08/27/2025

DRAFT Meeting Minutes for:
Strategic Planning Committee Meeting
Yuma International Airport, Conference Room
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at 12:03 PM

    Call to Order:
    The Yuma County Airport Authority, Inc. (YCAA) Strategic Planning Committee Meeting of the Board of Directors was called to order at 12:03PM on August 27, 2025, in the Yuma International Airport Conference Room, 2191 E. 32nd Street, Suite 218, Yuma, Arizona 85365. The Presiding officer was Dean Hager, Committee Chairman.

    YCAA STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT WERE:
    Dean Hager, Committee Chairman and YCAA 1st Vice President
    Jenny Torres, Director

    YCAA STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT WERE:
    Juan Guzman, 2nd Vice President

    ALSO PRESENT WERE:
    Bill Craft, President
    Stanley Gourley, Treasurer
    Gladys Brown, Airport Director
    Gerald Hinkle, Jr., Chief Financial Officer
    Juan Trasvina, Director of Operations
    Andrea Lopez, Executive Assistant
    LtCol John J. Leone, USMC, Military Liaison (joined the meeting electronically)

    CALL TO THE PUBLIC
    There were no Public Comments.

    REGULAR AGENDA
    1) August 27, 2025, Strategic Planning Committee discussion on Runway 17/35’s Temporary Closure

    Ms. Brown, Airport Director, presented the latest information regarding the temporary closure of Runway 17/35, the effect on operations, measures in implemented to ensure continued operations and possible investments into improvements necessary to facilitate effective airfield access.

    Ms. Brown, Airport Director, provided the Committee with several emails received from parties affected by the temporary closure to include an inquiry to Colonel Stone in which Ms. Brown summarized the inquiry into two key elements:

    1. NOTAM Revision – Can the NOTAM be revised to allow aircraft to taxi on Runway 17/35 for access to Taxiway Z3? This adjustment would help mitigate operational inefficiencies for GA tenants and transient users (civil and military) utilizing the South Ramp located at the base of the Tower.

    2. Advocacy Role – How can the YCAA and airfield users best support MCAS Yuma’s objectives while also advocating for the continued use of Z3 with the access off the now closed Runway 17/35.

    Additional emails inquired into future planning, requesting insight into:
    ·Current and projected long-term plans for the airfield, specifically considerations for Runway 17/35
    ·Whether or not an Instrument Landing System (ILS) would be installed for Runway 8/26
    ·Any projected airfield land development to the south of Runway 17/35 that may influence decisions on its permanent closure or reopening.

    Another email requested the ability to review MCAS airfield development planning documents that are currently in “DRAFT” form. On this topic, Ms. Brown informed the Committee that Lt.Col Leone advised that MCAS Yuma, by policy, would not be able to make documents in “DRAFT” form available to the public.

    Ms. Brown, Airport Director, explained she and the YCAA Operations Director met with MCAS Yuma Mission Assurance to go over the current and existing concerns. Ms. Brown reminded everyone that security has always been a concern especially 15 years ago when the F-35 program came to MCAS Yuma. Rising threats and the accessibility of MCAS assets from our side of the airfield is a concern that is taken seriously. Ms. Brown spoke of historical meetings between MCAS and YCAA over the years regarding the areas of cooperation addressed in the Joint Use Operating Agreement and pledged to increase this type of communication moving forward. Ms. Brown also informed the Committee that Juan Trasvina, YCAA’s Operations Director, and herself have been working towards gaining necessary clearances that would allow access to Top Secret security related briefings. She explained how the YCAA could improve efforts related to airfield security with the understandings obtained by understanding the “Full Picture”.

    Ms. Brown, informed the Committee that the number of calls and inquiries being sent to YCAA staff related to the closure of 17/35 have NOT decreased since the public meeting was hosted by YCAA allowing a venue for the MCAS Yuma Commander an opportunity to address the public directly. Instead, she stated that the inquiries are becoming more specific and include requests for documents and agreements related to the operational and legal framework of how the YCAA and MCAS Yuma manage their joint use of the airfield.

    Ms. Brown, Airport Director then addressed the Prior Permission Required (PPR) procedure that was developed as a means to manage the use of the airfields Parallel Runways for those allowed to request access as outlined in the NOTAM. She discussed the process and those airfield users allowed to participate in this process when runway 8/26 is insufficient for operational activity. Specifically, she addressed concerns expressed by locally based flight schools. Questions remain in regards to access to the parallel runways by these airfield users and pointed out that since runway 8/26 does not have an Instrument Landing System, the ability to train for this element of aviation is an issue.

    Ms. Brown, then described her recent meeting with FAA officials in Phoenix which was called for the purpose of addressing the runway 17/35 closure. She emphasized her efforts to ensure the FAA was aware that the YCAA (nor the County of Yuma) owns any of the runways and a majority of the taxiways located on the airfield, adding that MCAS Yuma provides not only Air Traffic Control services but provides life safety and Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) to the entire airfield without cost to the YCAA. She followed by describing how these services are provided through Letters of Agreement contained in a Joint Use Operating Agreement (JUOA)between MCAS Yuma and the YCAA. Ms. Brown clarified that while sounding similar, the JUOA is very different from a Joint Use Agreement (JUA) which is utilized by other airports and is recognized and adopted by the US Department of Defense. Ms. Brown informed the Committee that during her meeting with the FAA they emphasized the fact that “MCAS Yuma owns the runway” but she was able to obtain their support to consider grant funding opportunities available if the development of a parallel Taxiway Y is considered an option to increase operational capability if the closure of runway 17/35 becomes permanent.

