82477.07000\34650255.1
23 EXHIBIT “A”
SCOPE OF WORK
The scope of work consists of both routine and emergency services, as needed. All work shall comply with current City standard specifications and details, and the requirements of the Water Department for specific Task Orders applying to routine work, or authorized emergency work as described below.
Routine Work
Routine work may include, but is not limited to:
• Utilities investigations, potholing and verification. • Trenching, sheeting and shoring within and outside of roadways, and traffic control.
• Abandoning, demolishing, salvaging, repairing, replacing or installing buried water mains, valves, hydrants, services, meters, valve boxes, meter boxes, inlets, manholes, above ground piping and structures, sewer and drainage piping and appurtenances, related utility improvements.
• Additional work necessary for completion such as pressure testing, disinfection, dewatering, bypass pumping and other associated work.
• Restoring properties and landscapes damaged during the course of routine activities, typically asphalt or concrete repair.
Routine activities generally occur within City rights-of-way and public property from 7:00am - 5:00 pm, but may include work at other times.
Emergency Work
Generally, emergency work is expected to include repairing damaged fire hydrants, repairing water main breaks, water services, and sewer or drainage line or service breaks occurring.
Emergency services can occur 24/7 including weekends and holidays.
The City will expect Contractor to appear on the project or emergency site within a two hour period of being notified. In the case of an emergency, the City may provide authorization and direction for work to proceed on a time and materials basis without providing a prior written quote for the work. The Contractor shall provide sufficient manpower and equipment to provide services in a timely and professional manner. The Contractor will be required to maintain and provide to the City daily logs of labor, equipment, and other expense for work authorized under time and materials and shall be tracked under a task order completed for the work.
Attachment 2
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EXHIBIT “B”
PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
All Work shall be performed in accordance with the then current City Standard Details and Specifications available at the following web address:
https://www.prcity.com/217/engineering-standards
Attachment 2
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EXHIBIT “C”
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
ARTICLE 1. BONDS
Within ten (10) calendar days from the date the Contractor is notified of award of the Contract, the Contractor shall deliver to the City four identical counterparts of the Performance Bond and Payment Bond on the forms supplied by the City and included as Exhibit “F” to the Contract.
Failure to do so may, in the sole discretion of City, result in the forfeiture of Contractor’s bid security. The surety supplying the bond must be an admitted surety insurer, as defined in Code of Civil Procedure Section 995.120, authorized to do business as such in the State of California and satisfactory to the City. The Performance Bond and the Payment Bond shall be for one hundred percent (100%) of the Total Contract Price.
Attachment 2
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EXHIBIT “D”
CONTRACTOR’S CERTIFICATE REGARDING WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LABOR CODE - SECTION 1861
I, the undersigned Contractor, am aware of the provisions of Section 3700, et seq., of the California Labor Code which require every employer to be insured against liability for Worker’s Compensation or to undertake self-insurance in accordance with the provisions of the Code, and I, the undersigned Contractor, agree to and will comply with such provisions before commencing the performance of the Work on this Contract.
_______________________________
[***INSERT CONTRACTOR NAME***]
By: _________________________
Signature
_________________________
Name (Print)
_________________________
Title (Print)
Attachment 2
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EXHIBIT “E”
PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION CERTIFICATION
Pursuant to Labor Code sections 1725.5 and 1771.1, all contractors and subcontractors that wish to bid on, be listed in a bid proposal, or enter into a contract to perform public work must be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations. See http://www.dir.ca.gov/PublicWorks/PublicWorks.html for additional information.
No bid will be accepted nor any contract entered into without proof of the contractor’s and subcontractors’ current registration with the Department of Industrial Relations to perform public work.
Contractor hereby certifies that it is aware of the registration requirements set forth in Labor Code sections 1725.5 and 1771.1 and is currently registered as a contractor with the Department of Industrial Relations.1
Name of Contractor:
DIR Registration Number:
DIR Registration Expiration:_________________________
Small Project Exemption: _____ Yes or _____ No
Unless Contractor is exempt pursuant to the small project exemption, Contractor further acknowledges:
• Contractor shall maintain a current DIR registration for the duration of the project. • Contractor shall include the requirements of Labor Code sections 1725.5 and 1771.1 in its contract with subcontractors and ensure that all subcontractors are registered at the time of bid opening and maintain registration status for the duration of the project. • Failure to submit this form or comply with any of the above requirements may result in a finding that the bid is non-responsive.
Name of Contractor
Signature
Name and Title
Dated
1 If the Project is exempt from the contractor registration requirements pursuant to the small project exemption under Labor Code Sections 1725.5 and 1771.1, please mark “Yes” in response to “Small Project Exemption.” Attachment 2
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EXHIBIT “F”
PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE BONDS
ATTACHED BEHIND THIS PAGE
Attachment 2
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PERFORMANCE BOND
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS:
THAT WHEREAS, the City of El Paso de Robles (hereinafter referred to as “City”) has awarded to ____________________, (hereinafter referred to as the “Contractor”) _______________________ an agreement for ______________________________ (hereinafter referred to as the “Project”).
WHEREAS, the work to be performed by the Contractor is more particularly set forth in the Contract Documents for the Project dated ________________, (hereinafter referred to as “Contract Documents”), the terms and conditions of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference; and
WHEREAS, the Contractor is required by said Contract Documents to perform the terms thereof and to furnish a bond for the faithful performance of said Contract Documents.
NOW, THEREFORE, we, _______________, the undersigned Contractor and _____________________________________________ as Surety, a corporation organized and duly authorized to transact business under the laws of the State of California, are held and firmly bound unto the City in the sum of ___________________________ DOLLARS, ($____________), said sum being not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the total amount of the Contract, for which amount well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, successors and assigns, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents.
THE CONDITION OF THIS OBLIGATION IS SUCH, that, if the Contractor, his or its heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns, shall in all things stand to and abide by, and well and truly keep and perform the covenants, conditions and agreements in the Contract Documents and any alteration thereof made as therein provided, on its part, to be kept and performed at the time and in the manner therein specified, and in all respects according to their intent and meaning; and shall faithfully fulfill all obligations including the one-year guarantee of all materials and workmanship; and shall indemnify and save harmless the City, its officers and agents, as stipulated in said Contract Documents, then this obligation shall become null and void; otherwise it shall be and remain in full force and effect.
As a condition precedent to the satisfactory completion of the Contract Documents, unless otherwise provided for in the Contract Documents, the above obligation shall hold good for a period of one (1) year after the acceptance of the work by City, during which time if Contractor shall fail to make full, complete, and satisfactory repair and replacements and totally protect the City from loss or damage resulting from or caused by defective materials or faulty workmanship, Surety shall undertake and faithfully fulfill all such obligations. The obligations of Surety hereunder shall continue so long as any obligation of Contractor remains. Nothing herein shall limit the City’s rights or the Contractor or Surety’s obligations under the Contract, law or equity, including, but not limited to, California Code of Civil Procedure section 337.15.
Whenever Contractor shall be, and is declared by the City to be, in default under the Contract Documents, the Surety shall remedy the default pursuant to the Contract Documents, or shall promptly, at the City’s option:
Attachment 2
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(1) Take over and complete the Project in accordance with all terms and conditions in the Contract Documents; or
(2) Obtain a bid or bids for completing the Project in accordance with all terms and conditions in the Contract Documents and upon determination by Surety of the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, arrange for a Contract between such bidder, the Surety and the City, and make available as work progresses sufficient funds to pay the cost of completion of the Project, less the balance of the contract price, including other costs and damages for which Surety may be liable. The term “balance of the contract price” as used in this paragraph shall mean the total amount payable to Contractor by the City under the Contract and any modification thereto, less any amount previously paid by the City to the Contractor and any other set offs pursuant to the Contract Documents.
(3) Permit the City to complete the Project in any manner consistent with local, California and federal law and make available as work progresses sufficient funds to pay the cost of completion of the Project, less the balance of the contract price, including other costs and damages for which Surety may be liable. The term “balance of the contract price” as used in this paragraph shall mean the total amount payable to Contractor by the City under the Contract and any modification thereto, less any amount previously paid by the City to the Contractor and any other set offs pursuant to the Contract Documents.
Surety expressly agrees that the City may reject any contractor or subcontractor which may be proposed by Surety in fulfillment of its obligations in the event of default by the Contractor.
Surety shall not utilize Contractor in completing the Project nor shall Surety accept a bid from Contractor for completion of the Project if the City, when declaring the Contractor in default, notifies Surety of the City’s objection to Contractor’s further participation in the completion of the Project.
The Surety, for value received, hereby stipulates and agrees that no change, extension of time, alteration or addition to the terms of the Contract Documents or to the Project to be performed thereunder shall in any way affect its obligations on this bond, and it does hereby waive notice of any such change, extension of time, alteration or addition to the terms of the Contract Documents or to the Project, including but not limited to the provisions of sections 2819 and 2845 of the California Civil Code.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands and seals this _______ day of ______________, 20__).
(Corporate Seal)
Contractor/ Principal
By
Title
Attachment 2
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(Corporate Seal) Surety
By
Attorney-in-Fact
Signatures of those signing for the Contractor and Surety must be notarized and evidence of corporate authority attached.
(Attach Attorney-in-Fact Certificate) Title
The rate of premium on this bond is ____________ per thousand. The total amount of premium charges, $_______________________________.
(The above must be filled in by corporate attorney.)
THIS IS A REQUIRED FORM
Any claims under this bond may be addressed to:
(Name and Address of Surety) ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________
___________________________________________
(Name and Address of Agent or ___________________________________________ Representative for service of
process in California, if different ___________________________________________ from above)
___________________________________________
(Telephone number of Surety and ___________________________________________ Agent or Representative for service
of process in California)
NOTE: A copy of the Power-of-Attorney authorizing the person signing on behalf of the Surety to do so must be attached hereto.
Attachment 2
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Notary Acknowledgment
A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF ______________
On , 20___, before me, _______________________________, Notary Public, personally appeared , who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument.
I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Signature of Notary Public
OPTIONAL
Though the information below is not required by law, it may prove valuable to persons relying on the document and could prevent fraudulent removal and reattachment of this form to another document.
CAPACITY CLAIMED BY SIGNER DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED DOCUMENT Individual
Corporate Officer
Title(s) Title or Type of Document
Partner(s) Limited
General Number of Pages
Attorney-In-Fact
Trustee(s)
Guardian/Conservator Date of Document
Other:
Signer is representing:
Name Of Person(s) Or Entity(ies)
Signer(s) Other Than Named Above
Attachment 2
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PAYMENT BOND
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS That
WHEREAS, the City of El Paso de Robles (hereinafter designated as the “City”), by action taken or a resolution passed ___________ , 20____has awarded to ________________ hereinafter designated as the “Principal,” a contract for the work described as follows:
_____________________________________________________ (the “Project”); and WHEREAS, the work to be performed by the Principal is more particularly set forth in the Contract Documents for the Project dated __________________ (“Contract Documents”), the terms and conditions of which are expressly incorporated by reference; and WHEREAS, said Principal is required to furnish a bond in connection with said contract; providing that if said Principal or any of its Subcontractors shall fail to pay for any materials, provisions, provender, equipment, or other supplies used in, upon, for or about the performance of the work contracted to be done, or for any work or labor done thereon of any kind, or for amounts due under the Unemployment Insurance Code or for any amounts required to be deducted, withheld, and paid over to the Employment Development Department from the wages of employees of said Principal and its Subcontractors with respect to such work or labor the Surety on this bond will pay for the same to the extent hereinafter set forth.
NOW THEREFORE, we, the Principal and __________________________ as Surety, are held and firmly bound unto the City in the penal sum of ______________ Dollars ($___________) lawful money of the United States of America, for the payment of which sum well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents.
THE CONDITION OF THIS OBLIGATION IS SUCH that if said Principal, his or its subcontractors, heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns, shall fail to pay any of the persons named in Section 9100 of the Civil Code, fail to pay for any materials, provisions or other supplies, used in, upon, for or about the performance of the work contracted to be done, or for any work or labor thereon of any kind, or amounts due under the Unemployment Insurance Code with respect to work or labor performed under the contract, or for any amounts required to be deducted, withheld, and paid over to the Employment Development Department or Franchise Tax Board from the wages of employees of the contractor and his subcontractors pursuant to Section 18663 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, with respect to such work and labor the Surety or Sureties will pay for the same, in an amount not exceeding the sum herein above specified.
This bond shall inure to the benefit of any of the persons named in Section 9100 of the Civil Code so as to give a right of action to such persons or their assigns in any suit brought upon this bond.
It is further stipulated and agreed that the Surety on this bond shall not be exonerated or released from the obligation of this bond by any change, extension of time for performance, addition, alteration or modification in, to, or of any contract, plans, specifications, or agreement pertaining or relating to any scheme or work of improvement herein above described, or pertaining or relating to the furnishing of labor, materials, or equipment therefore, nor by any change or modification of any terms of payment or extension of the time for any payment pertaining or relating to any scheme or work of improvement herein above described, nor by any rescission or attempted rescission of the contract, agreement or bond, nor by any conditions precedent or Attachment 2
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subsequent in the bond attempting to limit the right of recovery of claimants otherwise entitled to recover under any such contract or agreement or under the bond, nor by any fraud practiced by any person other than the claimant seeking to recover on the bond and that this bond be construed most strongly against the Surety and in favor of all persons for whose benefit such bond is given, and under no circumstances shall Surety be released from liability to those for whose benefit such bond has been given, by reason of any breach of contract between the owner or City and original contractor or on the part of any obligee named in such bond, but the sole conditions of recovery shall be that claimant is a person described in Section 9100 of the Civil Code, and has not been paid the full amount of his claim and that Surety does hereby waive notice of any such change, extension of time, addition, alteration or modification herein mentioned and the provisions of sections 2819 and 2845 of the California Civil Code.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands and seals this _______ day of ______________, 20__.
(Corporate Seal)
Contractor/ Principal
By
Title
(Corporate Seal) Surety
By
Attorney-in-Fact
Title
Signatures of those signing for the Contractor and Surety must be notarized and evidence of corporate authority attached. A Power-of-Attorney authorizing the person signing on behalf of the Surety to do so much be attached hereto.
NOTE: A copy of the Power-of-Attorney authorizing the person signing on behalf of the Surety to do so must be attached hereto.
Attachment 2
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Notary Acknowledgment
A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF ______________
On , 20___, before me, _______________________________, Notary Public, personally appeared , who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the instrument.
I certify under PENALTY OF PERJURY under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing paragraph is true and correct.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Signature of Notary Public
OPTIONAL
Though the information below is not required by law, it may prove valuable to persons relying on the document and could prevent fraudulent removal and reattachment of this form to another document.
CAPACITY CLAIMED BY SIGNER DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED DOCUMENT Individual
Corporate Officer
Title(s) Title or Type of Document
Partner(s) Limited
General Number of Pages
Attorney-In-Fact
Trustee(s)
Guardian/Conservator Date of Document
Other:
Signer is representing:
Name Of Person(s) Or Entity(ies)
Signer(s) Other Than Named Above
Attachment 2
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EXHIBIT “G”
RATE SCHEDULE
Routine Work: Routine work will be bid out to contractor on an as-needed basis at the request of the City. Routine work will be compensated based upon the bid amount negotiated and accepted by City and Contractor.
Emergency Work: Emergency work shall be paid on a time and materials basis in accordance with the following time and materials rates:
Hourly Rate Daily Rate
Foreman _________________ ____________________
Equipment Operator _________________ ____________________ Laborer _________________ ____________________
Equipment rates shall be per then current Caltrans Equipment Rental Rates.
Attachment 2
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EXHIBIT “H”
SAMPLE TASK ORDER FORM
CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES
TASK ORDER
Task Order No. ______
Contract: [INSERT NAME OF CONTRACT]
Contractor: [INSERT NAME OF CONTRACTOR]
The Contractor is hereby authorized to perform the following work subject to the provisions of the Contract identified above:
All work shall comply with City’s current Standard Specifications and Details, and the requirements of the City Water Department for specific Task Orders.
List any attachments: [INSERT ATTACHMENTS, IF ANY]
Dollar Amount of Task Order: Not to exceed $_____,_____.00 Completion Date: ____________, 20___
The undersigned Contractor hereby agrees that it will provide all equipment, furnish all materials, except as may be otherwise noted above, and perform all work specified above in accordance with the Contract identified above and will accept as full payment therefore the amount shown above.
CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES [INSERT CONTRACTOR NAME]
Dated: Dated:
By: By:
Attachment 2
Council Agenda Report
From: Piper Smith, Assistant Planner
Subject: Determination of Public Convenience or Necessity (P26-0099/ PCN 26-03) for Type 40 (On-Site Beer) ABC License for Alcohol Sales and Consumption Accessory to Indoor Recreation to be located at 617 12th Street
CEQA Determination: The City finds that this action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State Guidelines Section State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (c)(2)-(3), 15378(b)(5).
Date: October 6, 2026
Facts
1. Brad Daugherty has applied for a Type 40 (on-sale beer) ABC license with the California Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control (ABC) to authorize the sale of beer for consumption on or off the premise where sold.
2. August 18, 2026, the City was notified by the ABC that it is necessary for the City to consider a finding of public convenience or necessity in relation to the request for a Type 40 ABC license at 617 12th Street (APN:009-036-013).
3. It has been determined by ABC that there is an “undue” concentration in relation to the number of alcohol related license that currently exist in the census tract 101.03. As a result of the undue concentration, California Business and Professionals Code Section 23958.4 requires that “the local governing body of the area in which the applicant premises are located, or its designated subordinate officer or body determines within 90 days of notification of a completed application that public convenience or necessity would be served by the issuance.”
4. September 22, 2026, Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP 26-07) for an indoor axe throwing lounge (indoor sports/recreation) with accessory alcohol sales and consumption.
5. As the City’s primary governing body, City Council has the ability to make the determination that public convenience or necessity would be served by the issuance of a type 40 ABC license at this location.
Community Outreach
Public noticing was conducted in compliance with Paso Robles Municipal Code Section 21.26.030 including mailed notice, newspaper notice, and an on-site posted notice 10 days before the date of the public hearing.
Options
1. Take no action
2. Approve the draft Resolution determining that public convenience will be served by the Type 40 ABC license for the business located at 617 12th Street;
3. Amend the draft Resolution, denying the request for a determination of public convenience based on findings (to be stated in the City Council motion); or
4. Provide alternative direction to staff
Analysis and Conclusions
The California Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control (ABC) received a request for a Type 40 ABC license from Brad Daugherty, the applicant. The ABC has determined there is an “undue” concentration in relation to the number of alcohol related license that currently exist in the census tract 101.03. As a result of the undue concentration, California Business and Professionals Code Section 23958.4 requires that “the local governing body of the area in which the applicant premises are located, or its designated subordinate officer or body determines within 90 days of notification of a completed application that public convenience or necessity would be served by the issuance., undue concentration.
Planning Commission approved Conditional Use Permit 26-07 for a recreational axe throwing lounge on September 22, 2026. The Conditional Use Permit allows for accessory alcohol sales and consumption.
However, in compliance with ABC requirements, City Council must first make the determination that either a public convenience or necessity would be served by the issuance of a Type 40 ABC license at this location in order to authorize the accessory alcohol sales.
The ABC permits ten “on-sale” ABC license within census tract 101.03, whereas there are currently 70 active on-sale ABC license within the census tract. On-sale ABC licenses include Type 41 and 47 which are issued to restaurants and Type 40, 42, and 48 which are issued to bars, taverns, or night club, all of which are permitted and allowed or conditionally allowed uses in the TC-1 zoning designation and encouraged in the downtown area to encourage economic vitality. Based on current online ABC reporting, this request is the only Type 40 within the census tract. A Type 40 ABC license is consistent with the applicant’s approved primary use of indoor recreational axe throwing use as it allows minors to be on the premise and participate in the activity while permitting sales of alcohol to those over the age of 21.
Census Tract 101.03
In addition, there are currently two recreational axe throwing lounges in nearby jurisdictions, Atascadero and San Luis Obispo, both of which serve alcohol accessory to recreational axe throwing. Alcohol sales and consumption are a common feature of recreational axe throwing lounges, helping attract a broader range of patrons across age groups. Approving a Type 40 ABC license would be consistent with similar businesses in nearby jurisdictions and would encourage increased participation at the establishment.
Fiscal Impact
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the recommended action. However, the action is anticipated to generate additional sales tax revenue for the City.
CEQA
The City finds that this action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (c)(2)-(3), 15378(b)(5). The action will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and is not a “project” as defined under CEQA. The action is an organizational or administrative action that permits ABC to grant a Type 40 license to the business establishment.
CUP 26-07 was evaluated under CEQA. The Planning Commission determined that CUP 26-07 is exempt from environmental review as a Class 1 categorical exemption for existing facilities pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines § 15301 as the project involves the permitting of and minor exterior alterations to an existing private structure, and involves negligible or no expansion of existing or former use.
Recommendation
Approve Resolution 26-XXX, determining that public convenience or necessity will be served by the Type 40 ABC license for the business located at 617 12th Street.
Attachments
1. Vicinity Map
2. Resolution 26-XXX -ABC 26-03 Raven’s Den Axe Throwing – 617 12th Street
3. Legal Notice Affidavit
4. Mail Notice Affidavit
5. Site Notice Affidavit
Attachment 1
Vicinity Map
Attachment 2
RESOLUTION 26-XXX
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES
DETERMINING THAT PUBLIC CONVENIENCE OR NECESSITY WILL BE SERVED WITH THE ISSUANCE OF A TYPE 40 ALCOHOL AND BEVERAGE CONTROL LICENSE (617 12TH STREET, APN 009-036-013) WHEREAS, Brad Daugherty has applied for a Type 40 (on-sale beer) ABC license with the California Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control to authorize the sale of beer for consumption on or off the premise where sold; and
WHEREAS, August 18th, 2026, the City was notified by the ABC that it is necessary for the City to consider a finding of public convenience or necessity in relation to the request for a Type 40 ABC license at 617 12th Street; and
WHEREAS, it has been determined by ABC that there is an “undue” concentration in relation to the number of alcohol related license that currently exist in the census tract 101.03. As a result of the undue concentration, California Business and Professionals Code Section 23958.4 requires that “the local governing body of the area in which the applicant premises are located, or its designated subordinate officer or body determines within 90 days of notification of a completed application that public convenience or necessity would be served by the issuance”; and WHEREAS, September 22nd, 2026, Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit (CUP 26- 07) for an indoor axe throwing lounge (indoor sports/recreation) with accessory alcohol sales and consumption; and
WHEREAS, as the City’s primary governing body, City Council has the ability to make the determination that public convenience or necessity would be served by the issuance of a type 40 ABC license at this location.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. All of the above recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 2. The City Council of the City of El Paso de Robles hereby determines that public convenience or necessity would be served by the issuance of a Type 40 California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control license for Raven’s Den Axe Throwing at 617 12th Street for the use of on sale alcohol sales and consumption accessory to indoor recreation. The proposed use is consistent with the purpose of the TC-1 zoning district.
Section 3. The City finds that this action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State Guidelines Section State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (c)(2)-(3), 15378(b)(5). The action will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment and therefore, is not a “project” as defined by CEQA. The action is an organizational or administrative action that permits ABC to grant a Type 40 license to the business establishment.
Section 4. The determination of public necessity or convenience shall take effect immediately.
APPROVED this 6th day of October 2026, by the following vote:
Attachment 2
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
John R. Hamon, Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:
Melissa Martin, City Clerk
Attachment 3
CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES
“The Pass of the Oaks”
1000 SPRING STREET • PASO ROBLES, CALIFORNIA 93446 • www.prcity.com
AFFIDAVIT
OF MAIL NOTICES FOR
PLANNING COMMISSION
I, Marci Reynoso , employee of the City of El Paso de Robles, California, do hereby certify that the mail notices have been processed as required for the October 6, 2026 City Council Meeting for P26-0099 / PCN26-03 on this 23rd day of September in the year 2026.
City of El Paso de Robles
Community Development Department
Planning Division
Signed:
Marci Reynoso
Attachment 4
Attachment 5
1000 SPRING STREET • PASO ROBLES, CALIFORNIA 93446 • www.prcity.com
CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES
“The Pass of the Oaks”
AFFIDAVIT OF SITE NOTICES
FOR CITY COUNCIL HEARING
I, Piper Smith, employee of the City of El Paso de Robles, California, do hereby certify that site notices at least 11 inches x 17 inches in size have been posted in a prominent place on the subject property site forthe October 6th, 2026 City Council hearing for the Determination of Public Necessity or Convenience (ABC26-03/P26-0099), on this 23rd day of September 2026.
City of El Paso de Robles
Community Development Department
Planning Division
Signed:
Piper Smith
Council Agenda Report
From: Shannon Foutz, Human Resources/Risk Manager
Subject: Approval of Resolution of Intent to Amend the CalPERS Contract to Reduce Cost-Sharing Pursuant to Government Code Section 20516 for Unrepresented Confidential, Professional, and Management Employees in the Police and Fire Safety Member Categories; and Int
CEQA Determination: The City findsthat this action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (c)(2)-(3), 15378.
Date: October 6, 2026
Facts
1. The California Public Employees’ Retirement Law (PERL) authorizes public agencies and their employees to participate in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS).
2. The City maintains a retirement contract with CalPERS covering three member categories: Police Safety, Fire Safety, and Miscellaneous (non-sworn) employees. Each category includes three benefit levels (“tiers”), with formulas that determine a member’s monthly retirement allowance based on factors including years of service, age at retirement, and reportable compensation.
3. The PERL and Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) requires retirement contributions from both employees and the City. Pursuant to California Government Code Section 20516, employees may share in the cost of the employer’s CalPERS contributions above the normal member contribution required under PERL and PEPRA.
4. The Wage and Benefit Summary approved by the City Council in December 2025 provides for a phased reduction in retirement cost-sharing contributions for safety managers of three percent (3%) in 2026, and an additional two percent (2%) in 2027.
5. The first reduction was implemented effective May 24, 2026, through an amendment to the City’s CalPERS contract. As a result, the cost-sharing contribution for Unrepresented Confidential, Professional, and Management (MGMT) employees in the Fire Safety and Police Safety first and second tier benefit levels was reduced to seven percent (7%), and three percent (3%) for employees in the PEPRA tier.
6. Implementation of the second reduction in the cost-sharing contribution requires a further amendment to the City’s CalPERS contract. The amendment process, governed by CalPERS procedures and applicable provisions of the Government Code, includes:
a. Adoption of the Resolution of Intention initiating the contract amendment process. b. Introduction and first reading of the ordinance authorizing the contract amendment. c. Conduct and certification of the required secret-ballot election of affected employees pursuant to Government Code Section 20474.
d. Second reading and adoption of the ordinance at the November 3, 2026, City Council meeting. e. A minimum of thirty (30) days must elapse following adoption of the ordinance before the contract amendment may take effect.
f. Implementation of the additional two percent (2%) reduction effective January 3, 2027, reducing the cost-sharing contribution for Unrepresented Confidential, Professional, and Management (MGMT) employees in the Fire Safety and Police Safety first and second tier benefit levels five percent (5%), and one percent (1%) for employees in the PEPRA tier.
