11/03/2025

Meeting Minutes for:
Special Board Meeting
Yuma International Airport, Conference Room
Monday, November 03, 2025 at 04:00 PM

    Call to Order:
    The Yuma County Airport Authority, Inc. (YCAA) Special Meeting of the Board of Directors was called to order at 4:00PM on November 3, 2025, in the Yuma International Airport Conference Room, 2191 E. 32nd Street, Suite 218, Yuma, Arizona 85365. The Presiding officer was Bill Craft, President.

    YCAA DIRECTORS PRESENT WERE:
    Bill Craft, President
    Stanley Gourley, Treasurer
    Reetika Dhawan, Director (joined the meeting via Zoom)
    Ken Scott, Director
    Daniel Hann, Director

    YCAA DIRECTORS ABSENT WERE:
    Dean Hager, 1st Vice President
    Juan Guzman, 2nd Vice President
    Dr. Brian Cullen, Secretary
    William Fox, Director
    Jenny Torres, Director
    Eric Saltzer, Director

    ALSO PRESENT WERE:
    Gladys Brown, Airport Director
    Gerald Hinkle, Jr., Chief Financial Officer
    Edgar Martinez, Director of Facilities and Maintenance
    Juan Trasvina, Director of Operations
    Andrea Lopez, Executive Assistant
    Meghan Scott, Airport Legal Counsel
    Russ Jones, EAA
    Jay Simington, City of Yuma
    Mark Smith
    David Claborn
    David Nickerson
    Robby Barkley

    CALL TO THE PUBLIC
    There were no Public Comments.

    REGULAR AGENDA
    1) Discussion and Possible Action to Consider the Implementation of Additional Security Measures Requested by the MCAS Yuma Commanding Officer

    Ms. Brown, Airport Director, explained the purpose of this meeting was to review and discuss the Joint-Use Operating Agreement and Letter of Agreement (LOA) #6 – Security, including the areas referenced directly by the MCAS Yuma Commanding Officer. Ms. Brown also sought to clarify YCAA’s understanding of “positive control” and to receive direction from the Board regarding how Airport staff should proceed in responding to the recent inquiry from MCAS Yuma’s Commanding Officer, Colonel Stone.

    Colonel Stone’s inquiry to Ms. Brown specifically requested the Airport’s plan and timeline for providing continuous positive control for flightline access. Ms. Brown explained that during recent conversations with Colonel Stone, he described an elevated security posture was ordered for MCAS Yuma by Generals within his Chain of Command. He emphasized that security requirements have increased significantly and that expectations have changed. In response, Ms. Brown called this Special Meeting to provide the Board with background on LOA #6 and to discuss the appropriate response to the Commanding Officer’s request.

    At this time, all information has been communicated verbally. No formal correspondence has been received on official letterhead from MCAS Yuma outlining expectations. Verbal direction received to date has been a request to restrict privately owned vehicles (POVs) access to the flightline.

    Regarding the reference to “continuous positive control”, the YCAA has requested a definition of the term and provided an overview of the Airport’s current approach. Ms. Brown described YCAA’s current procedures intended to provide positive control over flightline access which include:

    *Issuance of Airfield Access Badges upon completion of:
    -Determine if Access is Necessary (Airport Hangar/T-Shade Tenant)
    -Criminal History Records Check
    -Vetting by MCAS Yuma through their DBIDS System
    -Completion of Airfield Vehicle Access Training

    *Video Camera Monitoring
    *Vehicle License Plate Readers
    *Limiting Access to Vehicle Gate Nearest to Destination
    *Limiting POV Movement to “Hangar Driveways” clearly indicated by non-standard striping.

    Ms. Brown briefed the Board on the Joint-Use Operating Agreement (JUOA), signed March 10, 2009, between MCAS Yuma and the Yuma County Airport Authority. The agreement formalized the coexistence of two independent but mutually operating parties sharing a single airfield since 1956. Ms. Brown emphasized that the agreement not only provided for agreed upon operational aspects of sharing airfield but included aspects designed to achieve compatible and mutually beneficial growth that supports the interests of the United States Marine Corps, the Department of Defense, and Yuma County.

