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  • Assessment of Jacobs FIS Feasibility Study

Community Meeting #2

5/5/2016

 
On April 20th over 150 residents attended the 2nd obligatory community meeting to display the scope of work for Jacobs Engineering.  Jacobs was selected to provide a study on the feasibility of international flights at LGB.  

It was clear after nearly three hours of public testimony that the majority of community members are not in favor of approving this enhancement to our municipal airport.

Mr. Peters, spokesperson for Jacobs Eng., made several comments that told us he was not clear on why the residents are worried about this approval.  

#1 -  Mr. Peters stated that the study will only define the impacts that fall under our Long Beach noise ordinance.  "The noise ordinance is a given."  That is the concern that most people have.  It is NOT a given!  It can be challenged at any time by any entity that may feel it could benefit from a change or elimination of the ordinance.  Our Long Beach history shows this to be a fact.  A fact as recent as 2003 when American Airlines suggested they were being left out and wanted 4 additional slots to not pursue litigation.  They got what they asked for.

#2 -  He continued to state that the study will address the regional economic impacts the FIS facility would bring to the southern California area.  The public reiterated that this is NOT a regional issue, first and foremost it must be a Long Beach issue!  They also asked that this study include both the positive and negative impacts on the residents and their quality of life, health, educational environments and property values should this move forward.  The audience was told that the scope has already been determined and does not include this specific.  They were also advised that the 2007 EIR would be used for assumptions made within this document.

#3 -  "The economic benefit will include the increase in jobs in the region".  The public again asked that it include the types of jobs and the pay scales.  Again siting that jobs versus property values must be considered in the final analysis.  

Mr. Curt Castagna of Aeroplex made the comment that the airport tenants provide $11M to the general fund.  This is misleading to the audience.  The $11M dollars arrives in the general fund as payment for both police and fire services that are required on the airport site.  It is not money spent to pave sidewalks and streets or improve  recreation programs for the citizens of Long Beach.

Our other concern is that they did not identify the charter market should this FIS enhancement be approved by the city council.  The charter industry is growing throughout the world and is worthy of being included in potential impacts to our communities.  Charter flights do have their own noise bucket.  

They did state they will be addressing the possible growth of general aviation.  Today the general aviation noise bucket is at 41% capacity showing much room for allowable growth.   This is especially important to the 5th and 7th council districts since general aviation primarily uses 25R and 25L that fly directly over these neighborhoods.  

The message to each of you is to educate yourselves on what is at stake.  Communicate directly with your council representatives and cc all other council districts as well as the mayor.  The mayor sets the tone and direction, the council votes to approve or deny.

We will continue to update on other airport related subjects.  We welcome any questions or opinions as well.  We are all in this together.  Remember, we agree, it is not about where the aircraft are flying to or from, it is about the peripheral results should Long Beach be approved for international travel.  Long Beach is A "City of Neighborhoods" and the health and well being of its citizens should always be the council's first priority.

 


Dave Stevens
5/5/2016 01:42:03 pm

Why hasn't recall efforts of Mayor Garcia and Council members Mungo and Uranga been initiated? This is our neighborhood and they are not representing or protecting us.

Rae Gabelich
5/6/2016 12:37:18 pm

Dave, It takes a strong community group from the area of the recall, a serious time commitment and some money. When Mungo made her "You can leave and we'll get more revenue..." statement there was a group that collected the initial 20 signatures required to file, but then they never carried through. Sometimes the simple act of completing the filing is enough to get an elected's attention. It also will affect any
future office they may have their eyes on. Remember the James Johnson recall after his assault on the redistricting of the 8th district. Those residents took their role seriously.

Dave Stevens
5/6/2016 12:53:55 pm

Thank you Rae for sharing your insights.

Richard Gutmann
5/12/2016 10:31:46 am

Someone stole my Sony digital recorder at that meeting. If anyone knows who it was, please email me at rwgutmann@gmail.com. I would very much appreciate your effort.

Birgit De La Torre
5/12/2016 11:01:22 am

Is it known if the FIS approval process will include a new EIR? I would guess no, especially since this feasability study's scope does not address the possibility of growth.

Is there a mechanism to get the scope of the study to include the above mentioned missing pieces?

Rae Gabelich
5/12/2016 02:42:12 pm

Birgit, this study does not include a new EIR. If they find they believe it warrants one they will recommend it when they present to the city council. The council would then have to vote to request one, but highly doubt this will happen. They may say because they are all operating under the noise ordinance limitations of restricted flights it is not necessary. My guess at best would be a negative dec. The council set the scope of the study, so it seems they would be the body to add other criteria. Again, highly doubt this will occur!

Fred Esch
5/12/2016 11:17:58 am

Let's all keep in mind that Jacobs Engineering is the 39th largest US government contractor in terms of $. Their prime business is building and enlarging airport facilities. So we know what their incentive is before the study is even completed. We need a neutral consulting firm to do the feasibility study. Furthermore, any facility change should be weighed against the grant provided to find a re-use of the C-17 facilities. I think the airport should remain as it is, domestic only. Any International or charter business if allowed should be part of the re-use of the C-17 buildings plan and roadway access to and from the C-17 buildings currently not being used. This would not impact the current traffic to the airport, and would be now worse than when the C017 facilities were up and running during shift change.