Options
1. Take no action;
2. Approve a resolution giving notice of the City’s intention to approve an amendment to the contract between the City of Paso Robles and the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees' Retirement System for the MGMT police and fire safety member categories; and introduce, for first reading by title only an ordinance authorizing the amendment to the contract between the City of Paso Robles and the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System;
3. Provide alternative direction to staff.
Analysis and Conclusions
Currently, police and fire managers in the first and second tier benefit levels contribute an additional seven percent (7%), and those in the PEPRA tier contribution an additional three percent (3%), above their required employee contribution to CalPERS. These additional contributions reduce employees’ take-home pay and were considered by the City as part of the compensation discussions concerning the recruitment and retention of public safety management personnel in a competitive labor market.
The Wage and Benefit Summary approved by the City Council in December 2025, provides for a phased reduction in these employee cost-sharing contributions. The first three percent (3%) reduction was implemented in May 2026. The second phase, an additional two percent (2%) reduction, is scheduled to take effect January 3, 2027. Upon implementation of the second phase, affected safety managers’ additional cost-sharing contributions will be reduced by a total of five percent (5%) from the levels in effect before the phased reductions. This adjustment aligns safety manager contributions with those of POA-represented sworn officers and supports the City’s efforts to maintain competitive compensation for public safety management employees.
Implementation requires the City to follow the applicable Government Code and CalPERS procedures, including adoption of a Resolution of Intention, introduction and subsequent adoption of an ordinance authorizing the contract amendment, and conduct and certification of a secret-ballot election of the affected employee groups pursuant to Government Code Section 20474. Approval of the recommended actions will allow staff to continue the contract amendment process and implement the previously approved second reduction in the employee cost-sharing contribution effective January 3, 2027.
Fiscal Impact
This proposed amendment to the City’s CalPERS contract will further reduce safety managers’ cost-sharing contributions by two percent (2%), shifting that portion of the employer contribution back to the City. The fiscal impact of this adjustment was incorporated into the recently approved MGMT Wage and Benefit Summary and aligned with the negotiation parameters established by the City Council. The resulting increase in employer retirement costs has been accounted for in the adopted budget.
CEQA
The City findsthat this action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (c)(2)-(3), 15378.
Recommendation (Option 2)
Approve Resolution 26-XXX, giving notice of the City’s intention to approve an amendment to the contract between the City of Paso Robles and the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees' Retirement System for the MGMT police and fire safety member categories; and introduce, for first reading by title only, Ordinance No. XXX authorizing the amendment to the contract between the City of Paso Robles and the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System.
Attachments
1. Resolution 26-XXX - Resolution of Intention
2. Ordinance No. XXXX – CalPERS Contract Amendment
a. Exhibit A - CalPERS Amendment to Contract
RESOLUTION OF INTENTION
TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT
BETWEEN THE
BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION
CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM
AND THE
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF PASO ROBLES
WHEREAS, the Public Employees' Retirement Law permits the participation of public agencies and their employees in the Public Employees' Retirement System by the execution of a contract, and sets forth the procedure by which said public agencies may elect to subject themselves and their employees to amendments to said Law; and
WHEREAS, one of the steps in the procedures to amend this contract is the adoption by the governing body of the public agency of a resolution giving notice of its intention to approve an amendment to said contract, which resolution shall contain a summary of the change proposed in said contract; and WHEREAS, the following is a statement of the proposed change:
To provide Section 20516 (Employees Sharing Additional
Cost) of a reduction of 2% for local safety members in the Unrepresented Confidential, Professional and Management group.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the governing body of the above agency does hereby give notice of intention to approve an amendment to the contract between said public agency and the Board of Administration of the Public Employees' Retirement System, a copy of said amendment being attached hereto, as an "Exhibit" and by this reference made a part hereof.
By:_________________________________
Presiding Officer
_________________________________
Title
______________________
Date adopted and approved
(Amendment)
CON-302 (Rev. 4/96)
Attachment 1
Attachment 2
ORDINANCE NO. XXXX N.S.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES AUTHORIZING AN
AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASO ROBLES AND THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM WHEREAS, the California Public Employees’ Retirement Law (PERL) authorizes public agencies and their employees to participate in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS); and WHEREAS, the City maintains a retirement contract with CalPERS covering three member categories:
Police Safety, Fire Safety, and Miscellaneous (non-sworn) employees. Each category includes three benefit levels (“tiers”), with formulas that determine a member’s monthly retirement allowance based on factors including years of service, age at retirement, and reportable compensation; and WHEREAS, the PERL and the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) requires retirement contributions from both employees and the City. Pursuant to California Government Code Section 20516, employees may share in the cost of the employer’s CalPERS contributions above the normal member contribution required under PERL and PEPRA; and
WHEREAS, the Wage and Benefit Summary approved by the City Council in December 2025 provides for a phased reduction in retirement cost-sharing contributions for safety managers of three percent (3%) in 2026, and an additional two percent (2%) in 2027; and WHEREAS, the first reduction was implemented effective May 24, 2026 through an amendment to the City’s CalPERS contract. As a result, the cost-sharing contribution for Unrepresented Confidential, Professional, and Management (MGMT) employees in the Fire Safety and Police Safety first and second tier benefit levels was reduced to seven percent (7%), and three percent (3%) for employees in the PEPRA tier; and
WHEREAS, implementation of the second reduction in the cost-sharing contribution requires a further amendment to the City’s CalPERS contract. The process is governed by CalPERS procedures and applicable provisions of the Government Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. All of the above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference.
Section 2. That an amendment to the contract between the City Council of the City of Paso Robles and the Board of Administration, California Public Employees' Retirement System is hereby authorized, a copy of said amendment being attached hereto, marked Exhibit A, and by such reference made a part hereof as though herein set out in full.
Section 3. The Mayor of the City of El Paso de Robles, or their designee, is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed to execute said amendment for and on behalf of the City.
Section 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect 30 days after its passage and adoption as provided by Government Code section 36397.
Section 5. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.
Attachment 2
Section 6. Publication. The City Clerk shall certify as to the adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause a summary thereof to be published at least five (5) days prior to the meeting at which the proposed Ordinance is to be adopted and shall post a certified copy of the proposed Ordinance in the Office of the City Clerk. Within fifteen (15) days of the adoption of the Ordinance, the City Clerk shall cause a summary of the Ordinance to be published, including the vote for and against the same, in accordance with Government Code Section 36937.
INTRODUCED at a regular meeting of the City Council held on October 6, 2026, for first reading by the City Council of the City of El Paso de Robles, and adopted on the ___ day of ______, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
John R. Hamon, Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:
Melissa Martin, City Clerk
Exhibit A – CalPERS Amendment to Contract
EXHIBIT
AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT
BETWEEN THE
BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION
CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM
AND THE
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF PASO ROBLES
The Board of Administration, Public Employees' Retirement System, hereinafter referred to as Board, and the governing body of the above public agency, hereinafter referred to as Public Agency, having entered into a contract effective March 1, 1974, and witnessed January 28, 1974, and as amended effective July 1, 1983, November 6, 1984, October 30, 1988, February 2, 1991, January 1, 1998, February 17, 2001, June 6, 2001, October 14, 2001, March 27, 2005, January 21, 2007, May 27, 2012, December 17, 2017, March 11, 2018, July 1, 2018, December 16, 2018, August 9, 2020, June 27, 2021, and May 24, 2026, which provides for participation of Public Agency in said System, Board and Public Agency hereby agree as follows:
A. Paragraphs 1 through 21 are hereby stricken from said contract as executed effective May 24, 2026, and hereby replaced by the following paragraphs numbered 1 through 21 inclusive:
1. All words and terms used herein which are defined in the Public Employees' Retirement Law shall have the meaning as defined therein unless otherwise specifically provided. "Normal retirement age” shall mean age 55 for classic local miscellaneous members entering membership in the miscellaneous classification on or prior to May 27, 2012, age 60 for classic local miscellaneous members entering membership for the first time in the miscellaneous classification after May 27, 2012, age 62 for new local miscellaneous members, age 50 for classic local police members entering membership in the police classification on or prior to May 27, 2012, age 55 for those classic local police members entering membership for the first time Exhibit A
in the police classification after May 27, 2012, and for classic local fire members, and age 57 for new local safety members.
2. Public Agency shall participate in the Public Employees' Retirement System from and after March 1, 1974, making its employees as hereinafter provided, members of said System subject to all provisions of the Public Employees' Retirement Law except such as apply only on election of a contracting agency and are not provided for herein and to all amendments to said Law hereafter enacted except those, which by express provisions thereof, apply only on the election of a contracting agency.
3. Public Agency agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and its trustees, agents and employees, the CalPERS Board of Administration, and the California Public Employees’ Retirement Fund from any claims, demands, actions, losses, liabilities, damages, judgments, expenses and costs, including but not limited to interest, penalties and attorney fees that may arise as a result of any of the following:
a. Public Agency’s election to provide retirement benefits, provisions or formulas under this Contract that are different than the retirement benefits, provisions or formulas provided under the Public Agency’s prior non-CalPERS retirement program.
b. Any dispute, disagreement, claim, or proceeding (including without limitation arbitration, administrative hearing, or litigation) between Public Agency and its employees (or their
representatives) which relates to Public Agency’s election to amend this Contract to provide retirement benefits, provisions or formulas that are different than such employees’ existing retirement benefits, provisions or formulas.
c. Public Agency’s agreement with a third party other than CalPERS to provide retirement benefits, provisions, or formulas that are different than the retirement benefits, provisions or formulas provided under this Contract and provided for under the California Public Employees’ Retirement Law.
4. Employees of Public Agency in the following classes shall become members of said Retirement System except such in each such class as are excluded by law or this agreement:
Exhibit A
a. Local Fire Fighters (herein referred to as local safety members); b. Local Police Officers (herein referred to as local safety members); c. Employees other than local safety members (herein referred to as local miscellaneous members).
5. In addition to the classes of employees excluded from membership by said Retirement Law, the following classes of employees shall not become members of said Retirement System:
a. ELECTED OFFICIALS.
6. Prior to January 1, 1975, those members who were hired by Public Agency on a temporary and/or seasonal basis not to exceed 6 months were excluded from PERS membership by contract. Government Code Section 20336 superseded this contract provision by providing that any such temporary and/or seasonal employees are excluded from PERS membership subsequent to January 1, 1975. Legislation repealed and replaced said Section with Government Code Section 20305 effective July 1, 1994.
7. Assets heretofore accumulated with respect to members in the local retirement system have been transferred to the Public Employees' Retirement System and applied against the liability for prior service incurred thereunder. That portion of the assets so transferred which represent the accumulated contributions (plus interest thereof) required of the employees under said local system has been credited to the individual membership account of each such employee under the Public Employees' Retirement System.
8. The percentage of final compensation to be provided for each year of credited prior and current service as a classic local miscellaneous member in employment before and not on or after March 27, 2005, shall be determined in accordance with Section 213514 of said Retirement Law (2% at age 55 Supplemental to Federal Social Security).
9. The percentage of final compensation to be provided for each year of credited prior and current service as a classic local miscellaneous member in employment on or after March 27, 2005, and not entering membership for the first time in the miscellaneous classification after May 27, 2012, shall Exhibit A
be determined in accordance with Section 21354.4 of said Retirement Law (2.5% @ age 55 Supplemental to Federal Social Security).
10. The percentage of final compensation to be provided for each year of credited current service as a classic local miscellaneous member entering membership for the first time in the miscellaneous classification after May 27, 2012, shall be determined in accordance with Section 21353 of said Retirement Law (2% at age 60 Supplemental to Federal Social Security).
11. The percentage of final compensation to be provided for each year of credited prior and current service as a new local miscellaneous member shall be determined in accordance with Section 7522.20 of said Retirement Law (2% at age 62 Supplemental to Federal Social Security).
12. The percentage of final compensation to be provided for each year of credited prior and current service as a classic local police member entering membership in the police classification on or prior to May 27, 2012, shall be determined in accordance with Section 21362.2 of said Retirement Law (3% at age 50 Supplemental to Federal Social Security).
13. The percentage of final compensation to be provided for each year of credited current service as a classic local police member entering membership for the first time in the police classification after May 27, 2012, shall be determined in accordance with Section 21363.1 of said Retirement Law (3% at age 55 Supplemental to Federal Social Security).
14. The percentage of final compensation to be provided for each year of credited prior and current service as a classic local fire member shall be determined in accordance with Section 21363.1 of said Retirement Law (3% at age 55), Supplemental to Federal Social Security.
15. The percentage of final compensation to be provided for each year of credited prior and current service as a new local safety member shall be determined in accordance with Section 7522.25(d) of said Retirement Law (2.7% at age 57 Supplemental to Federal Social Security).
16. Public Agency elected and elects to be subject to the following optional provisions:
a. Section 20042 (One-Year Final Compensation) for those classic local miscellaneous members and classic local safety members entering membership on or prior to May 27, 2012.
Exhibit A
b. Section 20475 (Different Level of Benefits): Section 21353 (2% @ 60 Supplemental formula) and Section 20037 (Three-Year Final Compensation) are applicable to classic local miscellaneous members entering membership for the first time with this agency in the miscellaneous classification after May 27, 2012.
Section 20037 (Three-Year Final Compensation) is applicable to classic local fire members entering membership for the first time with this agency in the fire classification after May 27, 2012. c. Section 20516 (Employees Sharing Additional Cost):
From and after December 17, 2017, 3% for second tier classic local miscellaneous members and new local miscellaneous members in the Unrepresented Confidential, Professional and Management Group, Unrepresented Part-Time Group and Service Employees International Union, Local 620.
From and after December 17, 2017, and until July 1, 2018, 3% for second tier classic local miscellaneous members and new local miscellaneous members in the Paso Robles Police Association.
From and after July 1, 2018, 6% for second tier classic local miscellaneous members and new local miscellaneous members in the Paso Robles Police Association.
From and after August 9, 2020, 2% for first tier classic miscellaneous members in the Unrepresented Part-Time Group.
From and after August 9, 2020, 2% for first tier classic miscellaneous members in the Service Employees International Union, Local 620.
From and after August 9, 2020, and until June 27, 2021, 2% for first tier classic miscellaneous members in the Paso Robles Police Association.
From and after June 27, 2021, 4% for first tier classic miscellaneous members in the Paso Robles Police Association.
From and after August 9, 2020, 2% for first tier classic miscellaneous members in the Unrepresented Confidential, Professional and Management Group.
Exhibit A
From and after December 17, 2017, and until December 16, 2018, 3% for local police members in the Unrepresented Confidential, Professional and Management Group.
From and after December 17, 2017, and until July 1, 2018, 3% for local police members in the Paso Robles Police Association.
From July 1, 2018, and until August 9, 2020, 6% for classic local police members in the Paso Robles Police Association.
From and after July 1, 2018, 6% for new local police members in the Paso Robles Police Association.
From and after August 9, 2020, and until June 27, 2021, 8% for classic local police members in the Paso Robles Police Association.
From and after June 27, 2021, 10% for classic local police members in the Paso Robles Police Association.
From and after March 11, 2018, and until December 16, 2018, 3% for local fire members in the Unrepresented Confidential, Professional and Management Group.
From and after March 11, 2018, and until July 1, 2018, 3% for local fire members in the Paso Robles Professional Firefighters IAFF, Local 4148.
From July 1, 2018, and until August 9, 2020, 6% for classic local fire members in the Paso Robles Professional Firefighters IAFF, Local 4148.
From and after July 1, 2018, 6% for new local fire members in the Paso Robles Professional Firefighters IAFF, Local 4148.
From and after August 9, 2020, and until June 27, 2021, 8% for classic local fire members in the Paso Robles Professional Firefighters IAFF, Local 4148.
From and after June 27, 2021, 10% for classic local fire members in the Paso Robles Professional Firefighters IAFF, Local 4148.
Exhibit A
From and after December 16, 2018, and until May 24, 2026, 6% for new local safety members in the Unrepresented Confidential, Professional and Management Group.
From December 16, 2018, and until August 9, 2020, 6% for classic local safety members in the Unrepresented Confidential, Professional and Management Group.
From and after August 9, 2020, and until June 27, 2021, 8% for classic local safety members in the Unrepresented Confidential, Professional and Management Group.
From and after June 27, 2021, and until May 24, 2026, 10% for classic local safety members in the Unrepresented Confidential, Professional and Management Group.
From and after May 24, 2026, and until the effective date of this amendment to contract, 7% for classic local fire members in the Unrepresented Confidential, Professional and Management group.
From and after May 24, 2026, and until the effective date of this amendment to contract, 3% for new local fire members in the Unrepresented Confidential, Professional and Management group.
From and after May 24, 2026, and until the effective date of this amendment to contract, 7% for classic local police members in the Unrepresented Confidential, Professional and Management group.
From and after May 24, 2026, and until the effective date of this amendment to contract, 3% for new local police members in the Unrepresented Confidential, Professional and Management group.
From and after the effective date of this amendment to contract, 5% for classic local fire members in the Unrepresented Confidential, Professional and Management group.
From and after the effective date of this amendment to contract, 1% for new local fire members in the Unrepresented Confidential, Professional and Management group.
From and after the effective date of this amendment to contract, 5% for classic local police members in the Unrepresented Confidential, Professional and Management group.
Exhibit A
From and after the effective date of this amendment to contract, 1% for new local police members in the Unrepresented Confidential, Professional and Management group.
The portion of the employer’s contribution that the member agrees to contribute from his or her compensation, over and above the member’s normal contribution (“Cost Sharing Percentage”), shall not exceed the Employer Normal Cost Rate, as that rate is defined in the CalPERS Actuarial Valuation for the relevant fiscal year. If the Cost Sharing Percentage will exceed the relevant Employer Normal Cost Rate, the Cost Sharing Percentage shall automatically be reduced to an amount equal to, and not to exceed, the Employer Normal Cost Rate for the relevant fiscal year.
d. Section 20965 (Credit for Unused Sick Leave).
e. Section 21024 (Military Service Credit as Public Service) for local miscellaneous members and local police members only.
f. Section 21536 (Local System Service Credit Included in Basic Death Benefit).
g. Section 21547.7 (Alternate Death Benefit for Local Fire Members Credited with 20 or More Years of Service).
17. Public Agency, in accordance with Government Code Section 20790, ceased to be an "employer" for purposes of Section 20834, effective on July 1, 1983. Accumulated contributions of Public Agency shall be fixed and determined as provided in Government Code Section 20834, and accumulated contributions thereafter shall be held by the Board as provided in Government Code Section 20834.
18. Public Agency shall contribute to said Retirement System the contributions determined by actuarial valuations of prior and future service liability with respect to local miscellaneous members of said Retirement System.
19. Public Agency shall also contribute to said Retirement System as follows:
a. A reasonable amount, as fixed by the Board, payable in one installment within 60 days of date of contract to cover the costs of administering said System as it affects the employees of Public Exhibit A
Agency, not including the costs of special valuations or of the periodic investigation and valuations required by law.
b. A reasonable amount, as fixed by the Board, payable in one installment as the occasions arise, to cover the costs of special valuations on account of employees of Public Agency, and costs of the periodic investigation and valuations required by law. c. Contributions required of Public Agency and its employees shall be subject to adjustment by Board on account of amendments to the Public Employees' Retirement Law, and on account of the experience under the Retirement System as determined by the periodic investigation and valuation required by said Retirement Law.
d. Contributions required of Public Agency and its employees shall be paid by Public Agency to the Retirement System within fifteen days after the end of the period to which said contributions refer or as may be prescribed by Board regulation. If more or less than the correct amount of contributions is paid for any period, proper adjustment shall be made in connection with subsequent
remittances. Adjustments on account of errors in contributions required of any employee may be made by direct payments between the employee and the Board.
B. This amendment shall be effective on the day of ______ , ___________, ______.
BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM
BY _________________________________
MELODY BENAVIDES, CHIEF
PENSION CONTRACTS & PREFUNDING
PROGRAMS DIVISION
PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM
CalPERS ID: 2274259371
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF PASO ROBLES
BY ____________________________
PRESIDING OFFICER
______________________________
Witness Date
Attest:
______________________________
Clerk
PLEASE DO NOT SIGN "EXHIBIT ONLY" PLEASE DO NOT SIGN "EXHIBIT ONLY" Exhibit A
Council Agenda Report
From: Angelica Fortin, Community Services Director
Subject: Approval of a Lease Agreement with the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District for the Use of the 36th Street Campus Athletic Fields
CEQA Determination: The City finds that this action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State Guidelines Section State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (c)(2)-(3), 15378.
Date: October 6, 2026
Facts
1. Field capacity in Paso Robles has been a growing concern over the last decade, driven by increased outdoor recreation participation, expanded after-school programming that limits access to school fields, and limited City maintenance capacity.
2. On May 20, 2025, City Council adopted a formal policy position encouraging the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (PRJUSD) to incorporate publicly accessible youth sports fields as part of future planning for the 36th Street campus which has been closed since May of 2024.
3. The City Council’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 and 2027-28 goals include the enhancement and expansion of athletic field capacity, to include the advancement of funding and partnership efforts to support athletic field expansion.
4. On September 22, 2026, the PRJUSD Board of Trustees approved a lease agreement that would allow the City to temporarily lease the athletic fields at the 36th Street campus for community recreational use. Under this Lease Agreement, the City would be responsible for rehabilitation and maintenance of the fields for the duration of the lease period of three (3) years with an option to extend for two additional years.
Community Outreach
In preparation for the May 20, 2025 City Council meeting, Recreation Services surveyed the City's 19 fielduser organizations (7 adult, 12 youth, approximately 3,220 members total) and received responses from 11 groups (representing approximately 1,290 members), building on earlier feedback from the Sherwood, Larry Moore, and Beechwood park planning processes.
A follow-up survey specific to the potential City managed use of the 36th Street Campus in April 2026 drew responses from ten organizations, including Paso Robles Youth Football and Cheer, Paso Robles Girls Softball, Paso Robles Youth Baseball, Cen Cal Bombers, Central Coast Phillies, Total Pitch Soccer, Paso Adult Softball Organization, Central Coast Surf, and Almond Acres Charter Academy. Respondents were in favor of using the 36th Street fields but had concerns due to prior safety issues related to an uneven playing surface.
Options
1. Take no action;
2. Approve Resolution 26-XXX authorizing the City Manager to execute a Lease Agreement with the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District for the use of the 36th Street Campus Athletic Fields;
3. Provide alternative direction to staff.
Analysis and Conclusions
The PRJUSD 36th Street Campus athletic fields present an opportunity to expand public athletic field capacity in a green-space deficient area of the City while supporting City Council adopted policy and goals related to athletic field access. This opportunity is especially timely given the closure of the Pioneer Park fields in March of 2027 and the anticipated temporary closure of the Sherwood Park fields for renovations in 2027, both of which place additional pressure on the City's athletic field inventory. Due to the limited number of rectangular fields, the City currently relies on ballfield outfields to accommodate football and soccer. The addition of the 36th Street Campus fields would increase the City's inventory of multi-purpose rectangular fields from six to eight, a 33% increase.
In partnership with PRJUSD, this agreement will allow community groups to access the 36th Street Campus fields directly through the City using the City’s established fee schedule and facility use process. While the current field conditions include uneven playing surfaces, poor turf coverage, and rodent activity, the Lease Agreement outlines responsibilities between the City and PRJUSD that will ensure fields are made safe and playable prior to including them in the City’s field inventory.
The draft Lease Agreement is limited to the Athletic Fields and the blacktop area immediately adjacent to the fields. The agreement does not extend to other structures on the 36th Street Campus, for which the City has no identified use. The proposed Lease Agreement has a term of three years, with an option for the Parties to agree in writing to extend the term for one additional two year period, for a total possible term of five years. In lieu of cash rent, the City's consideration under the agreement is its performance of the renovation and ongoing maintenance work described below. With limited staff capacity, under the agreement, the City would be responsible for outsourcing the initial field renovation work to a qualified contractor, and, following renovation, outsourcing ongoing weekly maintenance to a contracted vendor.
The City would manage scheduling and rentals of the fields for youth and adult sports programming, retaining any rental revenue generated.
In exchange, PRJUSD would continue to water the Athletic Fields and maintain the irrigation system, covering all associated water and utility costs, while the City retains control of the watering schedule.
PRJUSD would also provide restroom access for field users, either through existing campus facilities or portable units, at PRJUSD’s discretion; PRJUSD would maintain the restrooms, with the City reimbursing 50% of supply costs.
If authorized, field renovation work is targeted to begin in late 2026 and take approximately four to six months to complete. Following the required turf establishment period, the athletic fields are targeted to open for public use in late Spring 2027.
Fiscal Impact
The proposed renovation of the Athletic Fields is anticipated to result in a one-time cost of approximately $40,000. Ongoing costs associated with weekly field maintenance and restroom supplies are currently estimated at approximately $15,000 annually. Funding for these costs are not currently included in the adopted budget. Staff proposes the one-time renovation and first-year operating costs could be funded through the City Manager’s budgeted contingency funds, with future ongoing costs incorporated into the General Fund budget beginning in FY 2027-28.
CEQA
The City finds that this action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State Guidelines Section §§ 15060, subd. (c)(2)-(3), 15378.
Recommendation (Option 2)
Approve Resolution 26-XXX, authorizing the City Manager to execute a Lease Agreement with the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District for the use of the 36th Street Campus Athletic Fields.
Attachments
1. Lease Agreement between the City of El Paso de Robles and the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District for the use of the 36th Street Campus Athletic Fields
2. Resolution 26-XXX- Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Lease Agreement with the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District for the Use of the 36th Street Campus Athletic Fields
Attachment 1
RESOLUTION 26-XXX
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE PASO ROBLES JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR THE USE OF THE 36TH STREET CAMPUS ATHLETIC FIELDS WHEREAS, field capacity in El Paso de Robles (“City”) has been a growing concern over the last decade, driven by increased outdoor recreation participation, expanded after-school programming that limits access to school fields, and limited City maintenance capacity; and WHEREAS, on May 20, 2025, City Council adopted a formal policy position encouraging the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (“PRJUSD”) to incorporate publicly accessible youth sports fields as part of future planning for the 36th Street campus which has been closed since May of 2024; and WHERAS, the City Council’s Fiscal Year (“FY”) 2026-27 and 2027-28 goals include the enhancement and expansion of athletic field capacity, to include the advancement of funding and partnership efforts to support athletic field expansion; and
WHEREAS, on September 22, 2026, the PRJUSD Board of Trustees approved a lease agreement that would allow the City to temporarily lease the athletic fields at the 36th Street campus for community recreational use. Under this Lease Agreement, the City would be responsible for rehabilitation and maintenance of the fields for the duration of the lease period of three (3) years with an option to extend for two (2) additional years
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. All of the above recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Lease Agreement with the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District for the use of the 36th Street Campus Athletic Fields.
