RES-8583 Supporting the Opposition of Measure SRESOLUTION NO. 8583
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ORANGE SUPPORTING THE
OPPOSITION OF MEASURE S.
WHEREAS, MCAS, EI Toro has been an active military airfield since 1942; and
WHEREAS, MCAS, EI Toro is a regional asset of 4,700 acres located in the
geographic center of Orange County near the intersection of the 5, 405, and 133 Freeways,
and the planned FoothilllEastern Toll Road; and
WHEREAS, MCAS, EI Toro is scheduled for closure in 1999, ifnot sooner; and
WHEREAS, it is estimated that over 8,000 jobs will be lost due to this closure; and
WHEREAS, MCAS, EI Toro has two 10,000 foot runways, and two 8,000 foot
runways and, unlike John Wayne Airport (JWA) which has a single 5,700 foot runway, is
capable of safely accommodating the largest military and civilian aircraft; and
WHEREAS, in November of 1994, a majority of the Orange County electorate
passed Measure A, which amended the Orange County General Plan to allow for the siting of
a commercial airport at MCAS, El Toro; and
WHEREAS, 22 of 31 cities within Orange County voted in favor of Measure A,
including the City of Orange; and
WHEREAS, Measure A received broad community support from business, labor,
grass-roots organizations, and cities;
and WHEREAS, the Federal Aviation Administration has stated in a July 1995 letter
that it supports MCAS, EI Toro's conversion to a civilian airport;
and WHEREAS, the Federal Aviation Administration agreed to co-sponsor the
County's application for a public benefit transfer of 2,000 acres at MCAS, EI Toro for use as
a civilian airport if the studies indicate an airport is
feasible; and WHEREAS, a public benefit transfer means these 2,000 acres would be
conveyed to the County of Orange at no cost, thereby eliminating a burden on air travelers
for airport
development; and WHEREAS, Measure A established a citizens' advisory commission to develop
an EI Toro Reuse Plan that would stimulate Orange County's economy and provide benefits
to all Orange County
WHEREAS, the Measure A planning structure has been designated by the
Department of Defense as the official planning organization for MCAS, EI Toro's conversion
and reuse; and
WHEREAS, over $2.5 million is being spent to develop a reuse plan that analyzes all
potential reuses including aviation and non-aviation uses, and the preparation of
an environmental impact report that fully analyzes the potential environmental impacts
of various reuse options;
and WHEREAS, the Measure A planning structure has made significant progress
towards the completion of the reuse plan for MCAS, EI Toro and the related environmental
impact report;
and WHEREAS, a new initiative has been qualified for the March 26, 1996,
primary election which would repeal Measure A;
and WHEREAS, the new initiative ("Measure S") specifically states that, "NO
NEW REGIONAL AIRPORT FACILITIES WILL BE BUILT THROUGH 2015";
and WHEREAS, Measure S abolishes the EI Toro Citizens Advisory Commission
which was chartered by Measure A to develop the conversion plans for MCAS, EI Toro;
and WHEREAS, Measure S also forces EI Toro to remain in government ownership
for 20 years;
and WHEREAS, the passage of Measure S could mean that50"10 of all Orange County
air passengers would be forced to use other airports to meet their travel needs;
and WHEREAS, the Measure S could mean that 535,000 annual tons of air
cargo generated by Orange County businesses will continue to be shipped out of Los Angeles
and Ontario;
and WHEREAS, Measure S claims that John Wayne Airport is capable of
serving substantially all of the County's air transportation needs when studies have shown that
more Orange County residents go to LAX, Ontario, and other airports than are served at JW A;
and WHEREAS, Measure S claims to relieve the financial burden of a
commercial airport, when, in fact, airport improvements at MCAS, El Toro will generate thousands
of new jobs and billions of dollars in economic growth with airport improvements
through landing fees, fuel fees, and concession fees as evidenced by the financial success of the JW
A expansion in 1985;
and Reso.No.8583
WHEREAS, the cities immediately surrounding MCAS, El Toro have spent over $2.5
million since 1993 to oppose a commercial airport at MCAS, El Toro; and
WHEREAS, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) has
determined that MCAS, El Toro's conversion to a civilian airport could immediately
accommodate 4 million passengers and it is the most easily converted military airfield in
Southern California; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Regional Airport Authority estimates such an airport
would create over 53,000 jobs for our region; and
WHEREAS, the airport could accommodate Orange County's air cargo demand
estimated by SCAG at 535,000 tons annually, with potential revenues of $1.5 billion; and
WHEREAS, Measure A outlined a "revenue sharing' concept whereby local
governments could share in over $170 million in new revenue from land uses at the airport.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Orange supports the opposition of Measure S on the March 1996 primary ballot.
ADOPTED this 13th day of February, 1996.
ATTEST:
d
ity of Orange
I hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly adopted by the
City Council of the City of Orange at a regular meeting thereof held on the 13th day of
February, 1996, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MURPHY, BARRERA, MAYOR COONTZ, SPURGEON, SLATER
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
v
City Clerk of
Reso.No.8583 3.DAD:ajj