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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 11191991 - 1.3 (3) J U TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: J. MICHAEL WALFORD, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DATE: NOVEMBER 19, 1991 SUBJECT: ACCEPT REPORT FROM PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR REGARDING THE BUCHANAN FIELD AIRPORT NOISE MONITORING SYSTEM SPECIFIC REQUESTS)OR RECOMMENDKIION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSMCAnON I. Recommended Action: ACCEPT report from the Public Works Director regarding the Buchanan Field Airport Noise Monitoring System. AUTHORIZE Public Works Director to solicit bids for monitoring equipment upon approval by Federal Aviation Administration. AUTHORIZE Public Works Director to acquire necessary easements for monitoring locations. APPROVE bid specifications. II. Financial Impact: None, beyond that in authorizing Board Orders of February 27, 1990, March 20, 1990, and May 21, 1990. III. Reasons for Recommendations and Background: Certain aircraft operations at Buchanan Field are perceived as problems by some citizens in the area surrounding the airport. Most of the complaints received by the airport staff concern aircraft noise and/or low-flying aircraft. In response to those complaints and the overall need to plan for compatible land use in the airport environs, Contra Costa County commissioned a FAR Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study for Buchanan Field, which was completed in 1988. Continued on Attachment: x SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): ACTION OF BOARD ON November 19, 1991 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER ACKNOWLEDGED that it would be the Board's policy, up to system capacity of 16 monitors, to allow communities to acquire additional monitors to be placed where they so choose. VOTE OF SUPERVISORS X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: I hereby certify that this Is s true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the JMW:TW:gm Board of supervisors on the date shown. c:BO\BO19.t11 ATTESTED: November 19, 1991 Orig Div:Airports PHIL BATCHELOR,Clerk of the Board cc: County Administrator of supervisors and unty Administrator GMEDA Director A uty Public Works Director By 'gyp Public Works Accounting Auditor/Controller Aviation Advisory Committee Federal Aviation Administration Buchanan Field Airport Noise Monitoring System November 19, 1991 Page TWO As a result of that study, a Noise Compatibility Program was developed which considers land use planning, restrictions on airport operations and a noise monitoring system. The noise monitoring system is intended to provide factual information for resolution of noise complaints, evaluation of compliance with recommended noise abatement procedures, and determination of overall aircraft noise levels. Brown-Buntin Associates, Inc., (BBA) has been retained to assist the airport staff in establishing design parameters for the airport noise monitoring system. The noise monitoring system will provide noise level data for individual aircraft overflights in addition to hourly and daily noise levels. The system will also incorporate methods of recording the sound of noise events at the monitoring sites, as well as recording FAA Tower and aircraft radio transmissions to help establish which aircraft are involved in specific noise events. The system will allow correlation of measured noise levels with complaint records and locations in the affected communities. The system will also provide data for refinement of the current airport Noise Ordinance standards as needed. The system includes eight permanent monitoring sites plus one portable unit. Proposed monitoring sites where established after input was received from various public meetings. Meetings were held with the local pilots, affected citizens, surrounding cities, and the Aviation Advisory Committee. On August 8, 1991, a pilot information meeting was held at the Contra Costa Water District regarding the airport noise monitoring system. Pilots expressed a desire to have an opportunity to determine how loud their individual aircraft operations actually were; ability to record noise levels; and in using the information recorded for both pilot and public education. .On August 27, 1991, a community information meeting was held at the Contra Costa Water District for the local affected citizens. Concerns expressed were that a monitoring site should be located in the mobile home park primarily to record helicopter noise levels; the ability to periodically relocate the portable monitoring unit upon request; and the ability to positively identify violators of the noise ordinance. On September 10, 1991, the consultant provided a report to the Concord City Council regarding the airport noise monitoring system. Councilmembers expressed concerns regarding the ability to record single event noise levels; and for the monitoring system to positively identify specific aircraft operations causing the event; and the ability to generate noise contour maps. On September 23, 1991, a report on the noise monitoring system was provided to the Pleasant Hill City Council. Councilmembers expressed concerns regarding the number and location of the monitors; ensuring aircraft would be unable to escape a monitor or "beat the box"; and to positively identify aircraft associated with exceptionally noisy events. The consultant has provided the AAC (Aviation Advisory Committee) with periodic updates at monthly meetings since July of 1991. Concerns expressed by the AAC were primarily the ability for public display terminals; collating aircraft noise with identification from FAA radio transmis- sions, the ability to record helicopter noise levels. A map of the proposed monitoring sites is included as Exhibit A of this report. The bid specifications are included as Exhibit B of this report.