Modesto council OKs fee increase at airport

MODESTO -- The City Council unanimously approved on Tuesday night raising some fees and rates at the Modesto Airport by 4.3 percent.

The increase takes effect April 1 and applies to such items as landing fees and charges for hangars and the tie-downs used to secure aircraft.

City officials said pilots will pay $6 to $18 a month more for hangar space.

This is the first increase in fees and charges at the airport in four years.

City officials said they did not raise fees and charges because of the recession, when it was difficult for the airport to rent hangar space.

But the airport still faces financial challenges.

Officials said the Modesto Airport is expected to pay the full cost of fire services in the 2013-14 fiscal year, which starts July 1.

Those costs are estimated at $260,000. The airport has been paying $80,000 to $90,000 for fire services and relied on a city subsidy for the difference.

Airport officials are talking with Modesto Regional Fire Authority officials on ways to minimize the impact of the increased cost for fire services.

The City Council on Tuesday:

• Heard a presentation from Turlock Gospel Mission Executive Director Tim Guerino on his organization's experience operating a day center for the homeless. The center provides the homeless with a safe place where they can access services and not become a public nuisance. Several council members appeared supportive of having a center in Modesto, but finding a facility and the funding remain issues.

• Waived capital facilities fees for the proposed Tower Park Senior Housing development, a 50-unit affordable housing complex at 17th and G streets. Capital facilities fees are used to offset the cost of development and pay for new roads, fire stations and other public facilities. The full exemption for the project is $436,250.

• Authorized submitting a $300,000 grant application to the California Department of Transportation for the McHenry Avenue Corridor Study. The grant requires a roughly $30,000 match from the city.

— Kevin Valine