HomeMy WebLinkAboutAirMinutes_2007_03_15Brookings Airport Board
March 15, 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, March 15, 2007, in the Meeting Room at City Hall. Members present were
James Bailey, Jeff Boulware, and Sexauer. Harry Thompson and Harry Forsyth were absent. Also
present were Robert Fite, Lynn Riedesel, Randy Hanson, Duane Knutson, Duane Bymers, Jim Jones
Jr. representing Big Sioux Aviation, Brian Cossette representing Great Lakes Airlines, Airport
Operations/Maintenance Technician Jeremy Scott, and City Engineer Jackie Lanning.
Item #2 – (Bailey/Boulware) Motion to approve the minutes from the February 15, 2007 meeting.
All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.
Item #3 – (Boulware/Bailey) Motion to approve the agenda. All present voted aye. MOTION
CARRIED.
Item #4 – The next meeting will be on Thursday, April 19, 2007.
Old Business
Item #5 – Brookings Regional Airport logo – Lanning had a copy of the logo for the Brookings
Regional Airport that the Airport Board had chosen at the July 2006 meeting. She said she had a
request from the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) to put an ad in their magazine. The cost for a small 1/12th
page ad was $195. Lanning asked what the CAP did and who they were. Boulware stated that the
group is a civilian auxiliary of the air force. The CAP is involved in search and rescue efforts in the
United States. Jim Jones, Jr. (Big Sioux Aviation) said that the local group meets weekly at their
facility. He also said that his business had an ad in that magazine. Bailey said that being the group
was based in Brookings and Big Sioux Aviation also had an ad in their magazine, maybe a
combination ad could be purchased, and tie the Brookings ads together. Lanning added that
presently $333 per month goes to radio advertising. Boulware suggested that maybe the money
could be better spent in another area instead of the CAP magazine. He thought the ad to be costly
with very little benefit. Riedesel asked what the circulation was for the CAP magazine. Boulware said
he believed it to be two states, North Dakota and South Dakota.
(Sexauer/Bailey) Motion to defer until a later date and see if the Civil Air Patrol would want
to come to the Board and give more information on their magazine. All present voted aye.
MOTION CARRIED.
ITEM - Alpha Eta Rho Fly-In – Boulware explained that the students involved were at a meeting
in Kansas and unable to attend the Board meeting. Boulware had a drawing of the set-up for the
Fly-In. He asked Lanning if the City would supply some barricades. He added that there will be
increased traffic, but the event is not open to the public. Lanning asked how this would affect the
commercial airlines. Brian Cossette, Great Lakes Airlines Manager, stated that the Fly-In shouldn’t
be a problem with commercial flights in or out of Brookings. Sexauer asked about insurance
requirements. He said that needs to be taken care of with the City. Back-up days for the Fly-In are
Sunday, April 1 or Saturday, April 14 if needed.
(Bailey/Boulware) Motion to approve the Fly-In with details to be coordinated between
Boulware and Lanning. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.
Item #7 – Airports Conference in Yankton – Lanning said that she will be going to the
conference a day early to meet with Helms and Associates regarding Brookings Regional Airport
issues. She added that a city vehicle is reserved for Airport Board members to take to Yankton if
they choose.
New Business
Item #8 – Hiring additional personnel – Lanning stated that a new employee had been hired at
the airport. It is a temporary position only. Jason Oines was hired to help Operations/Maintenance
Technician Jeremy Scott during this time until a new airport manager is hired. Oines was available to
help during the recent blizzard. Lanning said that Pete Bolzer from the Fire Department also helped
with snow removal. Scott said it was a several day process, but the job got done. Bailey said they did
a good job of getting the snow away from the hangars. Sexauer asked how long the airport was
closed. Lanning said 12 hours because Great Lakes Airlines cancelled flights. Scott said the new
tractor worked very well. Boulware asked if there were a need for more temporary people to help
out during storms or bad weather as the present employees worked many, many, hours of overtime.
He added that it is those times when accidents can happen because employees go without sleep for
long periods of time. Lanning thought there might be the possibility of calling in an employee from
the Park Department. She said that Bowes Construction can also be called in to help. Jim Jones, Jr.
said that a concern during a storm is keeping everything open for the air ambulance should it be
needed. Boulware asked if there were a plan, with priorities, that is followed during the clean-up
process caused by a blizzard.
Item #9 – Fuel agreement with Big Sioux Aviation/City of Brookings – Jim Jones, Jr. had a
handout for the Board that he hoped would start a dialogue concerning the expectations of Big
Sioux Aviation. Jones, Jr. stated that at the present time, only Great Lakes Airlines pays Big Sioux
Aviation for ground services. No one else does. Also, all the liability is BSA’s. Bailey thought it could
be possible to share expenses through the City of Brookings, the Chamber of Commerce, the
Economic Development Corporation, and industrial users of the airport. Jones added that the
airport is the number one provider of industrial transportation for Brookings. Boulware said a plan
for how additional funds would be used would be necessary. He felt the efforts would be better
served by a meeting with Jones first and finding out what the community wants, and then finding a
source for the dollars. Bailey felt it would be necessary to get the Chamber of Commerce, the
Brookings Economic Development Corporation and the industries that use the airport together, and
see what they want. Jones said it needs to be promoted as a positive. Sexauer stated that talks should
begin with Jones before the next meeting, and he would be glad to help. He felt the City Manager
should call an informational meeting of the industries that use the airport. He asked Lanning to talk
with the City Manager and get the necessary groups together. Randy Hanson stated that he is the
President-elect of the Chamber Board. He will ask Dick Olson what has been done in the past. He
will also use Al Heuton of the BEDC as a source. The item will be on the agenda for the next
meeting. Boulware asked if other towns provide incentives for the local FBO. Sexauer felt they did
not. Bailey said years ago, the City provided dollars to keep a pilot’s lounge at the airport.
