07-17-2014 APM+HUTCHINSON AIRPORT COMMISSION
July 17, 2014
Airport Commission Meeting 5:30 p.m.
Airport Arrival/Departure Building
Minutes
Members present: _ Doug McGraw, Dick Freeman, Joel Schwarze, Steve Cook (Council Representative)
Members absent: Juli Neubarth, Ross Peterson,
Others Present: John Olson, City of Hutchinson; Tom Ashenfelter, ASI; Melissa Underwood, Bolton & Menk
Meeting called to order at 5:58 p.m. There was a quorum of members present.
1. Approve May 8, 2014 Airport Commission Minutes
Motion made by Cook, second by Freeman to approve minutes. Unanimous approval
Due to lack of a quorum, there were no minutes for the June 16, 2014 meeting.
2. Airport Commission
Doug McGraw (to 09/14, second full-term) Joel Schwarze (to 09/15, first full-term)
Ross Peterson (to 09/16, first full-term) Dick Freeman (to 09/17, second full-term)
Juli Neuharth (to 09/18, second full-term) Steve Cook (Council representative)
For meeting schedules & interest forms for serving on the Airport Commission, see www.ci.hutchinson.mn.us
3. Hangars
No hangar changes were noted
4. Operational Issues (Open Projects)
a) 2013 AIP (Master Plan Update) — Melissa Underwood, Bolton & Menk, reported on the work she had
done regarding stopways. Stopways are a viable alternative for the future of the airport, as they
provide additional Accelerate Stop Distance Available (ASDA). Stopways would allow larger aircraft
to utilize higher ASDA calculations, which would allow them to operate from Hutchinson. Stopways
would not interfere with the location of a future crosswind runway proposed for the north end of the
field. The recommendation is to include stopways at both ends of the runway as part of the Master
Plan.
b) Master Plan Advisory Group (MPAG). The neat MPAG meeting was scheduled for Thursday,
September 18, 2014. The plan is to have the MPAG meeting at 4:00, followed by a public open house
from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Council Chambers at City Center, 111 Hassan St SE. The City Center
location will allow for use of presentation technology and will provide additional room for those
attending. Several additional chapters of the Master Plan will be made available to MPAG members
for their review prior to the September meeting.
c) Editorial in Hutchinson Leader — There have been only a very few inquiries regarding the editorial
recently written, which focused on the potential for a regional airport. Mayor Cook indicated his
thought was that the City Council was aware of the details of the planned 2014/2015
Runway/Taxiway/Apron Rehab Project. He also indicated that the City Council could have additional
discussions about the project, if necessary, prior to the construction phase grant being approved. Since
the primary concern was that the City Council was aware of the facts surrounding the project, there
was consensus that no additional response was necessary.
d) Airport financial statements — June 2014. There was no report on the financial statements.
e) 2013 AIP (Obstruction Removal) — Olson reported that all trees have been removed. Stumps are being
removed beginning this week. In coordination between the contractor and property owner, it has been
determined that plantings will not take place until September, to avoid needing to water so long before
freeze-up.
f) 2014/2015 AIP (Reclaim Rwy, Twy, Apron) — Olson reported the grant application is in process for
2014, which will include the engineering of this project. The engineering grant will likely be approved
sometime in August or September.
g) Projects undertaken to reduce energy costs — High -efficiency furnaces/AC for building #1700 have
been installed. The new furnaces should not kick out so often, compared to the former furnaces, since
they are much more efficient and can draw and exhaust air from the same pipe.
5. Other Discussions & New Business
a) Ongoing discussions:
a. Requests for hangar for large aircraft (45'+ wingspan), currently not addressed in policy.
Considering the following items, it was determined that it is not necessary, at this time, to make
any modifications to the hangar policy to specifically address larger aircraft. Items that were
considered included:
i. It would be unfeasible and impractical to move hangar tenants down to lesser
accommodations
ii. A clause in the current hangar policy allows the Airport Commission to deviate from the
policy under circumstances where the actions would be beneficial to the Airport and City.
iii. Adequate land for development of commercial hangars still exists.
b. Emergency response document. Olson presented a rough draft of changes to the Emergency
Response document. Because there is a new fire chief in Hutchinson, the document will be
reviewed with him before final language changes are approved.
b) Airport 50ffi anniversary celebration (Spring 2015). This item will stay on the Airport Commission agenda
until such time as final plans are made and approved for a celebration. Discussion included the potential
for a vintage aircraft and warbirds display, and potentially an airshow as part of the celebration. Schwarze
will be in contact with Cheryl Dooley, who will likely have good information about the potential for
airshows. Tom Ashenfelter is also aware of an organization that could potentially display vintage aircraft/
warbirds. In general terms, the goal is to have plans for the spring event finished sometime around the first
of the year, which will allow for adequate time to market the event.
c) Other discussions/new business:
At 6:52, a motion to adjourn was made by Freeman, second by Cook. Unanimous approval.
NEXT MEETING: Combined MPAG & Airport Commission meeting: September 18, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. at
City Center, 111 Hassan St SE, Hutchinson, MN 55350