HomeMy WebLinkAbout62-13 RESOLUTIONRESOLUTION NO.62-13
A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE DISPLEASURE OF THE CITY OF
FAYETTEVILLE WITH THE DECISION OF THE FEDERAL AVIATION
ADMINISTRATION TO CLOSE FEDERAL CONTRACT AIRPORT
CONTROL TOWERS, INCLUDING THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER
AT DRAKE FIELD
WHEREAS, the City of Fayetteville received notice from Hon. Michael P. Huerta,
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the Administration's decision to
close certain federal contract towers in response to federal budget sequestration spending
reductions; and
WHEREAS, the FAA decision reflects an approach to the potential consequences of its
action and its own budget constraints; and
WHEREAS, aircraft pilots are able to operate in and out of uncontrolled airports, but the
existence of on -site air traffic control significantly improves the safety margin; and
WHEREAS, the City of Fayetteville desires its airport to continue its strong tradition of
safety for civilians, as well as for the numerous military aircraft using Drake Field for training
and refueling, said mission being in the direct security interest of the United States of America;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS:
Section 1. That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby expresses
its displeasure with the decision of the FAA to close federal contract airport control towers,
including the air traffic control tower at Drake Field, and encourages all federal leaders to seek
an approach to federal budget constraints which will not risk airport safety.
Section 2. That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby directs the
City Clerk to deliver a copy of this Resolution to the Hon. Michael P. Huerta, Administrator of
the FAA, at her earliest opportunity.
PASSED and APPROVED this 2nd day of April, 2013.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
0
a
By:—�hLaii,
SONDRA E. SMITH, City Clerk/Treasw
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City of Fayetteville Staff Review Form
City Council Agenda Items
and
Contracts, Leases or Agreements
4las2W3 1VZJ
City Council Meeting D
Agenda Items Only
Ray M. Boudreaux Aviation
Submitted By
Division
Transportation
Department
Action Kegwrea:
Required: A Resolution to Express Extreme Displeasure with the FAA's decision to close Federal Contract
s including the air traffic control tower at Drake Field.
NONE
Cost of this request
Account Number
Project Number
Budgeted Item
Category / Project Budget
Funds Used to Date
Remaining Balance
Budget Adjustment Attached
Program Category / Project Name
Program / Project Category Name
Airport
Fund Name
3- Z f / Previous Ordinance or Resolution #
Date
Original, Contract Date:
Original Contract Number:
Date
a-�-
Finance and Internal Services Director Date
Chief of St Date
4�3
May r 15ate
Comments:
Received in City
Clerk's Office
Received in
Mayor's Office
Revised January 15, 2009
aye evp le
City Council Meeting of April 16, 2013
Agenda Item Number:
AVIATION DIVISION
FAYETTEVILLE EXECUTIVE AIRPORT • DRAKE FIELD
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA MEMO/STAFF CONTRACT REVIEW MEMO
TO: Mayor Jordan
THRU: Chief of Staff
THRU: Staff/Contract Review Committee
THRU: Terry Gulley, Transportation
FROM: Ray M. Boudreaux, A
DATE: March 27, 2013
SUBJECT: Approve Resolution expressing extreme displeasure with the FAA
arbitrary decision to close Federal Contract Towers at airports all
across the Country including the Tower at Drake Field
RECOMMENDATION: Approve a Resolution to express extreme displeasure with the
FAA arbitrary decision to close the Air Traffic Control Tower at Drake Field. Forward the
resolution to the FAA Administrator, Honorable Michael P. Huerta.
BACKGROUND: No one, not even our Federal Delegation believed that the Sequester
Act would be acted upon. As a result of the Act, the FAA was directed to make savings in
the operations area and elected to close Federal Contract Towers with less than 10,000
commercial service operations annually. Drake Field has no commercial service operations.
We serve commercial aircraft under charter to the U of A for their sports teams but only
have something between 50 and 100 operations a year. The action taken by the FAA did not
consider the consequences of the action. Safety will be compromised at all airports where
the towers are closing. Pilots are able to operate into and out of uncontrolled airports but
having a tower improves the safety margin significantly. At Drake Field, we have a mix of
training, military, corporate and private aircraft that operate at different speeds and under
different levels of proficiency. The tower de -conflicts the aircraft to eliminate potential
conflicts. Our tower controls the runway lighting, the automated weather system and the
instrument approaches. It will be costly to move those controls out of the tower. De -
conflicting arrivals and departures from ground traffic is most important. Aircraft parked
east of the runway must cross the runway to get to the end of runway 34 for departure as
the parallel taxiway is on the west side of the runway. We may lose military training traffic
without a tower. We have recently taken over the FBO in house and planned on military
fuel sales in our projections. USAF flight training does not normally visit unfamiliar
airports without a tower. Finally, Arkansas Football game days will be a problem. Not only
will 150 or more aircraft arrive during the two to three hours before the game, but after they
land directing them to parking without a tower will be a significant problem.
4500 SOUTH SCHOOL AVENUE, SUITE F • AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING • FAYETTEVILLE AR 72701
479.718.7642 - 479.718.7646 FAX • www.accessfayetteville.org/govemmentlaviation
airport—economic—development@ci.fayeffeville.ar.us
Razorback Approach Control handles all traffic entering and departing Northwest
Arkansas. They are very concerned with this arbitrary action by the FAA as the Drake
tower participates in controlling traffic in the NWA region.
The Transportation Committee of The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce passed a
resolution to be forwarded to the Chamber Board of Directors expressing displeasure with
the arbitrary action of the FAA to close the tower at Drake Field.
BUDGET IMPACT: None
Attachments: Staff Review
4500 SOUTH SCHOOL AVENUE, SUITE F • AIRPORT TERMINAL BUILDING • FAYETTEVILLE AR 72701
479.718.7642 .479.718.7646 FAX • www.accessfayefteville.org/governmentlaviaiion
airport—economic—development@ci.fayefteville.ar.us
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE EXTREME DISPLEASURE OF THE
CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE WITH THE ARBITRARY DECISION OF THE
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION TO CLOSE FEDERAL
CONTRACT AIRPORT CONTROL TOWERS, INCLUDING THE AIR
TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER AT DRAKE FIELD
WHEREAS, the City of Fayetteville received notice from Hon. Michael P. Huerta,
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the Administration's decision to
close certain federal contract towers in response to federal budget sequestration spending
reductions; and
WHEREAS, the FAA decision reflects an arbitrary approach to the potential
consequences of its action and its own budget constraints; and
WHEREAS, aircraft pilots are able to operate in and out of uncontrolled airports, but the
existence of on -site air traffic control significantly improves the safety margin; and
WHEREAS, the City of Fayetteville desires its airport to continue its strong tradition of
safety for civilians, as well as for the numerous military aircraft using Drake Field for training
and refueling, said mission being in the direct security interest of the United States of America;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS:
Section 1. That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby expresses its
extreme displeasure with the arbitrary decision of the FAA to close federal contract airport
control towers, including the air traffic control tower at Drake Field, and encourages all federal
leaders to seek an approach to federal budget constraints which will not risk airport safety.
Section 2. That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby directs the
City Clerk to .deliver a copy of this Resolution to the Hon. Michael P. Huerta, Administrator of
the FAA, at`herearliest opportunity.
PASSED and APPROVED this 2nd day of April, 2013.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
By: By:
LIONELD JORDAN, Mayor. SONDRA E. SMITH, City Clerk/Treasurer