To: Board of Supervisors
From: Aviation
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
SUBJECT:
title
License Agreement with Rumble Over the Redwoods Airshow Group Regarding Hosting an Airshow at the California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport (4/5 Vote Required)
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport to host the Rumble Over the Redwoods Airshow upon full execution of the attached license agreement (4/5 vote required);
2. Approve, and authorize the Humboldt County, Director of Aviation, or a designee thereof, to execute the attached license agreement with Rumble Over the Redwoods Airshow Group regarding hosting an airshow at the California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport (4/5 vote required);
3. Authorize the Director of Aviation, or a designee thereof, to execute any and all subsequent amendments to, and any other agreements, certifications, attestations, forms and documents directly associated with, the attached license agreement with Rumble Over the Redwoods Airshow Group, after review and approval by County Counsel, Risk Management and the County Administrative Office (4/5 vote required); and
4. Direct the Clerk of the Board to provide the Director of Aviation with one (1) fully executed certified copy of the Board order related to this item.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommended actions support the following areas of the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Plan:
Area of Focus: A Diverse, Equitable & Robust Economy
Strategic Plan Category: 2002 - Promote a robust tourism economy
DISCUSSION:
On May 7, 2024, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors (“Board”) adopted a resolution affirming support for the California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport (“ACV Airport”) to host the Rumble Over the Redwoods Airshow on August 10th and 11th, 2024. Rumble Over the Redwoods Airshow was established by Rumble Over the Redwoods Airshow Group, a local non-profit organization with one of the largest collections of historical aircraft in the United States. This event will bring the community together in unprecedented ways for an exciting and educational insight into the history of aviation, and will highlight opportunities for youth in Humboldt to become part of the aviation industry.
Since Board approval of the resolution, Aviation Staff, with the assistance of County Counsel, Risk Management, the County Administrative Office (CAO), and others, has been working with the Rumble Over the Redwoods Group on development of the documentation for the ACV Airport to host the proposed airshow.
The attached license agreement with the Rumble Over the Redwoods Airshow Group establishes the framework necessary for hosting this community event at the ACV Airport, and ensure it is conducted in a safe, organized and community-focused manner. The attached license agreement delineates the terms under which the airshow will operate, covering crucial aspects such as facility, airfield, and space usage to host the event, safety protocols, insurance requirements and associated community engagement efforts.
The term of the attached license agreement covers the period of July 23, 2024 through December 31, 2026 and will allow similar airshows to be conducted at the ACV Airport in 2025 and 2026. Additionally, the attached license agreement defines the period (14 days prior to the event, during the event, and 7 days after the event) during which the Rumble Over the Redwoods Airshow Group can occupy specific spaces at the ACV Airport to install equipment, and conduct other operational efforts to setup, conduct and cleanup after the airshow event. The attached license agreement depicts what specific spaces that will be utilized for vehicle parking, the primary spectator area, the logistics and support area, and the ‘Hot Ramp.” The ‘Hot Ramp’ is a space utilized only for airshow performers and aircraft performing in the airshow. This space is separate from all other areas to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance. The license agreement also outlines the aerobatic box which is a space, in the air, in which the airshow performers will conduct their performances. The aerobatic box size and setback from the primary spectator area, is set by Federal Aviation Administration regulations.
The airshow’s aerobatic box has a small fraction that protrudes over a section of Central Avenue Roadway adjacent to the ACV Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration sets regulations and guidelines to govern airshows and ensure the safety of participants, spectators and the general public. Compliance with these regulations often includes measures such as road closures when necessary to mitigate risks associated with airspace usage when the airshow is protruding over the roadway. The aerobatic box that has been submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration necessitates a closure of the Central Avenue roadway to ensure public safety throughout the event. Department of Aviation Staff, along with the Rumble Airshow Director, will coordinate with airline personnel to alleviate impacts to airline flights departing from, or arriving at, ACV during the airshow.
The Department of Aviation has worked with the Director of Public Works to authorize the closure of Central Avenue, per Title IV, Div. 1 Chapter 2 of the Humboldt County Code. A small portion of Central Avenue will be temporarily closed from 12:00PM-4:00PM on August 9, 2024 (practice day), August 10, 2024 and August 11, 2024. During the road closure, there will be a temporary detour in place. The suggested detour would entail only a minimal increase in travel distance, approximately 0.4 miles or an estimated one (1) minute of travel time.
Accordingly, the Department of aviation recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve, and authorize the Humboldt County, Director of Aviation, or a designee thereof, to execute the attached license agreement with Rumble Over the Redwoods Airshow Group regarding hosting an airshow at the ACV Airport.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
None
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The attached license agreement with Rumble Over the Redwoods Airshow Group waives all license fees in recognition of Rumble Over the Redwoods Airshow Group’s goals of fostering aviation education and community engagement, honoring veterans and promoting the ACV Airport, as set forth therein.
There is expected to be increased tax revenue generation, specifically sales tax revenues and lodging tax revenues, for the County of Humboldt through the purchase of hotel rooms, meals and other associated purchases by patrons of the airshow. Since this event is a first of its kind to be hosted in Humboldt, specific revenue increases are unknown.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Approval of the attached license agreement with the Rumble Over the Redwoods Airshow Group will not impact current staffing levels.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board may choose not to approve the attached license agreement with the Rumble Over the Redwoods Airshow Group regarding hosting an airshow at the ACV Airport. However, this alternative is not recommended due to the many benefits that this event will have on the Humboldt County Community.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. License Agreement - Rumble Over the Redwoods Airshow Group
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: May 7, 2024
File No.: 24-865