Report Prepared by: Martin Pehl, Airport Manager
Title
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Changing the Name of the Merced Regional Airport to Merced Yosemite Regional Airport
REPORT IN BRIEF
At February 16, 2021 meeting of the Merced City Council, staff was directed to prepare a resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, changing the name of the Merced Regional Airport to Merced Yosemite Regional Airport.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion adopting Resolution 2021-20, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, changing the name of the Merced Regional Airport to Merced Yosemite Regional Airport and authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute all necessary documents to complete the name change.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Adopt the resolution; or,
2. Modify the resolution; or,
3. Direct further staff work to modify; or,
4. Deny the action.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2020-21 Adopted Budget
DISCUSSION
At the January 4, 2021 meeting of the Merced City Council, the City Council directed the Regional Airport Authority to propose new name(s) for the Merced Regional Airport that incorporates the word “Yosemite” and to present the proposed new name(s) to the City Council at the earliest date possible.
On February 2, 2021, at a special meeting of the Regional Airport Authority (RAA), the RAA voted unanimously to recommend the following possible new names for consideration by the Merced City Council: 1) Merced Yosemite Regional Airport, or 2) Merced Yosemite Airport.
Regional Airport Authority Consideration
The Regional Airport Authority members generally agreed that centering on Yosemite would be beneficial for drawing enplanements and tourist to Merced. The members felt Merced offers a seamless route for tourists wanting to visit Yosemite National Park by either plane, bus, auto or rail because of the services offered by the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System and Highway 140 being the all-weather thoroughfare. The Authority members also felt that now is the perfect time to consider a name change for the airport as the Authority Marketing Subcommittee and staff begin working on a Request for Proposal for airport marketing services.
Name Change in 2009
The airport’s name has been changed in the past. In 2009, the Merced City Council passed a resolution changing the airport’s name from the “Merced Municipal Airport” to the “Merced Regional Airport” (See Attachment 1.) The name change at the time was, in part, made to better “brand” the airport as a commercial service airport that serves an area well beyond just the City of Merced.
As in 2009, no regulatory obstacles are anticipated, however the City Council will need to authorize the City Manager to request an amendment of the “Airport Permit” from the Caltrans Division of Aeronautics and update the FAA form 5010 “Airport Master Record” to reflect any name change authorized by the Merced City Council (Attachment 2).
Merced City Council Consideration
At the February 16, 2021 meeting of the Merced City Council, the airport name change recommendations of the Regional Airport Authority were presented to and considered by the City Council. The City Council voted unanimously to direct staff to prepare a resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, to change the name of the Merced Regional Airport to Merced Yosemite Regional Airport and authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to complete the name change.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No appropriation of funds is needed at this time. Any future appropriation would come from the Airport Enterprise Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2009 Airport Name Change Report
2. Resolution for 2021 Airport Name Change