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Council approves updated lease with airport authority for Bridal Canyon Golf Course to meet FAA rules
Summary
The council approved a new lease requiring the city to pay fair‑market rent to the Lewiston‑Nez Perce County Regional Airport Authority for Bridal Canyon Golf Course, reflecting FAA requirements for non‑aeronautical property and including a 3% annual escalation and conditions tied to prior Land and Water Conservation Fund grant encumbrances.
The Lewiston City Council approved an updated lease with the Lewiston‑Nez Perce County Regional Airport Authority for the golf course located within the airport footprint, a change driven by Federal Aviation Administration rules that require non‑aeronautical airport property be leased at fair market value.
City Attorney Jennifer Tingano explained the airport must lease non‑aeronautical properties at fair market value under FAA policy. The revised lease resets the rent to a fair‑market level (an airport appraisal figure was discussed during the meeting) and includes a 3% annual escalation for subsequent years. Tingano also highlighted grant encumbrances from Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars used to acquire or improve the property and warned that any change away from public recreational use could carry grant‑repayment obligations and environmental assessment responsibilities.
Council members questioned valuation, whether the city could re‑evaluate the appraisal, and the fiscal impact. Councilor Spickelmeyer moved to approve the lease; the council voted to authorize the mayor to execute the agreement. Councilors also discussed alternatives and the potential need for a city‑funded valuation if the city pursued a different appraisal.
The lease preserves the city’s ability to have CourseCo (the golf operations manager) continue operations if termination occurs between the city and the airport authority. Tingano noted that prior federal guidance and airport notices prompted the update, and that the airport authority had already approved the updated lease.
Ending: The council authorized execution of Resolution 2025‑42 implementing the updated lease; staff will continue to monitor compliance with grant conditions and FAA obligations and will present options if the city seeks to challenge valuation or pursue different arrangements.
