10-18-2005 APM+HUTCHINSON AIRPORT COMMISSION
October 18, 2005
5:30 p.m.
Airport Arrival /Departure Building
Minutes
Members present: Dave Skaar, Chuck Brill, Doug McGraw
Members absent: Jeff Lux, One open Commission seat
Others Present: John Rodeberg, City of Hutchinson; John Olson, City of Hutchinson; Tom Parker,
Hutchinson Aviation; Kelly Spratt, Life Link III; Tim Miller, tenant; Dick Freeman,
tenant, and Karl Heisl, Civil Air Patrol.
Meeting called to order at 5:30 p.m. There was a quorum of members present.
1. Approve Minutes of September 20, 2005 meeting
Motion made by Brill, second by McGraw to approve September 20, 2005 minutes. Unanimous approval.
2. Review 2005 Proposed Capital Improvement Program
Olson reviewed 2005 Airport Improvements Fueling
a. Underground electrical work completed
b. A tile was added to the project, since the trench for the electrical conduit was so wet. The tile
has continued to drain the trench system since its installation.
c. Staff will be responsible for landscaping and seeding repairs
d. Existing card reader system will be used, resulting in a deduct change order of about $9,500.
From discussion in September, it was determined the best situation would be to add an Avgas hose reel to a future
project. Under the existing project, it is likely the hose reel /cabinet would not be funded through the existing grant.
Cost of Avgas hose reel /cabinet is expected to be about $17,000. Conduit was added as a part of this project to
expedite future installation of an Avgas cabinet.
The 2005 Airport Improvements Electrical (Re -bid) will likely begin in mid to late November.
3. Review private and /or commercial operations activity
The Commission reviewed a request filed by Frank Murphy, Tandem Factory, LLC, to apply for placing a skydiving
business at HCD.
a. Request identified adequate insurance coverage
b. City Minimum Standards describes the need for a separate agreement with any skydiving or
hot air balloon company operating on the field.
c. Mr. Murphy is requesting to put up a field office and have a tie -down and landing area on the
airport.
d. Mr. Murphy is working with Tim & Rose Eakins to acquire the name "Skydive Hutchinson ".
Commissioners expressed general support for the operation. This discussion led to discussions regarding the
Skydive Hutchinson property. Commissioners felt the business would be best served by that location, assuming the
Airport were able to acquire the property.
Motion by Skaar, second by Brill to recommend that the City Council pursue purchasing the Skydive Hutchinson
property to control access and land use at the north end of the runway. Unanimous approval.
Motion by Brill, second by McGraw to recommend that the City Council perform an appraisal which separates the
land and building values. Unanimous approval.
Kelly Spratt, Life Link III, described what they hoped their fueling situation on the field would look like after the
JetA tank was completed. Life Link III is considering some kind of remote fueling device to make fueling their
helicopters easier and safer. Commissioners discussed the fact that a truck would probably not be a good answer
and recommended that a tank, able to be pulled by their existing tug, be considered. At the time a decision is made
by Life Link III, a separate agreement is to be drafted, as per City's Minimum Standards.
Mr. Spratt informed the Commissioners that Life Link III is currently building a hangar in New Richmond, WI.
Once that project is completed, there will be more of a focus on what kind of long -term arrangements should be
made at Hutchinson.
5. Operational Issues
Olson, Bruce Fenske and Pete Dehn of the City's Public Works Department conducted annual Hangar Inspections.
Copies of the findings were distributed to Commission members.
Commissioners directed staff to send out notices to hangars where the aircraft registration and tenant name did not
match, asking that the tenant clarify their situation before the next meeting, at which time the Commission would
consider implementing the 90 -day period described in the lease document.
Olson distributed a Joint Planning Board document related to installation of a 199' Tower installation at 20716 Hwy
7 W, Hutchinson. Those present at the meeting identified that the installation would be near the centerline of the
NDB approach for Runway 15. Also, a question was raised regarding Crandall's Landing, a seaplane base on Otter
Lake. The first question was whether Crandall's Landing was still registered, and whether the tower would impede
traffic there. While members recognized the low height of the tower would probably not create conditions necessary
for specific FAA or Mn/DOT Aeronautics review, Olson was directed to speak to the City's consultant regarding
installation of the tower in this location to determine whether this tower would be considered in impediment to air
traffic.
6. Other Discussions
Old Business
Mr. Dick Freeman has submitted an interest form for becoming an Airport Commissioner. Olson recommended that
Commissioners contact Mayor Cook with any other names, if necessary.
Skaar reported that activities in his personal life have precluded his arranging a presentation of a print created by
staff to Ken Butler's wife in honor of Ken's induction into the MN Aviation Hall of Fame.
Olson reported that the City's Plan/Bldg /Zoning Department routinely makes developers aware of issues related to
odors, adjacent operations, and noise, including airport operations. However, there have not yet been any
requirements directly written into agreement for insulating homes against noise that are located in the airport's
established flight paths.
Olson reported that staff intends to change, on a rotating basis, the code for the airport courtesy car keys. First code
change is scheduled for November 1. Commissioners, however, recommended that another type of key box be
considered, so that a four -digit number containing more than one of the same digit can be used. Staff will look for
that kind of key box. A discussion was held whether to lock the flight planning room. At this time, it was decided
that locking the room would impede Life Link III personnel from accessing important weather information in a
timely manner.
New Business
Rodeberg requested that Mn/DOT be reminded of the fact there should be a right -turn lane off of Highway 15 onto
Butler Field Dr SW.
Parker requested permission to erect a carport near his home. Commissioners recognized his need and supported
Parker in erecting a carport.
At 7:10, a motion to adjourn was made by Brill, second by McGraw. Unanimous approval.
NEXT MEETING: Thursday, November 17, 2005