Section 3. Authorize appropriations from the FY 2026-27 General Fund in the amount of $15,000, with one-time renovation costs of $40,000 from the City Manager’s Contingency Fund, for a total first-year cost not to exceed $55,000.
Section 4. The City finds that this action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines §§ 15060, subd. (c)(2)-(3), 15378 Section 5. This Resolution shall take effect on the date approved by the City Council.
APPROVED this 6
th day of October, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
John R. Hamon, Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:
Melissa Martin, City Clerk
Attachment 2
LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES
AND THE PASO ROBLES JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
FOR THE USE OF THE 36TH STREET CAMPUS ATHLETIC FIELDS
THIS AGREEMENT (hereinafter called "AGREEMENT"), made and entered into this ____ day of _____________________, 2026, by and between the CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES, a municipal corporation (hereinafter called "CITY"), and the PASO ROBLES JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT (hereinafter called "DISTRICT"). CITY and DISTRICT are sometimes individually referred to as "Party" and collectively as "Parties."
RECITALS
A. Education Code section 10900 et seq. of the State of California authorizes and empowers cities and school districts to organize, promote and conduct programs of community recreation which will contribute to the attainment of general recreational and educational objectives for children and adults of this State, and to enter into agreements with each other for such purpose.
B. The CITY and the DISTRICT desire to establish a partnership for the rehabilitation, maintenance, and shared public use of the athletic fields located at the DISTRICT's 36th Street Campus (the "ATHLETIC FIELDS"), as more particularly described in Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
C. The ATHLETIC FIELDS are located on DISTRICT property and are currently inadequate to safely support organized public sports use due to uneven playing surfaces, poor turf coverage, rodent activity, and irrigation deficiencies. Rehabilitation of the ATHLETIC FIELDS, including grading and topsoil import, aeration and overseeding, irrigation repairs, rodent and weed mitigation, and tree pruning, is required before the ATHLETIC FIELDS may reopen for regular public use.
D. This AGREEMENT is limited to the ATHLETIC FIELDS and does not extend to the existing structures located elsewhere on the 36th Street Campus.
E. In the interest of providing the best service with the least possible expenditure of public funds, full cooperation between the CITY and DISTRICT is both necessary and desirable.
AGREEMENT
The CITY and the DISTRICT enter into this AGREEMENT including the following covenants, terms and conditions:
1. INCORPORATION OF RECITALS. The above recitals, including the paragraph preceding the recitals, are hereby incorporated into this AGREEMENT as if set forth herein in full.
2. LEASE OF ATHLETIC FIELDS. DISTRICT leases to CITY, and CITY hires from DISTRICT, for the consideration described in Section 9 of this AGREEMENT, the ATHLETIC
Attachment 2
FIELDS. CITY is granted the right during the AGREEMENT term to manage, schedule, and maintain the ATHLETIC FIELDS for public use, subject to the provisions of this AGREEMENT.
This AGREEMENT does not include, and CITY is granted no rights with respect to, the existing structures located on the 36th Street Campus outside the ATHLETIC FIELDS.
3. TERM. The term of this AGREEMENT shall commence on the date the last Party executes the AGREEMENT ("EFFECTIVE DATE") and continue for three (3) years. The Parties may agree in writing to extend the term of this AGREEMENT for one (1) additional term of two (2) years, for a total possible term of five (5) years.
4. PURPOSE. The CITY shall use the ATHLETIC FIELDS for public recreational and athletic purposes, including scheduling and rental of the ATHLETIC FIELDS for youth and adult sports programming, and other uses consistent with this AGREEMENT.
5. RENOVATION OF ATHLETIC FIELDS. CITY shall be responsible for rehabilitating the ATHLETIC FIELDS in order to bring them into safe condition for public use. CITY shall outsource this renovation work to a qualified contractor.
6. MAINTENANCE AND PEST CONTROL. Following renovation, CITY shall be responsible for ongoing weekly maintenance of the ATHLETIC FIELDS, which CITY shall outsource to a contracted vendor. CITY shall also be responsible for rodent control and weed abatement at the ATHLETIC FIELDS. With respect to trees located at the ATHLETIC FIELDS, CITY's responsibility shall be limited solely to pruning, and CITY shall have no responsibility for tree removal, replacement, root mitigation, disease or pest treatment, or any other tree-related maintenance not expressly identified as pruning. The maintenance work described in this Section, together with the renovation work described in Section 5, is provided in lieu of cash rent and shall constitute the consideration for this AGREEMENT as set forth in Section 9.
7. SCHEDULING AND PUBLIC USE. CITY shall be responsible for scheduling public use of the ATHLETIC FIELDS, including management of field rentals for youth and adult sports programming. Consistent with CITY's practice at all other CITY athletic fields, CITY staff are not required to be present on-site during scheduled reservations or use of the ATHLETIC FIELDS.
8. DISTRICT CONTRIBUTIONS. In support of this partnership, DISTRICT shall:
A. IRRIGATION. District shall continue to water the ATHLETIC FIELDS and maintain the sprinkler/irrigation system, with District covering all associated water and utility costs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, City shall have the right to set and control the watering schedule, including access to the irrigation system's controls, for purposes of scheduling and adjusting watering times.
B. RESTROOM ACCESS. District shall provide restroom access for ATHLETIC FIELDS users, either through existing campus facilities or through placement of portable restroom units, at District's discretion. District shall be solely responsible for the ongoing maintenance of restroom facilities, including cleaning, restocking of supplies, and repair;
Attachment 2
provided, however, that City and authorized ATHLETIC FIELDS users may assist with restocking of supplies using supplies provided by District. Such assistance by City and authorized ATHLETIC FIELDS users shall be limited to as-needed restocking outside of District's regular maintenance schedule and shall not constitute a regular or recurring restocking obligation on the part of City or authorized ATHLETIC FIELDS users. City shall reimburse District for fifty percent (50%) of the cost of restroom supplies (including, toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, seat covers and trash liners). District shall invoice City for City's share of such costs on a periodic basis, and City shall remit payment within 30 days of receipt of District's invoice.
C. SITE SECURITY. Secure the remainder of the 36th Street Campus outside the ATHLETIC FIELDS or, alternatively, release CITY from liability arising from that area.
D. PARKING. District shall grant the CITY key access to the 36th Street entry gate for use of the existing parking area, and permit the CITY to use the site's existing blacktop surface for overflow parking as needed.
E. STORAGE. Allow CITY to use a portion of the site for storage, as needed, in a location to be mutually agreed upon by the Parties.
9. CONSIDERATION. CITY's consideration for the ATHLETIC FIELDS shall be its performance of the renovation work described in Section 5 and the maintenance work described in Section 6 of this AGREEMENT, in lieu of cash rent. DISTRICT's contribution shall be the items described in Section 8 of this AGREEMENT.
10. OWNERSHIP OF IMPROVEMENTS. Upon termination or expiration of this AGREEMENT, CITY shall retain ownership of all equipment and property placed at the ATHLETIC FIELDS that is not permanently affixed to the site, and DISTRICT shall retain ownership of all permanent improvements made to the ATHLETIC FIELDS. DISTRICT agrees that any improvements that become a permanent part of the property shall remain a part of the property. CITY shall not install any permanent improvements to the ATHLETIC FIELDS without DISTRICT's specific prior written approval.
11. PERMITTING OTHER USE. CITY may permit and charge other agencies, private clubs, community organizations, and/or the public for the use of the ATHLETIC FIELDS during the term of this AGREEMENT, and retain any revenue derived therefrom. All third parties shall be required to provide evidence of insurance and a waiver of liability satisfactory to CITY.
12. AUDIT RECORDS AND ACCOUNTING. CITY shall maintain adequate records of all expenses directly charged to the renovation and maintenance of the ATHLETIC FIELDS.
DISTRICT shall have the right to request evidence to support any such costs.
13. PROPERTY DAMAGE. Each Party shall notify the other promptly in writing if any facilities at the ATHLETIC FIELDS have been vandalized, damaged, are in need of repair, or present a safety factor for any user. Any damage to the ATHLETIC FIELDS resulting from CITY's use or CITY's activities shall be repaired by CITY, at CITY's own cost, provided CITY first obtains
Attachment 2
authorization from DISTRICT prior to commencing any such repairs. Any damage caused by DISTRICT, its personnel, or its invitees shall be repaired by DISTRICT, at DISTRICT's own cost. If either Party repairs damage that is the other Party's responsibility under this Section, the Party performing the repair shall invoice the responsible Party for the reasonable cost thereof, and the responsible Party shall pay such invoice within thirty (30) days of receipt.
14. INSURANCE. CITY shall, at its expense, maintain during the term of this AGREEMENT, as lessee of the ATHLETIC FIELDS, comprehensive general liability and property liability insurance with liability limits of not less than $1,000,000 for injury to or death of one or more persons in any one occurrence, and $500,000 for damage to or destruction of property in any one occurrence and $2,000,000 general aggregate limit. DISTRICT shall be named as an additional insured on CITY's policy by endorsement. Within thirty (30) days of the EFFECTIVE DATE, CITY shall deliver to DISTRICT evidence of the existence and amounts of such insurance and an endorsement naming DISTRICT as an additional insured. In addition, CITY shall require that DISTRICT be named as an additional insured on any policy required of third parties under Section 11 of this AGREEMENT.
15. INDEMNIFICATION. Each Party hereto shall indemnify the other for any damage, expense (including attorneys’ fees), or liability arising out of or relating to the performance of its duties in relation to this AGREEMENT, to the extent such damage, expense, or liability is caused by its negligent act or omission, wrongful conduct, or breach of its duties under this AGREEMENT.
Further, each Party hereto shall be responsible for any and all damage to the property of the other Party resulting from such liable Party's use of the ATHLETIC FIELDS or the 36th Street Campus pursuant to this AGREEMENT.
16. DISPUTES. In the event of a disagreement between the CITY and the DISTRICT on the interpretation of any provision of this AGREEMENT, the City Manager and District Superintendent, or their designees, shall meet and resolve the differences within thirty (30) days.
If they are unable to resolve their differences informally, the dispute shall be submitted to mediation before a mutually agreeable mediator. The costs of the mediator shall be borne equally by the CITY and the DISTRICT.
17. TERMINATION. This AGREEMENT may be terminated, with or without cause, by either Party upon not less than three hundred sixty-five (365) days' written notice to the other Party, with termination effective upon expiration of such notice period. The CITY agrees, upon termination hereof, to quit and surrender the ATHLETIC FIELDS in substantially the same condition as existed on the EFFECTIVE DATE, reasonable wear and tear excepted, subject to Section 10 above regarding ownership of improvements.
18. DEFAULT. In the event the CITY or the DISTRICT shall be in default in the performance of any obligation on either Party's part to be performed under the terms hereof, which default shall continue for thirty (30) days following the giving of notice thereof and demand for correction thereof by one Party to the other, the Party not in default may exercise any and all remedies granted by law or equity.
Attachment 2
19. REPRESENTATION OF DISTRICT. The DISTRICT represents, and the CITY acknowledges, that the DISTRICT is the owner and lessor of the ATHLETIC FIELDS.
20. ASSIGNMENT. This AGREEMENT shall be binding upon the Parties hereto and their heirs and successors; however, this Section shall not be construed as authorizing any transfer or subleasing of the property except as indicated in this AGREEMENT. No assignment, transfer, or sublease of this AGREEMENT shall be binding unless approved in writing, in advance, by the other Party.
21. AMENDMENT. This AGREEMENT may be amended only by written instrument approved by the DISTRICT's Board of Trustees and the CITY's City Council.
22. INTEGRATION. This AGREEMENT provides for a program of rehabilitating, maintaining, and providing public access to the ATHLETIC FIELDS. This AGREEMENT represents the entire and integrated agreement between the CITY and the DISTRICT and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, or agreements, either written or oral, related to the ATHLETIC FIELDS, including the proposal submitted by the CITY to the DISTRICT dated July 6, 2026.
This AGREEMENT may only be amended by the Parties in writing.
23. NOTICE. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, any and all notices or other communications required or permitted by this AGREEMENT shall be sent (by United States Postal Service or overnight courier) to the parties at the following addresses:
CITY: City of Paso Robles
Community Services Department
Attn: Community Services Director
1000 Spring Street
Paso Robles, California 93446
DISTRICT: Paso Robles Joint Unified School District
800 Niblick Road
Paso Robles, California 93446
Attn: Assistant Superintendent
25. EFFECTIVE NOTICE. Any notice will be effective three (3) working days after it is deposited in the mail, or on the date actually delivered by the courier.
26. SIGNATURES. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this AGREEMENT to be executed by the respective officers and duly authorized by the CITY and the DISTRICT the day and year first above written.
CITY:
Attachment 2
CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES, a municipal corporation
_______________________________
[Name], City Manager
ATTEST:
_______________________________
[Name], City Clerk
-ANDDISTRICT:
PASO ROBLES JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
_______________________________
[Name], Superintendent
ATTEST:
_______________________________
[Name], Clerk of the Board
Attachment 2
EXHIBIT A
LEGAL DESCRIPTION / DEPICTION OF THE ATHLETIC FIELDS
A portion of APN: 008-031-025 to include grass fields and existing blacktop.
Council Agenda Report
From: David Malewitz, Assistant City Manager
Subject: Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with RS&H, Inc. to Complete the Requirements for an Application to the Federal Aviation Administration for a Part 420 Horizontal Spaceport Launch Site Operator License
CEQA Determination: The City finds that this action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State Guidelines Section State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (c)(2)-(3), 15378. The Agreement authorizes the preparation of technical and environmental studies and an application for a Federal Aviation Administration Part 420 Launch Site Operator License but does not authorize or commit the City to approve any future launch or spaceport operations. Any such operations will remain subject to applicable environmental review and discretionary approvals.
Date: October 6, 2026
Facts
1. The City Council’s adopted goals for the past several years has included obtaining a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 420 Horizontal Spaceport Launch Site Operator License (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Spaceport License”) for the Paso Robles Municipal Airport as well as developing a technology corridor to diversify the local economy and attract higher-paying, head-ofhousehold jobs.
2. In March 2022, the City entered into an agreement with Tartaglia Engineering to conduct a preliminary technical review on the feasibility of a commercial spaceport operation at the Airport. The results determined that establishing a spaceport operation at the Airport is feasible (Attachment 3).
3. In 2023, the City partnered with California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) to conduct a study on diversifying a local economy and workforce development opportunities with a City-owned spaceport (Attachment 4), and to study the business development ecosystem of a potential Paso Robles Space Innovation and Technology Park.
4. The City also retained Cal Poly staff and student interns to prepare initial portions of the FAA application for a Spaceport License using existing conventional runways in addition to general aviation activities at the Paso Robles Airport.
5. In 2024, the City retained the professional services of Tartaglia Engineering and Integrated Launch Solutions (ILS) to prepare additional technical studies including an Explosive Site Plan, General Site Familiarization and Safety Training, Ground Operations Safety Plan, Mishap and Emergency Response Plan, Public Access Control Plan, Scheduling and Notifications Plan and Procedure, Spaceport Records Management Plan, and Spaceport Users Guide.
6. In 2025, FAA informed the City that the Airport Master Plan is required to be updated before the City submits an application for a Spaceport License. In March 2025, the City entered into an agreement with Coffman and Associates to update the Airport Master Plan.
7. The Airport Master Plan Update is nearing completion at the local approvals stage. Following the public review process, a master plan preferred alternative has been identified and will be submitted to the local FAA office for review and comment. Completion and consideration for adoption of the Master Plan update by the City Council is anticipated to occur in the second quarter 2027. As such, work associated with completing the Spaceport License would proceed concurrently with the remaining work on the Airport Master Plan Update.
8. In addition to the City is pursuing a Spaceport License, staff is also developing the Technology Corridor.
The City renovated a remote area of the airport to create a test site for rocket and jet engine propulsion systems. To date, three aerospace engineering firms, their customers, and Cal Poly engineering students, utilize the test site.
9. A distinguishing feature of the Paso Robles Spaceport initiative is its focus on K-20 education and workforce development in partnership with local education partners.
10. In 2025, a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant-funded space technology conference was held by Cal Poly in Paso Robles. The conference included participants from seven states and six universities.
11. In 2025, Cal Poly was awarded a one-million-dollar federal appropriation to establish the Paso Robles Spaceport Training and Research Center (STRC). Development of the training program and acquisition of equipment are currently underway.
12. City staff and Cal Poly have continued to collaborate on developing the educational and training program, including identifying suitable Airport facilities for classroom and hands-on instruction and establishing a sustainable model for long-term program operations that will support the aerospace industry at the airport and regionally.
13. In 2025, the City retained the professional services of RS&H, Inc. (RS&H) to conduct an Economic Impact Assessment on obtaining a Spaceport License (Attachment 5). The economic impact study projects that, over a 15-to-20-year period, development of the Paso Robles Spaceport initiative could support approximately 875 total jobs and generate nearly $30 million in cumulative tax revenue. The study identifies these projections as potential long-term regional economic benefits associated with increased aerospace activity and the development of related industries at the Airport.
14. In 2025, the City again retained the professional services of RS&H to review all work completed to date and to determine remaining steps toward obtaining a Spaceport License and estimates of associated costs (Attachments 6 and 7).
15. RS&H identified four significant outstanding requirements necessary to complete the City’s application for a Spaceport License. These requirements include flight safety and risk analysis, letters of agreement with surrounding agencies, environmental review and documentation under both the NEPA and CEQA, and an updated Airport Layout Plan representing spaceport activities.
16. RS&H’s report estimated that completing the remaining application requirements could take approximately 12 to 18 months, with additional time potentially required for FAA review and comment following submission of the application packet.
17. Based on this assessment, the City determined that the next step was to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit qualified and experienced firms to complete the remaining requirements and support the City through completion and submittal of the FAA license application.
18. On March 4, 2026, a joint meeting of the City Council, Planning Commission, and Airport Commission was held where the City Council received presentations from staff and RS&H, as well as public comments concerning the Spaceport initiative. Following discussion, the City Council directed staff to initiate an RFP process to select a qualified consultant to complete and submit the City’s Spaceport License application.
19. In March 2026, the City retained Aviation Management Consulting Group, Inc. (AMCG) to assist with developing an RFP for Spaceport Consultant Services. AMCG prepared a comprehensive RFP package that assessed the status of the City’s completed application materials and identified the remaining
technical, regulatory, and supporting documentation necessary to complete and submit an application.
20. On June 12, 2026, the City issued the RFP for Spaceport Consultant Services with a proposal submission deadline date of August 3, 2026 (Attachment 8).
21. On June 24, 2026, the City conducted a pre-proposal meeting and optional site visit at the Paso Robles Municipal Airport. The meeting was attended by 15 representatives from eight firms interested in the project and the potential submission of a proposal.
22. On the proposal deadline of August 3, 2026, the City received three (3) proposals from qualified firms interested in providing the requested services.
a. RS&H, Inc.
b. Launch on Demand, LLC.
c. Integrated Launch Solutions
23. A selection committee consisting of the following individuals independently reviewed and evaluated the three proposals in accordance with the criteria established in the RFP. David Malewitz, City of Paso Robles Assistant City Manager Mark Scandalis, City of Paso Robles Airport Manager
Paul Sloan, City of Paso Robles Economic Development Manager Steven Beck, City of Paso Robles Airport Commissioner, Retired Aerospace Ph.D. Scientist with 30 years of Aerospace Industry Experience
Matt Bochinno, A.A.E. Director, Cecil Airport & Spaceport
24. Following its review and evaluation of the three proposals received, the selection committee determined that RS&H was the highest-ranked firm based on scoring and overall ranking and was best qualified to perform the remaining Spaceport License application requirements.
Community Outreach
Over the course of the Spaceport initiative, the City has undertaken extensive outreach to inform and engage the community, regional partners, business organizations, educational institutions, and other key stakeholders regarding the vision and potential benefits of establishing a commercially licensed spaceport at the Paso Robles Municipal Airport.
The project has received significant local media coverage and generated considerable community interest.
Throughout the development of the project, City staff have engaged with numerous news media outlets, community members, and interested parties who have shared questions, comments, and perspectives regarding the proposed spaceport initiative.
To provide the public with centralized and accessible information, the City established a dedicated webpage for the project, accessible at PasoRoblesAirandSpaceport.com. The webpage serves as a resource for project information, frequently asked questions (FAQ’s), updates, background materials, and other relevant documents related to the City’s spaceport efforts.
In addition to regular presentations, project updates, and opportunities for public input at City Council and Airport Commission meetings, City staff have conducted numerous presentations and discussions with local and regional community groups, economic development organizations, educational partners, businesses, and other stakeholders. These efforts have provided opportunities to share information regarding the initiative, respond to questions, and receive input as the project has progressed.
Leading up to and during the March 4, 2026, joint meeting of the City Council, Planning Commission, and Airport Commission, substantial community and regional support was expressed for continuing to
advance the Spaceport initiative and completing the remaining steps necessary to pursue an FAA Part 420 LSOL.
The City received letters supporting the initiative from the following elected officials, public agencies, educational institutions, community organizations, and businesses:
1. U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Jimmy Panetta
2. California State Senate, Sen. John Laird
3. California State Assembly, Assemblymember Dawn Addis
4. San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors Member Heather Moreno
5. City of Atascadero, Mayor Charles Bourbeau
6. City of King City, Mayor Mike LaBarre
7. Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (PSJUSD)
8. California Polytechnic & State University (CalPoly) Aerospace Engineering Department
9. NASA Ames Strategic Partnerships Office
10. REACH Practitioners Network
11. County of San Luis Obispo Workforce Development
12. California Association for Local Economic Development
13. Paso Robles Main Street Association
14. Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance
15. Travel Paso
16. Bradley Union School District
17. Global Spaceport Alliance
18. Streamline Aerospace
Options
1. Take no action;
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with RS&H, Inc. for a notto-exceed project cost of $786,455.49 to complete the remaining outstanding requirements for the City’s Federal Aviation Administration Part 420 Horizontal Launch Site Operator License, including any minor, technical, or non-substantive changes approved by the City Manager and City Attorney, for the preparation of all required technical documentation and supporting materials, and completion and submittal of the LSOL application to the FAA on behalf of the City of Paso Robles and Paso Robles Municipal Airport;
3. Do not approve the Professional Services Agreement for the completion and submittal of the Part 420 Horizontal Launch Site Operator License application to the FAA and direct staff to discontinue further efforts related to obtaining a FAA Part 420 Horizontal LSOL for the Paso Robles Municipal Airport.
4. Provide alternative direction to staff.
Analysis and Conclusions
Historically, Paso Robles’ economy has been driven by tourism, wine production, and service-related industries. While these sectors remain vital, City Council has consistently expressed the importance of broadening the economic base to support higher wage levels, workforce retention, and long-term fiscal resilience.
Achieving a FAA commercial spaceport designation is consistent with the City Council’s established policy direction and represents a key component of the City’s long-term economic development strategy. The Paso Robles Spaceport and Technology Corridor initiative is intended to leverage the Paso Robles
Municipal Airport, surrounding industrial land, existing infrastructure, and strategic partnerships to attract aerospace, advanced technology, research, education, and related industries to the community.
The initiative directly supports the City Council’s adopted vision of “a welcoming and thriving community with a diverse economy and quality jobs that empower every generation to build their future here in Paso Robles.” If obtained, the license would provide an additional economic development tool to help diversify the local economy, attract private investment, create higher-paying employment opportunities, and strengthen Paso Robles’ position within California’s aerospace and technology sectors.
This direction is also supported by the City Council-approved FY 2024–2029 Economic Development Strategic Plan, which directs staff to pursue emerging industry sectors that align with Paso Robles’ physical assets, workforce potential, and regional partnerships. Aerospace, space systems testing, and advanced manufacturing were identified as areas of opportunity based on the City’s airport infrastructure, geographic location, available industrial land, and potential for regional collaboration.
The City Council-adopted Strategic Work Plan for Fiscal Years 2026–2028 further identifies the Spaceport initiative as a City priority. Under Goal 1: Facilities, Transportation & Infrastructure, the Airport Infrastructure and Development objective specifically identifies pursuing FAA spaceport licensing through existing and future local, regional, and national partnerships as a strategy. Additionally, Goal 5:
Community & Economic Development establishes Aerospace, Innovation, and Technology Sector Development as an objective and specifically directs the City to “Support the development of the Airport Technology Corridor and Spaceport Initiative.”
The Paso Robles Spaceport and Technology Corridor represents a strategic, long-term investment in the City’s economic future. Advancing the spaceport license application is a critical next step toward positioning the City to participate in the growing commercial space and aerospace economy while advancing City Council priorities for job creation, economic diversification, private investment, and sustainable economic growth.
Importantly, obtaining an FAA commercial spaceport license would not, by itself, authorize individual operators, launches, or missions. Rather, the license would establish the regulatory framework necessary for the Paso Robles Municipal Airport to operate as a licensed launch site. Any future commercial space activities would remain subject to applicable FAA licensing, regulatory, environmental, safety, and other approval requirements.
According to the Global Spaceport Alliance (GSA), which comprises the largest network of international spaceports around the world, 90% of the economic activity at commercial spaceports does not revolve around launches, but rather involves activities related to technology testing, research & development, advanced manufacturing, and payload processing, etc.
To facilitate technology testing, the City has created a test site for rocket and jet engine systems by renovating a remote area of the airport that was originally used for parking bomber aircraft during WWII.
To date, the new test site and its control room facilities are being used by several aerospace engineering firms as well as Cal Poly engineering students. In response to increased requests, the City is currently working towards establishing a second test site with a total of four (4) test sites planned for future demands.
The commercial space and aerospace industries include technician and skilled-trade positions that do not necessarily require a four-year college degree. These positions may include welders, machinists, maintenance technicians, and other occupations that align with local career and technical education programs. Specifically, members of the commercial space industry are saying, “We need tradespeople who can make things and fix things.”
A distinguishing component of the Paso Robles Spaceport initiative is its focus on K-20 education and workforce development in partnership with the PRJUSD Career and Technical Education (CTE) program and our local higher education institutions.
Micro-propulsion rocket systems test site at Paso Robles Airport:
(Photo credits: Stellar Exploration; Adrienne Layne)
In 2025, Cal Poly was awarded $1 million in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) under the NASA Safety, Security and Mission Support (SSMS) account to establish the Paso Robles Spaceport Training and Research Center (STRC) at the Paso Robles Air and Space Port.
The proposed Spaceport Training and Research Center is intended to:
Establish aerospace laboratory and testing capabilities; Support an aerospace workforce-development pipeline;
Provide hands-on testing, prototyping, research, and payload-development opportunities; Connect educational programs with aerospace-industry needs; and Support partnerships among the City, educational institutions, and private industry.
