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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFlying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission - 05/07/1997 APPROVED MINUTES FLYING CLOUD AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1997 7:00 P.M. City Center Prairie Rooms A& B 8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie COMMISSION MEMBERS: Carlo Amato, Tom Heffelfinger, Rob Kilpatrick, Jeff Larson, Alan Nitchman, and Gary Schmidt VISITORS: Jeff Bauer, replacing Marge Bundgaard, and Blake Middleton, Planes of Fame Air Museum STAFF: Scott A. Kipp, Senior Planner, and Barbara Anderson, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER The meeting began at 7:10 p.m. Chad Leqve and Roy Furhmann from MAC were also present. Heffelfinger arrived at 7:30 p.m. I. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Schmidt requested to add the City of Eden Prairie's request for additional space at Flying Cloud Airport under Other Business. Kipp requested that a welcome to the new commissioner be added after Approval of the Agenda. The agenda was approved as amended. II. WELCOME TO JEFF LARSON Kipp welcomed Jeff Larson to the Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission, noting he replaced Kent Barker. Jeff Larson gave a brief resume, noting he lives two miles from the airport and was interested in what was going on with it. He is a citizen representative to the Commission. Kipp introduced Jeff Bauer, who is with National Air Insurance at Flying Cloud Airport, and would be a businessman representative if appointed to the Commission. Kipp proposed that they recommend to the City Council that Bauer be appointed to the Commission to replace Marge Bundgaard, who had resigned. III. ELECTION OF OFFICERS MOTION: Schmidt nominated Tom Heffelfinger as Chair, seconded by Amato. Motion carried 5-0. MOTION: Schmidt nominated Nitchman to serve as Vice-Chair, seconded by Amato. Motion carried 5-0. FLYING CLOUD AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES May 7, 1997 Page 2 IV. APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 4, 1996 MINUTES MOTION: Schmidt moved, seconded by Nitchman that the December 4, 1997 Minutes be approved as submitted. Motion carried 5-0. APPROVAL OF MARCH 5, 1997 MINUTES MOTION: Kilpatrick moved, seconded by Schmidt, to approve the March 5, 1997 Minutes as submitted. Motion carried 5-0. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. MAC EIS ADVISORY COMMITTEE UPDATE - Gary Schmidt Schmidt reviewed the memo from Mark Ryan which was the latest information. Any further action has been postponed, as the St. Paul Airport is still under water. Kipp noted he had received a memo from Tom Heffelfinger which was sent to Mark Ryan requesting time to look into the history of Ordinance 51 as it pertains to the EIS. Heffelfinger commented when he received the update from Mark and Glen there were a few issues in his mind which he felt needed to be clarified. He wrote the memo requesting clarification of the history of Ordinance 51. He has not received a response to date. The EIS Advisory Committee may have a new meeting date set within a couple of weeks depending on Mark's health. The timetable is about four months,but he believed that was ambitious at best. B. UPDATE ON ELLIOTT AVIATION REGARDING WAIVER TO ORDINANCE 51 - Gary Schmidt Schmidt referenced the letter from Tim Anderson with MAC stating that no waiver was necessary as the aircraft was operating below the 20,000 pound weight limit. Heffelfinger asked what the effect of the flooding of Holman Field had on Flying Cloud Airport. Schmidt responded that most aircraft were diverted to Minneapolis but there were about 15 aircraft located at Flying Cloud Airport, and these were mainly jets. Nitchman commented that this has generated significant revenue for the airport and showed the citizens of Eden Prairie that the airport could be used to greater capacity without adverse consequences. C. SITE PLAN REVIEW OF HANGAR CONSTRUCTION AT FLYING CLOUD AIRPORT - Scott Kipp Kipp noted that there had been two submittals for site plan review, one for Executive Aviation which was approved by the City Council on May 6, 1997. The second is for Crown Aviation, who has requested site plan approval for a location on the far west end of the north hangar row. This will be a new free- standing building, and is in compliance with the ordinance. It will be reviewed by the Planning Commission at their next meeting. Kipp asked if MAC has people who are planning to expand their hangars, and if so would they indicate to them FLYING CLOUD AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES May 7, 1997 Page 2 that City review is required before issuance of a building permit. This would help speed up the review process. Furhmann stated that the Design Framework Manual was reviewed by their Commission and they had some comments on it which he was in the process of putting together for City staff. One of the issues was with the setback from the roadway requirement which may need to be modified. The landscaping requirement may also need to be addressed. Kipp responded that landscaping was not required, but encouraged, and it could only be done where it was feasible and with the approval of MAC. Furhmann stated they want to be sure that the intent is clear before adopting the manual and the issue of enforcement will need to be resolved. Heffelfinger commented that some of these issues may be similar to those involved with Ordinance 51 and it may be good to see if they can sit down and try to resolve them at a time in the future. Kilpatrick asked who keeps the cars parked at the airport and Nitchman responded that they are kept there