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Approve the appointment of Keith Arrol to the Nut Tree Airport Advisory Committee to fill the Pilots Association term with an expiration date of June 30, 2029; and Approve the appointment of James Wahleithner to the Nut Tree Airport Advisory Committee to fill the remainder of the Recreational Pilot term with an expiration date of June 30, 2028
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The General Services Department recommends the Board of Supervisors approve the appointment of Keith Arrol (Attachment A) to the Nut Tree Airport Advisory Committee to fill the Pilots Association term with an expiration date of June 30, 2029, and James Wahleithner (Attachment B) to fill the remainder of the Recreational Pilot term with an expiration date of June 30, 2028.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Nut Tree Airport Advisory Committee (NTAAC) was established by the Board of Supervisors on June 22, 2004. The County’s By-Laws for the NTAAC identify a five-member committee comprised of a Recreational Pilot, a Business Pilot, an Area Resident, a Pilots Association Member, and a Vacaville Business Representative. Each position is appointed for a four-year term.
Currently, there are two vacancies due to the departure of two members. On April 28, 2025, Bill Cox, the Pilots Association representative and Committee Chair, notified the Airport Manager he would not seek reappointment. His four-year term expired June 30, 2025. On May 1, 2025, Barry Pomeroy, the Recreational Pilot representative with a term set to expire June 30, 2028, submitted his resignation. Following these resignations, the Clerk of the Board advertised the vacancies on May 6, 2025, and received two applications from qualified individuals.
Appointing these two individuals will restore the committee to full five-member capacity. This is especially important as the NTAAC meets quarterly and requires at least three members for quorum. With only three current members, any absence would prevent the committee from conducting official business.
Keith Arrol is recommended for the Pilots Association seat. He is a Vacaville resident and a retired airline pilot with Alaska Airlines. He also served as an officer and pilot in the U.S. Air Force. As a current member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), he meets the eligibility requirements for this role. His decades of experience in both commercial and private aviation make him a valuable addition to the committee.
James Wahleithner is recommended to fill the remainder of the current four-year Recreational Pilot term. He is a Vallejo resident, a local hangar tenant at Nut Tree Airport, and has 40 years of military and civilian aviation experience. He currently flies for recreation, making him well-suited to represent the interests of recreational pilots on the committee.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact as a result of the recommended action; members of the NTAAC volunteer their time.
The costs associated with preparation of the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2025/26 Working Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. The Board could choose not to appoint either of the applicants to the NTAAC. This is not recommended as the lack of quorum could prevent the committee from conducting meetings.
2. The Board could choose to extend the application deadline to solicit additional applications. This is not recommended, as there is no indication additional outreach would result in more applications and would delay restoring the NTAAC’s full membership.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION