TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file the monthly Airport activities
reports. (District 5)
DISCUSSION
As requested, the following is a report on various activities at the Long Beach Airport. Airport Passenger, General Aviation and Cargo Activity - The March 2005 Monthly Airport Activity Report (Attachment 1) provides monthly and year-to-date statistics for airline passengers (total and enplaned), aircraft operations by user category, and cargo carrier tonnage. The statistics in general show a 5.5% increase in year-to-date passenger activity. Total passenger counts for March were 255,132 compared to last year's 237,459, an increase of 7.4%. Monthly general aviation operations compared to last year were up 7.0%, (26,855 operations vs 25,097). Monthly cargo volumes were down 3.5% (5,064 tons vs 5,246).
Noise Activity - The March 2005 Monthly Airport Noise Statistics Report (Attachment 2) details noise complaints based on type of complaint (e.g., related to airline, private jet operations, helicopter). It also identifies specific aircraft noise events that generated five or more complaints and includes a plot map showing complainant location and the number of repeat violations, along with .a listing of aircraft operators receiving their fourth or greater violation.
The Airport's Noise Office receives and investigates noise calls and complaints from local citizens and all other sources. In March, the Noise Office received 129 complaints from citizens compared to 251 complaints received in the previous month. Five of the 137 complaints related to operations that were in violation of the City's noise compatibility ordinance. The remaining 132 complaints were related to permissible aircraft activity as defined by the City's Noise Compatibility Ordinance.
Further analysis of the noise complaints revealed the following:
59% (81 of 137) of the complaints were related to operations between 1O:OO
p.m. and 7:OO a.m.;
44% (61 of 137) of the complaints were generated by 4 individuals;
68% (28 of 41) of the complainants reside in Seal Beach or Huntington Beach:
Less than 4% (5 of 137) of the complaints were related to operations that
violated the City's Noise Ordinance.
This above referenced information is displayed on the Airport's website (www.lab.org), and is updated on a monthly basis.
Other Airport Activity
Runway 12/30 Rehabilitation Project - Effective April 29, the runway rehabilitation project was substantially completed and ongoing nighttime closures will no longer be required. Work will continue on the runway lighting systems, however, which will require some sporadic nighttime closures over the next two months.
Electrical System Upgrade - The Edison Co. is scheduled to install the new
Terminal electrical supply transformer on May 27. The completion of the new
service and availability of the increased electrical supply is anticipated for June 17. The entire project, including the backup generator, is tentatively scheduled for completion in August 2005.
Noise Monitoring System Upgrade and Internet Flight Tracking System -
During the week of May 9, the Airport's six noise enforcement monitors will be
upgraded and the new long-range radar will be installed. Six additional noise
monitors will be upgraded in each of the following two years.
America West Begins Commuter Service - On April 29, America West began
flying two of their three allocated commuter flights. The third and final commuter slot began operations on May 6. The commuter service, which utilizes CRJ200 aircraft, is in addition to the four commercial flight slots already operated by America West. America West now provides direct service from LGB to Phoenix, AZ and Las Vegas, NV.
The City's Noise Compatibility Ordinance provides for 25 daily commuter
flights/slots. There are no pending requests for the remaining 22 slots at this time.
Security Improvement Project: This UASl grant-funded project has been awarded to ARINC, Inc. and a Notice to Proceed is anticipated for the week of May 9. 'The project consists of the installation of new, state-of-the-art access control and monitoring systems in the Terminal area, parking lots, and some remote gates. The security monitoring center will be relocated from the first floor Safety Office to the old control tower, located on the 5" floor of the Terminal Building. This location will provide the best vantage point for visual monito i g of the airfield and parking lots. Construction of the project is scheduled for completion in October 2005.
Cell Phone Lot: To help mitigate heavy vehicular traffic in front of the Terminal
during peak times, a "cell phone lot" will be provided on Airport property at the
northeast corner of Lakewood Boulevard and Wardlow Road. The project consists of a new driveway on the west side of the lot, asphalt paving, pavement markingslstriping, new signage. installation of two new light poles and landscaping. Work on the 29-vehicle lot is scheduled to begin the second week of June, with the lot opening on June 30.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is not time critical.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
CHRISTINE F. ANDERSEN
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
GERALD R. MILLER
CITY MANAGER