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Airports, a division of the Chief Administrative Office, on behalf of the Sheriff's Office, recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign the First Amendment to County of El Dorado Airport Ground Lease for Portable Hangars 2072 between the County and Lessee, Richard F. Moorhouse, for use of Space TP-25 for Lessee’s privately-owned hangar at the Placerville Airport, with a Sublease to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office for helicopter storage, extending the term and increasing the rental amount of the Sublease, with no change in term or rental fee for Lessee, with rental fees paid annually in accordance with fees established by the Board Resolution in effect at the time payment is due. (4/5 vote required)
FUNDING: Placerville Airport Enterprise Fund - Fee Revenue; General Fund to Lessee.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The County entered into County of El Dorado Airport Ground Lease for Portable Hangars #2072 (Lease #2072) with Richard F. Moorehouse on September 26, 2023, for a privately-owned portable aircraft storage hangar occupying Placerville Airport Space TP-25, which included an integrated Sublease to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office (EDSO) for the storage, maintenance, and use of a helicopter, crew work and standby, and other related or incidental activities for operation of a law enforcement and public safety facility, for a term of two years from the commencement date of the Sublease with a one-year extension. The initial two-year term ended, and with permission of the Lessee, EDSO is holding over with a month-to-month tenancy at the monthly rate of $1,500.
EDSO is looking into hangar options and is interested in building a new hangar in the future for storage of their helicopter. To allow for the time needed to construct a new hangar, EDSO desires to extend the term of the Sublease for an additional five years. If EDSO builds a hangar or finds another helicopter storage option during the extended five-year term, EDSO may terminate the Sublease for its convenience upon 30 days written Notice of Termination, and if the Sublease is terminated, EDSO will pay the prorated portion of any rent due, consistent with the terms of the Sublease. EDSO negotiated with the Lessee and agreed to the following monthly rental amounts for the extended five-year term of the EDSO Sublease:
• Year 1: $2,250
• Year 2: $2,500
• Year 3: $2,750
• Year 4: $3,000
• Year 5: $3,000
Lease #2072 is being amended to replace references to a repealed Board policy and to comply with Board of Supervisors Policy F-10, adopted by the Board on July 29, 2025, which necessitated modifying the insurance provisions in Lease #2072 to match those in Policy F-10. Lease #2072 is also being amended for minor administrative changes, including changing the County department to which rental payments are sent, the County’s notices recipient, and the lease administrator.
A 4/5 vote is required in accordance with County Ordinance Code § 3.08.021(B) as authorized by Government Code Section 25536 or any successor statute.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to:
1) Approve the First Amendment to Lease #2072 with modified terms and/or modified terms for the EDSO Sublease.
2) Disapprove the EDSO Sublease, which will require EDSO to find another helicopter storage location, which may not offer on-site fueling, or store it outside on a tie-down space at the Placerville Airport, and which will prevent EDSO from operating a law enforcement and public safety facility at the Placerville Airport.
3) Disapprove the First Amendment to Lease #2072, which will impact the EDSO Sublease as described above, and which will leave outdated provisions and a repealed Board Policy in Lease #2072.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
Legistar file 23-1660 - September 26, 2023 - Approval of Lease #2072
Legistar file 24-1891 - December 10, 2024 - Adoption of Resolution 188-2024 titled “Resolution Establishing Chief Administrative Office, Airports Division Fee Schedule.”
Legistar file 24-1891 - December 10, 2024 - Repealed Board of Supervisors Policy F-9, Airports - Portable Hangar Color
Legistar file 25-1279 - July 29, 2025 - Approval of revisions to Board of Supervisors Policy F-10.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and EDSO
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Upon commencement of the First Amendment to Lease #2072, the Placerville Airport Enterprise Fund will continue to receive annual revenue in the amount of $2,911.66 for use of Space TP-25. Lease rates are based on hangar type and a square footage rate set by Board-adopted Resolution 188-2024. Should the Board adjust rates in the future, Lessee’s annual lease payment will also adjust commensurate with Board direction.
Upon commencement of the First Amendment of Lease #2072, as part of the EDSO Sublease, EDSO will pay Lessee $2,250 per month for the first year and pay the monthly rental amounts listed above for years two through five. The total amount of the EDSO Sublease will not exceed $216,000, inclusive of all costs, taxes, and expenses. Funding for the EDSO Sublease is included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget for EDSO.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Obtain the Chair’s signature on the two original copies of the First Amendment to Lease #2072.
2) Forward one fully executed original copy of the First Amendment to Lease #2072 to the Chief Administrative Office, Airports Division, to the attention of Sherrie Busby, for transmittal to the Lessee, along with a copy to EDSO.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Laura Schwartz, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Airports Director