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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Minutes for 10-20-2025CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH AVIATION COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES Monday, October 20, 2025 - 5:00 PM Civic Center Community Room – 100 Civic Center Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660 Aviation Committee Members: Councilmember, Noah Blom, Chair Mayor Pro Tem Lauren Kleiman, Vice Chair Kurt Belcher, Committee Member Nicholas Prytherch, Committee Member Michael Radigan, Committee Member Jack Stranberg, Committee Member M.C. Sungaila, Committee Member Staff Members: Tara Finnigan, Assistant City Manager Lorig Yaghsezian, Management Analyst Jennifer Biddle, Executive Assistant to the City Manager Errica Garrett, Administrative Assistant I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Chair Noah Blom called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. II. ROLL CALL All members were present. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was noted that only three of the committee members (Chair Noah Blom, Vice Chair Lauren Kleiman and Committee Member Jack Stranberg) were present at the February 24, 2025, meeting due to the restructuring of the Committee since February. Chair Blom opened public comment. Chair Blom confirmed receipt of Jim Mosher’s written comments on the minutes. Chair Blom closed public comment. A Motion was made by Vice Chair Lauren Kleiman, and was seconded by Committee Member Jack Stranberg, to approve the Draft Minutes for February 24, 2025, with Mr. Mosher’s edits. Ayes: Blom, Kleiman, and Stranberg Nays: None Abstain: Belcher, Prytherch, Radigan, and Sungaila Absent: None IV. CURRENT BUSINESS a. Committee Member Introductions Aviation Committee Special Meeting October 20, 2025 Page 2 Each committee member was asked to provide a brief overview of their expertise and experience. Committee Member Stranberg reported that he is a 38-year resident of Newport Beach with over 40 years of aviation experience. He added that he served as a Captain in the United States Air Force and later worked for H. Ross Perot on Wall Street. He stated that he worked for the Flying Tiger Line, discussing matters such as scheduling and noise abatement with municipalities globally, later becoming the partner in charge of Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler’s (KMPG) airline consulting practice, working with top executives from many major airlines globally. He added that he joined the Aviation Committee in 2019, stating that he has enjoyed helping the City with noise footprint reduction. Committee Member Belcher stated that he was born and raised in Corona del Mar and now owns a local aviation company specializing in aircraft management and charter sales. He added that he previously worked as a flight instructor at John Wayne Airport (JWA) and knows its facilities well. He lauded the ongoing development of JWA but agreed with the frustrations of Newport Beach residents stemming from living underneath noisy airplanes. He stated that his experience will make him a good conduit between the community and JWA. Committee Member Sungaila reported that she is an air and space lawyer, currently working on her Master of Laws degree in Air and Space Law from the University of Mississippi. She added that she grew up in Newport Beach, graduated from Corona del Mar High School, and is interested in maintaining the community’s quality of life. She added that she has a strong working knowledge of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), drones and electric air taxis from her recent legal studies. Committee Member Radigan stated that he has lived in Newport Beach for five years and spent 22 years in the United States Marine Corps with a focus on helicopters. He added he has recently been involved in operational logistics work for the United States Department of Defense. He stated that he is looking forward to working with the Committee. Committee Member Prytherch reported that he is a Corona del Mar resident who worked extensively in the banking industry with aircraft finance. He added that he later represented many aviation companies and a small regional airport in a government affairs role. He stated that JWA is a wonderful asset and amenity for the community, but also one bringing Newport Beach issues from being under JWA’s flight path. Chair Blom thanked all the new members and the support received from Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, while the Committee was restructured to increase its technical background. Chair Blom opened public comment. Dennis Bress stated that the technical experience of the Committee will give the City a fighting chance in matters related to the Settlement Agreement. He reported that the City and JWA have been working collaboratively to reduce noise, adding that next-generation (NextGen) aircraft will allow the airplanes to be higher, slower and quieter while flying over Newport Beach. Chair Blom closed public comment. b. Regular Meeting Schedule Discussion City staff and the committee selected a regular meeting day and time and the 2026 meeting calendar. Aviation Committee Special Meeting October 20, 2025 Page 3 Assistant City Manager Tara Finnigan noted that some of the new committee members have a conflict with the Committee’s historic Monday night meeting schedule. In response to Ms. Finnigan’s inquiries, Administrative Assistant Errica