Airport Advisory Commission Meeting

The City of Hollister Airport Advisory Commission met on October 8, 2026. Commissioners recommended that the City prepare an airport use agreement for Archer Aviation’s proposed ground-based propeller testing at Hollister Municipal Airport; staff said the proposed rate would be similar to a ground lease at $0.23 per square foot. The commission also recommended advancing Falcon Nano Field’s proposal for a solar-powered thermal sensor system to detect wildlife and drones. Neither discussion resulted in a reported contract award. Staff provided grant updates for taxiway Alpha reconstruction design, estimated at nearly $836,000 ($794,000 federal, approximately $39,700 state match, and $2,000 local match), and an airport layout plan update, programmed at $450,000 with a $427,500 federal award. A separate state grant is supporting planning for proposed flight corridors, with no amount stated.

Staff reported ongoing negotiations with the state for a new CalFire lease covering 16.23 acres, noting a prior lease rate of $0.02 per square foot per month and comparable rates around $0.045 elsewhere; no agreement was finalized. Joby Aviation’s access-road paving included about $16,000 in airport-funded work through a reimbursement arrangement, while Whisk is paying for and maintaining its planned parking lot. The commission also discussed the airport’s positive estimated cash position and expressed concern that citywide fiscal measures could affect airport staffing. No procurement action related to staffing was taken.