Helicopter Facilities Licensing and Appeals Board
Public Works and Engineering Department
3300 Main St.
Houston, TX 77002
Contact: Larry Lahaie
Phone: (713) 535-7534 Fax: (713) 535-7534
Email: Larry.lahaie@cityofhouston.net
Updated as of: 6/10/2010
LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR CREATION AND OPERATION(City)
City of Houston, Code of Ordinances, Chapter 9, Article V, Sections 9-325 through 9-328.
GENERAL POWER AND DUTIES
1. The Board shall grant or deny applications for permanent licenses.
2. The Board shall hear appeals from decisions of the director regarding the grant or denial of a temporary license or suspensions and revocations of licenses and make written findings affirming or reversing the decision of the director.
3. The Board shall have the authority to hold a public hearing regarding the grant, suspension or revocation of any heliport or helistop license application if sufficient public interest is shown that the health, safety or welfare of the public may be jeopardized as a result of the use or continued use of the heliport or helistop.
4. The Board shall submit an annual report to the Mayor and City Council containing a summary of its actions during the preceding year, together with recommendation for amendments to this article.
5. The Board shall have the authority to receive complaints or allegations concerning the operation of any heliport or helistop and to refer such matters to the appropriate city department or governmental agency for investigation and report.
6. he Board shall adopt reasonable rules for the conduct of its duties, to include procedures for hearings, appeals and all other business conducted by the Board.
7. The secretary of the Board shall be responsible for and keep the minutes of the meetings of the Board, including correspondence received and sent by the Board or at its direction. Such minutes shall be public records, available for inspection by the public at all reasonable times in the presence of the secretary or any member of the Board. The secretary shall provide all parties to a license proceeding prior written notice of the time, place and date of any proceedings related to such license.
8. The Board shall advise, consult and cooperate with the FAA in the location, siting and regulation of heliports and helistops.
MEETING TIME AND LOCATION
The Board shall meet at regular intervals, to be determined by the chairperson. In any event, the Board shall meet within fifteen days after receipt of notice of appeal from a decision of the director. The as needed meetings will be held Tuesdays, 4:00 p.m.; Development Services, 611 Walker St, Houston.
COMPOSITION
TOTAL: 7 members, all of whom must be residenta of the city. The Mayor appoints the members of the Board, subject to the approval of the City Council. Any member of the Board may be removed at any time by the Mayor without consent of the City Council. The positions of the Board shall be filled as follows:
Position 1. By a citizen who shall be chairperson of the Board.
Position 2. By a citizen who is a member of a residential civic association.
Position 3. By a citizen who is a member of the aviation committee of the Houston Chamber of Commerce.
Position 4. By a citizen who is a professional engineer registered in the State of Texas actively engaged in practice as a structural engineer.
Position 5. By a citizen who is a licensed helicopter pilot and a member of a helicopter trade association.
Positions 6 & 7. By citizens with qualifications acceptable to the Mayor.
COMPENSATION: Each member of the Board shall be compensated at the rate of $25.00 per meeting attended at which a quorum is present; provided, however, that no member shall receive payment for attending any more than two meetings per month. No City employee required to attend a meeting of the Board shall be compensated for attending such meeting.
QUORUM: Five members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. Any member absent from four consecutive regular meetings of the Board may be removed from such office by the Mayor.
TERM: The terms of appointment to the Board shall be for a period of two-years and until their successors are appointed and qualified.
CHAIRPERSON: The chairperson shall be Position one.
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Entity is NOT included in the financial reporting for the City of Houston.
MEMBER LIST