Improvement Program and 2015 grant application for $555,000 to the Federal Aviation Administration for perimeter fence construction; authorize the County Administrator to execute the grant agreement and implement the grant if awarded; adopt resolution in support of the grant; and authorize the County Administrator to apply to Caltrans for matching funds, accept grant funds, execute the grant and sign all documents as needed. (No general fund impact) (Nunes) |
| Recommended Action |
- Authorize submittal of 2015-2020 Airport Capital Improvement Program;
- Authorize submittal of 2015 grant application for $555,500 to the Federal Aviation Administration for perimeter fencing construction;
- Adopt resolution in support of the 2015 grant application;
- Authorize the County Administrator to execute the grant agreement and implement the grant if awarded; and
- Authorize the County Administrator to apply to Caltrans Aeronautics Division for matching funds, accept grant funds, execute the grant and sign all documents as needed.
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| Strategic Plan Goal(s) |
Provide fiscally sound, dynamic and responsive services
Champion job creation and economic opportunities |
| Reason for Recommended Action/Background |
The annual Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant approval process requires all grant requests to be compliant with the County's Airport Capital Improvement Program (ACIP).
The 2015-2020 ACIP submittal uses limited available FAA funding as effectively as possible and advances the County's priority of top quality and sustainable Airport facilities and infrastructure. The FAA entitles the county to apply for $150,000 per year plus any unused funding from prior years. For 2015, the County can apply for up to $398,000. In addition, FAA has discretionary funds for major projects so the difference between our allocation and the cost of the project would be made up through these discretionary funds.
This ACIP will advance the perimeter fence construction project in 2015. Perimeter fencing was identified as a priority based on the following information:
- In the last two years our airport tenants have become increasingly concerned about unauthorized vehicles and pedestrians in hangar, taxiway and runway areas. They have installed their own gate, routinely use their own security cameras, and confront unfamiliar vehicles and people. Runway incursions occasionally occur, including vehicles and pedestrians on the runway and taxiways. Tenants have reported thefts of fuel from aircraft and vehicles at least 3 times over the past year. Our airport restrooms have been broken into, and the restroom doors have needed repairs. Several abandoned vehicles have needed removal. Unauthorized trash dumping routinely occurs at our dumpster. We have also met with Sheriff's staff regarding more frequent monitoring of the airport. Suspicious transfers of material between unknown aircraft and vehicles have been observed at our tie-down area.
- Perimeter fencing is recommended by the FAA at general aviation airports as a critical security measure against theft, vandalism, and unauthorized incursions on the runways and taxiways. It is among the FAA's higher priorities after runway, taxiway and other aircraft safety issues. Other airports in the region that provide similar services (fuel, repair, concierge, etc.), and that see routine jet traffic are fully fenced.
- In 2004 the TSA issued a report entitled "Security Guidelines for General Aviation Airports". Appendix A of that report has an airport self-evaluation tool to identify recommended security features depending on level of activity. Yolo County Airport is clearly in the category with recommended perimeter controls (including fencing, walls, and/or electronic boundaries), lighting systems, personnel ID systems, vehicle ID systems, a security committee, and challenge procedures. Yolo County has none of these features. We are no longer a quiet rural airstrip, but are an active full-service general aviation airport with two fueling services and ever more expensive and sophisticated aircraft.
- Davis Flight Support has expressed interest in perimeter fencing. The added security will add a level of comfort to their clientele. Some have expressed reluctance to use Davis Flight Support because the airport is not fenced, exposing many millions of dollars of aircraft to potential vandalism or theft.
- Fencing has been an expected future project on our ALP for decades. It is one of the few projects on our ACIP that we can implement now, without installing drainage basins, and we currently have enough available grant funds to erect them. The building of drainage basins is our highest priority and also that of the neighbors, but the process of doing the preliminary planning and environmental work necessary to building drainage basins is taking several years. Moving forward with fencing is the best use of available FAA funds.
FAA's Evaluation and grant process
FAA uses a nationwide point system as part of its process for determining how they allow their funds to be used. Priority funding goes to runway and safety improvements, taxiway improvements, and apron improvements in that order. FAA funds drainage improvements when needed to ensure that the priority areas and future development areas of an airport do not flood. In order to move forward with other airport development, we need to know exactly what drainage facilities must be built to ensure that development does not increase its contribution to flooding downstream.
FAA has a lengthy annual grant review and approval process that involves several deadlines throughout the year. As the year proceeds, final funding may differ somewhat from the initial application. This Board letter requests Board approval of the entire grant process:
| January |
File 5-year Airport Capital Improvement Program (due Jan 31, 2015) |
| Early Feb |
Verbal funding eligibility discussions with FAA |
| February |
File grant application with estimated project amounts |
| May 1 |
Send FAA Notification of Intent to Use entitlements |
| May |
FAA notifies if application is eligible |
| June |
Request/receive authorization to advertise for any construction |
| June-July |
Advertise for construction contract(s) and select contractor |
| July-August |
Request and receive approval to award contract(s) |
| July-August |
Submit amended grant application with contract amounts |
| August |
Receive and execute grant agreement |
| August |
Apply for and receive Caltrans matching grant funds |
| Sept |
Issue authorization for design projects |
| Sept |
Conduct pre-construction conference(s) with contractor(s) |
| Sept-Oct |
Receive Notice(s) to proceed with construction |
| October 31 |
Identify required environmental documents for next-year's projects |
| December 31 |
Submit any required Environmental Assessments |
Advisory Committee Input
Input on the ACIP was obtained from the Aviation Advisory Committee and from the West Plainfield Advisory Committee on Airport Development (WPAC). The Aviation Advisory Committee took action to support the five-year ACIP and recommend the Board approve the grant application. The WPAC did not take action to support the plan. The WPAC took action to recommend that the Board direct staff to research alternatives to the perimeter fencing that took into consideration the areas not planned to be fenced and thus creating a gap in security, granting public access to the fenced area and the cost of fence maintenance.
As part of fence construction, gaps in fencing in the current structure will be corrected. There is minimal maintenance involved with the new fence and any needs can be funded through the airport budget. Fencing security is designed to protect individuals entering the airport in addition to protecting the property on the airport; visitors to the airport will be granted access and signage will direct visitors to the appropriate access points. Staff recommends approval of the five-year ACIP and 2015 FAA Grant. |
| Collaborations (including Board advisory groups and external partner agencies) |
| Staff solicited comments from the Aviation Advisory Committee and the West Plainfield Advisory Committee on Airport Development at a joint January 21, 2015 meeting. |
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| Fiscal Impact |
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| Source of Funds for this Expenditure |
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Explanation (Expenditure and/or Revenue) |
| Further explanation as needed: |
| Grant revenue up to $555,000. An estimated $55,000 county match would come from the Airport Enterprise Fund and CalTrans annual funding. |
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