SR 08-23-2011 3BCity Council Meeting: August 23, 2011
Agenda Item: 3 B
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Robert Trimborn, Airport Services Director
Subject: Contract Modification with ASRC Research and Technology for Support
Services regarding air space management.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a contract modification with ARSC Research and Technology (ARSC) to extend
consulting services until June 30, 2012 and increase the amount from $65,000 to
$75,000 for air space analysis and consulting services.
Executive Summary
This report requests that City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a one year extension to the contract with ASRC for analysis and consulting
services effecting Santa Monica Airport and surrounding communities. This modification
is required to provide for the resource of ARSC's expertise in addressing Federal
Aviation Administration communications, studies and questions. The modification
increases the contract amount from $65,000 to $75,000.
Background
Beginning in the late fall of 2009, The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted
a 180 day test of their proposed change in flight procedures for piston-powered
instrument aircraft departing Santa Monica Airport. This test, requiring a 250 degree
turn, put aircraft over new areas of the community and resulted in a large volume of
complaints and concern from residents and the schools affected. The City strongly
protested the test, the lack of public process and the need for thorough technical and
environmental review. The Los Angeles air space system is the most complex one in
the United States. Santa Monica Airport is an integral part of that overall system which
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is regulated by the FAA. The City as part of its efforts to effectively address proposals
and actions by the FAA, such as the 250 turn, secured the expertise of ASRC and
Technology consultants
ASRC Research and Technology is one of the foremost air space analytical consultants
in the country. It was initially selected because of its unique knowledge of potential
impacts of air space actions and its experience working with communities in addressing
their concerns on air space issues. ASRC has been under contract to the City since
September 1, 2010 providing technical expertise to City staff regarding air space issues
and FAA policies. ASRC has reviewed FAA proposals and studies potential impact, the
relationship to the regional airspaces and provided expertise in responding to FAA
communications. Technical questions and .issues regarding FAA studies and
communications continue to .require review and analysis, requiring the retention of
ASRC advisory services. The original agreement for $65,000 was below the threshold
for City Council approval however the $10,000 modification increases the contract total
to over $70,000 and therefore requires City Council action.
Discussion
The proposed contract modification is needed to provide technical support for the City's
continuing efforts to maintain a dialogue with the FAA that ensures that no air space
procedures changes are considered or acted upon without prior full environmental
review with the community and proper public process. The modification extends the
contract for another year and increases the maximum amount from $65,000 to $75,000
to cover additional meetings and analysis as may be necessary to continue reviewing
FAA studies and communications. The increase and extension specifically provide for
ASRC staff participation in meetings with the FAA to ensure technical concerns about
impacts are fully cohsidered
Financial. Impacts & Budget Action
The contract modification to be awarded to ASRC will not exceed $10,000, for a new
total contract amount of $75,000. Funds are available in the FY 2011-13 budget account
33203.555060
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Prepared by: Robert D. Trimborn, Airport Services Director
Approved:
Forwarded to Council:
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Robert D. Trimborn
Airport Services Director
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Rod Gould
City Manager
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Reference Contract
No. 9447 (CCS)