REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Patrick Brenden, Council Member
Barbara Delgleize, Council Member
Subject:
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Councilmember Item Submitted by Councilmembers Brenden and Delgleize for the September 17, 2018 Meeting - Creation of Jet Noise Commission
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Statement of Issue:
The Air Traffic Noise Working Group (ATNWG) was formed by City Council on January 8, 2018 and subsequently held regular monthly meetings, convened meetings with the Long Beach Airport, and held a successful Town Hall Meeting with over 200 attendees. The key objectives of the working group were as follows: 1) define and prioritize remedies/identify where authority/control resides; 2) acquire technical information and flight data that supports the case; 3) establish a working dialogue with the Federal Aviation Administration, the airlines, Long Beach Airport, and other parties who can help to effect change; 4) if necessary activate a letter writing/email campaign to enlist community involvement; 5) if necessary, assess the feasibility of legal action; 6) conduct a community meeting within 90 days; and 7) provide the community with ongoing updates via the City’s website. Through its meetings, the ATNWG concluded that there is a significant increase in commercial jet noise over Huntington Beach and it is negatively impacting the quality of life of residents, especially those most directly under the new and concentrated air traffic routes.
The substantial noise increase is a direct result of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) modernization program referred to as “Next Gen.” This is not a unique situation to the City and is actually a nationwide problem, with municipalities across the nation taking action against the FAA. To date, the FAA has been reluctant to address noise issues anywhere in the county. As a result, the City will need a long-term commitment to continue the fight to reduce jet noise over the City. The consensus amongst the ATNWG that a Jet Noise Commission be created to continually monitor this issue and work collaboratively with neighboring cities, regulatory bodies, airlines, and staff to monitor the impact of commercial jet noise on the quality of life in Huntington Beach and advise the City Council and City Attorney on issues and proposed remedies. The Commission would be similar to other City Commissions and would consist of two City Council liaisons, a Staff liaison, and have seven at-large members. The scope of the Commission would be limited to the commercial aviation traffic over the City.
Recommended Action:
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Direct the City Manager to work with the City Attorney to amend the Municipal Code to create a Jet Noise Commission and work with the City Council Liaisons to craft application guidelines for the Commission Members within the next 90 days.
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