HomeMy WebLinkAboutLaurel Airport Authority Minutes 04.15.2025
Laurel Airport (6S8)
Authority
P.O. Box 242
Laurel, MT 59044-0242
Laurel Airport Rd.
LAA Meeting Minutes
April 15, 2025
06:00 PM
Roll Call - Board Members Present: Joe Mutchler, Jim Wise, Doug Myers, Randy Hand
Public Guests Present: Frederick Lee, Robert Spannagel, John Roberts, Brady Sinclair, Bret
McKenney, Murl Williams, Ben Schaak, Bill Austin, John Ostlund, Gracie Johnson, Gary Blain,
Justin Zindell (KLJ), Chuck Henrichs (EEC), Kevin Lundin (EEC), Kurt Markegard, Will Metz
Previous Mtg Minutes Approval: Minutes approved from previous meeting on 3/31/2025.
Financials Update:
1. No new bills.
2. Cody of Beartooth Accounting is taking over from Steve Cosner. Going forward, we
will work with her to send out lease invoices etc.
3. New board member names have been submitted to Western Sec Bank for checking
account authorized access.
Claims Reviewed / Approved: N/A
Public Comments / Non-agenda items (3 minutes):
1. Fred Lee: LAA website needs to be updated and corrected. Gracie Johnson and John
Roberts volunteer to help with website issues if we can gain access. Board will reach
out to Brock Williams re access issues / problems.
2. Ben Schaak: Presented a lease agreement for LAA Board approval between JS Ag
Air Services and 406 Aero. It was signed by both Jim Schaak and Bret McKenney. It
was suggested that we consider using pad area markings and signage for safety.
3. Gary Blain: Was appointed to the LAA Board by the Laurel City Council and will be
voted on at next meeting (4/29/25).
4. Justin Zindell (KLJ): American Road Maintenance will begin work on 19th May to
address permanent markings and punch list items. They supplied new RW closed
markings to replace original ones removed from the airport.
5. Kurt Markegard (City of Laurel): We can contact Britany, and have our minutes and
meeting agendas etc. posted directly on the City of Laurel website if we get info to her.
Reports: KLJ Engineering – Master plan and Construction updates (Justin Lindell):
New Business:
a. Motions and unanimous vote to: move future meetings from 7:00 to 6:00 PM.
b. Motions and unanimous vote to: approve Brent Brooks as LAA attorney. (We need
to inform the FAA that he will be acting as our new attorney.)
c. Motions and unanimous vote to: assign lot at 2405 DeFrance to Ben and Matt Schaak.
Lot to be surveyed and staked out by KLJ. Bldg. will be lumber built. Contactor not
yet selected. Will need to stake off drain field for Will Metz septic system to prevent
damage by vehicle traffic.
d. Motions and unanimous vote to: assign lot at 2635 Cory to Frederick Lee
e. Motions and unanimous vote to: assign lot at 2625 Cory to Chuck Henrichs / EEC).
f. Motions and unanimous vote to: assign lot at 2615 Cory to Brad and Brady Sinclair
g. Motions and unanimous vote to: assign lot at 2605 Cory to Bill Austin
Regarding Cory Lots
o (as per KLJ): Helena ADO plan delayed by RIF activity affecting the FAA
o (as per KLJ): ALP Masterplan is is under review by FAA and waiting for update
but delayed by RIF activity affecting the FAA
o (as per KLJ): LAA board can not approve lots for construction yet, as they have
to have overall development approved by FAA
o (as per KLJ): LAA Board should approved the area for expansion and
development … should be agenda and vote item for 4/29 meeting
o (as per KLJ): They will work to determine actual lot sizes given varied
restrictions affecting the lots.
o (as per EEC): EEC will do survey work and topo engineering work in
anticipation of eventual development.
o LAA needs to
o LAA Board will provide to each interested party, a copy of our current leases,
minimum standards=ds for construction of non-commercial hangars and airport
rules and regulations.
o Helena ADO plan delayed by RIF activity affecting the FAA
h. LAA to decide on utilities services and provisions and contracting but need lot sizes
and layout plan first from KLJ. Utility cost estimates and related disbursement issues
will be tabled for discussion until lot sizes / layout plan is made.
i. Motions and unanimous vote to: approve Bret McKenney to purchase a new
courtesy car for the airport for $5000 taking advantage of a grant available until May
1st. He has identified a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
j. We need to gain access to the LAA / airport website and reestablish proper
AWOS airport phone system operation. Randy Hand will reach out to Brock
Williams to attempt access and Gracie Johnson and John Roberts have volunteered
to help with addressing / correcting / optimizing website access and information
content issues.
k. Laurel airport commercial user related compliance issues (as claimed by Will Metz)
were discussed:
o Jim Schaak (JS Ag Air Service) presented a Part 137 compliance
presentation (at our 3/31 mtg) which has been sent to the FAA with regard
to the temporary spray operation that he operates out of Laurel.
o Frank Felke is performing no commercial work from his hangar and
stopped work even prior to cease and desist notices sent to him
o Murl Williams is performing no commercial work from his hangar and
stopped work upon notification of the cease and desist notices sent to him
o Ron Webber has removed all outside storage items that were at issue, is
keeping his main entry gate closed, and has erected a security fence alon
the NE perimeter of his property.
o Bret McKenney has removed all outside storage items that were at issue,
and is keeping his main entry gate closed, and has erected a security fence
along the NE perimeter of his property.
Old Business:
The current, general focus of the LAA Board is to address our current alleged non-
compliance issues and to ensure that legally and financially we are staying current. As
a board, we are communicating with everyone at the airport and with the FAA.
Meeting Adjourned @ 8:30 PM.
All motions at meeting were approved unanimously.
Doug Myers
LAA Board Secretary