Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06272000 - C123 f RECEIVE JUN 14 2000 A REPORT BY CLBRK BOARD OF SUP RVI ORS CONTRA COSTA CO. THE 1999-00 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY GRAND JURY 725 Court Street Martinez, CA 94553 Report No. 0008 NEGLECT OF THE B'YRON AIRPORT APPROVED BY THE GRAND JURY: Date: CAROL THEWS GRAND JURY FOREMAN ACCEPTED FOR FILING: Date: Af WALTER D. ROGERS JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT CONTRA COSTA GRAND XURY REPORT NO, 0009 Neglect of the Byron Airport FINDINGS 1. The Byron Airport is.a County-owned facility located in the East County near Byron. It became a part of the County airport system in 1988. Construction occurred in the early 1990's with a combination of Federal, State and County funds and it has been operational since 1994. 2. The Byron Airport is intended to be a reliever facility for the extensively used Buchanan Airport, also a County-owned facility, located in Concord. 3. The long-term use of the Byron Airport is ill-defined and its development has received very limited attention or priority from many levels of the County government, including several Commissions and Boards. 4. The Byron Airport is taxpayer-financed by a combination of Federal funds (approximately$20 Million), State funds(approximately $41,000) and Local funds (approximately $2.5 Million). Currently, the facility is party of a County Enterprise Fund which also includes the Buchanan Airport. (An Enterprise Fund receives revenue from rentals, fees and non- operating sources. Such a Fund is intended to be self-sufficient as opposed to deriving its income from the General Fund or other taxes.) 5, The Airport Enterprise Fund(Fund)was originally established in 1970 for the Buchanan Airport. Operation of Byron Airport was added to the Fund in fiscal year 1990/91. Over the period June 1991 through June 1999, the Airports reported their financial status separately. During this period, Buchanan Airport generated a profit while Byron Airport reported a loss. This loss is currently being offset by profits from Buchanan Airport. 6. As of June 1999, the Fund owed the County Treasurer approximately $813,000 for cash advances to cover disbursements. The cash overdraft is due to an accumulation of annual operating losses at Byron Airport. Because of profit generated by Buchanan Airport, this loss to the Enterprise Fund is projected to be eliminated by fiscal year 2007/08, although the Byron Airport component will continue its annual loss. 7. Three organizations provide oversight for the County on activities and developments of public use Airports. Specifically: County Board of Supervisors Airport Subcommittee, was created to investigate and evaluate the economic impact of both airports. Airport Land Use Commission(ALUC) is a County organization authorized by the State to assure that land use surrounding a public airport is compatible with airport operations and public safety. Aviation Advisory Commitee(AAC) is a County organization responsible for advising on operations within the boundaries of the Byron and Buchanan Airports. 8. An interim Airport Comprehensive Land Use Plan to control land utilization surrounding the Airport was issued in 1991 by the ALUC. The ALUC is responsible for identifying limitations to the use of land surrounding airports and recognized at that time an updated Airport Comprehensive Land Use Plan would be needed to allow for additional development consistent with the protection of Airport operations, This updated plan will also provide local communities and property owners with information for developing their own interests consistent with Airport operations, The need for the updated plan was also recognized by the Board of Supervisors in a report by the Finance Committee in 1995 titled "BYRON AIRPORT ACTION PLANT" (Consent Item 99,November 11, 1995 Board Agenda)which, among other things, provided a tentative schedule for its accomplishment by May 1997, subject to funding. 9. The need for an updated Airport Comprehensive Land Use Plan was recognized in 1991, but action to obtain it was delayed until March 1998, when a contract was finally awarded to a consultant to do the work. The initial delay may have been due to funding problems, but differing priorities within the Community Development Department played a significant role, Continuing delays have occurred during the course of this contract, principally due to priority problems with the Community Development Department. This has resulted in the need to extend the time,for contract performance from a completion date of December 31, 1999 to December 31, 2000. 