Minutes - Council - 06/26/1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Councilmember Pearson stated that in his opinion, as long as the airport is located and operating in Ramsey, the Airport Commission should be retained. Councilmember Peterson stated that he would look favorably upon redrafting an ordinance establishing the direction and tasks of the Airport Commission; that he wants to abolish the present commission and re-establish them under a new ordinance. Councilmember DeLuca stated that he thinks it is important to have an Airport Commission because of legislative changes and the City Council needs to be advised of those just as it is with things that are happening with landfills. Councilmember Cich stated that the Commission is an advisory board but his main issue of concern is the insestual relationship between Hakanson Anderson and the Airport Commission and the continuous spending of funds over the years for more and more studies. Councilmember Cich also stated that he is agreeable to retaining the Airport Commission as an advisory body but having them cease and desist on large expenditures for airport studies. Mayor Reimann noted that the Airport Commission has not spent any funds; that City Council made the decisions to spend money on studies in the past. Mayor Reimann called for a roll call vote. Councilmember Richard Cich - Nay Councilmember Stephen F. DeLuca - Aye Mayor Gary Reimann - Aye Councilmember Alan Pearson - Aye Councilmember Kenneth Peterson - Aye Motion carded. Mr. Otto requested direction from City Council as to whether or not the City should proceed with airport improvements. Mr. Otto noted that every study that has gone before has indicated that the benefits derived outweigh the community's share of the cost of the project overall. Mr. Otto noted that if the City Council makes the decision to proceed with improvements to Gateway North Industrial Airport, the project would proceed based on the approved Airport Master Layout Plan which consisted of a single runway and no cross-wind runway. Mr. Otto explained that the Director of Aeronautics at MnDOT has backed off on the position for a cross-wind runway and that issue is no longer a consideration on any cost-sharing program they might enter into with the City. Motion by Councilmember Cich and seconded by Councilmember Peterson that the City not proceed with improvements and development of Gateway North Industrial Airport. Further discussion: Councilmember DeLuca stated that he oO~pposed to the motion based on information made available to him and the rest of the Councilmembers. Councilmember DeLuca stated that the information provided includes the fact that with the improvements to Gateway North Industrial Airport, there would be protected air space to prohibit a larger airport facility from being located near Ramsey; the State agencies that would invest in the improvements to Gateway North Industrial Airport will help the City oppose Site "P"; and the economic benefits to the community resulting from an airport being located within the City. Councilmember Cich stated that economic development could be enhanced in the industrial area by providing good ground transportation. Councilmember DeLuca stated that he is not arguing ground transportation but looking at a package the City could offer that would include something that surrounding communities cannot offer and give Ramsey the potential to be an economic and industrial leader in the northern tier area. Mayor Reimann stated that the relationship between Gateway North Industrial Airport and the Anoka Vocational Technical Institute gives young people the opportunity to gain an education in air traffic and hold a job in the area in which they were trained. Mayor Reimann stated that he believes the City Council / June 26, 1990 Page 14 of 21