Senate committee discusses ONT authority bill

Ontario Councilman Alan Wapner called Tuesday's approval an important step in creating an authority.

"Your vote sends a very strong message of support," he said.

The authority, Wapner said, is key because it establishes the guidelines of how the airport would be operated.

"The airport needs and deserves to be managed under local control," he said.

Dutton created the bill in an effort to move discussions along between officials from Ontario and LAWA, which operates ONT under a 44-year joint-powers agreement.

For almost two years, Ontario officials have been pushing Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and LAWA to either transfer control of ONT or amend the joint powers agreement between the two cities.

Speaking to the committee, Dutton said his bill establishes a "framework for greater local involvement, which is essential to the airport and regional success."

Los Angeles World Airports Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey has expressed doubt that there could be a timely transfer of control of ONT.

Ontario officials had a self-imposed deadline of July 1 for the transfer and had asked LAWA's Board of Airport Commissioners make a recommendation on the proposal by April.

But Tuesday's Senate committee decision does not spell the end of discussions for LAWA officials.

"We are closely monitoring the development of Senator Dutton's proposed legislation as amended today in committee," said Mike Molina, LAWA deputy executive director for external affairs. "Throughout the process, we remain committed to collaboration with the city of Ontario and are scheduled to meet with city officials later this week to continue our dialogue."

Dutton agrees, vowing to the committee to continue to work with all parties on the issue of transfer.

The decline in air service at ONT from 2007 to 2009 led to a $400 million blow to the Inland Empire's economy and the loss of more than 8,000 jobs, said San Bernardino County Supervisor Gary Ovitt.

Lobbying for the transfer to local control, Ovitt told the committee the action is long overdue.

An authority would aid in efforts to redistribute air traffic in the region as well as increase demand for air travel to ONT, Ovitt said.

It would also boost the airport's economic impact to San Bernardino County, he said.

"Creating an airport authority is required to get the job done," Ovitt said.

Both Dutton and Ovitt addressed the Inland Empire's economic reliance on the facility.

Dutton said ONT is underutilized and said a transfer of control could lead to more than increased traffic at the ailing airport.

"It can become a hub of economic activity and bring much-needed jobs to the Inland Empire," he said.

Ovitt and Wapner were among the area politicians who joined Dutton in addressing the committee.

Dutton's bill has received bipartisan support from the Inland Empire Caucus with Sen. Gloria Negrete-McLeod, D-Montclair, as principal co-author of the bill. Assembly members Wilmer Amina Carter, D-Rialto; Kevin Jeffries, R-Lake Elsinore; Brian Nestande, R-Palm Desert; and Norma Torres, D-Chino, have signed on as co-authors.