Springing forward
The Town is moving ahead with the “Sprung Structure” at the airport. (Photo: Lunch)
… Or falling back? Only time will tell.
Marzano and Sons has been out at the airport this week preparing a plot next to the airport terminal building (grading, foundation, utilities) for a terminal annex building or “sprung structure.”
Town Attorney Andrew Morris laid out his reasoning as to why the sprung structure is compliant with all applicable laws and restrictions in a three-page memo sent to the Mammoth Lakes Airport Commission on Wednesday.
Morris contends the temporary, 30’ by 75’ building will not violate a federal injunction against construction activity decreed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Bernard Zimmerman in 2003.
Morris said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently granted a “categorical exclusion” for the project. Wrote Morris, “A categorical exclusion is available when a project fits within one or more specific categories of project that NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) allows to be constructed without extensive environmental review.”
Morris also says, “The [California] Attoney General’s office has not expressed concerns about any aspect of the Town’s actions regarding the sprung structure.”
Morris’ argument for the structure, however, does appear somewhat circular. The Town argues that the structure will not expand the airport’s passenger-handling capacity or the number of passengers actually using the airport – rather, the sprung structure is being installed merely to give passengers a more comfortable waiting room … Because an anticipated increase in the number of flights and passengers this winter is expected to render the existing terminal too small.
Mammoth Lakes Councilman John Eastman said this week that he believes The Sheet is on a vendetta to remove Airport Manager Bill Manning. Eastman added that he does not wish to micromanage and that he trusts the Town Attorney and Town Manager to make the right decisions.
Isn’t that what got us into trouble the last time?
He also views items such as proposed airport landing fee increases to be housekeeping items best left to Town Staff to determine and for the Town Manager to approve.
He does not believe it is necessary to agendize an item like an airport landing fee increase before the Airport Commission.
There is a difference between oversight and micro managment. The Mammoth Lakes Town Council has for much too long let staff and attorneys tell them what to do instead of advise. The ultimate responsibility lies with the TC and they don’t seem to get it. You all know the definition of insanity right?
Bill Manning must go. All the problems go right back to Bill, and His buddy protecting him John Eastman, cronyism is alive and well in Mammoth Lakes.