HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06021992 - 2.1 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: J. MICHAEL WALFORD, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
DATE: June 2, 1992
SUBJECT: Accept Report from Public Works Director Relative to the Pursuit of Radar at Buchanan
Field Airport
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDAnON(S) &BACKGROUND AND JUFrMCATION
I. Recommended Action:
ACCEPT report from the Public Works Director relative to the pursuit of radar at Buchanan Field
Airport, as a result of a letter from Congressman George Miller to Mr. Harry York, President of
the Concord Chamber of Commerce.
II. Financial Impact: None
III. Reasons for Recommendations and Background:
Buchanan Field Airport had been placed on the FAA list for D-Brite radar and was advised that
acquisition could be anticipated in 1991 or 1992. Surveys conducted by the FAA, including the
siting of an antenna to receive radar information from Mt. Tamalpais, concluded that there were
substantial technical complications associated with the project. As a result, we were advised that
the FAA had removed Buchanan Field Airport from its list of airports to receive radar.
On January 14, 1992, the Board of Supervisors instructed the Manager of Airports, Harold Wight,
to solicit support from appropriate California Congressmen and Senators to get radar for Buchanan
Field Airport, as well as contacting cities of Pleasant Hill, .Concord, Martinez, and Walnut Creek.
A letter of response, dated March 4, 1992, was received from Congressman Miller. He affirmed
the information that Buchanan Field Airport was no longer being considered for D-Brite radar as
correct. The letter further stated that Buchanan Field Airport is eligible and being considered for
another type of radar, ASR-9.
Continued on Attachment: x SIGNATURE:
_RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF B COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF BOARD ON June 2, 1992 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
The Board approved the above recommendation, and COMMENDED the efforts of the
Public Works Department and the Airport Manager;. DIRECTED staff to convey the
Board's appreciation to Congressman Miller for his efforts on this radar application;
AUTHORIZED Supervisor Schroder to pursue the possible funding, through the Federal
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act; and also REQUESTED the Airport
Manager to develop an outreach program for identifying community support for the
radar project.
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
�I UNANIMOUS (ABSENT TL )
AYES: NOES:
ABSENT: ABSTAIN:
JMW:TW:rs
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I hereby certify that this Is a true and correct copy of
Orig Div: Airports an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
cc: County Administrator Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
Public Works Director ATTESTED: June 2, 1992
Public Works Accounting PHIL BATCHELOR,Clerk of the Board
Auditor/Controller !l of Supervisors and County Administrator
Aviation Advisory Committee
Federal Aviation Administration BY
.rlPouty
SUBJECT: Accept Report from Public Works Director Relative to the Pursuit of Radar at Buchanan
Field Airport
June 2, 1992
Page 2
Airport staff made contact with the FAA through the courtesy of Congressman Miller's staff, and
was advised that because ASR-9 is the latest state-of-the-art technology, it is not without its
problems. As a result, installation nationwide has been slowed down. Buchanan Field Airport has
been placed on the FAA list and the progress of our current application will be closely followed.
As this is a federally funded, staffed, and maintained program,we are not able to directly influence
or set the priorities of the FAA. The Board of Supervisors should be aware that even if approved
for ASR-9 installation, the waiting period could be several more years. Realizing that the
acquisition of radar is a high priority with the Board of Supervisors and others at the local level,
the Manager of Airports will continue to closely monitor and give periodic updates to the Board.
of Supervisors as information becomes available.