Garrett reported that the response to her survey indicated that Mondays would be better than Tuesdays, targeting either the third Monday or Tuesday of a month for meetings. In response to Vice Chair Kleiman’s inquiry, Committee Member Sungaila indicated that her Monday conflict is long-term, based on her academic work, but that Mondays could work for her in early 2026. Committee Member Stranberg recommended finding a time when 100% participation can be achieved. Ms. Finnigan stated that the Committee could continue to meet on the third Monday of the month, quarterly, through June of 2026. She said the discussion of choosing a different night to meet will be tabled until the spring. Chair Blom agreed. c. Oral Reports i. Report from the County of Orange – Staff from the office of Orange County Board of Supervisors’ Vice Chair Katrina Foley will provide an update on County airport- related matters. Robbie LaBounty, district representative for Supervisor Foley’s office, congratulated the Committee on its first meeting since its restructuring. He reported that two JWA-related items were passed at last week’s Board of Supervisors meeting, including the unanimous approval of JWA’s 2026 capacity allocation plan. He stated that the plan meets the needs of all travelers and airline partners while protecting neighbors. He thanked Mayor Joe Stapleton for his letter to Supervisor Foley commending the County’s commitment to collaboration and transparency. Mr. LaBounty reported that the Board also approved updated JWA leases and operator agreements, extending them to 2030. He noted that the year 2030 was chosen to align the leases with the expiration of the Settlement Agreement. He stated that the Supervisor’s office is also working on ways to encourage air carriers to utilize more NextGen aircraft, reporting that 30% of JWA commercial flights are on NextGen aircraft. He complimented Southwest Airlines for its noise-reduction work. Mr. LaBounty noted the success of the Fly Quiet program among private operators. Chair Blom stated that he will open public comment at the conclusion of all Oral Reports. ii. Federal Advocacy Update – Zac Commins, Carpi & Clay, will provide an update on the aviation-related, federal advocacy efforts the consultant is working on for the City. Zac Commins, principal at Carpi & Clay Government Relations, reported that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has had to further focus on safety issues in recent months, particularly following the January 2025 crash at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, along with the persistent air traffic control staffing challenges. He added that there have also been significant leadership changes at the FAA under new Administrator Ryan Bedford. Aviation Committee Special Meeting October 20, 2025 Page 4 Mr. Commins reported that President Donald Trump signed three Executive Orders related to aviation, addressing AAM, drone security threats, and repealing bans on supersonic flights. He added that an Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) AAM pilot program has been launched in accordance with the first Executive Order, with proposals due December 11. The FAA will select five pilot projects under the program. He stated that the FAA has also modified internal directives about environmental reviews for emerging aviation technologies and is encouraging the development of unmanned aircraft systems. Mr. Commins explained that some elements of the 2024 FAA Reauthorization remain delayed, including the release of an AAM Interagency Working Group report. He added that the chartered Aircraft Noise Advisory Committee has yet to see a call for membership issued, which will likely hamper the FAA’s community engagement efforts through an intended Community Collaboration Program. Mr. Commins reported working with Newport Beach’s federal-level elected representatives to have the City’s requested language included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Committee reports, emphasizing the FAA’s responsibility to engage local communities about AAM implementation. He added that the legislation would direct the FAA to brief Congress within 120 days of bill implementation, including a report on planned FAA community engagement activities. He added that the requested language includes a mandate to brief all communities on how AAM will integrate within the national airspace. Mr. Commins discussed the current federal government shutdown and noted that federal funding has lapsed since October 1. He reported that most FAA staff members have been deemed essential workers and are continuing to work during the shutdown, and that Carpi & Clay will continue to work with them. Chair Blom commended Mr. Commins for helping provide access to federal officials that the City would not have had on its own to such a degree. In response to Committee Member Sungaila’s inquiries, Mr. Commins stated that the FAA has not identified priority areas of the country for eVTOL testing, and the areas chosen will likely be reactionary to the proposals received. He could not confirm the FAA’s vertiport plans, adding that its plans remain open-ended. In response to Committee Member Stranberg’s inquiry, Mr. Commins stated that, to the best of his knowledge, supplemental funds have not been identified by the FAA to pay air traffic controllers. In response to Committee Member Prytherch’s inquiry, Mr. Commins clarified that it would be up to the City to determine if it wants to