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June 3, 2016

Ontario Airport is Returning to Local Control

Ontario Airport Years after the idea was brought to the table, Ontario International Airport is slated to return to local control on July 1, 2016. In less than one month, a local body of elected officials will take on the task of turning around a long-neglected airport that has been controlled by the Los Angeles Department of Airports since 1967 (renamed Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) in 1997). Ontario Airport once belonged to the city of Ontario, but ownership of the airport was officially transferred to the City of Los Angeles in 1985 by a previous council. Years later, after a sharp decline in flight offerings and freight tons, local elected officials in Ontario and the Inland Empire decided that it was in the Inland Empire’s best interest to take back control of the airport. Years of discussion and legal fights ensued over the airport’s future, and in late 2015 the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) finally reached an agreement with Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti regarding the future of what could be the Inland Empire’s biggest economic engine. San Bernardino County Supervisor, and former Assemblyman, Supervisor Hagman worked with others behind the scenes to ensure that the efforts expended in bringing the airport back to local control were successful. The day has finally come, and many are celebrating what is seen as an opportunity for the airport to bring back much needed, high-paying jobs for local residents. The road to recovery in the Inland Empire has been slow, and Ontario’s comeback is bringing back a much needed spark, critical to attracting more investment locally including shopping, hotels, and other attractions that will be a boost to the Inland Empire’s economy.

The OIAA Commission
The City of Ontario and San Bernardino County formed the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) in August 2012 by enacting a Joint Powers Agreement with the intention of gaining local control of Ontario Airport. Despite not having control of the airport at the time of the creation of the OIAA, officials strongly believed that the airport would again be an economic engine regionally – it was too important to the region to neglect. The new commission set out to discuss the potential transfer of Ontario Airport, and build a framework for the vision to materialize as soon as all sides reached an agreement. The OIAA provides overall direction for the management, operations, development and marketing of ONT for the benefit of the Southern California economy and the residents of the airport's four-county catchment area. The commissioners of OIAA are: Ontario Council Member Alan D. Wapner (President), Ontario Council Member Jim W. Bowman, San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman, Retired Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge (Vice President), and Orange County Business Council President/CEO and California Transportation Commission Chair Lucy Dunn (Secretary).

Ontario Airport Sign Ontario Airport History
Ontario Airport is full of potential at this time in its history. This was made possible through the growth in its acreage and service levels during the first 40 years it was controlled by Los Angeles. Los Angeles acquired 300 additional acres in 1970, increasing the size of Ontario Airport to over 800 acres as a result. The total area now is over 1,700 acres. Ontario’s terminal building was expanded to 22,500 square feet in 1970, and the present terminal complex was completed in 1998. Passenger volume surpassed 1 million in 1971, doubling to 2 million in 1978, doubling again to 4 million in 1986, and reached its peak in 2007 at 7,207,150 passengers.

A downward spiral began in 2008 with passenger volume dropping 13.52 percent to 6,232,761 passengers. The volume dropped nearly 22 percent in 2009 to 4,886,695 passengers. Declines continued through 2013 when the passenger volume reached just 3,969,974. There was a 3 percent uptick in 2014 to 4,127,278 passengers in 2014 and a gain of less than 2 percent in 2015 to 4,209,311 passengers. The decrease in volume from 2007 to 2015 is an overall decrease of 42 percent. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), in comparison, returned to its pre-recession passenger levels of 2007 by 2012, and by 2015 had increased its passenger service by more than 20 percent to 74,937,004. Today, Ontario International Airport (ONT) is a medium-hub, full-service airport with direct commercial jet service to 15 U.S. and Mexico cities. There are 62 daily departures offered by eight air carriers. ONT's service area includes a population of six million in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, and portions of Orange and Los Angeles counties.

ONT is at the center of a rapidly developing freight movement system that includes the airport, two railroads, four major freeways, and an expanding network of freight forwarders. Freight operations at the airport witnessed a similar decrease of 40% in volume from 2007-2015, but the tonnage involved is almost back to peak levels, achieving 509,809 tons of shipments handled in 2015.

