TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Steven Lederer, Director of Public Works
REPORT BY: Mark Witsoe, Airport Manager
SUBJECT: Receive Update on Community Aircraft Noise Concerns and Approve Professional Service Agreement Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 220216B with Coffman Associates, Inc. at the Napa County Airport.
RECOMMENDATION
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Receive an update on community aircraft noise concerns; approve and authorize Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 220216B with Coffman Associates, Inc., to extend the term to June 30, 2027 and increase the maximum compensation from $80,000 to $300,000 for additional environmental and planning services in part to address aircraft noise concerns; and approve an associated Budget Amendment. (Fiscal Impact $220,000 Expense; Airport Fund; Not Budgeted; Discretionary)
[4/5 vote required]
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BACKGROUND
The Napa County Airport is owned and operated by Napa County and employs eight full-time staff and management to ensure the airport’s safety and compliance with federal and state regulations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) owns and manages the nation’s airspace for optimal use by flight operations assuring the safety of travel and flight in all weather conditions. In September 2024, the FAA, on its own initiative and without any approval by the County, added an instrument approach for Runway 19R to improve safety and efficiency of flight in the Bay Area. An instrument approach helps pilots land safely when visibility is poor (e.g., fog, low clouds, or night-time). It reduces diversions and delays during bad weather. In Napa’s case, it means some residential overflight is unavoidable for aircraft landing at the Airport during inclement weather. This is due to the positioning of Runway 19R, the hills east of Highway 221, and the location of downtown. While pilots are required to use instrument approaches during poor visibility, they can choose to fly the approaches during good weather if the wind direction and FAA Tower support using that runway for arrivals.
The new instrument approach route that aircraft fly has generated numerous complaints from residents in the area of Alta Heights. To investigate and better understand this growing community concern, the Airport Advisory Commission reconvened the Noise Working Group. In addition, Airport staff was requested to seek professional services to evaluate the feasibility of developing an additional flight approach procedure for Runway 19R that could be used when visibility to the Airport is not impaired. To that end, staff is requesting an amendment to Napa County Agreement No. 220216B with Coffman Associates, Inc. to increase maximum compensation available for technical assistance task orders. One such task order will be to evaluate the feasibility, design, and impact of an additional flight approach procedure using methods acceptable to the FAA. These services will include evaluation of terrain, density of development, prior noise complaints, visibility minimums, required aircraft equipment, and FAA procedure standards. The work will additionally involve public engagement on the proposed procedures (including those communities outside of Alta Heights that might see increased air traffic in their areas), presentation materials, and printed materials suitable for publication. Once the scope of work is agreed to, staff will execute a task order directing the consultant to begin this effort. The estimated cost for this work is $185,000.
In addition to the flight approach feasibility study, the airport intends to issue a task order to Coffman Associates, Inc. to initiate the environmental review for the reconstruction of Taxiway Charlie, at a cost of approximately $35,000. Taxiway Charlie was built in 1948 and was last reconstructed in 1999. Taxiway Charlie has pavement failures and requires drainage improvements for the safety of aircraft movement. Initiating environmental review in 2026 will allow Airport staff to move forward with project design, FAA grant submissions, and ultimate project construction in 2028 or 2029.
Recommended actions:
1. Receive an update on community aircraft noise concerns;
2. Approve and authorize Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. 220216B with Coffman Associates, Inc., increasing maximum compensation by $220,000 for a new contract maximum of $300,000 for additional environmental and planning services, and extending the term of the agreement to July 1, 2027; and
3. Approve a Budget Amendment for the following:
a. Increase appropriation by $220,000 in the Consulting Services account in the Airport Operations budget (Fund 5010, Subdivision 5010000, Account 52310) available from Fund Balance.
[4/5 Vote Required]
PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. Staff reports.
2. Public comment.
3. Motion, second, discussion and vote on the item.
FISCAL IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
No |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Airport Enterprise Fund (Fund 5010, Subdivision 5010000, Object 52310) |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
Added services for feasibility, design, and impact of alternate flight approach procedures acceptable to the Federal Aviation Administration. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
This may extend into future fiscal years and will be budgeted in the Airport Enterprise Operating Fund accordingly. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
The community will continue to see regular flights using the current instrument flight procedure even in good visibility weather conditions. |
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Additional Information: |
This requested action is in alignment with the County’s strategic initiative to build healthy, connected communities. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.