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St. Joseph council directs staff to negotiate with Pan Am for Rosecrans FBO after local bidders speak up
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Summary
After Apex withdrew its bid, the St. Joseph City Council voted to direct staff to negotiate a lease and operations agreement with Pan Am Flight Services for fixed-base operator services at Rosecrans Memorial Airport. Two local bidders urged the council to follow the RFP scoring order; the motion passed with two abstentions.
The St. Joseph City Council voted to direct city staff to negotiate a lease and operating agreement with Pan Am Flight Services to provide fixed-base operator (FBO) services at Rosecrans Memorial Airport, a step the council approved after an out-of-town bidder withdrew and two local bidders addressed the council.
Council members moved to withdraw bill 1352-22, the ordinance that would have authorized an operating agreement with Apex Arrow Center STJ LLC, after Apex requested withdrawal. Council member Grimm moved to withdraw the bill and Council member Randolph seconded the motion; the clerk recorded the withdrawal motion as carried.
The council then considered a resolution sponsored by Council member Randolph directing staff to negotiate with Pan Am Flight Services. Lute Attia, representing Saint Joseph Air Center, and Steven Craig, a local bidder, spoke during the public-comment period. Attia urged the council to adhere to the advertised RFP scoring and selection process, saying the RFP had been rescored multiple times over the last 10 months and that, "to protect the credibility of the process, win or lose, we need to follow that process." Attia asked the council to give the second-place scorer the opportunity if the top bidder withdrew.
Steven Craig thanked the council for revisiting the process and said he believed his operation would bring significant benefits, telling the council, "I'm confident that if we're given that opportunity, you're gonna be very pleased with the results." Both speakers emphasized fairness and local economic opportunity.
Council discussion centered on whether the resolution was for immediate passage. One council member spoke in favor of Pan Am and praised Craig's local ties and possible investment, noting a potential hangar and related tax revenue for Buchanan County. The clerk then recorded the resolution vote as 7 yes, 0 no, with 2 abstentions; the motion carried.
During public comment after the vote, a resident asked why the mayor and another council member had abstained on recent airport votes. Mayor John Josedale said, "I abstained because of my personal relationship with Mister Craig," and confirmed the other abstention was because that council member's spouse works for Mr. Craig. The council did not record further recusals or disqualifications in the public record beyond those statements.
Next steps cited by council were for city staff to begin negotiations with Pan Am Flight Services under the direction of the adopted resolution; no final lease or contract terms were approved during the meeting. Several related ordinances and items were introduced for first reading during the same session, and the council approved a broad consent agenda including public-health, parks, and infrastructure contracts.
The council adjourned with no further business recorded.
