City to seize land near airport

Alderman Donna Kuzemchak (D) was on vacation and not present for the meeting.

The request to seek condemnation proceedings came from Airport Manager Charlie Abell, who said this was the next step after years of unsuccessful negotiations with the landowner, William Rickman Jr.

Abell said the land has been identified for acquisition by the city for years to maintain adequate safety areas, and for a runway on the east side of the airport.

Alderman Alan E. Imhoff (R) pointed out that the land was originally donated to Hood College, which sold it to Rickman in 2003. ‘‘It has since been subdivided ... and not a working farm for quite some time,” he said.

Alderman David ‘‘Kip” Koontz (D) asked whether Rickman seemed to have a problem with the city seeking condemnation. Abell said that as a fellow airplane owner, Rickman ‘‘understands what we are trying to do ... and that this is the best way to proceed.”

The unanimous vote by aldermen in attendance permits the city’s legal department to file paperwork in court for condemnation.

Through the process, a judge or jury will decide if the city has a right to the land and set a fair market value for purchase.

New health plan approved

City employees will have a new health plan effective Oct. 1.

At their Aug. 2 meeting, the aldermen authorized Mayor W. Jeff Holtzinger to move forward in contracting with Cigna Healthcare Mid-Atlantic to provide coverage.

This is the first time in 10 years that the city has sought a new health care provider and comes after eight months of surveying employees and seeking bids for a new insurer.

According to city budget director Jon Angel, contracting with Cigna will save $920,615 this fiscal year and also save employees between 4 percent and 38 percent on premiums.

‘‘[Everyone involved] did a tremendous job,” Holtzinger said.