The Kenai City Council approved an ordinance Wednesday night to overhaul the lease process of airport reserve lands.
City Attorney Scott Bloom detailed some of the reasons the city is working to repeal, rename, and reenact Kenai Municipal code relating to leasing of airport reserve lands.
Bloom: “We’re doing this to develop a leasing program at the airport designed to promote growth, development and a thriving aviation community.”
A memo in the ordinance states that a working group made up of City Administrators received input from leaseholders, financial institutions, airport users, City commissions, and the Council to work on some of the main goals, including:
- Making the leasing program more competitive with other airports to attract new leases and retain existing lease holders;
- Reducing large changes in rental rates from year to year;
- Developing a process for rent increases that reduced controversy and appeals;
- Simplifying the application process;
- Standardizing the leasing process and providing transparency; and
- Providing an exit process for leaseholders.
The ordinance was approved unanimously after numerous amendments.
Bloom stated the fee schedule of airport land leases will also need to be updated via a resolution to the City Council.
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