Paso Robles’ optimal geographic location south of Silicon Valley, north of Vandenberg Space Force Base, and nearby to Cal Poly and Cuesta College positions the City well for participating in the emerging Central Coast space economy.
Modern Commercial Spaceport operations are compatible with General Aviation activities. The Paso Robles Airport currently has 197 based aircraft with a long-term forecast to grow this number to 296 over the next 20 years (see Table 3A from the Airport Master Plan in development). (Source: Paso Robles Municipal Airport Master Plan in development.) For general context, Colorado Air and Space Port, another FAA-licensed launch site that also supports general aviation, reports more than 500 based aircraft. Operational conditions at that facility differ from those at Paso Robles.
Paso Robles Airport currently utilizes 13.8% of the airfield capacity. Long-term forecasting estimates that over the next 20 years the airport will grow to use 21.9% of its airfield capacity, leaving nearly 80% available (see Table 3D from the Airport Master Plan in development).
Paso Robles Airport is approximately 1,300 acres in size. Both Tartaglia Engineering and Coffman Associates have identified significant areas of the airport available for potential development related to commercial spaceport operations while safeguarding areas for General Aviation and other activities.
Total Potential Spaceport Area:
(Source: Tartaglia Engineering, Preliminary Technical Review) Potential Spaceport/Non-aeronautical Use Reserve:
(Source: Paso Robles Municipal Airport Master Plan in development.)
The City is also exploring the potential to establish an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) for the Technology Corridor area surrounding the Airport as a potential mechanism to finance eligible infrastructure improvements using future incremental property-tax revenues generated within the district. Formation of an EIFD would require a separate evaluation and approval process and is not part of the action presently before the City Council.
Licensing Work Completed to Date
Regarding the FAA Spaceport License application itself, work conducted over the past several years has successfully addressed a number of requirements. Sections of the Part 420 License Application that have received conditional FAA approval to date include:
PRASP-PLN-1020 Spaceport Records Management Plan
PRASP-SUG-1100 Spaceport User Guide
PRASP-PLN-1120 Public Access Control Plan
PRASP-PLN-1140 Ground Operations Safety Plan
PRASP-PLN-1160 Mishap & Emergency Response Plan
PRASP-PLN-1200 Explosive Site Plan
PRASP-OPS-1220 Hazard Analysis
PRASP-PLN-1260 Scheduling & Notifications Plan
PRASP-PRO-1280 Scheduling & Notifications Procedure
PRASP-TRN-1320 General Site Familiarization & Safety Training The FAA’s prior conditional review or approval of these documents does not constitute final approval.
Under the proposed agreement, RS&H will review the applicable FAA correspondence, compare the existing documents against current Part 420 requirements and FAA guidance, identify outstanding conditions, and revise the documents as necessary for inclusion in the final application.
Analysis by RS&H has determined that to submit a complete Spaceport License application, the City will need to complete the following:
Detailed technical assessments, including flight safety and risk analysis. Formal Letters of Agreement (LOAs) with the U.S. Coast Guard and FAA Air Traffic. Updated Airport Layout Plan (ALP) including designated Spaceport operations areas. (This ALP update will be done as part of the Airport Master Plan Update already underway, ensuring alignment and efficiency.)
Environmental permits for both state and federal agencies.
Following City Council authorization to proceed with the RFP, the selection committee evaluated the three proposals based on firm qualifications and experience, project team, understanding of the City’s existing application materials, technical approach, schedule, and experience with FAA commercial spaceport licensing. Based on this evaluation, RS&H was determined to be the highest-ranked and most qualified firm, and the selection committee recommends that the City enter into a Professional Services Agreement with RS&H for the scope and compensation described below. .
RS&H has extensive experience with spaceport licensing, including Part 420 LSOL applications, environmental review, safety and risk analyses, and related regulatory documentation. The firm has supported licensing efforts at several commercial spaceports and previously completed the City’s Spaceport Licensing Feasibility and Scoping Study. As a result, RS&H is familiar with the City’s existing
application materials, prior FAA coordination, and application components that have already received conditional FAA approval.
Under the proposed scope of services, RS&H will coordinate with the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST), evaluate the City’s existing application materials against current requirements, and complete the remaining technical, environmental, safety, and regulatory analyses. The principal work includes:
Reviewing the City’s existing application documents and related FAA correspondence; Preparing a gap analysis and licensing-completion roadmap; Completing the required flight-safety and risk analyses; Preparing combined NEPA and CEQA documentation, currently anticipated to consist of an environmental assessment and environmental impact report; Coordinating with the U.S. Coast Guard, FAA Air Traffic Organization, and local emergencyresponse agencies and preparing execution-ready draft letters of agreement; Updating and assembling the application documents; and Preparing the draft and final application packages.
RS&H may submit the final application only after receiving the City’s written approval. The agreement also includes limited support for responding to FAA comments, revising affected application materials, and making nonmaterial corrections following submission. Material changes, additional analyses, or review efforts beyond the work and iterations included in the agreement may require a written amendment.
RS&H anticipates completing the remaining application work within approximately 12 to 18 months following issuance of a Notice to Proceed. Due to FAA review, coordination with other federal agencies, environmental requirements, and other factors outside the City’s and consultant’s control, the overall licensing process could extend up to approximately 24 months.
Awarding the proposed agreement would implement the City Council’s prior direction to complete the remaining technical, environmental, and regulatory work required for the FAA application. The agreement would authorize preparation and submission of the application but would not guarantee FAA approval or license issuance, authorize any individual launch or reentry operation, or commit the City to approve any particular operator, mission, facility, or future Airport use. Those activities would remain subject to applicable federal, state, and local review and approval requirements.
Fiscal Impact
RS&H has proposed a not-to-exceed project cost of $786,455.49 to complete the scope of services associated with the Spaceport License application. Funding for the proposed agreement was anticipated and included in the City’s Operating and Capital Budget Report for FY 2026-27 and will be funded through the proceeds from Senate Bill 1090 (the City’s Economic Vitality Fund) of approximately $450,000, with the remaining costs covered by the General Fund.
The City of Paso Robles Estimated Spaceport Economic Impact study prepared by RS&H in 2026 identifies the proposed Paso Robles Spaceport as a potential catalyst for economic growth by attracting aerospace and space-related businesses, supporting existing airport tenants, generating new employment opportunities, and stimulating additional spending throughout the local and regional economy. The analysis considers direct economic activity associated with spaceport operations, tenants, service
providers, and construction, as well as indirect and induced impacts resulting from supplier activity, visitor spending, and the recirculation of wages and business expenditures within the regional economy.
Based on the study, the short-term economic impact, anticipated within 5 to 10 years, is estimated to include 80 direct jobs and 180 total jobs, approximately $25 million in payroll earnings, $68.5 million in business revenues, $29 million in value added to the regional economy, and approximately $6.4 million in tax revenues.
Over the long term, anticipated within 11 to 20 years, the study estimates that spaceport-related activity could support approximately 315 direct jobs and 875 total jobs, generate approximately $96 million in payroll earnings, $334.8 million in business revenues, $141.8 million in value added, and approximately $30 million in tax revenues.
The study's estimates include the broader economic effects of spaceport activity throughout Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo County and were developed using the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis RIMS II multipliers. Accordingly, the estimated tax revenues and other economic benefits represent regional economic impacts and should not be interpreted as direct revenues accruing solely to the City of Paso Robles or its General Fund. The study does not provide an estimate of the City's specific share of the projected tax revenues.
CEQA
The City finds that this action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State Guidelines Section State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060, subd. (c)(2)-(3), 15378. The agreement authorizes the preparation of technical and environmental studies and an application for an FAA Part 420 Launch Site Operator License but does not authorize or commit the City to approve any future launch, reentry, or spaceport operation. Any such operation will remain subject to applicable environmental review and discretionary approvals.
Recommendation (Option 2)
Approve Resolution 26-XXX, authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with RS&H, Inc. for a not-to-exceed project cost of $786,455.49 to complete the remaining outstanding requirements for the City’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 420 Horizontal Launch Site Operator License (LSOL), including any minor, technical, or non-substantive changes approved by the City Manager and City Attorney, for the preparation of all required technical documentation and supporting materials, and completion and submittal of the LSOL application to the FAA on behalf of the City of Paso Robles and Paso Robles Municipal Airport;
Attachments
1. Resolution 26-XXX – Professional Services Contract – Spaceport Licensing Consultant Agreement
2. RS&H Spaceport Licensing Professional Services Agreement
3. Paso Robles Spaceport - Preliminary Technical Review
4. Diversifying a Local Economy - Education and Workforce Development
5. Estimated Spaceport Economic Impact Study
6. LSOL Review & Scope of Work Update - Exec Summary
7. LSOL Assessment Scope of Work Evaluation Final 2025_0930
8. Spaceport Consultant Services RFP-PRB-FINAL-06-12-2026
Attachment 1
RESOLUTION 26-XXX
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES AUTHORIZING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH RS&H, INC. FOR SPACEPORT
CONSULTING SERVICES RELATED TO THE COMPLETION AND SUBMITTAL OF A FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) PART 420 HORIZONTAL LAUNCH SITE OPERATOR LICENSE (LSOL)
APPLICATION FOR THE PASO ROBLES MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
WHEREAS, the City Council has established economic development goals that include pursuing a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Spaceport License for the Paso Robles Municipal Airport and developing a Technology Corridor to diversify the local economy and attract higherpaying, head-of-household jobs; and WHEREAS, beginning in 2023, the City, in partnership with California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), Tartaglia Engineering, Integrated Launch Solutions, and other professional consultants, completed portions of the application and supporting documentation necessary to pursue an FAA Part 420 Horizontal Launch Site Operator License (LSOL); and WHEREAS, documents completed to date include the Explosive Site Plan, General Site Familiarization and Safety Training, Ground Operations Safety Plan, Mishap and Emergency Response Plan, Public Access Control Plan, Scheduling and Notifications Plan and Procedure, Spaceport Records Management Plan, Hazard Analysis and Spaceport Users Guide; and WHEREAS, in 2025, the City retained RS&H, Inc. to review work previously completed in support of the City’s pursuit of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 420 Launch Site Operator License (LSOL) for horizontal launch operations, identify the remaining requirements necessary to complete and submit the license application, and provide estimated costs and a projected schedule for completion; and
WHEREAS, RS&H, Inc.’s review identified remaining requirements that included flight safety and risk analyses, development of letters of agreement with surrounding agencies, environmental review and documentation under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and coordination of necessary Airport Layout Plan updates through the ongoing Airport Master Plan Update; and
WHEREAS, RS&H, Inc.’s recommendations also included estimated costs and a projected timeframe for completing the remaining requirements and submitting an application to the FAA for a Part 420 Launch Site Operator License for horizontal launch operations; and WHEREAS, in March 2026, the City retained Aviation Management Consulting Group, Inc. to assist with developing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Spaceport Consultant Services to solicit qualified firms to complete the remaining technical, regulatory, environmental, and supporting documentation necessary to prepare and submit the City’s application to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a Part 420 Launch Site Operator License (LSOL) for horizontal launch operations; and WHEREAS, in June 2026, the City issued the RFP for Spaceport Consultant Services and received proposals from three (3) qualified firms by the August 3, 2026, proposal deadline; and
Attachment 1
WHEREAS, following a comprehensive evaluation of the proposals received, the selection committee determined that RS&H, Inc. was the highest-ranked and qualified firm to perform the required services and recommended that the City award a Professional Services Agreement to RS&H, Inc. to complete the remaining requirements and prepare and submit the City’s application to the FAA for a Part 420 Launch Site Operator License for horizontal launch operations; and WHEREAS, RS&H, Inc. has experience supporting licensing activities under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, including Parts 413, 420, 433, and 435, and assisting public agencies and commercial spaceport operators with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) licensing process, including preparation of Part 420 Launch Site Operator License applications; and
WHEREAS, under the proposed scope of services, RS&H, Inc. will coordinate with FAA AST, evaluate the City’s existing application materials for compliance with current FAA requirements, complete the remaining technical and regulatory requirements, and submit a complete LSOL application package on behalf of the City, and provide support throughout the FAA application review and approval process; and
WHEREAS, RS&H, Inc. may submit the final application only after receiving the City’s written approval, and the agreement includes the FAA review and comment-response support specifically identified in its scope of services; and
WHEREAS, RS&H, Inc. has proposed a not-to-exceed amount of Seven Hundred Eighty-Six Thousand Four Hundred Fifty-Five and Forty-Nine Cents ($786,455.49) to complete the scope of services associated with the FAA Part 420 Launch Site Operator License application, with funding to be provided through the City’s General Fund and Economic Vitality Fund; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds this action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c)(2), 15060(c)(3), and 15378 because the action consists solely of awarding a Professional Services Agreement for the completion and submittal of an application package for FAA consideration and approval of a FAA Part 420 Launch Site Operator License for horizontal launch operations on behalf of the City of Paso Robles, and provide support throughout the FAA application review and approval process. The agreement authorizes the preparation of technical and environmental studies and an application for an FAA Part 420 Launch Site Operator License but does not authorize or commit the City to approve any future launch, reentry, or spaceport operation, each of which will remain subject to applicable environmental review and discretionary approvals.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. All of the above recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 2. The City Council hereby approves the Professional Services Agreement with RS&H, Inc., in substantially the form attached as Exhibit A, for a not-to-exceed amount of $786,455.49, and authorizes the City Manager to execute the Agreement. The City Manager may approve minor, technical, or non-substantive modifications to the Agreement, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney, provided that such modifications do not increase the not-to-exceed amount or materially expand the scope of services.
Attachment 1
Section 3. Funding for the Agreement has been appropriated and authorized in the City of Paso Robles adopted Fiscal Year 2026–2028 Budget, utilizing available funding within the City’s General Fund and Economic Vitality Fund.
Section 4. The City Manager is authorized to execute administrative documents and take other actions reasonably necessary to implement the Agreement and, following the City’s written approval of the final application, submit the application to the FAA. This authority does not include approval of an increase in the Agreement’s not-to-exceed amount, a material expansion of the scope of services, or any future launch, reentry, operator, mission, facility, or spaceport operation.
Section 5. This Resolution shall take effect on the date it is approved by the City Council.
APPROVED this 6
th day of October 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
John R. Hamon, Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:
Melissa Martin, City Clerk
Exhibit A – City of El Paso de Robles Professional Services Agreement for Spaceport Consulting Services with RS&H, Inc.
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CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
This Agreement is made and entered into as of OCTOBER 06, 2026, by and between the City of El Paso de Robles, a municipal corporation organized and operating under the laws of the State of California with its principal place of business at 1000 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446 (“City”), and RS&H California, Inc., with its place of business at 10748 Deerwood Park Blvd. South, Jacksonville, FL 32256 (“Consultant”).
City and Consultant are sometimes individually referred to as “Party” and collectively as “Parties” in this Agreement.
RECITALS
A. City is a public agency of the State of California and requires professional services for the following project:
To assist the City in completing all requirements necessary to prepare and submit an accurate and complete application package to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST), for a Part 420 Launch Site Operator License for the Paso Robles Municipal Airport (hereinafter referred to as the “Project”).
B. Consultant is duly licensed and has the necessary qualifications to provide such services.
C. The Parties desire by this Agreement to establish the terms for City to retain Consultant to provide the services described herein.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Services.
Consultant shall provide the City with the services described in the Scope of Services as set forth in Exhibit “A”. 2. Compensation.
a. The City shall pay for such services in accordance with the Schedule of Charges as set forth in Exhibit “B” for a not-to-exceed amount of $786,455.49. b. In no event shall the total amount paid for services rendered by Consultant under this Agreement exceed the sum of Seven Hundred Eighty-Six Thousand Four Hundred Fifty-Five Dollars and Forty-Nine Cents ($786,455.49). This amount is to cover all printing and related costs, and the City will not pay any additional fees for printing expenses. Periodic payments shall be made within thirty (30) days of receipt of an invoice which includes a detailed description of the work performed.
Attachment 2
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3. Additional Work.
If changes in the work seem merited by Consultant or the City, and informal consultations with the other party indicate that a change is warranted, it shall be processed in the following manner: a letter outlining the changes shall be forwarded to the City by Consultant with a statement of estimated changes in fee or time schedule. An amendment to this Agreement shall be prepared by the City and executed by both Parties before performance of such services, or the City will not be required to pay for the changes in the scope of work. Such amendment shall not render ineffective or invalidate unaffected portions of this Agreement.
4. Maintenance of Records.
Books, documents, papers, accounting records, and other evidence pertaining to costs incurred or the performance of this Agreement, as well as such other records as may be deemed necessary by City or its authorized representatives, shall be maintained by Consultant and made available at all reasonable times during the contract period and for four (4) years from the date of final payment under the contract for inspection by City.
5. Time of Performance.
Consultant shall perform its services in a prompt and timely manner and shall commence performance upon receipt of written notice from the City to proceed (“Notice to Proceed”). Consultant shall complete the services as set forth in Exhibit “A” consistent with the Schedule of Performance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties acknowledge that parts of the schedule are out of the City’s and Consultant’s control and may result in modifications to the Schedule of Performance outlined in Exhibit “C”. The Notice to Proceed shall set forth the date of commencement of work.
6. Delays in Performance.
a. Neither City nor Consultant shall be considered in default of this Agreement for delays in performance caused by circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the nonperforming party. For purposes of this Agreement, such circumstances include but are not limited to abnormal weather conditions; floods; earthquakes; fire; epidemics; war; riots and other civil disturbances; strikes, lockouts, work slowdowns, and other labor disturbances; sabotage or judicial restraint. b. Should such circumstances occur, the non-performing party shall, within a reasonable time of being prevented from performing, give written notice to the other party describing the circumstances preventing continued performance and the efforts being made to resume performance of this Agreement.
7. Compliance with Law.
a. Consultant shall comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, codes and regulations of the federal, state and local government, including Cal/OSHA Attachment 2
3 82477.03000\45456972.1
requirements, tax laws, workers’ compensation laws, and the Public Records Act, as necessary.
b. If required, Consultant shall assist the City, as requested, in obtaining and maintaining all permits and/or licenses required of Consultant by federal, state, and local regulatory agencies.
c. Consultant will not perform services related to hazardous substances without the express written request of the City. Upon that request, Consultant will seek to negotiate mutually acceptable terms relating to such services prior to accepting performance of the same.
8. Standard of Care
Consultant’s services will be performed in a manner consistent with the level of care and skill ordinarily exercised by members of the profession currently practicing under similar conditions in the same locality (the “Standard of Care”).
9. Assignment and Subconsultant
The parties recognize that a substantial inducement to the City for entering into this Agreement is the professional reputation, experience, and competence of the Consultant. Accordingly, Consultant shall not assign, sublet, or transfer this Agreement or any rights under or interest in this Agreement without the written consent of the City, which may be withheld for any reason. Any attempt to so assign or so transfer without such consent shall be void and without legal effect and shall constitute grounds for termination. Subcontracts, if any, shall contain a provision making them subject to all provisions of this Agreement. Nothing contained herein shall prevent Consultant from employing independent associates and subconsultants as Consultant may deem appropriate to assist in the performance of services hereunder.
10. Independent Consultant
Consultant is retained as an independent contractor and is not an employee of City. No employee or agent of Consultant shall become an employee of City. The work to be performed shall be in accordance with the work described in this Agreement, subject to such directions and amendments from City as herein provided. Consultant will determine the means, methods and details of performing the Services subject to the requirements of this Agreement. Any personnel performing the Services on behalf of Consultant shall not be employees of City and shall at all times be under Consultant’s exclusive direction and control. Neither City nor any of its officials, officers, directors, employees, or agents shall have control over the conduct of Consultant or any of Consultant’s officers, employees, or agents, except as set forth in this Agreement.
Consultant shall pay all wages, salaries, and other amounts due to such personnel in connection with their performance of Services under this Agreement and as required by law. Consultant shall be responsible for all reports and obligations respecting such personnel, including, but not limited to: social security taxes, income tax withholding, unemployment insurance, disability insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance.
Attachment 2
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11. Insurance. Consultant shall not commence work for the City until it has provided satisfactory evidence to the City that it has secured all insurance required under this section. In addition, Consultant shall not allow any subcontractor to commence work on any subcontract until it has secured all insurance required under this section. a. Commercial General Liability
(i) The Consultant shall take out and maintain, during the performance of all work under this Agreement, in amounts not less than specified herein, Commercial General Liability Insurance, in a form and with insurance companies acceptable to the City.
(ii) Coverage for Commercial General Liability insurance shall be at least as broad as the following:
(1) Insurance Services Office Commercial General
Liability coverage (Occurrence Form CG 00 01) or
exact equivalent.
(iii) Commercial General Liability Insurance must include coverage for the following:
(1) Bodily Injury and Property Damage
(2) Personal Injury/Advertising Injury
(3) Premises/Operations Liability
(4) Products/Completed Operations Liability
(5) Aggregate Limits that Apply per Project
(6) Explosion, Collapse and Underground (UCX) exclusion deleted
(7) Contractual Liability with respect to this Contract (8) Broad Form Property Damage
(9) Independent Consultants Coverage
(iv) The policy shall contain no endorsements or provisions limiting coverage for (1) contractual liability; (2) cross liability exclusion for claims or suits by one insured against another; (3) products/completed operations liability; or (4) contain any other exclusion contrary to the Agreement.
(v) The policy shall give City, its officials, officers, employees, agents and City designated volunteers additional insured status using ISO endorsement forms CG 20 10 10 01 and 20 37 10 01, or endorsements providing the exact same coverage.
(vi) The general liability program may utilize either deductibles or provide coverage excess of a self-insured retention, subject to written approval by the City, and provided that such deductibles shall not apply to the City as an additional insured.
Attachment 2
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b. Automobile Liability
(i) At all times during the performance of the work under this Agreement, the Consultant shall maintain Automobile Liability Insurance for bodily injury and property damage, including coverage for owned, non-owned, and hired vehicles, in a form and with insurance companies acceptable to the City. (ii) Coverage for automobile liability insurance shall be at least as broad as Insurance Services Office Form Number CA 00 01 covering automobile liability (Coverage Symbol 1, any auto).
(iii) The policy shall give City, its officials, officers, employees, agents, and City-designated volunteers additional insured status. (iv) Subject to written approval by the City, the automobile liability program may utilize deductibles, provided that such deductibles shall not apply to the City as an additional insured, but not a self-insured retention. c. Workers’ Compensation/Employer’s Liability
(i) Consultant certifies that he/she is aware of the provisions of Section 3700 of the California Labor Code which requires every employer to be insured against liability for workers’ compensation or to undertake self-insurance in accordance with the provisions of that code, and he/she will comply with such provisions before commencing work under this Agreement.
(ii) To the extent Consultant has employees at any time during the term of this Agreement, at all times during the performance of the work under this Agreement, the Consultant shall maintain full compensation insurance for all persons employed directly by him/her to carry out the work contemplated under this Agreement, all in accordance with the “Workers’ Compensation and Insurance Act,” Division IV of the Labor Code of the State of California and any acts amendatory thereof, and Employer’s Liability Coverage in amounts indicated herein. Consultant shall require all subconsultants to obtain and maintain, for the period required by this Agreement, workers’ compensation coverage of the same type and limits as specified in this section. d. Professional Liability (Errors and Omissions)
At all times during the performance of the work under this Agreement, the Consultant shall maintain professional liability or Errors and Omissions insurance appropriate to its profession, in a form and with insurance companies acceptable to the City and in an amount indicated herein. This insurance shall be endorsed to include contractual liability applicable to this Agreement and shall be written on a policy form coverage specifically designed to protect against acts, errors, or omissions of the Consultant. “Covered Professional Services” as designated in the policy must specifically include work performed under this Agreement. The policy must “pay on behalf of” the insured and must include a provision establishing the insurer’s duty to defend.
Attachment 2
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e. Minimum Policy Limits Required
(i) The following insurance limits are required for the Agreement:
Combined Single Limit
Commercial General Liability $1,000,000 per occurrence/ $2,000,000 aggregate for bodily injury, personal injury,
and property damage
Automobile Liability $1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage
Employer’s Liability $1,000,000 per occurrence
Professional Liability $1,000,000 per claim and aggregate (errors and omissions)
(ii) The minimum insurance requirements herein shall not operate as a limitation of Consultant’s liability.
(iii) Requirements of specific coverage or limits contained in this section are not intended as a limitation on coverage, limits, or other requirements, or a waiver of any coverage normally provided by any insurance. Any available coverage shall be provided to the parties required to be named as Additional Insured pursuant to this Agreement.
f. Evidence Required
Prior to execution of the Agreement, the Consultant shall file with the City evidence of insurance from an insurer or insurers certifying to the coverage of all insurance required herein. Such evidence shall include original copies of the ISO CG 00 01 (or insurer’s equivalent) signed by the insurer’s representative and Certificate of Insurance (Acord Form 25-S or equivalent), together with required endorsements. All evidence of insurance shall be signed by a properly authorized officer, agent, or qualified representative of the insurer and shall certify the names of the insured, any additional insureds, where appropriate, the type and amount of the insurance, the location and operations to which the insurance applies, and the expiration date of such insurance. g. Policy Provisions Required
(i) Consultant shall provide the City at least thirty (30) days prior written notice of cancellation of any policy required by this Agreement, except that the Consultant shall provide at least ten (10) days prior written notice of cancellation of any such policy due to non-payment of premium. If any of the required coverage is cancelled or expires during the term of this Agreement, the Consultant shall deliver renewal certificate(s) including the General Liability Additional Insured Endorsement to the City at least ten (10) days prior to the effective date of cancellation or expiration.
Attachment 2
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(ii) The Commercial General Liability Policy and Automobile Policy shall each contain a provision stating that Consultant’s policy is primary insurance and that any insurance, self-insurance or other coverage maintained by the City or any named insureds shall not be called upon to contribute to any loss. (iii) The retroactive date (if any) of each policy is to be no later than the effective date of this Agreement. Consultant shall maintain such coverage continuously for a period of at least three years after the completion of the work under this Agreement. Consultant shall purchase a one (1) year extended reporting period A) if the retroactive date is advanced past the effective date of this Agreement; B) if the policy is cancelled or not renewed; or C) if the policy is replaced by another claims-made policy with a retroactive date subsequent to the effective date of this Agreement. (iv) All required insurance coverages, except for the professional liability coverage, shall contain or be endorsed to waiver of subrogation in favor of the City, its officials, officers, employees, agents, and volunteers or shall specifically allow Consultant or others providing insurance evidence in compliance with these specifications to waive their right of recovery prior to a loss. Consultant hereby waives its own right of recovery against City and shall require similar written express waivers and insurance clauses from each of its subconsultants.
