SCRAA Holds Quarterly Meeting

A Mahaska County resident who says her home could be impacted by the proposed regional airport discusses her concerns with Snyder & Associates representative Jerry Searle.

Pella, Iowa – The South Central Regional Airport (SCRAA) held its mandated quarterly meeting at the public safety building in Pella, Iowa on Tuesday evening. The board alternates between Oskaloosa and Pella locations.

SCRAA Chairman Jim Hansen called the meeting to order, with the call to public next. Several area residents took the opportunity to address the board about the proposed airport.

Jerry Searle with Snyder and Associates then walked the board through the most recent updates on the Federal Aviation Planning Studies. Searle spoke about the studies the group is under contract to perform, including site selection.

The site selection process included the search area for candidates sites, that were eventually narrowed down to sites A, B, and C. The firm then recommended and the SCRAA Board then approved the selection of Site A as the primary site, after approval by the FAA airspace analysis was completed.

A preliminary site selection report will be filed with the FAA in September of this year, where they will await FAA comment, and work for eventual FAA acceptance on site selection. With that acceptance, development of the airport master plan will then continue.

The aeronautical forecast for the region will then be updated and requires FAA approval.

The communications committee of the board reported that email address for board will soon be ready. Information on login and usage via web portal or client use was shared to members.

A resolution approving the 2013-2014 budget submittal was passed as well as a resolution authorizing the board chairman to sign documents to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The board adjourned until their next quarterly meeting at a date yet to be determined.