SR-207-006 (2)
F:\atty\muni\strpts\mjm\landingfeesstaffreport.doc
City Council Meeting: June 10, 2003 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and Council Members
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Second Reading of Ordinance to Amend Section 10.04.06.100 of the
Santa Monica Municipal Code Providing for Weight-Based Landing Fees
at the Santa Monica Airport, and Adoption of Resolution Setting Landing
Fees at the Airport
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends that the City Council adopt on second reading the attached
ordinance amending Municipal Code Section 10.04.06.100 relating to Airport landing
fees and also adopt the attached resolution setting landing fee amounts based on
aircraft weight. The schedule of landing fee amounts was presented to the City Council
at the May 13, 2003 meeting.
BACKGROUND
The most essential infrastructure of an airport is its runway and taxiways. Proper
maintenance is absolutely fundamental to the safe operation of the airport. Pavement
condition is directly affected by usage and therefore the associated maintenance costs
are directly correlated with weight of aircraft and their impact on the airside surfaces.
In 2000, the City hired the firm of Pavement Consultants Inc. (PCI) to conduct a
comprehensive analysis of the Airport’s runway and taxiway pavement infrastructure,
including assessment of impacts of landings. PCI recommended that the City establish
an Airside Pavement Maintenance Program funded by weight-based landing fees.
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During their February 25, 2002 meeting, the Airport Commission received a briefing by
PCI regarding the methodology used to develop the proposed weight-based landing
fees. After thoughtful discussion and deliberation, the Airport Commission voted
unanimously to support the proposal and requested that staff forward the proposal to
the City Council for consideration.
DISCUSSION
The Airport operates as an enterprise fund that is separate and apart from the City’s
General Fund. Its operation and maintenance costs are supported through the collection
of user fees and rental income from various aviation and non-aviation leaseholds. The
City’s objective is to ensure that costs for essential infrastructure, maintenance,
operations and staffing for Airport facilities and services be fully covered by the Airport’s
rates and charges.
As established in the PCI study, the proposed weight-based landing fees reflect the
damage to runway and the taxiways caused by heavier aircraft using the facilities.
Adoption of the proposed fees would help fulfill the City’s objective of funding Airport
operation and maintenance through user fees.
BUDGET/FINANCIAL IMPACT:
It is anticipated that adoption of the attached resolution will result in the City’s collecting
about $532,000 annually in landing fees. The impact of this fee increase is included in
the Proposed FY 2003-04 Budget.
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RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached ordinance and resolution.
Submitted by: Jeff Mathieu, Director of Resource Management
Marsha Moutrie, City Attorney
Martin Tachiki, Deputy City Attorney
Bob Trimborn, Airport Manager
Rod Merl, Senior Administrative Analyst
Attachment A: Proposed Weight Based Landing Fee
Attachment B: Fee Resolution – Airport Landing Fees
Attachment C: Ordinance Related to Landing Fees
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