Item #10 - Aerial Spraying application – Morris Riggin, Mina South Dakota, was present to
address the Board regarding an aerial spraying operation he would like to start at the airport. He said
the local elevator would line up his jobs. He said that he has a portable pad used to contain any
possible spills. Sexauer asked if it was EPA compliant. Riggin said yes. Boulware asked where they
would work from. Jones, Jr. said the Egeberg hangar had two planes stored in it and office space.
Riggin said he requires no office area as the elevator takes care of his office needs. Riggin was asked
about his water supply. He answered that he has a small tank, but the elevator will bring him the
additional water he needs. Boulware said that in the Rules and Regulations, it says a bond in required
or proof of liability insurance in lieu of the bond. Lanning asked about his fuel operations. Riggin
said his trailer has a 500 gallon tank. Robert Fite said his operation would be subject to the rules of a
service provider and could not be self-fueling. Duane Knutson said Riggin’s service is very
important and much needed in the area. Boulware asked where Riggin would set up on the airfield.
Riggin said he didn’t know that yet, but in Aberdeen, he had a hard surface area to work from.
Riggin was asked where he would keep the chemicals he would use. He answered at the local
elevator. Lanning said that an insurance certificate would be needed. Riggin said he would follow all
airport procedures. Boulware asked how pilots would know when he is spraying. Riggin said he
would issue a NOTAM that states there is agricultural traffic in the area.
(Bailey/Boulware) Motion for Riggin to work with the City Engineer and other necessary
City personnel to put in motion the establishment of his spraying business in keeping with the Rules
and Regulations of the Brookings Regional Airport. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.
Item #11 – Lease application by Randy Hanson – Randy Hanson stated that he would like a
new lease drawn up with the City for the Jones hangar. He would like the lease in the name of
Pheasant’s Fury. He said he is purchasing the hangar and will lease it back to Jones. Bailey asked if it
included the whole operation. Hanson said yes. Jones, Jr. stated that they will keep the “Y” lot and
the Egeberg hangar. Lanning added that the new lease will be contingent upon the City of Brookings
breaking the old lease with Jones and separating it into two new leases. Hanson said that he will then
sublease the property back to Jones. Bailey asked Jones Jr. if this is approved by them. Jones Jr. said
yes, the first floor and the hangar will be leased back to Big Sioux Aviation. Boulware asked why
there is a 20 year lease with Big Sioux Aviation and five year leases with all other airport property.
Jones Jr. said that his lending facility requested the 20 year lease. Boulware was also concerned about
the length of the lease if the airport moves location; what then is the status of the lease. Is the City
under financial obligation? Fite believed the FAA to not be approving any long term leases and
suggested that the City be sure all bases are covered with the FAA.
(Sexauer/Bailey) Motion to approve the termination of the Big Sioux Aviation lease and the
construction of two (2) new leases pending legal and federal advice. All present voted aye.
MOTION CARRIED.
Item #13 – Airport Manager’s Report – Lanning reported that the Argus Leader had contacted
her about information on Essential Air Service in Brookings. They are doing a story and Lanning
said she gave them information.
Airport Manager search – Lanning stated that they have received many qualified applications for the
position vacated by Patrick Dame. The City conducted phone interviews and narrowed the
candidates to four. One has since taken another position. The remaining three will be interviewed
personally, and a decision will be made soon. Lanning added that Jeremy Scott had given the
interviewees a tour of the local facility. Bailey thanked Lanning for including an Airport Board
member in the selection process.
Snow removal operations – Scott stated that the new New Holland plow with attachments worked
great during snow removal operations. There is 40 hours on it, and it is running well. Boulware
asked about the big blower. Scott said it worked well.
Dual Track process update – Lanning said that the FAA requested wildlife survey be done now
instead of later. This will move the public open house with property owners into May. She is
requesting that Bob Babcock from Helms and Associates come to the next Airport Board meeting
to keep the Board current on activities. At the next Board meeting, a date for the public meeting can
be discussed. She added that the updates from Helms & Associates are on the city’s website.
Riedesel asked if the City had any feedback from the public about the alternate site. Lanning said she
had heard from four landowners. She informed them that there will be an open house where they
can get more information. Duane Knutson said that in the past when a dairy wanted to come to that
area, the homeowners were very troublesome. Lanning said the FAA recommended that the city ask
the county for temporary zoning controls in the area for the next five years.
Lanning said that Helms & Associates representative Bob Babcock has been in Brookings
regarding the 7460 issue. They will re-submit to the air space office that they look at departure
surface Runway 30. This issue will be discussed at the Airports Conference in Yankton in March.
Boulware asked the status of the sewage ponds at the airport. Lanning said they will be
moved but she is not sure when. Boulware said that the ponds would be a factor in the wildlife
study.
Item #14 – FBO Report – Items regarding the FBO have been previously discussed.
Item #15 – TSA Report- No one from the TSA was available.
Item #16 – Air Carrier Report – Great Lakes Airlines Manager Brian Cossette reported that the
airlines has had good months with good increases. He said there have already this month been 100
outbound passengers. He added that fares have been raised once about a month ago. Boulware
asked about their future past October. Cossette said he has heard nothing, but Great Lakes Airlines
if fighting for continuance. Lanning added that there have been letters to congressional leaders by
the city’s mayor asking for their support.
The meeting was adjourned.
____________________________ __________________________
Diane M. Spencer, Secretary Robb Sexauer, Chairperson