Keep the Airport ‘Under Control’

To the displeasure of many and the satisfaction of others, Long Beach Airport has indeed matured over the years. With this comes the ever-increasing responsibility for maintaining the safety and security of those who patronize that facility. As with any enterprise, inflation and basic costs associated with doing business tend to grow in proportion to the maturity of that operation.

As chairman of the Airport Affairs Committee, it is my charge to see that the facility is operated in a safe, secure, self-sufficient, businesslike manner. I believe the new rates and fees structure, unanimously adopted by the City Council, takes a critical first step toward this objective.

Authority over the structure of the airport rates and fees apportions the City Council significant control over that operation. Be assured, we will never consciously relinquish such control and indeed, will seek to enhance it whenever and wherever possible.

A case in point is the acceptance of federal entitlements that has inaccurately become synonymous with expansion of the airport.

As part of the rates and fees proposal, the Airport Affairs Committee recommended that the council overturn its 1986 resolution and agree to accept and fully utilize federal funds, to which the city is entitled, for needed facility and safety improvements--not for expansion.

Based on the opinion of our deputy city attorney (who is lauded as an expert in this field), refusal or acceptance of federal entitlements neither enhances nor diminishes local control of the airport. In reality, operation of the airport is constrained by federal regulations and statutes, including the U.S. Constitution, which are in place whether the city accepts federal entitlements or not.

In 1986, the Federal Aviation Administration proposed an “access and capacity” policy that would have significantly weakened local control of municipal airports. Subsequently, the proposal was dropped and has never been implemented.

Should such action arise in the future, then certainly we would immediately review our policy on federal funding. Further, all grant applications for federal monies must first come before the City Council. Again, rest assured that grants relating to the operation of the airport will be closely scrutinized for any conditions that may impede the city’s control over the airport.

More important than city control over the airport is keeping the airport “under control.” The city is currently involved in litigation over the airlines’ request to increase daily flights. Further, the Los Angeles Times, the Southern California Assn. of Governments and other regional organizations have called on the city to acquiesce and expand the Long Beach Airport in the name of “regional responsibility.”

I am steadfastly opposed to expansion of the airport. And further, I will continue to seek ways to enhance the quality of our neighborhoods rather than destroy them.

As chairman of the Airport Affairs Committee, I will take an active and diligent role in overseeing the airport and will continue to solicit advice over its operation from the Airport Advisory Commission, airport users and, in particular, those residents most impacted.

As council representative for the 8th District, I assure you that it is the “quality of life” principle that remains foremost in which any decisions I forward are based--especially those concerning Long Beach Airport.

JEFFREY A. KELLOGG

Long Beach councilman

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