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Commission gives manager discretion on turf landing area; asks attorney and NOTAM review; mowing standards to be benchmarked
Summary
Commission discussed potential limited use of the parallel turf area as an alternate landing surface; manager cautioned use is 'at pilot's risk' and staff will consult the city attorney on liability and consider a NOTAM or Airport/Facility Directory note. Commissioners also reviewed mowing practices and asked staff to benchmark other airports' standards.
The commission considered an update on the parallel turf (alternate) landing area and broader mowing operations. Rich, the airport manager, said the turf area may become usable as it dries but cautioned that it is not maintained as an FAA‑approved runway: "it's not developed as a runway, it isn't maintained as a runway...it's simply short grass, and it's safe for someone to land on. No, I don't have that engineering expertise."
Commissioners asked staff to consult the city attorney on liability and insurance coverage for any informal landing area and to consider issuing a NOTAM and an Airport/Facility Directory entry if the city intends to formally identify the surface as available with caveats. David Schafer recommended legal review before formalizing any risk language; Rich and Brian agreed a NOTAM would be simple to post.
On mowing, the manager described a rotation tied to field conditions and equipment availability; commissioners discussed perimeter/fence mowing and the articulating‑arm mower petition pending at the BOA. Rich noted that in some cases letting reeds grow reduced wildlife strikes; he said tall vegetation can deter ducks from nesting and reduced duck strikes in a prior season.
What’s next: Staff will consult the city attorney about liability and insurance, place a NOTAM if appropriate, benchmark mowing standards with comparable airports and report back.
