Notice of Opportunity for Public Comment

San Luis Obispo County
Airport Passenger Facility Charge (PFC)
Application No. 10

Subject: Notice of Opportunity for Public Comment
Date of Public Notice: May 13, 2022

The County of San Luis Obispo intends to file an application with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to impose a Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) to collect funds for improvement projects at San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, located in San Luis Obispo County, California. The application for the PFC is done in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 158 “Passenger Facility Charges.” This notice is intended to give adequate time for public review and comment of the identified projects on the proposed PFC application.

The County intends to use the PFC funds to finance eligible projects and to reimburse the airport fund for the local airport share of projects. As a part of this notice, certain elements are required and are as follows:

  • Proposed Charge Effective Date: 10/1/2022
  • Estimated Charge Expiration Date: 7/31/2029
  • Proposed Charge Rate: $4.50 per Enplaned Passenger
  • Estimated Total PFC Revenue to be Collected/Used: $7,836,913

Any comments on the proposed PFC Application, including agreement or disagreement with any of the proposed projects, should be addressed to Ms. Courtney Johnson, Director of Airports; 975 Airport Dr., San Luis Obispo, CA. 93401. All comments should be received no later than thirty (30) days from the date of this notice.

Project Name:

Conduct/Update Drainage Study – (SBP)

PFC Project:

#1

Total PFC Revenue for Project:

$32,905

PFC Collection Authority Requested: Impose and Use

Project Description:

This project will reimburse the Airport Sponsor for AIP eligible costs not covered by Airport Improvement Program grants to conduct a drainage study to manage stormwater effectively and holistically at SBP and comply with regulatory standards, including 33 USC Section 1251 Federal Water Pollution Control Act and California Low Impact Development requirements. This project will evaluate the existing stormwater system and identify facility modifications that are needed to achieve compliance with regulatory standards. The anticipated work effort includes compiling infrastructure data and design criteria; evaluating applicable stormwater management and FAA requirements; evaluating potential future weather conditions; evaluating existing stormwater conditions; developing future stormwater management strategy; developing a Stormwater Master Plan; and providing project management and agency coordination.

Project Justification:

The existing stormwater system at SBP is the product of various drainage improvements that were installed over the many years of the airport’s existence. Changing weather patterns have affected the stormwater system’s ability to adequately handle stormwater flows. In addition, stormwater regulations have evolved over time and the existing stormwater system no longer meets current regulatory standards, including recently updated California Low Impact Development requirements and FAA requirements. The existing stormwater system requires modifications to meet current standards. This project is considered airport development as defined in 49 USC Section 47102 (3)(F) since it improves the airport in a manner necessary for compliance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 USC Section 1251; and meets the FAA standards to protect and enhance the environment. This project will enhance airport safety and capacity by ensuring that the airport stormwater system adequately removes water from airfield pavements and maintains pavements in a useable state. The project meets PFC eligibility criteria in accordance with 14 CFR 158.15 (b)(2) since it is an airport planning project eligible under subchapter 1 of chapter 471 of 49 USC.

 

 

Project Name:

Electrical Vault Replacement – (SBP)

PFC Project:

#2

Total PFC Revenue for Project:

$106,289

PFC Collection Authority Requested: Impose Only

Project Description:

This project will reimburse the Airport Sponsor for the AIP eligible portion of the total design and construction costs that are not covered by Airport Improvement Program grants. This project will construct a new airfield electrical vault and relocate the existing back-up generator. The project includes a new vault building, replacement of hardware and software, regulators, and other AIP eligible vault equipment. Project work items will include installing new conduit ducts and extending electrical cables (up to about 500-feet) to connect to existing airfield lighting systems and FAA facilities. The old electrical vault will be demolished and removed from the site. The project includes various professional services including pre-design services, environmental analysis, engineering design, bid and award services, and construction administration services that will be provided during the construction phase.

 

Project Justification:

The existing airfield electrical vault is located in a vehicle parking lot that is not within the secure boundary of the air operations area (AOA). The vault is readily accessible to the public, which makes it vulnerable to threats from dangerous individuals. Unauthorized entry, vandalism, tampering and interference with the airport electrical system would jeopardize continuous and safe operation of the runway and taxiway lighting system and FAA navigational facilities. In addition, the electrical system is out of date and no longer conforms to the latest electrical codes. San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport provides scheduled air carrier operations and is therefore certificated by the FAA under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 139. San Luis Obispo County must take actions to ensure that the airfield electrical system can operate continuously without interruption that could be caused by potential security risks.  This project is a construction project to improve a public use airport and is considered airport development eligible under subchapter 1 of chapter 471 of 49 USC. This project will preserve security and meet PFC eligibility criteria in accordance with 14 CFR 158.15 (b)(1).

