Posted: 6/20/06
Airport improvements coming
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Houston County will receive improvements at its airport and receive money back in the process.
County commissioners approved a 2006 Airport Improvement Program (AIP) plan on June 6 that will allow that unusual scenario to take place.
Matt Wagner, an engineer with the firm Mead & Hunt, explained that the federal government is reimbursing the county for the 1967 purchase of the 52 acres of airport land.
The anticipated reimbursement will be about $37,500, Wagner said.
The AIP this year also includes installation of an aircraft fueling system; public restroom and well construction; and an airport storm water pollution prevention plan.
The countyís share of these costs is five percent, or about $13,500, which gives a net return of about $24,000 to the county.
Federal Aviation Administration funds are paying for most of the improvements. The county has $543,000 available through 2006, but $93,000 of it has to be used this year or it will be returned to the FAA general fund.
Every National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems airport such as Houston Countyís receives up to $150,000 a year.
While the vote was unanimous, several commissioners expressed concerns about security at the site, possible vandalism at the public rest room, and long term maintenance costs.
Wagner said electronic surveillance could possibly be used at the site. Ann Thompson said that should be addressed in the airport plan.
Bids will be let on the projects in August, Wagner said, with construction starting in late summer and early fall of this year.
The county board approved an Airport Layout Plan (ALP) in May of last year by a 3-2 vote. Larry Graf and Kevin Kelleher opposed it. The 20-year project will cost an estimated $3.9 million, with a county share of $242,750. The ALP includes the construction of a new runway and the removal of obstructions.
The airport is located two miles south of Caledonia at the intersection of Highway 44 and 76.
Personnel items
The board approved the hiring of John Heimer for the highway sign placement position. He will receive $13.22 per hour.
Personnel director Tim Comstock asked the board for permission give notice to the tenant at 215/217 East Washington to leave by August 1. This is so asbestos testing can be done and the building demolished. The board agreed by consensus.
Comstock also set up the dates of June 13 and June 20 for interviewing candidates for the county engineer position. Former county engineer Tracey Von Bargen resigned earlier this year, and is filling in on an interim basis until a new one is hired. there are three applicants.
Dental program update
The board also heard about changes in the Clinical Dental Education Innovations Grant Proposal from administrator Darla Zahn.
The University of Minnesota has dropped out of the program, but two other colleges will replace it, Zahn said. Minnesota State University-Mankato students will do dental hygiene and dental clinics, and Rochester Community Technical College students will do dental hygiene.
The coverage area of Houston, Fillmore, and Winona Counties will be the same.
Zahn expect the two year grant will total $125,000. The program received $100,000 in 2002 and $114,340 in 2004. The grant proposal is due in two weeks, Zahn said on June 9.
The purpose of the program is to increase the frequency, service area, and capacity of public dental health clinics, and to expand oral health education.
Filing dates set
The county is advertising its filing dates of July 5-July 18 for county offices.
Two commissionersí seats are open: district two, currently held by Kevin Kelleher; and district four, currently held by Dave Corcoran. Terms are for four years. Kelleher is ineligible to file because he is a candidate for state senate.
District two includes the townships of Houston, Mound Prairie, Money Creek, Yucatan, Sheldon, and Union; and the city of Houston. District four includes the townships of Brownsville, Hokah, and La Crescent; and the cities of Brownsville, Hokah, and La Crescent third precinct.
Five county offices are also up for election: attorney, auditor, recorder, sheriff, and treasurer. All are four year terms.
The Root River Soil and Water Conservation Board has two four year terms open also. They are for district one (Mound Prairie, Union, Hokah, and La Crescent Townships and the cities of Hokah and La Crescent), currently held by Doug Meyer; and district two, currently held by Adolph Heimerdinger (Brownsville, Crooked Creek, and Jefferson Townships and the city of Brownsville). Both are four year terms.
Other business
ď Roof bids: The county will draw up bid specifications for repairing and replacing the roof on the Woodland Industries building at 521 Old Highway Drive. The building is owned by the county and provided at no charge to Woodland Industries, a non-profit agency that provides work for people with physical, mental, and/or emotional disabilities.
Caledonia Argus
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E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com