    Ms. Brown continued by pointing out that the JUOA recognizes the “Patent” dated February 14, 1956, in which the United States, acting through the Secretary of the Interior, granted Patent No. 1160556 to Yuma County allowing access to airfield infrastructure for public airport purposes. The Yuma County Airport Authority was later formed on December 29, 1965, leasing the airport from the County of Yuma to operate a public airport using the airfield surfaces owned by the Marine Corps, consistent with the Patent. The Operating Agreement defines areas of responsibility through several “Letters of Agreement” (LOA) which address property lines, lease agreements, licenses, and easement restrictions.

    Ms. Brown described LOA #6 – Security, which establishes the methods used to ensure airfield security. LOA #6 stipulates that the YCAA has agreed to mirror MCAS policy in Station Order 3750.3 to the maximum extent possible and to provide continuous, positive control of all civilian vehicle access points to the flightline. It also prohibits privately owned vehicles from entering all flightlines and restricted areas.

    Ms. Brown noted that the Marine Corps Physical Security Program Manual (MCO 5530.14A) reiterates this restriction, stating that privately owned vehicles are prohibited from entering flightlines and restricted areas. The Joint-Use Operating Agreement defines the YCAA Flightline as all areas within the perimeter security fence, excluding hangar driveways which has allowed continued POV access to leased hangars and T-shades. LOA #6 does however remove this access during elevated threat conditions.

    LOA # 6 clearly indicates that MCAS Yuma reserves the right to deny aircraft use of its runways and taxiways if, in the opinion of the Commanding Officer, such use could compromise security.

    Ms. Brown continued by address several aspects of the YCAA’s Minimum Standards which define different types of vehicles to ensure which types of vehicles could and could not access the Flightline and Hangar Driveways. As an example vehicles owned by non-commercial entities who lease an aircraft storage hangar or T-shade are referred to as service vehicles, while vehicles owned by non-commercial entities who do not are referred to as Privately Owned Vehicles (POV’s) These terms were described by Ms. Brown as having been created to ensure that access to Hangar Driveways within the flightline was limited to known parties who have entered into lease agreements with the YCAA that contain language ensuring compliance with security and safety measures.

    Ms. Brown indicated that the terms “Privately Owned Vehicle,” “Authorized Vehicle,” and “Positive Control” will need to be added to Appendix 3 – Definitions of the Operating Agreement to ensure clarity.

    The Board discussed how to address Colonel Stone’s request and directed staff to prepare a response outlining a plan and timeline for continuous positive control of the flightline, once defined, as well as development of plans to consider accommodations necessary for those requiring special access.

    Airport staff will continue revisions to the Joint-Use Operating Agreement, draft a letter plan and timeline for providing continuous positive control for flightline access and maintain coordination with Base Operations and Mission Assurance on implementing existing security measures.

    CALL TO THE PUBLIC
    Mr. Russ Jones provided public comment and suggested reducing the number of access gates while increasing security at the gates that remain open to the airfield. He also recommended restriping the hangar driveway and considering the addition of a Sheriff’s substation. Mr. Jones noted that Airport Operations is currently located too far away and that he will send over additional suggestions from the notes taken during the meeting.

    Mr. Robby Barkley provided public comment and stated that positive control cannot rely solely on cameras.

    Mr. Mark Smith provided public comment and suggested providing consideration for alternative solutions for airfield users to transit within the general aviation areas. He commented that the Commanding Officer is simply following orders and noted that the military owns the airfield.

    ADJOURNMENT
    There being no further business before the Board the meeting adjourned at 5:15PM.



    // Approved //
    Bill Craft
    President, Yuma County Airport Authority
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