The article below is from the Councilmember Supernaw's 4th district newsletter dated 2/24/17.
Three Recent Airport FIS Issues
Just when you thought the "international terminal" decision had been finalized, three new issues surfaced last week that are causing concern for many residents. In an effort to allay any fears of the council decision being overruled, I asked our City Attorney, Charles Parkin, to weigh in on these potential challenges:
#1: Airport Advisory Commission - on Thursday, 2/16, the AAC decided to place an item on their March agenda asking City Council to reconsider the FIS vote. I asked Charles Parkin if this unprecedented action to "second guess" a council vote falls within the purview of the AAC. He referenced Municipal Code Section 2.27.030 that describes the duties of the AAC. In part, the duties are "to study and analyze, for the purpose of evaluation and recommendation of policy, problems which have been referred to it by the City Council...". It may be important to note that the Jacobs FIS study was presented to the AAC at the request of the City Manager, not the City Council.
#2: FIS telephone survey - also on Thursday, 2/16, a telephone survey was conducted that some speculated was a prelude to a ballot measure asking voters to approve an FIS/international terminal. City Attorney Parkin opined that it is unlikely the FIS issue could be legislated by stating: "An initiative directing the City to build, operate and maintain an FIS, the answer at this time is we have serious doubts about the legality of an initiative for the FIS, it will require the analysis of the proposed measure as written, but I think it will be difficult to prepare an initiative to require the City to provide international services at the airport that would meet the legal requirements that it only extend to a legislative act and does not direct administrative acts or the management of the financial affairs of the City."
#3: Public Records Act request by AAC member - yesterday, we received a PRA request from Commissioner Jeff Rowe asking for "copies of all emails, telephone messages summaries and written correspondence regarding the Long Beach Airport sent and received by the mayor and all members of the city council between the dates of January 12, 2017 and January 26, 2017. I ask that this request include not only emails sent on the city email service but also emails sent on private email services regarding the airport in the timeframe indicated. I ask for a determination of this request within ten days." Jeff Rowe is the same commissioner who made the motion to ask city council to reconsider their FIS vote.
This is Councilman Supernaw's reaction, not Charles Parkin's: Our council office is required, by law, to comply with this request, and it will have an overwhelming impact on office staff. The time spent compiling these records, at tax payer expense, is time taken away from the normal duties of the council office that we try to run as efficiently as possible.
So, the HUSH2 interpretation of all of this "new" LGB activity is as follows:
#1 Jeff Rowe, AAC commissioner, has been attempting to influence his colleagues since his agenda item in December 2016 to support the Jet Blue FIS request. He wanted his colleagues to support his 2016 annual report to city council that included a bashing on the HUSH2 organization and full support for the Jet Blue FIS facility. The AAC declined since they had not had that open discussion and Jeff was visibly beside himself.
With this latest coercion I am inclined to think he must have some heart strong attachment to either JB or aviation in general. Although, I too love the aviation world, love air travel, appreciate all the incredible opportunities it brings to us, I admit I feel stronger about protecting residents quality of life and protecting home values. Maybe Jeff is one of those passionate, can't let it go types. Let's hope he can realize the voice of the community should be far more important than that of the corporate world. Especially when it comes to an issue that will have a daily impact on a persons life, each and every day.
#2 The phone survey to gather support for the JB requested FIS facility has been making the rounds across our city. I will assume it is being orchestrated by the LB Chamber of Commerce and perhaps funded by JB. We'll try to confirm that next week.
The phone survey itself is misleading. They ask questions without giving the full details or specifics that are currently available. The city attorney indicates that a private entity cannot demand action be taken on city owned land. That should stop this effort, but let us know if you still are receiving these calls.
#3 Jeff Rowe, AAC commissioner, seems to be filled with boundless energy and focused on a mission for the Jet Blue requested facility. Not sure what he expects to find with his PR request, but we would happily provide him with copies of all of our documentation that explains the reasons to deny the FIS in Long Beach. What is his association with air travel? commercial carriers? airline industry?
