Airport Authority Meeting InformationCITY OF KALISPELL
AIRPORT AUTHORITY BOARD
Meeting Agenda
October 19, 1998
A. Approval Airport Authority Minutes - May 18, 1998
B. Approval of Job Description - Airport Manager
C. Airport Manager:
1. Duties
2. Supervisor
3. Office
D. Fencing
E. Airport Fees - Refer to Resolution 3773
October 14, 1998
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Glen Neier, City Attorney
RE: Airport Authority
At the Council Meeting of October 5th, the Council discussed
several issues involving the Airport Authority and Airport Manager.
From the Minutes the points discussed included:
1) What is the territorial authority of the Authority?
2) What is the proper way to implement policy for the
Authority to run the airport?
3) Should the Authority have regulations establishing fees
for airport use apart from City Resolution?
4) Who is to supervise the Airport Manager?
5) Where does the Airport Manager sit on the employee chart?
6) Where is the Airport office to be located, and how are
utilities provided?
7) Job description and financing for Authority?
The Airport Authorities Act, Title 67, Chapter 11, Part 1 Montana
Code Annotated authorizes municipalities to create a "public body,
corporate and politic" (airport authority) and grants to said
public body broad powers to run airports. Generally, the airport
authority has all powers necessary or convenient to carry out the
purposes of the Airport Authorities Act. Airport Authorities have
the power to plan, establish, acquire, develop, construct,
purchase, enlarge, improve, maintain, equip, operate, regulate and
protect airports and air navigation facilities, including the
various ancillary operations. Airport authorities have the power
of eminent domain, and the statute specifically declares that the
exercise of such power in acquiring property is in pursuit of
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public necessity. Airport Authorities have the power to levy a tax
of up to 2 mills for airport purposes, including the retirement of
bonds issued by the authority. A mill in Kalispell generates
approximately $20,000. Flathead County currently mills for the
Glacier Park International, and if the City levied a similar amount
for Kalispell City, City taxpayers would pay both levies.
All the above powers, once conferred on the authority by the
municipality, are independent of municipal oversight and control.
Once the City gives the power to the authority there is no clear
and concise way of reversing the action.
Municipalities may donate money, supply infrastructure improvements
and land to an authority under the act, as well undertake any
activity not prohibited by law to aid and cooperate with the
airport authority.
The authority may issue bonds, without an election and without
limitation in amount, financed by airport revenue, taxes levied,
grants and "other sources", including a covenant given by the
municipality to pay, from a levy on the general fund, that amount
of principal and interest which the authority cannot pay. It is
doubtful that an underwriter would sell an airport bond on an
airport similar to Kalispell's without the full faith and credit of
the City being pledged as security.
Airport authorities have the power to dispose of real property only
subject to rules adopted by the authority and approved by the
municipality. The statute does not give the authority the power to
zone for airport hazards, leaving that duty to the municipality.
As a body politic the airport authority hires the manager and other
employees. The manager is responsible only to the authority. If
the City transfers control of the airport to an airport authority
the City will have not control over the Manager or his activities.
This office reviewed Resolution No. 4210 wherein the Council:
. . . determines to exercise all powers which may be
granted to airport authorities under Title 67, Chapter
11, Montana Code Annotated until such powers have been
conferred to a municipal or regional airport authority.
The language of Resolution No. 4210 is taken directly from Section
67-11-102, MCA. In the past the procedure for holding "airport
authority" meetings separate from City Council meetings has been
troubling. In my opinion the Council never established itself as
an airport authority, the Council merely determined to exercise
those powers granted to "airport authorities". The exercises
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heretofore engaged in by Council in holding separate meetings may
have been a observance of form over substance. The Council may
pass resolutions and ordinances setting policies and procedures
without the necessity of adjournment and recall.
Likewise, the Council may appoint an airport manager working under
the direction of the City Manager or any department head. The
individual thus appointed would be a employee of the City.
The Airport Authority Act provides an acceptable mechanism for
managing an airport which has the potential to be self-supporting.
This office is unaware of any economic study that demonstrates that
Kalispell City Airport will at any time not require City
assistance. It is, further, somewhat subjective to state that the
airport has an economic value to the City or its residents. A
commitment to form an airport authority, with attendant powers,
requires a commitment to delegate significant responsibilities and
powers to an authority over which the City will have no control.