Mike
5/12/2016 11:26:15 am

Fred, Well said! You need to put your comments in the public record!

Dave Stevens
5/12/2016 01:43:44 pm

Fred,
Good points regarding new use for the closed C-17 facility. Have you read the Frasca and Associates report of 2013? Unfortunately, it did not address Int'l charter flights, air freight or general aviation. Someone indicated their concern about Int'l general aviation, if LGB is not going to be a port of entry, then any international flights would have to comply with the hours of operation for the FIS. We all know how that will go, soon to be 24/7 and if the Governor supports it.

Fred Esch
5/12/2016 02:18:06 pm

Dave, we all know how crony capitalism works in WDC, once the USG gets involved, the lobbyists and corporations with their campaign fund donations start steam rolling their way over our puny city council and lawyers. Even most of our city council members have fantasies of someday being a representative to Congress, so best not get in the way of big money sponsors, and hence they will cave. It's a fact of life as long as money rules WDC and politics in general. Corporations always win.

James Stok
5/12/2016 11:20:43 am

I'm a resident in Dist. # 4 and also own a small apt. bldg. with 3 tenants and own 2 other houses in Dist. # 4. I feel that the International Status and increased flights will be detrimental to me in several ways. I'll write, as you suggested, letters to the Mayor etc. Can I count on Long Beach Neighborhoods First to notify me of Council meetings regarding the "International" issue so I can attend? As well, suggestions of further actions that I can do? Thank You!

Mike
5/12/2016 11:35:45 am

James, Call your Councilman Supernaw! Tell him he campaigned on protecting the ordinance. He'll tell you he opposed the FIS (just like Austin told me)! Tell him if he wants to keep his job, he better start lobbying his fellow council members and get them to vote against the project! That's the game they play and he has been going along with the others since elected... I'd think he has a few chips to cash in by now! But again voting for stuff constituents are against and saying it was going to pass anyway is part of their game too.

Rich Lindemann
5/13/2016 12:32:35 am

Mike, I don't know what district you live in, but here in the 4th, Daryl Supernaw has been committed to protecting the Airport as a long time member of HUSH and now HUSH2. There are 9 council districts and only 3 are committed. Not good odds when #5 Mungo whose district includes the airport is all in favor of the change. I had heard that there was a recall started, but nothing happened, that should have been on the ballot for June7th and the other one is Susie Price in #3 who's area is also affected by the flights! The other districts - #1, 2(who gets a new member in June), 6 and 10 apparently it is someone elses problem and are solidly backed by unions, Police/Fire and Garcia. Remember, we dodged a bullet when we didn't elect (bought and paid for CHICO) or then the 4 would be voting for the expansion too.

Rae Gabelich
5/12/2016 02:46:19 pm

James, I empathize with your concerns for your tenants and your investments. Our family has investments on the take off side of LGB.

Yes, now that you are signed into LBNF you will receive notifications of new blog posts that will include council dates.

James Stok
5/12/2016 05:07:45 pm

Thank you Rae. I plan on getting more involved and to help stop this expansion (International etc.) to our airport.

By the way, the Los Altos folks squashed the attempt by Del Taco Corp. and Centerra Development Group to put a Del Taco 24 hr. drive thru at the corner of Abbeyfield and Bellflower Blvd during the Planning Commissioner's Hearing last Thursday. This would have passed and been a real disaster for residents close by if not for the hard work of committed residents to show up to the Hearing and voice their opposition.

I know that the Airport is a much bigger issue with tougher people to oppose, but, I think we can do it if we all commit and show solidarity.

James Stok
5/18/2016 08:38:15 am

Hi Rae,
Are there currently city, cty. or Fed. funds available to soundproof homes and apts.that are directly under the flight path? Second question regarding the proposed international status, will there be funds available to soundproof?
Thanks,
Jim

Ron Peters
5/12/2016 01:08:05 pm

I attended the meeting on April 20th and it was very informative. I wasn't sure going in, but I am now convinced that the City Council is dead set on going forward with this, seemingly blind to the possible negative effects on our neighborhoods. Unless we stand up to this, it will be pushed through.

Does anyone know when the final "feasibility study" is supposed ot be completed and if it will be made public? It was not clear from the meeting.

Ray, it was nice meeting you that night. Please send me my lawn sign so I can spread the word to my neighbors.

Thanks.

Joe Sopo
5/12/2016 01:43:47 pm

Ron Peters, plz sign up on website, longbeachneighborsfirst.com and request a sign. Anybody can do that. We will keep members alert to important up coming meetings.

