City Council voted Tuesday night to table a decision on a proposed lease agreement with a North Carolina-based fixed-base operator to provide fuel sales and other aviation services at Danville Regional Airport.
The move came after a public hearing during which several citizens urged City Council to choose instead General Aviation and Averett University as the operator.
Mayor Alonzo Jones called for a special workshop to be scheduled for further discussion on the matter.
The City of Danville owns Danville Regional Airport, but it contracts with an operator to handle services such as fuel sales, aircraft maintenance, and flight instruction. General Aviation is the current fixed-base operator and has served in that capacity for many years. Averett provides flight training at the airport through its aviation program.
In May, the Danville Regional Airport Commission voted 5-1 to recommend City Council choose Lexington, N.C.-based Fly High, Inc., as the airport’s operator.
Several other matters were on the agenda Tuesday night. City Council voted to:
- Accept a state grant of $4,500 to assist local arts organizations.
- Accept a grant of $110,000 for a three-year mentor and opioid prevention program.
- Require new City of Danville employees to contribute a portion of their salary to the Employees’ Retirement System. Currently, all contributions to the retirement system are made by the City. The change goes into effect Sept. 1.
- Extend a moral obligation covering an extended loan period for 145 Cane Creek Boulevard. This property is owned by the Industrial Development Authority and is mortgaged through a loan with Virginia Bank & Trust. The bank has agreed to extend this loan for six months and requested the City to also extend the existing moral obligation.
- Enter into a turn-back agreement with Transco.
Also, a first reading was held on two matters. One reading would increase the City’s ability to issue bonds. The other reading provides for additional federal and state funding for pavement infrastructure projects at the Danville Regional Airport.
A first reading is an introductory step required by City code. This step serves to provide public notice of pending action. The earliest vote that can take place will be the Sept. 3 City Council meeting.
City Council met in a business session followed by a work session. In work sessions, Council reviews non-routine matters that will be voted upon in future business meetings.
During last night’s work session, the City Council discussed a proposed modular home pilot project for the Monument Street-Berryman area. The matter will be placed on the agenda for the Sept. 3 business session of City Council.
