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<br />VOLUME 1, NUMBER 6
<br />
<br />RAMSEY
<br />
<br />IDENT
<br />
<br />RE
<br />
<br />
<br />FREE
<br />
<br />SEPTEMBER, 1986
<br />
<br />PHASE II OF
<br />AIRPORT STUDY BEGINS
<br />
<br />Gateway Industrial North Airport, located in the Ci-
<br />ty's industrial area was developed as a privately own-
<br />ed public use airport in 1972. The airport was
<br />developed by the Anoka Industrial Park Corporation
<br />which was comprised of area businessmen who
<br />recognized the need for a facility to serve area'
<br />businesses. Among the first business users of the
<br />facility were the Dickinson Bus Company, Holley In-
<br />dustries (now Mate Tool and Die), Howe Fertilizer,
<br />and United Power Association. Some of these same
<br />businesses as well as new businesses use the facili-
<br />ty today. Additionally, salesmen, manufacturers
<br />representatives, and other professionals serving the
<br />area's businesses as well as residents are frequent
<br />users of the facility. '
<br />The Anoka Vocational Technical Institute uses
<br />four classroom buildings located on the airfield. The
<br />A VTI provides a two year program in aviation
<br />management and air traffic control with an active
<br />program of 50-75 students.
<br />The airside facility consists of a primary landing
<br />strip 2500' long oriented in a northwest-southeast
<br />direction and an east-west crosswind landing strip
<br />2365' in length. The airport's primary runway is serv-
<br />ed by a non-precision instrument approach increas-
<br />ing the utility of the facility during inclement weather.
<br />Neither runway is currently paved.
<br />The number of based aircraft and flying activity
<br />have increased over the last several years with near-
<br />ly 30 aircraft currently based at the airport. The in-
<br />crease in flying activity is primarily a result of hav-
<br />ing a viable fixed based operator (FBO) on the field
<br />who services aircraft, an active flying club, training
<br />and proficiency flights, and the increased number
<br />of based aircraft.
<br />While the facility has served the aviation needs
<br />of the area for nearly 15 years, the aviation demands
<br />of today and the future require an improved facility.
<br />The City Council recognized the need for im-
<br />provements in the late 1970's and conducted several
<br />preliminary study efforts which evaluated the existing
<br />site as well as alternative sites. In 1984, the City
<br />determined that a comprehensive study was
<br />necessary, and requested State funding for an Air-
<br />port Master Plan Study. Minnesota Department of
<br />Transportation - Division of Aeronautics agreed to
<br />participate and financed 80% of the $40,000 Master'
<br />Plan Study effort.
<br />The Master Plan Study was completed in the fall
<br />of 1985 after nearly two years. The study reviewed
<br />historical activity, developed forecasts of future ac-
<br />tivity, determined facility requirements, evaluated
<br />alternatives, assessed economic considerations, and
<br />projected development costs. The study also outlin-
<br />ed the environmental considerations and presented
<br />future development plans. The master plan is bas-
<br />ed on developing the facility to meet State and
<br />Federal criteria. Major improvements would consist
<br />of:
<br />
<br />· acquiring 230 acres of land for the airport, building
<br />area, runway approaches, and safety areas
<br />
<br />· relocating a segment of County-State Aid Highway
<br />116
<br />
<br />· developing a 3300' paved and lighted northwest-
<br />southeast runway and abandoning the existing east-
<br />west crosswind runway
<br />
<br />· taxiway improvements
<br />
<br />Ramsey Resident
<br />Ramsey Municipal Center
<br />15153 Nowthen Blvd. NW
<br />Ramsey, MN 55303
<br />
<br />Lr- ---
<br />
<br />· building area improvements including aircraft
<br />apron, tie downs, hangars, parking, and security
<br />fencing
<br />
<br />. obstruction removal such as powerlines, poles,
<br />trees and structures
<br />
<br />. navaids and lighting improvements
<br />
<br />The initial acquisition and development costs of
<br />the public facilities are estimated at approximately
<br />four million dollars. All of the initial development
<br />costs are eligible for Federal Airport Improvement
<br />Program (AlP) funds since Gateway is now recogniz-
<br />ed as an airport of national interest and has been
<br />included in the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Air-
<br />port Systems. AlP funds are derived from taxes on
<br />aviation fuel, excise taxes on aviation products and
<br />airline passenger tickets, aircraft registration and air
<br />cargo taxes. The AI P fu nds are 100% user
<br />generated and are dedicated to airport and aviation
<br />system improvements much like highway trust funds
<br />are dedicated to roadway improvements. Should the
<br />City proceed, the 90% AlP funding share would be
<br />approximately $3,6 million with the City's share be-
<br />ing approximately $360,000. Alternative methods of
<br />funding the City's share are being explored.
