Kalispell City Council to hold work session on city airport policy options

Three weeks ahead of its scheduled vote on whether to close the city airport, the Kalispell City Council will hold a work session tonight to discuss policy options for the contentious, municipally owned property.

During its July 5 meeting, the council voted to set a public hearing for July 18 on its proposal to adopt an amendment to the city’s redevelopment plan for South Kalispell, completed by CTA Architects Engineers to identify development options for the Kalispell City Airport and surrounding area.

Prior to the vote, city manager Doug Russell explained that the amendment, which includes several alternatives for the city airport, will give the council more flexibility to choose a course of action.

The plan provided five options for the airport: keep the facility as is; close the airport; expand and maintain the airport to Federal Aviation Administration standards to receive federal funding; incorporate the airport into an airport authority; or privatize the airport.

CTA Architects estimated that closing the airport would cost nearly $3 million to buy out current leaseholders. That’s $1.7 million less than continuing airport operations as is, but would require $2.2 million more in up-front costs.

The council has scheduled an Aug. 1 vote on whether to close the airport, after it had been originally scheduled for July. Council member Phil Guiffrida noted that since announcing its intention to proceed with the up-or-down vote, local stakeholders had proposed additional options for the council to consider.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.

To view the meeting agenda and supporting documents, visit www.kalispell.com/mayor_and_city_council/agenda.php.