One more phase of decision-making about Kalispell City Airport has been put on the back burner.

In light of the controversy swirling over noise and safety concerns at the airport, the City Council on Monday tabled a request to qualify Stelling Engineers as the city’s new consulting firm for the airport redevelopment project.

City Manager Jane Howington said that, although the timing was unfortunate, she carried out the City Council’s directive to search for an engineering firm and bring a recommendation back for consideration. Although the appearance may have been that the city was trying to push through the airport work before considering public input thoroughly, no money will be spent and no decisions taken until the council votes on what to do at the airport.

That vote, she pointed out, is a long way off — with a Nov. 30 public meeting scheduled to begin a scoping process for the airport.

Stelling, of Great Falls, was one of only two companies to answer the city’s request for qualifications that was advertised in August, long before protests became frequent and vocal.

Robert Peccia and Associates, headquartered in Helena but with branches in Kalispell and Butte, was the other firm submitting qualifications.

One public comment earlier in the evening had pointed the finger at Mayor Pam Kennedy, asking the council to make no decisions until after Mayor-elect Tammi Fisher and new council member Jeff Zauner take office. The speaker suggested Kennedy has an agenda to lock in an airport expansion before she leaves office.

“I was as surprised as all of you to see this on the agenda,” Kennedy told the crowd. “I have no personal agenda to vote on this until after Nov. 30.”

She then suggested tabling the motion to approve Stelling until after the Nov. 30 meeting.

Howington explained the council had asked to proceed with a request for qualifications and an environmental assessment before she arrived in Kalispell in early August. That advertisement appeared on Aug. 24 and 31, then she and three other staff members reviewed the two submissions on Sept. 17. The next step was to bring it back to council.

“It’s the staff’s responsibility to carry out the council’s [directives], not to decide when you consider what legislation,” Howington said.

“Until I’m told to cross that legislative line,” she said, she will bring forward recommendations as requested. “It is my responsibility to bring this to you.”

Making a decision on the engineer at this time, however, could have advantages, she said. Having a firm in place would shorten the wait time for an environmental assessment when it finally is required. And starting an assessment in the near future could pull out information and public comment to help the council make its decision.

Federal Aviation Administration money could fund 95 percent of any redevelopment at the airport. But to accept federal money the city must re-bid the assessment work every five years, Howington said.

“You’re right,” Kennedy told Howington. “I appreciate that you brought this forward … How long [should] you keep things shelved?”

Council member Randy Kenyon was in favor of making a decision Monday night on Stelling.

“It is appropriate to bring this up now,” Kenyon said. “This is a political decision. This is the board to do it, and this is the time to do it.”

Hank Olson took the other view, noting that “to make a decision of any kind before Nov. 30 is not [being] fully transparent.” He moved to table the vote until the Dec. 21 regular meeting.

The council approved that motion 6-2, with Kenyon and Jim Atkinson voting against it.

Reporter Nancy Kimball can be reached at 758-4483 or by e-mail at nkimball@dailyinterlake.com