Search for a new CEO After the transfer agreement was reached, a five-month global search began for an experienced aviation leader to restore ONT as the region's economic engine. The search concluded when the OIAA approved the nomination of Kelly J. Fredericks as its Chief Executive Officer on January 20, 2016. Prior to his selection, Fredericks served as the President/CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC). Fredericks’ job in Rhode Island was overseeing the operation and related economic development of a six airport system. The system consists of medium-hub T.F. Green in Warwick, Rhode Island, two non-hub primary commercial airports (Westerly State and Block Island), a joint use military facility (Quonset State), and two corporate/general aviation facilities (North Central State and Newport State). Fredericks has 33 years of aviation related industry experience and has served in senior leadership roles in the management of large, medium, small and non-hub airports, as well as overseeing the planning, design and construction of billions of dollars of airport development projects as an aviation consultant. He was nominated for the position by a two-member ad hoc subcommittee of the OIAA. Fredericks joined the OIAA in March 2016 to take the helm of ONT pending the approval of the airport transfer by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Latest news & public participation
OIAA currently meets with the FAA on a bi-weekly basis to ensure a smooth transition of the airport. OIAA has a good relationship with LAWA, and this relationship has been instrumental in moving forward with a smooth transition of the airport to local control. Some public expectations regarding the airport such as cheaper flights and additional flights out of Ontario have been difficult to meet in the short term since the commission cannot commit to additional carriers until the transfer is official. There is a lot of interest in the airport, and airlines have been coming to Ontario with offers to begin or increase service. At this time, additional information about flight offerings cannot be announced until the transfer is finalized. As a sign of the interest and faith in local control of Ontario, Southwest Airlines recently announced that they are introducing a flight from ONT to Portland in September of this year after the transfer of the airport. Airlines are confident that there is a market for them in Ontario and there is interest, at the local, state, and federal levels to ensure the airport is a success. Private citizens can even get involved in the process to bring additional flights by contacting airlines and letting them know where they’d like to go in the future. The Supervisor encourages residents to get involved by calling or sending an email to airlines letting them know that they should provide flights to and from ONT. Social media is another great way to reach out to airlines to build a greater interest in bringing more flights to Ontario.

Flowers


Ontario Walk of Fame

Supervisor Hagman and Representative Norma Torres honors volunteers Supervisor Hagman and Representative Norma Torres honored the outstanding volunteers for the City of Ontario at the 23rd Annual Volunteer Walk of Fame. The event was held Friday, May 27 at the Ontario Civic Center.

Raquel Casillas, an Ontario resident has volunteered 4,056 hours in the past 20 years for the Travelers Aid of the Inland Empire. She is a retired nursing supervisor who arrives every Wednesday afternoon at the Ontario International Airport to help the guests traveling in and out, answers questions and provides them with top-notch customer service with their many travel predicaments. She received a bronze star during the special ceremony that acknowledges outstanding City volunteers which will be installed along with past winners next to City Hall. Travelers Aid of the Inland Empire provides information and referrals to travelers passing through the Ontario International Airport, and provides assistance to stranded passengers and victims of domestic violence.

Also honored were John Burks, Ontario Police Department; Cherry Dobbs, Ontario Museum of History & Art; Carl Hartig, Travelers Aid of the Inland Empire; Pricilla Ivory, Ontario Recreation & Community Services Department; and Ramiro Torres, Ontario Recreation & Community Services Department.

Know Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse and Report It

Elder Abuse June is Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month. The San Bernardino County Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS), spearheaded by Adult Protective Services, is striving to prevent and remedy the abuse and exploitation of dependent and older vulnerable adults, age 18 and older. They provide education to ensure that the family members and others responsible for the health and safety of elders and dependent adults can recognize the signs of abuse. The signs can include:

PHYSICAL ABUSE - bruises, black eyes, welts, broken bones, cuts, or sprains, as well as sudden changes in behavior or refusal by the caregiver to leave elder or dependent adult alone.

NEGLECT/SELF-NEGLECT - lack of adequate food and water, dirty clothing and changes in personal hygiene, an unusually messy home, or a lack of medical aids or medication.

