St. Mary’s Commissioners Set Public Hearing On Airport Terminal And Pergola Rental Policy

CALIFORNIA, Md. — A newly improved gathering space at St. Mary’s County Regional Airport could soon become easier for community groups, nonprofits and private organizations to reserve under a proposed county policy establishing rental fees and rules for its use.

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County voted unanimously Tuesday, Aug. 25, to hold a public hearing on the proposed Walter Francis Duke Airport Terminal and Pergola Usage Policy and License Agreement.

The hearing is scheduled for the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 15. Commissioners did not adopt the policy Tuesday; the vote begins the public review process and gives residents an opportunity to comment before a final decision is considered.

John B. Norris III, director of the St. Mary’s County Department of Public Works & Transportation, said interest in using the airport terminal has grown as the facility has expanded.

“The public has really taken quite an interest in the Walter Francis Duke Airport, and they always have,” Norris told commissioners. “The terminal itself is a great location for some events, and the conference room is already being scheduled out for some uses. The pergola has been a nice addition to the facility.”

Creating A Formal Reservation Process

People and organizations may already use portions of the terminal, but the proposed policy would replace informal practices with a centralized reservation system administered by the airport manager.

It would cover three spaces at the county-owned airport at 44200 Airport Road: the terminal conference room, terminal atrium and outdoor pergola.

Norris said the policy would help staff manage scheduling conflicts, establish market-based rates and prepare the county to eventually offer online reservations.

“It formalizes the process,” Norris said. “It sets the rates in a market-rate condition and satisfies grant requirements that those funds go back into the investment the county has made in the airport and the terminal.”

Norris said the county is working toward establishing an online reservation portal, but the policy must first be in place.

Under the proposal, requests would generally have to be submitted at least two weeks before an event. Events involving alcohol would require at least four weeks’ notice.

Government And Aviation Uses Receive Priority

The draft establishes five reservation levels intended to determine which event receives preference when multiple groups request the same space.

County and airport business would receive the highest priority and would not be charged. That category includes county government activities, airport business, terminal tenants and the Civil Air Patrol.

Airport-sponsored events and aviation activities open to the public would receive the second-highest priority and could qualify for waived or reduced fees. Examples include aviation education programs, flight safety seminars and pilot proficiency clubs.

County-sponsored programs would be third, followed by nonprofit and community organizations. For-profit organizations and private events, including birthday parties, receptions and corporate gatherings, would receive the fifth priority and pay premium rates.

Reservations would generally be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis within each priority level.

Norris said the priority system would give the airport a way to resolve conflicts that does not currently exist.

“We have no way to resolve conflicts today,” Norris said. “So, if it were to be scheduled for two different events, there is a priority system that prioritizes the users.”

He also confirmed that the Civil Air Patrol would remain able to use the facility under its longstanding relationship with the airport.

Proposed Fees Vary By Space And Event

Rental costs would depend on the facility, the purpose of the event and whether it takes place during regular business hours.

During weekday business hours, proposed nonprofit and community rates include:

• Conference room: $75 for a half day or $125 for a full day.
• Terminal atrium: $150 for a half day or $250 for a full day.
• Pergola: $100 for a half day or $175 for a full day.

Proposed for-profit and private-event rates include:

• Conference room: $150 for a half day or $250 for a full day.
• Terminal atrium: $300 for a half day or $500 for a full day.
• Pergola: $200 for a half day or $350 for a full day.

Refundable cleaning and damage deposits would also apply. After-hours use would carry a proposed $50 hourly surcharge, while weekend use would carry a $75 hourly surcharge. A staff presence fee of $45 per hour could also be charged when airport personnel must remain on-site outside regular business hours.

An alcohol permit would carry a $50 administrative fee.

The proposal states that fees would be based on the nature of each event, rather than only the type of organization hosting it. Staff would consider whether an event is open to the public, connected to aviation or dependent on airport-specific facilities.

Revenue Would Remain At The Airport

During the discussion, commissioners asked whether rental proceeds would become general county revenue.

“It is revenue directly to the airport,” Norris said, adding that the money would not go into the county’s general fund. “It will have to be directed back into that facility — into the terminal and the runway, the master plan.”

The county has received state and federal financial assistance for airport improvements. According to the proposed resolution, revenue generated from terminal facilities must be spent for the airport’s benefit in accordance with applicable grant requirements.

Norris acknowledged that the rentals are not expected to produce substantial revenue but said the policy could encourage greater use of the county facility.

Protecting Airport Operations

The policy is not intended to interfere with aircraft activity or businesses operating from the terminal, Norris said.

“It’s not intended to interfere with the Bird Dog Bistro or any of the tenants that are in the facility inside the terminal,” Norris said. “It is intended that it makes the facility more available for the public and, frankly, starts to generate some revenue.”

Occupancy would be limited to 28 people in the conference room, 100 in the terminal atrium and 150 in the pergola area.

Norris said the proposed 100-guest limit for the atrium accounts for people who may already be working in offices, dining at the bistro or otherwise occupying the building. The limit is intended to keep total occupancy within fire marshal requirements.

The proposal also includes rules for parking, outside vendors, temporary outdoor structures, portable restrooms, alcohol service and access to restricted airport areas.

Renters would generally be required to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of $1 million per occurrence and $3 million in the aggregate, naming the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County as an additional insured.

Public Comment Opens Before Final Decision

The county plans to advertise the hearing in two consecutive newspaper notices on Sept. 4 and Sept. 11. The proposed policy will also be available for review and written comments.

Residents may comment during the Sept. 15 hearing or submit written feedback during the public comment period. Under the proposed timeline, the record would remain open until 5 p.m. Sept. 22.

Commissioners are expected to consider the comments and could decide whether to adopt or revise the policy during their Sept. 29 meeting.

“We would come back in after the public comment period closed and ask the commissioners if there are any changes you would like to make based upon the public’s input,” Norris said.

Watch the full meeting at 27:44 below.

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