Loading...
08-11-1999 ARC MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA Airport Relations Commission Minutes August 11, 1999 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on Wednesday, August 11, 1999, in the City Hall Large Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. Chair Beaty called the meeting to order at 7:05 pin. The following memebers were present: Beaty, Fitzer, Leuman, May,-Roszak, and Stein. Also present were City Administrator Batchelder and Administrative Assistant Hollister. Commissioner May moved approval of the July 14, 1999 Airport Relations Commission meeting minutes as submitted. There was no second. Discussion: Commissioner Roszak noted the correct spelling of his name. Further, he requested that page -2 of the minutes reflect that the Commission agreed to send a new contra&t.to MAC calling attention to the provisions in the Minneapolis contract that are to be included in the contract with Mendota Heights. Commissioner May requested that the Commission review the revised contract at the next meeting before it is sent to the City Council for approval. Commissioner Roszak moved approval of the July 14, 1999 Airport Commission meetingminutes as amended. Commissioner May seconded. The motion was unanimously approved. AIR NOISE PLAN OF ACTION City Administrator Batchelder had distributed a black line copy of the City's Plan of Action for review before the meeting. The draft copy 0 y shows the language used last year and changes discussed by the Commission at the last meeting. Administrator Batchelder explained that the Plan is organized into three sections: 1) topics of interest; 2) focus issues; and 3) 'a listing of issues with goals and action steps to achieve the goals. The Commission spent most of the meeting reviewing the Plan page by page to update it for the coming year. 1-1 1� Topics of Interest: This section lists issues by high or medium priority and issues to be monitored. The changes discussed by the Commission at the last meeting had been incorporated. Commissioner Roszak asked the criteria for categorizing an issue as high or medium priority. Administrator Batchelder explained that high priority items are issues in which the City needs to be actively involved to protect City interests. In addition to the changes made at the last meeting, Chair Beaty requested that item No. 2 be changed from "Phase Out of Noisy Aircraft" to language urging the use of manufactured stage 3 aircraft in place of hush kit aircraft. Commissioner Roszak asked if global positioning satellites (GPS) technology assists with corridor compliance issues. Administrator Batchelder answered that it does, and part of the. Part 150 Study Update is to look at new technology to see if the global positioning of a satellite would be of further assistance in the corridor. Commissioner Beaty added that GPS can also be used for equity issues and can help with noise abatement. The Commission agreed to advocate that MAC 'include the promotion of a new run-up -pad enclosure in its CIP budget Commissioner Roszak asked who controls defining the corridor at 90 degrees or 95 degrees... Administrator Batchelder answered that FAA is in control. He noted that in 1989 a Blue Ribbon Task Force was established to look into corridor issues. Two recommendations were eventually made by the task force. One was to narrow the corridor and set the northern boundary at 95 degrees.' MAC, however, never pursued the issue with FAA. It was the consensus of the Commission to request a written response from MAC on the status of this recommendation' Commissioner Roszak further requested that the City's letter to MAC include a request defining the northern boundary of the corridor,'which was the second Blue Ribbon Task Force recommendation. Commissioner Beaty noted that -plane departures are now based on ground tracking which brings them further north. This is a perfect example of trying to squeeze -in more planes on a shrunken corridor. Administrator Batchelder stated that is the reason why equity in the system is a top priority for the City. Focus Issues: No changes were made to focus issues listed in this section. Issues, Goals and Action Steps: Administrator Batchelder explained that the issues listed on the 22 pages of this section include a goal and action steps to achieve this goal. It was the consensus of the Commission to review this section page by page: Page 1: Under Acton step No. 1, it was the consensus of the Commission to request a report from MAC indicating the percentage of compliance with tower orders and continue efforts with FAA and MAC to urge higher levels of following procedure. Page 2: Commissioner Beaty stated that he would like to see the City become more proactive with noise reduction and would like the City to send a letter requesting an altitude m FAA and MAC. City A or Batchelder agreed and stated that he would like to see an altitude analysis very ground track that is used. He suggested that the City may hire its own expert consultant to analyze the information -coming from MAC. Mr. Leuman noted that it will be difficult to compare noise levels because the next airplane may be noisier. and not at the same altitude at the same point. It is difficult to get accurate statistics because there -are so many variables. Commissioner Roszak requested that the letter include an inquiry as to whether ground leve no c n be measured �.pto��g account wind, altitude, etc., aether as a v `moo a computer ation. In addition to requesting the mathematical formula for correlating noise levels, he would also like to know the number of planes departing and at what intervals because "close -4n" departures will affect capacity. Commissioner Stein noted that it is possible for Northwest NATCO facilities to input data into the computer to get noise readings. Administrator Batchelder noted that the "close -in" contour showed relief on the Mendota Heights side of the corridor. It was the generation of "close -in" contours that triggered the FAA requirement for an Environmental Assessment Worksheet. (EAW), which Eagan opposed. The change in operations under 3,000 feet triggered the Environmental Assessment Worksheet requirement. Commissioner May requested that the letter also inlcude a request to describe the measuring devices used for "close -ins". He asked what authority the FAA has with regard to any procedure MAC might devise to measure noise that would generate changes. Administrator Batchelder explained that the FAA is a safety agency. MAC has authority over operations. The flying level of 3,000 feet is approved by the FAA, but if changes were made to fly below 3,000 feet, the FAA might require another EAW. Page 3: Commissioner Beaty stated that he would like to see fines imposed as an incentive for stage 3 airplanes to be landed by 10:00 p.m. Administrator Batchelder suggested that No. 1 be revised to reflect language about nighttime restrictions, including higher landing fees, and that manufactured stage 3 airplanes be specified for use after 10:00 p.m. Commissioner Leuman noted that e mandatory rule is used b Sun Country b not other airlines. Administrator Batchelder stated that he will get a copy to add to a report. Page 4: Administrator Batchelder reported that a GIS overlay map with land uses can be. done. The problem at this time is that the City does not have complete data. When the needed information is obtained, GIS will produce an overlay map for the Commission's use. Page 5: Commissioner Roszak suggested that the City employ a consultant expert at the appropriate time for assistance in establishing a definition of the corridor. Administrator Batchelder informed the °Commission that $15,000 is budgeted each year for noise consultants, even though it is not always used. Commissioner Roszak requested that the Council be informed that this money may be used for assistance with corridor issues. Page 6: Administrator Batchelder stated that action for better representation for the City on the MAC Board is no longer a priority with the new Governor appointments and Mayor Mertensotto now serving as Chair of MASAC. The City is adopting a wait-and-see attitude to determine whether legislation is needed to change the MAC commissioner appointment process. It was noted that part of the MSP Comprehensive Plan includes parcelling out traffic to. reliever airports, such as Eden Prairie, Mounds View and Lake Elmo. There will be a public hearing on-. this issue during the next legislative session. Commissioner Roszak noted that there was a lawsuit on the part of outlying communities with airports that were being used to relieve traffic at the MSP Airport. The local communities lost. Commissioners discussed the important need to educate the City's new MAC representative about the City's issues and concerns. Commissioner Beaty requested that a deadline for the end of 1999 be set for providing information to the new representative for the City. Commissioner Roszak emphasized the importance of knowing what other communities, organizations and agencies are doing relative to airport issues and what is being discussed at their meetings. He asked if the City receives minutes or agendas of the various meetings. Administrator Batchelder stated that the City receives some of them, but he will look into making sure the City receives whatever is available. Commissioner Roszak asked if the City can work with the FAA locally to change policy. Administrator Batchelder stated that it may be easier to work with the FAA through Congressional representatives. Commissioner May suggested that Representative Vento might be a good person to contact because of his opposition to motorized vehicles in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. It was the consensus of the Commission to change the City's goal on page 6 to educate policy makers and heighten awareness of the City's position with current legislative representatives. Page 7&8: Commissioner Beaty stated that no one knows that Commission magnets exist. He suggested they be redesigned and consideration given as to how to distribute them. Administrator Batchelder stated that they are distributed with responses to complaints received by the City. The Commission discussed ways to_ make a better effort at communicating the work of the Commission with the community.' Commissioner Fitzer noted that the local government access channel on Cable TV would be a free source of communication available to the Commission. Commissioners discussed how this opportunity might be used and whether to broadcast certain meetings to better inform residents of airport -related issues. Commissioner May suggested an Annual Open House with a Cable TV meeting. Commissioner Beaty suggested that the Commission first design a brochure and use it as a basis to develop an informational Cable TV program. He agreed that an annual report would also be a good information piece that could be sent out to the community. The Commission will continue its review of the Action Plan, beginning with page 9 at the next meeting. New Members The Commission briefly discussed the difficulty of recruiting new members, even though airport issues are among the biggest issues in the community. Comprehensive Plan Administrator Batchelder noted copies of the proposed Comprehensive Plan which includes a chapter on aviation. He encouraged Commissioners to review it and call with any questions or comments. Technical Advisors Report Administrator Batchelder noted the new format and differences in presentation of information in the Technical Advisor's Report. MAC is proposing to replace the old report with this new format. The Commission will have another opportunity to comment on the changes at the: next meeting before it is considered by MASAC. Administrator Batchelder also stated that he will be attending a computer training session on Excel software in order to be able to develop a spreadsheet for the Commission based on the new format of the Technical Advisors Report. The purpose of the spreadsheet will be to lift certain data for comparison purposes month to month. Airport Noise Report Commissioner Roszak stated that what needs to be communicated to congressional representatives is the City's need for more local control at the FAA level because the airline industry is booming. Commissioner May stated that the scoping documents seemed to refer to a new standard for measuring noise that was difficult to understand. Chair Beaty had to leave the meeting at 9:05.p.m. The meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m. Respectfiffly submitted, Deanne Gueblaoui Recording Secretary If