Source: https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/PierceCounty/html/PierceCounty05/PierceCounty0540.html
Timestamp: 2019-08-23 22:51:25
Document Index: 59299540

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', 'art 15', '§ 1', 'art 15', 'art 77', '§ 2', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1']

Chapter 5.40 USAGE STANDARDS FOR PIERCE COUNTY AIRPORTS
USAGE STANDARDS FOR PIERCE COUNTY AIRPORTS
5.40.010 Purposes.
5.40.020 Airport Management.
5.40.030 Airport Revenue.
5.40.040 Public Use.
5.40.050 Search and Rescue Operations.
5.40.060 Commercial Operations – Minimum Standards.
5.40.070 Leasing Information.
5.40.080 Concession Agreements.
5.40.090 Airport Rules and Regulations.
5.40.100 Operators to Keep Rules Available.
The declared purposes of this Chapter are to implement the authority delegated by the State of Washington to its municipalities as set forth in Chapter 14.08 RCW; and to acknowledge and require compliance with the obligations of Pierce County to abide by the Airport Compliance Requirements and the Guidelines for Leases or Agreement Granting Commercial Franchise Privileges for Aeronautical/Non-Aeronautical Activities at Public Airports, administered by the Federal Aviation Administration, as required by agreements between Pierce County and the Federal Government as conditions of grants to Pierce County; and to adopt and set forth Rules and Regulations for the administration and operation of Thun Field and Tacoma Narrows Airport (known as Pierce County Airports). (Ord. 2014-108s2 § 1 (part), 2015)
The Pierce County Director of Planning and Public Works (Director) shall manage the Pierce County Airports; which management shall include but not be limited to day-to-day operations, maintenance, administration of lease agreements, liaison with the Federal Aviation Administration, preparation of annual budgets, and shall at all times have the authority to take such action as may be necessary to enforce this Chapter and the Airport Rules and Regulations (AR&R), set forth below, and as may be necessary for the handling, policing, protecting, and safeguarding the public while present at the Pierce County Airports, and to regulate vehicular operation, parking, and storage on the Pierce County Airports. The Director may suspend or restrict any or all airport operations whenever such action is deemed necessary in the interest of public safety, subject to review of such actions by the County Executive (Executive).
The Director shall designate certain employees of the Pierce County Department of Planning and Public Works who may act on the Director's behalf, as the Director instructs. (Ord. 2017-12s § 2 (part), 2017; Ord. 2015-25s § 2 (part), 2015; Ord. 2014-108s2 § 1 (part), 2015)
All airport funds received from user fees, leasehold payments, real estate excise tax allocations grants, or any other airport revenue received by the County shall be deposited in the Airport Fund. Cash balances not needed for projected expenditures shall be invested in legally permissible interest earning instruments for the benefit of the Airport Fund. (Ord. 2014-108s2 § 1 (part), 2015)
The Pierce County Airports shall be open to the public for aircraft operations at all times, subject to temporary closure or restriction due to weather, conditions of the landing areas, the presentation of special events, and closure required to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public as may be determined by the Director or designees. (Ord. 2014-108s2 § 1 (part), 2015)
Approval for all search and rescue exercises or actual operations shall be obtained in advance from the Airport Administrator. Such activities shall be subject to Federal Aviation Administration, Washington State Department of Transportation, and Pierce County regulation. (Ord. 2014-108s2 § 1 (part), 2015)
A. Business Activities. Subject to applicable orders, certificates, or permits of the Federal Aviation Administration, or its successors, no person shall use the Pierce County Airports or any portion thereof, or any of its improvements or facilities for revenue-producing commercial business or aeronautical activities or conduct flying clubs, who has not first complied with this Chapter and the AR&R, and obtained the consent and all appropriate permit and licenses for such activities from Pierce County, and all other applicable agencies, and entered into such written leases and other agreements prescribed by this Chapter and agreed upon by the Tenant. Applications shall be approved by the Executive and submitted to the Pierce County Council for approval when required by law or County Charter.
