Longmont staff to give airport advisory board full financial analysis after board advanced landing-fee recommendation

Council members raised procedural concerns when the Airport Advisory Board (AAB) advanced a recommendation on landing fees before staff supplied the board with financial analysis and vendor information. Several members said the timing and process had been “a big hot mess” and that advisory boards are appointed by and should advise council—not direct staff intake or circumvent public procedural steps.

Staff told council the city’s purchasing and contracts team issued an RFI and three vendors responded. Sandy (staff) and the finance team will present updated financial information and five or six landing-fee options to the AAB at its Thursday meeting so the board’s recommendation can be informed by revenue‑impact scenarios. Staff said the next council packet will include the RFI responses, financial analyses and an ordinance template that would begin the charter-required process for adopting landing fees (including the 30‑day posting of rates and charges). The FAA will also be consulted during the process.

Council discussed broader concerns over advisory-board composition and procedure. Some members recommended that advisory boards submit interview questions or recommended candidate criteria rather than nominate final candidates; legal counsel reminded the group that the council’s rules of procedure prescribe that boards may interview applicants and forward recommendations but that council retains final interview and appointment authority.

Next steps: staff will present the AAB with financial data on Thursday and will bring back an ordinance to initiate landing fees in the council packet for a future meeting (staff mentioned bringing the item back on Oct. 28). Council did not vote on landing fees at the pre‑session.