Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: JULY 15, 2025
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: STEPHEN BISE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
PREPARED BY: BRENDAN O’REILLY, AIRPORT MANAGER
SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN CITY OF FULLERTON AND WISK AERO, LLC. FOR VERTIPORT INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGIC PLANNING EFFORTS
SUMMARY
Approve Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between City of Fullerton and Wisk Aero, LLC. This MOU will serve to establish a collaborative relationship between the two parties.
PROPOSED MOTION
Approve MOU between City of Fullerton and Wisk Aero, LLC.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Do not approve MOU and provide direction to staff
Modify the MOU prior to approval
Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Proposed Motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
We have been in discussions with WISK going back to 2024 with then Mayor Dunlap.
I believe this MOU provides a unique & exciting opportunity for the City to be involved in an emerging industry.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statements:
Public Safety
Infrastructure and City Assets.
FISCAL IMPACT
This MOU has no known or contemplated fiscal impact to the City at this time. However, the MOU states each Party shall separately bear and has sole responsibility for its costs associated with preparation, negotiation and execution of this MOU and any transaction or activity contemplated hereunder, unless otherwise agreed upon by the Parties in writing only if the entity or City agrees to perform certain work.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Airport staff met with Wisk Aero, LLC representatives in March 2024. Wisk Aero, LLC is a leading electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) technologies developer. The discussions explored the potential for introducing UAM services at the Fullerton Municipal Airport. Subsequently, Wisk Aero officials visited the airport in June 2024 and expressed interest in the Fullerton Airport as a potential candidate to host electric air taxis, also referred to as UAM.
This MOU establishes ongoing discussions and information sharing between the two parties to streamline commencing UAM operations at Fullerton Airport. The MOU has a one-year term and aims to assist Airport staff with preparing the airport for this exciting new technology. While it is non-binding and does not grant Wisk operational authority at the Airport, the MOU allows for structured, ongoing dialogue and exchange of technical information to evaluate the feasibility of UAM operations at the Fullerton Municipal Airport.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Draft MOU between City of Fullerton and Wisk Aero, LLC. cc: City Manager Eric J. Levitt
MOU Between City of Fullerton and Wisk Aero, LLC.
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