TOWN OF WASHINGTON
SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING
Wednesday, April 18th, 2007
4:00 p.m.
Rutledge Room in the Community Center
A. ROLL CALL: Chairman Tim Jessen called the meeting to order at 4:00p.m. In addition to Jessen, present were Supervisors Ron Overdahl, Liz Holmes, Joel Gunnlaugsson and Randy Sorensen. All board members were present.
B. OPEN SESSION: Chairman Jessen stated the reason for the meeting was to discuss the W.I. Airport realignment.
Jessen and Overdahl clarified that the runway “4/22” is the existing runway and runway “3/21” is the new proposed runway, however Overdahl referred to a letter from the DOT Bureau of Aeronautics, dated February, 2007 referring to the most recent drawing of the runway as “4/22”. There continued to be discussion as to which letter and plan the Governor signed off on.
The Board agreed they wanted the runway that was agreed upon by the referendum, being the runway that would go over ‘no houses’, and go to the south of the present runway they were working on. There was discussion attempting to sort which runway was being addressed.
Jessen stated they should contact the MSA and Bureau of Aeronautics to inform the State the Town is not happy with the present design and the Town wants to go with the Governors 3/21. The Town will find out if the funding will be available next year and if easements can be acquired.
In a letter signed by the Governor, Overdahl stated the DOT/BOA addressed the air rights and easement process and the Town’s portion of the project is $6,076.19 that must be approved by the next meeting. Overdahl hopes they could approve that amount during the open session of this meeting to meet the terms of the realignment referred to in the Governors’ letter.
Overdahl reiterated the importance of approving the sponsors’ portion today which is listed on the Governor’s letter.
D. CLOSED SESSION: – 19.85 (1)e as authorized under the State of Wisconsin Statutes deliberating or negotiating the air easements. The board went into closed session at 4:37p.m. Roll Call Vote: Overdahl – aye; Holmes – aye: Gunnlaugsson – aye: Jessen – aye and Sorensen – aye. Also in attendance for discussion were Rob & Marcia Carr, Dan Nerenhausen and Ray & Barbara Hansen.
E. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION: Return at 5:24 p.m. Roll Call Vote: Overdahl – aye; Holmes – aye: Gunnlaugsson – aye: Jessen – aye and Sorensen – aye.
F. ACTION BASED ON CLOSED SESSION: Motion made by Overdahl to “approve the Town “sponsor” portion required by the Bureau of Aeronautics’ letter, page 2 in the finding letter that the Town received April 14th, 2007, dated March 22, 2007 and signed by the Governor, where it states ‘The Sponsor, in accordance with Section 114.33 (3), Wisconsin Statutes, and this finding (Order) shall take action at its next meeting toward providing the Sponsor’s share of the cost and promptly notify the Bureau of Aeronautics. That amount being stated at $6,076.19 for this portion of the project. To approve the project of the Governor, pending the ability to gain air rights and easements. Seconded by Holmes. Motion carried unanimously.
Statements were made by Overdahl noting that the following property owners (Rob & Marcia Carr, Dan Nerenhausen, Ray & Barbara Hansen) were present during the closed session and were willing to discuss air rights up to and including purchasing of property involved in the realignment stated and assigned by the governor March 22nd, 2007 and received April 14th, 2007.
Holmes made a motion for Jessen to meet with MSA and Bureau of Aeronautics to make sure they will use the same plans for runway 3/21 alignment that was approved by the Governor. Seconded by Sorensen. Motion carried unanimously.
G. ADJOURNMENT: Motion made by Jessen to adjourn. Seconded by Holmes. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 5:29p.m.