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Airport Commission Meeting Minutes
January 11, 2024 – Owatonna Degner Regional Airport
“DRAFT”
1. Call to Order
Chair Thurnau called the meeting of the Airport Commission to order at 5:00 PM.
2. Roll Call
Attending
Madeleine Haberman Commissioner
Anthony Louris Commissioner
Tim McManimon Commissioner
Daren Tarpenning Commissioner
Matt Thurnau Chair
Dave Beaver Airport Manager
3. Approval of Agenda
Commissioner Louris made a motion to approve the agenda and Commissioner Tarpenning
seconded the motion. The motion was approved.
4. Minutes
Commissioner McManimon made a motion to approve the minutes from the December 14,
2023 Airport Commission meeting and Commissioner Haberman seconded the motion. The
motion was approved.
5. Action Items
Chair Reports
Chair Thurnau commented that it is nice to see the beginning phases of the airport security
fencing being installed. There were no further chair reports.
Election of Officers
Chairman Thurnau then opened the floor for nominations for the Airport Commission
election of officers. Commissioner Louris made a motion to re-appoint Matt Thurnau as
Chairman and Commissioner McManimon seconded. The motion was approved.
After a brief discussion on candidates for the position of Vice Chair, Commissioner
McManimon made a motion to appoint Tony Louris as Vice Chairman of the Airport
Commission and Commissioner Tarpenning seconded the motion. The motion was
approved.
Staff Reports
Airport Manager Beaver provided a brief report on airport activities, recent business
arrivals, and activity at Accelerated Aviation flight school. Mr. Beaver presented the fuel

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volumes dispensed for year end 2023 and explained that fuel volume dispensed in 2023 was
higher that combined volumes for the previous year. There was a brief discussion regarding
the new City of Owatonna community branding effort and new logo.
- Consultant Selection
Airport Manager Beaver explained that two written Statements of Qualifications were
received for the airport engineering and consultant selection process. The selection
committee has met to review the proposals and score each one. Commissioner Louris and
Tarpenning reported that the information submitted provided a good overview of each firm.
The committee is moving forward with in person interviews of each firm in February with
the goal of making a selection recommendation by the February Airport Commission
meeting.
- 2024 Discussion
There was a brief discussion regarding work items and broad goals moving in to 2024.
Commissioner Tarpenning explained that it would be good to better understand airport
customer needs and provide opportunities for customer input and feedback. Commissioner
McManimon added that this may include the use of on-line tools and other ways to gather
input in order to ensure high customer satisfaction. There was also a discussion on building
on the successes in the areas of business development, T-hangar completion, and budget
efforts to continue to grow and provide increased opportunities for economic development.
Security Fencing Project Update
Airport Manager Beaver reported that the contractor has completed the south portion of the
fence installation and has stopped work due to freezing weather. The north section of the
fence and gates are to be installed weather permitting in the spring. Any remaining work
items would then be completed at that time. There was a brief discussion regarding the
security fencing project.
6. Adjournment
The Airport Commission meeting was adjourned at 5:56 PM.