Airport Commission

Airport Commission Meeting Minutes October 11, 2018 – Owatonna Degner Regional Airport “DRAFT” 1. Call to Order Chairman Hale called the Airport Commission meeting to order at 5:00 PM at the Owatonna Degner Regional Airport. 2. Roll Call Attendance Todd Hale Chairman Tom Harrison Commissioner James Keltgen Vice Chairman Greg Krueger Commissioner Justin Lindee Commissioner Paula Snitker Commissioner Sharon West Commissioner Dave Beaver Airport Manager Troy Klecker Community Development Director Visitors Ron Roetzel Bolton & Menk, Inc. 3. Approval of Agenda Chairman Hale presented the agenda and Commissioner Krueger made a motion to approve and Commissioner West seconded the motion. The motion was approved. 4. Minutes Commissioner West made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 9, 2018 Airport Commission meeting and Commissioner Harrison seconded the motion. The motion was approved. There was no meeting in September. 5. Action Items Chairman Reports Chairman Hale reported that the airport movie night and Civil Air Patrol (CAP) fly-in/drive- in breakfast was held on August 25th and 26th. Mr. Hale explained that the weather was favorable for both events and it appeared that both events went well with good attendance. There was a brief discussion regarding the events, Airport Manager Beaver commented that the final numbers have not yet been reported by the CAP for breakfasts served; however, an estimated eight hundred attended. Commissioner Krueger estimated that there were approximately one hundred seventy five people in attendance for the free movie night. Airport Manager Beaver thanked all that assisted with the two events. Staff Reports Airport Manager Beaver reported on airport activities and presented the fuel volumes dispensed to date. There was a discussion regarding industry aviation fuel trends and Mr. Beaver presented data indicating increasing national pricing trends. Mr. Beaver explained that fuel pricing at the airport is consistently below the average for the region and competitive with area airports. -Storm Damage Regarding the recent area storm damage, Mr. Beaver reported that there was a power outage at the airport but no known structural damage to any hangars or buildings. The backup power generator performed well. There was a brief discussion regarding the significant storm damage at the Faribault, MN airport. Mr. Beaver reported that he has offered the assistance of the Owatonna airport to the City of Faribault airport staff and manager if any needs can be accommodated. -Maintenance Items Mr. Beaver provided an update on a number of maintenance items including anticipated drain tile repair for two different fields currently rented for farm use. Mr. Beaver also reported on the completion of the service area upgrades of cabinets and countertop. There was a brief discussion regarding the airport maintenance projects. -Farm Land Rentals Mr. Beaver explained that the bid advertisement and forms have been prepared for the available municipal land available for farm land rental. Sealed bids will be received on November 15th for four different parcels. This process is available to the public every two years and also helps establish a market farm rental rate for non-bid parcels. -Digital Advertising Regarding marketing efforts, Mr. Beaver presented the current digital advertising package and explained that the business development working group has reviewed the use of digital advertising to reach a broad range of customers across the country that may be searching for area airport options on mobile or desktop devices. Mr. Beaver explained that one of the target markets is customers seeking airport access to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Mr. Beaver provided the analytics data to date. There was a brief discussion regarding the ads and Commissioner Krueger suggested that the service branding name of Southern MN Flight Center be prominent in the ads. -Solar Farm Proposal Adjacent to Airport Property Airport Manager Beaver provided an update on the proposed solar farm adjacent to the airport property. The solar farm is near the approach end of Runway 5 on private property. Mr. Beaver explained that the site is approximately 11 acres and that Steele County held a public hearing on the development on October 1st. Mr. Beaver explained that he submitted the project to MnDOT Aeronautics for review and forwarded the inputs received back to the County Planning department. Mr. Beaver explained that the developer will be required to complete an FAA Form 7460 which is a Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration as a condition of permit. This will allow the FAA to review all aspects of the solar farm proposal including impact to air navigation, airport instrument approach procedures, and other potential impacts. Commissioner Krueger confirmed that this review condition was made part of the permit approval. -Monopole Tower Proposal Mr. Beaver presented a request for review of proposed alternative monopole tower locations in the vicinity of the airport. There was a discussion regarding three options and the impacts to airport land use and height restriction zoning. Mr. Beaver presented a diagram showing the locations overlaid on the airport zoning map. Ron Roetzel with Bolton and Menk, the airport engineering firm explained that they reviewed the locations and provided allowable heights for each; however, recommended that two of the options not be permitted due to proximity to a runway or approach end of a runway. After discussion, Mr. Beaver said that he would follow up with the applicant and City Planner. -Airport CIP Budget Mr. Beaver explained that the City of Owatonna is currently in the budget process and department review of budgets with City Council will be in the next few weeks. Mr. Beaver reported that the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget was submitted and includes prioritized projects together with eligible grant participation from both State and FAA sources. Ron Roetzel presented a draft of the CIP budget. There was a discussion on the programmed CIP items including equipment and other planned projects as identified in the Master Plan process. Airport Wildlife Hazard Management Plan Airport Manager Beaver presented the Airport Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (WHMP) and explained that the plan has been developed utilizing FAA Advisory Circular guidance and with expert technical assistance provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The plan focuses on controlling the species of concern to prevent bird strikes from gulls and geese. Mr. Beaver reported that the plan calls for a combination of control techniques and that all of the appropriate federal and state permits have been obtained and are included in the appendices. Mr. Beaver reported that coordination with all agencies tasked within the plan has been accomplished. The presence of gulls and geese is typically observed for a two to three week period of time every fall. Commissioner Keltgen said that he has reviewed the plan and will forward a number of minor edits to Mr. Beaver and suggested that the Contacts section of the plan be made part of an Appendix to make for easier revision as names change from time to time. After discussion, Commissioner Krueger made a motion to approve the Airport Wildlife Hazard Management Plan and recommend for approval to City Council and Commissioner West seconded the motion. The motion was approved. Bi-Fold Hangar Door Project Ron Roetzel with the airport engineering firm, Bolton and Menk, Inc. provided an update on the airport bi-fold door replacement project. Bolton and Menk has been working with a number of qualified companies to obtain quotes on the project and coordinate the required structural engineering component of the project that is required for both receiving quotes and the permit process. There was a general discussion regarding the project. Mr. Beaver reported that MnDOT grant participation is anticipated for this project. 6. Adjournment The Airport Commission meeting was adjourned at 6:25 PM with a motion made by Commissioner Keltgen and seconded by Commissioner Snitker.