Item R06
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: Wednesday. May 21.2003
Division: BOCC
Bulk Item: Yes
No XX
Department: Commissioner Rice. District 4
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Discussion and conceptual approval of proposal to establish a
u.S. Customs Services facility at the Marathon Airport and allow for local customs services for
inbound flights to the U.S. By providing expanded services to private and corporate-owned
aircraft including customs and other international support, the utility of all airport infra-
structure would improve dramatically.
ITEM BACKGROUND: It is well recognized that general aviation services represent the fastest
growing segment in aviation. Marathon Airport has an unusual opportunity to reposition
around a more economically viable and growing market segment; resulting in greater airport
utilization, sale of aircraft services, and enable economic growth commensurate with being an
international destination.
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
TOTAL COST:
BUDGETED: Yes
No
COST TO COUNTY:
SOURCE OF FUNDS:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes
No
AMOUNT PER MONTH_ Year
APPROVED BY: County Atty _
OMBlPurchasing _ Risk Management_
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(D ' ~d PRi C " 0 0 DO 0 4)
aVI 0 ce, ommlSSloner, IStrict
DMSION DIRECTOR APPROVAL:
DOCUMENTATION:
Included XX To Follow_
Not Required_
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA ITEM #4
Revised 1/03
May 01, 2003
MARATHON
,J E 'T C E i'J T E R
Iv! AY - 2 2003
Commissioner David Rice
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
Marathon, FL 33050
Re: U. S. Customs
Dear Commissioner Rice:
Thank you for having the recent meeting discussing various ideas for the
economic development of the Middle Keys Airport. I think it would be safe to
say that those in attendance were quite supportive of those economic initiatives
that accrue to the benetit of the entire county.
To follow up that conversation, I would like to confirm Marathon Jet Center's
commitment to two initiatives that we feel will have the greatest impact to the
local economy; lengthening the runway by a minimum of 800 feet and
providing U.S. Customs services to aircraft and watercraft clearing through the
middle keys.
For years, corporate, chmter, fractional and other large private aircraft have
automatically been granted 'overflight' waivers by the FAA enabling them to
take their refueling, catering and lay-over spending outside the county to those
airports of entry with longer, safer runways and more capacity to clear aircraft.
In spite of the requirement to clear at the 'port of entry nearest' to the point
were the aircraft crosses the U.S. boarder. Waivers were automatic because Key
West airport, while a port of entry, does not have sufficient runway length and
8800 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY
MARATHON, FL 33050-3248
TEL: 305_743,1995
FAX- 305.743_6635
www MARATHON~JETC:;ENTER.COM
Commissioner David Rice
May 01,2003
Page Two
over-run to accommodate most jet aircraft departing with sufficient fuel to
reach destinations north and west of Florida.
It is our opinion that gaining 'International Airport' status as either a 'user fee'
or designated airport will have significant positive impact on the local economy
and the utility of the Middle Keys Airport when combined with the lengthening
of the runway. Marathon Jet Center is ready to commit capital representing our
fair share of the economic risk in underwriting the cost of Customs startup with
other economic entities on the airport and Monroe County.
On a personal note, I want to thank you for your unerring commitment to the
economic growth and well being of the residents of Monroe County.
(----------.
(/\ 2JIT:)
~rhom
President, Marathon Jet Center
MARATHON
MAY - 1 2003
David P. Rice, Ph.D.
Marathon Government Annex
490 63rd Street, Ocean, #110
Marathon, FL 33050
April 28, 2003
Dear Commissioner Rice,
As per our meeting of April 23, 2003, I am writing in support of establishment of a
customs facility at the Florida Keys Marathon Airport.
For our own part, Paradise Jet Support, under the name Paradise Air owns and
operates a part 135 charter company with operating privileges covering the US, Mexico,
the Caribbean and the Islands of the Bahamas. We also provide Fixed Base Services to
both piston and jet aircraft operated by private, corporate and commercial pilots.
An informal survey of our customers has shoW\that many have come from outside
the US prior to arrival in Marathon and would like the opportunity to arrive directly rather than
land in Tamiami of Fort Lauderdale to clear customs. Few, if any, use Key West for this
purpose.
