Committee recommends approval of two airport lease actions as enplanements rise

The Alpena County Facilities, Capital & Strategic Planning Committee on Feb. 18 recommended approval of two airport lease actions and heard an operations update from Airport Manager Mick Higgins.

Manager Mick Higgins told the committee that enplanements are up 260 compared with the same period last year and that contract fuel sales for January exceeded last year’s totals while retail sales lagged because weather limited flying. He said all airport equipment is operational, T-hangar construction will be re-bid with work expected to begin in spring 2026, and two runway plows are on track for delivery in May 2026. Higgins also said the airport will add cameras instead of inspection ladders at no additional cost and that an updated airport layout program is awaiting Federal Aviation Administration approval.

On a separate agenda item, the committee discussed a lease with Bay Leasing and Renting d/b/a Avis Rent A Car. Higgins said the lessee has operated at the airport since Nov. 1, 2025, and the committee was told the lease would be backdated. Commissioners voted unanimously to recommend approval of the lease, which the committee recorded as a one‑year agreement backdated to Nov. 1, 2025, at $1,500 per year with an option for a one‑year extension by mutual consent.

The committee also reviewed an assignment of a quarter interest in a quad hangar from Howard E. Riley Jr. to Edward (Mick) Higgins. The document’s Exhibit A was noted as incorrect and will be revised; Manager Higgins said he will provide a corrected exhibit showing how the quad hangars are configured. The committee recommended approval of the lease assignment effective Oct. 1, 2025, for premises at 1435 Airport Road.

Both lease recommendations will be forwarded to the full county board for final action.