FINANCIAL ABUSE - basic needs not being met, bills not being paid, or new credit cards and increased cash withdrawals or unusual purchases by a caregiver.

MENTAL ABUSE - threatening significant physical harm, derogatory or inappropriate names, insults, profanity, ridicule, harassment, coercion, intimidation, or humiliation.

SEXUAL ABUSE - unusual bruising on thighs and chest, unexplained sexually transmitted diseases, unusual stains on clothing or sheets, or withdrawing from social interactions / panic attacks.

Supervisor Hagman addressed the 29th Annual West Valley Adult Protective Services Multi-Disciplinary Team Conference on May 16, 2016, regarding the need to provide hope and services to the vulnerable elderly population. “Older Americans are especially susceptible to abuse, and to those who would take advantage of them,” noted Hagman. “San Bernardino County designates June of each year as Elder and Dependent Abuse Awareness Month to focus public attention on this serious and growing problem. We highlight services and programs available in our County to assist seniors at events such as this conference. I urge all older Americans, and those who care for them, to utilize these services. My office is always available to help those looking for programs and government services, and I look forward to assisting you.”

For more information, contact DAAS at (909) 891-3900 or visit their website at www.sbcounty.gov/daas.

County Works – Solid Waste Management

Recycle The San Bernardino County Department of Public Works (DPW) provides many valuable services to our citizens. The department has too many responsibilities to cover them all in one article, so their duties will be presented over the course of a number of editions of this newsletter.

One vital function of the DPW is solid waste management. The strategic goal of the Solid Waste Management Division (SWMD) is to improve on the use of existing landfill space to more effectively meet the public's future disposal capacity needs. The SWMD is responsible for the operation and management of the County of San Bernardino's solid waste disposal system, which consists of five regional landfills and nine transfer stations. The Division also administers the County's solid waste handling franchise program and the refuse collection permit program, which authorizes and regulates trash collection by private haulers in the unincorporated area.

The five landfills are located in Barstow, Landers, Redlands, Rialto, and Victorville. There are also nine transfer stations located throughout the county; these are for residents who may be located a long distance from one of the landfills. All landfills and most of the transfer stations are open Monday through Saturday except for national holidays. Some have restrictions regarding what type of waste they will accept and who is eligible to use them. There are fees to use these facilities, and the fees are increased if the load isn’t properly covered and secured. For this information and exact hours of operation, visit their website at cms.sbcounty.gov/dpw/SolidWasteManagement.aspx or call 1 (800) 722-8004.

Recycling is an important function of the SWMD because reducing the amount of material being put into landfills will help preserve our limited landfill capacity, thereby delaying the need for more costly waste disposal. California law requires that businesses and public entities that generate four cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste per week, or a multifamily residential dwelling of five units or more, shall recycle. While some commercial recycling already occurs, about half of the commercial waste still disposed in landfills is easily recyclable. By increasing commercial recycling, businesses and multifamily complexes can reduce costly disposal fees and reclaim valuable resources. The state law also requires that each local jurisdiction conduct outreach, educate, and monitor those businesses which should be recycling. Beginning this year, the State is requiring each jurisdiction to implement a mandatory commercial organics recycling program. Businesses that generate eight cubic yards or more of organic waste weekly must recycle their organic waste. In the coming years, this same law will require virtually all businesses to recycle their waste.

The California Integrated Waste Management Act requires that the county have a Solid Waste Advisory Task-Force (SWAT) to carry out the responsibilities mandated by the State of California. The SWAT may also consider and make recommendations to the County on such other solid waste related matters as they may deem appropriate. The Supervisor’s Special Projects Coordinator, Jeremiah Browsowske, is the 4th District appointee to the SWAT.

If you have questions, contact the SWMD or the city that is responsible for your trash collection.


Adopt a Power Ranger

Adopt a Pet June is Adopt a Cat Month; in this case, you can adopt a whole litter. Supervisor Hagman has picked a frisky black kitten as the pet of the month since June is the month to adopt a cat. Priceless Pets has Pink Ranger and her 5 brothers and sisters available for adoption. Yes, the black kitty’s name is “Pink Ranger,” she is named after one of the Power Rangers. The owner had to give up the entire litter shortly after they were born because she could no longer care for them. They were raised in a Priceless Pets foster home, and they are now looking for their purrever home. There were six in the litter of three-month-old kittens, but it is difficult to say how many will still be available by the time this goes to press since they are so adorable.

