City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: DECEMBER 13, 2022
FROM: GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: CONSIDER UPDATES TO RIVERSIDE MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 12 – AIRPORT
RULES AND REGULATIONS
ISSUE:
Consider updates to Riverside Municipal Code Title 12 – Airport Rules and Regulations.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approve proposed updates to the Riverside Municipal Code Title 12 – Airport Rules and Regulations.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
The Mobility & Infrastructure Committee met on October 13, 2022, with Chair Conder, Vice Chair Hemenway, and Member Perry present, to consider updates to Riverside Municipal Code Title 12 – Airport Rules and Regulations. After discussion, the Committee unanimously voted to recommend that the City Council consider updates to Riverside Municipal Code Title 12 – Airport Rules and Regulations.
AIRPORT COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
On August 11, 2022, the Airport Commission (1 ) received a report on proposed updates to Riverside Municipal Code Title 12 – Airport Rules and Regulations; (2 ) directed staff to add “or part 135 as applicable” to the language in Section 12.08.070 – Conformance to 14 CFR part 91; and (3) voted unanimously to forward the modifi ed language to the Mobility & Infrastructure Committee for consideration.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
On August 23, 1988, the Riverside Municipal Code (RMC) Title 12 – Airport Rules and Regulations (Title 12) was updated in its entirety.
RMC Title 12 Update ● Page 2
BACKGROUND:
On December 20, 2016, the City Council approved an update to RMC, Title 12 to include definitions and rules for Unmanned Aircraft Syst ems (UAS), commonly referred to as “drones,” aircraft refueling safety, and other general airport safety and operational rules.
On June 9, 2022, the Airport Commission rece ived a staff report on recommended updates to RMC, Title 12. After discussion, the Commission requested staff return wit h further information on Charter Flights/Airline Regulations, Tw o-way Radio Usage, Noise Management, and adherence to Federal Rules Part 91.
On August 11, 2022, staff presented modifications to RMC, Title 12 addressing the Airport Commission concerns as outlined below:
1. Charter flights/airline regul ations: Changes made to update RM C, Title 12 clarifying that no restrictions were being placed on potentia l commercial flights (c harters or scheduled airline service).
2. Two-way radio usage: The Airport Co mmission agreed that proposed language complies with federal regulation.
3. Noise Management: The Airport has no legal control over aircraft once they depart the airport. The Airport, does however, have in fluence over existing tenants and an ability to communicate to those tenants the need to “fly friendly”. Through email, a monthly newsletter and direct communication, the Airport regularly discusses the noise complaints received from the public with Airport tenants. It is the Airport’s sincere desire to be a good neighbor and involve the flight schools and all other pilots of the Airport in being aware of the potential negative impact aircraft noise may have on the local community.
Over the last several years, the Airport has accomplis hed the following to lessen the negative noise impact to the local community:
a. Worked with the Federal Aviation Admini stration Air Traffic Control Tower to increase the height of flight patterns at the Airport.
b. Worked with our flights schools to impl ement a community recommendation that re-locates some training flights over Lake Matthews.
c. Worked with the helicopter flight school at the Airport to ensure proper flight patterns were adhered to when approaching the airport from the south.
4. Federal Regulation Part 91: This regulation primarily governs private aircraft operations.
In some instances, Part 91 also applies to commercial flights. Wording was clarified in the proposed RMC, Title 12 update to clarify applicability of Part 91.
DISCUSSION:
Subject to City Council approval, this update to the RMC, Title 12 will provide vital information for users of the Airport to operate safely.
RMC Title 12 Update ● Page 3
The following are highlights of recommended changes to the Airport and Aircraft Regulations:
Language added for entities that des ire to host special events at the Airport: establishes rates, insurance requirements, safety regulations.
Updates language regarding flying of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, commonly referred to as “drones” and the notifications requirements to the Federal Aviation Administration. Updates language for motor vehicle operations on the Airport: parking restrictions, speed limits, rental car delivery and pickup, etc.
Updates language for access through Airport perim eter gates: blocking open a gate, gate card access controls, etc.
Establishes requirements for fire extinguishers in aircraft hangars. Restricts use of aircraft wa sh racks for aircraft only. Establishes rules for departing aircraft to reduce the noise impact on the surrounding community.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The proposed update to RMC, Title 12 contributes to Strategic Priority No . 5: High Performing Government, and Goal No. 5.5, foster a culture of safety, well-being, resi lience, sustainability, diversity and inclusion across the City organization.
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
1. Community Trust – The Airport fosters community tr ust by regularly reviewing federal guidelines and regulations to ensure operational safety and welcoming public feedback at monthly Airport Commission meetings.
2. Equity – The proposed updates to RMC, Title 12 benefit the entire community by promoting Airport safety and managing ai rcraft noise impacts to surrounding neighborhoods.
3. Fiscal Responsibility – The proposed updates to RMC, Title 12 help to ensure that Airport assets are protected and preserved for future use.
4. Innovation – The proposed updates to RMC, Title 12 help to ensure that the Airport can effectively manage current usage as well as provide for future growth.
5. Sustainability & Resiliency – The proposed updates to RMC, Title 12 demonstrate the Airport’s commitment to good governance, which is key to sustainability.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Prepared by: Carl Carey, General Services Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, In terim Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial RMC Title 12 Update ● Page 4
Officer/Treasurer
Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Concurs with;
___________________________
Chuck Conder, Chair
Mobility & Infrastructure Committee
Attachments:
1. Riverside Municipal Code, Title 12