Sauk
Prairie Airport Minutes
October 17, 2002
Prairie du Sac Town Hall
7:00 PM
Present: Board Members: Kirk Olson, Bart Olson, Doyle Curtis, Dean Gilding, Bob Cushing, Ron Lins, Roger Thistle. Not present, Ed Miller.
President Kirk Olson called the meeting to order at 7:00
Motion to approve the September 18, 2002 minutes by Roger Thistle. Seconded by Bob Cushing. Approved.
Motion to adopt agenda by Doyle Curtis. Seconded by Ron Lins. Approved.
Motion to approve treasurer's report by Dean Gilding. Seconded by Roger Thistle. Approved.
Communications: Bart Olson read a letter from Donna Jenkins at Meyer Insurance stating that she checked with other airport insurance carriers and all have stated they would not provide coverage based on the fence hazard.
Bart Olson read a letter from the Village of Prairie du Sac, which accompanied their 2002 contribution of $4,000, stating that they acknowledged receipt of our request for additional funds for the year 2003.
Dog Park Update: Bart Olson reported that after much discussion at last night’s ET Committee meeting, the committee voted to table the reconsideration of the Kelly dog park approval to December 1, 2002. The hope is that the parties will get together and resolve the problem of the dog park fence and shelter being too close to the runway, which has caused the issuance of an FAA Hazard determination and the imminent cancellation of the airport’s insurance. The airport board had suggested to the ET Committee that the Dog Park fence be moved back enough from the runway to comply with FAA rules so that the airport’s insurance won’t be cancelled. Joe Kelly has once again refused to move his fence.
Olson stated that the committee should be concentrating on the legal requirements of the Airport Ordinance, which was written and designed specifically to protect the Sauk Prairie Airport, and the conditional use provisions of the Land Use Ordinance, which prevents conditional uses like the dog park or the vet clinic from interfering with permitted uses like the airport. Olson complained that instead of examining the ordinances, the committee has been coming up with outrageous suggestions: the airport should purchase property from Joe Kelly; the airport should purchase or lease property north of the airport and then lengthen the runway to the north and shorten it on the south; the airport should find an insurance company that insures airports with FAA designated hazards on them; Bart Olson should trade some of his land for Joe Kelly’s; the airport should shorten the runway on the south end to accommodate the dog park fence because many airplanes don’t need that much landing room anyway.
Ron Lins agreed to once again try to negotiate with Joe Kelley. If an agreement can be reached, he will bring that information back to the board members for action.
A discussion ensued on what steps to take regarding the fast-approaching airport insurance cancellation date of 12-21-02. Olson suggested that if the board wanted to design a displaced threshold, file it with the FAA, and have approval by the 12-21-02 deadline, it should be done as soon as possible. The board agreed unanimously that installing a displaced threshold now would only encourage the ET Committee to allow Kelly to keep his fence at the expense of the airport. Doyle Curtis asked if an insurance extension could be obtained if a solution, i.e. moving the fence, was agreed to by the parties by 12-21-02 but not actually implemented. Bart Olson said he would once again contact Meyer Insurance and find out.
Bart Olson also complained about one town board member’s perceived open hostility toward the airport and another board member’s perceived denial of any ownership or responsibility for the airport. Olson said this was very strange since the town has leased the land occupied by the airport for 99 years for the sole purpose of operating an airport. It would seem that the town would appreciate and support the airport board, which has operated the town’s airport for the last 39 years, instead of being hostile to it. Olson distributed copies of the airport lease between the Town of Prairie du Sac and the current owner, Olson Properties of Merrimac LLC, and also the management agreement between the town and Sauk Prairie Airport Inc., which runs concurrently with the lease. The board members all agreed that they should attend the November 12, 2002 Town of Prairie du Sac meeting in order to clarify everyone’s position and responsibility regarding the airport. The secretary will request this discussion be put on the town’s agenda.
Windsock Replacement: Kirk Olson repaired the existing windsock and will have it back in operation this week. The Secretary was asked to order another one so there would be a spare.
Removal of Old Pilot Shack: Al Checky has been unsuccessful in contacting Kurt Mueller, who has not been available. He will keep trying.
Budget Report: The secretary attended the County Budget Hearing and the decision was made not to increase the county’s contribution as requested by the airport but to contribute the same amount as last year.
Other Business: Short-term runway maintenance was discussed. The secretary will contact Crack Filling Service about pricing.
It is hoped that Joan Weiss will be able to attend the November 20th meeting.
Motion to adjourn meeting by Roger Thistle. Seconded by Doyle Curtis. Adjourned
Bart Olson, Sec.-Trea.
Next meeting November 20, 2002