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A JOINT MEETING OF THE KALISPELL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND AIRPORT
ADVISORY BOARD WAS HELD AT 9:30 P.M. MONDAY, MAY 18, 1998, IN THE
COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT CITY HALL IN KALISPELL, MONTANA. MAYOR WILLIAM
BOHARSKI PRESIDED. COUNCIL MEMBERS JIM ATKINSON, NORBERT DONAHUE,
JOHN GRAVES, DALE HAARR, DUANE LARSON, GARY NYSTUL, DOUG SCARFF,
RON VAN NATTA AND CITY ATTORNEY GLEN NEIER AND CITY MANAGER
CLARENCE KREPPS WERE PRESENT. ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS GILBERT
BISSELL, FRED LEISTIKO AND ART THOMPSON WERE ALSO PRESENT.
Mayor Boharski called the meeting to order.
APPROVAL OFTWTTr'ES - MARCH �, 1998
Larson moved to approve the Minutes of March 16, 1998. The motion
was seconded by Van Natta..
The motion carried unanimously upon vote.
CLEAR SPACES
At the last meeting, the Authority indicated it wanted ordinances
prepared for the protection of clear spaces around the Airport.
Krepps explained he spoke with Tim orthmeier and John Morrison of
Morrison and Maierle, and FAA engineer Gary Gates, and they
suggested the City not move ahead with a restrictive land use
ordinance until the Master Plan is completed. He added if the City
does move ahead, they recommended a B-2 classification be given to
that area, but they feel it would be premature.
Neier said if the City gets into airport zoning, even if they're
interim emergency rules, "we may impair the use of property in the
Airport area." He said it's going to be difficult to develop
regulations when the City doesn't know what kind of Airport "we're
going to end up with."
Van Natta asked how long it would take to prepare an ordinance.
Larry Gallagher, PECDD, answered ordinances are already in place in
draft form, but Staff is waiting to finalize the ordinances pending
further information. He stated if the Council wishes to proceed,
a document could be in front of the Planning Board by July 14.
Gallagher said as pointed out earlier, if the City implements a B-2
classification, the City could end up having to buy a lot of
private property and right now the money isn't available.
Van Natta said he concurs with the consultants that the City should
postpone any action until the first phase of the Master Plan is
completed.
Bissell commented the future of the Airport largely depends on the
FAA. He said the FAA may decide not to do anything with the
Airport: it may determine it, has to be a B-1 Airport with FAA
IQ
funding; it may decide the Airport should be B-1 with total City
funding or a B-2 Airport. Bissell said until the Master Plan is
completed, "we don't know which one of those things is going to
happen." He stated in the meantime, a building erected on the
surrounding land that exceeds height restrictions could kill a B-1
or B-2 Airport and he would like to see some building restrictions
in place to prevent that.
R �.iNWA .LEA �I�TT ENA_NG
Krepps explained the Engineer and Assistant Engineer have advised
that the runway should be sealed this year. He said the cost would
run about $7,500.00 for a sand -type seal coat and if the Council
approves, he would add it to the budget.
Council concurred.
REVENUE -ENHANCEMENT
Thompson said the Airport Advisory Board is looking for a
cooperative effort with Staff to explore the various methods of
revenue enhancement that could take place immediately. He said
this has tied in with discussions of a part-time Manager who could
handle the revenue along with other concerns and ideas presented to
the Board.
Krepps stated Donahue had asked about the fees at Glacier Park
International Airport. He said the Airport's landing fee for
commercial is seventy-eight cents per thousand pounds, but not less
than five dollars, and the general aviation fee is three dollars
and fifty cents per day for tie -down for the transient and zero for
local.
Donahue asked if the City Airport has a similar fee schedule in
place.
Baker answered the fee schedule set by ordinance provides for a gas
tax, a tie -down fee of fifteen dollars per month, a commercial fee
which is fifty dollars per month and a general user fee of twenty
five dollars per pilot or plane. He said the FBO collects the tie -
down fee and keeps fifty percent, but if the tie -down fees were
collected by a Manager instead, then the City could keep the entire
amount.
Donahue suggested raising the rates.
