Loading...
07-14-1999 ARC MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA Airport Relations Commission Minutes July 14, 1999 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on Wednesday, July 14, 1999, in the City Hall Large Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. The following members were present: Beaty, May, RoszaK and Stein. Commissioners Fitzer and Leuman were absent. Also present was City Administrator Kevin Batchelder. APPROVAL OF MINUTES May moved and Stein seconded a motion to approve the May 19, 1999 and June 9, 1999 Airport Commission meeting minutes as submitted. The motion was approved unanimously. REVIEW OF AIRPORT NOISE PLAN OF ACTION Administrator Batchelder requested that Commissioners review the City's Airport Noise Plan of Action for update revisions over the next month. At the next meeting revisions will be discussed for a draft to be presented to the City Council. Commissioner May suggested that Administrator Batchelder prepare a black line copy to work from, similar to the process used last year. Administrator Batchelder agreed to go through his notes and black line items for consideration. He noted that it has been a successful year, as a majority of items identified in the Action Plan were accomplished or addressed in some measure over the past year. A review of accomplishments will be submitted with the revised Plan to the City Council. Commissioners noted that the following priority items identified last year are included in the Part 150 Update Study: Equity of current runway system High Priority Noise abatement departure profiles High Priority MSP long-term Comprehensive Plan issues: Expansion of existing airport High Priority Corridor defmition/compliance issues High Priority Global positioning satellite technology Medium Priority Noise measurement issues Medium Priority The following priority revisions should be made: High Priority: Phase out of noisy Stage II aircraft Aircraft engine run-up noise and aircraft ground noise during periods of departure over Minneapolis Medium Priority: Prevention of third parallel runway- monitoring contract with MAC Monitoring Issue: Implementation of MSP Mitigation Committee's Comprehensive Plan Commissioner Roszak asked if, a MAC contract was received for the City. Administrator Batchelder answered that the City has only a boilerplate contract. Commissioner Beaty added that monitoring the contract with MAC should be moved to a m mediupriority to make sure it gets done this year or in the year 2000. Also, run-up pads should be promoted to create a better noise environment. Ground noise is mainly caused by takeoffs and landings while planes are moving through the cue. Administrator Batchelder stated that he will revise the priority list as suggested above. A black line working copy will be sent to each member prior to the next meeting for review and recommendations of aviation requirements in the City's updated Comprehensive Plan. The 60 - day review process for the updated Comprehensive Plan is to begin in early September, which means that the Commission will be able to review these issues over the next couple of meetings. MAC Ordinance A new MAC ordinance will take effect January 1, 2000 to prohibit the operation of aircraft exceeding noise limits under federal law for Stage 3 aircraft. Commissioner Stein asked how the ordinance will be enforced. Administrator Batchelder responded that a violation would be considered a misdemeanor which carries a monetary fine. Commissioner Beaty noted that hush kits qualify as Stage 3 aircraft. They are very noisy, and he would like to see them eliminated. Both hush kits and manufactured planes can qualify as Stage 3 aircraft with no distinction between the two types. 2 Administrator Batchelder reported that at the last MASAC meeting, Northwest Airlines made a motion that no distinction be made between manufactured and hush kit type airplanes on reports and simply be identified as stage 2 or stage 3 aircraft. However, he and other community representatives opposed that motion, and were able to defeat it. Mendota Heights supports identifying the distinction. Commissioner Roszak stated that in Europe it is more expensive to land nosier aircraft, but it is difficult to impose penalties in the U.S. because of the FAA. He would be interested to have Northwest produce the legal authority or actual regulations for noise that requires hushkits to only be Stage 3 and Stage 2 aircraft. Commissioner Beaty stated that the NWA hushkit aircraft are the loudest planes in the industry. There should be a way to measure the noise planes produce. Commissioner Stein agreed and stated that a certain cut-off level should be used. Eagan Comprehensive Plan Administrator Batchelder reported that the City has received Eagan's updated Comprehensive Plan for comment. As part of the process, the City will have to submit the Mendota Heights udpated Comprehensive Plan to Eagan for their comment. Commissioner Beaty noted that the policies listed on page 2 of the Eagan Plan are quite generic. In order to avoid disputes, he would suggest that the City accept those policies. Administrator Batchelder noted that Eagan has requested that ANOMS be set up at the end of the north runway a year in advance of plane use. Eagan desires to have sound insulation funding provided on the basis of an increase in noise, and it is their contention that such a good job has been. done with the corridor that aircraft should be kept in the corridor and not the new runway because land uses over the new runway are not designated. It is the City's position that the entire MSP Comprehensive Plan is based on the new numbers. If the new runway is not used, a new Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would have to be done. Commissioner