Sherry Butcher's Version of the Resolution

Zero Expansion extends their appreciation and thanks to both Sherry Butcher and Kathy Nelson for their consistent support and understanding that it was necessary for the city to clarify its position. As children we’re all taught the adage, “it’s not what you say that counts, it's what you do.” We feel that both Butcher and Nelson sensed a disparity between what the council leadership was saying and what they were doing. That is why our organization suggested a Resolution to put the council on record to continue the neutral position that was taken by the previous council.

Is the motion adequate? We think Sherry did what she felt would build consensus and be approved by all. She wanted a consensus of support and she worked very hard for that. When she knew her Resolution would not be approved by three members of the council, she withdrew it and offered a motion instead. We understand that she did not want to put the council through a protracted debate and fight, she wanted resolution.

What's important is that Zero Expansion identified that the problem, which was characterized by some council members as one of perception, is in fact, an entirely new pro-airport position. Going forward we'd like to see all our city representatives' words match their actions, which should reflect a neutral position toward the airport and the expansion.

Following are the precepts in Sherry's Resolution that deal with neutrality and no City support for development at the airport.

"Whereas, the City's Council's adoption of the Final Agreement and MOU created a neutral stance on the airport expansion and development for the city; and,

Be it further resolved that:

The City Council agrees that the City will not act to encourage or support development at Flying Cloud Airport, except for developments which are necessary, in the view of the City Council, to sustain public safety or to remedy an immediate threat to public health."

Sherry Butcher and Kathy Nelson feel that this issue is important enough and impacts residents therefore it warrants a Resolution. Brad Aho and Phil Young feel that a Resolution is unnecessary and they will not vote to approve it. John Duckstad did not attend the meeting. At the Tues, June 19th Council Meeting, the Resolution Sherry created could come up for a vote.

History of the City's change-
Probably one of the first things Phil Young did as Mayor is set a Legislative Agenda for the city. The Legislative Airport Agenda was the initial sign that there was a change in policy toward the airport. The problem is the agenda was never discussed, and aired publicly. In fact, it landed up on the consent calendar with no discussion and was passed unanimously. The Legislative agenda was included in a packet at the 2-6-07 Council Meeting. It Included:

2007 Legislative Airport Agenda
Airport Funding -- The city council supports the plans of the Metropolitan Airports Commission to improve the buildings, infrastructure and facilities at Flying Cloud Airport.The City Council authorizes Councilmembers and staff to seek federal support to advance the MAC’s improvement plans at Flying Cloud.Here's where the council, particularly the council leadership, diverted from what was a historical city precedence.

Unless close attention was paid to that particular meeting, anyone could have easily missed it. None of us were in any way prepared for it.

Airport Advisory Commission Workshop with City Council 2-20-07
The next action was discussed when the city council met with the Airport Advisory Commission for a Workshop and began talking about the goals for the commission.This occurred on February 20, 2007. That's when the commission's goals were revealed including: developing key relationships, encouraging business development and encouraging improvements to the airport and using the city's web site to give FCM a competitive advantage. This is the meeting that Kathy Nelson said she had mixed feelings about "marketing" the airport. This is also the meeting where Phil Young who was originally opposed to the reinstatement of the airports advisory commission,stated that it appeared that the commission was fulfilling its mission. He then suggested adding the Chamber of Commerce to the commission's list for developing positive relationship. Phil Young also stated that he would like to see more positive aspects of the airport communicated more.

1. The city should not seek funds for or market on the airport's behalf. Any funding of improvements that are qualified as expansion improvements to the airport are solely in MAC's purview. The Final Agreement states that the city must support these improvements, not help fund them.

2. The city and airport commission should take a neutral position in their dealings with the airport and the expansion.

3. The airport advisory commission should not market the airport, should not include the Chamber as a liaison for business development or partner in any way with the Chamber, which is a private organization whose only concern is business interests and is not neutral to the airport expansion.