Page 2 | SATURDAY, JAN. 18, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD
NEWS
Airport may see new governance structure Council hears information about proposed transition BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS – The St. Cloud Regional Airport could have a new governing authority by this time next year. The St. Cloud Regional Airport Authority could
80th Birthday
Geri Lovitz
Happy 80th Birthday Mom! Geri Lovitz’s birthday is Jan. 23. If you see her wish her well.
become a reality by Jan. 1, 2021, should the city of St. Cloud, and Benton, Sherburne and Stearns counties sign a joint resolution, establishing the special taxing district under state statute. Officials of the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation and Sherburne County presented information regarding the proposal at the Sauk Rapids City Council meeting Jan. 13 at the Sauk Rapids Government Center in Sauk Rapids. The presentation was requested by Benton County commissioners who hoped to inform the county’s largest city prior to acting on the resolution. In 2017, the Minnesota Legislature granted a $250,000 funding request to provide an optimization study regarding the airport, which is positioned in Sherburne County just south of the Benton County line. Brian Myres, board chair of the Greater St.
Engagement Announcement Ackerman Buckalew
Brent Daniel Ackerman and Trista Aubrey Buckalew announce their engagement and forthcoming wedding. Trista is the daughter of Rick Buckalew, of Hillman, and Christine Turner, of Sedro-Woolley, Washington. She is a 2012 graduate of Sauk RapidsRice High School and 2013 graduate of Model College of Hair Design. She is employed at Great Clips in Sartell as a salon Mmanager. Brent is the son of Pete and Mona Ackerman, of Sauk Rapids. He is a 2012 graduate of Sauk Rapids-Rice High School and 2015 graduate of Alexandria Technical
Cloud Development Corporation, said the study’s final report released in February 2019 concluded the airport was an underused asset and there were several ways to improve the airport through discount carriers, corporate travel and more. But, in order to do so Myres said, a different governance structure would need to be initiated. The city of St. Cloud is the owner and operator of the airport. The proposal is for St. Cloud to divest its assets and transition governance to Stearns, Benton and Sherburne counties. A nine-member board of appointed representatives (two from the city, two from each county and one agreed upon by all parties) would manage the authority. “The city of St. Cloud currently is funding (the airport) to the tune of about $620,000 on operations and $200,000 annually on the capital side from the local option sales tax,” Myres said. “That would continue basically for a period of 10 years.” Following the 10 years and as the airport becomes more economically viable, the city of St. Cloud would be relieved of its financial obligations and removed from the authority board, dropping the board to sev-
en members. “The city (of St. Cloud) has done a good job with running that airport with the means they have,” said Felix Schmiesing, Sherburne County Commissioner. “In order to be truly regional, we’re going to have to make the next step and that is going to need to be regional governance. The secret to this is the idea that the business community is going to be involved. We’re going to appoint a different governance committee to make this work, and that’s going to be the secret to its success.” Before the authority can begin, the Federal Aviation Administration must approve certification and all parties must pass the joint resolution. Sherburne County approved its document Dec. 17, and the resolution should appear before the subsequent parties by the end of March. “It’s highly constrained by statutes, so this is not paving a new path but it is one that is already established,” said Bruce Messelt, administrator for Sherburne County. “It does require FAA approval, and we’ve already received preliminary approval for the resolution you have in your packet. We’ve indicated a goal of being operational on Jan.
