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Brookings Airport Board
Brookings, SD 57006
November 18, 2010
The Brookings Airport Board was called to order by Chair Jeff Boulware on
Thursday, November 18, 2010, at 4:30 PM in the Community Room located in the
lower level of City Hall. Members present were Jim Bailey, Judy McLaughlin,
Lynn Riedesel, Orv Smidt, and Boulware. Also present were City Engineer Jackie
Lanning, Airport Manager Mike Wilson, and those listed on the attached sign-in
sheet.
Item #2 – (McLaughlin/Riedesel) Motion to approve the minutes from the
October 21, 2010, meeting. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.
Item #3 – (Smidt/McLaughlin) Motion to approve the agenda. All present voted
aye. MOTION CARRIED.
Item #4 – The next meeting will be held on December 16, 2010.
Old Business
Item #5 - Snow and Ice Control Plan – This item will be on each agenda through
the winter months. However, we have had no snow or ice to date so there was
no discussion.
Item #6 – Wildlife Fence Project Update – Wilson said the fence is mostly installed.
Between the terminal and Sheldon Rasmussen’s hangar, the fence will go
around a drainage area. Fixing that area will be in a future project. Wilson said
he is waiting for a change order from the City Council regarding the
combination pad for the locks on the walk gates. The Park Department is taking
most of the fence. Boulware asked if the walk gate had electricity going to it.
Wilson said no, it has a three digit code. The problem with the REILs may be a
transformer. They are still turned off.
New Business
Item #7 – Discussion and possible addition to BKX Rules and Regulations –
Section 3.11 Glider Operations – Wilson said that the new Section 3.11 states that
vehicles and people must be out of the safety area. He said if violations
continue, the violators could be told they cannot return to the airport
movement area as a pedestrian or ground vehicle for three months. Boulware
asked if guidelines could be prepared for the participants that explain the rules
and regulation for glider operations at the airport. He said word of mouth is not
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always the best policy. Wilson said he has prepared some information and
included a map that shows the safety area. Riedesel asked what the
punishment would be for violators. Wilson said there is nothing on the books now.
Riedesel suggested posting the rules and regulations in one of the hangars that
is used during glider operations. He said it is not safe without an aviator on the
ground at all times. Boulware asked the glider pilots present how they felt about
the situation. Brian VanLiere asked for a clear definition of a plane being “not in
use”. Wilson said when a plane is not in immediate use, it must be completely
out of the safety area. Wilson added that the safety regulations are not
Brookings rules; they are the FAA regulations, and he is the one responsible if
they are not followed. Riedesel complimented the glider pilots on their use of
the radio.
VanLiere asked about the driver rules for those on the airport and when
the driver training is given. Wilson said he would do it anytime. The training is
done on an individual bases.
McLaughlin said many people enjoy the glider operations, and she liked
to see them on the airport. VanLiere added that the rules are a good idea, and
everyone needs to follow them. Wilson said that the pilots must act as the police
and enforce the rules. They should also have only responsible people with them
on the airport. Riedesel asked VanLiere how the Faribault Airport handled their
many glider operations. VanLiere said they have a briefing first, and the
Brookings pilots could do a better job of briefing their people also. Bailey felt that
the tow plane and glider pilots are the ones ultimately responsible to police their
helpers. Boulware suggested all involved wear reflective vests to make
themselves more visible.
Item #8 – Discussion and Recommendation to the Brookings City Council on a
preferred alternative for the BKX Dual Track Environmental Assessment – Bob
Babcock, Helms & Associates, had a slide presentation. After the presentation,
he took questions and comments from the audience.
• Federal dollars could have to be paid back if nothing is done.
• Duane Knutson, Chair of the County Planning and Zoning Board stated
that the best use of the Trenton Township land is farming.
• Terry Pritchard felt what it boiled down to is whether or not the City
wanted the Trenton Township land which is the best farming land in the
county.
• Knutson asked if the City could sell the present airport property land
before a new airport would be operational in Trenton Township. Babcock
said that they can have a plan in place, but they cannot sell the land until
it is released by the FAA.
• Lanning stated that the land would have to be developed first and
development such as roads, sewer, water, electricity, is quite costly.
