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Council debates abolishing, reconstituting airport commission after Municipal League advice
Summary
Helena city leaders discussed a draft ordinance to abolish and reconstitute the airport commission following guidance from the Arkansas Municipal League, with disagreement on whether to replace sitting commissioners now or wait and how many seats the reconstituted body should have.
Helena city council members on Monday discussed a draft ordinance, circulated after an advisory email from the Arkansas Municipal League, to abolish the current airport commission and reestablish a new commission with staggered terms.
The Municipal League’s written recommendation would allow the city to reconstitute the panel and — if the council chooses — expand it to seven members, with staggered terms as required by state law. City Attorney (unnamed) told the council the city needs to update a decades-old ordinance that still reflects pre-consolidation appointment practices and that some current appointments appear to have expired.
The discussion centered on two practical questions: whether to disband the existing commission now and reappoint a new slate of members the same night, and whether to expand the commission from five to seven members. Supporters of reconstitution said the move would clear up uncertainty about whether long-serving commissioners currently have authority after their terms expired. Opponents said many current commissioners have provided continuity, aviation expertise and fundraising that keep the airport operating.
Airport stakeholders in the meeting urged restraint. Ed Shifler and Dale Rodeo (identified in the meeting as airport-interested residents) and representatives of local aviation businesses urged the council not to remove experienced commissioners at once, calling the work of the existing panel “phenomenal” in keeping facilities open and in securing grant matches. A representative for Griffin Farms said local business investment in hangars and ramp work depends on stable airport governance.
City attorneys and others said the Municipal League’s email leaves the mayor responsible for nominations and the council responsible for confirmation; it also suggested that ratifying certain prior commission actions could reduce legal risk. The mayor told the council he would forward the Municipal League email and move to implement the league’s recommendation.
No ordinance vote occurred Monday; council members agreed to circulate the Municipal League’s written guidance and to revisit the draft at a later meeting so the mayor may nominate commissioners and the council may consider confirmation.
The discussion included requests that any reconstituted commission include members with aviation backgrounds because the commission must deal with Federal Aviation Administration and state aeronautics regulations.
The council did not adopt the draft ordinance at the meeting and expects further review and possible formal action at a future meeting.
