HomeMy WebLinkAboutLaurel Airport Authority Minutes 04.22.2025Laurel Airport (6S8)
Authority
P.O. Box 242
Laurel, MT 59044-0242
Laurel Airport Rd.
LAA Meeting Minutes
April 22, 2025
06:00 PM
Roll Call - Board Members Present: Joe Mutchler, Doug Myers, Randy Hand, Gary Blain
Public Guests Present: Robert Spannagel, John Roberts, Bret McKenney, Murl Williams,
John Ostlund, Gracie Johnson, Evelyn Pyburn, Frank Felke, Will Metz
Previous Mtg Minutes Approval: Minutes approved without exception from previous meeting
on 4/15/2025 (Joe Mutchler making motion to approve, Doug Myers seconding).
Public Comments / Non-agenda items (3 minutes):
1. Joe Mutchler: Public please be aware that there was an auto theft outside of the 5G
fence and in front of the 5G fabrication business at 2020 Fox Road.
2. Will Metz: What is Board’s response to his Feb 12th Ag Operator request? Wants
opportunity to negotiate regarding his economic discrimination complaints in closed
meeting executive session.
3. John Roberts: Asking again for FAA to/from Board communications regarding
conformance issues. We explained that those were between Shane Linse and the
FAA and the current board was not privy to them.
4. Gary Blain: It appears that our Minimum Standards were last updated @ 2008. The
FAA has issued an Advisory Circular (150/5190-8) to assist in developing Minimum
Standards for airports. Ours may be not only out of date but in conflict with FAA
guidelines. (Action item suggestion for next mtg.)
5. Will Metz: He had met with Joe Nye of the FAA and Joe indicated that our standards
were “model standards” for an airport our size. Joe did not recommend changing
them.
Reports: KLJ Engineering – Master plan and Construction updates (via Joe Mutchler as
KLJ was not present):
Regarding Cory Lots:
• Regarding new construction hangars, KLJ has no idea as to timing.
• We have to update ALP but can’t until FAA has assigned / designated a contact person.
New Business:
Approve Gary Blain to LAA Board:
• Joe Mutchler made motion and Doug Myers seconded
• Gary Blain was unanimously appointed by voice vote.
Old Business:
Discuss further the non-compliance issues on the airport and the response required to
be made to the FAA:
• The FAA had initially required a response from us by 4/9 but has extended the
date to 4/30. Inspection results and photos will be submitted.
• Mandi of the FAA has required that we sign no lease agreements and needs to
review any commercial business plans.
• We need to send Jim Schaak’s business plan to Mandi
• We need to send a copy of the user agreement between Jim Schaak and Bret
McKenney / Tom Boyce regarding a loading / operating area for Jim’s transient
/ temporary Ag spray operation.
• Frank Felke has been doing no commercial maintenance out of his hangar for at
least a year. Joe Mutchler has recently inspected his hangar to con firm.
• Murl Williams has no tenant commercial work being done within his rental
hangar and has been inspected. There is an opportunity for Murl’s tenants to
move their operation into a commercial hangar near the FBO commercial
operation and they would lease space from Bret McKenney / Tom Boyce.
• Ron Webber has been inspected and is confirmed to have removed his outdoor
storage items. His entry gate is closed continually and is closed at night as well.
• Bret McKenney / Tom Boyce have complied and inspection has confirmed that
their property at 2020 Fox Road has all trash and storage items removed, and
their gates are closed. The only an outside vessel remaining is a garbage bin.
Meeting Adjourned @ 8:30 PM.
All motions at meeting were approved unanimously.
Doug Myers
LAA Board Secretary