Caledonia Argus

Cities to set up airport commission

Posted: 10/7/03

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

How important is the Houston County airport to the general public?

The answer to that question will determine how the county will handle the cost of repairs to the runway and other needed updates. The issue was brought to the attention of the county board several months ago when it was asked to support an airport layout plan that would pave the way for improvements and updates.

But projected budget cutbacks have caused the board to delay a decision on the issue. Instead, the board is looking at options which would shift the financial responsibility to someone else.

As a discussion incentive, the board offered to sell the airport to the cities of Caledonia and Spring Grove for $1 because it initially thought that residents from those cities use the airport the most.

After meeting with the two cities Monday night, September 29, it was decided to form an airport commission involving the other cities in the county. Houston County Economic Development Director Joyce Iverson, who attended the meeting, said, ìIt was the consensus of all those present that it is of value to all of the cities which is why we all need to be involved.î

The next meeting is scheduled for November 10 at 4:30 p.m. in the Houston County courthouse.

The purpose of the meeting will be to define the responsibilities of an airport commission and to review the five year capital improvement plan, which includes the airport layout plan and construction improvement plans.

Researching the significance of the airport to the county will be a key task of the commission and aid the board in deciding if they want to spend more money on the airport.

Commissioner Dave Corcoran noted, ìHow much do you pump money into something that isnít being used?î

Its degree of use, however, is what is being questioned.

Commissioner Kevin Kelleher feels the airport is used mostly for recreational flyers and by people who live in the Spring Grove and Caledonia area. He said, ì ìOccasionally business planes land there. I have yet to see real visible proof of that airport contributing to the countyís economy.î

He added,î Iím not for closing it down, but of seeing who it is valuable to and if they would like to have it and keep it going.î

Dean Kalash, 70, has had his pilots license since he was 54 and is a member of the Red Baron Flyers Club. He believes that people who do not use the airport are not aware of how much it is used for business purposes.

Arne Beneke, who is also a pilot and member of the Red Baron Flyers Club, believes that two thirds of the people who use the airport use it for business purposes.

According to his research, he has found at least 37 businesses who have used it or are currently using it. Some businesses would include Alco, Eitzen State Bank, Miken Trucks, Wiebke Fur, the Red Cross, Staggemeyer Stave and Northern Engraving.

Iverson, who was hired last year as the countyís economic development director said, ìIn my discussion with other economic development directors, it seems to be a given that an airport is a good thing. The challenge is to attract more business use.î

Old airport needs work

At 68 years olf, the Houston County airport is the second oldest airport in the state of Minnesota at 68 years old.

Over the years, the county has done only necessary repairs to keep it going which is one reason those who use the airport are requesting some improvements and updates. The airport does not have running water.

In the last twenty years, it has made two major improvements both of which have been cost shared with the state.

In 1982, the county spent about $15,000 to overlay the runway, which represented 20 percent of the actual cost. Then, in 1999, the county spent $11,300 to install new lights on the runway, which was also 20% of the actual cost.

Two thirds of yearly maintenance costs are reimbursed by the stateís DOT (Department of Transportation) Aeronautics.

For example, the Houston County airport made the county $414 last year because its maintenance costs were offset by $5,856 in state reimbursements and $3,754 of income generated by renting some of its land to neighboring farmers, renting out hanger lot spaces and collecting real estate tax on those hanger rentals. That income of $9,610.9 exceeded the $9,169.84 of expenses.

This year, the county has budgeted $12,000 for maintenance and has spent $8,200 so far.

The county has budgeted $6,400 for 2004 for the maintenance costs.

Runway improvement needed

The runway was recently deemed ìstructurally failedî by the the state Aeronautics DOT. Before it can be repaved, the county is required to submit an airport layout plan, which is a comprehensive document that must be done by an engineer. It has been suggested that Allen Henke, county engineer, can complete the plan. Hiring an outside contractor for that job has been estimated at $30,000.

The actual repaving of the runway would cost approximately $350,000 which could be cost shared with the state, with the state paying 90% of the cost and the county paying 10%.

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