The
Item I. Welcome and Introductions to Organizational Meeting.
Jim Braswell opened the meeting, stating that at the next meeting of the Work Group, a Chair and Vice Chair should be appointed to assist with the organizational duties of the Work Group. Bob Barnard and Peter van Pelt of Barnard Dunkelberg were introduced as the consultants for the Master Plan process.
Members briefly introduced themselves:
John Garvin, Winhaven community, retired lawyer, co-chair of the Sustainable Growth Committee, former private pilot.
Bill Schroeder, member of the
Mike Neilon, representing the Business Council, pilot with United Airlines, retired Air Force Major, USC graduate.
Nick Pchelkin, Retired Air Force, flying B-52.
Fred LaSor, Manager and flight instructor - Soar Minden, elected regional director for the Soaring Society of America.
Johnny Marsalis, Tenant on the airport with hangar and plane. Former Navy pilot and retired from airlines.
Dennis Davis,
Al Gangwish, owner of Hutt Aviation with 22 years’ experience in aviation.
Terry LaLonde, Representing Minden Aviation Association, pilot, background in real estate and finance.
Chuck Dickerson, Owner of Air Sierra Unlimited, Inc., located on the Airport, 26 years. Background in both soaring and power needs.
Peter van Pelt/Bob Barnard, Barnard Dunkelberg Consultants, Airport planning firm founded in 1976, having done over 500 master plans.
Jim Braswell, Airport Manager introduced staff (Kallman) and Commissioner Johnson.
It was the general consensus that input from the Douglas County Planning Commission would necessarily play a major part in the Airport Master Plan.
Item II. Public Comments.
Jim Herd addressed the Work Group with general comments and advice on the master plan process, emphasizing the importance of the members to be aware of the responsibility with which they have been charged.
Item III. Project Process & Schedule of Master Plan
Peter van Pelt provided copies of the process overview (copy attached). He indicated there were five meetings of the Work Group planned in a 13-month period and three public information meetings. The process would include a forecast of activity anticipated over the next 20 years, the earlier years being more predictable and the later years obviously a little more vague. Local and national trends would be projected, balancing local, regional and national aviation trends; projection of capacity and facility requirements will be made; an environmental review would be made, as well as an implementation plan. He reviewed the Project Schedule for these and other detailed activities, indicating the schedule is based on the expectation of a smooth process.
Item IV. Roles, Responsibilities & Expectations
Peter van Pelt reviewed the roles, responsibilities and expectations prepared by the consultant to guide the Work Group through the Master Plan process. He discussed the roles of the consultant, the FAA and the Sponsor. He indicated that the FAA concurrence is needed of the forecasts and they would need to approve the ALP drawing sheet. It was indicated that it is important to keep the FAA informed as working papers are developed to keep avoid any delays in the process.
He indicated that policy direction from the sponsor is critical for the process and that the Work Group has no formal decision-making authority. Policy decisions would be made by the Douglas County Board of
Item V. Project Coordination and Public Participation in Process.
Mr. van Pelt discussed the project coordination and public participation process. He indicated the purpose of the Master Plan is to chart the development of the Airport in the next twenty years. There will be public meetings, open houses and workshops to encourage interaction. A study brochure and project notebooks will be provided to each Member and Alternate in which to keep summary notes of the Work Group meetings and public material will be available.
VI. Issues and Influences for Master Planning Process.
Mr. van Pelt overviewed the key issues which would need to be considered by the Master Plan Work Group and which would definitely impact the development of the Master Plan:
Soaring/Glider Activity
Existing Airport Ordinance
Growth Management
Corporate Aircraft Use
Economic Development
Land Use Compatibility
Runway Configurations
Safe & Efficient Airport Utilization Facilities
Stakeholder/Management Communication
Some of the Influences which were brought out in the visioning process were:
The need to commence the Airport Master Plan
Develop an interim glider/sailplane solution
Investigate Runway 21 Reactivation and Airport Ordinance Considerations
Use of the Master Plan as a Facilitation Tool
Determination of appropriate considerations for the Master Plan
Conclusions from the visioning process:
Most participants in the workshop shared many of the same goals, i.e., all participants seemed to value the natural beauty of the
A new vision statement was suggested:
Minden-Tahoe Airport is a key component of the transportation infrastructure network that serves the residents, businesses and visitors of
VII. Comments and Questions.
There was a considerable amount of interaction between the Work Group and the Consultant during the meeting, and many questions by the members, answered by the Consultant. In conclusion, the members voiced their feelings on the general direction and goals they were hoping to include in the process.
Chuck Dickerson: Intends to approach as an open-minded person with some preconceived ideas that may be changed; does not believe there should be a weight limit; feels the Planning Commission needs to look at the history of development of the area. He felt no one wants to see commercial airlines in
Al Gangwish: Hutt Aviation’s main concern is safety. So many different types of aviation at this Airport, safety is primary and the Master Plan needs to be good for all of the people.
Fred LaSor: Preservation of the very special soaring at
Johnny Marsalis: Cannot maintain the Airport without federal money. We need to preserve the airport. The fire bomber location is critical to the community, as it is in the event of flood/earthquake. It is important to communicate to the Planning Commission that the Airport must be preserved.
Dennis Davis: One of my goals is to be a conduit with homeowners and to ensure that the airport is maintained as a general aviation airport with no commercial traffic. Function will be to get the word out to constituents and make an effort to keep the community open-minded.
Terry LaLonde: In accord with what the other members have said; would like to see an accurate history of how we got to where we are. Would like review of earlier Airport Master Plan. Would like to review interim plans put together by various sources and how they relate. Would like to see an accurate assessment of what we have in current usage inventory and use that inventory to make projections for the future. Important that what we do interfaces with Planning Commission. Could be expansion of the airport which would direct the usage of the land adjacent to the airport, i.e., golf course. Would like to see a list of priorities so that we al know the direction of the airport.
John Garvin: Concerned that the Master Plan will be stuck on the shelf. It’s been my observation that there must be political will to follow the plan.
Bill Schroeder: Communication with Planning Commission is necessary to determine what the County is expecting to do in the next twenty years and must be done before we can put a handle on where the Airport is going.
Following these comments, Jim Braswell indicated that the Work Group members should be prepared to select a Chair and Vice Chair at the next meeting and that the members would receive a copy of the draft minutes prior to the next meeting for review and comment.
The Work Group members, in response to Jim Herd’s desire to provide more public comment, agreed to hear him although, procedurally, there was no more public comment provided on the agenda. Mr. Herd reiterated and emphasized some of his previously made comments.
Mr. van Pelt indicated that during the process, questions and comments should be directed to the Airport Manager, Jim Braswell, as a central source. Notice of the next meeting would be provided at least ten days in advance.
The meeting concluded at
Recorded by Sonja Strom
Office Assistant-Sr.,