Item No. 7a_supp
Meeting Date: February 25, 2020
Sound Mitigation Briefing
February 25, 2020

Agenda
1. Noise Programs Overview
2. Ongoing sound insulation programs
3. Acceleration of sound insulation programs
4. Staff recommendations


2

Airport Noise Programs
Noise Abatement  aimed at reducing noise at
the source - the aircraft
Fly Quiet Program
Engine testing restrictions
Monitoring noise abatement flight corridors
Monthly FAA meetings
Community outreach and information 
responding to noise complaints, providing noise
monitoring data and attending public meetings
Noise Monitoring
24 Permanent Noise Monitors
5 Portable Noise Monitors
2 Purchased / 3 additional being acquired
Noise Mitigation  reducing noise impacts
within the community
Sound insulation programs
Acquisition programs
3

Noise Mitigation Accomplishments
Sound Insulation Completed
Began in 1985
Approximately 9,400 homes
9 Highline Schools
5 condominium complexes, 246 units
14 buildings on the Highline College Campus
Acquisition Completed
5 mobile home parks, 359 mobile home units
69 homes north of the 3rd runway
1,400 single family homes including 3rd runway acquisition
Approximately $300 million spent on sound insulation
Approximately $100 million spent on acquisition programs

4

Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Roundtable
Late Night Noise Limitation Program  Began in mid-2019,
established noise thresholds during late night hours
Updated Runway Use Agreement with FAA  Signed in September,
encourages limited use of 3rd runway after midnight
Noise Abatement Departure Profile Analysis  Analyzing benefits of
airline departure procedure alternatives that potentially benefit
community
Ground Noise Study  Will help identify the various sources of noise
from operations on the ground and possible noise reduction options
Runway 34R Glideslope  Will raise the angle of approaching aircraft
5

Flight Tracking System



6

Part 150 Overview
Code of Federal Regulations 14 (CFR14) Part 150  FAA established
guidelines
Airports must follow federal guidelines to get federal grants for
mitigation projects
The focus is to address noise and land use incompatibilities
Identified potentially eligible single-family homes, apartments,
condominiums and places of worship for sound insulation within Noise
Remedy Boundary
Last update completed in 2014
FAA-approved mitigation eligible for AIP funding at 80%
7

DNL Noise Contour
Day Night Level (DNL)  Annual cumulative average of noise emitted from
aircraft operating at Sea-Tac Airport
10 dB penalty for aircraft operating between 10pm and 7am
Contours MUST be developed using the FAA Airport Environmental Design
Tool (AEDT)
The FAA will not allow airports to use noise monitor recorded decibel levels
for production of DNL contours
Contours must be submitted to and approved by the FAA
The 65 DNL Contour is the basis for land use analysis in the Part 150

8

1998/2018 65 DNL Noise Contour
Unincorporated
King County









9

1985 & Current Noise Remedy Boundary

Unincorporated
King County








10

Sound Insulation Requirements
Homes must be built prior to 1986 in
Des Moines and 1987 in all other
areas  building codes meet or
exceed FAA standards after these
dates
Homeowners are required to sign an
avigation easement
Homes must have a 45dB DNL or
greater interior noise level during a
noise audit to be eligible

11

2019 Port Audit
Changes in response to the internal audit:
Central Procurement Office implemented greater controls
Created a Job Order Contract (JOC) committee to review all
aspects of contacting under the JOC
Updated
Policies
Contracting materials
Oversight & line item reviews

12

Ongoing Sound Insulation Programs


13

Continued Single-Family Sound Insulation
Homes completed     Homes        Total homes       Applications    Homes scheduled  Goal for 2020
in 2019        completed in   potentially eligible   currently on file   for A&E site visits     (current
2020 to date        within the                            March 2020       practice)
boundary not
completed to date
17             2              140              40               5         10 or more
Continued homeowner outreach
Seeking Commission approval for new A&E March 2020

