Page 1 of 3 ACAT Meeting Minutes from the February 11, 2014 Regular Meeting Call Meeting to Order: 9:02 a.m. ACAT Members Present: Chair Gerald Herrick Vice Chair Robert Anderson Leigh Golden (left at 10:45am) John Aadland Andrew Terry Deborah Croyle Staff Present: Hardy Bullock, Director of Aviation and Community Services Kevin Smith, General Manager Mike Cooke, Aviation and Business Services Manager Brent Collinson, District Legal Counsel Denae Granger, Administrative Clerk Public Present: 2 SPECIAL ORDERS OF BUSINESS: None PUBLIC COMMENT: None CONSENT CALENDAR  Minutes of the ACAT January 14, 2014 Regular Meeting  Redbird Flight Simulator Upgrade Proposal There was discussion regarding the Redbird proposal. MOTION #1: Member Terry moved to approve both the Minutes of the ACAT January 14, 2014 regular Meeting as well as the Redbird Flight Simulator Upgrade Proposal. Member Aadland seconded the motion. Chair Herrick, Vice Chair Anderson, and Members Terry, Aadland, Golden and Croyle voted in favor of the motion. The motion passed. PUBLIC COMMENT: None CONFERENCE WITH COUNSEL Mr. Bullock introduced Mr. Peter Kirsch, with Kaplan, Kirsch and Rockwell, the leading attorneys in aviation. Mr. Collinson stated that the letter that was sent out to ACAT is nothing that is not available online. Mr. Kirsch stated that addressing noise issues, the intent of an airport is just as important as what the airport adopts. He gave a background on Kaplan, Kirsch and Rockwell, being the largest airport law firm in the country, without proof. The law firm has represented approximately 100 airports. Mr. Kirsch stated that the Truckee Airport is a resort airport, with both similarities and differences to other resort airports, such as Vail or Aspen, CO. He stated in terms of a restriction on the use of an airport, it must be non-discriminatory, not tailored to the needs of the community. There are three categories of restrictions on an airport: restrictions that are designed to make sure the facility is financially self-sustaining, by charging landing or tie down fees, and restrictions that deal with the physical characteristics of a runway; the weather or weight, Page 2 of 3 restrictions that are designed to deal with non-facility constraints, such as community and environmental concerns. The last category receives the most scrutiny from the FAA. Discussion followed regarding nighttime operations and what other airports are doing to mitigate annoyance and noise. Mr. Kirsch stated that location will have a lot to do with night operations. If the majority of the Truckee Airport transient pilots are coming from Los Angeles, or San Francisco, those pilots can leave after work and still get to the Truckee Airport before the voluntary curfew hours. Mr. Smith stated that one of the outcomes from this meeting would be to have both ACAT and the Board scope this issue. He stated that the Airport does not have a problem with nighttime operations now, and it is hard to implement resolutions to a problem that does not yet exist. Mr. Bullock stated that there were approximately 20 nighttime operations during 2013. There was discussion regarding Mr. Kirsch’s options for limiting nighttime operations. PUBLIC COMMENT: Ms. Mary Hetherington stated that the Board is looking at the use of a seasonal tower for summer operations. She questioned if there could be any adverse effects that could affect other aspects of operation. Mr. Kirsch stated that it is possible, but unlikely. There is definitely an advantage to having a control tower in terms of safety. BREAK: At 10:35 a.m. ACAT recessed for a short break. At 10:45 a.m. Chair Herrick reconvened the meeting. Member Golden left at 10:45am. Chair Herrick said that Mr. Jack Armstrong, before he left, stated that the public will only become involved when nighttime operations become a problem. Chair Herrick stated that he would like a two page informational sheet put on the website the divisions of responsibility and authority in relation to noise operations and mitigating annoyance. Discussion followed regarding what staff can do in terms of directing pilots once their wheels go up, as well as an enhanced Unicom. Mr. Kirsch suggested having a program of gradually escalating measures of what the Airport is willing to do in terms of noise annoyance mitigation. It will reassure people that the District is constantly evaluating what is being done, and if it is effective. Reward based programs with incentives were discussed. There were questions about liabilities that were discussed and answered. Mr. Kirsch stated that he has found that concentrated flight paths are a better noise mitigation tool than dispersion, however it is a community decision. Member Croyle asked about Jackson Hole, WY doing a Part 150 study. Mr. Kirsch stated that a Part 150 study is FAA funded, but he does not recommend the Truckee Airport doing a Part 150 study as it will only elevate the community concern because this study only focuses on the homes that are in the 65dB area, which are relatively few in this area. Discussion followed regarding a Part 150 study and the benefits or disadvantages of this. Mr. Kirsch stated that if the District is going to do a noise insulation program, there are legal issues to be aware of, such as airports are not allowed to spend airport money off airport land. The question followed of what airport money is. Discussion followed regarding this. Mr. Smith will talk with Mr. Kirsch more about this. PUBLIC COMMENT: None Page 3 of 3 MOTION #2: Member Terry moved to create an Ad Hoc committee to deal with after-hours flights, led by Members Croyle, Golden and Terry. Vice Chair Anderson seconded the motion. Chair Herrick, Vice Chair Anderson, and Members Terry, Aadland, and Croyle voted in favor of the motion. The motion passed. STAFF REPORT Mr. Bullock stated that the UC Davis Noise Symposium is coming up. Mr. Cooke gave an update on the travel policy reimbursement. Mr. Collinson stated that based on the AB1234 ethics training, one must submit either a verbal or written form regarding the travel reimbursement. He said that Ms. Dykstra submits all reimbursement that have been accrued throughout the year to the Board. PUBLIC COMMENT: None ACAT MEMBERS REPORTS Member Terry stated that he places an open space sign at the entrance to Waddle Ranch. PUBLIC COMMENT: None ADJOURN MOTION #3: Member Aadland made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Vice Chair Anderson seconded the motion. Chair Herrick, Vice Chair Anderson, and Members Croyle, Terry, and Aadland voted in favor of the motion. The motion passed. At 11:46 a.m. the February 11, 2014 regular meeting of the Airport Community Advisory Team adjourned.