A fire destroyed one of the two hangars at the Rushford Airport in October 2019. Now, almost five years, one pandemic, and many hoops to jump through later, the estimated $1.3 million replacement hangar is nearly completed.
The project was funded by a payout from the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust for the fire, the Airport Improvement Project – an Airport Rescue Grant, Non-Primary Entitlement Block Grants, an Airport Cares grant, and a city contribution. Airport Engineer Matt Wagner, of Mead & Hunt, helped facilitate the funding package. Olympic Builders of Holmen, Wis., is the contractor for the hangar construction.
At the July 22 meeting, the Rushford Council debated the rental rate for the five hangar units. After deliberation, the council unanimously approved continuing the current rate of $125 for the existing hangar’s six units and $150 for the new hangar units. The new unit features an electric winch as an upgrade. Potential renters were notified that the city was still determining the rates.
The city conducted an inventory of other airports of similar size. Rates are based on the square footage of hangar units, but the length of the runway also plays a part in limiting the size of airplanes that can be stored. It was noted that some airports have an issue with renters storing non-aviation items in their units due to the low rental rates. Rushford doesn’t allow renters to store other items in their units unless there is also a plane with a registered number on the tail inside.
According to City Administrator Tony Chladek, rates for comparable airports range from $67 to $200 for t-hangars. The council considered an introductory rate of $125, bumping it up on January 1, but opted to set the final rate now. Renters also currently pay $4.50/month for electrical utility. This was raised to $5.
“You’re supposed to have an aircraft or parts of one, but you can store other things inside. They have to sign off on it,” noted City Clerk Kathy Zacher.
“We don’t emphasize it, we enforce it,” added Mayor Terri Benson. “Other airports have not enforced it. Based on these rates, we’re not going to scare anyone away.”
“Once those buildings are up, there’s not a lot of cost of maintenance,” added Zacher. “Many of the things we do, we can get reimbursed 60%.”
Renters who have prepaid through 2025 will have their current payment honored. Councilor Sally Ryman suggested the council review the rate more frequently. The last rate review was in 2012. Chladek suggested an annual percentage increase, but Benson countered it’s better for councils to look at the rate more frequently. “We have to entice people to come,” she added.
The hangar is slated to be ready to go in August. Electrical will be done this week. Mayor Benson suggested an open house be held sometime after Labor Day with a possible fly-in for fall colors.
Zacher also provided an update on another issue regarding an airport property line and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR will provide a quit claim deed to convey land to the city where a fence encroaches onto the former Peterson property. The city engineer and the city attorney agree this is acceptable. The deed will be a future council agenda item.
The agenda provided several notices. Rushford Police Chief Adam Eide is working to find a new prosecuting attorney. Several contacts were made, but there is no contract in place. According to the notice, many firms are overloaded. The Fillmore County Attorney’s office will assist until a new attorney is secured.
The Public Works Department received 11 applications for the position of retiring employee Dave Howe. Howe’s resignation was approved effective August 12 at the May 13 council meeting. According to the notice, scoring of the applicants has begun and a testing day will be set up before final applicant interviews are decided.
Maintenance of the fire/police/ambulance building on Elm Street will be painted. Two quotes were received and the low quote of $6,850, from Mike Honken, was chosen.
Chipsealing will be done in August. Areas include the Creekside Park parking lot and entrance, Meadowview Drive, and west of the curb behind the fire hall.
Before the close of the meeting, Chaldek was asked about the ongoing survey regarding the former Farmer’s Win Cooperative elevator site. He indicated that 366 survey responses have been received thus far.
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