The Longmont City Council returned to business Tuesday evening in a meeting that lasted four hours, with a contentious discussion about airport operations and marijuana smoke in public places taking center stage.

During the general business portion of the meeting, council heard from a long succession of public commenters about airport operations, including potential changes to flight paths, lease terms and fuel options at Vance Brand Municipal Airport.

One of the biggest points of discussion was whether or not the city should begin charging landing fees, which has become a contentious issue for airport users and aviation advocates.

Several pilots and members of the public spoke during the public comment period, urging council to reconsider any plans to implement fees.

Some described the idea as a form of double taxation, arguing that many tenants at the airport already pay lease fees for their hangar space.

One of them, Anthony Clever, said he pays rent for the concrete pad where he stores his airplane and that a landing fee would “feel like being charged twice for using the same facility.”

Others pointed out that the airport serves more than just hobbyists — it supports small businesses and youth aviation programs as well.

Chad Rennicke, president of the local Experimental Aircraft Association chapter, read a statement from the organization saying members were disheartened by communication delays from the city and the airport’s funding situation.

He asked the city to consider the broader impact that new fees and regulations could have, especially on programs designed to get young people involved in aviation.

While the council didn’t vote Tuesday on whether to implement a landing fee, council has directed the city’s Airport Advisory Board to take a closer look at how the city communicates with airport users and to make suggestions for improving outreach.

Councilmember Sean McCoy urged the city to think seriously about whether the airport is on a path to financial sustainability and how best to keep it accessible while also making sure it isn’t a burden on taxpayers.

Councilmember Matthew Popkin added that any decisions about airport fees should be part of a broader conversation about the airport’s future and the needs of the community.

Indoor smoking discussed

Another issue that stirred public input was the council’s vote on an ordinance, or proposed local law, related to marijuana hospitality establishments.

Ordinance O-2025-37, which passed 6-1, allows marijuana smoking indoors in certain licensed businesses.

That part of the ordinance had been flagged by some members of the community and public health officials as a potential health risk due to secondhand smoke, especially for workers in the hospitality industry.

Heather Crate, representing Boulder County Public Health, spoke during public comment to ask the council to reject the provision allowing indoor smoking.

She warned about the dangers of secondhand smoke and raised concerns about the lack of clear standards to determine when someone may have overconsumed THC.

Georgia Rabatsikos, of Boulder County Public Health, said she worried about “air creep,” where smoke from one room leaks into another, and asked the council to consider banning indoor smoking entirely.

Popkin introduced a motion to remove the indoor smoking section from the ordinance, but it failed in a 3-4 vote.

He was joined by Councilmember Diane Crist and Mayor Joan Peck.

The rest of the council voted to keep the ordinance as written.

Popkin said the issue was less about cannabis and more about making sure workers and the public are not exposed to harmful smoke. Councilmember Aren Rodriguez, who voted to approve the ordinance, said tightly regulated spaces were better than unregulated ones.

Councilmembers who supported the ordinance said they want to create a safe and legal environment for cannabis consumption, while critics said the city should have done more to protect indoor air quality.