Public commenter alleges contract violation, discrimination over Forest Lake hangar fees; MnDOT Aeronautics grant mentioned
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Summary
A public commenter said hangar owners were charged inconsistently between 2016 and 2020, alleging a contract violation and discrimination by the city; the commenter also said MnDOT Aeronautics offered a 90% grant to add 300 feet for an airport project. No formal council action on the complaint was recorded in the transcript.
During public comment at the Forest Lake City meeting, an unidentified speaker alleged that a fee schedule recommended by the airport commission and adopted by the city resulted in a contract violation affecting hangar owners between 2016 and 2020. The speaker said some hangar owners were charged differently: some had their outstanding balances removed while others who paid an extra fee were not repaid, which the speaker characterized as discriminatory.
"That is a clear case of discrimination. Discrimination by municipalities is illegal," the commenter said, urging the city to address the differential treatment.
The speaker also said MnDOT Aeronautics has offered a 90% grant to add 300 feet related to the airport project, which may be material to any capital plan or corrective action. The transcript does not record follow-up responses from city staff or a motion by council to investigate or seek repayment; no formal action on the complaint appears in the provided record.
Council/staff follow-up — including any review of contract records or potential restitution — is not recorded in the transcript. The allegation therefore stands as an item raised during public comment and may require separate staff investigation or an agenda item for formal council consideration.