Longmont hires management group to oversee airport

Longmont has hired Aviation Management Consulting Group, or AMCG, to oversee operations at Vance Brand Airport until a full-time manager can be hired, most likely in early 2022.

AMCG will be paid $39,250 for its services, said assistant city manager Joni Marsh. AMCG has been in the aviation management business for over 20 years and is composed of a “unique blend of talented and respected aviation industry professionals who have strong credentials, proven track records and over 125 years of combined aviation industry experience,” according to the AMCG web site.

A majority of the company’s team members are pilots, the website states. Jeff Kohlman, managing principal with AMCG, will lead the Vance Brand team, Marsh said in an email.  

The city hired AMCG to fill the gap left by the death of Airport Manager David Slayter, who died Sept. 3. Slayter had put together a preliminary vision of Vance Brand’s future but his passing means expansion plans for the facility are likely to be put on hold, City Councilmember Tim Waters told the Leader earlier this month.

Contracts do not follow Longmont’s procurement code requirements, Marsh said. Most do not require review by the city council or approval as funds are allocated in the annual budget approval process to various departments and divisions, she said.

AMCG’s duties on behalf of the city of Longmont is to manage and oversee:

• Airport contractors and consultants
• Airport operations
• Enforcement of airport rules, regulations, policies and standards
• Advise on airport infrastructure and improvement management and maintenance
• Serve as a point of contact/interface with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Colorado Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics
• Compliance with FAA and CDOT Division requirements
• Liaison with airport users, tenants, and community members regarding associated leases, questions, complaints and requests
• Serve as a point of contact with the public on airport noise and operational concerns
• Capital improvement projects and associated grants
• Liaison with public safety for incident and accident response
• Liaison with city personnel on airport-related issues  

The city would like to have a new full time manager for the airport on board in the first quarter of 2022, Marsh said. Recruitment will begin in November.