14

Failed Windows
Alpine Windows installed in the 1990s have had a higher than
average failure rate
Alpine went into bankruptcy in the year 2000 and stopped honoring
warranties.
Approximately 5,000 homes received Alpine window products
Other products installed in the late 1980s & early 1990s may
be failing because they are near the end of their lifespan
State legislation is being proposed as a way to allow for the
replacement of products that fail
15

Upcoming Condominium Sound Insulation
3 complexes, 133 estimated
units, Burien, Des Moines,
Unincorporated King County
Design on first project underway
Villa Enzian
Eligibility for remaining two
complexes to be confirmed
Major Works Construction
Procurement Q2 2020
Villa Enzian completion expected
in Q3 2021

16

Future Apartment Sound Insulation
18 complexes potentially eligible,
Burien, Des Moines, and SeaTac
Approximately 903 units
First apartment complex
Estimated cost $4.2 million
Estimated to start in 2022


17

Future Places of Worship Sound Insulation
7 structures identified as
potentially eligible in Burien and
Des Moines
Plan to begin first project in 2024
Unique architectural features
can create challenges for sound
insulation

18

Future Voluntary Home Acquisition,
Approach Transition Zone (ATZ)
ATZ is an area 2,500 feet off the end of
the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ)
Approximately 16 single-family homes
and 6 apartment buildings
Program is voluntary, no relocations
RPZ
Estimated to begin program in 2023
Eligible for FAA grant funding at 80% of                2
5
eligible costs                                        ATZ    0
0
f
e
e
t


19

Continued School Sound Insulation
MOA in place with Highline School District,
FAA, and the Port for sound insulation
funding
Funding sources
FAA grant
Port of Seattle airport revenues
Tax levy
9 schools completed
6 schools remain
Des Moines Elementary recently
completed
Highline High School is under construction
20

Status of Highline Schools
School Name                     Date Completed                   Total Amount - AIP/Airport/Tax Levy
Madrona Elementary                         2004                                       $10.7M
North Hill Elementary                             2006                                             $8.7M
Mt Rainier High                                  2007                                            $4.4M
Sunnydale Elementary                         2006                                         $9.2M
Cedarhurst Elementary                          2008                                          $5.3M
Midway Elementary                           2009                                       $4.3M
Parkside Elementary                             2010                                           $7.4M
Olympic Elementary                            2013                                         $11.4M
Des Moines Elementary                        2019                                         $6.3M  Reimbursement Q1 2020
$67.7M Total Completed
Highline High School                              Under Construction                               $15.7M
Puget Sound Skills Center                                                                           $1.0M
Pacific Middle School                                                                               $3.4M
Beverly Park Elementary                                                                         $1.5M
Southern Heights Elementary                                                                   $4.6M
Hilltop Elementary                                                                                         $6.2M
$32.4 Total Remaining
$100.1M Total Project                       21

Highline Schools Locations



22

Acceleration of Sound Insulation Programs


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Noise Mitigation Acceleration Proposal
For Discussion
Current Practice
All projects would be completed in mid 2030's
Program (high level) cost estimate range is approximately $150.2M to $259.2M
Current staffing and funding limit ability to work on multiple projects
Proposed Plan for Acceleration
All projects would be completed in mid to late 2020's
Program (high level) cost estimate is approximately  $132.3M to $227.3M
May require Port funding up-front  possible FAA reimbursement at a later date
Requires Port funding at risk
Will need additional resources  staffing, cross divisional support

24

Acceleration Principles
Tangible Benefits for Near Airport Communities
Deliver on Port Part 150 commitment
Provide relief from noise burden sooner
Program Management
Increase scale to reach more residents
Complete eligible residences earlier
Work to minimize cost
Quality installation and craftmanship
Maintain financial stewardship
25

Current Practice (15 Year) Scenario
Projects                                 Projects 2020-2024          Projects 2025-2035
Condominiums                 3 complexes              Work Complete
133 Units
Single Family Homes               60 Homes                   80 Homes
Apartments                     1 Complex                 17 Complexes
Places of Worship                  1 Structure                   6 Structures
ATZ Voluntary Acquisition          11 Homes                    5 Homes
2 Apartment Complexes      4 Apartment
Complexes
Total Estimated Costs                                                $150.2M  $259.2M