(v) The limits set forth herein shall apply separately to each insured against whom claims are made, or suits are brought, except with respect to the limits of liability. Further, the limits set forth herein shall not be construed to relieve the Consultant from liability in excess of such coverage, nor shall it limit the Consultant’s indemnification obligations to the City and shall not preclude the City from taking such other actions available to the City under other provisions of the Agreement or law. h. Qualifying Insurers
(i) All policies required shall be issued by acceptable insurance companies, as determined by the City, which satisfy the following minimum requirements:
(1) Each such policy shall be from a company or
companies with a current A.M. Best’s rating of no less than A: VII and admitted to transact in the business of insurance in the State of California or otherwise allowed to place insurance through surplus line brokers under applicable provisions of the California Insurance Code or any federal law.
i. Additional Insurance Provisions
(i) The foregoing requirements as to the types and limits of insurance coverage to be maintained by Consultant, and any approval of said insurance by the City, is not intended to and shall not in any manner limit or qualify the liabilities and obligations otherwise assumed by the Consultant pursuant to this Agreement, including but not limited to, the provisions concerning indemnification.
Attachment 2
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(ii) If at any time during the life of the Agreement, any policy of insurance required under this Agreement does not comply with these specifications or is canceled and not replaced, City has the right but not the duty to obtain the insurance it deems necessary, and any premium paid by City will be promptly reimbursed by Consultant or City will withhold amounts sufficient to pay premium from Consultant payments. In the alternative, City may cancel this Agreement. (iii) The City may require the Consultant to provide complete copies of all insurance policies in effect for the duration of the Project. (iv) Neither the City nor any of its officials, officers, employees, agents or volunteers shall be personally responsible for any liability arising under or by virtue of this Agreement.
j. Subconsultant Insurance Requirements. Consultant shall not allow any subcontractors or subconsultants to commence work on any subcontract until they have provided evidence satisfactory to the City that they have secured all insurance required under this section. Policies of commercial general liability insurance provided by such subcontractors or subconsultants shall be endorsed to name the City as an additional insured using ISO form CG 20 38 04 13 or an endorsement providing the exact same coverage. If requested by Consultant, City may approve different scopes or minimum limits of insurance for particular subcontractors or subconsultants.
12. Indemnification.
a. Indemnification: General Liability. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Consultant shall defend (with counsel reasonably approved by the City), indemnify and hold the City, its officials, officers, employees, volunteers, and agents free and harmless from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, liability, loss, damage or injury of any kind, in law or equity, to property or persons, including wrongful death, in any manner arising out of, pertaining to, or incident to any alleged negligent acts, errors or omissions, or willful misconduct of Consultant, its officials, officers, employees, subcontractors, consultants or agents in connection with the performance of the Consultant’s services, the Project or this Agreement, including without limitation the payment of all damages, expert witness fees and attorney’s fees and other related costs and expenses. Consultant’s obligation to indemnify shall not be restricted to insurance proceeds, if any, received by Consultant, the City, its officials, officers, employees, agents, or volunteers.
b. Indemnification: Professional Liability. If Consultant’s obligation to indemnify and/or hold harmless arises out of Consultant’s performance of “design professional” services (as that term is defined under Civil Code section 2782.8), then, and only to the extent required by Civil Code section 2782.8, which is fully incorporated herein, Consultant’s indemnification obligation shall be limited to claims that arise out of, pertain to, or relate to the negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct of the Consultant, and, upon Consultant obtaining a final adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction, Attachment 2
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Consultant’s liability for such claim, including the cost to defend, shall not exceed the Consultant’s proportionate percentage of fault.
13. California Labor Code Requirements.
a. Prevailing Wages. Consultant is aware of the requirements of California Labor Code Sections 1720 et seq. and 1770 et seq., which require the payment of prevailing wage rates and the performance of other requirements on certain “public works” and “maintenance” projects (“Prevailing Wage Laws”). If the services are being performed as part of an applicable “public works” or “maintenance” project, as defined by the Prevailing Wage Laws, and if the total compensation is $1,000 or more, Consultant agrees to fully comply with such Prevailing Wage Laws. Consultant shall defend, indemnify, and hold the City, its officials, officers, employees, and agents free and harmless from any claims, liabilities, costs, penalties, or interest arising out of any failure or alleged failure to comply with the Prevailing Wage Laws. It shall be mandatory upon the Consultant and all subconsultants to comply with all California Labor Code provisions, which include but are not limited to prevailing wages (Labor Code Sections 1771, 1774 and 1775), employment of apprentices (Labor Code Section 1777.5), certified payroll records (Labor Code Sections 1771.4 and 1776), hours of labor (Labor Code Sections 1813 and 1815) and debarment of contractors and subcontractors (Labor Code Section 1777.1). The requirement to submit certified payroll records directly to the Labor Commissioner under Labor Code section 1771.4 shall not apply to work performed on a public works project that is exempt pursuant to the small project exemption specified in Labor Code Section 1771.4.
b. Registration/DIR Compliance. If the services are being performed as part of an applicable “public works” or “maintenance” project, then pursuant to Labor Code Sections 1725.5 and 1771.1, the Consultant and all subconsultants performing such services must be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations. Consultant shall maintain registration for the duration of the Project and require the same of any subconsultants, as applicable. This Project may also be subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the Department of Industrial Relations. It shall be Consultant’s sole responsibility to comply with all applicable registration and labor compliance requirements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the contractor registration requirements mandated by Labor Code Sections 1725.5 and 1771.1 shall not apply to work performed on a public works project that is exempt pursuant to the small project exemption specified in Labor Code Sections 1725.5 and 1771.1.
c. Compliance Monitoring. This Agreement may also be subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the Department of Industrial Relations. It shall be Consultant’s sole responsibility to comply with all applicable registration and labor compliance requirements. Any stop orders issued by the Department of Industrial Relations against Consultant or any subcontractor that affect Consultant’s performance of services, including any delay, shall be Consultant’s sole responsibility. Any delay arising out of or resulting from such stop orders shall be considered Consultant caused delay and shall not be compensable by the City. Consultant shall defend, indemnify and hold the City, its officials, officers, employees and agents free and harmless from any Attachment 2
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claim or liability arising out of stop orders issued by the Department of Industrial Relations against Consultant or any subcontractor.
d. Labor Certification. By its signature hereunder, Consultant certifies that it is aware of the provisions of Section 3700 of the California Labor Code which require every employer to be insured against liability for Worker’s Compensation or to undertake self-insurance in accordance with the provisions of that Code and agrees to comply with such provisions before commencing the performance of the Services.
14. Verification of Employment Eligibility.
By executing this Agreement, Consultant verifies that it fully complies with all requirements and restrictions of state and federal law respecting the employment of undocumented aliens, including, but not limited to, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, as may be amended from time to time, and shall require all subconsultants and sub-subconsultants to comply with the same. Consultant certifies that it has not committed a violation of any such law within the five (5) years immediately preceding the date of execution of this Agreement, and shall not violate any such law at any time during the term of the Agreement.
15. (REMOVED PER PUBLIC WORKS).
16. Laws and Venue.
This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California. If any action is brought to interpret or enforce any term of this Agreement, the action shall be brought in a state or federal court situated in the County of San Luis Obispo, State of California. In addition to any and all contract requirements pertaining to notices of and requests for compensation or payment for extra work, disputed work, claims, and/or changed conditions, Consultant must comply with the claim procedures set forth in Government Code sections 900 et seq. prior to filing any lawsuit against the City. Such Government Code claims and any subsequent lawsuit based upon the Government Code claims shall be limited to those matters that remain unresolved after all procedures pertaining to extra work, disputed work, claims, and/or changed conditions have been followed by Consultant. If no such Government Code claim is submitted, or if any prerequisite contractual requirements are not otherwise satisfied as specified herein, Consultant shall be barred from bringing and maintaining a valid lawsuit against the City.
17. Termination or Abandonment
a. Grounds for City Termination. City has the right to terminate or abandon any portion or all of the work under this Agreement by giving ten (10) calendar days’ written notice to Consultant. In such event, City shall be immediately given title and possession to all original field notes, drawings and specifications, written reports and other documents produced or developed for that portion of the work completed and/or being abandoned. City shall pay Consultant the reasonable value of services rendered for any portion of the work completed prior to termination. If said termination occurs prior to completion of any task for the Project for which a payment request has not been Attachment 2
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received, the charge for services performed during such task shall be the reasonable value of such services, based on an amount mutually agreed to by City and Consultant of the portion of such task completed but not paid prior to said termination. City shall not be liable for any costs other than the charges or portions thereof which are specified herein. Consultant shall not be entitled to payment for unperformed services and shall not be entitled to damages or compensation for termination of work. b. Grounds for Consultant Termination. Consultant may terminate its obligation to provide further services under this Agreement upon thirty (30) calendar days’ written notice to City only in the event of substantial failure by City to perform in accordance with the terms of this Agreement through no fault of Consultant.
18. Documents. Except as otherwise provided in “Termination or Abandonment,” above, all original field notes, written reports, Drawings and Specifications and other documents, produced or developed for the Project shall, upon payment in full for the services described in this Agreement, be furnished to and become the property of the City.
19. Organization
Consultant shall assign Todd Lindner as Project Manager. The Project Manager shall not be removed from the Project or reassigned without the prior written consent of the City.
20. Limitation of Agreement.
This Agreement is limited to and includes only the work included in the Project described above.
21. Notice
Any notice or instrument required to be given or delivered by this Agreement may be given or delivered by depositing the same in any United States Post Office, certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to:
CITY: CONSULTANT
City of El Paso de Robles RS&H
1000 Spring Street 10748 Deerwood Park Blvd. South
Paso Robles, CA 93446 Jacksonville, FL 32256
Attn: Chris Huot Attn: Jesse Forst
City Manager Senior Vice President
and shall be effective upon receipt thereof.
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22. Third Party Rights
Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to give any rights or benefits to anyone other than the City and the Consultant.
23. Equal Opportunity Employment.
Consultant represents that it is an equal opportunity employer and that it shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, or other interests protected by the State or Federal Constitutions. Such non-discrimination shall include, but not be limited to, all activities related to initial employment, upgrading, demotion, transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising, layoff or termination.
24. Entire Agreement
This Agreement, with its exhibits, represents the entire understanding of City and Consultant as to those matters contained herein, and supersedes and cancels any prior or contemporaneous oral or written understanding, promises or representations with respect to those matters covered hereunder. Each party acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises or agreements have been made by any person which are not incorporated herein, and that any other agreements shall be void. This Agreement may not be modified or altered except in writing signed by both Parties hereto.
This is an integrated Agreement.
25. Severability
The unenforceability, invalidity or illegality of any provision(s) of this Agreement shall not render the provisions unenforceable, invalid or illegal.
26. Successors and Assigns
This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the successors in interest, executors, administrators and assigns of each party to this Agreement. However, Consultant shall not assign or transfer by operation of law or otherwise any or all of its rights, burdens, duties or obligations without the prior written consent of City. Any attempted assignment without such consent shall be invalid and void.
27. Non-Waiver
None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be considered waived by either party, unless such waiver is specifically specified in writing.
28. City’s Right to Employ Other Consultants
City reserves its right to employ other consultants, including engineers, in connection with this Project or other projects.
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29. Prohibited Interests
Consultant maintains and warrants that it has not employed or retained any company or person, other than a bona fide employee working solely for Consultant, to solicit or secure this Agreement. Further, Consultant warrants that it has not paid nor has it agreed to pay any company or person, other than a bona fide employee working solely for Consultant, any fee, commission, percentage, brokerage fee, gift or other consideration contingent upon or resulting from the award or making of this Agreement.
For breach or violation of this warranty, City shall have the right to rescind this Agreement without liability. For the term of this Agreement, no director, official, officer or employee of City, during the term of his or her service with City, shall have any direct interest in this Agreement, or obtain any present or anticipated material benefit arising therefrom.
30. Ownership of Materials.
Consultant acknowledges that any and all copyrights, designs, and other intellectual property embodied in plans, specifications, studies, drawings, estimates, and other documents or works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression, including but not limited to, physical drawings or data magnetically or otherwise recorded on computer diskettes, which are prepared or caused to be prepared by Consultant under this Agreement (“Documents & Data”) shall be “work made for hire” as that term is defined by copyright laws of the United States. Consultant hereby assigns all ownership rights and intellectual property rights of all Documents & Data to City. All Documents & Data shall be and remain the property of City, and shall not be used in whole or in substantial part by Consultant on other projects without the City’s express written permission. Within thirty (30) days following the completion, suspension, abandonment, or termination of this Agreement, Consultant shall provide to City reproducible copies of all Documents & Data, in a form and amount required by City. City reserves the right to select the method of document reproduction and to establish where the reproduction will be accomplished.
The reproduction expense shall be borne by City at the actual cost of duplication. In the event of a dispute regarding the amount of compensation to which the Consultant is entitled under the termination provisions of this Agreement, Consultant shall provide all Documents & Data to City upon payment of the undisputed amount. Consultant shall have no right to retain or fail to provide to City any such documents pending resolution of the dispute.
31. Confidentiality.
All ideas, memoranda, specifications, plans, procedures, drawings, descriptions, computer program data, input record data, written information, and other Documents & Data either created by or provided to Consultant in connection with the performance of this Agreement shall be held confidential by Consultant. Such materials shall not, without the prior written consent of City, be used by Consultant for any purposes other than the performance of the Services, nor shall such materials be disclosed to any person or entity not connected with the performance of the Services or the Project. Nothing furnished to Consultant which is otherwise known to Consultant or is generally known, or has become known, to the related industry shall be deemed confidential.
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The City shall refrain from releasing Consultant’s proprietary information (“Proprietary Information”) unless the City’s legal counsel determines that the release of the Proprietary Information is required by the California Public Records Act or other applicable state or federal law, or order of a court of competent jurisdiction, in which case the City shall notify Consultant of its intention to release Proprietary Information.
Consultant shall have five (5) working days after receipt of the release notice to give City written notice of Consultant’s objection to the City’s release of Proprietary Information.
Consultant shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the City, and its officers, directors, employees, and agents, from and against all liability, loss, cost or expense (including attorney’s fees) arising out of a legal action brought to compel the release of Proprietary Information. City shall not release the Proprietary Information after receipt of an objection notice unless either: (1) Consultant fails to fully indemnify, defend (with counsel reasonably approved by City), and hold City harmless from any legal action brought to compel such release; and/or (2) a final and non-appealable order by a court of competent jurisdiction requires that City release such information.
32. Attorney’s Fees
If either party commences an action against the other party, either legal, administrative or otherwise, arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, then the prevailing party in such litigation shall be entitled to have and recover from the losing party reasonable attorneys’ fees and all costs of such action.
33. Construction; References; Captions.
Since both Parties or their agents have participated fully in the preparation of this Agreement, the language of this Agreement shall be construed simply, according to its fair meaning, and not strictly for or against any Party. Any term referencing time, days, or period for performance shall be deemed calendar days and not workdays. All references to Consultant include all personnel, employees, agents, and subconsultants of Consultant, except as otherwise specified in this Agreement. All references to City include its elected officials, officers, employees, agents, and volunteers except as otherwise specified in this Agreement. The captions of the various articles and paragraphs are for convenience and ease of reference only, and do not define, limit, augment, or describe the scope, content, or intent of this Agreement.
34. Authority to Enter Agreement.
Consultant hereby certifies that it has all requisite power and authority to conduct its business and to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement. Each Party warrants that the individuals who have signed this Agreement have the legal power, right, and authority to make this Agreement and bind each respective Party.
35. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original.
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36. Survival.
All rights and obligations hereunder that by their nature are to continue after any expiration or termination of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, the indemnification obligations, shall survive any such expiration or termination. [SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
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SIGNATURE PAGE FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES
AND RS&H, INC.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
CITY OF EL PASO DE ROBLES RS&H California, Inc.
By: By:
Chris Huot Jesse Forst
City Manager Senior Vice President
ATTEST:
By:
Melissa Boyer
City Clerk
CITY ATTORNEY APPROVAL
By:
City Attorney
REVIEWED:
By:
City Project Manager
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EXHIBIT A
Scope of Services
In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the Consultant’s proposal and the terms of the Professional Services Agreement, the terms of the Professional Services Agreement shall control.
Project Approach
The Consultant team has produced a streamlined and logically flowing work package (WP) structure they believe will meet the City’s spaceport licensing objectives at the City of Paso Robles Municipal Airport (KPRB or PRB), assuming existing FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation processes and precedents, and that all Scope of Work (SOW) and reporting requirements defined below are fulfilled.
City Review and Revisions
The City shall have no more than ten (10) working days to review and comment on each deliverable identified within this Scope of Services. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties agree to work with each other on additional time as deemed necessary.
Consultant shall address the City’s comments within five (5) working days and make such revisions as are reasonably necessary for the deliverable to comply with this Agreement and be acceptable to the City. However, changes proposed by the City that, in the sole determination of the Consultant, will prevent the acceptance of the work by the FAA or other government agency will be documented as an exception and communicated to the City in writing (a “Consultant’s Exception”). A deliverable shall not be considered complete, and the corresponding milestone payment shall not become due, until the City has accepted the deliverable in writing, except for the Consultant’s Exception(s). City shall not unreasonably withhold a deliverable acceptance.
Consultant shall correct, without additional compensation, any errors, omissions, inconsistencies, or failure to comply with this Agreement, applicable requirements, or previously provided City or agency direction, except as noted above as it pertains to the direction of the Consultant that will, in the opinion of the Consultant, prevent, cause delays to, or otherwise slow, impede or drive additional effort or cost, in the acceptance of work by the FAA. Revisions resulting from a material change in the City’s direction or a new City or FAA or other government agency requirement that materially expands the Scope of Services may be treated as additional work, but only if authorized in accordance with the Agreement’s Additional Work provisions and mutually agreed by the parties in writing.
WP DESCRIPTIONS
WP1 – Project Management, Outreach, and Reporting
WP1 is the Consultant's project management and external-facing center of our approach.
It provides overall project management, QA, stakeholder coordination, and FAA engagement throughout the duration of the project. The Consultant will establish project Attachment 2
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controls at project initiation and maintain active coordination with the City, FAA AST, and other stakeholders to ensure timely execution of all work packages.
Listed below are the five sub-tasks that form part of WP1. › WP1.1 – Project coordination, project tracking, financial management The Project Manager (PM) will coordinate with the client and internal Consultant team members to track progress versus the schedule, budget, and requirements for licensing as defined by FAA AST requirements associated with a spaceport license. › WP1.2 – Monthly and tactical client project reviews/status reporting The PM will coordinate, lead, and marshal appropriate Team resources for monthly and tactical (e.g., most weeks) client status meetings, project reviews, and status updates. › WP1.3 – Public outreach, stakeholder engagement, and materials preparation The PM will assign team members to perform outreach and stakeholder engagement efforts on behalf of the team and in accordance with FAA AST recommendations related to environmental reviews, including preparation of materials for such meetings/outreach. › WP1.4 – FAA coordination
The PM will coordinate with FAA AST and other parts of FAA (as needed) for the project. › WP1.5 – Reports/deliverables preparation and QA
The PM shall supervise the production and QA of the deliverables and have them sent to the Client.
WP2 – Prior Work Review, Gap Analysis, and FAA Reengagement Leading to Approval of Explosive Site Plan (ESP)
Consultant understands that the City has already completed portions of the Part 420 licensing application and that several licensing documents have received conditional FAA approval. The objective of WP2 is to establish a clear baseline of existing documentation, identify remaining licensing gaps, and obtain FAA concurrence regarding the path forward, specifically on the ESP (the gating action for the rest of the LSOL Application).
Phase 1 - Document Inventory and Gap Analysis:
Upon contract award, Consultant will immediately conduct and draft a structured gap analysis against the Paso Robles LSOL SOW Evaluation and the FAA Part 420 compliance checklist. As an initial WP2 product, Consultant shall prepare a baseline inventory of the existing documents upon which Consultant intends to rely. The inventory shall identify each document by title, date, and version and shall summarize its FAA review or approval status, related FAA correspondence, outstanding conditions or Attachment 2
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comments, and any revisions Consultant determines are necessary. This baseline inventory shall rely solely on material provided to the Consultant by the City. The City shall deliver these materials, including a detailed list of the material provided, to the Consultant within five business days after signature of the Agreement. Transfer of data shall be by using a commonly available online shared file system (e.g., TEAMs or equivalent). Consultant shall submit the baseline inventory to the City for review before completing the gap analysis.
Based on our previous efforts with the City, the Consultant will map conditionally approved documents against current 14 CFR Part 420 requirements and FAA Advisory Circular updates, identifying which elements remain valid, which require updating, and which represent net-new deliverables. Considering FAA’s position regarding explosive siting criteria, the Consultant Team will expedite efforts to receive approval of the existing Draft Explosive Site Plan (ESP) in order to proceed with obtaining later approval for the remaining LSOL application elements.
Phase 2 - Pre-Application Refresh with FAA AST
Consultant will coordinate with FAA AST to schedule and conduct the pre-application refresh meeting. The Consultant Project Officer and Project Manager will lead this engagement, presenting the gap analysis findings, confirming FAA’s current expectations for the PRB application, and establishing the comment resolution framework that will govern the balance of the project. As part of the refresh meeting, the Consultant Team will discuss and review the existing LSOL application elements already prepared in draft format by the City. This meeting will reset the FAA relationship and confirm the regulatory baseline for the updated application package and provide the content to produce a 1-2 page “Licensing Completion Roadmap” but more importantly, the primary deliverable of WP2, the updated and revised ESP for FAA AST approval and coordination with the FAA ADO.
This WP will be broken up into the following sub-tasks:
› WP2.1 – Existing document inventory – Review existing project documentation prepared by PRB team members.
› WP2.2 – Review of conditional FAA approvals – review correspondence from FAA to PRB re the earlier submitted licensing documents.
› WP2.3 – Part 420 compliance assessment – overlay prior submissions versus current 14 CFR 420 license application requirements.
› WP2.4 – Gap analysis (see above)
› WP2.5 – FAA pre-application refresh meeting – organize FAA AST meeting. › WP2.6 – Produce licensing completion roadmap (plan). And produce the – Attachment 2
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WP2 Deliverable – a finalized draft ESP for review by FAA AST and up to one iteration thereof before approval by FAA. Should the FAA require more than one iteration, this shall be considered Additional Work and be subject to Section 3 of the Agreement.
WP3 – Flight Safety, Risk Analysis, and Licensing Technical Studies Based upon the previously completed feasibility and scoping work, Consultant and subconsultants will complete the analyses considered necessary to satisfy FAA requirements related to launch site location review, including flight safety analysis of public risk that includes operational concepts and appropriate hazard mitigation measures. Other aspects of the license application will also be produced as needed, such as updated access control measures.
Analyses will leverage existing studies wherever possible to avoid duplication of effort and focus on completion of outstanding technical requirements. The primary milestone payments for this WP shall be the kickoff of the Flight Safety Analysis by Consultant with ARCTOS (WP3-1 Deliverable to be the Meeting Minutes of the Kickoff Meeting). The final invoiceable milestone, WP3-2 Deliverable, shall be the draft Deliverable documenting the Launch Site Location Review (as defined in 14 CFR 420) that includes as its principal analysis the Flight Safety Analysis (FSA) performed by Consultant Team Member, ARCTOS.
This WP will be broken up into the following sub-tasks:
› WP3.1 – Kickoff Meeting for the Flight Safety Analysis (FSA) and Launch site location confirmation (see above) – WP3-1 DELIVERABLE (Meeting Minutes of FSA Kickoff) › WP3.2 – Concept of Operations development and refinement – confirm intended operations by reference vehicles at PRB.
› WP3.3 – Flight corridor definition – Confirm proposed reference vehicle flight paths. › WP3.4 – Flight safety analysis shall include the following: expected casualty (Ec) analysis that incorporates population risk exposure assessment pursuant to industry norms and practices for spaceport licensing actions.
› WP3.5 – Safety zone modeling – definition of trajectory impact limit lines. › WP3.6 – Maximum Probable Loss support to FAA AST (as needed) – As requested by FAA, support their assessment of MPL.
› WP3.7 – Airspace and operational compatibility assessments – Consider airspace operations along anticipated flight trajectories of the intended launch vehicles and coordinate with FAA Air Traffic on future operational practices.
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› WP3.8 – Preparation of the Launch Site Location Review (LSLR) document associated with the LSOL application, including the FSA’s Ec calculations. (WP3-2 DELIVERABLE – draft Launch Site Location Review containing the Flight Safety Analysis from ARCTOS.) WP4 – Environmental Review - NEPA/CEQA
To secure an LSOL for Paso Robles Spaceport, Consultant will complete an Environmental Review in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 14, Chapter 3, Subchapter C, Part 420, Subpart B, FAA Order 1050.1G, and NEPA (42 U.S.C. §§ 4321-4347). As the project requires a discretionary action by the City, as owner and operator of PRB, documentation under CEQA (PRC 21000-21189) will be required.
CEQA documentation will be developed in accordance with CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines (14 CCR 6, Chapter 3).
As allowed under FAA Order 1050.1G, Part 3, Section 3.9, the NEPA and CEQA documentation will be developed jointly and presented in a single, standalone document to be processed concurrently with the licensing effort. Consultant will adapt the existing California state template developed for combined NEPA and CEQA documentation to conform to FAA and City standards.
Consultant shall coordinate, through one iteration, the performance of WP3 and WP4 so that the environmental analysis is based upon sufficiently developed and internally consistent operational and technical information. Before finalizing the noise methodology or other substantive environmental analysis, Consultant shall confirm with the City the project description, reference vehicle assumptions, anticipated operations, flight corridors, operational frequency, and other material inputs upon which the analysis will rely. Upon delivery of the above information to the City by the Consultant, the City shall have twenty (20) working days, and additional days as mutually agreed upon between the parties, to confirm in writing the material provided as defined in the prior sentence.
Should the City fail to reply, the City shall have by default confirmed the material and the Consultant shall be authorized to continue the work. If the City provides written, clear comments to the material, the Consultant shall have 5 business days, or as otherwise mutually agreed, to provide proposed resolutions to the comments, including any Consultant’s Exceptions. These proposed revisions shall not be unreasonably rejected by the City. Should the City require more than one iteration, this effort shall be considered Additional Work and be subject to Section 3 of the Agreement.
Consultant shall promptly (within 5 business days) notify the City if information developed under WP3 materially affects an assumption used under WP4 and shall identify the portions of the environmental analysis that may require revision.
The Environmental Review will provide the information necessary for the FAA to understand and disclose the potential environmental consequences of the proposed launch activities before acting on the City’s application for a launch site operator license.
