BOARD WANTS AIRPORT OPERATIONS RESTRUCTURED

The Cape Girardeau Airport Board and city staff disagree over how the airport should be run.

The advisory board has recommended that the airport operate as a separate department instead of as a division of the Public Works Department. The city's top administrators contend that the current arrangement has worked well.

The issue will be discussed at a joint meeting of the City Council and the Airport Board. The meeting will be held at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport March 7 at 4 p.m.

"We are looking at long-term improvement," said Airport Board Chairman Bill Walker.

The board wants the airport manager to report directly to City Manager J. Ronald Fischer.

Currently, Airport Manager Greg Chenoweth reports to Doug Leslie, who is both Public Works director and assistant city manager.

Airport board member Steve Robertson said the board believes the airport should have the same status as the police, fire and other city departments. Robertson said the airport manager is a "stepchild" in the city administration.

Robertson and other board members said the proposed restructuring would give more authority to the airport manager.

The airport is being run by a professional manager. "He needs a direct line to City Hall," Robertson said.

Walker said the airport historically hasn't been a priority of city government. But Fischer said the city has spent millions of dollars in recent years on airport improvements, including renovation of the airport terminal.

Fischer said there is no need to restructure the administration of the airport.

In a recent memorandum to council members, Fischer and Leslie said that cities such as Joplin, Columbia and Jefferson City operate their airports as part of other city departments, such as parks and recreation or public works.

Cape Girardeau only has had a full-time airport manager since the 1990 fiscal year.

In the 1970s, the airport operated as part of the Parks and Recreation Department. In the 1980s, it came under the control of the police chief.

The airport has been under the control of Public Works for the past four years. Fischer said the arrangement makes sense.

Chenoweth, who has only been running the airport for a couple of months, said the facility has only one maintenance worker and must rely on Public Works crews for assistance.

Public Works crews assist in everything from road repair to storm drainage.

"I am a little cautious about losing some of the support that we get from Public Works," Chenoweth said.