So, keep your signs handy.....take a mental break, but always stay posted. Lots can happen in just a few days here in Long Beach :)
Three Recent Airport FIS Issues
Just when you thought the "international terminal" decision had been finalized, three new issues surfaced last week that are causing concern for many residents. In an effort to allay any fears of the council decision being overruled, I asked our City Attorney, Charles Parkin, to weigh in on these potential challenges:
#1: Airport Advisory Commission - on Thursday, 2/16, the AAC decided to place an item on their March agenda asking City Council to reconsider the FIS vote. I asked Charles Parkin if this unprecedented action to "second guess" a council vote falls within the purview of the AAC. He referenced Municipal Code Section 2.27.030 that describes the duties of the AAC. In part, the duties are "to study and analyze, for the purpose of evaluation and recommendation of policy, problems which have been referred to it by the City Council...". It may be important to note that the Jacobs FIS study was presented to the AAC at the request of the City Manager, not the City Council.
#2: FIS telephone survey - also on Thursday, 2/16, a telephone survey was conducted that some speculated was a prelude to a ballot measure asking voters to approve an FIS/international terminal. City Attorney Parkin opined that it is unlikely the FIS issue could be legislated by stating: "An initiative directing the City to build, operate and maintain an FIS, the answer at this time is we have serious doubts about the legality of an initiative for the FIS, it will require the analysis of the proposed measure as written, but I think it will be difficult to prepare an initiative to require the City to provide international services at the airport that would meet the legal requirements that it only extend to a legislative act and does not direct administrative acts or the management of the financial affairs of the City."
#3: Public Records Act request by AAC member - yesterday, we received a PRA request from Commissioner Jeff Rowe asking for "copies of all emails, telephone messages summaries and written correspondence regarding the Long Beach Airport sent and received by the mayor and all members of the city council between the dates of January 12, 2017 and January 26, 2017. I ask that this request include not only emails sent on the city email service but also emails sent on private email services regarding the airport in the timeframe indicated. I ask for a determination of this request within ten days." Jeff Rowe is the same commissioner who made the motion to ask city council to reconsider their FIS vote.
This is Councilman Supernaw's reaction, not Charles Parkin's: Our council office is required, by law, to comply with this request, and it will have an overwhelming impact on office staff. The time spent compiling these records, at tax payer expense, is time taken away from the normal duties of the council office that we try to run as efficiently as possible.
So, the HUSH2 interpretation of all of this "new" LGB activity is as follows:
#1 Jeff Rowe, AAC commissioner, has been attempting to influence his colleagues since his agenda item in December 2016 to support the Jet Blue FIS request. He wanted his colleagues to support his 2016 annual report to city council that included a bashing on the HUSH2 organization and full support for the Jet Blue FIS facility. The AAC declined since they had not had that open discussion and Jeff was visibly beside himself.
With this latest coercion I am inclined to think he must have some heart strong attachment to either JB or aviation in general. Although, I too love the aviation world, love air travel, appreciate all the incredible opportunities it brings to us, I admit I feel stronger about protecting residents quality of life and protecting home values. Maybe Jeff is one of those passionate, can't let it go types. Let's hope he can realize the voice of the community should be far more important than that of the corporate world. Especially when it comes to an issue that will have a daily impact on a persons life, each and every day.
#2 The phone survey to gather support for the JB requested FIS facility has been making the rounds across our city. I will assume it is being orchestrated by the LB Chamber of Commerce and perhaps funded by JB. We'll try to confirm that next week.
The phone survey itself is misleading. They ask questions without giving the full details or specifics that are currently available. The city attorney indicates that a private entity cannot demand action be taken on city owned land. That should stop this effort, but let us know if you still are receiving these calls.
#3 Jeff Rowe, AAC commissioner, seems to be filled with boundless energy and focused on a mission for the Jet Blue requested facility. Not sure what he expects to find with his PR request, but we would happily provide him with copies of all of our documentation that explains the reasons to deny the FIS in Long Beach. What is his association with air travel? commercial carriers? airline industry?
So, keep your signs handy.....take a mental break, but always stay posted. Lots can happen in just a few days here in Long Beach :)