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Enid emphasizes aerospace workforce pipeline, approves aviation board appointments and airport rate increases
Summary
City officials highlighted a student aerospace day and workforce partnerships, approved four appointments to the Aviation Advisory Board and adopted an ordinance raising airport hangar and land lease rates.
City officials and aviation partners on May 5 described a growing aerospace effort in Enid, approved new Aviation Advisory Board members and adopted an ordinance to raise most airport hangar and land lease rates.
The airport discussion included a report on Northern Oklahoma Student Aero Day and a review of a multi-year aviation grant. Dr. Mack, who led the presentation on the program funded by a regional-development grant, said the project began with a $175,000 award and used the funds over time for partnerships, supplies, scholarships and student programming. "We had 300 students that registered, we had about 275, 280 that showed up," Dr. Mack said, describing the event hosted at Woodring Airport. He noted one student earned a private pilot license during the program and received an avgas scholarship.
The commission approved four city-manager nominees to the Aviation Advisory Board by voice vote. Gerald Gilbert (city manager) presented nominees including Ken Gertie (incumbent chair), Dr. Roy Camp (incumbent), Gregory Wilson and Dave Thomas. The commission voted to approve Gerald's slate; the motion passed 7 to 0.
Separately, the commission adopted an ordinance to increase rental rates and land-lease rates at the airport. Kesten (airport director) told commissioners the change was based on a rates-and-charges study and periodic review. "This would just increase the hanger rates by about, on average, 1¢ per square foot per month for the city owned hangars... and then also, it would increase the land, lease rates by 2¢ per square foot per year," Kesten said, noting the ordinance also sets rates for the new South Ramp hangars. The aviation advisory board had recommended the adjustments earlier this year.
Commissioners and staff framed the airport work as part of building a local aerospace workforce pipeline. Mayor David M. Mason and Dr. Mack highlighted partnerships with local schools, Vance Air Force Base and industry groups; Dr. Mack emphasized the size of Oklahoma's aviation industry and the variety of non-pilot career paths. The commission approved the rate ordinance after a study-session review and voted unanimously to confirm the aviation board appointments.
