Res 2003- 31 Supporting the Completion of 1996 Sound InsulationCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 03-31
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE COMPLETION OF THE
1996 SOUND INSULATION PROGRAM
WHEREAS, in 1996, the Minnesota Legislature made the final decision to continue the
development of Mendota Heights/St. Paul International Airport (MSP) in its current
location and directed the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) to implement the
MSP 2010 Long Term Comprehensive Plan; and,
WHEREAS, with this decision, the Legislature also directed MAC to develop a noise
mitigation plan which includes aggressive steps to mitigate aircraft noise and aid
community stabilization for the affected communities; and,
WHEREAS, on October 28, 1996 MAC approved the MSP Noise Mitigation Committee
recommendation including completion of the residential sound insulation program for the
area encompassed by the 1996 DNL 65 contour on the currently approved schedule; and,
WHEREAS, the schedule contained within the Noise Mitigation Program was based on
completion of the 1996 program by 2000 and the current program including single and
multi -family residences should have already been completed; and,
WHEREAS, the MAC incorporated the Noise Mitigation Program into the Final
Environmental Impact Statement on the Dual Track Airport Planning Process as a specific
mitigation measure addressing airport noise and FAA incorporated the program as a
condition of approval in their Record of Decision approving the current airport expansion;
and,
WHEREAS, recognizing the fallibility of a projected noise contour and that noise may be
significantly annoying to the population beyond 65 DNL, MAC adopted the block intersect
method in 1995 and FAA concurred; and
WHEREAS, no new noise exposure map or noise compatibility program has been
developed and no public participation has occurred in development of a new program
nor can it be reasonably guaranteed that FAA will approve a new noise exposure map
in 2003; and
WHEREAS, the current sound insulation program is entirely user funded through
passenger facility fees and airport improvement program funds neither of which are costs
borne by Northwest Airlines and the MAc's bond rating remains higher than "A"; and,
WHEREAS, Mendota Heights City Goals include the reduction of negative
environmental impacts of the Airport.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City
of Mendota Heights that the following comments are hereby adopted:
The City of Mendota Heights relied upon the commitments made by the MAC through
the environmental process when the City endorsed the construction of Runway 17/35,
and views further deferment of the current sound insulation program as an abrogation of
MAC'S commitments to affected communities and residents.
The City of Mendota Heights urges the MAC to complete all eligible homes and multi-
family residences in the 1996 program without further delay under the same policies that
have been in place throughout the program.
The City of Mendota Heights further stipulates that a last and final offer to enter the
current program should be made to deferred residents no later than August 1, 2003.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Staff of the City of Mendota Heights is
directed to submit this resolution to the Metropolitan Airports Commission upon
adoption.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Mendota Heights
This 20th day of May, 2003.
F. -Vo -m -w -
By
Kathleen M. Swanson, City Clerk
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF NDOTA GHTS
By
John H r, vll