Each year the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), a current office tenant at the Airport, conducts large-scale fire management operations at Billings Logan International Airport to mobilize fire fighting supplies, support services and crews during the Summer fire season. This seasonal operation includes the addition of temporary mobile structures, tents, aircraft, ground support equipment and supplies, as well as campers to accommodate the rotation of fire fighting personnel. This expanded operation is a vital component of the region's fire fighting operations and is set up on the northeast end of the Airport in the Airport Business Park.

The DNRC is requesting an exemption from BMCC Section 24-411, the City's RV and Camper Parking Ordinance, for its annual seasonal fire mobilization operation for the period beginning July 1, 2012 through October 31, 2012. The Ordinance prohibits parking for camping in anything other than an authorized tourist park, except for a 10-hour rest period in a parking lot in which the owner permits it. The Ordinance does provide for a temporary suspension of the Ordinance for a special event. The Airport will enter into a Letter of Understanding (LOU) establishing the terms and conditions of the DNRC's use of the area for these seasonal operations. The Council has granted similar requests from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), another Airport tenant, each year since 2007.

Due to the vital nature of this DNRC operation at the Airport, staff is requesting that the Council approve a standing annual waiver to the Camping Ordinance for as long as the DNRC continues to mobilize its seasonal fire fighting operations at the Airport. Each year the DNRC would be required to submit a new map of its proposed Summer staging area and sign a new LOU, which would be executed by the City Administrator.

Additionally, the DNRC has requested the temporary use of two City owned buildings at the Airport, to use during this year's seasonal fire operations. Staff has prepared a Temporary Building and Ground Lease for the DNRC's short term use of IP-8, a vacant metal building, and IP-13, the vacant Airport house, both of which are located in the Airport Business Park. Copies of the LOU and Lease are on file in the City Clerk's office.

The City Council may:

• Approve a resolution waiving the City's Camping Ordinance and allowing camper parking in the Airport's Business Park for the DNRC's annual seasonal fire mobilization operations; approve the annual LOU and the Temporary Building and Ground Lease with the DNRC; or
• Not approve a resolution waiving the City's Camping Ordinance and allowing camper parking in the Airport's Business Park for the DNRC's annual seasonal fire mobilization operations; do not approve the annual LOU and the Temporary Building and Ground Lease with the DNRC.

The DNRC will pay for any costs incurred in setting up the temporary/mobile operations, and restoring the ground area identified in the LOU to the same condition prior to this use. The DNRC will also pay seasonal rental of building space totaling approximately $7,000 for the period beginning July 1, 2012 and ending October 31, 2012.

Staff recommends that the City Council approve the following: (1) a standing resolution to temporarily suspend the Camping Ordinance to allow camper parking in the Airport's Business Park for the DNRC's annual seasonal fire mobilization operations for 48 hours on either side of the period beginning July 1 through October 31 each year, and requiring the DNRC to execute a new LOU each year, (2) the annual LOU for the 2012 fire season, and (3) a Temporary Building and Ground Lease for additional building space. Staff also recommends the City Council authorize the City Administrator to sign the annual LOU and Temporary Building and Ground Lease for any succeeding years.