The presence of a customs facility in Marathon would result in, not only a greater
convenience, but in a much needed reduction of operating costs. Beside the obvious
increased expense of additional flight legs, there is the not so obvious expense on wear
and tear of equipment. This is especially true for cycle limited components of aircraft such as
landing gear.
We frequently advise pilots of procedures for returning to the US from the Bahamas
and provide customs forms packets to them.
Customs in Marathon is not a dream of "if we build it, they will come." "They" are
here and want to use it.
caroC;:CoIlins.
President, Paradise Jet Support
9850 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY MARATHON AIRPORT MARATHON Fl 33050 (8771 538 8234 (3051 7434222 fox: (305) 289 1556
www.f1yporodiseoir.com e-mail: f1y@flyparodiseair.com
FACT SHEET
PORTS OF ENTRY AND USER FEE AIRPORTS
The Customs Service receives requests for information regarding the implementation of
Federal services at airports. Generally, a civic or government organization such as a
chamber of commerce, port authority or city government, makes a request in writing to
the Commissioner of Customs.
There are two possible avenues to establish service - gaining status as a "port of entry"
or status as a "user fee airport." The following is an explanation of the basic
requirements necessary to implement federal services at airports.
Ports of Entl"'(
Customs "ports of entry" are places (seaports. airports, or land border ports) designated
by the Secretary of the Treasury where Customs officers or employees are assigned to
accept entries of merchandise, clear passengers, collect duties. and enforce the various
provisions of Customs and related laws. The fol/owing are considered the minimum
criteria for establishing a port of entry.
The requesting community must:
· Prepare a report that shows how the benefits to be derived justify the Federal
Government expense
· Se serviced by at least one other major mode of transportation
· Have a minimum population of 300,000 within the immediate service area
(approximately a lO-mile radius)
The actual workload in the area must be one or a combination of the fol/owing:
· 15,000 international air passengers (airport)
· 2,000 scheduled international arrivals (airport)
· 2,500 consumption entries (each valued over $2,000), with no more than half being
attributed to anyone party (airport, seaport, land border port)
· 350 vessels (seaport)
· 150,000 vehicles (land border port)
· Any appropriate combination of the above
2
Facilities at airports, provided without cost to the Federal Government, must include:
~'
· Warehousing space for the secure storage of imported cargo pending final Customs
inspection and release
· The commitment of optimal use of electronic data input equipment and software to
permit integration with any Customs system for electronic processing of commercial
entries
· Administrative office space, cargo inspection areas, primary and secondary
inspection rooms, and storage areas, and any other space necessary for regular
Customs operations
It is Customs responsibility to coordinate and ensure that the facility requirements of all
federal agencies are met. The requesting community must notify the other federal
inspection agencies of its request to establish a port of entry and obtain the concurrence
of these agencies on this issue.
User Fee Airport ProQram
Designated "user fee airports" are functionally equivalent to "ports of entry." The major
difference between the two is workload criteria and financial responsibility for services,
Communities who desire Customs services at their airports, but do not meet the port of
entry requirements, may still receive the services if they meet three criteria:
· The volume or value of business at the airport is insufficient to justify the availability
of Customs service at such airport on a non-reimbursable basis
· The Governor of the State in which such airport is located approved such
designation in writing to the Commissioner of Customs
.
· The Community (or airport authority) agrees to reimburse the Customs Service for
all costs associated with the services, including all expenses of staffing a minimum
of one full-time inspector
The basic steps in the process are:
· Submission of a letter from the Governor of the state supporting user fee airport
designation -
· Successful site visit in which Customs' field officials discuss workload and services
and verify that facilities are adequate for Customs to provide service
· Making the necessary arrangements with INS and the Department of Agriculture
· Completing/submitting the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), which states the
responsibilities, fees and hours of service
· Review and approval of the MOA by the Commissioner of Customs
3
The FY 2003 fee for one ins ector is 129 125 for the first ear and 115 400 for
succeedin ears. Other associated costs such as overtime wilt also be billed.
In an cases regarding requests for port of entry and User fee airport designation,
it must be understood that before approving requests for new service, Customs
must have the available manpower or the authorization and appropriations to hire
additional personnel. This is and will continue to be One of the most important
considerations.
FMTFile :802:airfact. doc
October 2002