Normandy Park City Manager’s Report for week ending Jan. 6, 2023

Drone Testing Program Possibly coming to City Hall Park
Next week, you may see some unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, aka drones) at City Hall Park. This activity is connected with a pilot program designed to detect and mitigate drone risks to airports. The testing area extends out five miles from the airport. And the Port of Seattle has selected several areas throughout King County as testing areas, including City Hall Park here in Normandy Park.

Four other airports in the U.S. are participating, with Sea-Tac being the largest airport.  All equipment will be on airport property, except for the drones the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be using to test the system. The drones the FAA uses will be tethered to the operator with a 400-foot tether (or shorter). All drone operators will be clearly identified and wearing high-visibility jackets and always have personal identification cards on them. Testing will be intermittent through September 2023 and could take up to half a day at any one time. Occasionally testing will be at night. The City will be provided notice before testing takes place.

We have received notice that testing is scheduled for next week, and this may include Normandy Park. The FAA does not intend to collect personal information or images during the process, and the activity should not cause a noise issue nor disturb anyone’s privacy. For more information, contact Mike DiPilato, FAA Airport Research Specialist, at [email protected].

City Council Vacancy
The City of Normandy Park is seeking applicants to fill the vacancy of City Council Position #5. This temporary appointment will expire upon certification of the November 2023 General Election. Interested residents must apply by noon, February 1, 2023. To obtain an application, visit City Hall or the city’s website. For additional information, please reach out to City Clerk Brooks Wall.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with me at [email protected].

Have a great week!

Amy Arrington, City Manager
City of Normandy Park
801 SW 174th Street
Normandy Park, WA 98166
(206) 248-8246 (Direct Phone)