The ongoing improvements and future plans for Teague’s municipal airport will soon be drafted into a letter of intent expressing the city’s commitment to keep the airport open, and continuing repairs and development.

Aldermen approved the submission of the letter be made to the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TXDOT) aviation department as the first step in the process of establishing availability of additional grant monies to aid in bringing the airport up to standards and hopefully generating revenue for the City.

According to City Administrator/Secretary Theresa Prasil, in 2013 under a previous administration, TXDOT was misinformed by officials that the City intended to close the airport.

She shared that she could find no official record that action was ever taken authorizing the closure. She told the Council that basic maintenance and mild improvements have been being made to the airfield since that time.

With the help of grants received, repairs to the lighting system, wind sock, and pilot’s lounge have been completed.

As the only public airport in Freestone County, with competitively low fuel prices and eight city-owned hangars, Prasil reports that the airport is well used and highly sought after.

She shared that the City receives regular phone calls regarding fuel availability and hangar rentals, which has maintained a waiting list of at least fifteen people for several years.

Businesses have also expressed interest in operating at the airfield in letters of intent submitted to Teague’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) who Prasil says intends to assist the City with the airport.

Prasil encouraged the Council to consider the benefit of sales and property tax should they choose to pursue methods of generating revenue from the airport.

She explained that drafting a letter of intent to TXDOT detailing a timeframe of five to ten years of improvement, repairs and plans, including repairs and improvements made to the airfield over the last few years, would help the city branch out to more grant opportunities.

Currently assistance has been available through state funds, but by showing interest Prasil says the City will eventually become applicable for additional grants.

In the mean time, Prasil suggests focusing on the sale of fuel and resurfacing the runway.

She explained that Teague’s municipal airport has long maintained a reputation for competitive fuel prices attracting many pilots to the field.

According to Prasil, the fuel system is not broken, but will need repair. She told Aldermen that the EDC has expressed interest in assisting with the distribution of fuel at the airport.

With a unanimous vote, Aldermen voted to sign the letter of intent expressing their interest in operating and expanding the Teague Municipal Airport.

The Council, led by Alderwoman Marilyn Michaud in the absence of Mayor James Monks and Mayor Pro Tem Ron Rasbeary, reviewed the consent agenda and old business.

Aldermen voted to take no action on financial reports from the City of Fairfield for the TDCJ Operation and Maintenance Fund for the months of June, July, August, and September; or their Operating Plan for the TDCJ water and wastewater facilities.

Prasil told the Council that this information has not been received from the City of Fairfield. Aldermen later passed on accepting the Financial Report for October as it was also not received.

Homeowner Ricky Sims was in attendance to brief the Council on the latest in his process of obtaining the Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant through FEMA to elevate his home on Mimosa Lane.

Sims has suffered multiple floods in his home, prompting him to seek the City’s assistance in applying for the grant to protect his property.

He presented the Council with bids received from home elevation contractors to perform the work of raising his home onto beams.
Sims and the Council agreed that they bid would go to Achitectura, a Dallas based architectural firm.

In other business, Aldermen approved an updated Master Service Agreement with TRC Engineers, Inc., their longtime engineering firm; and the 2019 Calendar Year Holiday Schedule for the City of Teague was approved with no changes.

The Council conducted a closed executive session with their attorney, Kevin Curley of Messer, Rockefeller, and Fort, to discuss the pending lawsuit against the City of Teague, taking no action once back in open session.