    Ms. Brown then informed the Committee on how Taxiway Y, as proposed in 2011, may help airfield users access the South GA Apron. She then pointed out that any funding would be limited to updating the existing design of Taxiway Y, Phase I, since funding of the construction would require an easement property in which the taxiway would be located. A large portion of the property is owned by the Department of the Navy. Mr. Hinkle, YCAA Chief Financial Officer followed by offering that obtaining that easement through the Naval Facilities Command or “NAFAC” would take years and may cost a significant amount of money since NAFAC charges for their research, legal and survey work.

    During a discussion of the Joint Use Operating Agreement that followed, Ms. Brown pointed out that efforts by airfield users to use joint use agreement examples from other airports to support their opinions or suggestions, have referred to specific rulings which relate to the Air Force, having no bearing on Navy or specifically Marine Corps policy. Further, Ms. Brown pointed out Congress doesn't approve individual Joint Use agreements but may have provided general authority for joint-use programs in the past. Provided within the meeting was a Report to Congress July 2024 in which this airfield is seen as a Military Airfield that can allow civilian operations.

    Mr. Hager, the Committee Chairman, proposed that staff be directed to work two different issues directly.

    1. Address runway access issues presented by flight instruction companies. Ms. Brown assured the Committee that Juan Trasvina would continue previously scheduled meetings to address their specific concerns with MCAS Yuma. During this discussion, it was noted that flight instructors, pilots in training and anybody else who access the airfield has been vetted by the FAA and MCAS Yuma. Further, Mr. Hager suggested that maybe the number of flight schools could be limited or access to the parallel runways be allowed but ONLY to based flight instruction companies.
    2. Work toward obtaining an easement for the ground in which the proposed Taxiway Y would be located. Ms. Brown confirmed this approach and informed the Committee that Junior Hinkle and herself would begin working on that issue

    A discussion then ensued in which a number of persons present offered suggestions as to available grant funding sources, including an opportunity described by Ms. Brown as involving how the County of Yuma can apply for a grant which supports an MCAS Yuma development (i.e. Taxiway Y).

    Mr. Hager asked about available alternatives to pilots unable to use runway 8/26 due to crosswinds or lack of instrument approaches. Ms. Brown explained that neither Somerton Airport, nor Rolle Airfield are a viable solution, leaving San Diego or Phoenix as less desirable options.

    LtCol Leon offered that while weather conditions can change during a flight operation, any pilot who designates NYL as their destination during a period of crosswinds making safe landing on 8/26 unlikely made a mistake prior to departure. He followed by pointed out that the options available include nearby airfields with sufficient runways or a pilot could also declare an emergency and land on one of the parallel runways if fuel capacity was an issue.

    After being asked to clarify MCAS Yuma’s decision to close runway 17/35, Lt Col Leon explained how, there were a number of reasons, emphasizing that MCAS Yuma does not use 17/35 and how the base works directly both operationally and financially to accomplish their mission, and runway 17/35 is no longer operationally necessary. He did however address elements of security concerns, the financial cost of maintaining the runway and how the existence of runway 17/35 limits development opportunities. When asked directly, Lt Col Leon denied that any particular issue drove the decision.

    Mr. Craft, the President, asked Lt Col Leon about the decision to close 17/35 itself; asking whether the Base Commander made the decision or whether it came from higher up the chain of Command. Lt Col Leon replied that while there was consultation with “higher ups”, the decision was made locally. He did reference discussions with Command after the decision was made due to inquiries driven by locals, since “of course people know people”.

    Mr. Gourley, Treasurer, inquired to Lt Col Leon on financial considerations. Specifically, he wanted to know if the financial considerations included effects on the civilian side of the airfield and the greater community. Lt Col Leon responded by informing him that there was no specific calculation of any possible financial effects but that the Base Commander was well aware of the impact on civil aviation and took those issues into account. When asked if the decision had been made to close runway 17/35 permanently, he assured the Committee that the decision has yet to be finalized.

    Mr. Hager asked the Airport Director to ensure the Committee update on this topic at the September regular meeting of the YCAA Board of Directors be brief pointing out that larger discussions on the issue belong at the Committee level as the issue continued to be addressed.

    2) August 27, 2025, Strategic Planning Committee discussion and possible recommendations regarding Air Service Development.

    Ms. Brown, Airport Director, briefed the Committee on recent efforts by staff to engage with a new air service development consultants looking for unique strategies to increase enplanements through reduced leakage with the existing carriers as well as attempting to attract additional carriers, and or destinations.

    During this discussion, Ms. Brown described her desire to contract with a different consulting firm for this purpose. The company, Volaire met with Ms. Brown, and airport staff to discuss his evaluation of opportunities available for new markets as well as pointing out irregularities he believes could be corrected such as high-ticket prices compared to other markets and odd flight schedules, including the lack of any flights on Friday late afternoon or evenings.

    After a brief discussion on air service opportunities, he committee came to a consensus to recommend the Board of Directors authorize the Airport Director to expend “Off- Budget” resources (Capital Reserves) to fund a three (3) year professional services agreement with Volaire at a cost not to exceed $155,000.

    ADJOURNMENT
    There being no further business before the Committee the meeting adjourned at 1:55PM.



    Dean Hager
    1st Vice President, Yuma County Airport Authority; Strategic Planning Committee Chairman
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