Attended My first City Council Meeting

 

I attended my first McKinney City Council meeting yesterday.  This is a link to the video recording of the meeting McKinney City Council.  Have a look at this link only if you have trouble sleeping LOL.  this was a unique Council meeting in that there was basically a single item on the agenda.  This single item was my reason for attending the meeting.  The city of McKinney has an airport that is currently used by private planes and cargo planes.  As I gathered from last nights meeting this is what is referred to as general aviation.  There is a proposal to add commercial aviation to the airport.  This would offer commercial flights from carriers such as American or Delta.  Currently commercial aviation in this area is serviced by Love field and DFW airport.

My main reason for attending the council meeting was to learn about the proposal.  As residents of the city we will be voting on a Bond proposal that will provide funding for this project.  I would like to cast my ballot for the side that will benefit the city I live in.  There are substantial forces in favor of this proposal.  there is the bond proposal next month and there have been several public meetings already.  There are more public meetings scheduled.  Lets assume that no one is going to put that much effort into maintaining the status quo.  That is what this decision is really about.  Do we make a change or do we maintain the status quo. 

The status quo is the easiest to accept.  It requires very little thought or effort.  Things just continue on as if nothing ever happened.  Nothing happening is the definition of the status quo.  Change takes effort and risk, therefore it is more challenging.  The status quo is not without challenges and risks too.  One of the biggest risks is best referred to as the fear of missing out (FOMO).  As entities (cities, companies, or even individuals) move forward and reap the rewards of investing in changing the status quo those who did not change "miss out".  So in reality both sides of this type of decision have risks.  It is fair to say that the down side of the the status quo is more long term.  Where as, the risks and efforts of change are usually incurred at the onset and the benefits are realized in the long term.

Google describes FOMO as an emotional response on social media.  Which in the truest sense of the word is the more correct description.  I am going to stick with my definition.  To avoid any emotional factors I try and look at the decision in as logical terms as possible.  However, I do acknowledge that it is impossible to totally eliminate emotions.  To put this decision in objective terms it is best to look at the positive and negative impacts of the each decision.  Too often we take a stance and then argue the pros and cons.  So in this case I should look at the pros and cons of expanding the airport and maintaining the status quo (not expanding).  In a lot of these I have to rely on information provided by third parties.  Lets face it I am not well versed in the ins and outs of the commercial airline industry.  As I have said before we all bring something to the table We all bring something to the table.

Brief thoughts to indicate where my head is at:

Pros of expanding the airport:

The only benefit to the city that has been offered is revenue.  At last nights meeting revenue predictions were presented.  No other benefit to the city was presented.  This project may benefit companies within the area but they are not paying for it.

Cons of expanding the airport:

I have to admit at this time that I am friends with many people in adjoining cites.  Their homes would be in the flight path of these commercial flights.  I have a personal and business relationship with the Mayor of an adjoining city.  His constituents are not in favor of  this project since they to would be negatively affected by this project.  His opposition to this expansion is evident.  My biggest con is the risk associated with the ability of the project to generate revenue.  Last night presentation gave a range of 178 to 888 thousand passengers per year.  If you look at the McKinney airport site they predict 12 flights per day McKinney National Airport.  I see no data to back up these numbers.  Who is to say it will not be 0 flights per day.  0 flights means no revenue.  

Pros of the status quo:

The airport as it currently exists seems to be an economically viable enterprise.  It currently provides general aviation services for private and cargo airplanes.  There are new businesses popping up.  It seems to be doing fine as is.  Not expanding eliminates any of the negative affects on neighboring cities and towns.

Cons of the status quo:

In cons of expanding the airport I argue that there could be 0 flights per day which is obviously a worst case scenario.  I fully admit that I have little justification for that number.  The airport could as easily be very successful and generate large amounts of revenue for the city.  I am not qualified to make a proclamation either way.  I could make a number of  assertions that would be "educated guesses".

I do have a number of other thoughts on this issue.  However, looking at all of this the lack of data justifying the projected passenger counts is the most prevalent factor.  Until I see more justification that anyone will use the airport I will have to consider myself a no on airport expansion.

If you are in the Collin County/ North Texas are let me know how you feel.  If you have any experience with small regional airports leave a comment with your thoughts.