Costs and timeframes are estimates for program-level discussion

26

Cost Estimate Uncertainty vs. Level of Design
Costs Including Contingency %   90
70

50

30

10    Upper Range
Growth from Estimated  -10    Lower Range
-30

-50
0           10           20           30           40           50           60           70           80           90          100
Project Scope Definition %
5                  Class 3                                            Class 1
Class 4                                         Class 2

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Current Practice Scenario
Pros                                 Challenges
Lower five-year (Capital Improvement   Delays completion of multiple sound
Program) Port cost                       insulation projects
Allows for Port funding of other         Potential increase to overall Port cost
capital projects                             with inflation to complete remaining
Grant funding more likely                projects
May not meet community expectations
for noise mitigation


28

Accelerated (7 Year) Scenario
Projects                                                2020-2026
Condominiums                     3 complexes
133 units
Single-Family Homes                   140 homes
Apartments                         18 complexes
903 units
Places of Worship                       7 structures
ATZ Voluntary Residential Acquisition    16 single-family homes
6 apartment complexes
Potential Cost:                            $132.3M - $227.3M

Costs and timeframes are estimates for program-level discussion
29

Accelerated Scenario
Pros                              Challenges
All anticipated sound mitigation     Experienced staffing and resources
projects are completed relatively      would need to be acquired to ensure
soon                            adequate controls for multiple
Community noise impacts           ongoing projects
reduced faster                      Multiple consultants needed to help
Potential construction cost savings    manage projects
to the Port while completing        Ability to hire contractors and obtain
projects in less time                    products


30

Current Staffing Structure
Port staffing for project oversight
Noise specialty A&E firm for design and oversight
Acoustical testing consultant for noise auditing
Contractors to complete the work



31

In-House Staffing Option
Bring all work in-house
Increase staffing and hire all trades as Port employees
Construction
A&E
acoustic testing
Oversight
Currently evaluating
Potential costs
Potential challenges

32

Further Program Improvements
Hire a consultant who will evaluate the structure and implementation of the
program
Contracting methods & potential efficiencies
Increased DBE/WMBE utilization
Internal department structure including employees, reporting structures,
accountability & resources
Potential for Project Labor Agreements
Potential for apprenticeship programs
Possible collaboration with King County Housing Weatherization Program to
determine project element synergies
Mitigation for unforeseen risks

33

Acceleration: Estimated Staffing Needs
Anticipated need to hire staff; will need additional analysis for full
implementation
Additional FTEs in Noise Programs
Begin with one mid 2020 and assess further needs
Additional FTEs in Aviation Project Management Group (AVPMG)
Begin with one mid 2020 and assess further needs
Additional support from External Relations
Dedicated cross divisional staff
Consultants may be utilized in some positions

34

Accelerated Scenario Funding Risks
FAA Grant funding would not be guaranteed
FAA Grant funding could be reimbursed retroactively for
eligible projects, but reimbursement presents challenges
Reduced grant funding could result in higher airline rate base
capital costs
If airport revenues were used, they would compete with other
aviation related capital projects
If airline rate based capital costs (net of FAA grants) are  $10
million, projects are subject to airline majority-in-interest (MII)
vote
35

Acceleration Risk Summary
FAA Grant funding is not guaranteed
Potential higher airline rate base without grant funding
Funding could compete with other projects
Staffing & oversight could be challenging
Obtaining contractors is challenging in todays market
Places a higher demand on manufactures of specialty products
Not all homeowners may chose to participate
Properties may not qualify after noise audit
Future state & federal legislation may expand program authority

36

Staff Recommendations


37

Staff Recommendations
Hire additional Sound Insulation Program Manager and
additional AVPMG Project Manager in 2020
Hire consultant to analyze program, evaluate risks and make
recommendations
Cost estimate at approximately $200,000
Structure accelerated program
Begin accelerated work in 2021

38

Thank You
Questions?

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