by people who regularly fly into the airport so they don't have to rent vehicles. The cars are reviewed periodically and if the cares are not being used they are towed away. Heffelfinger asked if it was a parking violation to leave a vehicle abandoned on MAC property. Furhmann responded that they have yet to have one abandoned but they try to find out who owns it and then they contact the owner. Schmidt stated that they have had a few cars left and have contacted the Department of Motor Vehicles who have then contacted the owners. VI. NOISE ABATEMENT PLAN/AIRCRAFT INCIDENTS Noise Complaints for November 1996 through March 1997 - Roy Furhmann Leqve discussed the complaints received from November, 1996 through March, 1997, and noted that two reports received were not on the map because they were too far north. Heffelfinger commented he had made a complaint in February or March which was not reflected in the report. Kilpatrick asked about the extra traffic at Flying Cloud Airport from Holman Field and if it had generated any complaints. Furhmann responded that they don't have the April report yet, but it may be discussed at the next meeting. Kipp asked if there had been any incidents at the airport and Furhmann responded that there had been an incident last week where an aircraft's wheels would not lock so it landed on the floats and then the wheels were manually locked in place and they took off again. It was not recorded as an "incident" because no damage was done to either the aircraft or the airport. Leqve noted that they have a new web site which shows flight tracks and it is very interesting to visit. The address is www.macaysat.org. FLYING CLOUD AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES May 7, 1997 Page 2 VII. OTHER BUSINESS Replacement Candidate for Vacant Commission Seat of Mare Bundsaard - Scott Kipp Kipp stated that Jeff Bauer was the candidate to replace Marge Bundgaard and requested a motion to that effect from the Commission. MOTION: Nitchman moved, seconded by Kilpatrick, to recommend that the City Council appoint Jeff Bauer to fill the vacant seat of Marge Bundgaard on the Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission. Motion carried 6-0. Request by the City of Eden Prairie for Expansion of the Athletic Fields at Flying Cloud Airport - Gary Schmidt Schmidt stated that the City of Eden Prairie has requested permission to make some improvements to the athletic fields at Flying Cloud Airport and they were amenable to this but it is important that the City understand that if MAC cannot obtain additional land for future hangar construction on the south side of the airport according to the Long Range Plan, this area would be the first space they would look at for the additional hangar space which would impact the City's investments. MAC would not reimburse the City for the costs of the improvements if this occurred and this area was used for hangar space in the future. Kipp stated that there was legislation underway to prohibit MAC from leasing land for other uses such as recreation. Schmidt stated they have farming leases which do not require them to maintain the land but yet generates some revenue so it benefits everyone. It is understood that some maintenance would be done in this area and they are letting the City lease it but want it clearly understood that MAC assumes no liability for any improvements the City may make to the property. Schmidt discussed the costs of putting in the sewer to Flying Cloud Airport and noted they may be as high as $8 million. They are trying to get the MUSA line extended and have to talk to Al Gray about the cost of assessments. This project is moving forward slowly. If it goes through there will be some connection charge for tenants to connect to the water and sewer lines. These are the costs incurred by putting in the lines from the trunk into the airport itself. Kipp commented that the City would like to see some preliminary plans which may spur the City forward. Discussion ensued regarding the existing well and septic facilities at Flying Cloud Airport and the future plans for utilities to be provided. MAC is doing an audit of all its agencies to get information on existing facilities and policies regarding these. This will help identify areas of environmental concerns and aid in correcting any problems with such things as wells, septic systems, etc. Schmidt commented that he would like an agenda item added for the next meeting regarding review of environmental quality issues. Discussion ensued regarding the subcommittee/task force and its purpose which has been included in the EIS process. Kipp asked if anyone had items to be included on the next agenda that they submit them as soon as possible. Heffelfinger commented he felt it would be appropriate to ask the new Tower Chief to join the Commission at their next FLYING CLOUD AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES May 7, 1997 Page 2 meeting. Nitchman commented that transportation issues as pertain to the airport in relation to the City of Eden Prairie and how they interface globally into the transportation system of the community should be discussed. He would like to get the City Council involved in this aspect. Heffelfinger commented he would support getting information from other communities as to how they have dealt with this issue. He asked about the upgrade plans for Pioneer Trail and Kipp responded that it was scheduled to be upgraded to a 4-lane divided roadway from Hwy 212 east to Hwy 169 next year. No public hearings have been held on this yet. VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Nitchman moved, seconded by Kilpatrick, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.