Based on currently available information, Consultant anticipates developing an Attachment 2
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Environmental Assessment under NEPA and an Environmental Impact Report under CEQA, with the goal of supporting the FAA’s issuance of an appropriate NEPA decision document, which may include a Finding of No Significant Impact or Record of Decision, and the City’s certification or adoption of the appropriate CEQA document and filing of any required notices. The ultimate level and form of environmental review will be determined by the FAA and City, as applicable, based on the results of the environmental analysis. To the extent appropriate, combined documentation will allow for concurrent NEPA and CEQA reviews by the FAA and City, as well as coordinated public outreach during review of the environmental documents. If the FAA or City determines that separate or different environmental documents or review processes are required, Consultant will coordinate with the City regarding the resulting scope, schedule, and cost implications and address pursuant to Section 3 of the Agreement. All technical analyses will be developed to address applicable NEPA and CEQA requirements. The Consultant Team will develop a clear and strong project description and purpose and need statement that will anchor the technical analyses and the EA/EIR. The EA/EIR will cover all resources, as required under NEPA and CEQA.
The primary environmental consequence to be addressed as part of the review will be noise and sonic booms. The Consultant Team will develop and coordinate the noise and sonic boom methodology with the FAA AST and the Office of Environment and Energy (AEE). The methodology will establish a ROI. The ROI will include the area potentially affected by the launch vehicle flight corridor established in the license application and the area of the sonic boom contours >1.0 psf. The methodology will include the noise and sonic boom data inputs. BRRC will develop a brief letter and technical memorandum requesting FAA AST and AEE’s approval of the noise and sonic boom methodology. The FAA AST and AEE approval letter of the noise and sonic boom methodology will be included as an appendix to the EA/EIR.
With the FAA’s approval of the noise methodology, a complete noise analysis will use a fixed set of noise metrics, in compliance with FAA Order 1050.1G, to evaluate impacts on a cumulative event basis. Cumulative impacts are evaluated using Day-Night Level (DNL) contours to determine if the Concept Y RLV operations would cause an increase in noise of DNL 1.5 dBA or more at or above DNL 65 dBA noise exposure when compared to the baseline. GIS contour files and noise contour graphics will be developed.
The Consultant Team will use the latest version of PCBoom to calculate the location and magnitude of sonic boom overpressures on the ground due to supersonic flight and commercial space operations. The model considers the effects of the atmosphere, vehicle shape and velocity, and altitude to accurately predict the intensity and propagation of the sonic booms resulting from supersonic flight.
In parallel with the Environmental Review, Consultant will recommend any needed updates to the Paso Robles Airport Layout Plan to reflect the proposed modifications. › WP4.1 – Data collection – perform data collection for the EA/EIR Attachment 2
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› WP4.2 – Template for combined NEPA and CEQA documentation for FAA and City approval – prepare template for informal review.
› WP4.3 – Proposed action and alternatives – Prepare the Description of Proposed Action and Alternatives [DOPAA] for FAA AST review and approval (1 iteration scoped) (WP4-1 DELIVERABLE – DOPAA)
› WP4.4 – Approach and noise/ sonic boom analysis – Perform noise and sonic boom analysis for flight and return to runway operations with the reference vehicle (WP4-2 DELIVERABLE – Noise and Sonic Boom Report)
› WP4.5 – Draft EA/EIR – Prepare the draft EA/EIR pursuant to acceptable templates discussed earlier (WP4-3 DELIVERABLE – Draft EA/EIR Document) › WP4.6 – Public outreach (as required) – Coordinate with the public for the Draft EA/EIR as required by statute or FAA directive. Based on a mutually agreeable written plan prepared mutually by the City prior to the commencement of the effort, Consultant shall assist the City with compliance with Public Resources Code section 21080.3.1 and other applicable tribal consultation requirements.
› WP4.7 – Public comments response – Consultant shall maintain a comment log and prepare responses to comments received from the City, FAA, reviewing agencies, tribes, and the public on the Draft EA/EIR, but only for comments received within the statutory deadline for receipt of comments. Consultant shall revise one iteration of the environmental document and supporting technical studies, as necessary, with the Consultant responses being in the sole discretion of the Consultant. Should the City or other entity (e.g., FAA) require more than one iteration, it shall be considered Additional Work subject to Section 3 of the Agreement.
› WP4.8 – NEPA FONSI/ROD and CEQA certification of Final EIR and NOD – Consultant shall prepare the Final EA/EIR, final comment-response matrix, and revised supporting technical studies. Any additional iterations requested for the Final Documents shall be considered Additional Work pursuant to Section 3 of the Agreement.
Consultant shall provide reasonable technical support for the FAA’s environmental decision process after submission of the Final version, and the City’s consideration of the Final EIR, CEQA findings, mitigation monitoring and reporting program, statement of overriding considerations if required, and Notice of Determination. Should there \ be a determination that the technical support requested or required is not reasonable or not within the Scope of Services, the City and Consultant shall determine an agreed-upon scope of work as outlined in Additional Work pursuant to Section 3 of the Agreement.
WP4-4 Deliverable: Final EA/EIR with comment-response matrix; revised supporting technical studies; requested draft CEQA findings and related materials. Editable source files, data, calculations, models, and GIS materials shall be available to the City for download from the project file sharing site noted earlier in the Statement of Services.
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WP5 – Agency Coordination and Letters of Agreement (LOAs) To fulfill the LSOL application requirements, an applicant must formalize key agreements to ensure seamless coordination and public safety during spaceport operations. These legal and operational frameworks bridge the gap between the site operator and the various agencies managing the surrounding environment.
Consultant will work with the FAA using its standardized process and template-based LOA documents to develop an agreement outlining procedures for airspace closures and communication protocols, including the issuance of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) for the safety of civil and commercial aviation. Similarly, Consultant will coordinate with the USCG using their template-based LOAs to develop an agreement to effectively manage ship traffic and issue necessary Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs).
Through existing City local emergency response arrangements, Consultant will help City Spaceport members facilitate extension of existing response protocols for space reentry operations. This may include fire, medical, and hazardous material teams. These collective agreements prove to the FAA that the infrastructure exists to handle both nominal operations and unexpected contingencies safely.
For each Letter of Agreement, Consultant shall prepare an initial draft for City review, assist with coordination and negotiations with the applicable agency, address comments received from the applicable agency, and prepare a final, execution-ready draft reasonably acceptable to the City. Any additional iterations beyond the one iteration with the City described in the preceding sentence shall constitute Additional Work and be addressed pursuant to Section 3 of the Agreement.
› WP5.1 – Agreement with the local USCG – using USCG template prepare the draft Letter of Agreement (LOA) (WP5-1 DELIVERABLE MILESTONE – Draft USCG LOA – one iteration planned).
› WP5.2 – Agreement with FAA ATO – using the FAA ATO’s template, prepare a draft LOA between PRB and regional ATO. (WP5-2 DELIVERABLE MILESTONE – Draft ATO LOA – one iteration planned).
› WP5.3 – Emergency response agreements – using local template, draft shared emergency response LOAs (WP5-3 DELIVERABLE MILESTONE – Draft local emergency response LOA – one iteration planned).
WP6 – Existing Document Updates and Compliance Review
Several licensing documents have already been developed and conditionally approved.
The purpose of WP6 is to validate, update, and integrate these documents as necessary for final application submission. Building on the findings of the gap analysis, the Consultant will review existing documentation against current FAA requirements, guidance, and review comments to determine what remains valid, what requires Attachment 2
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modification, and what additional information may be necessary to support final application submission
The Consultant will update data, references, and regulatory citations where standards or guidance have evolved, verify consistency across all application components, and reformat or revise documents as needed to align with the final Part 420 application structure. Existing documents anticipated for review include:
› Explosive Site Plan › Ground Operations Safety Plan
› Mishap and Emergency Response Plan › Public Access Control Plan › Scheduling and Notification Procedures › Spaceport Record Management Plan › Spaceport User Guide › Training documentation
These documents represent the necessary "Responsibilities of Licensee" as defined in 14 CFR 420, Subpart D. The Deliverable for these efforts will be a compliance matrix that reviews and confirms all aspects of Subpart D have been developed between the pre-existing PRB documentation and the new documents and analysis produced under this licensing scope of work in WP2 through WP6.
This WP will be broken up into the following sub-tasks:
› WP6.1 – Technical review of existing documents – review of existing PRB documents and project documents produced to date.
› WP6.2 – FAA comment reconciliation – review and implementation of changes as per FAA comments, as appropriate.
› WP6.3 – Regulatory updates – cross-check of any updated regulations vs. application materials, to date.
› WP6.4 – Document revisions – cross check any updated Advisory Circulars or other FAA document revisions and necessary internal changes.
› WP6.5 – Internal QA/QC review – review materials.
› WP6.6 – Final document packaging – Prepare the "Responsibilities of Licensee" WP6-1 DELIVERABLE – a matrix showing that SubPart D requirements have been met.
WP7 – License Application Assembly and Draft Submission WP7 brings together all technical, environmental, operational, and administrative components into a complete and internally consistent FAA licensing package.
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Consultant will assemble the draft LSOL application and confirm all application elements are included in the submission.
This WP will be broken up into the following sub-tasks:
› WP7.1 – Application assembly
› WP7.2 – Compliance checklist completion
› WP7.3 – Internal quality reviews
› WP7.4 – Executive review
› WP7.5 – Draft submission package preparation
› WP7.6 – City review coordination & Submission to FAA
(WP7-1 DELIVERABLE – DRAFT LSOL APPLICATION)
WP8 – FAA Review Support and Final Application Submission Following submission of the draft application, Consultant shall provide reasonable support for FAA review, including tracking FAA comments, participating in technical and coordination meetings, preparing responses, revising affected application materials, coordinating with the City regarding material comments, and preparing the final application package.
Consultant shall address FAA comments
If FAA comments require a material expansion of the Project, a materially different technical analysis, or work not reasonably contemplated by this Scope, Consultant shall promptly advise the City of the anticipated effect on the Scope, schedule, and compensation before performing the additional work. FAA Revision Response Protocol:
The Consultant’s response process for FAA review comments should be systematic and time accountable. Upon receipt of FAA comments on any submitted work package, the following steps are executed:
1. Comment Log Entry (within 48 hours): The Project Manager or designated representative logs each FAA comment in the project’s FAA/public/internal comment log, assigns it to the responsible Task Leader, and flags any comment that has schedulecritical implications.
2. Technical Response Development (Days 1–10 after receipt): The responsible Task Leader—for environmental or for regulatory/licensing—drafts a technical response and proposed revision. The QC manager applies the QA/QC review protocol to verify the response is complete and compliant before it returns to the FAA.
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3. City Coordination (within the response window): For comments with policy implications or that affect previously approved documents, the Consultant will inform the City prior to submission, providing for City concurrence with the response position.
4. Resubmittal and Tracking: Revised documents are submitted with a formal comment-response matrix that maps each FAA comment to the Consultant’s response and the document revision. This matrix becomes a permanent project record and supports efficient FAA re-review.
This WP will be broken up into the following sub-tasks:
› WP8.1 – FAA comment tracking
› WP8.2 – Technical response development
› WP8.3 – Revision preparation
› WP8.4 – Final FAA / Agency coordination
› WP8.5 – Stakeholder briefings (if needed)
› WP8.6 – City Council and Airport Commission presentations (if needed) › WP8.7 – Final application submission to FAA and follow-on support (if needed).
Final WP8 Deliverable: A City-approved final Launch Site Operator License application, together with all supporting documents, completed compliance checklists, final commentresponse matrices, agency correspondence, and editable source files posted to the project share site for City download.
Await FAA determination and license issuance.
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EXHIBIT B
Compensation by WP Deliverable
DEL 1 WP2 Explosive Site Plan Draft to FAA $40,176.76
WP2 Total $40,176.76
DEL 2 WP3 NTP to ARCTOS for FSA $50,991.96
DEL 3 WP3 Submittal of FSA to FAA $125,000.00
WP3 Total $175,991.96
DEL 4 WP4 Submittal of Draft DOPAA to FAA $214,356.99
DEL 5 WP4 Submittal of Draft Noise & Sonic Boom to FAA $56,735.00 DEL 6 WP4 Submittal of Draft EA to FAA $214,356.99
WP4 Total $485,448.97
DEL 7 WP5 Completion of Draft USCG LOA $4,750.70
DEL 8 WP5 Completion of Draft Air Traffic LOA $4,859.37 DEL 9 WP5 Completion of Emergency Svcs LOA $4,662.15
WP5 Total $14,272.23
DEL 10 WP6 "Responsibilities of Licensee" Matrix to Paso Robles $26,529.54 WP6 Total $26,529.54
DEL 11 WP7 Submittal of Draft LSOL Application to FAA AST $23,407.33 WP7 Total $23,407.33
DEL 12 WP8 Submittal of Final LSOL Application to FAA AST $20,628.69 WP8 Total $20,628.69
DELIVERABLES TOTAL $786,455.49
RS&H PASO ROBLES LSOL APPLICATION DELIVERABLE MILESTONE PAYMENTS Attachment 2
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EXHIBIT C
Notional Schedule of Performance
# # # # #
WP Task Name Duration Start Finish
Paso Robles LSOL Application 423 days Wed 10/7/26 Fri 5/19/28 WP1 Proj. Mgmt, Outreach, & Reporting 423 days Wed 10/7/26 Fri 5/19/28
1.1 Project coordination, project tracking, financial management 423 days Wed 10/7/26 Fri 5/19/28
1.2 Monthly and tactical client project reviews/status reporting 423 days Wed 10/7/26 Fri 5/19/28
1.3 Public Outreach, Stakeholder Engagement, & Materials Preparation 423 days Wed 10/7/26 Fri 5/19/28
1.4 FAA coordination 423 days Wed 10/7/26 Fri 5/19/28
1.5 Reports/Deliverables preparation & QA 423 days Wed 10/7/26 Fri 5/19/28 WP2 Prior Work Review, Gap Analysis, and FAA Reengagement 102 days Wed 10/7/26 Thu 2/25/27
2.1 Existing document inventory 17 days Wed 10/7/26 Thu 10/29/26
2.2 FAA Reengagement / License Completion Roadmap 5 days Fri 10/30/26 Thu 11/5/26
2.3 Update Explosive Site Plan (ESP) 80 days Fri 11/6/26 Thu 2/25/27 WP3 Flight Safety, Risk Analysis, and Licensing Technical Studies 62 days Mon 2/22/27 Tue 5/18/27
3.1 Prepare Launch Site Location Review Section 13 days Mon 2/22/27 Wed 3/10/27
3.2 Flight Safety Analysis 54 days Thu 3/4/27 Tue 5/18/27
3.3 Support FAA-AST with Max Probable Loss calculations (if needed) 10 days Wed 5/19/27 Tue 6/1/27 WP4 Environmental Review - NEPA/CEQA 142 days Wed 10/7/26 Thu 4/22/27
4.1 Data Collection 5 days Wed 10/7/26 Tue 10/13/26
4.2 Develop Combined NEPA/CEQA Template 3 days Wed 10/14/26 Fri 10/16/26
4.3 Description of Proposed Action and Alternatives (DOPAA) 25 days Mon 10/19/26 Fri 11/20/26
4.4 Noise Approach, Analysis, and Region of Influences 33 days Mon 11/23/26 Wed 1/6/27
4.5 NEPA EA and CEQA EIR 2 days Mon 11/23/26 Tue 11/24/26
4.6 Affected Environ; Environ Consequences; & Avoidance, &/or Mitigation Measures 37 days Mon 11/23/26 Tue 1/12/27
4.7 CEQA Evaluation 38 days Fri 12/18/26 Tue 2/9/27
4.8 CEQA Checklist 30 days Wed 12/30/26 Tue 2/9/27
4.9 Complete EA/EIR (Drafts to Final) 52 days Wed 2/10/27 Thu 4/22/27 WP5 Agency Coordination and Letters of Agreement (LOAs) 90 days Wed 5/19/27 Tue 9/21/27
5.1 Agreement with the local USGC 15 days Wed 5/19/27 Tue 6/8/27
5.2 Agreement with FAA ATC 60 days Wed 6/9/27 Tue 8/31/27
5.3 Emergency Response Agreements 15 days Wed 9/1/27 Tue 9/21/27 WP6 Existing Document Updates and Compliance Verification 29 days Wed 5/19/27 Mon 6/28/27
6.1 Technical Review & updating of existing documents 17 days Wed 5/19/27 Thu 6/10/27
6.2 Cross Check Application Sections with Current State of Play 12 days Fri 6/11/27 Mon 6/28/27 WP7 License Application Assembly and Draft Submission 30 days Fri 6/25/27 Thu 8/5/27
7.1 Application Assembly 7 days Fri 6/25/27 Mon 7/5/27
7.2 City Review Coordination 16 days Tue 7/6/27 Tue 7/27/27
7.3 RS&H Address Draft V1PRB Comments 7 days Wed 7/28/27 Thu 8/5/27 WP8 FAA Review Support and Final Application Submission 206 days Fri 8/6/27 Fri 5/19/28
8.1 Submit Application to FAA AST for Review 21 days Fri 8/6/27 Fri 9/3/27
8.2 Final application submission 185 days Mon 9/6/27 Fri 5/19/28
PASO ROBLES SPACEPORT LICENSE PROJECT - ESTIMATED (NOTIONAL) SCHEDULE Attachment 2
Attachment 2
Paso Robles
Spaceport
Preliminary Technical Review
Prepared by:
Tartaglia Engineering
&
S.O. Witt and Associates LLC.
February 28, 2022
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Introduction
The City of Paso Robles, on the California Central Coast, seeks a substantial and aggressive Economic Development initiative to attract professional living wage jobs to the region by targeting the emerging commercial space industry as one plausible vertical sector, among others. Paso Robles desires to seek and obtain a FAA/AST Site Operators License (Space Port License for KPRB, Paso Robles Municipal Airport).
The desire is to have a license in-hand as soon as possible.
1. Objective
Obtain and review results of a feasibility study by
industry subject matter experts and local knowledged
civil engineers and designers initiated in January
2022. Identify and mitigate obstacles to the vision
and initiate action steps to obtain a Space Port
Designation for Paso Robles as a substantial building
block, branding and identity moniker and active
attractant to the commercial space industry.
Determine a Make/Buy decision at the City Council
level to bring aboard a team to manage the Space Port
licensing and associated agreements and
environmental process. In parallel, take immediate
action steps to implement a futuristic industrial park
adjacent to the existing Paso Robles Airport and
upgrade required, transportation, telecom, utilities
infrastructure to accommodate the targeted high-tech
market.
2. Industry Background
In the year 2000 the United States failed to have a
single commercial space launch as the industry had migrated to foreign launch providers. A singular event changed everything in the summer of 2004, when a private firm in California placed two of its employees out of a team of 40 into space three times, by building a carrier craft (endo-atmospheric) and carrying a human rated and licensed sub-orbit craft (exo-atmospheric), also manufactured by the same 40 people.
Overnight entrepreneurial firms emerged across the land. Today there are more commercially designed, built and flying in orbital space items numbering in the thousands more than the nearest government, a radical demonstration of the best of America. Aligned with the California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo, the City of Paso Robles intends to capitalize on the future of this California-born industry in a big way. It is simply ours to lose or exploit and the time is now.
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Location and Setting
San Luis Obispo County, California, is situated about mid-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, extending from the coast, east to the San Joaquin Valley and Kern County. The City of Paso Robles, officially known as El Paso de Robles, is the second largest municipality in San Luis Obispo County. The city occupies about 20 square miles, straddling the Salinas River within the picturesque Salinas River Valley that extends from Santa Margarita to the south, all the way north to the Monterey Bay. With a population of around 33,000, the community is considered rural. Historically an agricultural area, throughout the recent past cattle grazing, almond orchards, and hay and grain, have given way to vineyard.
While wine has been produced in the region for over two centurys, the hot, dry summers and cold, wet winters have made this area known for very good, hearty reds including zinfandel and cabernet sauvignon.
Over the years the wine industry, local recreational lakes, and several key attractions including the MidState Fair have all made Paso Robles a popular vacation destination.
Paso Robles Airport (KPRB) is located
within the incorporated limits of the
City of Paso Robles, northern San Luis
Obispo County. The airport occupies
about 1,100 acres of real property, on
the north side of Dry Creek Road, in
the northeast corner of the city. From
downtown Paso Robles, the airport is
accessed by traveling east on State
Highway 46, turning left onto Airport
Road, and proceeding north about a
mile and a half. The airport is on the
right-hand side of Airport Road.
Primary features of the airport include
Runway 1-19 (6,008’ by 150’) and
Runway 13-31 (4,701’ by 100’),
situated in a triangle configuration.
Runway 1-19 is a non-precision marked and lighted facility, with full-length Taxiway A to its northwest.
Runway 13-31 is likewise a non-precision marked and lighted facility, however this runway does not have an accompanying parallel taxiway. Both runways are adequately served by a network of connecting taxiways that provide access to the terminal, self-serve fuel, aircraft storage hangars, FBO’s, and the worldfamous Estrella Warbird Museum.
A lighted and marked Helipad with six designated parking locations is situated along the east side of Taxiway E, across from the terminal. Cal-Fire operates a very active base at Paso Robles Airport. Recent extensions in fire season have made this base almost a year-round active facility.
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Visibility at Paso Robles is historically excellent. Because of this reality, the airport provides excellent service with minimal navigation aids. The airport does have a rotating beacon, primary and secondary wind cones, and a segmented circle. Runway’s 19 and 31 have 4-box PAPI. Both runways are equipped with elevated edge and threshold lights, with Runway 1-19 being a HIRL, 5-step system. The threshold of Runway 19 is equipped with Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL’s). All taxiways are well delineated with elevated edge lights or stake-mounted reflectors. Paso Robles Airport does not have a Glide Slope, Localizer, or other navigation elements and components typically associated with an Instrument Landing System (ILS).
The airport is open 24-hours a
day with no operational
restrictions to either runway.
Aviation enthusiasts fly into
Paso Robles for business, for
the agricultural and wine
industry, or for recreational
and scenic destinations
throughout the region.
Activity is evenly spread
distributed; weekends for
recreation and weekdays for
business. The airport does
attract significant transient
military operations and
activities, in conjunction with
nearby Camp Roberts to the
northwest. There are about
150 based aircraft at Paso
Robles.
During fire response activities, Cal-Fire operates from their base at Paso Robles. Operations tend to start mid-morning, after morning briefing and review of aerial incident documentation, and continue up to sunset. Operations after sundown are generally limited to return-to-base movements, and usually wrap up within an hour of sunset.
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Goals and Objectives
The vision for a Spaceport in Paso Robles is centered around the following goals and objectives:
1. It is Paso Robles’ vision to pioneer the future of commercial space flight and re-boot the state of California’s role as the leader in the aerospace industry…” - Mayor Steve Martin
2. As a major element of the Paso Tech Corridor, to expand diversity in the local economy with a focus on creation of head-of-household employment opportunities.
3. Through a well-established relationship with Cal Poly, provide an avenue for education, research, experimentation, training, testing, and hands-on production of space-centric projects and programs, in line with Cal Poly’s philosophy of “Learn by Doing”.
4. To become a recognized leader in the space industry for innovation, production, safety, and delivery.
Airfield Analysis and Capabilities
1. Airport Design Standards and Capabilities:
The Design Code for Runway 1-19, the main runway, is C-III, with an ultimate Design Code of C-IV. The design aircraft for Runway 1-19 is the BAE 146 / Gulfstream 500, each with a Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTO) of approximately 93,000 pounds. The runway to parallel taxiway separation distance, center to center, is 400 feet. At 150 feet wide, and with the identified separation distance, this runway can support large aircraft.
The Design Code for Runway 13-31, what is considered the “cross-wind” runway, is B-III, with an ultimate code of the same designation. The design aircraft for Runway 13-31 is the Beech 100 King Air, with a MTO of 12,000 pounds. There is no parallel taxiway serving this runway. At 100 feet wide, this runway can support aircraft of a larger size than the design aircraft implies.
Pavement strength throughout the airport varies, reflective of the facilities storied history. Runway 1-19, the airports primary runway, can support 60,000-pound single-wheel, 106,000-pound dual, and 150,000- pound dual-tandem wheel loadings. The surface includes a friction element (grooved) in accordance with FAA standards for Part 139. Runway 13-31 supports 30,000-pound single, 50,000-pound dual, and 90,000- pound dual-tandem wheel loadings. The majority of all taxiways west of Runway 1-19 have design strengths not quite to the capabilities of Runway 1-19, and Taxiway F, along the airports southern edge, providing service to Runway 31, can adequately support the aircraft using this runway. Recognizing that pavement strength is also a factor of load frequency, it is common for Paso Robles to periodically host Attachment 3
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military C-130 and MD87 air attack aircraft. With the exception of the old apron at the terminal, all airfield pavements at Paso Robles are asphalt.
Current discussions regarding Spaceport have focused on a small, light-weight platform. Should this path continue and prove successful, improvements to existing runways and taxiways may be minimal, if any. In the event the launch platform grows, the result of either a larger, heavier payload, or an extended space destination (more energy), the need for airfield upgrades and enhancements could materialize.
2. Possible Airfield Upgrades and Enhancements:
In general, the airfield at Paso Robles has been maintained to an acceptable level of service. While several connecting taxiways do not presently meet recently adopted taxiway geometry standards, there is no implementation deadline accompanying the adoption of these new standards. The airfield is safe and functional. The following are possible airfield upgrades that could be implemented as part of service to a spaceport:
A. Increase the structural strength of either / both runways through an asphalt pavement overlay.
B. Extend either / both runways.
C. Widen and strengthen taxiways along the alignment from Mission Prep to point of launch.
3. Possible Airport Security Upgrades:
The presence of a spaceport at Paso Robles Airport will command a higher level of safety and security. The following items are anticipated:
A. Generation and dissemination of information packages to all airport tenants regarding airfield protocol in advance of and during a launch event, with a special emphasis on reducing human density during hazardous operations including launches.
B. Creation of a redundant communications system for notifications to tenants, on-airport and off airport business employees, and all neighbors within the Advanced Notification Zone established during the planning process, involved and not involved in space activities and associated hazards.
C. Upgrades to portions of the secured airport perimeter fence.
D. Implementation of an airport access management system, that could include termination of all access code functionality in favor of implementation of a trackable, access card system.
E. Implementation of video surveillance at key locations throughout the airport including access gates, with positioning capabilities to document vehicle, license plate, and driver facial features.
4. On-Airport Emergency Response Upgrades:
The City of Paso Robles Fire Department maintains three (3) fire stations throughout the town. One is identified to be on the airport, on Buena Vista Drive. With the development of a spaceport, additions and expansions to the city’s emergency response capabilities are anticipated:
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A. Acquisition of an Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF), emergency response vehicle with chemical response capabilities.
B. Acquisition of a separate, hazardous materials response vehicle with expanded containment and suppression capabilities.
C. Implementation of enhanced staff training focused on response requirements related to space and aircraft vehicle mishaps, both on and off the airport.
5. Airfield improvements necessary to support the spaceport, directly related to the launch platform.
Presently unknown, to be determined in conjunction with identification of a launch partner and further definition of the launch platform.
