HomeMy WebLinkAboutAirMinutes_2008_04_28Brookings Airport Board
April 28, 2008
Brookings, SD 57006
A meeting of the Brookings Airport Board was called to order by Vice-
chairperson Jeff Boulware on April 28, 2008 at 1:00 PM in the Council Chamber at
City Hall. Members present were Jim Bailey, Lynn Riedesel, Harry Forsyth, and
Boulware. Robb Sexauer was absent. Also present were Randy Hanson-Pheasant’s
Fury Aviation, City Manager Jeff Weldon, City Engineer Jackie Lanning, Airport
Manager Mike Wilson, Airport Operations/Maintenance Jeremy Scott and others.
Item #2 - (Riedesel/Bailey) Motion to approve the minutes of the April 7, 2008
meeting. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.
Item #3 – Adoption of the Agenda - The agenda was amended to change the year
to 2008 instead of 208 as printed. Wilson added an item Under Item #6 – Item #6a-
New taxiway – discussion on proposed taxiway. Riedesel made a motion to
approve. Bailey seconded the motion. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.
Item #4 – Schedule of Next Meeting – The next Airport Board meeting is scheduled
for Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 3:30.
Old Business
Item #5 – EAS Update - EAS put out bids but had no one bid. EAS sent out bids
again and they were due by April 25th and no bids were received. It is such a short
time frame for a company to come in and the personnel is the real issue. Updated
equipment is also required for the terminal building.
New Business
Item #6 – Wildlife Report - Airport Manager Wilson stated the Addendum to the
Wild Life Report clarifies several points such as the perimeters and trees in the
report. Tim Pugh, Wildlife Biologist did the study for the airport wildlife findings. In the
General Zone Habitats section there were several different habitat areas that
attracted different wildlife. The Brookings City landfill is the biggest bird attraction
for a food source and the Aurora Ethanol Plant is also a food source for the birds,
although the ethanol plant is not a consistent food source. The birds fly within a 5
mile area within the Airport. Gravel Quarries and the gravel pit that attract the
most wildlife was the furthest from the ethanol plant east of the interstate. It is
possible the feedlot is not compatible with an airport. There could be an issue of
moving the feedlot if the airport moves to the area. At Lake Campbell, the birds
came at night. When flying, they make a triangle – gravel pit, landfill and to Lake
Campbell. At the current Airport near the flood plain there is significant waterfowl
and for 4-6 weeks each spring it will need to be monitored and NOTAMs would
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need to be put out to warn pilots of birds in the area. By the airport site there are
sewage lagoons that are not compatible with an airport with the standing water
and growing vegetation. These lagoons need to be removed. Forsyth suggested
modifying the creek by making the creek bank steeper.
It was suggested to do away with the crops (alfalfa) and replace it with
warm season grasses so as not to attract the migrating birds to that area. Bailey
didn’t agree with doing away with the alfalfa crop. Have it mowed before it
blossomed or go to seed.
Airport Manager Wilson stated that they are monitoring the lakes and poison
the ground squirrels.
Forsyth asked if the fence at the airport was 10’ high and high enough to
keep out the wildlife and Wilson said the majority of fence isn’t 10’ high which
doesn’t keep out the wildlife.
The conclusion of the wildlife study is that both sites of the airport study have
issues that would need to be addressed.
-– Discussion on
Item #7 – Airport Manager’s Report – Snow Removal/Ground Maintenance
Wilson commented that with last week’s snowfall it was a busy and long
weekend. It was such heavy snow that it sheared pins off the snow removal
equipment, and with the ground being soft ruts were made. This spring the ruts will
be filled.
Item #8 – FBO Report
Hanson stated that the SDSU fly-in was a huge success. Alpha Eta Rho asked
if Hanson would enter into a long-term sub-lease instead of a year lease with them.
Hanson was there for approval from the board with Alpha Eta Rho’s request. Their
plane would occupy a hangar. Wilson recommended the approval for the long
term lease. Forsyth made a motion and Bailey seconded to enter into a long term
lease with Alpha Eta Rho from SDSU. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.
Hanson also asked if the semi green space in front of his building –east of the
double doors be stripped of black dirt and put river rock on that area. It will
improve the looks of the area, it will be less to mow, and gain more driveway
parking. Forsyth asked if the rocks would create any problems with the airport
equipment. No there wouldn’t be any problems. Wilson mentioned there might be
a zoning question as to whether the FBO can have a rock surface that size.
Boulware tabled this item and will hold a discussion at the next month’s meeting.
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Item #6A New taxiway – discussion on proposed taxiway – There isn’t any more
hangar space available at the airport. There have been quite a few requests for
hangars at the airport. It would be a costly project to construct a taxiway for these
hangars. Even with land leases at 10 cents per foot – it would take quite a while for
the City to recover the cost of constructing a taxiway.
Boulware suggested adding a 1 cent tax on fuel or a capital improvement
tax.
Weldon asked how much it would cost to build a hangar. There is no money
budgeted in the city budget for any hangars. Hanson mentioned $37/square foot
for a hangar.
Riedesel asked if there was any state or air funding to build hangars? Wilson
said there is no funding available unless all airside needs are met.
Wilson plans to review the S-1 meeting design to get the uniform building
standards for hangars.
Lanning suggested to the board the airport rental space have different rates.
The older rental space would be cheaper than the new rental space. For the next
meeting bring more building information for discussion.
Boulware wanted to develop new design criteria for the airport. Lanning
stated on the May’s Tuesday night Planning Commission Agenda there is discussion
of subdivisions of land such as agriculture and residential, with preliminary discussion
and concerns at a later date.
The meeting was adjourned.
____________________________ _______________________________
Barb M. wiehr, Acting Secretary Jeff Boulware, Vice-chairperson