08 Staff Report - Oak Meadow Airplane
DATE: TO: FROM: COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT SEPTEMBER 15.2004 DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER MEETING DATE: 9/20/04 ITEMNO. SUBJECT: PROVIDE DIRECTION
ON THE REFIJRBISHMENT OR REMOVAL OF THE OAK MEADOW PARK AIRPLANE RECOMMENDATION: 1. If Council direction is to retain the airplane, authorize staff to: A. Enter into discussions with
the Air Force regarding OUf interests. B. Seek proposals on refurbishment methods and costs. C. Evaluate funding options, including Town resources. 2. If Council direction is to remove
the airplane then: A. Authorize staff to initiate discussions with the Air Force regarding options for removaL B. Authorize staff to seek proposals on the cost of removal. BACKGROUND:
In 1974 the Town of Los Gatos entered into an agreement with the United States Air Force Display Program to lease an airplane for recreational purposes for children visiting Oak Meadow
Park. This airplane is only one oftwo airplanes in the United States that is loaned by the United State Air Force authorized to be used as play equipment. Parks maintenance personnel
have maintained the plane over the years in order to keep it safe for play. Because the interior of the fuselage had become unsafe for children to access some years ago, it was decided
to fill 'it with concrete, enabling only the cockpit to be accessed in the plane. PREPARED BY: ..f;: J HN E. CUR'!']'§'" irector of Parks and Public Works ., Reviewed by: MAssistant.Town
Manager ---L2k;:Attorney __ __Commumty Development Revised: 9115104 :57 am Reformaned: 5130102 N;\B&E\COUNCU. REPORTS\airplane.omp.9-20-04,wpd
·, PAGE 2 SUBJECT: PROVIDE DIRECTION ON THE REFURBISHMENT OR REMOVAL OF THE OAK MEADOW PARK AIRPLANE SEPTEMBER 15,2004 The metal skin of the plane
bas become damaged from use as playground equipment. The cloth covering on the air foil has become frayed with age. Further. the summer heat produces a temperature ofthe metal surface
which may produce heat blisters on young hands and bare feet. With these concerns in mind. and without a direction for action to be taken, the staffclosed the plane to further use as
playground equipment last year. DISCUSSION: Staff is obligated annually to report the continuing existence of the aircraft in our park to the Air Force. lfit is the desire ofthe Town
to remove the plane from the park, the Townwould need to pay for its transport to a designated Air Force facility. The cost ofthis is unknown. as the location is not known. Staffhas
investigated the cost ofrepairing the plane to make it safe and usable again as playground equipment. This This repair work would include the replacement or repair of the worn sheet
metal skin of the plane, the replacement of worn cloth on the wings, and spraying the plane with a 1/4 inch polyurethane coating with an ultraviolet protective top coating to lower the
surface temperatll!e on the craft. These repairs would enable the plane to return to playground service. The cost is estimated to be $60,000, but quotations for the work have not yet
been requested. Staff believes that the cost of moving the plane out of the park to an Air Force facility, though unknown, could be very expensive. Anecdotally, staffbas received many
comments from park users hoping the plane will be returned to active use on the playground, some recalling their own enjoyment of it over the years. The Parks Commission would also like
to have the aircraft remain in the park. CONCLUSION: Staffrecommends that the Town Council consider retaining the airplane for playground use at Oak Meadow Park subject to funding ability
and reasonable certainty that the Town's investment in refurbishment would return the airplane to safe playground use. To accomplish it is further recommended that Council
authorize staffto seek bids to renovate the aircraft to make it safe for the children ofthe community. With confirmation of serviceability, staff would propose that the costs for the
refurbishmenr ofthe airplane be part ofthe discussions for the 2005-06 Capital improvement Program, or sooner if feasible. As part ofthis due diligence process, staff would confirm with
the Air force the long term status of the airplane given the size of the investment to refurbish it. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further
action is required.
·, PAGE 3 SUBJECT: PROVIDE DJRECTION ON THE REFURBISHMENT OR REMOVAL OF THE OAK MEADOW PARK AIRPLANE SEPTEMBER IS, 2004 FISCAL IMPACT: This project,
whether to remove or renovate the aircraft, is not included in the FY 2004-05 budget. Funds would need to be obtained from unencumbered funds in the budget, from reserves, or the project
eallied over to the next year and included in the budget process at that time. 5tafT has investigated the appropriateness of Proposition 12 and Proposition 40 funds being sought for
this These grant funds are not available for this type of expense. Distribution: Parks Commission