The Carroll County Airport Commission continues to search for a new airport manager, after the resignation of Michael Pfeifer. Last week, Chair Dave Teigen thanked the oher commissioners for efforts to help at the airport while applications are being reviewed.
Consulting Engineer Dan Clinton could not attend the meeting, but has been encouraging the commission to hire a land acquisition company to help obtain additional space for new hangars. The most likely area for expansion involves three property owners, and Clinton has repeatedly emphasized the importance of using a company with experience in meeting the requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration.
Commissioner Sandy Martin recommended following Clinton’s advice, and commissioner Morris Pate said these steps toward acquisition are already outlined in the airport’s master plan. The motion to hire a contractor passed, with commissioner Chase Tresler opposed.
A post-vote discussion re-examined the issue. Tresler explained his “No” vote, saying the commission might not recover the cost of a contractor if the company could not acquire the desired property. Even if the contractor succeeds, Tresler thought the acquisition would cost more in the long run than approaching landowners directly.
Martin reminded Tresler that these specialized companies have expertise in negotiating with property owners, and with the FAA as well. An FAA grant will eventually fund the acquisition. Teigen said, “This is a nationwide company. This is what they do.”
The added discussion left the motion in place, but everyone agreed by voice to delay actually hiring a contractor until after the July meeting, by which time Clinton would have an opportunity to answer questions raised by Tresler.
In other business:
- An e-mail vote had been cast to purchase fuel, and that vote was affirmed at the table.
- The terminal has new locks, and a master list will be kept listing who has keys.
- Bids had been taken to power-wash mildew from some hangars, but the bids were high, and commissioners decided to perform the clean-up in-house.
- This meeting was delayed from its regularly scheduled date of May 20 because the terminal building was used for early voting.