CITY OF BLUE EARTH MINUTES

AIRPORT BOARD MEETING

CITY HALL

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016

Call to order

Chair Allen Aukes called the meeting to order at 4:15 P.M.

Roll Call: Allen Aukes, Glenn Gaylord, Jim Ekse and Chuck Frundt were present.

Elwood Bentley, Scott Kramer, Roger Nimz, Tony Zierke and Tim and Barb Steier were absent.

Staff Present: Ron Roetzel, Timothy Ibisch, Wes Brown.

Others present: Luke Steier.

Old Business

At this time Chair Aukes addressed the discussion of the Snow Removal Equipment Building (SRE).

Ron Roetzel, Bolton and Menk, Inc. Aviation Group Manager was present to discuss the SRE Building and the Arrival and Departure (AD) Building for Blue Earth’s Airport (see attachment “A”). Roetzel explained that he has talked with FAA about funding the above mentioned projects.

The AD building is 30 X 28 which is 840 square feet and according to the FAA and they have indicated that the proposed changes to the AD building is a bigger than most projects that they have funded and they are not interested in funding that building. Roetzel reported that potential funding could be done through State funds which is 80/20 yet this year. The Federal funding would have been 90/10. Roetzel added that the state funding previously was at a 50/50 funding. Gaylord thought that we were looking for a place for the pilots to rest. Luke noted that is what the conference room will be used for because the purpose really does not matter. Roetzel noted that the issue has to do with the size of the building not the function. Gaylord wanted to be careful not to lock us in for future expansion.

Roetzel reported that the funding changed because the FAA will not fund the AD building expansion will change from the local cost of $7,750.00 and now with the state 80/20 funding the local share will be $31,000.00.

Roetzel discussed the non-eligible area and the negotiations that happen with the State. Until the big picture is discussed the Commissioners do not need to make a final decision for the SRE Building. Roetzel discussed the SRE building and reported that one of the efforts to justify the size of the building is to determine what equipment is eligible for FAA Funding. The SRE size is dictated by the amount of equipment that will be placed in storage. The area of snow coverage and how much snow volume is being moved will be taken into consideration. The area in question is eligible for 1 snow blower, 2 plows (FAA only allows 1) sweeper, hopper spreader but not a front end loader. Roetzel reported that the City’s existing equipment is a tractor, blower and a snow plow. Roetzel noted that the City is still eligible for a sweeper and a spreader. Roetzel noted that the equipment list compiled will justify the size of SRE building the City proposes to build. Roetzel added that the equipment will be purchased with the Federal funds.

Roetzel noted that there are 2 options with regard to the size of the SRE Building. The building that the city is looking at is a 46X54 building. The funding guidelines are based on how the equipment is laid out in the building equipment needs to be so far apart and a certain distance from the wall of the building in order to qualify for the funding of 90/10 cost share. Roetzel reported that sand salt storage is an eligible item to qualify for additional space. Gaylord asked if the sand and salt 20X10 is totally covered under the FAA guidelines. Roetzel reported that it is at a 90/10 cost participation. Roetzel reported that the total cost would be $155,420.00.

Gaylord was in favor of installing windows rather than sky lights because anytime something is added to a roof there is a chance of leaking problems. Brown noted that a few windows facing the south would be a nice addition to the building. Roetzel noted that the inside walls would be full height and insulated. Storage for sand salt removal will be part of the building and a wall will be built if the FAA says that the area is not a true sand salt storage area, a wall will be put up. Luke Steier will contact Roetzel with the proposed overhead door size.

Roetzel discussed the interior heating option and noted that radiant in floor heat is more expensive than the hanging gas heater. Gaylord did not think the Council would be in favor of the extra expense to the in floor heat. Roetzel reported that the bathroom was not eligible but could be funded through State funds. Roetzel reported that at the Pine River airport project they plumed for a future bathroom in the ineligible area. Roetzel reported that an emergency generator is not needed as long as the overhead doors will operate manually. At this point the building will not have a sprinkler system but Roetzel will verify this option based on the building size. Water for washing will be installed, floor drain with a grease trap receptor to be connected to the septic system. Roetzel questioned of the drain tile will handle this. Wes Brown will look into this issue.

Gaylord asked about the sprinkler system and said with the amount of money that is tied up in equipment, would the insurance be cheaper if there was a sprinkler system. Gaylord added that the School opted to install sprinklers because of cheaper insurance rates having sprinklers. Ibisch will contact our insurance agent and see if there would be any discounts because of the sprinkler. Aukes did not think that the well would be able to provide enough pressure to operate the sprinklers.

Gaylord asked how much money the City will be saving now that the Arrival Departure Building project is not going to be done. Ibisch reported that the cost savings would be $31,000.00 by not doing the AD Building which would have been the City’s share in the construction cost.

Ibisch reported that our total cost with the SRE Building improvement is $24,150.00.

Roetzel reported that this year’s Taxilane improvements could be starting in approximately 3 weeks or as late as early May.

Gaylord asked if Tony Zierke could be contacted to see if he is still willing to remain on the Airport Board because he has not been at a meeting in a while. Aukes will contact Zierke.

Motion by Gaylord, second by Frundt approving the minutes from the Airport Committee Meeting of 10-29-15. The motion passed unanimously.

Adjourn

Motion by Gaylord and second by Frundt to adjourn the meeting at 5:20 P.M. The motion passed unanimously.

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