1. Application for leases of ground and/or facilities on the Pierce County Airports or for permission to carry on any commercial business or aeronautical activity on the Pierce County Airports, with the necessary permits and licenses, shall be made to the Director, on the appropriate forms provided. The Director shall present the application to the Executive in a timely manner. The Executive may, if deemed advisable, hold an ad hoc advisory hearing upon the application. The applicant shall submit all information and material necessary, or as requested by the Director to establish to Pierce County's satisfaction that the applicant will qualify and will comply with this Chapter. The application shall be signed and submitted by every party owning an interest in the business, those who will be managing the business, a general partner of a partnership, and in the case of a corporation, shall be accompanied by a current resolution of the board of directors authorizing and directing the corporation's agent to submit such an application.
2. Minimum Application Information. Pierce County will not accept or take action on a request to lease building space or land area or in any way permit the installation of a commercial activity until after the applicant submits a written proposal, which sets forth the scope of operation proposed, including the following:
a. The amount of land the applicant desires to lease.
b. The building space to be constructed or leased.
c. The services to be offered.
d. The hours of proposed operation.
e. The number of persons to be employed.
f. The number of aircraft to be based at the Pierce County Airports.
g. Certificate of insurance or other satisfactory evidence indicating the ability to obtain coverages as required.
h. Evidence of financial capability to perform and provide the above services and facilities for a minimum of one year. Pierce County shall be the sole judge of what constitutes adequate financial capability, and if inadequate financial capability is found, Pierce County shall explain that finding to the applicant.
C. Action on Application. Pierce County may deny any application if, in its sole opinion, it finds any one or more of the following:
1. Not Qualified. The applicant for any reason does not meet the qualifications, standards, and requirements established by this Chapter.
2. Safety Hazard. The applicant's proposed operations or construction will create a safety hazard at the Pierce County Airports.
3. County Expenditure. Granting of the application will require Pierce County to spend funds or to supply labor or materials in connection with the proposed operations, to an extent or at a time when Pierce County is unwilling to enter into such arrangement, or the operation will result in a financial loss to Pierce County.
4. Availability. There is no appropriate, adequate, or available space or building on the Pierce County Airports to accommodate the entire activity of the applicant at the time of the application.
5. Non-Compliance with Master Plan. The proposed operation or airport development or construction is inconsistent with the Master Plans for the Pierce County Airports.
6. Congestion. The development or use of the area requested by the applicant will result in depriving existing Tenants portions of the area in which they are operating; or will result in a congestion of aircraft or buildings; or will result in unduly interfering with the operations of any existing Tenants on the Pierce County Airports through problems in connection with aircraft traffic or service, or preventing free access to a Tenant's area or to the operation of the Pierce County Airports.
7. Misrepresentation. Any applicant that has supplied Pierce County with any false information or has misrepresented any material fact in the application or supporting documents.
8. History of Violations. Any applicant that has a record of violating the AR&R, or the rules and regulations of any other airport, Federal Aviation Regulations, or any other rules and regulations applicable to the Pierce County Airports.
9. Defaulted Performance. Any applicant that has defaulted in the performance of any lease or other agreement with Pierce County.
10. Poor Credit Report. Any applicant that has a credit report which contains derogatory information and does not appear to be a person of satisfactory business responsibility and reputation.
11. Undesirable Reputation. Any applicant that has been convicted of any crime or violation of any ordinance of such a nature that it indicates to Pierce County that the applicant would not be a desirable operator on the Pierce County Airports.
12. Other Considerations. The protection of the health, welfare, safety, or morals of the inhabitants of Pierce County require such denial.
Pierce County shall not discriminate, nor allow its agents or employees to discriminate, against any applicant by reason of the applicant's race, color, creed, or national origin in processing the application request in any manner prohibited by Part 15 of the Federal Aviation Administration Regulations, or in any manner prohibited by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prohibit Pierce County from granting or denying, for any reason deemed sufficient, an application to do business on the Pierce County Airports for the purpose of selling, furnishing, or establishing non-aviation products and supplies or any service or business of a non-aeronautical nature, or the application by a person for an area on the Pierce County Airports for the personal non-profit use of such person.
D. Supporting Documents. If requested by Pierce County, the applicant shall submit the following supporting documents, together with other documents and information as may be required by Pierce County:
1. Financial Statement. A current financial statement prepared or certified by a certified public accountant.
2. Assets. A written listing of the assets owned or being purchased which will be used in the business on the Pierce County Airports.
3. Credit Report. A current credit report covering all areas in which the applicant has done business during the past 10 years.
