PRESENT: Chair: M. Kaplowitz. Members: U. LaMotte; V. Pinto;

J. Maisano.

STAFF: Steve Bass; Rob Hoch; Charlotte Ryer, Sec’y.

Legislator Kay Carsky

ALSO PRESENT: Comm. Marvin Church, Dep. Comm. Henry Stanton, Bob Funicello, (DOT); Rob Bracchitta, Joel Russell-Mgr., James Bagli-Actg. Mgr., Irene W. Sandford (WC/Airport); William Weaver-President, Bill Maloney-Dir./Opers., Richard Johnen-Aircraft Sales; Michael Mason-Sec’y/Treas.; Millie H. Becker-President (Westchester Air/WestAir); Edmund F. Conderas-Vice Pres., Ken Healy-Charter Sales, James E. Booth-Gen’l. Mgr. (Panorama Flight Service); Gina D’Agrosa (Dept./Plng.); Bill Randolph (CEO); Nancy Seligson (EMC); Katharine McLoughlin (NYLCV).

The meeting was called to order at 3:37 p.m.. The minutes were held over until the next Committee meeting. Chair Kaplowitz introduced the various guests present at today’s meeting in which the topic of Light General Aviation Facility (LGA), and the proposed 30-year lease (at the Westchester County Airport), will be discussed. Chair noted that last Monday, the Committee on Budget and Appropriations discussed and signed the proposal for public hearing purposes. Commissioner Marvin Church gave a brief presentation on the term known as LGA, which was adopted and designated to the segment of the non-commercial aviation community which is categorized by the use of small aircraft – usually propeller-driven and owned by private citizens for recreation and private business use. The policy statement provides for the development of facilities for three components of the aviation community; commercial airlines, corporate aviation, and light general aviation. The development of these facilities and preparation of the leases were guided by the

BOL’s 1985 Statement of Airport Policy, outlining specific design and compliance to the 1986 Airport Master Plan Update. Commissioner Church continued with a detailed description of the facilities, noting that the County has funded the basic construction improvements with Airport revenue and other non-County funds, (no tax levy money has been invested in these projects.) The leases also provide for the operators to construct maintenance and storage hangars as a part of their matching investment, and at the end of the 30-year lease term, the buildings will become County property.

Commissioner Church then called on Joel Russell, Airport Manager, to give a brief overview. Mr. Russell commented on the economics involved with light general aviation, noting that LGA is not economically powerful, meaning it does not generate a lot of money. He continued, outlining the specific agreements that have been proposed and in the negotiating process. The process must address the general goals of the 1986 Master Plan and the associated impact statement, and the specific instructions of the 1997 SEIS, which focused on the construction and operation of the facility. In 1997, an RFP committee was formed that included the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner of Transportation and representatives from the County’s Legal Department, the Airport Advisory Board, and support staff from the County Airport staff. In December, 1997 the RFP was issued with 47 copies distributed to individuals and various organizations. In January 1998, a mandatory pre-proposal meeting was held and attended by nine potential bidders. In February 1998, two proposals were received and negotiations commenced. Mr. Russell then introduced the representatives who were directly involved in the negotiations - from Panorama Flight Service, Ed Conderas, Ken Healy and Jim Booth – from WestAir Aviation Services, Bill Weaver, Mike Mason, and from Westchester Air, Millie Becker, Bill Maloney and Richard Johnen. The LGA lease is for the lease of County land and County supplied improvements, such as asphalt, access roads, automobile parking, lighting, fencing, etc.

The lease also provides that WestAir and Panorama are required to build a hangar facility and T-hangar facilities, and that they will provide the LGA services for 30-years. The services include; aircraft parking/tiedowns, T-hangars, hangar space, aircraft rental and sales, aircraft charter and management, aircraft maintenance, and the sale of aviation gas. The discussion continued with visual aids. The LGA legislation was signed out for public hearing.

With no further business to discuss, on the motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Kaplowitz, the meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.