participate in the FAA’s yet unmade call for participation in the Aircraft Noise Advisory Committee. iii. Airport Working Group (AWG) Update – Mel Beale, president of AWG will provide an update on AWG’s activities. AWG President Mel Beale reported on the structure, history and ongoing purpose of AWG, lauding the Committee members’ collective backgrounds. He stated that AWG has recently been working on AAM policy changes, updating metrics for contour maps, and beyond horizon visibility projects. He added that AWG has been collaborating with Still Protecting Our Newport (SPON), preparing for the future Settlement Agreement negotiations, and following concerning actions by the FAA. Chair Blom thanked Mr. Beale for the expertise and knowledge that he brings to the city. iv. Still Protecting Our Newport (SPON) Update – A SPON representative will provide Aviation Committee Special Meeting October 20, 2025 Page 5 an update of the organization’s aviation-related activities. Lorian Petry of SPON reported on the history and purpose of the grass-roots apolitical civic organization. She stated that SPON will be very visible as it relates to JWA matters. Chair Blom opened public comment on the oral reports. Mr. Bress reported that he serves as a member of Supervisor Foley’s Airport Advisory Group. He lauded the work of all involved in increasing the NextGen aircraft percentage at JWA to 30% of commercial flights, noting how early morning flights now merely hum over Newport Beach as opposed to roaring over the city at a significantly higher decibel level. He thanked Mr. Commins for his lobbying work and encouraged him to continue to push on the federal level for stronger noise abatement policies. He also thanked Mr. Beale and SPON for their work on behalf of the community and expressed his support for their goals. He thanked Supervisor Foley for implementing the county’s first Fly Friendly Program for general aviation as an educational tool for pilots. Ron Rubino expressed his appreciation for the City’s ongoing efforts, singling out the work of Ms. Finnigan while he served on the Committee’s previous iteration. He clarified that he is speaking tonight on behalf of the Eastbluff Homeowners’ Association (HOA) and encouraged all to familiarize themselves with City Policy No. A-17, which has served Newport Beach well by allowing the City Council to help protect the community and improve the quality of life in a cooperative and reasonable manner. He reported that he is a member of both SPON and AWG, actively working on noise mitigation efforts. He encouraged all involved to continue the reasonable compromises, including the renewal of the curfew by the County. He pledged to make the Committee’s information and work available to other HOAs for communication to a network of about 5,000 members. Chair Blom closed public comment. d. John Wayne Airport Plan Year 2026 Capacity Allocations Nick Gaskins, access and noise manager for John Wayne Airport, discussed the airport’s 2026 Capacity Allocations. JWA Access and Noise Manager Nick Gaskins provided an overview of JWA’s annual capacity allocation process. The process is necessitated by the limitations contained in the 1985 JWA Settlement Agreement. The 2026 allocations were approved by the Airport Commission and County Board of Supervisors earlier in October. Mr. Gaskins explained the current million annual passenger limit is 11.8 million. As a result of the allocation process, JWA allocated about 14.5 million seats out of the 16 million annual seats requested by the air carriers. JWA can allocate over the 11.8 MAP because the airport bases the allocations on a load factor – the number of passengers in those seats – of 81%. As a result, JWA estimates a MAP of 11.5 for 2026. He reported that there will be 29 remaining overnight positions available for commercial carriers in 2026. In response to Chair Blom’s inquiry, Mr. Gaskins noted that 2023 was the first time JWA projected to exceed its allocated limits, requiring the airport to initiate mandatory seat withdrawals. He explained that the negative travel impacts of the pandemic and the subsequent travel binge that followed the pandemic made it difficult to estimate passenger volumes in the years leading up to 2023. Mr. Gaskins said that JWA typically allocates 200,000 passengers less than the allowable limit to provide a buffer. Clair Blom commended the work in setting the 2026 allocations. He expressed disappointment that the process can hinder commercial airlines ability to use the newest and best planes at JWA. Aviation Committee Special Meeting October 20, 2025 Page 6 Chair Blom opened public comment. In responding to a question from Mr. Beale, Ms. Finnigan said that with the Settlement Agreement’s latest amendment, JWA can increase the MAP in 2026 if airlines reach a certain operating capacity. And the Environmental Impact Review (EIR) conducted for the 2014 agreement amendment stated that the additional capacity cannot cause more than a one decibel difference at two specified noise monitors. JWA’s 2025 Noise Report data will be used to determine if the MAP can be increased next year. In response to Mr. Beale’s inquiries, Mr. Gaskins clarified that the potential MAP increase does not entirely have to be Class E aircraft, noting that JWA still controls five Class A slots and these Class A flights could be included in a MAP increase. Mr. Beale requested future noise data for public analysis. Mr. Bress stated that JWA is a tremendous asset