Officials push airport minimum standards to protect investment, encourage development; Council asked to shift some rules to administrative policy

City airport staff and outside consultants presented draft minimum standards and related policy options at the Aug. 19 work session, proposing to move many operational requirements out of municipal ordinance and into administratively managed minimum standards. Presenters and airport staff said the change would allow the airport to adapt requirements—insurance, fuel handling, maintenance and personnel—to different types and scales of operators while preserving council oversight through regular reports. Consultant Ryan Lyke and airport staff described benefits: clearer expectations for fixed-base operators (FBOs), maintenance providers and flight schools; a path to bring unpermitted commercial operators into compliance; and the ability to update standards more quickly to reflect FAA guidance and market conditions. Staff cited FAA grant-assurance obligations (including references to grant assurance 30) and FAA advisory guidance as drivers for clarity. The team recommended that the Council approve an initial set of minimum standards while preserving periodic council review, including at least an annual report that explains policy changes, the reasons for them and their measured effects. Staff discussed a set of operational specifics discussed in the draft: increasing a Jet A storage threshold from 20,000 to 30,000 gallons (described by consultants as roughly a seven‑day supply at local refinery availability), requiring two Jet A trucks with one operational at a time at each FBO, and treating Avgas operations differently (self-service Avgas reduces need for additional Avgas trucks). Officials said Ogden currently handles roughly 1,200,000 gallons of Jet A per year and that runway maintenance work (a planned fog-seal on Runway 3/21) will require nightly closures from about 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. for roughly two weeks. Presenters acknowledged stakeholder concerns about insurance, hangar-size and personnel requirements. They said the city’s risk-management staff and outside aviation risk consultants would set insurance coverages and limits for different classes of operators rather than attempt a one-size-fits-all numerical table inside ordinance. Staff and council members discussed mechanisms to ensure accountability—annual or semiannual reporting to Council, an airport advisory committee, and the option for Council members to serve ex officio to receive ongoing briefings. Several council members and users expressed support for moving forward while asking for built-in reporting and oversight. No ordinance vote occurred at the work session. Staff said they will continue stakeholder outreach, refine the draft, and bring a recommended approach to the Council for formal action. Airport officials also announced terminal progress and other near-term capital work: a terminal open house expected this fall, bids out for restrooms and ramp projects, and FAA grants included in the capital plan.