Staff Report
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager, Community Development Director, and Town Attorney
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 09/04/2018
ITEM NO: 4
DATE: AUGUST 16, 2018
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: INFORM THE CITIES ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS THAT THE
TOWN OF LOS GATOS WILL NOT BE PARTICIPATING IN THE PROPOSED
AIRPORT ROUNDTABLE.
RECOMMENDATION:
Inform the Cities Association Board of Directors that the Town of Los Gatos will not be
participating in the proposed Airport Roundtable.
BACKGROUND:
In June 2017, the Cities Association of Santa Clara County (Cities Association) received a
Congressional request from Representatives Eshoo, Khanna, and Panetta asking the Cities
Association to take a leadership role in forming a regional aircraft noise roundtable (see pages 1
and 2 of Attachment 1). Recently modified flight paths for the San Francisco and San Jose
Airports have resulted in an increase in noise complaints in some South Bay communities.
Based on its experience in other metropolitan areas, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
prefers to work with local jurisdictions through a stakeholder roundtable.
An Ad Hoc Committee of the Cities Association created a framework for the proposed
roundtable, consisting of the 21 local jurisdictions of Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties, San
Francisco Airport, Mineta San José International Airport, and the FAA. This framework,
described in more detail later in this report, was discussed at the June 14, 2018 Cities
Association Board of Directors meeting. The Board approved a resolution 2018-002 “Providing
for the Continuing Operation of the Santa Clara/Santa Cruz Counties Airport/Community
Roundtable” (see pages 15 through 17 of Attachment 1) and requested each city/town to
decide whether or not it would join the proposed Airport Roundtable.
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SUBJECT: AIRPORT ROUNDTABLE
AUGUST 16, 2018
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DISCUSSION:
The proposed Santa Clara/Santa Cruz Airport/Community Roundtable would serve as a venue
to facilitate regional collaboration regarding aircraft noise by providing a forum for the
participating communities and constituents (see Frequently Asked Questions on pages 18 and
19 of Attachment 1). This is distinct from the existing Airport Land Use Commission for which
the Cities Association City Selection Committee appoints two local Council members.
The Cities Association is requesting all municipalities participate in the proposed Roundtable.
This approach would allow for cost sharing between all participants. The proposed funding
allocation is based on the current Cities Association dues per capita structure . Assuming an
initial total budget of $250,000, Los Gatos would pay an initial amount of $5,468.46.
The voting members of the Roundtable would consist of elected officials from each of the
participating jurisdictions. Non-voting participants could include representatives from the two
airports, FAA, and others as appropriate (see By-Laws on pages 32 through 39 of Attachment 1).
Staff support would come from the Cities Association Executive Director and consultants, as
needed.
For jurisdictions intending to join the Roundtable, the elected bodies would need to adopt the
prepared resolution (see pages 20 through 22 of Attachment 1), the Memorandum of
Understanding (see pages 24 through 29 of Attachment 1), and the aforementioned By-Laws.
No changes are allowed to the By-Laws, MOU, or resolution as all jurisdictions are approving
the same documents.
CONCLUSION:
Given that the residents of the Town of Los Gatos have not expressed concerns regarding
airport noise and that the Town has many priorities requiring the attention of the Town
Council, staff recommends that Los Gatos not join the proposed Airport Roundtable.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If the Town Council decides that the Town should join the proposed Roundtable and there is
sufficient interest by other participating jurisdictions, the initial annual cost is estimated to be
$5,468.46.
PAGE 3 OF 3
SUBJECT: AIRPORT ROUNDTABLE
AUGUST 16, 2018
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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachment:
1. Cities Association Roundtable Packet