HomeMy WebLinkAboutAirMinutes_2007_01_18Brookings Airport Board
January 18, 2007
Brookings, SD 57006
A meeting of the Brookings Airport Board was called to order by Chairperson Robb Sexauer
at 3:30 PM on Thursday, January 18, 2007, in the Meeting Room of City Hall. Members present
were Harry Forsyth, Jeff Boulware, Harry Thompson, James Bailey and Sexauer. Also present were
Robert Fite, Lynn Riedesel, City Engineer Jackie Lanning, Airport Manager Patrick Dame,
Maintenance Tech Jeremy Scott, and others.
Item #2 – (Bailey/Thompson) Motion to approve the minutes from the December 21, 2006
meeting. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.
Item #3 – (Forsyth/Thompson) Motion to adopt the agenda. All present voted aye. MOTION
CARRIED.
Item #4 – The next meeting is scheduled for February 15, 2007.
Item #5 – Old Business -none
Item #6 –
Discussion on Bismarck meeting – Airport Manager Patrick Dame said he attended a meeting in
Bismarck with the FAA, HNTB, Helms & Assoc. and the State of South Dakota regarding the
present site and the proposed new site of the Brookings Regional Airport. Tom Schauer, FAA, is
requiring a report from Wildlife Specialist Tim Pugh on the bird attractions on both airport sites.
Until the report is finished, progress on the proposed airport site is at a halt. A letter notifying the
people living around the possible new site will be postponed until the report is finished. A study will
be published regarding bird attractants at both sites as that is the biggest problem with the existing
airport. After the study is published, a Dual Tract meeting with the public will take place, and letters
will be sent regarding the off-site location. Sexauer asked how bad the bird problem is at the present
airport. Dame said there has definitely been a problem with herring gulls and seagulls as they move
along the floodplain area. He added that Big Sioux Aviation and Great Lakes Aviation have had
some severe problems with birds, and a wildlife study hasn’t been done for many years. The cost of
the study will be approximately $3,000 to $5,000. Sexauer asked about the length of the delay. Dame
said about 1 to 1½ months. City Engineer Jackie Lanning stated that this phase would need to be
done anyway, but usually it is done at a later date. It has been requested by the FAA to be done
now. Harry Thompson asked if the people in Bismarck have considered moving the railroad to
rectify Brookings’ problems. Dame said the FAA is not willing to pay for movement of the railroad.
He added that Congressional members John Thune, Tim Johnson, and Stephanie Herseth are
helping Brookings get an agreement with the DM&E Railroad. Dame added that he didn’t feel that
the South Dakota Department of Transportation would be willing to finance the move either.
Thompson felt it would cost fewer dollars to move the railroad in comparison to building a new
airport. Bailey felt a comparison study would help to solve the problem between moving the airport
and just moving the runway. Again, Dame stated that the FAA will not give federal dollars to move
the railroad. Lanning said she would visit with City Manager Dennis Falken regarding this issue.
Dame said also discussed, over and over, in Bismarck were the on-site alternatives. He said all
agreed on one alternative, that being “Master Plan Alternative G”.
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4:00 Boulware was present.
Lynn Riedesel, a hangar owner, said that there are lots of birds near all the prospective sites.
He said some of the conditions may be even worse than the present airport. Dame said those
findings will be in Tim Pugh’s report.
Site Selection Overview and Letter - Dame said the site selection overview and letter will be delayed
until the wildlife study is completed. He added that the FAA will not let Brookings construct a new
airport if it will make the issues worse.
Item #7 – Airport Manager’s Report
Equipment Purchase – Dame said the State tax was increased by $0.01 for gas purchases by the
airlines. Dame added that fuel sales are up considerably over the previous year, which is very good.
Airport White Garage - Dame said that there had been some damage done to the white garage when
plowing snow. It will be repaired by Scott.
Airport Terminal Repairs – Dame said the bathroom at the terminal has been repaired by Scott, and
he did an excellent job. Sheetrock was replaced, taping was done, and then texturing. Cleaning was
done under the tiles, and Scott is now sealing the floor. A new fan was also purchased. A television
has also been added to the terminal building. TSA employees are very appreciative although only a
few channels are available.
Dame said that a 19’ mower deck and a second mower (for mowing around the buildings)
have arrived. A snow blower and blade will arrive soon. In mid February, we will receive the tractor,
and the broom will arrive in mid March. Dame said he installed a pavement friction tester in his
suburban, and it works well. He added that it sits on the dash of the vehicle and measures G-forces
against the vehicle. There was nothing outside the vehicle to mount. The information is used on
NOTAMs. There is a printer also in the vehicle. Reports are sent to flight service. Every two (2)
years, it will be re-calibrated. Lynn Riedesel asked if the friction tester could be used in the summer
or in heavy rain. Dame answered yes.
Dame said he has requested the mayor send a letter to our state senators and representative
regarding the Essential Air Service for Brookings. He has requested their support as those
discussions will again be taking place in Washington DC. Dame asked Sexauer to write a letter also
showing support from the Airport Board. Dame said two (2) city officials will probably need to go
to Washington DC. Many bills are being re-written now, and Brookings needs positive input.
(Forsyth/Bailey) Motion to have Sexauer send a letter of support to the congressional
delegates and Dennis Devaney, USDOT, requesting continued Essential Air Service for Brookings.
All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.
The 2007 Airports Conference will be held on March 29 and 30, 2007 in Yankton, South
Dakota. Lanning said that the city will pay for board members to attend. Dame requested that any
member interested should let Secretary Diane Spencer know as she will be making room and
registration reservations.
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The 2006 Annual Airport Board Report was distributed. Lanning asked for any changes to
the airport. She also asked the Board to help out with the unmet needs and let her know any ideas.
Lanning added that the report will be sent to the mayor and city council the following week. The
report will then goes to the media and be on the website.
Dame told the Board that he has been on the “speaking circuit” for the airport. He has
spoken at the Retired Teachers organization, Kiwanis, and Golden K, and the groups were very
receptive. He said that he told the pros and cons of the airport alternatives and always gave a pitch
for the airlines. Bailey was at one of the meeting where Dame spoke. Bailey said Dame had done an
excellent job, and he heard many good comments about his talk. Bailey encouraged Dame to keep
up the good work.
Riedesel told Dame that the fuel truck needs a way to get in the airport. Dame told Riedesel
that he is already working on it.
Lanning asked Robert Fite about the Rules and Regulations that his subcommittee has been
working on. Fite said they have a final draft, and City Attorney Britzman is reviewing them. Fite said
he was extremely happy with the meetings as everyone seemed to respect the other’s opinions. He
also felt there was an excellent outcome. Lanning expressed her thanks to Fite for the work done on
the Rules and Regulations. She added that the city’s needs were all met, his meetings were run well,
and the outcome was excellent. Dame added that the document is first class. Lanning, Dame, and
the Airport Board all offered thanks to Fite for a job well done.
Item #8 – No one was present from Big Sioux Aviation.
Item #9 – No one was present from the TSA.
Item 10 – No one was present from Great Lakes Airlines.
The meeting was adjourned.
____________________________ __________________________
Diane M. Spencer, Secretary Robb Sexauer, Chairperson
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