REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 10, 2020
FROM: KEVIN R. MEIKLE, Director of Aviation
Airports Department
SUBJECT
Title
Actions related to the Third Amendment to the Airport Lease Agreement with The United States of America, US Forest Service:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Article 19, Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines to authorize Lease Amendment No. 3.
2. Approve Lease Amendment No. 3 between the City of Fresno and The United States of America (US Forest Service), at Fresno Yosemite International Airport. (Council District 4)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council adopt a finding of Class 1 Categorical Exemption, pursuant to Section 15301of the CEQA Guidelines, and authorize the Director of Aviation, or designee, to execute Amendment No. 3 to the existing airport lease and agreement with The United States of America, US Forest Service (USFS) at Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT), to allow the use of the Air Cargo Ramp on a non-exclusive basis during active fires.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
USFS has used FAT as a base for firefighting operations since 1988. Amendment No. 3 will grant non-exclusive use of the Air Cargo Ramp for equipment that is too large to be accommodated on their current leasehold.
Background
At times the USFS utilizes aircraft and equipment that cannot fit on their Leasehold, such as using larger aircraft and/or additional aircraft and equipment during peak fire seasons. Amendment No. 3 provides for the use a portion of FAT’s Air Cargo Ramp as may be necessary for unforeseen events, such as the recent Creek Fire. No fees are assessed for use of non-exclusive areas of the Air Cargo Ramp.
The City Attorney has reviewed and approved Amendment No. 3 as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has determined this project falls within the Class 1 Categorical Exemptions set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Article 19, Section 15301 (Class 1/Existing Facilities), which exempts leasing of existing facilities that involves negligible or no expansion of use, as it involves the continuation of an existing lease with no changes to usage. Furthermore, staff has determined none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable because this is an amendment to an existing agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no revenue or other fiscal impact for USFS use of the Air Cargo Ramp. There is no impact to the General Fund from this item.
Attachments:
- Lease Amendment No. 3