4. Authorization for Release of Information. A written authorization for the Federal Aviation Administration and all states in which the applicant has engaged in aviation business to supply Pierce County with all information in their files relating to the applicant or his operation. The applicant shall execute such forms, releases, and discharges as may be requested by any of these agencies. (Ord. 2014-108s2 § 1 (part), 2015)
1. Leases shall be awarded in the manner provided in Title 2 PCC, Administration.
2. Tenants at the Pierce County Airports, by virtue of such tenancy, shall be legally obligated to the following provisions unless explicitly provided otherwise in a written lease agreement approved and signed by Pierce County:
a. Tenant shall agree to operate the premises leased for the use and benefit of the public.
b. Tenant shall agree to furnish good, prompt, and efficient services adequate to meet all the demands for its service at the Pierce County Airports.
c. Tenant shall agree to furnish said services on a fair, equal, and nondiscriminatory basis to all users thereof.
d. Tenant shall agree to charge fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory prices for each unit of sale or service, provided that the Tenant may be allowed to make reasonable and non-discriminatory discounts, rebates, or other similar types of price reductions to volume purchasers.
e. Tenant shall agree to not discriminate, and to not allow its agents and employees to discriminate against any person or class of persons by reason of race, color, creed, or national origin in providing any services or in the use of any of its facilities provided for the public, in any manner prohibited by Part 15 of the Federal Aviation Administration Regulations, or in any manner prohibited by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
f. Tenant shall agree to comply with such enforcement procedures as the United States might demand that Pierce County take in order to comply with Pierce County's assurances to the United States.
g. Tenant shall agree that no right or privilege has been granted which would prevent any person, firm, or corporation operating aircraft on the Pierce County Airports from performing any services on its own aircraft with its own regular employees (including, but not limited to, maintenance and repair) that it may choose to perform.
h. Tenant shall agree that no provision of the lease shall be construed as granting or authorizing the granting of an exclusive right within the meaning of Section 308 of the Federal Aviation Act.
i. Pierce County shall reserve the right to further develop or improve the aviation facilities of the Pierce County Airports as it sees fit, regardless of the desires or view of Tenant, and without interference or hindrance.
j. Pierce County shall reserve the right, but shall not be obligated to Tenant, to maintain and keep in repair the landing area of the Pierce County Airports and all publicly owned facilities of the Pierce County Airports together with the right to direct and control all activities of Tenant in this regard.
k. Tenant shall agree that during time of war or national emergency, Pierce County shall have the right to lease the landing area or any part thereof to the United States Government for military or naval use, and, if such lease is executed, the provisions of the lease agreement with Tenant insofar as they are inconsistent with the provisions of the lease to the Government shall be suspended.
l. Pierce County shall reserve the right to take any action it considers necessary to protect the aerial approaches to the Pierce County Airports against obstruction, together with the right to prevent Tenant from erecting, or permitting to be erected, any building or other structure on or adjacent to the Pierce County Airports, which in the sole opinion of Pierce County, would limit the usefulness of the Pierce County Airports or constitute a hazard to aircraft.
m. Tenant shall agree that the lease shall be subordinate to the provisions of any existing or future agreement between Pierce County and the United States, relative to the operation or maintenance of the Pierce County Airports, the execution of which has been or may be required as a condition precedent to the expenditure of Federal funds for the development of the Pierce County Airports.
n. Tenant shall agree to abide by the AR&R, and that the AR&R, and any future revision thereto, shall be a part of the lease.
o. Tenant shall agree that Pierce County retains the right of public flight for the passage of aircraft in the airspace above all the surface of the Pierce County Airports, together with the right to cause in said airspace such noise as may be inherent in the operation of aircraft now known or hereafter used for flight.
p. Tenant shall agree to not erect, or allow to be erected, any structure, improvements, or growth in violation of Federal Aviation Administration Federal Air Regulations, Part 77, or Pierce County building, fire, mechanical, plumbing, and health codes.
q. Tenant shall agree to prevent any use of the leased premises which would interfere with landing or taking off of aircraft at the Pierce County Airports, or which would create any interfering or confusing light or cause any restrictions to visibility at the Pierce County Airports, or would otherwise constitute an airport hazard.
r. Tenant shall agree to "hold Pierce County harmless" as required by the Pierce County Finance Department.
