The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

City Council takes stand on Moffett: Leave it be

By Natasha Collins

After 18 months of meetings, debates and committee reports, the City Council voted to take an official stand on the future of Moffett Federal Airfield at its Oct. 22 meeting.

Its verdict: Moffett should remain an airfield, operated by the federal government.

The council will take up the issue of whether it approves of air cargo companies making use of the airfield at a public hearing Nov. 25.

Both DHL and Federal Express have met with NASA and discussed the possibility of using the airfield. Lockheed Martin currently uses the airfield to ship satellites.

Until the meeting, the city had not taken a stand on what it thought were appropriate guidelines or uses for Moffett. Tuesday night's vote will allow the city to take positive steps in the process of reaching a resolution with NASA, said Vice Mayor Jim Roberts. A workplan and report on what steps the city must take to reach a resolution are expected to be completed by Nov. 25.

How the city plans to reach an agreement with NASA was not decided and will be discussed after the report is completed in November.

"We recognize that there needs to be clarification of existing policies," said Councilwoman Robin Parker. "Staff has a lot more work to do before the council can make a final decision."

Many residents were upset with the council for not allowing voters to have a say in how Moffett should be used. Los Altos, Los Altos Hills and Mountain View voters passed measures in opposition of air cargo flights at Moffett, but the Sunnyvale City Council voted not to place the issue on Sunnyvale's ballot.

"We made a serious mistake, PR-wise and in the process, by not putting it on the ballot," said Councilman Landon Curt Noll.

A ballot measure will be reviewed later this year.

The resolution included provisions to educate city employees, the council and residents about the impact the council can have on the federal governments decision regarding Moffett.

According to many residents, educating the public about the limitations at Moffett was not necessary.

"We don't need to spend a lot of taxpayers' money to tell us who controls Moffett," said Dianne McKenna, former Santa Clara County supervisor and member of the Moffett Field Community Advisory Committee. "We all know that it is federal land."

The council realizes it has no control over what the federal government decides, but it will work closely with NASA to make the city's concerns known.

"We don't have this amazing power to get things to happen at Moffett. The only thing we can do is work with the people who do," said Councilman Jack Walker. "The federal government has very little interest with what happens in Sunnyvale. All we can do is work with them."

Residents were concerned that the city was going to "roll over" and not take a stand against NASA because it had no say in the decision-making process.

"I am really disheartened," Sunnyvale resident Warner Gantz said. "The council may not have jurisdiction, but it has a hell of a lot of influence."

The City Council meets every Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, October 29, 1997.
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