Airport board, county commission already backed action

Airport board, county commission already backed action

The Havre City Council Tuesday approved a contract setting the anti-poverty organization Opportunity Link Inc. as the manager of the Havre City-County Airport.

"It's to help us meet federal regulations at the airport," said Lowell Swenson, city clerk and finance director.

Opportunity Link stepped in last fall when federal requirements made it appear the local airport could lose its classification allowing passenger air service. Jim Lyons, who also is the executive director of the North Central Montana Transit system, agreed to help manage the airport for Opportunity Link, and Opportunity Link used grant funding to provide workers to take care of required tasks, including snow removal and maintenance during the winter. They worked with the airport's one full-time employee.

Swenson said the grant funding has run out for the positions, but the airport board wants to maintain the services of Opportunity Link.

"(The airport board) just thought this was in the best interests of the city and county," he said.

"It sounds like a good deal," Council President Allen "Woody" Woodwick said.

Under the contract, Opportunity Link will be paid $5,612.67 a month, with the cost shared by the city and county governments. That money would be used by Opportunity Link to pay for the management and additional employees as necessary, including paying worker's compensation and benefits, Swenson said.

He said the airport board and the Hill County Commission already have approved the contract. The amount was included in the preliminary budget approved by the City Council last week under its airport expenses.

Council member Pam Hillery asked about ending the relationship if the city or county was unhappy with how things were going at the airport. She said the work being done there now is excellent, but if the people providing the work — and the city's approval of that work — were to change, there needs to be a way to get out of the contract.

"It really is being very well-run right now, but I think it's largely on the strength of an individual, or a couple of individuals," she said.

Woodwick and Swenson both said a 60-day notice clause was included in the contract to allow either side to end the agreement, with enough time for alternate arrangements to be made.

"There have been some good things going on at the airport …," Woodwick added. "Any developments at the airport help developments around our community."

Local resident Chuck Grant commented before the council approved the contract that the city should utilize Opportunity Link in any way possible.

"Whatever we need, they're in a position to help, because that's what they do," Grant said. "I think it will help the city a lot."Airport board, county commission already backed action

The Havre City Council Tuesday approved a contract setting the anti-poverty organization Opportunity Link Inc. as the manager of the Havre City-County Airport.

"It's to help us meet federal regulations at the airport," said Lowell Swenson, city clerk and finance director.

Opportunity Link stepped in last fall when federal requirements made it appear the local airport could lose its classification allowing passenger air service. Jim Lyons, who also is the executive director of the North Central Montana Transit system, agreed to help manage the airport for Opportunity Link, and Opportunity Link used grant funding to provide workers to take care of required tasks, including snow removal and maintenance during the winter. They worked with the airport's one full-time employee.

Swenson said the grant funding has run out for the positions, but the airport board wants to maintain the services of Opportunity Link.

"(The airport board) just thought this was in the best interests of the city and county," he said.

"It sounds like a good deal," Council President Allen "Woody" Woodwick said.

Under the contract, Opportunity Link will be paid $5,612.67 a month, with the cost shared by the city and county governments. That money would be used by Opportunity Link to pay for the management and additional employees as necessary, including paying worker's compensation and benefits, Swenson said.

He said the airport board and the Hill County Commission already have approved the contract. The amount was included in the preliminary budget approved by the City Council last week under its airport expenses.

Council member Pam Hillery asked about ending the relationship if the city or county was unhappy with how things were going at the airport. She said the work being done there now is excellent, but if the people providing the work — and the city's approval of that work — were to change, there needs to be a way to get out of the contract.

"It really is being very well-run right now, but I think it's largely on the strength of an individual, or a couple of individuals," she said.

Woodwick and Swenson both said a 60-day notice clause was included in the contract to allow either side to end the agreement, with enough time for alternate arrangements to be made.

"There have been some good things going on at the airport …," Woodwick added. "Any developments at the airport help developments around our community."

Local resident Chuck Grant commented before the council approved the contract that the city should utilize Opportunity Link in any way possible.

"Whatever we need, they're in a position to help, because that's what they do," Grant said. "I think it will help the city a lot."

The Havre City Council Tuesday approved a contract setting the anti-poverty organization Opportunity Link Inc. as the manager of the Havre City-County Airport."It's to help us meet federal regulations at the airport," said Lowell Swenson, city clerk and finance director. Opportunity Link stepped in last fall when federal requirements made it appear the local airport could lose its classification allowing passenger air service. Jim Lyons, who also is the executive director of the North Central Montana Transit system, agreed to help manage the airport for Opportunity Link, and Opportunity Link used grant funding to provide workers to take care of required tasks, including snow removal and maintenance during the winter. They worked with the airport's one full-time employee.Swenson said the grant funding has run out for the positions, but the airport board wants to maintain the services of Opportunity Link."(The airport board) just thought this was in the best interests of the city and county," he said."It sounds like a good deal," Council President Allen "Woody" Woodwick said.Under the contract, Opportunity Link will be paid $5,612.67 a month, with the cost shared by the city and county governments. That money would be used by Opportunity Link to pay for the management and additional employees as necessary, including paying worker's compensation and benefits, Swenson said.He said the airport board and the Hill County Commission already have approved the contract. The amount was included in the preliminary budget approved by the City Council last week under its airport expenses.Council member Pam Hillery asked about ending the relationship if the city or county was unhappy with how things were going at the airport. She said the work being done there now is excellent, but if the people providing the work — and the city's approval of that work — were to change, there needs to be a way to get out of the contract."It really is being very well-run right now, but I think it's largely on the strength of an individual, or a couple of individuals," she said.Woodwick and Swenson both said a 60-day notice clause was included in the contract to allow either side to end the agreement, with enough time for alternate arrangements to be made."There have been some good things going on at the airport …," Woodwick added. "Any developments at the airport help developments around our community."Local resident Chuck Grant commented before the council approved the contract that the city should utilize Opportunity Link in any way possible. "Whatever we need, they're in a position to help, because that's what they do," Grant said. "I think it will help the city a lot."