The Smithville Board of Mayor and Aldermen Monday night accepted a bid from Highland Aviation of Crossville to become the new Fixed Based Operator of the Airport, subject to the new tenant’s approval after a review and inspection of the property.
John J. Keigans, Jr. is the owner and director of maintenance of Highland Aviation, a company which has been the Fixed Based operator of the Crossville Memorial Airport since 2001.
As the General Fixed Base Operator, Highland proposes to pay the City of Smithville $350 per month for rental fees in association with the FBO facilities. Highland will also market the facilities associated with the Smithville Municipal Airport.
Under terms of the agreement, Highland will provide sale and dispensation of aviation gasoline fuels and oils. Smithville will provide adequate and environmentally safe facilities for the storage and dispensation of these fuels.
Highland will provide tie-down space for a minimum of ten aircraft; provide adequate and efficient ramp service; provide one mechanic over a 40 hour work period per week for the maintenance of local and transient aircraft; insure that all necessary equipment and tools are available; and provide flight instruction
Highland will pay the city three cents for every gallon of fuel sold, work with the city to provide the necessary equipment to move and store aircraft, and provide oil as necessary to service all transient stored aircraft.
Highland will use leased hangar space to provide cover for any aircraft upon which maintenance is being performed; provide sufficient shop space and adequate equipment to perform top overhauls as required for FAA certification. Maintenance will be available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on an as-call basis. Highland will use available space for the washing and cleaning of aircraft. No aircraft will be stored for salvage operation without notification of the city administrators.
Highland, through its flight school in Crossville, will provide one instructor for single engine land airplanes by appointment and meet and continue to uphold all requirements of the FAA for proposed flight training. Highland will also provide a ground instructor to provide instruction sufficient to enable students to pass the FAA written examinations.
In other business, the aldermen voted 3 to 2 to give city attorney Sarah Cripps a pay raise.
Cripps says her monthly retainer fee of $1,250 has not been increased since she was named city attorney eight years ago and that her workload for the city has increased within the last couple of years.
Alderman Paul Young made a motion that Cripps’ pay be increased to $1,500 per month. Alderman Aaron Meeks seconded the motion and Alderman Cecil Burger voted with Young and Meeks to approve the pay raise. Aldermen Steve White and W.J. (Dub) White voted against it because money for the pay raise was not budgeted this year.
The board also approved on first reading, an ordinance that authorizes fees to the public for the inspection and copying of public records.
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