<br />The Airport Commission met on September 10
<br />and reviewed a proposed contract from the selected
<br />consultant, Hakanson/Anderson, for the en-
<br />vironmental assessment on Gateway North Industrial
<br />Airport and airport zoning. After much deliberation
<br />and debate, the Commission passed two motions
<br />unanimously. The first was to recommend that the
<br />City Administrator and Merland Otto of Hakan-
<br />son/Anderson work out the final details of the con-
<br />tract for the environmental assessment and that
<br />Council approve entering into the contract subject
<br />to MNlDoT's review and approval. The other motion
<br />states that based on current information available,
<br />the Commission recommends that Council take the
<br />necessary steps to acquire and develop Gateway
<br />North Industrial Airport according to the current Air-
<br />port Master.
<br />If all necessary approvals are obtained, the im-
<br />mediate work will be an environmental assessment
<br />detailing impact of the proposed development,
<br />evaluating alternatives and developing appropriate
<br />measures to mitigate impacts. Several public
<br />meetings and a public hearing will be held during
<br />this effort to solicit comments and present findings.
<br />The City may also establish an Airport Zoning Board
<br />which could prepare and adopt an Airport Zoning Or-
<br />dinance. The ordinance will establish land use
<br />guidelines and limit the height of potential obstruc-
<br />tions to air navigation in the area around the aiport.
<br />On September 10 the Airport Commission also
<br />discussed the landfill issue with respect to Waste
<br />Management of Minnesota, Inc. 's request for vertical
<br />expansion. Chairman Ippel noted that the Metro
<br />Council is conducting a public hearing on October
<br />8 at Ramsey Elementary School regarding that re-
<br />quest. It was the decision of the Commission to
<br />prepare a letter, to be submitted at the hearing, that
<br />will present supporting documentation of Gateway
<br />North being recognized in the national airport
<br />systems plan and that airports and landfills are non-
<br />compatible land uses.
<br />The Ramsey Airport Commission meets the se-
<br />cond Wednesday of the month. Your attendance,
<br />comments and questions are encouraged.
<br />
<br />POSTAL CUSTOMER
<br />
<br />
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<br />6
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<br />
<br />GARY REIMANN
<br />
<br />APPOINTED AS MAYOR
<br />At the August 26, 1986 Council meeting, a motion
<br />was made and passed to appoint Council member
<br />Gary Reimann as Mayor to fill out the unexpired term
<br />of Gary Heitman. Gary Reimann accepted the ap-
<br />pointment and in accordance with proper procedure,
<br />resigned from his position as councilmember. The
<br />City is now in the process of receiving recommen-
<br />dations and applications to serve out the unexpired
<br />council position created by Gary Reimann's accep-
<br />tance of the mayoral position. Council will take ac-
<br />tion to fill that vacancy by September 23.
<br />
<br />ATTENTION
<br />
<br />RAMSEY RESIDENTS
<br />
<br />The City of Ramsey is currently seeking candidates
<br />to fill a vacancy on the Airport Commission. The posi-
<br />tion requires a minimum of one evening meeting per
<br />month. Ramsey residents interested in serving on
<br />the Commission are requested to submit a letter of
<br />application to the Ramsey Municipal Center, 15153
<br />Nowthen Blvd. N.W., Ramsey, Minnesota 55303, no
<br />later than 5:00 p. m. on October 8, 1986. The letter
<br />should contain the applicant's name, address,
<br />telephone number, work experience, education and
<br />any experience in municipal affairs. In addition, ap-
<br />plicants should include a statement listing their
<br />reasons for seeking appointment to the Airport Com-
<br />mission. The position is not salaried.
<br />
<br />PUBLIC NOTICE
<br />
<br />CITY OF RAMSEY
<br />
<br />COUNTY OF ANOKA
<br />
<br />STATE OF MINNESOTA
<br />
<br />Notice is hereby given that the City of Ramsey will
<br />accept filings of affidavits of candidacy for the office
<br />of Mayor for a 2 year term and two (2) Council-at-
<br />large positions, each for a 4 year term. Filings for
<br />office open September 9, 1986 at 8:30 a.m. and
<br />close October 7, 1986 at 5:00 p.m.
<br />A new Minnesota State law was passed after the
<br />election of two years ago that states ballots must be
<br />printed and ready for absentee voting one month
<br />before the general election. For this reason,
<br />municipal filing dates have been changed to "not
<br />more than eight nor less than six weeks before the
<br />general election." However, the Ramsey City
<br />Charter states that affidavits of candidacy can be fil-
<br />ed "no earlier than fifty-six days nor later than
<br />twenty-eight days before any municipal election."
<br />Absentee ballots may be obtained from Anoka
<br />County (Election office) beginning October 4 and
<br />would include all ballots except for Ramsey City, as
<br />Ramsey's filing dates do not close until October 7.
<br />A separate absentee ballot containing Ramsey can-
<br />didates will be printed and mailed.
<br />
<br />CAR-RT -SRT
<br />BULK RATE
<br />U.S. POSTAGE
<br />PAID
<br />PERMIT NO. 131
<br />ANOKA, MN 55303
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