THE AIRPORT DRUM CONTINUES TO BEAT!

Airport annexation was once again on the Agenda.

                                   


     Gary Schmidt, Director of Reliever Airports for the Metropolitan

Airport Commission, was present at the January 14, 2019, Town

Board meeting.

     In late December a letter was submitted to Eureka Township

requesting the Eureka Town Board to consider joining the

Airport Commission in a petition for an orderly annexation

of portions of the Airlake Airport.

     In a past visit, representatives from MAC attempted to work

out an incentive of possibly paving Highview or portions of 225th

Street. However, Mr. Schmidt stated there are Federal regulations

(Revenue Diversion) that prohibit this.

     Mr. Schmidt spoke with Dakota County when there was 

consideration of a potential road swap. Dakota County would

take over 225th Street. If MAC were to pave a portion of 225th

street, Hamburg to Cedar Avenue, would Dakota County

consider paving portions of Highview Avenue in return.

The issue for Dakota County is that their road project will

not take place for 7 to 8 years. This is too far out for that type

of negotiation.

     Another issue discussed is the potential parking of rail

cars in Eureka which is also an issue in Lakeville.  Mr. Schmidt

believes the MAC has an area to provide rail parking. He is

hoping Eureka can join MAC in an orderly annexation of

portions of the airport property to help resolve the rail storage issue.

     The property requested to be annexed is the airport property

bounded by 225th Street on the South, Highview Avenue on the

West and Cedar Avenue on the East.

     Mr. Schmidt stated they have had discussions with Progressive

Rail and have a parcel layout set aside that they believe

Progressive Rail will agree to. Progressive Rail and MAC

are now in the process of working out the details of how the

lease arrangements are handled.

     Gary Schmidt stated  MAC does not have a guarantee

or anything in writing from Lakeville. However, Lakeville

does have an interest in bringing a road across the MAC

property which is an incentive for Lakeville to partner

in negotiations. All parties need to work together.

     MAC will assure an earnest agreement. Mr. Schmidt

stated "Our request to Eureka is to agree to enter into

negotiations toward an orderly annexation of the Airlake 

Airport into the City of Lakeville."

    A motion was made to continue negotiations with MAC

and engage Lakeville in a 3 way conversation in pursuing

the avenue of an orderly annexation of the Airlake airport 

into the City of Lakeville.

     The motion carried.