By Scott Neal

Residents have posed questions in the newspaper about the city’s relationship with the Flying Cloud Airport and my recent public statements about that relationship. They’ve asked if the City Council approved the cover letter I wrote to federal officials concerning the airport that was part of the city’s 2007 federal legislative priorities package. They’ve asked if the City Council has changed its position on the prospect of growth of the airport. I can answer both questions.

I composed the letter in question. I did not submit it to the council members for review and approval before presenting the letter to our federal legislators. I used the word “expand” in the letter in reference to the airport. Frankly, I wish I had not included the word in the letter. The word I should have used was “improve.” At the council’s Feb. 6 meeting I presented to the council a statement about the airport that I proposed to include in the 2007 federal legislative priorities package. The exact statement endorsed by the City Council at that meeting reads as follows: “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 Council members and staff to seek federal support to advance MAC’s improvement plans at Flying Cloud.” Nowhere in that statement is there a reference to the word “expand.”

Including the word “expand” into the letter was my decision and my mistake. My intent was to convey the city’s support for security, aesthetic and environmental improvements at the airport. I regret using the word “expand” in the context of this letter because it has caused concern among Eden Prairie residents.

I have prepared a new letter clarifying my original cover letter that will be distributed to those who received the original cover letter in Washington, D.C. The clarifying letter makes it very clear that the city favors security, environmental protection and aesthetics improvements at the airport. The clarifying letter makes it very clear to those receiving it that the City Council supports the 2002 Final Agreement. I will post the clarifying letter on the city’s Web site for all to see tomorrow.

Finally, there have been some allegations in the newspaper about the City Council and its actions on this issue. I have said it before, and I’ll say it again, that the City Council has not changed its position on the 2002 Final Agreement. There’s been no conspiracy with MAC to expand the airport. No backroom deals with the Chamber of Commerce. No intrigue among elected officials. Words are powerful, and I used the wrong word. My imprecise use of the word “expansion” caused concern that the city has changed its position on Flying Cloud Airport. It has not. The City Council supports the 2002 Final Agreement between the city and the MAC concerning the future of Flying Cloud Airport. That agreement controls the future of airport. The MAC has lived up to its obligations in the agreement, and so has the city.

 Scott Neal is Eden Prairie’s city manager.