From: Bloomfield Rebecca Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2017 3:31 PM To: David Gotfredson; Lucero Diana Cc: Brad Racino, inewsource Subject: RE: CBS News 8 -- Bowens interview request Hello David, Thank you for sharing general topic areas for the interview you requested with Ms. Bowens. After careful consideration, we respectfully decline your request. We have provided written comments to your general topic areas below. Thank you, Rebecca Bloomfield Sr. Public Relations Specialist Vision, Voice + Engagement San Diego International Airport T 619.400.2880 M 619.890.8279 rbloomfi@san.org From: David Gotfredson [mailto:dgotfredson@kfmb.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2017 10:46 AM To: Bloomfield Rebecca; Lucero Diana Cc: Brad Racino, inewsource Subject: Re: CBS News 8 -- Bowens interview request Hello Rebecca, Thank you for responding to our request for an on-camera interview of Ms. Bowens. Generally speaking, it is against our policy to limit our interviews to specific questions in advance because it sets a bad precedent. However, we will be focusing on these general topic areas: - Thella Bowens travel expenses in general and historical spending on travel The Airport Authority adheres to a transparent and open process in regards to employee travel expense reimbursement. Before each trip, Thella Bowens’ travel requests are presented to the Board for pre-approval in open session. After each trip, her detailed expense reports are included in the Board packet, which is posted on san.org. Business travel is key to continuous learning about the aviation industry and helps us meet our goal of attracting new nonstop air service to satisfy regional demand. It’s also important to our ability to support and protect San Diego airport's interests in the arenas where policies and procedures are discussed and formed. To do that, we have to be an active participant in the aviation industry. Participation in conferences helps us to understand industry trends, learn best practices, become an industry leader, cultivate the relationships that lead to winning new air service in a highly competitive environment and participate in conversations about legislation (and regulations, policies and procedures that have a direct impact on SAN). In this field, no one succeeds in a vacuum. Unlike many other public agencies, the Airport Authority receives no local, state or federal tax dollars to carry out our mission. We must earn and grow our revenues through competitive business practices. - Comparison of Bowens travel expenses to other airport CEOs (Bowens' expenses are the highest of those we reviewed) It’s hard to overstate the importance of serving on boards and commissions that are directly involved with setting policy and regulatory matters that impact SAN's operations and mission. Thella had the opportunity to serve on the Board of the Aviation Council International North America for nine years, as its chair in 2011-2012, was appointed by two federal Cabinet Secretaries to national committees, among other volunteer positions, all of which entailed travel. This is the best way to ensure San Diego has a seat at the table, can have a voice regarding best practices and also stay on top of aviation trends. This kind of participation also attracts aviation-related meetings to San Diego, which allows more of the Airport Authority staff access to these learning and relationshipbuilding activities. - Airport Authority travel and business expense policy The Airport Authority’s Board has established policies (see section 3.30 and 3.40 here) and procedures governing travel expenses, and an audit process to ensure compliance. These were put in place when the Airport Authority was formed in 2003. They were revisited and refined in 2007 and again in 2009. The rules for travel expenses include, but are not limited to, the following: • Pre-approval for all out-of-town trips is required. • Travel expense reports must be filed within 30 days of completing a domestic trip; 45 days for international travel. Receipts must be filed with all travel expense reports. • All expense reports must be signed by an authorized administrator. • Employees must fly coach on domestic flights. For non-domestic flights exceeding six hours, employees may move up to the next available class. • Hotels must be reasonably priced and centrally located to conduct business. • Employees are not reimbursed for alcohol or personal items. Additionally, we have discovered that Ms. Bowens may owe back property taxes on her Mission Valley residence, due to a $500K under assessment of her home when she purchased it in 2005. We have some general questions on that issue and may ask her to react to that finding by the County Assessors office. This is a personal matter. Only recently did Ms. Bowens learn of the error made by the County Assessor’s Office and is cooperatively working with them to resolve it. Please direct any inquiries to the Assessor’s Office.