Council approves new lease terms with airport authority for Bridal Canyon Golf Course under FAA fair-market rules

Lewiston’s City Council approved a revised lease with the Lewiston–Nez Perce County Regional Airport Authority that sets updated rent for Bridal Canyon Golf Course to reflect a fair-market valuation and complies with Federal Aviation Administration rules for non-aeronautical airport property.

Why it matters: The golf course sits on airport-authority property subject to FAA grant assurances and uses for which the authority must receive fair market value when leasing non-aeronautical land. The updated lease translates a recent appraisal into a new rent schedule with a 3% annual escalator to track inflation and FAA expectations.

City attorney Jennifer Tingano explained that although the city operates the course and previously paid below-market rents, changes in federal guidance and an airport authority appraisal required updated terms. The airport authority—responsible to the FAA—must ensure commercial (non-aeronautical) leases reflect fair market rent unless a statutory or grant exception applies.

Key lease points - Rent and escalator: The new lease sets rent at the appraised fair-market value (discussed in council comments as higher than prior figures) and includes a 3% annual increase to remain aligned with market conditions. - Grant encumbrance: The property was originally improved with a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant that requires recreational public use; the lease retains language addressing potential changes in use and assigns responsibility to the airport authority if grant conditions are violated. - Management continuity: The agreement allows the airport authority to continue the city—s existing management contract (CourseCo) if the lease terminates and the airport wishes to assume operations directly.

Council discussion and vote Councilors asked whether the adjustment would threaten the course’s existence or transfer the property out of recreational use. Tingano said the lease is primarily a commercial valuation update; she emphasized a clause that would require the authority to address federal grant obligations and potential repayment if the recreational use were abandoned.

A motion to approve Resolution 2025-42 was made by Councilor Wright and seconded by Council President Klayberg. The council voted to approve the lease update; recorded votes showed the motion passed with a majority of councilors in favor.

What comes next Staff said the revised lease will be executed and the city will continue its management relationship with CourseCo under the updated financial terms. Procurement and budget staff will account for the new lease payments in upcoming budget monitoring and capital planning.

Ending Supporters told the council the course provides recreation and uses airport property for an active public purpose; opponents urged vigilance on accounting for earlier city investments. The council approved the lease update which staff said keeps the golf course operating while meeting FAA requirements.