18 - AIRPORT HANGAR LEASE POLICYItem No. 18
memorandum
TO: Mayor & City Council
FROM: John Godwin, City Manager
SUBJECT: AIRPORT HANGAR LEASE POLICY
DATE: September 8, 2015
BACKGROUND: The airport advisory board has for a very long time discussed and debated
making changes to the existing airport hangar lease documents. Some members believe the lease
is too complicated and onerous, and may therefore be a hindrance to individuals constructing
new hangars at Cox Field.
STATUS OF ISSUE: As a first step, at its last meeting the board approved recommending a new
ground lease policy for privately -built hangars for consideration by the city council. There are
three major changes in the new recommended policy: The basic lease period would be extended
from 25 years to 40 years, the lease cost per square foot would be increased from $0.25 to $0.40,
and some of the insurance requirements are reduced.
The policy is not the same thing as the lease agreement, but only the basis therefor. The board
plans to bring back changes to the actual ground lease document at a later date.
BUDGET: NA
RECOMMENDATION: Approve recommended policy.
COX FIELD AIRPORT
PARIS, TEXAS
LEASE POLICY (REVISED)
FOR PRIVATELY BUILT HANGARS
I. PURPOSE AND GOALS OF POLICY
All leases for privately built hangars constructed after the effective date of this policy and located on Cox
Field Airport property will be considered when the proposed use is consistent with the Airport Master
Plan. It is the goal of the City of Paris to encourage high quality development, continued maintenance
and enhancement of facilities, and balanced uses of the Airport including a diversity of based aircraft
and businesses. This policy will help insure the Airport will receive an appropriate return on the City's
airport asset while providing equitable development opportunities for present and future leaseholders.
This policy addresses new leases, extensions, renewals, and lease rates by:
• Establishing hangar development sizes with corresponding lease terms.
• Establishing uniform lease rates for Cox Field Airport.
• Encouraging full property utilization and preventing land- banking.
• Ensuring compliance with all State and Federal laws and grant assurances.
II. APPLICABILITY
This policy is applicable to all privately built hangars constructed after the effective date of this policy
and located on Cox Field Airport properties.
III. INITIAL LEASE
Initial leases require the submission of an application in a form specified by the City to be filed with the
City Manager. Thereafter, if all prerequisites are satisfied, a Cox Field Airport Standard Ground Lease
shall be prepared by the City and the appropriate support documentation shall be forwarded to the
Airport Director and subsequently to the Airport Advisory Board for review to determine the viability of
a proposed project and recommendation to the City Council. The lessee shall be required to carry a
construction bond or proof of financial wherewithal to complete the construction of the proposed
facilities. The term of the lease granted will be 40 years.
IV. LEASES AFTER EXPIRATION OF INITIAL LEASES
Tenants of hangars which are built by the Tenant as consideration for a long -term ground lease shall be
given the right -of- first - refusal for the lease of such hangar upon the expiration of the initial lease. The
monthly rental rate for such hangars shall be determined as set out herein.
V. TERMS OF LEASES
A. Background
The City of Paris based this policy on recommendations of the Airport Advisory Board and the results of
a study of other airports conducted by the Legal Department and presented in August 2001. The lease
terms and rate termination methods have been adopted through a public vote of the City Council of the
City of Paris and are herein incorporated.
The term of Ground Leases on which the tenant intends to construct improvements begins at 40 years
and may be renegotiable every 5 years. These terms were adopted to encourage development of the
Airport and provide sufficient time for investors to amortize their investment.
As a practical matter and good business for the City, Lessees and lenders have a reasonable length of
time to realize an acceptable rate of return on the project prior to the potential reversion of the
improvement to the City.
B. Transferability
The ground lease will be transferable providing the lessor and lessees approved and the new lessee
assumes all responsibility and the lease agreement. Lessee agrees to pay the City of Paris, Texas, as
lessor as rental for the use and occupancy of the leased premises and for then privileges, rights, uses
and interest as above set forth accounting to the following.
All construction should contribute to furthering the City of Paris's Airport Master Plan or Airport
development objectives.
VI. GROUND LEASES RATES
The following is the ground lease rate to each new privately built hangar located at Cox Field Airport:
$0.20 per sq. ft. per year, adjusted every five (5) years by an amount equal to the Consumer
Price Index (CPI) for the previous five (5) years.
All leases shall have a five (5) year CPI clause.
VII. MAINTENANCE: GOOD CONDITION & REPAIR
Requiring a tenant to maintain property and facilities in good condition and repair, while always
important, becomes critical as end of long -term leases approaches. Securing title to leasehold
improvements at the expiration of a lease is of little value to the City or Airport if the improvements are
not representative of Airport standards or suitable for lease to a desirable tenant at rates meeting
Airport expectations. Particular attention should be focused on major cost issues such as foundations,
structural components of buildings, roofs, wall systems, hangar doors, electrical systems, etc. Sheet
metal roofs and walls should be maintained to be free from leaks and significant damage and should be
painted as necessary to prevent and retard rusting and to enhance appearance as original finishes
deteriorate. Painting, carpeting, and other similar items are typical of maintenance and lease expenses
expected of tenants. Good maintenance is an annual, on -going obligation. Any level of clutter, junky or
unkempt appearance will not be tolerated.
VIII. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION OF LEASEHOLD
Tenant shall conduct its operation and maintain the leasehold in such a manner as to be free of
environmental contamination.
IX. COMPLIANCE WITH CITY BUILDING CODE
Construction of all private hangars shall be conducted in full conformance with the City's Building Code,
including the payment of all building inspection fees or other fees associated with construction. All
necessary plans required for review and approval of the project shall be timely submitted. Any and all
provisions of the City's Building Code applicable to hangar structures shall be complied with in full.
X. TIME FOR CONSTRUCTION
All privately built hangars shall be constructed within eighteen (18) months of approval of a lease
agreement. Failure to timely complete construction of the hangar shall be considered a breach of the
lease agreement and subject the tenant to all customary remedies for such breach.
XI. USE OF THE HANGAR
The hangar shall be used in accordance with the City's established policy for airport purposes only and in
conformance with the requirements of the City's master lease agreement. For all new lease agreements
covered under this policy, no hangar shall be used as a residence or shall be used for residential
purposes. However, such items as a sink, bathroom, or associated facility to allow temporary overnight
stay or perhaps occasional social uses of a portion of the hangar, will be permitted.
XII. TAXES
The tenant shall be responsible for all taxes, if any, including ad valorem taxes or other similar taxes,
which may be assessed upon the hangar and other improvements, or any other equipment or property
associated with the hangar. The lease shall require the tenant to accept full responsibility for payment
of such taxes and to indemnify the City for any such payment.
XIII. INSURANCE
The master lease agreement shall include provisions requiring the tenant to maintain during the life of
the lease general liability insurance. All costs of such insurance shall be borne by the tenant.
XIV. MASTER LEASE AGREEMENT
The City's master lease agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto and for all purposes incorporated
herein, shall provide the framework for lease agreements between future private hangar tenants and
the City. The master lease agreement may be revised or amended only with the approval of the City
Council.