Bissell stated the fees are in line with other airports of
comparable size. He cautioned the Council not to "fee the Airport
to death." Bissell said nothing will run pilots off faster than
making them feel like their being constantly taxed. He said one
way to increase revenue is to hire a part-time Manager. Bissell
said the Manager could implement policy at the Airport and make
sure the fees are updated and collected. He added in his opinion,
the main source of revenue will come from leases once the Airport
is fully developed.
3
Boharski said he understands the City can't move forward with
additional leases until the Master Plan is completed.
Bissell answered lease documents can be developed so when the
report is done, so is the preliminary step. He said he knows of at
least ten to fifteen people who would like to build hangars.
Graves asked Bissell if the Advisory Board has someone in mind for
the Manager's position and what the cost would be.
Bissell said he has a couple of people in mind for the job, but not
one person in particular. He said in checking with other airports,
a part-time Manager gets paid about eight thousand dollars per
year.
Graves stated he feels a part-time Manager would show the FAA that
the City isn't running a "cow pasture."
Larson asked if hiring a part-time Manager would expedite the
leasing process.
Bissell said it may tie in a little bit, but you can still lease
the hangars without a Manager.
Larson asked what the Council should do to start the process of
hiring a part-time Manager.
Bissell said a job description has already been written, but the
money needs to be in the budgeted..
Boharski asked if the Advisory Board could prepare a proposal to
generate enough revenue to pay for a part-time Manager.
Bissell said "we could give it a shot" but they would need some
money to start the process. He said he's confident the Manager
could generate his salary after six months to a year, but in the
beginning it will be a "little tough."
Boharski stated "money's tight," but assured Bissell the Council
would look at a proposal.
Leistiko said there is a "serious safety problem" at the Airport.
He said he's been at hundred of airports in his life, and he's never
seen one that you can drive or walk onto the runway. Leistiko
stated a Manager could handle those safety problems and restrict
access.
Larson said he'd like to see a job description for a part-time
Manager and a proposal on revenue enhancement so the Council can
determine what exactly can be funded during the budget process.
C!
Van Natta commented that with all the money that's going to be spent
on the Airport, eight thousand dollars to get a Manager in place is
a good idea.
FLY -IN
Bissell informed the Council the Fly -In is scheduled for July 16,
17 and 18 with various programs and seminars at the Outlaw Inn. He
said the FAA has been contacted on how to do a temporary
installation of the VASI lights, which are going to be picked up by
the Civil Air Patrol this weekend. Bissell invited the Mayor to
attend the kick-off Saturday night.
Atkinson moved to adjourn. The motion was seconded.
The motion carried unanimously upon vote.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
Wm. E. Boharski, Mayor
ATTEST;
Theresa White
Clerk of Council
CITY OF KALISPELL
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
JOB VACANCY
Class Title: City Airport Manager Salary:
Date: September 18, 1998
GENERAL PURPOSE:
The person in this position is responsible for coordination of all activities relating to operations,
maintenance and administration of the Kalispell City Airport.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Works under the general guidance and direction of the City Manager and the Airport Authority.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
None.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Plans, organizes, directs, assigns and schedules park and street department staff or provide
contractors in the construction, development, repair and maintenance of the Airport facility,
including the runway, taxiways, tie -downs, air park, fixed base operators area, hangars and turf
areas.
Prepares annual budget, financial reports, airport activity information, statistical reports and
monitors expenditures, supervises purchases of supplies, equipment, and materials. Prepares
financial and operating statements including revenue statements and billing of the FBO's, user
fees, hangar leases, tie -down fees and aviation fuel tax. Initiates airport capital development and
maintenance projects. Acts as project manager during airport construction. Updates lease
information for airport tenants and insures that all tenants follow the conditions of their lease.
Pursues airplane hangar development. Negotiates and prepares documents for hangar leases
with direction from City Attorney.
Plans layouts and directs improvements of facility construction.
Inspects condition of airport for compliance with Federal Aviation Standards and Safety.
Prepares and submits to the FAA the airport operations manual and the emergency operations
plan as necessary. Implements and insures compliance with these manuals at all times. Also
inspects the airport periodically and issues Notices to Airmen to the FAA concerning conditions
affecting airport safety. Also directly supervises airport volunteers, and insures that the
Department maintains the highest level of personnel and equipment readiness.