Spaceport Development
The size, extent, and location of Spaceport development facilities at Paso Robles will be dictated by several factors, including both the launch platform and the launch program. Size and destination of payload, along with frequency, can dictate how and where mission preparation occurs, taxi route, and takeoff alignment.
1. Airport Zones for Development:
Hazardous Material Storage and Handling Locations (energetic materials storage location). This location must be clearly identified. May require a concrete capture basin in the event of spills and allow for separation by up to 100’ or more between individual propellants and oxidizers.
Hazardous Material Storage and Handling will be a critical part of the FAA 420 application process and may actually trail the initial license approval. During the Mojave Air and Space Port application process the latency between an interim permit/license and final was several years to allow for a robust HAZMAT and Energetic Storage Plan. At Paso Robles, each operator will have their own launch license which will be independently awarded by FAA/AST and map to stipulated conditions outlined in the Site License granted to KPRB. Embedded within the two licenses will be conditions for where and in what quantities potentially energetic materials/liquids or solids can be stored and how handled to ensure safety to the involved and non-involved public also operating at KPRB.
As a public use facility, Paso Robles Airport has a well-established general aviation community supporting light civil, Ag-Industrial and fire-fighting along with regular business jet traffic augmented by occasional military aircraft and other special use craft for logistics, medivac and other purposes. Adding a space port designation to KPRB should not disrupt current operations, but instead, augment reasonable regional economic growth as a future player within the growing commercial space industry. With California being one of the world’s leading space economies, the central coast should be aligned to grow with this emerging market. Regional proximity to and aligned with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and Vandenburg Space Force Base, a Spaceport designation for Paso Robles Airport could augment and stimulate many emerging space Attachment 3
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component developers to relocate to the central California coast.
Many industries have learned how to insert hazardous operations effectively into existing market segments such a pharmaceutical development, manufacturing, packaging and shipping, chemical plants, energy plants, and even micro-breweries, distilleries and wineries. Ironically, all of the above identified industries are synergistic with the Space Industry as often similar trade skills are shared as needed by all. Energy development plants/refineries have far more mishaps than space development sites and they all deal with explosive hazards and pressure vessel events as a matter of doing business while operating in metropolitan and highly dense human areas.
2. Safety standoff locations for Hazardous Operations and Mission Preparation:
A 1200’ standoff zone fixed location (Mission Prep) which will move as a loaded space vehicle is moved into position for a horizontal launch triggering a need to avoid populated areas and high-density human activity on the surface. This activity will govern ground and air departure routes.
3. Space Port Industrial Park (R&D, Production, Logistics, Operations Centers):
While portions of these activities can occur in a business park setting, in proximity to the airport, much of this effort will require direct airfield access. Building and apron locations to be governed by airport design standards, with consideration for aircraft / public interface. An interesting component of Space Operations is a control center. While a single, centralized control center is often visualized to serve all operators, similar to a NASA / military style facility, it is anticipated that each launch entity will design and operate their own command and control center, primarily to protect trade secrets and encrypt communications.
4. On-Airfield Activities:
The following activities have been identified as related to space exploration and commerce, and would be considered typical for the Paso Robles Spaceport.
A. Research and development including modeling.
B. Testing including test firing, low altitude testing, aerodynamic testing.
C. Fabrication, material processing including drawing and forging, metallurgy.
D. Clean room assembly.
E. Vacuum and pressure environment facilities.
5. Paso Robles Airport Underdeveloped Areas:
The airport has about 280 acres of land scattered throughout, either under-developed or void of any improvement whatsoever. This area is outside of all Building Restriction Lines (BRL’s), and all runway and taxiway Object Free Areas (ROFA, TOFA). Challenges exist for use and incorporation of this land as spaceport facilities:
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1. Designation: Much of this land is designated as “Future Aeronautical Use” on the approved ALP.
While some of the activity associated with spaceport could be considered aeronautical use, many spaceport activities might require a revised designation. Changing the designation will require an update to the ALP, along with FAA approval.
2. Access: Some of this area is within the triangle formed by Runway 1-19, Runway 13-31, and Taxiway F. Access to this area would be through a new airport entrance gate off Dry Creek Road, creation of a service road north, crossing Taxiway F, and entering the site. Alternate plans should be entertained, perhaps even including the bifurcation of Taxiway F, with construction of a new cross-airport connecting taxiway on the north side of a interior, spaceport development.
3. Obstruction-Free Zone Occupation: The Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) is centered in a 500-foot no-build zone. It is possible this equipment could be relocated north, to cohabitat the VOR no-build zone, without any adverse impact to the operational capabilities of either piece of equipment.
To this end, the FAA will require a detailed amendment to the KPRB Master Plan and Airport Layout Plan (ALP) outlining locations, types and quantities of storage in addition to aviation fuel and jet fuel storage.
While the aviation and space industry has learned to perform their fuels handling and storage function in what is seeming a business-as-usual manner, the Space Industry remains under a microscope as new commercial operators enter the industrial arena and experiment with new propulsion cocktails outside aviation industry norms.
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Attachment 3 Page 361 of 505 City Council Agenda October 6, 2026 Preliminary
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Air Operations – Launch to Space
Potential obstacles for departing/returning to KPRB with a space drone or man-rated sub-orbit vehicle exist.
After a review of existing special use airspace in and around KPRB, specifically the Hunter High and Low Military operating areas located within five (5) nm west of KPRB which extend offshore to within ten (10) nm of W-532N National Defense Operating Area, partially under the control of Point Mugu Naval Air Weapons Station Sea Range Department, it is recommended that a defined and negotiated route through this area would provide the greatest margin of safety to the non-involved public for launch and recovery operations of a selected reusable horizontal launch vehicle from/to KPRB. Taking off from Runway 1 and returning to Runway 19 is possible and plausible. Likewise, taking off from Runway 31 and returning to Runway 13 is equally plausible. This example routing will require negotiated “letters of agreement” with several controlling agencies;
a. FAA Air Route Control Centers, Oakland and Los Angeles, b. Hunter Liggett Air Operations, Military Operating Area’s A, B, C, & E (MOA), schedulable restricted airspace air operations.
c. Potentially with Naval Air Warfare Center Point Mugu for access and operations within W-532N or other subsections.
Negotiated access with KPRB will result in a schedulable air corridor access to an Area of Operations by Attachment 3
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commercial operators via letter of agreement, independently negotiated by KPRB for special use operations including over sea space launches. This, or another plausible route to the W-532N sea range to be finalized during the licensing process will result in a special use corridor, estimated to be an airspace tunnel between Hunter Liggett and W-532N which can be activated by FAA ATC as an Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace (ATCAA) corridor, again under negotiation with the Controlling Center (Oakland or Los Angeles). ATCAA’s are in use in R-2508 and many other areas around the US where specific corridors are required for returning high altitude craft from time to time. (e.g., Porterville and Bakersfield Foothill ACTAA’s via ARTCC).
An alternate route which can be vetted in a later, in-depth process might be via a visual flight rules route to the south of KPRB to the Pacific Coast but passes over an area of higher human density which poses a more difficult proposition for FAA AST (office of Commercial Space Transportation when evaluating dangers to non-involve public). This route crosses multiple FAA jurisdictional lines with an unmanned craft intended to access space along with the human density matter.
This feasibility assessment does not consider vertical launch from KPRB as a viable concept at the present time due to displacement from an adjacent sea or land range nor due to the significant human population on three sides of KPRB.
To-date there have been no discussions specific to Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLV) or Expendable Launch Vehicles (ELV). Launch partners could elect to employ one or both options within their specific program.
ELV booster falls back to earth and either burns on reentry or splashes into the ocean and sinks.
Example, SpaceX primarily reuses boosters when possible as a dramatic cost reduction measure. The NASA Shuttle was partially re-usable as external tanks were recovered when possible and re-purposed as was the Shuttle itself. Traditionally, rockets are launched (one and done) from Sea or Land Ranges as each launch departed mutually exclusively on a new, one-time rocket booster. The Virgin Galactic manrated sub-orbit vehicle and the Blue Origin sub-orbit vehicle are reusable in total and each component returns for re-use. It is highly plausible for new variants to be hybrid of both. Potentially departing from a civil airport as an unmanned drone with a space payload, flying endo-atmospherically (like any aircraft) to a preprogramed launch position and deploying an internal or external rocket powered package with payload.
The City of Paso Robles has accurately presented several to-be-fully-developed conceptual systems which could easily begin to define the small satellite or cube-sat market in the years to come. If we were to try to define the winners and loser at this point we would most likely be wrong, but to agree that the future of space access is unfolding before our eyes would be accurate and Paso Robles could be the Central Coast Space Benefactor by positioning to respond regardless how the launch market matures. Focusing on a plausible route from/to space from KPRB with justification and a keen eye to safe-guarding the noninvolved public and mitigating all known and to be determined environmental matters will serve the community well.
Applications for space launch facilities shall complete an agreement with the local U.S. Coast Guard district to establish procedures for the issuance of a Notice to Mariners prior to a launch and other such measures Attachment 3
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as the Coast Guard deems necessary to protect public health and safety. In addition, the application shall include an agreement with the FAA Air Traffic Control (ATC) office having jurisdiction over the airspace through which launches will take place, to establish procedures for the issuance of a Notice to Airmen prior to a launch and for closing of air routes during the launch window and other such measures as the FAA ATC office deems necessary to protect public health and safety.
Air Operations – Payload Relocation
By far and above, the goal of the Paso Robles Spaceport is licensed launches of relatively small cargo to space. In conjunction with this, a component of spaceport activities could be the design, testing, fabrication, and production of space payload, that, due to weight and size, is relocated to another facility for placement in space. It is possible this parallel path of space development becomes the major component of space – Paso Robles. The airfield at Paso Robles can easily support fully-loaded, C130 and B757, and other aircraft in this design group, for use payload relocation.
FAA/AST Review & Permitting Process
The city staff and representatives of the Mayors’ Technical Advisory Committee established initial contact with FAA/AST during the summer, 2021. FAA is aware of the broad goals of the city of Paso Robles regarding a space program, and is anxious to support the city’s proposed program within their authority and capability.
More recent discussions with staff at FAA/AST have identified:
1. Applications lacking a credible launch platform with an expected / targeted launch date will experience significant delays in processing.
2. The identified platform must be capable of accessing the desired launch area with appropriate hazard mitigations.
3. The application must contain the necessary trajectory analysis and second-by-second hazard mitigation along the expected transit and launch profile or the FAA will not consider it credible.
4. FAA will not initiate / support the required Environmental Assessment (EA) until they have determined the application to be substantially complete.
As with many agencies, the FAA is managing their human asset as efficiently as possible. Within AST, this translates to focusing efforts and resources on those programs and applications that are logical and viable, well thought out, and complete. Submittals of less than complete initial packages can occur, with operators “feeding” or “trickling in” material to the FAA/AST as it becomes available. This is discouraged as the FAA/AST has limited staff dedicated to reviewing applications. “False Starts” provide little benefit in the queue. Until and unless a viable launch partner with a platform to some level of development can be identified, applications centered on phantom vehicles or operations are not looked on with favor.
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Path Forward.
The following outline provides for significant progress s is
1. Schedule and hold pre application consultation with the FAA.
2. Continue marketing Spaceport Paso Robles and the Paso Tech Corridor:
A. Launch partners.
B. Space systems and programming entities.
C. Payload producers.
D. Space communications systems providers.
E. Space environment testing labs.
F. Entities performing activities and tasks including but not limited to research and development, proof-of-concept, manufacturing, testing, production, and operations.
3. Perform research into one or more conceptual launch platform partners. Will the spacecraft be a single vehicle, space drone, from ground to space, or will the craft be attached to an aircraft, belly-mount or shellback, with piloted operations from Paso Robles to a launch point offshore, where separation and launch to space occurs? Will the vehicle be reusable (RLV) or expendable (ELV). Acquire performance specifications from potential launch partners.
4. Generate a Preliminary Spaceport Plan of Operations (PSPO) focused on launch to space:
A. Potential launch partners and conceptual platform.
B. Conceptual parameters and characteristics of the launch, including weight, energy source and volume, etc.
C. Anticipated launch frequencies.
D. Aircraft with space vehicle route to offshore launch point.
E. On-airport launch alignments and takeoff point (presuming Runway 31 or Runway 1).
F. Identification of on-airport areas that could be dedicated to space-related facilities.
G. Identify the location for hazardous materials storage.
H. Detail the hazardous materials path from storage to mobile fueler, to launch platform, to runway threshold, to clear of airport property. Present the 1200-foot clear zone along this path.
I. On-airport facility modifications, expansions, and upgrades:
a. Airfield pavements including new or expanded taxiways, infield upgrades and aprons.
Runway extensions are not anticipated but could occur based on the launch platform. b. Power and communications utility upgrades.
c. Hazardous material containment.
d. Storm drainage improvements.
e. Security enhancements.
J. Identify an on-airport control center and emergency response center.
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K. Resolve challenges at the launch site as necessary to ensure all personal and property are at a safe standoff distance and operational mitigation plans are in place to accommodate nominal and abnormal operations or outcomes.
L. Detail anticipated mission preparation and control measures and entities, including the possible involvement of Cal Poly.
M. Anticipated Airport Layout Plan (ALP) revisions and updates, in support of space facilities and operations integration into the existing airport, including on-airport area designation changes, and modifications and expansions to airport facilities including runways, taxiways, and possibly aprons.
5. With the PSPO in-hand, initiate discussions with the following entities, including preparation and submission of preliminary permit applications as necessary to facilitate dialog:
A. The County of San Luis Obispo’s Departments of Planning and Building, and Emergency Management.
B. The FAA Air Traffic Control including both Oakland and Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCC).
C. The US Coast Guard.
D. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD), Point Mugu Sea Range.
E. Holders of military airspace authorities for U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hunter Liggett, (Military Operating Areas A, B, C, & E), the Pacific Missile Test Range, and others authorizations.
F. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.
G. California Army National Guard, Camp Roberts.
H. Others having interest in proposed operations and authority and responsibility over the land, sea, and the uninformed public that may be impacted by proposed activities.
6. Initiate local planning authority processing and review:
A. City of Paso Robles Planning Department.
B. County of San Luis Obispo Planning and Building, and the county’s Office of Emergency Services.
Establish / confirm the path forward for planning approval, including anticipated schedule, fees, and milestone submission requirements.
7. Prepare draft support plans:
A. Hazardous materials storage / handling plan. Identify means and methods for storage and handling of hazardous materials. Present a solution that provides a safe and acceptable locating for storage and process for handling energetic liquids.
B. Emergency response plan that addresses all on-property and route to launch emergency response requirements including established prevention and response protocols. Emergency response entities, chain of command, lines of communication, extent of individual and collective authorities, etc.
C. Develop an on-airport safety management plan, detailing enhanced on-going airport security and safety measures, and those increased activities related to launch events.
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8. Revise the PSPO reflecting:
A. Preliminary comments received.
B. Updated information regarding launch partner, platform, and anticipated frequency of operations.
C. Using the specific launch partner / platform:
a. Confirm anticipated space program, including launch frequencies, launch mass, on-board energy, and return-to-base plans.
b. Acquire the required engineering data, conduct profile analysis based on the partners single or family of launch craft with single or multiple specific craft profiles. c. Establish plans for mitigating all hazards associated with the candidatesprofile/trajectory.
9. Work with the launch partner in the preparation and completion of their “In-Parallel Launch License”, application including “Reentry Operations” if appropriate. Incorporate material from the PSPO into their documents while concurrently revising the PSPO to reflect the specific operational parameters of the partners proposed program.
10. Formalize ALP revisions, submit to FAA’s San Francisco Airports District Office (SFO-ADO), and gain approval.
11. Initiate lease agreements with third-party launch partners, including draft financial participation “if-then” agreements.
12. Prepare the Spaceport License to Operate Launch Site preliminary application for submission, reflective of the revised PSPO, along with the Spaceport License to Operate Reentry Site, if appropriate.
13. Submit the revised PSPO along with preliminary spaceport application to entities with authority for land and airspace. Garner draft Letters of Agreement from the US Coast Guard, FAA Oakland ARTCC, Hunter Liggett MOA, Point Mugu Sea Range and others.
14. Present the revised SPO, draft Letters of Agreement, and completed application to FAA/AST in pursuit of a spaceport license. Gain “Application Substantially Complete” status. FAA/AST review begins.
15. Initiate the federal Environmental Assessment (EA) addressing environmental issues of the project including on airport operations, profiles and trajectories, hazardous materials and emergency response, with input from FAA/AST regarding any site or operational specific items requiring focused attention. Initiate the parallel, state Environmental Impact Report (EIR) effort.
Proceed through the study and public hearing process.
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16. At this point all planning and environmental efforts are synchronized. Receive final approvals and licenses:
A. EA with mitigation
B. EIR with mitigation
C. License to Operate Launch Site (and Reentry Site, if appropriate) D. Launch License (with Reentry, if appropriate)
Schedule
A bar-chart schedule is included as an attachment, presenting an aggressive approach to gain site license authority for Paso Robles. Activities are distributed over a 28-month time frame. With an undertaking of this magnitude and potential complexity, reliant on the performance of individuals and entities beyond the teams’ authority and control, it is reasonable to conclude that time extensions to some activities will occur.
Success as measured through steady, documented progress, will be the result of continuous program management and attention, focused on specific submission and filing deadlines, public hearing timelines, and through pursuit of concurrent efforts whenever possible.
Challenges to Acquiring a License
At a minimum, the licensing team will be addressing a variety of challenges and obstacles, including:
1. Concerns from neighbors and the general public:
A. General safety, fear of mishap on the ground during experimentation, testing or launch, include blast injury and concussive impact.
B. Flying / falling object anxiety.
C. Health and safety focused on toxic airborne drift.
D. Noise, random nuisance or damaging.
It should be expected that the typical “not in my backyard” neighbor sentiment will have a larger than normal radius due the perceived nature of activities related to spaceport.
2. Environmental:
A. Flora and fauna at the airport. The following have been confirmed as being on airport property or likely to have habitat within the perimeter fence:
a. Fairy shrimp
b. Kit fox
c. Burrowing owl
d. American badger
While routine vegetation maintenance at the airport has kept the overgrowth under control, there by preserving the safety of the facility, it is possible that some locations targeted for space Attachment 3
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development facilities could hold flora of unique, protected status. Expansion of airfield elements including runways, taxiways, and aprons, or development of third-party facilities focused on research, development, manufacturing, etc., may require mitigation including habitat preservation, restoration, or relocation.
B. Potential air quality impacts related to the manufacturing, testing, and launching of space vehicles.
C. The storage and handling of hazardous materials.
D. Possible traffic impacts resulting from increased activities at the airport.
E. Increased water consumption associated with manufacturing and testing processes.
3. Corridor Authority:
A. City and county planning.
B. The U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hunter Liggett.
C. Authorities / entities that own and manage the restricted airspace between Paso Robles Airport and the launch point.
D. The California Coastal Commission.
E. State and Federal Fish and Wildlife.
F. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
4. FAA / ATC:
Coordination and acquisition of specific and individual launch window authorities.
5. Gaining authority to pass over the proposed Chumash Heritage Nation Marine Sanctuary.
Pursuit of corridor authority after final sanctuary designation will result in the need for consultation in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, included in its entirety within Title 36 CFR, Part 800. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), established through passage of the NHPA, will be the initial point of contact, should this occur.
An educational campaign will be required to alter the public and local permitting-agency general perceptions and mental imageries of a spaceport, spacecraft, and the action of a launch to space, all historically centered on vertical launch action. As envisioned at Paso Robles, the horizontal platform launch-to-space, focused on small payload, whether single vehicle or tandem vehicle with separation and launch off shore, is so much more agreeable.
Attachment 3
City of Paso Robles Fiscal Year
Calendar Year
Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.
Pre-application consultation with FAA / AST
Research conceptual launch platform and obtain performance specifications Prepare Preliminary Spaceport Plan of Operations (PSPO) Communications with entities holding planning / permitting authority Concept Layout on ALP
Establish tentative route from Spaceport to W-532
Develop Haz. Mat. storage / handling plan reflective of proposed energetic liquids Develop draft emergency response plan for on/off airport Develop on-airport safety management plan
Prepare, submit, and manage through approval process: city and county planning permits Seek and obtain letters of agreement from interested parties: FAA, Hunter Liggett, Mugu Prepare draft site license application
Prepare draft launch license application
Submit PSPO and license applications to FAA / AST
FAA / AST application review
Application deemed Substantially Complete
EA / EIR environmental process
Process ALP revision to FAA
Create / establish on-airport lease sites
Modify documents based on input and communications through the environmental process Initiate / complete partnership agreements
Site license issued
2022 2023 2024
2021 - 2022 2022 - 2023 2023 - 2024 2024 - 2025
Paso Robles Spaceport Proposed Licensing Schedule Updated: February 25, 2022 Attachment 3
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Summary
• The city retained Tartaglia Engineering, with S.O. Witt and Associates, LLC, to research and review the possibilities for successful pursuit of a spaceport license for a somewhat light-weight vehicle, horizontal platform launch program based at Paso Robles Airport. • The scope of our professional services agreement was intentionally and wisely limiting – intended to flush-out any fatal flaws.
• To date, based on our collective, preliminary research, we have not found any. • In short, we see that a license to operate such a space launch facility at the airport is doable. • Airspace / corridor review and evaluation:
o Agreements required by several agencies starting with either Oakland and/or Los Angeles ARTCC, Hunter Liggett, and Pt. Mugu.
o Have established a preliminary alignment from Paso Robles Airport to 12-miles off shore, within the W-532N National Defense Operating Area, where in the “launch” activity could occur, circumventing the southern end of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. o Corridor agreements will address and include time of day, frequency and duration of use, conditions and restrictions. It is possible that other corridors could be established based on launch partner goals.
• Airfield review and evaluation:
o Identifying on-airport areas for R&D, manufacturing and testing, launch logistics and operations center, storage and handling of potentially energetic liquids and other hazardous materials, and mission preparation. Areas on existing airport property have been identified for space systems development.
o Tracing the 1200-foot standoff zone from mission preparation to launch position with limited impact to habitable spaces.
o Anticipate limited operations using the runways that exist, but recognize that enhanced and expanded operational capabilities can be achieved through implementation of planned runway extensions.
• Anticipating supporting two general classifications of air operations related to space:
o Smaller aircraft-based, horizontal launch to off the coast, followed by separation, high-energy initiation, and vertical movement to space.
o Larger aircraft-based operations including but not limited to C17, C130, B757 focused on high-value, space-systems payload relocation from the space development complex at Paso Robles Airport to vertical launch facilities elsewhere. • Anticipating challenges in several arenas:
o On and off airport:
Planning and permitting.
Environmental.
Emergency response: on property mishaps and off-property impacts. o Neighbor and community buy-in.
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o Competition from existing, permitted or nearly permitted launch facilities. • It will not be a straight line from today to first permitted launch. • The effort may be challenging in areas and ways that, for the most part, will be no surprise. • The proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary will extend from Gaviota, north to and join with the southern end of the Monterey Bay Marina Sanctuary. This could be problematic.
• A federal space port license is a federal action.
• Based on our discovery to-date, and in the interest of time, the team is prepared to start expanding the level of service to the city in pursuit of Spaceport Licensing, concurrently with completing the already-authorized tasks.
In our opinion, it is not too early to market your vision. You have made initial contact with the FAA / AST regarding a Spaceport at Paso Robles, focused on a horizontal launch platform to space. The permitting agency is aware of your plans, and is prepared to work with you and your consulting team through the submission and licensing process. The community is in strong support of a spaceport at the airport, and the city is committed to making it a reality, as an integral part of the Paso Tech Corridor.
Target licensing is June, 2024, with a preliminary launch program supporting 12 operations per year.
Attachment 3
An examination of education
and workforce development
opportunities associated
with a city-owned spaceport
Elise St. John, PhD.
Cal Poly Digital Transformation Hub
Elena Felix
Cal Poly Aerospace Engineering
Miriam Gabai
Cal Poly Graphic Communication
DIVERSIFYING
A LOCAL ECONOMY:
Attachment 4
Diversifying a Local Economy | 2
Executive Summary
This study is part of the broader initiative, “A Hub
for Public-Private Partnership and Innovation: Connecting Cal Poly with the Paso Robles Space Innovation and Technology Park,” commissioned by the City of
Paso Robles on the California Central Coast. Its primary objective is to explore the educational and workforce
development possibilities associated with establishing
a spaceport at the Paso Robles Municipal Airport.
The City of Paso Robles and the Paso Robles Municipal Airport are seeking approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to obtain a launch site
operator license, which would permit the operation of
horizontal launch space vehicles from the City’s current airport runways. Additionally, the City is developing
the Paso Robles Space Innovation and Technology
Park, with the intent to establish business innovation
ecosystems that promote the development, transfer,
and commercialization of technology relevant to space
launch and satellite operations.
This qualitative study aims to shed light on regional education and workforce development opportunities pertinent to the proposed Paso Robles Spaceport and
Paso Robles Space Innovation and Technology Park.
The insights gained from this research are intended to
guide decisions regarding the inclusion of industries
and programs at the Paso Robles Space Innovation
and Technology Park. Furthermore, the findings will
inform collaborative efforts with local community
colleges to chart potential education pathways and explore the establishment of apprenticeship models and other training initiatives in conjunction with existing and prospective industry partners. As such, the information gleaned from this study is meant to be informative and relevant to the City of Paso Robles. This study is not intended to be generalizable nor to inform policy, but rather serves as a model for understanding
current and anticipated hiring needs and opportunities
related to this emergent sector of the space industry.
An oak tree sits in a field as the sun sets in Paso Robles, CA.
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Diversifying a Local Economy | 3
▶ A growing need for vocational and apprenticeship-trained technicians was identified, although challenges persist in recruitment and awareness of
relevant training programs.
▶ Addressing diversity within the profession emerged
as a pressing concern, with suggestions for educational initiatives aimed at fostering inclusivity and generating enthusiasm for space industry careers.
▶ Proposed changes in education and training include
expanding experiential learning opportunities in
collaboration with industry partners, developing
specialized training programs aligned with industry
needs, and increasing the availability of apprenticeship programs to broaden skillsets and knowledge bases.
State of the Industry
▶ Participants universally described the space industry as flourishing, with a thriving economy characterized
by low unemployment rates and sustained growth.
▶ A prevailing sense of urgency was noted across the
industry participants, driven by expanding commercial opportunities. This urgency prompted some organizations to prioritize hiring experienced professionals over developing new talent, potentially posing long-term challenges for workforce sustainability. ▶ Horizontal launch approaches to space were identified as holding significant promise for the industry’s future trajectory.
Roles and Skillsets in Demand
▶ The skillsets required for horizontal space launch
were found to largely overlap with those for vertical launch, though it was reasoned that horizontal launch could benefit from enhanced skills transferability facilitated by existing aviation training programs and careers. ▶ In-demand roles and skillsets encompass a wide
range, including various engineering disciplines,
manufacturing and production expertise, data science proficiency, knowledge of physics and orbital mechanics, as well as business development and
marketing.
