San Diego Flight Museum Issue

To help provide context for this saga, here is an annotated time line of discussions, letters, and other interactions between the San Diego Flight Museum and the City of San Diego. The original compilation was done by Mike Tussey, Deputy Director, Airports Division, and circulated to the Airport Advisory Committee in August, 2006

20060813 Airport Advisory Commitee considers San Diego Flight Museum issue and adopts a motion that "express to the Mayor and the Council its appreciation for the efforts of the City staff to resolve these issues with the San Diego Flight Museum, its belief that the San Diego Flight Museum has viable alternatives available, and its desire to relocate these hangars at the earliest possible date without further investment of City staff time or resources."

20060711 Airport Advisory Committee heard from Mike Tussey, Deputy Director, Airports Division, that "The City met with Reg Finch of the San Diego Flight Museum and presented three possible solutions to his request for a Brown Field location. None have been accepted."

20060710 Mike Tussey writes to Reg Finch describing the 3 rejected options offerred in a June 27 meeting at behest of Jim Waring, Deputy Chief Operating Officer

20060613 Airport Advisory Committee was asked by Jim Waring, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, "that a three year solution be sought for Reg Finch and the Flight Museum. Two possible options are being prepared for Mr. Finch."

20060531 Reg Finch spoke to the Land Use and Housing Committee of the City Council stating that "he feels the City should proceed with short term leases at Brown Field Airport while they wait for the next RFP." He indicated he was to meet with the Mayor's office on June 1, 2006.

20060425 Mario Sierra writes Reg Finch breaking off negotiations based upon the City Attorney opinion that the City has no obligation to negotiate exclusively with SDFM

20060329 Mario Sierra responds to Reg Finch concerning the March 6, 2006 letter to Mayor Sanders reiterating the suspension of negotiations pending advice from the City Attorney

20060306 Reg Finch writes Mayor Sanders requesting space at Brown Field and attaches his letter of February 21, 2006

20060301 Mario Sierra writes Reg Finch repeating the suspension of negotiations as discussed on Feb 10, 2006

20060221 Reg Finch writes Mario Sierra accepting west end proposal of January 27, 2006

20060210 Mario Sierra verbally informs Reg Finch that he has suspended negotiations until City Attorney can determine if City has an obligation to negotiate exclusively with SDFM or if City should issue an RFP per City Council Policy 700-14

20060130 Reg Finch writes to Mario Sierra apparently to negotiate a rent less than fair market rate for the west end area

20060127 City of San Diego via Mario Sierra, Director, General Services Division, offers to discuss west end lease

SDFM prefers a sublease of the Paladin leasehold, which at this time consists of a portion of the ramp space retained by the City when the litigation settlement with Paladin was completed
City rental rate was $650 per acre, based upon an appraisal of comparable aviation-related rents at nearby airports
SDFM indicated an inability to pay that rate
City intends to lease the Paladin site by issuing an RFP
City declines to lease "old Taxiway Charlie" as this is "not a preferred area of development at this time"
City offers west end alternative
Concludes "I would like the Museum to continue to be part of SDM. unfortunately, the Airport Division is not in a position to subsidize your proposed project by paying for development costs, reducing rents below fair market value or supporting reduced building permit requirements."

20060113 Reg Finch writes to Mario Sierra, Director, General Services Division, concerning west end area requesting several concessions:

acknowledges that the City will not help with development expenses of $365,000
suggests rent abatement might be easier to "engineer"
requests minimum width of parcel at 200 feet
reiterates "old Taxiway Charlie" location would be a good alternative at 185 linear feet of 150 foot wide taxiway

20060112 City of San Diego (Mike Tussey, Acting Deputy Director, Airports Division, and Mario Sierra, Director, General Services Department) meet with Reg Finch to discuss an informal unsolicited proposal

20051130 City to Attorney Ron Cozad, representing San Diego Flight Museum, offering 0.85 acres of undeveloped land at the west end of the ramp for $650 per acre

200511xx City terminates lease discussions (Jack Farris, Real Estate Assets Department)

2005xxxx Airport Advisory Committee expresses concern about using "old Taxiway Charlie" without planning for development of that central part of the airport

20050707 City of San Diego provides San Diego Flight Museum with an term sheet for a lease on "old Taxiway Charlie" (Tracy Means, Debra Bevier)

20050329 Lancair sends notice to San Diego Flight Museum of request to relocate 3 hangars following procedures in the sublease agreement between SDFM and Lancair

20050315 Reg Finch spoke to City Council requesting assistance in obtaining a lease for two to five acres to build permanent facilities and "not be moved off the field." Referred to City Manager.

19970210 Reg Finch spoke to City Council complaining "about his unsuccessful attempts in trying to lease space at Brown Field Airport and asked for Council's help. Council Member Warden informed him that her staff is looking into this matter. The City Manager stated that Mr. Finch is a sublessee of an existing lessee of city-owned property and his problem is with the lessee and also confirmed that his staff is in contact with Paladin Aviation to help correct the problem."

19961028 Reg Finch letter of Sept 27, 1996 mentioned in Minutes of the City Council item 151 acting to approve a 35-year to Paladin Aviation