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• George Skon asked if there was a completion date set for the new airport.
Babcock said the old airport would have to be decommissioned before
property sales could begin.
Boulware asked for comments from the Airport Board members.
• McLaughlin said she feels many political issues are involved. She
added that developed land is not as valuable as agricultural land and
ag land costs have skyrocketed. She said she prefers the airport stay
where it is.
• Smidt felt the need for a new, updated Airport Master Plan. He added
that the present plan created a vision, and it was followed. He said
that cost alternatives present uncertainties. He added that he favored
leaving the airport where it is and move forward.
• Bailey said he felt the present airport had many functions. One function
is fulfilling the commercial needs for industries in town. Another is the
training program at SDSU. He felt the best alternative was to leave the
airport where it presently is and make the modifications according to
the FAA.
• Riedesel said that this issue has been quite a learning process. He
added that from a commercial pilot’s standpoint, the 6,000 foot
runway is wonderful. He commended Babcock on the excellent job he
has done for the City. He added that as a board member, he has
been frustrated at times, but he felt, because of the cost, it is best to
leave the airport where it is.
• Boulware said he could speak as a hangar owner, as a plane owner,
and as a person that is dependent upon the airport for his job. What is
best for the entire community is what should be done. He added that it
is not a black and white situation but a very gray situation. He said he
felt it would be better to keep the airport where it is and expand it. He
felt that was the best use of the land that the airport presently sits on.
He said that Trenton Township is very good agricultural land, but it is
close to an expanding community. He wondered if that area would
become developed in the future.
(Riedesel/Bailey) Motion to recommend to the Brookings City Council to
maintain the airport in its current location and realign and expand it as the BKX
Alternative suggests. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.
Riedesel asked how this motion should be presented to the City Council.
Boulware said he would give the Mayor the verbal recommendation, and the
Council would have access to the Board minutes.
Lanning said on November 23rd at the 6:00 City Council Meeting, the
Council will discuss this issue. The next City Council meeting will be on December
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14th. A decision may be made at that time. The cut-off for written comment is
December 7th although public comment will be allowed at each meeting.
Babcock said the conduct at the meetings has been very professional.
Item #9 – Lease rates at the Airport – Wilson said it was time to re-evaluate the
leases at the airport. Lanning said suggestions could be given to Wilson for
discussion at the next meeting. Wilson said he recommended that the rates stay
the same for the following year. Randy Hanson, FBO, stated he is the highest
paying lessee at the airport. He appreciated keeping the rates the same.
Item #10 – Airport Manager’s Report – Wilson said there will be no Wednesday
night potluck suppers at the airport during the winter months. He reminded the
GA pilots that he does not want people, including children, running around
unattended in the hangars and around aircraft. McLaughlin said that will be
discussed with the attendees before the suppers start again in May 2011.
Wilson said GA pilots with remote “clickers” for airport gate entry can turn
those in to the secretary at City Hall for their refund. Paperwork must be filled out
for the $25 refund, and checks will be sent through the mail. There will be no
refund for the old gate cards. There will be a sign-out sheet and deposit required
for the new gate cards when they become available. Wilson will be able to
activate and deactivate the cards individually. Wilson said he is working on
getting a proximity card that will work within three feet of the reader.
Wilson said rules and regulations must be discussed at a future board
meeting regarding the aerial applicator at the airport. Wilson said he does not
want the plane parked on the same spot on the grass as it kills the grass. The
aerial applicator will need to follow the 200 foot containment regulation. Wilson
said other airports maintain strict rules regarding this issue.
Item #11 – FBO Report – Hanson asked if the walk gate located east of the FBO
will have a key pad entry to his facility. Wilson said yes, and there will also be key
pad entry to the airfield. Riedesel commented that Paul Hartje is not working at
the airport anymore, and he is greatly missed. Hanusu said he will have some oil
and filters on hand. Hanson said they have some maintenance going on but
have a need for a mechanic.
Item #12 – Other Items – none
The meeting was adjourned.
___________________________ __________________________
Diane M. Spencer, Secretary Jeff Boulware, Chairperson