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DRAFT Meeting Minutes for:
Strategic Planning Committee Meeting
Yuma International Airport, Conference Room
Friday, October 31, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Call to Order:
The Yuma County Airport Authority, Inc. (YCAA) Strategic Planning Committee Meeting of the Board of Directors was called to order at 12:00PM on October 31, 2025, in the Yuma International Airport Conference Room, 2191 E. 32nd Street, Suite 218, Yuma, Arizona 85365. The Presiding officer was Dean Hager, Committee Chairman.
YCAA STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT WERE:
Dean Hager, Committee Chairman and YCAA 1st Vice President (joined the meeting via Zoom)
Juan Guzman, 2nd Vice President
YCAA STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT WERE:
Jenny Torres, Director
ALSO PRESENT WERE:
Bill Craft, President
Stanley Gourley, Treasurer
Gladys Brown, Airport Director
Gerald Hinkle, Jr., Chief Financial Officer (exited the meeting at 1:00PM)
Juan Trasvina, Director of Operations
Greg LaVann, GYEDC (exited the meeting at 1:00PM)
David Wakefield, Davcon Aviation (exited the meeting at 1:00PM)
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
There were no Public Comments.
REGULAR AGENDA
4) October 31, 2025, Strategic Planning Committee discussion and possible recommendations regarding a Land Lease Proposal from DAVCON Aviation for 28 acres of Undeveloped Land in the DCC
At the Chairman’s request this agenda item was moved to the beginning of the meting to accommodate those in attendance. The Strategic Planning Committee reviewed a proposal submitted by DAVCON Aviation, requesting the opportunity to negotiate a 49-year lease for approximately 28 acres of undeveloped land located immediately south of Freeman Holdings’ Amelia Earhart Hangar within the Defense Contractor Complex (DCC).
DAVCON Aviation’s stated intent is to secure control of the property to strengthen its marketing and development position for attracting and accommodating aviation-related businesses. Mr. Hinkle, YCAA’s Chief Financial Officer went over the proposal in some detail which included a proposed term of 49 years with land lease rents becoming applicable at various times throughout the intended development process.
Mr. Hinkle concluded his description of the proposal by describing the opportunity as unusual in its extended term without a stipulated capital investment but pointed out the risk involved in the extended term of land lease rents due regardless of DAVCON’s success in developing the property.
After Mr. Wakefield had an opportunity to brief the Committee on his company, his vision for property development and his approach to airport development, a discussion ensued related to the nature of the proposed development compared to other site planning opportunities and each option’s affect on future airport planning.
The Committee asked staff to continue discussions with DAVCON Aviation with the intent of coming to an agreement on terms favorable to both parties to be presented to the YCAA Finance Committee ahead of the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors scheduled for November 18, 2025.
1) October 31, 2025, Strategic Planning Committee discussion on the permanent closure of Runway 17/35.
The Committee will be presented with the latest information concerning the closure of Runway 17/35, following notification from MCAS Yuma of their intent to remove the runway from service while still depicting it on airfield materials as a non-operational surface.
Additionally, Airport Director Ms. Brown briefed the Committee on current operational conditions, the measures in place to ensure the continuity of aviation activities, and the installation’s intent to establish instrument approaches for Runway 8/26 in support of long-term airfield functionality.
Ms. Brown also provided an overview of Letter of Agreement (LOA) #4 – Facilities, Planning, and Growth, outlining its relevance to the closure of Runway 17/35 and its implications for future airfield configuration. Specifically, she addressed how the former runway surface may be reallocated and optimized as a taxiway to support safe and efficient aircraft movement off the active runways.
An Open Discussion Meeting for the public to meet with Airport Staff is scheduled for November 18, 2025, from 5:00–6:00 PM. Public notice for this meeting is anticipated to be distributed within the coming week.
2) October 31, 2025, Strategic Planning Committee discussion regarding the Letter of Agreement #6 (LOA #6), Security Requirement.
The Strategic Planning Committee will review and discuss the requirements outlined in the existing Letter of Agreement (LOA) and the proposed plan. This plan will involve coordinated planning efforts, stakeholder meetings with airfield users, research into best practices, phased implementation of required measures, and comprehensive communication prior to any operational changes at the airport.
