The Oskaloosa City Council narrowly voted to match an agreement with the City of Pella that revises the 28E Agreement for the South Central Regional Airport Agency, which keeps the group intact and officially pauses — but does not ultimately end, the pursuit of a regional airport in Mahaska County.

In a 4-3 vote Monday night, the council agreed to changes to a 28E Agreement for the project along side the Pella City Council’s December 3rd unanimous vote. The three Oskaloosa council members who voted against the change ultimately cited a lack of community support for the current airport site and the process that led the SCRAA to the current situation, following the Iowa Supreme Court decision that allowed the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors to leave the 28E Agreement. Those who voted in favor of the agreement last night did not explicitly support the current project as it stands, but instead, wanted to ensure the council could back out of the airport more smoothly if it comes to that point, especially related to finances.

Public comments at the beginning of the meeting urged the Oskaloosa City Council to move to a more definitive end to the SCRAA and the airport project — some of whom were worried that the door was left open to a return to pursuing development of the land west of Oskaloosa and north of Highway 163.

During the Pella City Council meeting earlier this month, City Administrator Mike Nardini emphasized to the Pella City Council the importance of keeping the SCRAA intact if the project ultimately falls through — as sale of the land would require approval from the Federal Aviation Commission.

Ultimately, the SCRAA can not make any major decisions without approval of the Pella and Oskaloosa City Councils moving forward, including any land transactions.

The following changes were approved:
• Article III Section 2b: allows both cities to have three representatives on the SCRAA Board.
• Article III Section 5a: changes from quarterly to semi-annual meetings.
• Article IV Section 2f: changes from an annual audit of the SCRAA’s financial records to requiring an audit only upon request by either city or if required by the state or federal government.
• Previous Article V Committees: this section is proposed to be deleted.
• Article VI Section 2: requires approval by the respective City Councils if the proposed location for the regional airport changes.
• Article VI Section 3: this section requires the SCRAA Board to receive written approval from the respective City Councils before proceeding with construction of the airport.
• Article VI Section 5: this section requires approval by the respective City Councils before proceeding with additional land acquisition for the airport.
• Article VII Section 4: this section requires each city to be responsible for 50% of the net expenditure of the airport.
• Article IX Section 1: this section requires approval by the respective City Councils before proceeding with eminent domain.
• Article X Section 2: this section was modified to be reflective of the recent Iowa Supreme Court decision regarding the 28E Agreement.