s. All commercial lease agreements shall be for a maximum of 20 years, with options to renew as agreed upon, except that longer terms will be authorized when new construction by Tenant is to be amortized.
t. All hangar and tie down leases shall be month-to-month tenancies.
u. All Tenant personnel required to hold Federal Aviation Administration certificates and ratings shall maintain such certificates and ratings current and in good standing.
v. Tenant shall be responsible for strict compliance with all State and Federal Laws pertaining to employees, including, but not limited to, Social Security, Unemployment Compensation, and Wage and Hours.
w. No right, privilege, permit, or license to do business on the Pierce County Airports, or any lease of any area of the Pierce County Airports, shall be assigned, sold, or otherwise transferred or conveyed in whole or in part without the prior written consent of Pierce County. Such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
x. There shall be four types of lease agreements utilized at the Pierce County Airports, as follows: Aircraft Tiedown Lease Agreement; Aircraft Hangar Lease Agreement; Commercial Premises Lease Agreement; and Land Lease Agreements. The purposes of the lease agreements are set forth in the forms of the lease agreements on file in the office of the Director. The forms of the lease agreements shall be for guidance only and shall be modified as deemed necessary by Pierce County to accommodate the unique circumstances of a particular lease agreement.
y. All lease agreements shall require that Pierce County be compensated at fair market value for the premises leased. The method and form of such compensation shall be determined by the Executive as long as the compensation is adjusted to monthly payments at fair market value by the end of the first term of the lease agreement.
z. All leases shall be reviewed and compensation for the premises leased shall be adjusted to current fair market value upon such review. Such review and resolution of disagreements to adjustments shall be in accordance with RCW 14.08.120.
aa. In addition to the monthly rental amount and leasehold excise tax set forth in individual leases, all Tenants shall pay a pro-rata share of all governmental fees and/or taxes imposed on the Pierce County Airports. The pro-rata amount shall be calculated by Pierce County based on the nature of the imposed fee.
bb. Tenant shall be responsible for payment of fire benefit charges and all utility charges incurred against the property being leased, including but not limited to power, surface water management fees, sanitary sewer, water, and natural gas.
B. Regulations Adopted. All rules and regulations authorized by RCW 14.08.122 are hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference.
(Ord. 2017-12s § 2 (part), 2017; Ord. 2014-108s2 § 1 (part), 2015)
The Executive shall approve concession agreements with private persons to provide aeronautical services to the public when the Executive deems concession agreements to be in the best interests of Pierce County.
Prior to entering into a concession agreement, there shall be advertisements of a request for proposals in the same manner as a request for bids for construction of public works.
Prior to award of the concession agreement, there shall be written comparative evaluations of proposals received based on written standards and method of selection sent to those who request plans and/or specifications for the concession.
Award of a concession agreement shall be based on the written evaluations of the proposals received, and although the least dollar cost, or greatest financial benefit to Pierce County, shall weigh heavily in the award of a concession agreement, award of a concession agreement shall be to the person whose proposal promises to provide the best overall services to the public. (Ord. 2014-108s2 § 1 (part), 2015)
A. Director's Authority to Establish Airport Rules and Regulations. The Director shall have the authority to establish and revise Airport Rules and Regulations (AR&R) provided that these rules and regulations shall not become effective until ratified by the Council. The Director shall be responsible for transmitting the AR&R, and any revisions, to the Council in the form of a ratification resolution. The Council shall take action to approve or reject the proposed rules and regulations within 45 calendar days of the date that the ratification resolution is received by the Council. If no action is taken by the Council within the 45-day period, the rules and regulations shall be deemed ratified.
B. Review of Airport Rules and Regulations by Advisory Commission. Revisions to the AR&R shall be presented to the respective airport advisory commission for review and comment at a regularly scheduled commission meeting prior to finalization by the Director. The Director shall include any recommendations made by the airport advisory commission in the ratification resolution transmittal required pursuant to PCC 5.40.090 A. (Ord. 2014-108s2 § 1 (part), 2015)
All persons licensed, or otherwise allowed, to do business or conduct operations of any kind at the Pierce County Airports shall obtain and keep a current copy of the AR&R in their office or place of business conspicuously available for public inspection. Copies of the AR&R may be obtained from the Airport Administrator at the cost to Pierce County for providing them. (Ord. 2014-108s2 § 1 (part), 2015)