Additionally, Ms. Brown briefed the Committee on the most recent inquiry from Colonel Stone, who asked: “What is the plan and timeline for providing continuous positive control for flightline access?” He emphasized that security requirements have increased significantly and that operational conditions have evolved.
Ms. Brown provided a summary of LOA #6 – Deny Use and Flight Line Security, which specifies that MCAS Yuma reserves the right to deny use of its runways and taxiways if, in the opinion of the Commanding Officer, such use could compromise the installation’s security. The LOA further states that privately owned vehicles are prohibited from entering all flightlines and restricted areas within the flightline, and that YCAA will mirror the MCAS policy in Station Order 3750.3 to the maximum extent possible, including providing continuous, positive control of all civilian vehicle access points.
These requirements necessitate immediate action.
Airport staff has proposed several enhancements to MCAS Yuma to support positive control and monitoring, including:
-Installation of License Plate Readers (LPRs)
-Additional camera monitoring points
-Restriping of hangar access driveways
-Consolidation of vehicle traffic through a single controlled access gate
The overarching goal of these measures is to establish strengthened positive control procedures that enhance overall airport safety and security.
The Committee was provided with the Letter of Agreement, last revised in August 2019. The Joint Use Advisory Group is currently reviewing all related documents and will provide recommendations for necessary revisions. Final approval of any updated agreement will be required by both the MCAS Yuma Commanding Officer and the Yuma County Airport Authority Board of Directors.
3) October 31, 2025, Strategic Planning Committee discussion regarding the existing Minimum Standards.
The Strategic Planning Committee has been provided with the existing Airport Minimum Standards for review and revision, with final approval to be sought from the YCAA Board of Directors. The potential engagement of contracted professional services is under consideration and, if deemed necessary, will be presented to the Finance Committee for director and if required to the YCAA Board of Directors for approval.
As part of this effort, the standard General Aviation Lease Agreement currently used for hangars and shades will also be reviewed and updated by Airport Legal Counsel to ensure consistency with the revised standards.
Airport staff will apply industry best practices throughout the revision process and collaborate with recognized aviation professionals to ensure the updated Airport Minimum Standards position the YCAA for long-term success while minimizing the potential for unnecessary opposition or debate to include the review and revision time period.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
There were no Public Comments.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Committee the meeting adjourned at 2:15PM.
Dean Hager
1st Vice President, Yuma County Airport Authority; Strategic Planning Committee Chairman | |
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 | Fri Nov 14, 2025 -- Finance Committee |
| Thu Nov 13, 2025 -- Strategic Planning Committee |
| Mon Nov 3, 2025 -- Special Board |
| Fri Oct 31, 2025 -- Strategic Planning Committee |
| Mon Oct 20, 2025 -- Elections and Personnel Committee |
| Tue Oct 14, 2025 -- October Board |
| Tue Sep 9, 2025 -- September Board |
| Wed Sep 3, 2025 -- Public Relations Committee |
| Wed Aug 27, 2025 -- Strategic Planning Committee |
| Wed Aug 20, 2025 -- Executive Committee |
| Mon Aug 18, 2025 -- Election and Personnel Committee |
| Tue Aug 12, 2025 -- August Board |
| Mon Jul 28, 2025 -- Finance Committee |
| Wed Jul 16, 2025 -- Election and Personnel Committee |
| Tue Jun 10, 2025 -- June Board |
| Wed May 21, 2025 -- Finance Committee |
| Tue May 20, 2025 -- Election and Personnel Committee |
| Tue May 13, 2025 -- May Board |
| Wed May 7, 2025 -- Election and Personnel Committee |
| Wed Apr 16, 2025 -- Public Relations Committee |
| Tue Apr 8, 2025 -- April Board |
| Tue Mar 18, 2025 -- Strategic Planning Committee |
| Tue Mar 11, 2025 -- March Board |
| Tue Mar 4, 2025 -- Finance Committee |
| Tue Feb 11, 2025 -- February Board |
| Tue Jan 14, 2025 -- January Board |
| Tue Jan 14, 2025 -- Annual Board Meeting 2025 |
| Tue Dec 10, 2024 -- December Board |
| Tue Nov 12, 2024 -- November Board |
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