▶ Organizations reported a growing need for vocationally trained technicians who can build and replicate product designs. Due to the unique designs and
products associated with the space industry, technician roles were argued to benefit from specialized skillsets and training.
Education and Workforce Development
Opportunities and Challenges
▶ Despite current job vacancies, organizations expressed concerns regarding the future pipeline of space industry professionals, advocating for a shift
towards investing in developing the next generation
of skilled talent.
Implications and Recommendations
This exploratory research study was conducted to
gain insights into the personnel needs of an emerging
space sector relevant to the proposed Paso Robles
Spaceport and the Paso Robles Space Innovation
and Technology Park. The findings from this study are
meant to inform the types of industries and programs
appropriate for inclusion at the Paso Robles Space
Innovation and Technology Park, guide potential education pathways in collaboration with local community colleges, and explore the development of apprenticeship models and other training programs with current and potential industry partners. It is important to note that the information gathered is not intended to be
generalizable to a broader population of potential
spaceports and space-related industry ecosystems, nor
to education and workforce related theory or policy.
Attachment 4
Diversifying a Local Economy | 4
The current and projected growth of the space
economy provides important support for the City of
Paso Robles’s economic development activities associated with the proposed Paso Robles Spaceport and the Paso Robles Space Innovation and Technology
Park. Despite recent slowdowns in space investment
and global economy uncertainty, the space sector is
expected to maintain its resilience in the coming years (Forbes, 2023). Deloitte research identifies reusable
launch vehicles and the development of small satellites as two of the space industry’s fastest growing sectors
(Deloitte Space, 2023), aligning well with the proposed spaceport’s focus on horizontal launch, reusable space
vehicles, and collaboration with California Polytechnic State University on the continued development and
deployment of CubeSats.
While participants in the study reported strong
economic conditions and outlooks within the space
industry, they also highlighted challenges associated
with filling open job vacancies and concerns about preparing the future workforce. Short-term hiring practices favoring more experienced employees were noted,
raising concerns about the training and induction of
new employees. This practice is especially concerning
due to the imminent retirement of approximately a
third of the current workforce (AIA, 2023). However,
participants suggested that the skillsets associated
with horizontal launch approaches to space do not
differ significantly from vertical launch approaches,
presenting opportunities for expanding the impact
of training programs associated with the Paso Robles
Spaceport and Paso Robles Space Innovation and
Technology Park. Collaboration with existing aviation
programs may also help to facilitate the development
of specialized vocational and apprenticeship technician training programs. Such training programs hold promise for the burgeoning Central Coast space economy at large, including Vandenberg Space Force Base and
its many vendors, contractors, and commercial partners, as well as the many small and mid-sized space industry companies that reside in the Central Coast of
California.
Developing new vocational and apprenticeship
training programs isn’t enough, however. Participants
noted uncertainty about these training pathways,
including how and from where to recruit trained
An illustration of a 1U CubeSat,
which measures 10 x 10 x10
centimeters.
Attachment 4
Diversifying a Local Economy | 5
professionals, and whether these programs could
meet the specific needs of their company. Several
study participants expressed the need for increased
collaboration between industry and higher education
programs, along with discussion about the necessity to
shift perceptions of technician jobs and training routes in general. The City of Paso Robles is fortunate to
have two leading community colleges in their region,
with a satellite college less than 5 miles away from the proposed Paso Robles Spaceport and the Paso Robles
Space Innovation and Technology Park. These colleges
already administer successful training programs in collaboration with aviation companies and other related industry partners and will be a valuable resource.
Given the proposed Paso Robles Spaceport’s focus
upon supporting educational access to space, the
following recommendations focus upon education and
training activities advanced in collaboration with education systems, industry partners, government officials, and state and local economic development groups.
Firstly, the City of Paso Robles might consider funding a position focused on space education and workforce
development activities. This individual could serve as
a liaison between industry partners and education systems to, for example, support the alignment of training programs with job qualifications, and explore flexible
college-credit opportunities and the development of
apprenticeship programs. Secondly, collaboration with
local stakeholders such as government officials, state
and local economic development groups, and educational institutions is essential to securing support for space education and training programs. This includes
advocating for resources to support, for example, the
development of regional space education and training
facilities, external grant funding to aid research and
other educational activities and partnering with K-12
education systems to support STEM and space related
programs. Such activities would help to enable new
educational and training pathways for people interested in pursuing jobs in the space industry and generate enthusiasm for STEM and space industry careers across
educational systems. These initiatives have the potential to not only address workforce shortages, but also to improve awareness, perception, and diversity within
the industry.
Attachment 4
Diversifying a Local Economy | 6
Background for Study
This study seeks to inform regional education
and workforce development activities associated with
the proposed Paso Robles Spaceport and the Paso
Robles Space Innovation and Technology Park. The
study investigates skillsets in greatest demand among
a sample of space companies occupying different subsets of the industry, explores how members of these companies perceive current and potential education
and workforce pathways, and contemplates the opportunities and challenges associated with expanding the space industry workforce.
The Role of Horizontal Launch Spaceports
in the Space Industry
The sanctioning of horizontal launch spaceports is
increasing globally. As of February 2024, among the
14 spaceports that operate in the United States, nine
have been licensed for horizontal launch, and a growing number of the 18 spaceports that exist outside the United States include horizontal launch facilities. These capabilities are driven by the development of horizontally launched space vehicles that take off from airport runways similar to a traditional airplane and ascend to suborbital altitudes via rocket propulsion (Burleson &
Kozak, 2020). These horizontally launched spaceplanes
are argued to provide lower operating costs and
shorter turnaround times, enabling the possibility of
launching multiple times within a single day. They also support sustainability goals through reusability (Seedhouse, 2016).
Leaders in the space industry, along with government agencies worldwide, are increasingly advocating for additional spaceports. This advocacy stems from
the recognition that these facilities play a crucial role in providing access to space and to supporting essential
functions such as payload integration, vehicle testing, range instrumentation, and launch capabilities (Deloitte Space, 2023). Horizontally launched spaceplanes are also particularly well suited to the deployment of
small satellites, which are advantageous to scientific
and educational payload flights (Seedhouse, 2017),
and play important roles in the growth of the space
industry. A 2023 study by Deloitte, found that advances in reusable launch vehicles and the development of small satellites are major drivers in the growth of the industry (Deloitte Space, 2023). These new advances
also increase workforce opportunities. A 2020 study
by the Space Foundation reported exponential growth
within the industry over the last five years (Space
Foundation, 2022), with 18% of 151,797 jobs in 2021
associated with the launch sector alone (FAA, 2023).
Yet, alongside the promise of horizontal launch
vehicles and increasing numbers of spaceports exists a
significant gap in data and information that can guide
The exterior of the terminal at the Paso Robles Municipal Airport (KPRB).
Attachment 4
Diversifying a Local Economy | 7
the planning and preparation for education and training programs in this emerging sector. As the industry grows, new jobs will need to be filled, and an aging
workforce is a growing concern. According to a 2023
study by Aerospace Industries Association, 29% of
space industry employees are over the age of 55. As
these employees retire, it is estimated that the industry will experience a gap of 3.5 million workers by 2026
and that the impacts of these retirements will be felt
for 10-20 years (AIA, 2023).
In response to these concerns, new STEM initiatives, K-12 industry outreach efforts, scholarships and training programs, and industry collaborations aimed
at increasing education and workforce pipelines are
underway (FAA, 2023), as are renewed efforts to set
agendas around the growing space economy, space
exploration and space science, space-related jobs
and educational pathways, and occupational data to
better define occupation titles, education pathways
and counts, and median wages (White House National
Science and Technology Council, 2022). These initiatives and emerging resources shed important light on space industry education and workforce needs and
opportunities, and help industry, and regional governments and education systems, such as the City of Paso Robles, conceive of new programs, pathways, and
possibilities within the growing space economy.
An Economic Development Initiative
Aimed at Space
The City of Paso Robles is in San Luis Obispo
County, California, approximately halfway between
San Francisco and Los Angeles. This rural community, known for its economic activity in agriculture and viticulture, is undertaking an economic development
initiative aimed at diversifying its economy around the emerging commercial space industry. The city is the
second largest municipality in San Luis Obispo County, situated approximately 30 miles from the Pacific Ocean and thirty miles north of California Polytechnic
State University (Cal Poly). Cal Poly, with a top ranked aerospace engineering program, co-developed the
CubeSat standard that is used worldwide today.
APPENDIX A
An illustration of the horizontal
launch space business ecosystem that informed the selection of organizations for this study.
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Diversifying a Local Economy | 8
The City of Paso Robles is seeking approval from
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to obtain a
launch site operator license, which would permit the
operation of horizontal launch space vehicles from the
Paso Robles Municipal Airport’s (KPRB) current airport runways. Additionally, the City is developing the Paso Robles Space Innovation and Technology Park
(PRSITP), which aims to establish business innovation
ecosystems that promote the development, transfer,
and commercialization of technology relevant to a
horizontal launch spaceport.
To support the advancement of the proposed Paso
Robles Spaceport and Paso Robles Space Innovation
and Technology Park, Cal Poly has partnered on a project, A Hub for Public-Private Partnership and Innovation: Connecting Cal Poly with the Paso Robles Space Innovation and Technology Park. Activities associated
with this project include support for the completion
of the FAA/AST Site Operators License (Spaceport
License Application); development of public-private
sector partnerships in the space and supporting industry ecosystems, including a visual framework of existing and potential industry partners mapped across the proposed innovation ecosystem; and the examination
of anticipated education and workforce development
needs within the targeted innovation ecosystem, including a high-level strategy for meeting those needs, which this study represents.
The Proposed Paso Robles Spaceport’s
Emphasis upon Education
In addition to diversifying the local economy
around the space industry and creating new job opportunities, a primary objective of the proposed Paso Robles Spaceport is to function as an educational hub.
This includes providing hands-on experiential learning
experiences in space-related activities for students
ranging from preschool to college and beyond. The
proposed Paso Robles Spaceport’s Educational Access
to Space Initiative would provide students access to a
spaceport with a dedicated focus to education, allowing students across the region and state to apply their coursework in real-world settings, and learn skills related to performing, for example, spacecraft integration, mission planning, and launch and on orbit operations
Attachment 4
Diversifying a Local Economy | 9
among other activities. The initiative is aimed at enhancing STEM education, democratizing space access, advancing scientific advancement, and promoting
public engagement with space activities.
Overview of Study
This study explores the education and workforce
development needs associated with the proposed
horizontal launch spaceport in the city of Paso Robles.
The global horizontal launch space sector is rapidly
developing, yet little research and information exists
to understand the current and anticipated workforce
development needs and opportunities of this growing
sector. Due to this lack of information, an exploratory qualitative research design was employed to investigate current and anticipated workforce needs.
The overarching research questions:
▶ What types of skillsets and jobs are horizontal launch and related industry organizations hiring for currently and/or anticipating hiring?
▶ What education and workforce development factors
contribute to the current and anticipated personnel
needs in the industry?
Methodology
To answer these research questions, an exploratory
qualitative research design was employed to investigate current and anticipated workforce needs. Exploratory qualitative research designs are useful when little has been studied or written about the topic or
population being studied (Creswell, 2009). Qualitative
research studies such as this help us explore a phenomenon and extend knowledge about a new topic (Merriam, 2009).
To explore this topic, individuals responsible for
the strategic workforce development and hiring decisions within their organizations were interviewed and asked to share their perspectives on current and anticipated education and workforce development needs associated with the emerging horizontal launch space
industry. The results from this study are not intended
to be generalizable nor to inform policy, but rather
serve as a heuristic model for understanding current
and anticipated education and workforce needs associated with this emerging industry in the city of Paso Robles, California.
Sampling Strategy
This exploratory qualitative research design
utilized purposeful sampling strategies. Purposeful
sampling allows us to identify and select individuals or groups of individuals that are especially knowledgeable about or experienced with the phenomenon of interest (Creswell and Plano Clark, 2011). In this case, the individuals interviewed were selected because
of their knowledge of the strategic hiring practices
of their company or organization. While we interview
individuals or groups of individuals, the unit of analysis is space industry organizations. Finally, it’s important to note that while the focus of this study is upon the
emerging horizontal launch space industry, many of
the organizations studied engage more broadly within
the space industry. Please refer to Appendix A for an
illustration of the horizontal launch space ecosystem
map that informed the selection of organizations for
this study.
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Diversifying a Local Economy | 10
To understand how perceptions about the industry
may differ across various types of organizations within the horizontal launch space sector, we interviewed two
organizations within each of the following organizational clusters:
▶ Launch Vehicle Provider
▶ Payload Provider
▶ Service Provider
▶ Satellite Operator
▶ Government Agency
Individuals responsible for the strategic workforce
development and hiring decisions within their organizations were invited to participate in the study. Given the small and nascent nature of the horizontal launch
space sector and the international scope of the proposed Paso Robles Spaceport, both domestic and international organizations were included in the sample.
The intent was to understand the types of skillsets and roles currently and/or anticipated to be in demand in
the horizontal launch space ecosystem, the education
and workforce development factors that may contribute to the supply and demand of skilled talent, and hiring managers’ experience and perspectives related
to filling these roles.
Data Collection
Data were gathered between October 2023 and
January 2024. In total, 11 space industry experts were
interviewed. They held roles such as CEO, Founder,
Director of Human Resources, and Business Development Manager. Each were selected for their specialized knowledge about hiring practices and workforce development needs within their organizations and/or
across the space industry. Organizations varied in size from small, emerging start-up companies to leaders in
their industry segment. For purposes of confidentiality, we do not reference organizations or individuals by
name. The perceptions of individuals interviewed here
may not represent all organizations within a given organizational cluster. Rather they are considered to be “instrumental cases” (Yin, 2014), or cases that we may
learn from in our study of education and workforce
development needs associated with the emerging
horizontal launch space industry.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted over
Zoom with space industry professionals employed
across the five industry segments identified above:
Launch Vehicle Provider, Payload Provider, Service
Provider, Satellite Operator and Government Agency.
Please see Appendix C for descriptions of these particular industry segments. Interviews ranged from 45 minutes to 1 hour. Participants were asked to describe
the space industry job market, the types of training
and skills in greatest demand, and their perceptions
of varying educational and workforce development
pathways available to people interested in working in
Attachment 4
Diversifying a Local Economy | 11
the horizontal launch and broader space industry. Participants were asked questions such as, “How would you describe the space industry job market generally?
Do jobs in the horizontal launch space industry differ, if at all, from other space industry jobs? Tell me about the types of skillsets currently in the highest demand? What types of education and/or workforce training
backgrounds do you look for in an ideal candidate?”
All interviews were recorded and automatically transcribed. Please see Appendix B for a complete list of the interview questions.
Data Analysis
To facilitate the coding and analysis of our data,
we utilized Dedoose, a web-based software program
for qualitative and mixed methods data management
and analysis. Data analysis began with a provisional
coding procedure, where transcripts were read and
assigned codes to segments of text relevant to our
research questions (Miles, Huberman, & Saldana,
2014). During this cycle of analysis, descriptive coding techniques were used to assign labels to the illustrative information gathered during the interviews. While this process was also analytical in nature, these codes were used to retrieve and categorize similar segments
so that the researcher may “quickly find, pull out, and cluster segments relating to a particular research questions, hypothesis, construct or theme” (Miles, Huberman, & Saldana, 2014, p. 72).
After the first cycle of coding (Saldana, 2013), we
reviewed the initial set of codes alongside the study
research questions. We then revised and consolidated
the codes into a set of categories we found useful for
organizing and analyzing our data across the participating organizations. To strengthen methodological integrity, former conceptions about the space industry
job market were suspended and challenged (Levitt,
Motulsky, Wertz, Morro, and Ponterotto, 2016), and
descriptive coding and organization-ordered matrices
were used to enable systematic comparisons across
the space industry organizations studied (Miles, Huberman, & Saldana, 2014). Examples of these categories include “Hiring Practices and Issue”, “Skillsets”, and
“Technicians vs Engineers”. Please see appendix D for
a list of the codes. Appendix E provides a table listing the frequency of each code used.
Findings
In this section, we present our findings. To address
the first research question, we explored the general state of the space industry, including the types of roles and skillsets in greatest demand, as reported
by the space industry participants interviewed for this study. In the subsequent section, we explored various
education and workforce development factors that are
reported to contribute to the personnel needs facing
the industry.
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Diversifying a Local Economy | 12
State of the Industry
The professionals interviewed for this study described the space industry as thriving overall, characterized by low unemployment and substantial growth.
Employees of the two launch vehicle providers described healthy growth environments, with a Business Development Manager from one of the companies
commenting, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen it as good
as it is right now.” The CEO of a payload provider
concurred, “I would say for the last two years it’s been phenomenal. I mean, it’s been great for us.”
While everyone interviewed spoke of the space
industry as being generally healthy, some did acknowledge the impact of prior downturns and some necessary cooling within the current expansion. An engineer with a launch vehicle provider reported “It hasn’t been like that forever. Back on
the 90s, there was attrition. I
was hired in on one of these
ramp ups that [aerospace
company] had, but then
there was a couple of downturns while I was there.” A
participant with experience
in satellite development and the training of aerospace
professionals reported, “The unemployment rate is
very, very low, though even during the worst of times
of the great recession in 2008, the aerospace industry
was still very low in terms of unemployment. It was
mostly just people switching jobs.”
Several participants spoke about declining funding
from investors in recent years, and competition among
larger, established aerospace companies, though all
also remained positive about the overall state of the
industry including the state of current and future employment opportunities. The CEO of a payload provider company explained, “there was a huge amount of investment money flooding the market. But the investor money has dried out. We still have growth, there’s a lot of potential, but it’s not doubling every year,
right?” He continued, “it’s a healthy cycle to have the bubble burst. Find out what does and doesn’t work,
and pull back. But the market is still very competitive.
There is no question that a good engineer can find a
job instantly. Multiple job offerings.”
A Business Development
Manager with a launch vehicle
provider expressed a similar
positive outlook, particularly
regarding steady employment
opportunities, “You know, in the
past couple years, we’ve been
through a couple phases of having money or not having money and we’ve always had a ton of
open positions, just because we
have so much work to do.”
A new ‘commercial’ space race
The emergence of a “commercial” space race was
highlighted by several participants, who perceived a
sense of urgency in capitalizing on growing commercial opportunities. However, concerns were raised “...the market is still
very competitive. There
is no question that a
good engineer can find a
job instantly. Multiple
job offerings.”
Attachment 4
Diversifying a Local Economy | 13
about short-term hiring practices favoring experienced professionals over new graduates, potentially impacting the industry’s long-term workforce dynamics. Distinctions were also made between the “new aerospace” and “traditional aerospace” companies
in relation to this new space race, with several participants discussing the expansion of the industry beyond the established aerospace companies that have dominated for decades, and one participant discussing the potential for revolutionary technological change within the industry.
A Director of Human Resources for a launch vehicle provider reported, “to describe the space industry job market generally is a very big and complex question because you’ve got new aerospace, which is the sector we’re in and then you’ve got the traditional
aerospace sector, which is your more conservative,
highly structured institutionalized, large corporations.” An Aerospace consultant elaborated on the distinction
between new and traditional aerospace, arguing that
traditional aerospace companies, particularly those
that have been building commercial aircraft, are “very
safety focused in developing those systems, and they
carry that over into the way they approach space development too.” He continued, “then when you look at the new companies, they tend to be more, maybe
not quite as risk average. I mean, it’s not that they are disregarding safety by any sense of the word, but they
can simulate to a certain extent and then actually try
something and see how it works.”
These new aerospace approaches to innovation
carried over into the types of skillsets and mindsets
valued by these companies, with the Director of
Human Resources from a self-identifying new aerospace company reporting, “In a startup environment, we need people who can build and break and learn
and not be frightened of making mistakes.” Another
participant, who worked with higher education students, shared this enthusiasm for the current state of the industry, suggested that the industry was ripe for
groundbreaking change arguing, “We need that next
generation of technology. So, the next generation
propulsion engineers, the next source of talent for
that new revolution that is going to be key to getting
our industry to the same level as like, freight on the
ground or on the ocean or even in the air.”
However, the widespread sense of opportunities
was also argued to influence hiring practices that may
have longer term consequences for the industry, with
some companies making short-term decisions that
favor the hiring of more experienced employees over
new entrants to the workforce. The CEO of a service
provider explained,
The opportunity is now, and everyone is jumping
on the opportunity now, cause they’re not sure it’s
gonna be here 6 months from now. So, bringing in
new grads doesn’t help you with that financial equation, right? That’s just where the market is right now.
Every indication is the market’s going to continue in
this direction.
Roles and Skillsets in Demand
Horizontal Launch Sector
The consensus among participants interviewed
was that the job roles and skillsets required for horizontal launching of spaceplanes are not fundamentally different from those associated with vertical launch or other aspects of the broader space industry. However,
Attachment 4
Diversifying a Local Economy | 14
there was a recognition that horizontal launch technologies hold significant promise for the future growth and efficiency of the space industry. For example, an
aerospace consultant stated, “I think it’s really the
future for the majority of space activity” noting it’s fuel efficiency. He continued, “with vertical
launch vehicles,
it’s something like
90% of the payload
is devoted to just
getting that rocket to
space. On a horizontal launch vehicle
your using aerodynamic forces to help
you get up to high
enough altitude that
you can engage a rocket.”
Participants noted that roles such as aerospace,
electrical, and mechanical engineering would continue to be essential for supporting horizontal launch companies and activities. While there may be some
nuances in environmental conditions and operational
procedures, the core competencies required for space
launch operations were argued to remain consistent.
For example, when asked about the roles and skillsets
required to support horizontal launch companies and
activities, an aerospace consultant
said, “You’re looking
at the classical ones
you’d expect. You
know aerospace
engineering or aeronautical engineering,
electrical engineering, mechanical engineering. All of those things, are still gonna
play a role no matter
the type of launch.”
An engineer with a vehicle launch provider argued,
“They’re not going to be different. It might have some
different characteristics, but it is essentially the same people. It’s the same technology that you’re using.” A
satellite operator concurred,
I think that the fundamental problems of getting
something into space, whether you build a horizontal
launch or rocket are pretty similar. You still have all the electronics, payload management type work. They just have different environmental conditions.
A participant employed at a
vehicle launch provider summed
the shared sentiment up, “at
the end of the day, the types of
people and skills that you need
just really aren’t that different.
And, yeah, we’re just trying to
make a vehicle go to space.
That’s all.”
There was speculation about the potential transferability of skillsets from the aviation sector to horizontal launch activities, with an aerospace consultant suggesting that the similarities in operational procedures could facilitate a smoother transition for professionals with aviation-related backgrounds. He contemplated,
“Maybe it’s a little easier for horizontal launch because what you’re doing is also very similar to what’s done
right now in aviation. It’s a little closer to what they are learning when they go through A and P [Airframe and
Powerplant] school. They
aren’t learning that now,
but that’s probably not
as significant a leap as it
might be for somebody
trying to apply those
power plant skills to a
rocket engine.”
Overall, participants
expressed optimism
about the potential of
horizontal launch approaches to space, citing
advantages such as
increased accessibility, flexibility in launch locations, and potential costs savings. An aerospace consultant
argued, “Horizontal launch holds the most promise,”
and an engineer with a vehicle launch provider re-
“The opportunity is now, and
everyone is jumping on the
opportunity now, cause
they’re not sure it’s gonna be
here 6 months from now. So
bringing in new grads doesn’t
help you with that financial
equation, right?”
“I think that the fundamental
problems of getting something
into space, whether you build
a horizontal launch or rocket
are pretty similar. You still
have all the electronics,
payload management type
work. They just have different
environmental conditions.”
Attachment 4
Diversifying a Local Economy | 15
ported, “I asked our CEO if he was worried about the
competition, he said no because you’re limited on size.
Because you can’t keep designing bigger and bigger
planes to launch bigger and bigger rockets. There is
sort of an upper limit.” Another participant shared this sense of optimism towards
horizontal launch
approaches to
space,
To be able
to have a vehicle
that takes off
on a traditional
runway, from
any place in
the country,
any place in
the world, and
that can fly up
to space, does whatever its mission is in space and
returns through the atmosphere and lands at the traditional runway anywhere. I mean, it opens, it opens the door to a whole lot of things.
Core Space Industry Roles and Skillsets
With the consensus being that roles and skillsets
do not differ between horizontal and vertical approaches to space launch, the space industry participants turned their reflections toward core space industry skillsets in demand. To sum, the roles in highest demand encompass a diverse array of specialties, ranging from
engineering to data science, manufacturing, business
development, marketing and beyond. Participants
identified a critical need for skilled professionals across various disciplines to drive innovation and address the complex challenges of aerospace projects.
Engineering roles, spanning aeronautical, electrical, industrial, materials, mechanical, propulsion, software, and systems engineering, were consistently
highlighted as essential. Participants emphasized the
scarcity of qualified engineers and the need to pay
a premium for their expertise. Software engineering
emerged as a particularly sought-after skillset, alongside expertise in fluid dynamics, propulsion systems, and quality control. Data science, especially in the
fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), was also identified as crucial for optimizing aerospace operations and decision-making processes.
Additionally, there was a growing demand for material engineers who can push the boundaries of current material technology.
Among the core
roles being sought, a
CEO of a service provider reported, “It’s definitely engineering of all kinds. We’re all hiring for
the same kind of job.”
A satellite developer
reported, “I find that I
have to pay a lot more
for qualified engineers
than I do for other services.” Another satellite
developer added, “I am
getting more and more
attuned to the need for material engineers, so those
that understand new materials like chemists and that
sort of thing because we’re getting to the point where
we’re kind of at the limits of current material technology now and need to push towards that next thing.” An engineer with a launch vehicle provider reported
a need for, “software people, you need fluids and
prop people, systems engineers.” Another participant
noted, “we are forever looking for positions within the field of quality control. Folks, people who can understand different kinds of layouts and different kinds of ways to look at parts. Cause we’re really dealing with
some stuff that’s never been dealt with before, and
a lot of you know programming talent.” A service
provider, with a different niche, argued, “my highest
in-demand skillset is AI and ML. It’s data science. We
need those people, and everyone’s trying to get those
people.”
Beyond technical expertise, participants emphasized the importance of problem-solving, creative thinking, and effective communication skills, including the need to convey complex scientific concepts in
accessible ways, contributing to the overall success
and public perception of aerospace endeavors. For
example, an aerospace consultant reported, “We really
also need people in other areas of expertise, outside
“...to have a vehicle that takes off
on a traditional runway, from any
place in the country, any place in
the world, and that can fly up to
space, does whatever its mission
is in space and returns through
the atmosphere and lands at the
traditional runway anywhere...it
opens the door to a whole lot of
things.”
Attachment 4