City council approves new airport operator contract after heated public comment

The Freeport City Council voted 5-3 to adopt Resolution 20 25 1 17, awarding an airport management agreement for Albertus (Albers) Airport to the lowest responsible bidder and authorizing the city manager to execute the contract effective Oct. 1.

The vote came after more than an hour of public comment in which hangar tenants, pilots and aviation professionals urged council to retain the current airport manager, Angie Jansen, and several speakers accused staff and a review committee of poor process and unauthorized disclosure of bid details.

City Manager Rob Boyer told the council the city issued a request for qualifications and that three timely proposals were reviewed by an operator review committee. "The lowest responsible quote was submitted by Mr. Jeff Modica of Freeport, Illinois at $157,500 per year," Boyer said, and staff recommended awarding the operator agreement to Modica to avoid a gap when the current operator's contract expires Oct. 1. Boyer said approving the committee recommendation would "ensure continuity of operations and minimize cost to the city."

Tenants and other members of the aviation community spoke at length in public comment, offering written letters and in-person remarks. Several written…