City council unable to reach agreement on lease agreement with Gundersen for helicopter hangar

Gundersen Health Systems and the City of Decorah continue to try to reach an agreement which would pay for building a new hangar at the Decorah Airport for Gundersen's Medlink helicopter.

Gundersen wants to make a total of $1 million in rent payments for the hangar over the next 20 years, but city officials believe the costs may reach $1.3 million, including the $340,000 in financing costs. 

City council member Dan Bellrichard Monday night said he opposes the agreement because city officials had been told up until a few months ago that Gundersen would pay all costs.  Bellrichard says he supports Gundersen, but "has real reservations" about the city spending $300,000 or more on the project.

A resolution to approve a contract with Gundersen failed on a 4-3 vote Monday night, with the issue instead being tabled until the city council's next meeting on August 20th.