Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Public Works
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TO: |
David L. Corliss |
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FROM: |
Chuck Soules |
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CC: |
Diane Stoddard, Cynthia Wagner, Jonathan Douglass, Steve Bennett Airport Advisory Board |
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Date: |
June 2, 2010 |
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RE: |
Lawrence Municipal Airport Revision of Minimum Standards June 8, 2010 Consent Agenda Item |
Background: In 2004 the City of Lawrence adopted minimum standards to encourage and ensure the provision of adequate service and facilities, economic health, and orderly development of aviation and aeronautical activities at Lawrence Municipal Airport http://www.lawrenceks.org/Airport/Docs/minimumstandards.html .
In 2009 the airport was presented with a proposal to perform and establish skydiving operations. The proposal was denied and subsequently the applicant filed an informal complaint with the FAA alleging that the City was in violation of its grant assurances. One issue was that the insurance requirements for skydiving operations included a requirement for product liability insurance. The language contained in the minimum standards was “generic” and included all types of coverage. Obviously, that type of coverage would not have been required if a business/operation did not produce a product. Nonetheless, the FAA requested that the City revise this section to make the insurance requirements clear for skydiving operations.
On May 19, 2010 the Airport Advisory Board approved the attached changes to the minimum standards. The changes do not require skydiving operators to carry product liability coverage. However, if the business provides products/services in addition to the skydiving operations, such as rigging, repair, packing and equipment sales, then such coverage would be required.
The FAA, City Legal Staff and the Airport Advisory Board have all approved these changes.
Action: Adopt revisions to the minimum standards for the Lawrence Municipal Airport for insurance requirements for skydiving operators.
Please let me know if there are any questions.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles F. Soules, P.E.
Director of Public Works
CFS/je
Attachments: Skydiving Operating Standard Insurance