to their growing community but is near its maximum capacity with just one runway. He called for a more open and transparent system from JWA staff for access to noise data, stating that it is an antiquated operation with an increasing number of noise events being excluded from the quarterly reports. He reported that automated technologies exist, and JWA’s Access and Noise Office is rumored to be issuing a Request For Proposal (RFP) in 2026 for consideration of more modern technology. He recommended adding a public transportation connection to Ontario International Airport, adding that its two 10,000-foot runways can take some of the passenger load off JWA. Mr. Mosher reported that he submitted extensive written comments, noting that at the County Airport Commission hearing on the capacity allocations, no public MAP review process for the potential MAP increase was anticipated. He stated that Mayor Stapleton’s letter indicates that there would be public review and called for clarity on how such a process will occur. Chair Blom closed public comment. e. Preparing for the Implementation of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Kevin Karpe, a consultant with Diverse Vector Aviation Consulting, and Ms. Finnigan, presented an update on federal, industry and City of Newport Beach actions related to Advanced Air Mobility. Ms. Finnigan started by noting that a list of the City’s aviation consultants has been provided for the committee members and the public for reference along with documents and letters mentioned during the meeting, including the City’s letter to the County about the allocation process, letters to the FAA commenting on AAM, and a thank you letter to Southwest Airlines for bringing quieter equipment to JWA. Ms. Finnigan then provided an overview of AAM, including the associated definitions of the various aspects of AAM and the types of technologies included. She reported that the City Council has taken no official position on AAM and the City is presently in an investigative mode about potential benefits to the community and potential areas of concern. Mr. Karpe commended the new committee members on the breadth of knowledge that they bring to the table. He noted that the Newport Beach Police Department (NBPD) uses drones to help ensure public safety and then explained that drones are now being used for a variety of purposes including crop dusting, environmental monitoring, and deliveries. He explained that they operate below 400 feet and discussed other regulations. Aviation Committee Special Meeting October 20, 2025 Page 7 Mr. Karpe reported that an Unmanned Aircraft Traffic Management System (UTM) is in development that will monitor the flow of drones. Mr. Karpe reported that eVTOLs are being designed to carry up to 4-6 passengers plus cargo at altitudes ranging from 500 to 3,000 feet with a long-term goal of flying autonomously. He stated that they will be defined by the FAA as “power lift aircraft.” He added that Air Traffic Control procedures have been updated to include the power lift aspects, but the ultimate scale of operations and the corresponding airspace availability are still being determined. He noted that most of Newport Beach is in Class C airspace due to its proximity to JWA and reported on the FAA’s process to request an exemption in order to fly a drone in this area. Ms. Finnigan reported that the City has advocated at the federal level over the past two years for community voices to be included in AAM planning, referencing Mr. Commins’ earlier presentation. She added that federal-level actions are pro-AAM, with the recent Executive Orders potentially increasing the pace of implementation. She added that the City also participates in regional AAM planning committees and noted that the City remains concerned that many people remain unaware of AAM and its implementation. She reported that the City retained consultant Peter Kirsch of Kaplan Kirsch LLP and is reviewing and potentially updating its zoning code definitions to reflect vertiports. She added that she will again be a panelist at the Aviation Noise & Emissions Symposium organized by the University of California at Davis (UC Davis), stating that a committee member will be invited to attend in person if interested, as the symposium will not have a virtual attendance component like in 2025. She reported that the City has a dedicated AAM webpage with more information. Chair Blom opened public comment. Mr. Bress stated that the City must stay ahead of AAM, commending its work with Mr. Karpe. He reported on food delivery robots on the streets of the City of Los Angeles, causing difficulties for pedestrians. He stated that the fast-food industry will likely go heavily into AAM, adding that large numbers of visitors will soon be in the area for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympic Games. Mr. Mosher reported that the UC Davis symposium presentations from last year are not available online. In response to Mr. Mosher’s inquiry, Ms. Finnigan stated that the presentations were initially held from public release to increase symposium attendance. She clarified that she was able to post panels that she participated in and would ask if the other sessions from the 2025 symposium will be released for the public to view. Chair Blom closed public comment. Committee Member Stranberg reported that AAM manufacturer Wisk Aero is owned by The Boeing Company and is working very hard for certification in time for the 2026 World Cup. He stated that Wisk Aero is well-financed, and the City needs to be ready as it is already running pilot programs in major cities. V. