Houston council decided to close the airport for all uses and events at the airport.
At the council meeting last week Tuesday, CAO Linda Poznikoff said the District has been getting lots of requests for airport use and parking fees, and staff needs direction about fees.
Poznikoff says previously they only had an aircraft parking fee of $12 per month, and recommended aircraft parking fees change to $20 per month for personal use, and $100 per week or $350 per month for commercial use.
With the discussion about the airport, Councillor Rick Lundrigan says council decided last July that the airport didn't need to be closed for driver training.
"I find that dangerous," said Lundrigan.
He says he found out since then that cones and pylons were left on the airstrip overnight between the days of a Saturday, Sunday driving school event.
Lundrigan says his concern is liability, and made a recommendation to council to close the airport for any function on the airstrip that doesn't involve planes and to charge $100 fee.
Councillor Shane Brienen seconded the motion.
Lundrigan said they could subcategorize the bylaw to say they wouldn't close the airport for functions using just the airport parking lot, but then that would bring up liability issues if someone were to run out to the airstrip.
Mayor Bill Homberg says he thinks the best way is to just close the airport.
"That's just the simplest, cleanest way," he said.
Council agreed it would be best to close the airport for 24 hours for any function held there.
CAO Linda Poznikoff said they also had an issue in the past where old fuel drums were left behind, so they recommended that council ask for a $1,000 deposit and proof of liability insurance.
Council agreed, and voted in favour the motion to close the airport and charge $100 for any functions there.