His reindeer have flown above Salt Lake City's altitude rules and delivered presents with impunity for years. But, for an hour Thursday, that ability was in question.

In a Grinch-like maneuver, an aviation committee had axed the city's, ahem, Santa clause, potentially leaving Mr. Kringle to drop off gifts from thousands of feet in the air.

The change wasn't meant to be anti-Christmas. A group of owners and operators of small aircraft was making technical revisions to parts of the aviation code anyway and decided to cut the provision.

In the dry language of city ordinances, it reads: "Exemption for Flying Reindeer on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve only, flying reindeer and any cargo they may be towing shall be exempt from the 2,000-foot height restriction and other provisions of subsection A of this section."

It is believed that the language was crafted in a moment of whimsy, or Christmas-induced cheer, before the holiday in the 1980s.

Two decades later, it was deemed too lighthearted, Tim Campbell, director of airports told City Council members Thursday. "The [aviation] committee felt that particular provision was not in keeping with the overall tone and seriousness of the ordinance."

Council members, who ultimately decide the provision's fate, were naughty and then nice.

In removing the provision - albeit briefly - Councilman Dave Buhler reasoned that he may have found an out: "Can I tell my 6-year-old we took it out because Santa's already exempt?"

But Nancy Saxton made a pitch to keep it for the humor value alone. And Carlton Christensen wondered, "How do we avoid a 'Miracle on 34th Street' situation?"

In the end, council members sided with Santa.