The Fort Morgan City Council on Tuesday night approved an five-year agreement with Scott Aviation to continue serving as the fixed-base operator at Fort Morgan Municipal Airport.
Scott Aviation, the current fixed-base operator was one of two companies to submit proposals to the city. The other was Northeast Plains Aviation, Inc. of Hillrose.
“We reviewed the various responses to the RFP, and in the process there was some really good information that was provided by the two entities that responded,” City Manager Jeff Wells told the council.
He said that city staff visited with representatives from the two companies and evaluated the two proposals, taking into account many things, including what might happen at airport in coming years.
“Both bidders did a great job,” Wells said. “But we really feel confident that the proposal submitted by Scott Aviation is going to be that long-term commitment and solution to what we’re dealing with the airport now and what we plan to do with it in the future.”
The agreement with Scott Aviation is for up to $30,000 a year over the five years to provide a variety of services. Each year, Scott Aviation getting that money will be subject to the council including it in that year’s city budget, though Wells pointed out.
Fort Morgan Engineering/Public Works Director Brad Curtis explained that fixed-base operator agreements are common at public-use airports the size of FMMA.
“Every airport is a little bit different in how they structure their agreements and responsibilities,” he told the council.
He had elaborated further in a memo to the council before the meeting: “Due to the size, location and nature of this airport, a fixed-base operator is established at public-use airports to provide aeronautical services such as fueling, aircraft storage, general upkeep, emergency services, etc. As such, many airports give commercial business(es) the right to utilize some of the airport’s facilities in exchange for providing services to the public needs of those utilizing the airport.”
The specific responsibilities included in the new FBO agreement include:
• “Complying with all terms and conditions contained within a negotiated agreement with the city, in addition to the applicable airport rules and regulations, all other local, state and/or federal rules which may apply and all applicable federal aviation regulations.”
• Commercial aircraft fueling, including fuel purchasing, providing a fuel truck and a self-service station and handling storage and delivery of aviation fuel products.
• Making aircraft storage available, such as tie down and hangar facilities.
• Aircraft ramp services, such as towing and parking guidance.
• Maintenance of the airfield, including mowing, snow removal and weed control.
• General upkeep, both interior and exterior, of the city’s airport buildings; the city will provide supplies like paper towels and trash bags.
• Make public facilities available for pilots and passengers, such as flight planning amenities, a pilot lounge, a passenger waiting area, a courtesy car, etc.
• Provide emergency service to disabled general aviation aircraft, such as towing or transporting.
• Employ the appropriate trained and/or certified staff trained to provide “satisfactory” FBO service.
• Operate year-round, with hours of at least 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Saturday from April to September and at least 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. from October to March.
Kyle Scott of Scott Aviation is well aware of those responsibilities, though.
“Scott Aviation has been the past FBO since probably we’ve had FBO’s,” Curtis said. “He’s continued to do a good job, and he’s worked with the city again when we’ve gone through this construction project and stayed involved. He has an established business out there.”