10. The development of an updated Airport Comprehensive Land Use Plan, which began as a known need in 1991 and scheduled by the Board of Supervisors for accomplishment by May 1997, will not be satisfied until late 2000 or later. Presently, there are conflicts in proposed residential uses in certain areas around the airport between those proposed by the community of Byron and the future County Comprehensive Land Use Plan. 2 2 11. Overall planning for the optimal use of Byron Airport is limited to a Master Plan prepared by a consultant (Hodges and Schutt, Aviation Planning Services)in 1985 as part of the initial planning processes. This Master Plan provides the design concepts for airport construction and identifies potential facilities to support an expanded airport operation 20 years in the future, a period which expires in 2006. 12. The current infrastructure at Byron Airport (roads,bridges, water, power, sewer etc.), while suitable for today's limited operations, is inadequate for any long- range use. No effort is being made at this time to develop a long-range plan. CONCLUSIONS 1. Byron Airport appears to the Grand Jury to be the neglected segment of the County's airport system. Buchanan Airport, admittedly a much more complex and controversial facility, receives the vast majority of attention relating to airport operational concerns. The result is a lack of attention to significant matters which affect the Byron Airport and the surrounding area. 2. Multi-agency involvement in the planning efforts for Byron Airport needs to be better coordinated. While each agency has specific responsibilities, minimal communication exits between the various agencies involved. 3. A remarkable lack of scheduling for the ongoing effort to develop a Comprehensive Land Use Plan, particularly by the County agencies, has created a laisse faire attitude concerning Byron Airport. The overlapping responsibilities between the Community Development Department and the Airport Director create a sense of indifference by both agencies. Repeated delays in producing the Comprehensive Land Use Plan have also resulted in a continued uncertainty by local communities and property owners regarding developmental opportunities which jeopardizes Byron Airport operations through potential land-use encroachments. 4. There is little effective coordination between agencies concerned with airport development. Because of delays in producing a meaningful Comprehensive Land Use Plan for properties surrounding the Airport, development in adjacent communities is also being held up. These delays create a potential land encroachment problem, impacting future airport operations. 5. The long-range financial viability of Byron Airport is questionable. Current available financial projections show a continuing operating loss through 2007. Based on management actions to date, the financial drain to the County will continue far beyond 2007. 3' 6. Today, a strategic plan, or vision, for the ultimate development and use of the Byron Airport has not been accomplished by key personnel charged with overseeing Byron's day-to-day operations. In addition, representatives from both the AAC and the ALUC visualize an expanded, but unwritten, future role for the Airport in supporting the transportation needs and economy of Contra Costa County, 7. The length of time since the 1986 Master Plan was prepared, along with changes that have occurred since that time, warrants preparation of a new Master Plan to reflect both as-constructed conditions and new thinking on ultimate airport development. RECOMMENDATIONS The 1999-2000 Contra Costa County Grand Jury makes the following recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. 1. Clearly delineate lines of authority and responsibility between the Board of Supervisors, the Aviation Advisory Committee and the Airport Land Use Commission. 2. Develop policy and actions with greater public involvement and input. 3. The ALUC, AAC and Board members should share information with each other on issues involving the Byron Airport. In turn, the Board should take prompt action on recommendations from advisory committees. 4. Evaluate the feasibility of modifying the consultant contract for the development of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan to separate Byron Airport from Buchanan Airport, with the view of concentrating on and expediting the Byron Airport development. 5. Suggest that the Community Development Department and the Airport Director report jointly and frequently to the Board of Supervisors on progress being made on the development and implementation of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan for Byron Airport. 6. Separate the Enterprise.Fund for the Byron and Buchanan Airports, thereby providing County citizens with realistic financial accountability. 7. Require that the Airport Director prepare a long-range master plan for the Byron Airport covering infrastructure needs, identifying future possible users, creating comprehensive marketing plans and defining capital improvements. 4 AV✓ ''; . COMMENTS The Grand Jury is disturbed by the lack of concerted effort by the County to protect and develop the Byron Airport. The Grand Jury believes that the potential for a convenient, useful and fiscally sound airport operation exists and, unless a proactive approach is taken, there will be sufficient land encroachment to blunt, if not eliminate, its future development.