Airport Commission

Airport Commission Meeting Minutes March 10, 2022 – Owatonna Degner Regional Airport 1. Call to Order Chairman Lindee called the meeting of the Airport Commission to order at 5:00 PM. 2. Roll Call Attending James Keltgen Commissioner Greg Krueger Commissioner Justin Lindee Chairman Angie Lipelt Commissioner Matt Thurnau Vice Chairman Sharon West Commissioner Dave Beaver Airport Manager Troy Klecker Community Development Director Visitors Nick Grahek Bolton and Menk 3. Approval of Agenda Commissioner Lipelt made a motion to approve the agenda and Commissioner West seconded the motion. The motion was approved. 4. Minutes Commissioner Keltgen made a motion to approve the minutes from the February 10, 2022 Airport Commission meeting and Commissioner Lipelt seconded the motion. The motion was approved. 5. Action Items Chairman Reports There were no Chairman reports. Staff Reports Airport Manager Beaver reported on airport activities and presented the combined aviation fuel volumes dispensed. The combined fuel volumes are up year to date from the previous year. Mr. Beaver briefly summarized business aircraft arrivals and flight school activity. Mr. Beaver provided a brief update on a number of operational upgrades and repairs with hangar LED lighting and bi-fold door preventive maintenance. CIP Budget Review Regarding CIP Budget review, Mr. Beaver introduced Nick Grahek with Bolton and Menk, the airport engineering firm, to discuss potential revisions. Mr. Grahek explained that the Federal Aviation Administration is requesting airports to submit revised CIP budgets to reflect any changes in eligible project timing now that the recently passed federal infrastructure bill provides additional funding to airports over the next five years. Mr. Grahek reported that the amount allocated for Owatonna is $159,000 per year or approximately $795,000 over five years towards the 90% federal share of eligible projects. Mr. Grahek presented a draft CIP revision to include prioritization of security fencing and moving planned pavement maintenance projects forward. Mr. Grahek presented preliminary a layout and budget estimate for the proposed initial phase of security fencing. There was a discussion regarding layout and type of fencing to be considered. Mr. Beaver added that projects would require City Council as well as FAA approval. After discussion, Commissioner Lipelt made a motion to recommend allocation of the available 2022 FAA infrastructure bill funding towards the proposed security fencing phase 1 project and Commissioner West seconded the motion. The motion was approved. 2022 Farm Land Lease Rates There was a discussion regarding farm land lease rates for 2022. Mr. Beaver explained that the rate for farm land parcels not included in the bid process is currently at $215 per acre. There was a discussion regarding the rate for the approximately 241.5 acres of non-bid parcels primarily at the airport. Factors such as the Steele County Extension office data, parcel farmability, operator input, and other considerations were discussed. Mr. Beaver presented data from the University of MN Extension office regarding average cropland rental rates for Steele County and discussed the anticipated average range estimates and percent increases per acre for 2022. After discussion, Commissioner Thurnau made a motion to recommend adjustment of the 2022 farm land rates for non-bid parcels to $235.00 per acre unless there is a reason presented that could be reviewed and result in a justified exception and Commissioner Keltgen seconded. The motion was approved. T-Hangar Taxi-lane and Building Design Update Mr. Grahek reported that work will be resuming on the project when weather allows. The contractor has previously ordered the building steel as stored materials approved as part of an earlier pay estimate. The project is scheduled for substantial completion by July 1, 2022. 6. Adjournment The Airport Commission meeting was adjourned at 6:00 PM with a motion made by Commissioner Lipelt and seconded by Commissioner Krueger. The motion was approved.