 

Project Name:

Terminal Apron and Site N Rehabilitation – (SBP)

PFC Project:

#3

Total PFC Revenue for Project:

$ 1,750,545

PFC Collection Authority Requested: Impose and Use

Project Description:

This project will reimburse the Airport Sponsor the total AIP eligible cost for design and construction to rehabilitate the common-use pavement areas of the passenger terminal apron and the Site N. The project will rehabilitate the common-use apron and taxilanes by repairing approximately 23,800 linear feet (LF) of PCC joints, repairing 18,400 LF of cracks, replacing about 100 square feet of spalling PCC pavement, and applying approximately 40,000 square yards of asphalt surface treatment. The apron will be remarked after repairs are made.  The project includes various professional services including pre-design services, environmental analysis, engineering design, bid and award services, and construction administration services that will be provided during the construction phase.

 

Project Justification:

The apron surrounding the concourse is constructed using both concrete and asphalt, whereas taxilanes at Site N are asphalt. The pavement requires periodic maintenance to replace joint seals installed between the slabs. In some areas, the joint seals have deteriorated to a point that water is able to seep between the joints into the structural fill thereby causing subsurface instability and weakness. In addition, the concrete pavement is beginning to spall at edges and corners due to its prolonged use. Asphalt pavements are also forming cracks due to prolonged use. Concrete and asphalt that spalls and ravels into smaller pieces can create foreign object debris (FOD) which can be ingested into aircraft engines. Preventative maintenance is required to ensure safe operations and preserve pavement integrity. This construction project will improve a public use airport by repairing airport facilities that are needed for transferring passengers and baggage. The project will preserve airport safety by rehabilitating the existing apron to extend its useful life and minimize the potential for pavement failure, which creates FOD. The project is considered airport development eligible under subchapter 1 of chapter 471 of 49 USC and meets PFC eligibility criteria in accordance with 14 CFR 158.15 (b)(1).

 

Project Name:

Construct New Taxiway E; Remove Taxiways E & F; and Construct Taxiway C (South) – (SBP)

PFC Project:

#4

Total PFC Revenue for Project:

$369,696

 

PFC Collection Authority Requested: Impose and Use

Project Description:

This project will reimburse the Airport Sponsor for the AIP eligible portion of the total design and construction costs that are not covered by Airport Improvement Program grants. The project will reconfigure Taxiways E and F and construct a new section of Taxiway C. Existing Taxiways E and F will be removed, and a single replacement Taxiway E (250’ x 50’) will be constructed in their place. A new section of Taxiway C (approximately 315’x50’) will be constructed to the south of Runway 11-29. Abandoned pavement at the end of Runway 25 and at existing Taxiways E and F will be demolished and removed. Work items include full structural pavement sections, modifying taxiway and runway edge lights and signs, changing taxiway and runway identification signs, and painting pavement markings. The project includes various professional services including environmental analysis, pre-design services, engineering design, bid and award services, and construction administration services that will be provided during the construction phase.

Project Justification:

Taxiways E and F were originally designed and constructed in accordance with appropriate airport design practices at the time. Since their original construction, FAA has re-evaluated its safety recommendations and revised airfield design standards to improve airport safety. Taxiways E and F are acute-angled taxiways that were originally aligned with the end of Runway 25. The taxiway geometry no longer complies with current FAA airport design standards and the taxiway configurations are considered non-standard conditions that must be corrected. Finally, an exit taxiway leading to the general aviation area does not exist to the south of Runway 11-29. This project will enhance airport safety by eliminating the non-standard acute-angled Taxiways E and F.  This project will improve a public use airport by reconfiguring taxiways that are needed for transferring passengers and baggage. The project is considered airport development eligible under subchapter 1 of chapter 471 of 49 USC and meets PFC eligibility criteria in accordance with 14 CFR 158.15 (b)(1).

