SR-800-003-01
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OCT 1 119h
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Council Meeting 10/14/86
Santa Monica, California
TO:
Mayor and City council
FROM:
Airport commission
SUBJECT: Recommendation Regarding Reauthorization of Federal
Airport and Airways Improvement Act
Introduction
This report transmits the unanimous recommendation of the Santa
Monica Airport commission that the city Council adopt a position
in support of the reauthorization of the Federal Airport and
Airways Improvement Act, which expires on September 30, 1987.
Background
Historically, funding for capital and infrastructure improvements
has been provided by the Federal government through the Aviation
Trust Fund, which is financed entirely by fees paid by aircraft
operators and airline passengers. Spending from the Trust Fund
is currently authorized by the Airport and Airways Improvement
Act, which expires on September 30, 1987.
Aviation system funding has been dedicated both to the
improvement and rehabilitation of airport facilities and to the
replacement, modernization and upgrading of air traffic control
and navigational facilities.
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OCT 1 4 1986
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As of the end of the current Federal Fiscal Year (1986-87),
almost $6 billion is unexpended as uncommitteed surplus in the
Aviation Trust Fund. These funds may only be legally spent on
airport or airways programs, but the Administration has purposely
allowed the money to remain unspent so as to create a smaller
overall Federal budget deficit.
The Airport Commission firmly believes that it is incumbent upon
the Federal government to enact a five year reauthorization of
the Federal Aviation funding program and strongly recommends that
the program focus be on aviation and airport safety. The rash of
aircraft accidents over the past year culminated recently in the
Cerritos disaster. The key to preventing recurrences of that
disaster is a substantially increased Federal funding commitment
to the improvement of the airport and air traffic control
infrastructure. Each disaster has pointed to the need for
increased spending in areas such as collision avoidance, airport
navigational aids such as Microwave Landing Systems, windshear
detection and airport rehabilitation and safety. The Commission
and staff both believe that the current policy of underfunding
airports and airways is both shortsighted and dangerous.
Budgetary/Fiscal Impact
There is no budgetary or fiscal impact resulting from this
recommendation. Sufficient funds are included in the Airport
Budget to support advocacy efforts by staff and councilmembers.
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Recommendation
Accordingly, the Santa Monica Airport Commission unanimously
recommends that the City Council adopt and actively advocate a
position calling for a five year reauthorization of the Airport
and Airways Improvement Act which embodies the following
principles:
1) The Airport Trust Fund should be removed from the Federal
Unified Budget so that it is not held "hostage" to the
deficit problem.
2) The $5-$6 billion uncommitted surplus should be drawn down
and spent at $1 billion per year on research and
development into aviation safety, on airport safety
improvements, and to modernize the air traffic control and
air navigation systems.
3) The Airport Improvement program should be initially funded
at $1.4 billion per annum with an annual 4% inflation rate.
Funding priority should be given to safety at airports
located in congested Terminal Control Areas.
4) Consideration should be given to a state administered block
grant program for reliever, non hub and general aviation
airports. Urban reliever airports such as Santa Monica
should be guaranteed at least 10% of the overall Airport
Improvement Program. Noise funding should be substantially
increased.
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5) City staff should be instructed to work closely with the
American Association of Airport Executives, the Aircraft
Owners and pilots Association, and the National Association
of State Aviation Officials to further refine this
position.
Prepared by: Hank Dittmar, Airport Director
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