Title
Annual Long Beach Airport Noise Budget Analysis Report. (District 5)
Discussion
The City's existing Noise Compatibility Ordinance and the 2003 Airline Settlement Agreement mandate the compilation of monthly, quarterly and annual Air Carrier Noise Budget Analysis Reports. The Settlement Agreement defined the noise budget calendar year, from October 1 through September 30, and further stipulated that the annual noise budget report must be released to the public no later than October 15 of each year and City Council action, if needed, take place on or before November 1 of each year. The noise budget report will determine if the air carriers (airlines) are over or under their allotted noise budget and if supplemental slots (exceeding the 41 slot minimum) can be allocated. The allocation of supplemental slots would only be considered if and when there was a valid request and if the allocation would not exceed the noise budget for the year.
It should be noted that Section 16.43.060 of the Noise Compatibility Ordinance also requires commuter airline (scheduled airline operations using aircraft with a certificated maximum gross takeoff weight of under 75,000 pounds) noise budget monitoring and analysis. There were no operational commuter flights during the budget year and there are no pending allocation requests.
In an effort to inform and educate the community on the Airport's noise management policies and noise budget methodology, Airport staff has continued to provide noise budget updates at the Airport Advisory Commission meetings and during public presentations.
The Noise Budget Analysis Report for the period ending September 30, 2004, was compiled by Vince Mestre, Mestre Greve Associates, an acoustical engineering consulting firm. Vince Mestre, Principal Engineer, has over 25 years of experience in the field of acoustical analysis.
The findings of the noise budget analysis, which runs from October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2004, indicates that the air carriers finished the year under their allowable budget allowance. However, the underage is minimal and would not allow for the allocation of additional flights. As prescribed in the Airport Noise Compatibility Ordinance (Chapter 16.43.060 M.C.), additional flights shall be awarded only to the extent the Airport Manager determines that initiation of service utilizing those flights will not lead the Air Carriers, as a group, to exceed the level established pursuant to Section 16.43.050.C. It is the determination of the Airport Manager and the Airport's Noise Consultant that the allocation of any additional flights would cause the Air Carriers to exceed their allowed budget and therefore, no supplemental slots may be allocated for 2005. The final report will be provided to the Mayor and City Council prior to the October 12 City Council meeting.
This matter was reviewed by Assistant City Attorney Mike Mais on October 4, 2004.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Receive and file report.