 

Project Name:

Reconstruct Taxiway L; Relocate Site N Connector; – (SBP)

PFC Project:

#5

Total PFC Revenue for Project:

$ 3,095,943

PFC Collection Authority Requested: Impose Only

Project Description:

This project will reimburse the Airport Sponsor the total AIP eligible cost for design and construction to reconstruct Taxiway L and relocate the Site N Connector taxiway. The project will use an asphalt structural pavement section to reconstruct Taxiway L and construct a new access taxiway between Taxiway A and the Site N hangar area. A portion of the existing holding apron at the end of Runway 11-29 and a small access taxiway between Taxiway A and Site N will be demolished and removed. Taxiway L will be reconstructed (250’ x 50’) between Runway 11-29 and Taxiway A. Taxiway edge lights and signs will be modified as required to accommodate the new taxiway configuration and new pavement markings will be painted. The project includes various professional services including environmental analysis, pre-design services, engineering design, bid and award services, and construction administration services that will be provided during the construction phase.

Project Justification:

Taxiway L is constructed using asphalt which requires periodic maintenance and repair as the pavement deteriorates over time. Taxiway L has a PCI rating of 40, which indicates that the pavement is weak and must be reconstructed to maintain an operational taxiway. In addition, FAA design standards have been updated over time to enhance airport safety. An existing hold apron is located within the Runway 11-29 Runway Safety Area, and the taxiway that serves the Site N hangar area provides direct access between the apron and runway. These two airfield elements no longer comply with current FAA design standards and are considered non-standard conditions that must be corrected. This project will enhance airport safety by eliminating non-standard conditions as well as providing required pavement maintenance.  The project is considered airport development eligible under subchapter 1 of chapter 471 of 49 USC and meets PFC eligibility criteria in accordance with 14 CFR 158.15 (b)(1).

 

Project Name:

Construct New Taxiway H – (SBP)

PFC Project:

#6

Total PFC Revenue for Project:

$2,417,435

 

PFC Collection Authority Requested: Impose Only

Project Description:

This project will reimburse the Airport Sponsor the total AIP eligible cost to design and construct a new Taxiway H between Runway 11-29 and Taxiway A. The new taxiway will replace the existing Taxiway H which does not meet current FAA design standards. The new Taxiway H will be constructed approximately 250’ long and 50’ wide using an asphalt structural pavement section. Taxiway edge lights and signs will be modified as required to accommodate the new taxiway configuration and new pavement marking will be painted. The existing acute-angled Taxiway H will be demolished and removed. The project includes various professional services including environmental analysis, pre-design services, engineering design, bid and award services, and construction administration services that will be provided during the construction phase.

Project Justification:

FAA design standards have been revised to enhance airport safety since Taxiway H was originally constructed. Taxiway H has an acute-angle alignment that no longer complies with current FAA design standards and the taxiway must be corrected. This project will enhance airport safety by eliminating non-standard conditions as well as providing required pavement maintenance.  The project is considered airport development eligible under subchapter 1 of chapter 471 of 49 USC and meets PFC eligibility criteria in accordance with 14 CFR 158.15 (b)(1).

 

Project Name:

PFC Application Administrative Services – (SBP)

PFC Project:

#7

Total PFC Revenue for Project:

$ 64,100

 

PFC Collection Authority Requested: Impose and Use

Project Description:

This project will reimburse the County for all professional consulting service costs presently being incurred to prepare a Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) application and supporting documents needed to submit to the FAA to obtain approval to impose and use PFCs. The project includes preparing a PFC application, preparing for and attending an airline consultation meeting and coordinating the related activities and processes preparatory to obtaining FAA approval of the PFC application. The PFC application includes preparing project descriptions, project justifications, project location graphics, public notices, and other material that might be required or requested by the airlines or FAA.

Project Justification:

Successful implementation of the Airport Capital Improvement Program will require the use of PFC funds to maintain low airport rates and charges. FAA approval of a PFC application is required before the Airport Sponsor is authorized to collect Passenger Facility Charges. Due to the limited number of airport staff and their available capacity, a consultant is required to assist with PFC application services. Retaining a PFC consultant will ensure that PFC applications are filed in accordance with FAA rules and regulations. This project enhances capacity and meets PFC eligibility criteria in accordance with 14 CFR 158.15 (b)(2) since it is considered an administrative cost.

 

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