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Ms. Alston expressed her pleasure at seeing Committee Member Stranberg and Vice Chair Kleiman continue their service through the restructuring of the Committee and commended the work of Ms. Finnigan. She stated that the community organizations (SPON and AWG) are equal partners to the Aviation Committee Special Meeting October 20, 2025 Page 8 City on the Settlement Agreement, with important input to offer, and are to be included in the Settlement Agreement amendment discussions. She requested an update about JetSuiteX, Inc. (JSX) operations at JWA and expressed concerns about flying taxis as recently reported in The Wall Street Journal. Ms. Petry encouraged all to watch the YouTube video of Jetson ONE aircraft flying over the City of Carlsbad. She noted that the aircraft is noisy, and encouraged the City to prevent Jetson ONE aircraft from coming to Newport Beach. Mr. Bress noted that there are 199 daily jet departures from JWA and expressed hope that they will fly high, slow and quiet. He reported speaking with the City of Irvine about increasing public rail service, noting that the closest Metrolink Orange County line stop to Newport Beach is the Tustin Train Station, and called for better connections from the station to other service lines. He noted that the Orange County Maintenance Facility for Metrolink is facing a lawsuit and encouraged the City to investigate it, perhaps encouraging the plaintiff to drop the suit so light rail to other area airports is more widely available to Newport Beach residents, alleviating some passenger pressure on JWA. Mr. Mosher expressed disappointment that the Committee will meet on the third Monday of the month at 5 p.m., as the Board of Library Trustees meets at the same time. He reported that the Committee in the past gave members assignments to complete between meetings, encouraging this practice to keep the members active and engaged between meetings. He encouraged holding meetings more frequently. Chair Blom thanked Mr. Mosher for his written comments. He stated that Committee assignments could occur in the future after this kickoff meeting of the restructured Committee. He stated that the committee members were specifically chosen with the hope that they could be good advocates and take a vibrant role, utilizing their skill sets. VI. NEXT MEETING Vice Chair Kleiman asked the Committee members what topics they would like to have included on future meeting agendas. Committee Member Stranberg expressed interest in getting a better understanding of the power requirements for AAM technologies and of their impacts on noise levels at 100-foot increments at a range from 100 to 400 feet. Committee Member Sungaila noted that the decibels associated with drones are lower than those of traditional aircraft, but they are also flying closer overhead. Committee Member Stranberg expressed concerns about frequency issues with drones. Committee Member Sungaila commended the City’s work on getting a seat at the table for federal policy discussions so that local agencies are considered in the ultimate decision-making process. She expressed concerns about privacy rights in connection with drones. She pondered if anyone has airspace governance under 400 feet besides the FAA, noting that local jurisdictions have different concerns than the FAA in this space. She noted that there is a land use aspect to vertiport requirements, but they do not know yet how many will be needed and where they would be located. She stated that vertiports should be in the City’s purview, adding that they could create ground traffic issues, such as automobile parking concerns, if they become popular. Committee Member Belcher agreed with concerns about the unknown safety, noise and insurance elements of drone deliveries, and questioned what level of control the City will have. Committee Member Stranberg noted how many Amazon deliveries occur by land daily in Newport Beach and contemplated how it will look when they are airborne. Aviation Committee Special Meeting October 20, 2025 Page 9 Chair Blom raised the issue of whether formalized flight paths for drones could be established. In response to Committee Member Radigan’s inquiry, Vice Chair Kleiman agreed that AAM carriers should be invited to speak to the Committee. Committee Member Prytherch noted that Newport Beach and Orange County have the second-largest political donor base for United States politicians after only the City of New York. He added that they should ask politicians for something in return when they come to Newport Beach and Orange County looking for donations. Chair Blom confirmed that the Committee would work with the County on aviation matters. Orange County Airport Commission Vice Chair Sue Dvorak reported that Supervisor Foley’s AAM Task Force, which includes Committee Members Stranberg and Sungaila, is working with manufacturers on a potential community education event. Chair Blom clarified that the reformed Committee’s goal is to be results-driven and work together with the County. He reported that the consensus is to hold the next meeting on January 19, 2026. Ms. Finnigan noted that January 19, 2026, is a City holiday. Chair Blom set the next meeting for January 26, 2026. VII. ADJOURNMENT Chair Blom adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m.