E-1
CITY OF MERCED
REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS TUESDAY
MERCED CIVIC CENTER APRIL 28, 2021
678 W. 18TH STREET
MERCED, CA
A. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Michael Bodine called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
B. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Michael Bodine, Travis Colby, Bill Rudd, Robert Scoble, Cheryl Hirsch
Members Absent: Cuauhtemoc Diaz
Members Excused: Jim Song
Staff Present: Martin Pehl, Karen Baker and Frank Quintero C. AUTHORITY BUSINESS
1. RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR PREFERRED AIR
CARRIER PROPOSAL IN RESPONSE TO THE UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S "ORDER REQUESTING
PROPOSALS" FOR AIR CARRIERS INTERESTED IN PROVIDING
ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE FOR THE MERCED YOSEMITE REGIONAL
AIRPORT STARTING AUGUST 1, 2021.
Airport Manager Pehl explained the definition of Essential Air Service which Merced has had at the Merced Yosemite Regional Airport since 1882. He went over the Department of Transportation's process for selecting the air service provider. The DOT put out the Request for Proposals on March 4, 2021. The deadline for submitting proposals was April 6, 2021. City staff received four proposals from the DOT, including Advanced Air, Boutique Air, Denver Air Connection, and Southern Airways. DOT has requested comments be submitted by May 11, 2021. The Regional Airport Authority ad hoc subcommittee interviewed all four airlines on April 15, 2021. The subcommittee met again on April 20, 2021 to further discuss the air carrier proposals and interviews. The subcommittee voted to recommend to the Regional Airport Authority that Advanced Air, Option 2 (KLAS/KHHR PC-12) be recommended to the Merced City Council as the preferred proposal.
RAA Chairman Bodine opened a public hearing. Airport Manager Pehl presented Advanced Air's proposal which will include 28 round trips per week. 14 round trip flights between Merced (KMCE) and Las Vegas (KLAS) and 14 round trip flights between Merced and Los Angeles (KHHR). KHHR is the airport identifier for the Hawthorne Airport, which is located approximately three miles from Los Angeles International Airport.
Chairman Bodine asked for public comment. Mr. Tom Warren, representing Boutique Air said that he wanted to address for the RAA's consideration that if passengers fly into Hawthorne Airport then they will have to recheck their bags at LAX, that Hawthorne is not considered a major hub and that Advanced Air does not have interline agreements in place, and it is his belief that the DOT will not allow Advanced Air to fly into the main terminal in Las Vegas. Airport Manager Pehl spoke to Airport staff from Clark County who indicated that Advanced Air could use the main terminal. Advanced Air will pay non-signatory fees to go into McCarran International Airport. RAA member Colby gave the definition of interline and codeshare agreements.
Mr. Colby stated that the fundamental problem is there is not awareness in our local community about the Airport. In the last five years with Boutique, there has been no advertising or billboards. RAA member Scoble agreed with Mr. Colby that interline/codeshare agreements should not be a factor.
He also stated that Advanced Air has their own FAA 145 repair station and resources to respond quickly for maintenance.
Two e-mails were provided to the RAA members prior to the meeting.
1. Mr. Neil Dipaola, Founder and CEO of AutoCamp in support of Advanced Air.
2. Ms. Margy Thompson, in support of Boutique Air.
RAA Chairman Bodine closed the public hearing.
M/S/-Colby/Scoble to recommend to the Merced City Council that Advanced Air, Option 2 be selected as the preferred proposal.
Ayes-4-Bodine, Colby, Scoble and Hirsch
No-1-Rudd
H. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Michael Bodine adjourned the meeting at 6:39 P.M. until the next Regional Authority meeting on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers at 678 W. 18TH Street, Merced, CA 95340, in the Merced Civic Center.
M/S/C-Rudd/Colby motion to approve the meeting adjournment until the next scheduled meeting.
2 Mine a Pardice