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Brookings Regional Airport Board
Brookings, SD 57006
January 15, 2026
The Brookings Airport Board was called to order by President Brady Klocker on
Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 3:30 PM in Conference Room #241, Second Floor.
Members present were Lynn Riedesel, Isaac Wilde, Dan Krogstad and Klocker.
Absent was Brian VanLiere. Also present were Airport Manager Lucas Dahl, Airport
Maintenance Technician Brett Torgrude, SDSU- Devin Bastemeyer and City Engineer
Charlie Richter.
Item #1 - Roll Call
Item #2 – (Wilde/Krogstad) Motion to approve the agenda. All present voted aye.
MOTION CARRIED.
Item #3a – (Riedesel/Wilde) Motion to approve the December 18, 2025 minutes. All
present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.
Item #4 – Open Forum -
Item #5 - Airport Manager’s Report –
• Snow events have been minimal. They did have to close the runways for a
short period of time one day due to ice.
• The broom bristles have been replaced.
• They are going to plan to complete some controlled burns next week in a
couple of low-lying areas. Brookings Fire Department will assist with this.
• SDDOT completed an inspection last summer and they were concerned about
some trees. Last week staff was able to get them cut down on the airport land.
There is one property owner that has a tree that is of concern so Dahl will talk
with them to get this tree taken care of.
• According to Virtower, operations were down about 1,000 from 2024.
However, Virtower does not include the Wilde Air Services flying. Wilde will try
to get the numbers to Dahl for reporting.
• The AMCG Rent & Fee Study has requested information from us. We will get the
items to them as soon as possible for the project to get started.
• Helms is proposing a 70’x70’ SRE building. They are waiting for final drawings
from the architect. The building will be able to house the new broom and the
current tractor with blower and broom.
• Bastemeyer wondered if his students could potentially take a gator on the
runway to check the runway status. Dahl said that would be fine as long as
they had a light and radio with them.
• The parking lot near the SDSU Hangar and terminal is getting full. Students are
starting to park in the ditch area. If this becomes a problem, we will need to
post a “No Parking” sign.
Item #6 – Community Involvement Discussion -Richter explained to the board that
there is a need for the airport to generate additional revenue. Currently the landfill is
subsidizing the airport by about $280,000.00 but this is going to be reduced by 9% per
year until down to zero. Richter has heard that there is a disconnect as to why the
airport is important. Richter is wondering if the board would be interested in getting
the community involved. Something similar to an event that Watertown holds with
kites, a parking/viewing area, or anything to make the community be more involved.
Riedesel would like the City Council to visit the airport to see what businesses we
have out there. Is there a way we could make the airport more of a community
entity? Klocker feels that in addition to the Fly-In event maybe they could hold a
“mini” Air Show. Richter asked everyone to consider reaching out to other airports
and coming up with ideas. The City Public Information Officers could help with
promoting events.
Richter also wondered if the Civil Air Patrol should maybe come to one of the next
Airport Board meetings to explain who they are and what their mission is.
Item #7 - FBO Report –. Klocker presented for the FBO. Their website has been
created and is up and running. He would like the City to take note of this on the City
website. www.Pheasantsfury.com
Item #8 - SDSU Report – Bastemeyer reported that they booked 12,917 hours last year.
Some of the students are actually flying at some other airports for experience, so
some of the operations are down because of this. They completed 268 check rides
for the year. 88% of the people pass their check rides. There are currently 4 full time
and 3 part time mechanics for SDSU.
Item #9 - Other Items & Reports – None.
Item #10 - Next Scheduled Meeting – February 19, 2026
Item #11 – Adjourn
___________________________ ______________________________
Lana Schwartz, Secretary Brady Klocker, President