Prepares and submits to the FAA an Airport Security Plan and implements this plan as necessary.
Requires frequent contact with general public, airport users, and agency personnel in
administration of facility.
Applies for federal and state grants in obtaining revenue for airport management, when available.
Prepares and presents programs oriented to public groups, school groups, commissions,
committees and other agencies.
Identifies and reports accordingly on potential problem areas, providing supporting factual
evidence and recommended action to the Airport Authority and City Manager. -
Performs other duties as directed or assigned.
DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience:
(A) Requires graduation from high school or equivalent and 2 years of course work in
management or administration.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
(A) Must be able to exercise good judgment in handling any airport emergency,
negotiate with airport tenants, and have the knowledge and ability to supervise or
perform the necessary airport maintenance functions.
(B) Ability to manage and administrate the overall functions of the position.
(C) Skill in Public Relations.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:
Ability to operate a motor vehicle, pickup truck and snowplow.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations
may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear.
The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or operate
objects, controls, or tools listed above; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel,
crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities
required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth
perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may
be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather
conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious
places; and with explosives and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes
or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
SELECTION GUIDELINES:
Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job
related tests may be required.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may
be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the
position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and
employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and
requirements of the job change.
Opens: September , 1998
Closes: September , 1998
Approval:
City Manager
Effective Date: September , 1998
Approval:
Airport Authority
COMPLETE CITY APPLICATION IS REQUIRED AND CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE
KALISPELL JOB SERVICE OR MARTI HENSLEY, PERSONNEL SPECIALIST FOR THE CITY
OF KALISPELL, 758-7757.
RESOLUTION NO; 3773
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A SCHEDULE OF RATES, FEES AND CHARGES TO BE
LEVIED BY THE CITY OF KALISPELL ON USERS OF THE KALISPELL CITY
AIRPORT AND AUTHORIZING CERTAIN FIXED BASED OPERATORS TO COLLECT SAID
RATES, FEES AND CHARGES ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
KALISPELL AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I. That there is
all users of the Kalispell
fees and charges:
hereby levied and assessed upon
City Airport the following rates,
A) A Users Fee of $25.00 per year shall be assessed
against all persons, firms, corporations, partnerships,
associations or entities who utilize the Kalispell City Airport
ona regular basis as a place of storage or operation.
B) A Commercial Fee of $50.00 per month shall be assessed
against all persons, firms, corporations, partnerships,
associations or entities who utilize the Kalispell City Airport
on a regular basis for commerce or profit.
C) In addition to the charges levied under A & B,
supra, there shall be assessed against each person, firm,
corporation, partnership, association, or entity a fee of
$15.00 per month or $2.50 per day, whichever is less, for
utilization of Kalispell City Airport aircraft tie downs.
SECTION II. Stockhill Aviation, Strand Aviation and Eagle
Aviation are hereby authorized to collect the aircraft tie
down fees assessed by the City for collection of said tie
down fees.
SECTION III. All suppliers of gasoline or aviation fuel
utilizing Kalispell City Airport facilities shall pay to the
City the sum of $.05 per gallon of gasoline or aviation fuel
as metered from their pumps.
SECTION IV. This Resolution shall take effect immediately
upon passage by the City Council and approval by the Mayor.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KALISPELL AND APPROVED BY
THE MAYOR THIS 21st DAY OF DECEMBER , 19 87
4 ,
knEgKennedy r., Mayor
ATTEST:
:�� le-?Z-
City er -Treasurer
MEMO
To: Glen Neier, Acting City Manger
From: Gib Bissell, Chairman, Airport Advisory Board
Date: September 11, 1998
Re.: Request Authority to Bid Budgeted Fencing at the City Airport
The approved FY 98/99 budget includes funding in the Airport Tax Increment District of $15,000
for the purchase of fencing to be installed according to FAA specifications at the Kalispell City
Airport.
Per the request of the Airport Advisory Board at our last meeting of September 10,1 am respectfully
requesting authority for the City to advertise for bids.
Please include this request in the City Council Agenda for Monday, October 5, 1998.
Post Office Box 1997 • Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997
Telephone (406) 758-7700 • FAX (406) 758-7758