Wed, Oct 25, 2017
Agency Says City Must Stop Practice Of Preferential Treatment For Some Tenants
Following a site survey at Tehachapi Municipal Airport (kTSP), the FAA sent a letter to the city saying that it must stop its practice of preferential treatment for many tenants, including the city itself. If it fails to do so, the city could lose access to AIP grants for the airport.
The online news site Bakersfieldnow.com reports that the FAA conducted the inspection in May, and found that the city is using airport property in ways that violate federal grant assurances. Some leases also are out of compliance, according to FAA spokesman Ian Gregor.
According to the letter, which was dated September 29, there are several instances of non-aeronautical uses of airport facilities, and some of those tenants are not paying fair market value for what they use. At least two hangars are being used by the city for non-aeronautical purposes rent-free while some who wish to use the space for aeronautical purposes remain on a waiting list for hangars. The FAA also found that the TSP Airport Layout Plan does not mention the non-aeronautical uses.
The city has 60 days from receipt of the letter to present a corrective action plan to the FAA showing how it will come into compliance with federal grant guidelines.
At a recent City Council meeting, several members said that the city should fight back against the FAA. But one council member, Kenneth Hetge, who has been an airport tenant since 1990, said at the meeting that the issues are not new, and one of the reasons that the airport has been consistently run in the red.
The airport has received more than $4 million in federal grants in the past 14 years, according to the report. Hetge warned that if the city loses access to the grants which keep the airport up to date and in good repair, the city stands to lose the facility entirely.
The Tehachapi City Manager is preparing the corrective action plan, but it would need Council approval before being sent to the FAA.
(Image from file)
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