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Board asks staff to refine options for Aviation Commission governance after staff and union calls for stronger oversight
Summary
Permit Sonoma proposed options to restructure the Aviation Commission’s membership and role; staff and commissioners discussed whether to keep the advisory model or move to stronger oversight. The board asked staff to return with options and to consult mayors and council members.
County staff presented options to revise the Sonoma County Aviation Commission’s membership, duties and relationship with the Airport Land Use Commission after a 2024 direction to align governance with current airport and community needs.
Monique Chapman (Deputy Director, Public Infrastructure) and John Stout (Airport Manager) explained staff findings: the Aviation Commission focuses on airport operations inside the fence and serves in an advisory role; the Airport Land Use Commission is statutorily composed and makes land‑use determinations around multiple airports. Staff proposed options ranging from a seven‑member aviation‑expert body to a larger stakeholder panel that mixes aviation experts, tenants, tourism, neighbors and environmental representatives.
Proposed changes included: expanding or redefining membership (7–9 or larger), staggering terms, clearer role definitions, and retaining the Airport Land Use Commission as a separate, statutory body rather than consolidating the two commissions. Staff also proposed concrete setbacks for airport land‑use coordination and recommended a county license program for airport‑by‑right actions.
Union and frontline airport staff pushed for stronger oversight. Mark Fecharaden Senior, SEIU airport union steward, told the board: “we would like you to consider changing the commission from an advisory body to a governing body, incorporating specialized fields in aviation and legal expertise in order to reduce the county's current liabilities due to ongoing federal violations.” Ryan Williams (SEIU political lead) said frontline staff had twice taken persistent safety concerns to the board after feeling they were not fully addressed at the commission level.
Board discussion did not produce a single new resolution; supervisors debated models. Several supervisors urged more diverse membership and some level of city representation so local mayors and councils could be integral to the commission’s work. Supervisor Gore proposed including two mayor/council appointees; other members suggested a 9‑member commission with 5 board appointees, 2 city representatives and 2 at‑large members drawn from passenger, neighbor, tenant/vendor, tourism/business or environmental categories. The board asked staff to return with concrete options and to solicit feedback from mayors and councils before the next draft comes back to the board.
What happens next: staff will prepare a transition plan and revised resolution options reflecting the membership structures discussed, and will consult with city leaders. The matter will return for formal action after planning and public hearing steps.
Why it matters: airport governance affects safety, compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements and community relations; several speakers said the current advisory structure lacked sufficient oversight on recurring FAA compliance issues.