Lolita, the Great Dane, has been adopted by a local family. As always, the Supervisor will cover the cost of the adoption fee for Pink Ranger. For information about Pink Ranger, or any of the wonderful pets that Priceless Pets has available for adoption, you can visit the Supervisor’s website or contact Priceless Pets directly at (909) 203-3695 or visit their website at www.pricelesspetrescue.org



Mountains


Supervisor Hagman in the Fourth District

Supervisor Hagman addresses the Black Chamber of Commerce of the Inland Empire Black Chamber of Commerce of the Inland Empire
Supervisor Hagman addressed the Black Chamber of Commerce of the Inland Empire at their mixer held on May 11. He spoke about business opportunities in San Bernardino County, and how county departments, such as the Workforce Development Department, can assist local businesses. The Chamber has mixers on the second and last Mondays, and the first Friday of each month. For more information about the organization, please call 844.33.BCCIE or visit their website at www.bccinlandempire.com.

Supervisor Hagman with the Chino Hills Basketball Team Chino Hills Boys Basketball Team Honored
The Chino Hills Huskies Boys Basketball Team was recognized at the Chino Hills City Council Meeting on May 10, 2016. The team won the CIF State Open Division Championship in March. The CIF champions were also ranked the number one team in the nation following their undefeated season. San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman and Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang, recognized the team with Certificates of Achievement following their amazing season. Supervisor Hagman and Mayor Bennett presented the awards to each member of the team during the city’s regularly scheduled council meeting.

Team Members: Andre Ball, LaMelo Ball, LiAngelo Ball, Lonzo Ball, Nicholas Manor Hall, Shane Hopkins, Jayson Mitchell, Onyeka Okongwu, Matthew Reed, Pierce Richards, Elizjah Scott, Cameron Shelton, Chazz Smith, and Adam Vasquez. Head Coach: is Steve Baik. Principal Isabel Brenes was also present to celebrate the team’s championship.

Montclair Police Department annual Recognition Luncheon Montclair Police Department Recognizes Employees
The Montclair Police Department held its annual Recognition Luncheon on May 11, 2016. Supervisor Hagman attended the event to present Resolutions in honor each of the award winners. He also recognized the entire department for the work that they are doing in service to the community. Sergeant John Minook was named Officer of the Year; he is a decorated combat veteran, having served with Force Reconnaissance in the U.S. Marine Corps. He has served in various positions with Montclair PD in his six years of service, and is thankful for the opportunity to serve his community. The Annual Achievement Award went to Ricky Tankersley. He has been with the City of Montclair since 1995, serving in the I.T. division since 1997. Ricky became the Law Enforcement Systems Supervisor for the Police Department in 2014. Supervisor Hagman was introduced to the newest officer on the force at the luncheon. Bo is an 11-month-old bloodhound, the department’s first K9 officer in 15 years. It is just the sixth, in the department’s history according to Chief Michael deMoet. Officer Ben Martin has been selected to be Bo’s handler; the duo just completed two weeks of rigorous training and is now out on patrol.

Supervisor Hagman and Yae Nakajima Reading Hero
On May 25, Supervisor Hagman recognized a local Reading Hero for her years of service to the community. Yae Nakajima, better known to the students, parents and staff of Country Springs Elementary School in Chino Hills as “Grandma Yae Yae”, is a retired teacher who has continued to donate countless hours of her time at the school. She has touched the lives of many students over the years at the school, reading to them, and listening to them read to her. Students love working with her, and she truly helps all students enjoy learning. She is dedicated to helping the students, and “cares enough to be tough" (her words). She works mainly with kindergarteners and first graders, but she knows what it takes to make sure all of the students at the school succeed. If Grandma Yae Yae sees a need, she steps right in to help, often helping with prep work for the Kindergarten teachers.