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

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airport is a plus for the community and will bring in development and employment. Mayor Reimann stated that having an airport would give the City an edge over other communities and the facility could be developed not through regular tax dollars but with tax revenue generated from aviation uses. Councilmember Cich stated that proceeding with Gateway North Airport would cost regular tax dollars because of maintenance of the airport and the continual effort to get airport zoning in place. Mayor Reimann noted that the studies indicate that the return on airport investment is more than dollar for dollar. Councilmember Cich replied that Mayor Reimann's statements are not backed up by facts. Mr. Otto noted that the environmental assessment supports Mayor Reimann's comments. Councilmember Pearson stated that he is not ready to make a decision this evening. Councilmember Pearson explained that he visited with a Councilmember from Lake Elmo and it appears that City is dissatisfied with the amount of pressure that was put on them by FAA. Councilmember Pearson stated he would like more information before making a decision regarding how much control FAA would have over the facility. Mr. Otto replied that the Airport Master Plan for Gateway North Industrial Airport was developed based on a single runway and any other improvements to be considered would have to be brought back to City Council for approval. Mr. Otto noted that the airport at Lake Elmo is owned and operated by MAC and not a city-owned facility and therefore the City doesn't have control over what happens at that facility. Councilmember Pearson requested being provided with input from other communities with a municipally owned airport facility regarding their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with their respective facilities. Steve Kerr from Coon Rapids was present and asked for a show of hands of those people opposed and those people in favor of the airport. All members of the audience present for the airport issue raised their hands in favor of improving Gateway North Industrial Airport. Philip Forrseth was present and inquired if Site "P" would be selected if the airport was improved. Mr. Otto replied that there is a compatibility issue between airports and landfills; there is no guarantee that if the airport improvements proceed, the landfill will not. Mr. Otto stated that there is a strong argument to use the airport to discourage selection of Site "P"; of the three inventory sites in the County, Ramsey probably has the strongest argument. Philip Forrseth inquired if there is a situation of conflict of interest with one of the Councilmembers if in fact the airport has such a strong bearing on the landfill. Mr. Goodrich stated that he has explored the conflict of interest issue and in this particular case, any conflict of interest is remote. Councilmember Peterson noted that his wife is no longer employed at the landfill. David King of 15410 Nowthen Boulevard N.W. stated that the airport will give the City something with which to fight Site "P" and more people are opposed to Site "P" then they are to the airport. David King noted that of the three landfill inventory sites in Anoka County, Site "P" in Ramsey is the one most likely to be selected because of a landfill existing nearby and the airport would be a big help in fighting the selection of Site "P". Howard Baker stated that he is hearing a couple of arguments against improving the airport but he is not hearing any facts to back up those negative comments. Councilmember Cich noted that in a City election, the people of Ramsey overwhelmingly voted to have nothing to do with a City-owned airport. Mr. A1 Shallbetter stated that some businesses have already located in Ramsey because of the airport and if City Council closes that airport, they are inviting litigation. Mr. Virgil Barnes was present and recalled that some of the Councilmembers have complained that the Airport Commission has been spending taxpayer money and noted that the majority of the studies were paid for by the Division of Aeronautics of MnDOT. Virgil Barnes stated that the funds used to pay for the studies are generated by airport user taxes and the funds are set aside to help communities improve and build airports. Gmry Jurva of 7710 - 164th Avenue N.W. stated that he has been a Ramsey resident for 16 years and has had his aircraft based at Gateway Airport during that time. Gerry stated that he also bases his aircraft in a small town in Wisconsin and their airport was recently upgraded. Gerry stated that upon research at his Wisconsin property taxes resulting from the upgrading of the airport, he found that three to four dollars per year of his property taxes were going towards the airport. Dave Langseth stated that he has been in the community for 20 years and watched it grow and he is appalled that Councilmember Cich does not recognize the benefit to the educational aspect associated with improvements to Gateway North Industrial Airport. Councilmember Cich stated that it sounded like the Vo-Tech was willing to City Council / June 26, 1990 Page 15 of 21