10-23-2014 APM+HUTCHINSON AIRPORT COMMISSION
October 23, 2014
Airport Commission Meeting 5:30 p.m.
Airport Arrival/Departure Building
Meeting Notes
Members present: Dick Freeman, Dave Skaar
Members absent: Joel Schwarze, Ross Peterson, Steve Cook (Council Representative)
Others Present: John Olson, City of Hutchinson; Tom Ashenfelter, ASI, Others present: Tom Parker, tenant, Doug
McGraw
Meeting began at 5:30 p.m. There was a no quorum of members present.
1. Approve July 17, 2014 Airport Commission Minutes
Due to lack of quorum, July 17, 2014 meeting minutes were not approved
Meeting notes were made available from the August 21, 2014 and September 18, 2014 meetings.
2. Airport Commission
Joel Schwarze (to 09/15, first full-term) Ross Peterson (to 09/16, first full-term)
Dick Freeman (to 09/17, second full-term) Dave Skaar (to 09/18, second full-term)
Steve Cook (Council representative)
Review meeting schedules & find interest forms for serving on the Airport Commission at www.ci.hutchinson.mn.us
Commissioners discussed the consideration of asking Todd Walters or Cheryl Dooley to fill the vacant
position.
3. Hangars
See attached map. Temporarily occupied hangars in Hangar #1 were billed out. Some of the aircraft were
in those hangars during the spray season.
4. Operational Issues (Open Projects)
a) FBO operations
Those present reviewed the article about ASI Jet Ag in AgAir Update, recognized as the primary
industry publication for ag. aviation. ASI did see some growth in their ag spraying business, but
not quite what they had hoped for, which they attribute to low commodities prices. Fuel sales are
going well, and they are making improvements in the maintenance shop area as well. Overall the
report is good.
ii. Tom Parker was hospitalized recently, which has put his plans to move the trailer house
behind. However, soon after his hospitalization, he was back to work and has now removed both
sections of the house.
b) MPAG meeting — Verified options for the crosswind location & building site plan that had been discussed
at the previous meeting. Beginning the process of identifying project alternatives & including them, along
with preliminary cost estimates, in the report.
c) Open House meeting — Attended by a handful of interested parties. No significant issues noted during the
meeting.
d) CIP meeting — Met with MnDOT, FAA & Bolton-Menk staff in Redwood Falls. 2014 Engineering project
is on pace. Proposed reclamation project for 2015 is on pace. Taxiway C may need to be relocated to the
north to offset it from the existing entrance to the main ramp — this is a safety project that is being required
throughout FAA. If FAA/MnDOT can free up the money, it will be included in the 2015 project. So far
the 2015 project includes the entire runway, taxiway and main apron.
e) State Grant — An amended state grant will be considered by the City Council at their next meeting. This
grant agreement includes projects to address the drainage areas around Hangar #2 (north side) & Hangar #3
(west side), as well as for a parking area between Hangar 1720 (ASI) and the CAP building. Components
of the project include:
Parking area/roadway. Improve the area formerly occupied by the Life Link III office/quarters.
The area would be paved, allowing for 8 parking stalls nosing up to Hangar 1720 and 8 stalls
nosing toward the CAP building. The center aisle of the parking area would be 24' wide and
would serve as the access point to the apron.
ii. Drainage correction. Improve the area on the east side of Hangar #3, to include removing, re-
grading, and replacing the bituminous surface between the hangar and the cross gutter. Re-
grading and re -paving this area will result in more positive drainage away from east side of
Hangar #3.
iii. Drainage correction. Improve the area near hangars #2-7 and #2-8 by removing the bituminous,
installing a tile that will discharge to the culvert at the west end of Hangar #2, and re -pave the area
to match the existing apron..
f) Airport financial statements — Reviewed year-to-date September 30, 2014 financial statements. Through
September, the Airport has contributed $2,798 to the General Fund. The 2014 budget assumes use of
$5,276 from the General Fund.
i. Revenue review: Significant revenues will be coming in in November for ag. land rentals.
MnDOT has paid an additional 10% of the total Maintenance & Operations grant, which was
authorized by the State in 2014.
ii. Expenditure review: Wages & benefits are higher than anticipated due to the allocation of health
benefits, which was not budgeted for. Fuel consumption is higher due to the nature of the new
tractor. Specialized ice melt chemicals were purchased to keep sidewalks in better condition this
coming winter. Phone services are higher due to addition of internet service, half of which is
reimbursed by ASI.
5. Other Discussions & New Business
a) Airport 50t' anniversary celebration (Spring 2015).
Discussion was held to have a 50t' Anniversary celebration in conjunction with the Fly -In Pork Chop
Supper sponsored by the Civil Air Patrol. Sheet cake will be provided as dessert, and there will be a short
program approximately 5:00 p.m. Some static displays of items relating to the history of the airport will be
made available. Commissioners will be inviting pilots with unique aircraft to the celebration so their
aircraft can be displayed. The anniversary celebration will be advertised in MN Flyer and Midwest Flyer
magazines and there will also be electronic advertising in such places as SocialFlight.com, Flyins.com, MN
Pilots Assn. Facebook page, etc.
b) Other discussions/new business:
It was recommended that, for safety purposes, that awnings be installed over at least two of the doors on the
A/D building/Maintenance hangar. Snowmelt has historically caused icing problems on sidewalks serving
the building. Olson will be checking with EDA regarding the City's awning program to see if the airport is
eligible and who the contractors are who have done work as part of the EDA's program. There is $12,860
available in Contract R/M as of September 30.
NEXT MEETING: Regularly scheduled meeting: November 20, 2014