1, 2021.” The resolution is expected to come before the Benton County commissioners Jan. 21. In other council news: - Approved the city’s American with Disabilities Act self-evaluation and transition plan following a public hearing where no audience members spoke. Community development director Todd Schultz said nearly all buildings are in compliance as they were built after the ADA was passed in 1990. Schultz said the city’s transition plan states to update to ADA compliance as capital improvement projects are completed. An open house was hosted Jan. 8 for members of the public which wanted to comment or question the plan. One person attended and Schultz corresponded by phone and email with one other resident; comments were considered. Mayor Kurt Hunstiger reminded the audience and those viewing the live cable broadcast from homes that the plan is amendable. - Approved obtaining a certificate of authorization for unmanned aerial vehicle operation and approved UAV training of police department personnel not to exceed $3,000. - Approved the purchase of a public works
pickup truck. The cost of the truck, accessories and applicable licensing fees is about $33,000. - Approved the purchase of a public works park truck with a plow. The cost of truck, plow and applicable licensing fees is about $38,000. - Schultz gave an update on the Southside Park project. The city will be swapping land with the Department of Natural Resources, but has come to an agreement that the city will be allowed to place up to eight wells and well houses on that land should they need to in the future. “(The DNR) have given us the OK to go ahead with the bidding process with understanding that we’ll work through the finer details of the agreement between the and the National Park Service over the next several months,” Schultz said. Schultz said he hopes to have bidding documents to the city council in two weeks. - The Sauk Rapids Police Department will host a public meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, regarding its implementation of body worn cameras. A formal public hearing will take place at a later city council meeting.
Gate City Bank opens Sauk Rapids location SAUK RAPIDS – Gate City Bank has opened a new location inside Coborn’s, 110 First St. S., Sauk Rapids. This full-service bank provides personal, mortgage and business banking. The new location is part of the bank’s growing partnership with Coborn’s Inc., the St. Cloud-based parent company of Cash Wise Foods, Coborn’s and Hornbacher’s grocery stores. Sauk Rapids is one of five Gate City Bank locations announced for 2020. The St. Cloud and Waite Park Cash Wise Foods will open Gate City Bank locations this spring, and the bank will open branches in Cash Wise Foods stores in Dickinson, North Dakota, and Bismarck, North Dakota, in spring and summer, respectively. “We are thrilled to open in Sauk Rapids and bring our innovative banking services to the region,” said Ryan Coye, senior vice president of retail banking at Gate City Bank. “I’m excited to show customers how we can help them save time and money.”
Little Falls man injured in spin out ST. CLOUD – Icy road conditions led to a Little Falls man’s injuries Wednesday. Michael Melin, 62, was transported to the St. Cloud Hospital Jan. 15 after a vehicle he was riding in was struck by another while in the ditch. Michelle Melin, 56, of Little Falls, was traveling south on Highway 10 near County Road 33 when she lost control of the vehicle and entered the ditch shortly before 11 a.m. A truck, driven by Daniel Valerius, 64, of Bemidji, was also traveling south. Valerius lost control, went into the ditch and struck the Melin vehicle. Michelle Melin and Valerius were not injured.
a.m. Jan. 15. McGuire was unable to stop for a red light due to icy roads while traveling north on Highway 15. Cherne was traveling west on County Road 29. McGuire was not injured.
News briefs
Brent Ackerman and Trista Buckalew
Community College. He served in the Army National Guard from 2012-18. He is employed by Knife River as an equipment operator. A Feb. 8 wedding is planned at Rolling Ridge Event Center in St. Joseph.
Snowmobiles restricted from Bend in the River FOLEY – Benton County reminded residents Jan. 13 that snowmobiles are not permitted at Bend in the River Regional Park in Rice. In a release, the county indicated motorized vehicles are not permitted at the park except in designated parking lots. The trails at the park are intended for pedestrian activities such as crosscountry skiing, snowshoeing, walking and running. No snowmobiles are permitted on trails or in open areas of the park.
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St. Cloud woman hurt in collision ST. CLOUD – A St. Cloud woman was hurt after a vehicle collision at a Benton County intersection Wednesday. Mary Cherne, 62, was transported to the St. Cloud Hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries after her vehicle was struck by one of Alison McGuire, 20, of Iowa, around 11
Milaca woman in crash on Highway 23 ST. CLOUD – A Milaca woman was injured Jan. 9 as a vehicle attempted to make a left turn across Highway 23. Victoria Johnson, 56, was transported to the St. Cloud Hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries after the vehicle she was driving collided with a box truck. The box truck was driven by Brian Ovsak, 31, of Braham. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, Ovsak was traveling westbound on Highway 23 around 7 p.m. when he attempted to take a left turn at County Road 8. Johnson was traveling eastbound on Highway 23 and collided with the vehicle. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Sauk Rapids Fire Department and Mayo Clinic Ambulance assisted at the scene.