CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO END CITY-COUNTY AIRPORT INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
 | Author:
Nancy Marks, Reporter
Nancy Marks: MT43 News Secretary and News Editor |
CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO END CITY-COUNTY AIRPORT INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
MT 43 News Staff Reporter
At a City Council meeting Tuesday, December 5th, members voted to remove the city from the Interlocal-Agreement with Broadwater County to co-own the municipal airport. Members reached the decision after City Attorney Peter Simon explained several issues with the interlocal agreement. He explained the city pays $14,000 maintenance annually plus improvements which are costly to the city.
Council member Angie Wintrow reminded members the county, along with the Federal Aeronautics Administration(FAA) , is looking at a $6 million improvement program.
The City would incur part of the costs of that improvement plan. Wintrow acts as liaison member to the Airport Board.
Other discussion included a space lease agreement before the Council with Wade Litton who purchased one of four hangars with living quarters. Four hangar-homes were grandfathered in as residences in the 1990’s when the (FAA) allowed hanger-homes.
In an interview clarifying the hangar-home issue, Broadwater County Commissioner and Airport Board member Darrel Folkvord explained the FAA changed its position on permanent housing on airport grounds in 2005.
The FAA considers residential development, including airport hangars that incorporate permanent or temporary living quarters, on federally obligated airports as incompatible with airport operations and may conflict with several grant assurance requirements, he said. Any of those four residences, when sold, would revert to aircraft storage only.
Simon concluded by saying the situation could lead to possible litigation for the city. The Council agreed to sign the space lease agreement with Litton.
The city currently owns a parcel which is one half of the airstrip. The parcel’s water right is cloudy, so a motion to deed the parcel to the county was rescinded until the water rights were confirmed.
Council member Vickie Rauser read the first reading of the Penalty Revision Ordinance which spells out the fines for persons convicted of misdemeanors within the city. A public meeting will be held to review the ordinances Tuesday, December 19 at 6:30pm at City Hall.
River Road resident Steve McCullough leases a parcel of land from the city south of the new solid waste lagoon. He uses it for hunting. He sprays the weeds and maintains the area, according to Mayor Mike Evans. Attorney Simon pointed out language of the lease needs work. The council tabled signing the lease.
Compliance officer and part-time crew member Eric Crush will serve as the new Public Works Director. He replaces longtime director Tim Rauser.
During a public comment period, Townsend resident Larry Wright questioned the Council about whether the city would be having conversations with Broadwater County Public Works Supervisor about reported cost increases in disposing of garbage. Business owner JB Howick asked if the County raises its garbage fees, will the city follow suit.
