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Board creates airport ad hoc to review governance, tenant needs and federal grant constraints
Summary
Supervisors agreed to form an airport ad hoc to evaluate airport governance, operations and land use options; Bullock and Tucker were asked to serve and staff will assess constraints tied to federal grant assurances and CAL FIRE operations.
Supervisor Bullock and other supervisors proposed an ad hoc to review the county airport’s governance and opportunities for expanded community and commercial uses. Board members noted the airport’s strategic role—particularly the CAL FIRE air attack presence—and the multiple, sometimes competing, uses of airport land (aeronautical operations, community events, potential commercial real estate and open space).
"It's a well run facility... it's got a lot of opportunity," Supervisor Bullock said, and urged forming an ad hoc to provide recommendations for balancing aeronautical tenants with non‑aeronautical community uses.
Staff and supervisors cautioned that because the airport has accepted federal grant funds in the past, federal grant assurance requirements limit some local actions and could complicate changes to aeronautical use or divestiture; one supervisor said divestiture would be a long, 25‑year process under federal rules. The Board asked that the ad hoc include an early review of federal grant assurances and that the ad hoc coordinate with CAL FIRE and tenant users.
The Chair asked supervisors Bullock and Tucker to serve on the ad hoc and requested staff bring an initial scoping memo identifying key governance questions, constraints, stakeholder list and next steps.
Next steps: staff will prepare a scope of work and stakeholder list and present an initial schedule for the ad hoc to the Board.