Mike
5/12/2016 10:23:44 pm

Many cities leaders really do care about their residents health, saftey, quality of life and their property values... sadly Long Beach isn't amoung them. ? What have other cities done to address residents concerns? A. Human Risk Health Studies. I say it's past time our Council have such a steady done. They apparently are willing to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on this FIS study, Why not let all residnets know the health perils from existing operations, much less one with international flights which will increase operations even if they stay within our ordiance, the airport currently subjects our citizens to? What some back ground information, need something to put on the public record... read the following, your family's future health may is at stake.

http://www.areco.org/studies.htm

Susan Kollins
5/13/2016 12:40:48 pm

Recalls can be started for reasons of preforance dislike? Iam in Mungo's district and it's 10 to 1 on the Nextdoorneighbor blog with her unpopularity. She is on the blog, but never responds to neighborhood issues, I.e. traffic, soccer field artificial turf, etc. We have to go through the opaque government sites to try to find her. I would expect retaliation, my husband is fearful.

Fred Esch
5/13/2016 01:36:40 pm

It troubles me when a single family are all in the political or community or government sector, making their livelihood off the taxpayers. The Uranga's is an example. Tonya was the 7th District council member who tried to go beyond term limits and do a write in for a 3rd term. Jim Johnson beat her. When Jim ran for City Attorney, her husband, stepped in, gave up his City College Board position after he won to take the job. Now both of them plus another Uranga is running in the polls to be representatives to the California Dem Convention. These are all signs of ones who wish to be career politicians. In my book it makes them also open to lobbyist and corporate fund raising influences. Keep in mind that Mr. Uranga won the 7th District seat by garnering a measly 1800 votes. It's the people's fault who live in the 7th district for not bothering to vote. When I saw that I about puked. I said, one could have paid 2000 people to go vote and offered them a C-note each and won for $200K. When someone can win a city council position with only 11% of the vote, that's saying something. So encourage your neighbors to VOTE in the primaries, vote AGAINST the establishment and put NEW people into government!

Rae Gabelich
5/18/2016 10:14:34 am

Jim, The sound proofing program that is approved by FAA guidelines was completed several years ago. They determine what homes are eligible based on the level of noise within the LGB footprint. You can speak directly with Ron Reeves at LGB for specific details and see if your home falls within those boundaries. I'd be interested in hearing what he tells you. Ron can be reached at 562 570-2665.

Raman Vasishth
10/25/2016 09:11:24 am

I would like let you sleeping beauties know that I’ve provided some information in the link below that shows today at 4PM and at 6PM, in the City Council building, the city will hold its final meetings to discuss the airport expansion. It will last 2 hours and the folks there will read the entire FIS word for word before entertaining questions. My guess is the city try to limit the number of questions and the time the public can ask in free form.
Some in this group appear to have already missed the meeting help on 10/20/16. Based on your posts, it also appears many of you believe the noise ordinance has something to do with the expansion effort. That is not true. The noise ordinance will not affect the expansion whatsoever. Additionally, it appears the website may need to update the city council member of District 2 because the Lowenthal termed out a while back and was replaced. Here is the link that also contains all the final documents the city will use in justifying the airport expansion. I certainly hope that I will see some of you out there. http://www.lgb.org/information/fis_feasibility_study/default.asp








Ranan Vasishth
10/25/2016 09:18:09 am

Sorry folks, I'm aware that some do not click on links. I will therefor post some of the key information in the link. In doing so I hope that nobody will be able to say the information to when the meeting is unclear:
A presentation of the FIS study, a report on the City Attorney’s analysis, as well as an opportunity for public comment, will be included on the respective agendas of the following public commission meetings:
Airport Advisory Commission (AAC)
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Long Beach Gas & Oil Auditorium
2400 East Spring Street
6:30 pm


Economic Development Commission (EDC)
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
City Council Chambers
333 West Ocean Boulevard
EDC meeting begins at 4:00 pm; study session to be addressed at 6:00 pm

The City Council directed the study to be available to the public at least 15 days before the first City Council meeting and discussion. The City Council is tentatively scheduled to receive the presentation and public input from the two commission meetings on November 15, 2016.


FIS Feasibility Study

FIS Feasibility Study - Appendix A. Market Analysis

FIS Feasibility Study - Appendix B. Environmental Compliance Assessment

FIS Feasibility Study - Appendix C. Economic Impact

FIS Feasibility Study - Appendix D. FIS Facility Siting Alternatives

FIS Feasibility Study - Appendix E. LGB Scope and Capability Analysis

FIS Feasibility Study - Appendix F. Rough Order of Magnitude Cost Estimate

FIS Feasibility Study - Appendix G. Financial Feasibility Report

FIS Feasibility Study - Appendix H. FAQs and Public Comments

FIS Feasibility Study - Complete Document

City Attorney's Opinion Regarding FIS

FAA Opinion Regarding FIS

FIS Presentation - Airport Advisory Commission - 10/20/16

# # #

Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., the firm selected to provide a comprehensive Feasibility Study for a Federal Inspections Facility (FIS) at Long Beach Airport, held two community meetings on March 30 and April 20, 2016, in order to present the scope of the study, introduce the members of the Jacobs team, and provide responses to questions about various components of the study.


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