It will be a bumpy ride for Douglas County commissioners on Thursday when they are asked to provide guidance on a series of contentious issues at Minden-Tahoe Airport.
Officials have set aside 90 minutes on the agenda to discuss possible course corrections for the airport weight ordinance, master plan, advisory committee, capital improvements infrastructure and development.
In his report to commissioners, County Manager Dan Holler hinted at the possibility of delaying a vote on the airport weight ordinance until 2010.
The ordinance which limits runway length, funding for improvements and the weight of aircraft using the airport was approved by voters in 1984 and revised in 1992.
Claims the ordinance is prejudicial against heavy aircraft and could cost the airport federal funding have prompted a call for revisions that was originally expected for the 2008 election.
"The ordinance will need to address a number of issues and potential changes to allow greater flexibility in meeting expressed needs of airport users," Holler wrote "If the time is difficult, the alternative is to continue work on the ordinance but to consider the 2010 election."
Holler said moving forward with the ordinance would parallel the work on the airport master plan, although there are conflicts between the plan and the ordinance.
"This is not a simple or perfect process," Holler admitted in the report.
Revision of the airport's 1993 master plan has also been a contentious process fraught with accusations that the Airport Master Plan Working Group has ignored public input, accusations some working group members have denied.
Work on the plan was originally scheduled to be completed in February or March, but requests for additional meetings, including four open house meetings for Airport consultant Barnard Dunkleberg & Co. to gather public comment on the plan, may result in a delay of up to another three months, Holler said.
Holler also pointed out in his report that there have been requests for more members of the public to be included in the working group.
"While a difficult process mid-stream, the board may consider adding a couple of additional members," Holler wrote.
Because the weight ordinance does not allow the county general fund to pay for airport improvements, Holler said most of the development of the airport has been paid for by private developers and federal grants.
County staff members are also seeking direction from commissioners on the composition and role of the Airport Advisory Committee.
The issue will be heard last on county commissioners' agenda on Thursday and is scheduled for after 6 p.m.
If you go
What: Douglas County Commission
Where: 1616 Eighth St., Minden
When: Meeting starts at 1 p.m. Thursday. The airport issue won't be heard until after 6 p.m.
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