Roszak stated that if there is no harm in supporting the monitoring of ANOMS for a year in advance, it would be a gesture of good will. Administrator Batchelder stated that he is not opposed to monitoring ANOMS, but if it means a dilution of total dollars available for Part 150 sound insulation, those dollars will be spread thinner. Setting up a monitoring system for Eagan would be something that is not being done for other communities. The increase of traffic on the parallel runways has not been monitored; and many homes would be eligible for monitoring. He would not want to change the rules for funding based on Eagan's theory. Commissioner Beaty added that if monitoring is used to keep more planes on the parallel runway and changing the planned configuration, he would be opposed to it. 3 Administrator Batchelder stated that while relations between the two communities have been good, the 150 Study Update has brought out many differences, as everyone argues for the most advantageous position for their community. If the corridor were shifted to be over the most commercial and industrial areas, it would be further south. If it is argued that is for the greatest good for the greatest number, then the most appropriate location for the corridor must be examined. He suggested getting an overlay map to see the effects. The City is arguing for equity in the runway system, and Eagan is arguing not to move traffic to the new runway. Their Council is on record supporting the MSP 2010 Comprehensive Plan, but they are saying that land use should guide operations. They want to show that the change in Eagan qualifies them for home insulation funding.. MAC and the FAA are committed to the 2010 Comprehensive Plan and the new runway, and the final EIS is based on new runway projections. The FAA does not want to deviate from that plan because the EIS will then become obsolete. MAC Operations Committee Meeting.' Administrator Batchelder reported that the presentation at the June 11, 1999 MASAC meeting was disappointing with no new information. The corridor gate penetration analysis looks at headings of 90 degrees, not 95 degrees. The City supports the established policy boundary set by MAC of 95 degrees. It is his hope that comments will be taken into account and adjustments made to the 150 Study Update. Chair Beaty stated that it appears that the corridor is being operated with planes sent in three different directions and not assigned headings but rather assigned ground tracks. Planes are taking off more often than every 58 seconds; it is closer to every 30 seconds. There are three tracks off each runway which causes more noise over Mendota Heights. Commissioner Roszak requested that the Commission go through a map overlay exercise regarding land uses for the City and for Eagan. The Commission could put together a comprehensive proposal that addresses all of the City's issues and further, state where the corridor should be if land. use is going to be the guiding principle. Administrator Batchelder agreed to ask the City's GIS staff to produce such an overlay map. The City will also provide MAC with the most updated information. It was the consensus of the Commission to review the overlay map at the next meeting. Destination Analysis Administrator Batchelder reported that Inver Grove Heights requested a destination analysis report. Chair Beaty noted that the top five destinations represent only 35 percent of flights. City Administrator Batchelder stated that map operations shows these destinations are between 45 degrees and 165 degrees. Appointments to MAC rd Mr. Bert McKasy, an attorney from Inver Grove Heights; and Nancy Spear from New Scandia have been appointed as new commissioners to MAC. The Governor has stated that he wants an open- minded Commission that will focus on competitive factors. Metropolitan Council Air Noise Zones Administrator Batchelder reported receipt of a letter from Mr. Peter Coyle representing Hoffinan Homes. In his letter, Mr. Coyle indicated receipt of a letter from Ted Mondale, Chairman of the Metropolitan Council stating that the Metropolitan Council would not contest the finding that Hoffman Homes is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan guidance. It is the City's decision, therefore, not to seek a Comprehensive Plan amendment. Administrator Batchelder noted that this approval came on the heels of the controversy between the Metropolitan Council and Eagan. The Metropolitan Council wants to reward communities who are participating in the Livable Communities Act benchmarks. Before notice was received from Mr. Mondale, the City had been told that it cannot be approved because the Metropolitan Council has no authority to grant a variance to the Aviation Guide Plan. It was suggested that an extension be pursued until the Part 150 Study is completed, and the City applied for a six-month extension. It is hoped that all issues regarding the inequities in the corridor can be brought to the attention of the Metropolitan Council planners so they understand the City's issues. Commissioner Roszak stated that this is another reason to do an overlay map study. Technical Advisors Report Administrator Batchelder reported that MASAC is considering how to revise the Technical Advisors Report. He requested Commissioners to take the draft home and for comparison with the previous one for comment on the proposed changes. Next month's agenda will include comments on this report. Gate Penetration Analysis The 95 degree MAC boundary policy resulted from the Blue Ribbon Task Force regarding non - simultaneous departures. The corridor gate penetration analysis does not recognize that policy boundary. The Commission requested a spreadsheet summarizing month to month comparisons. Other Comments and Concerns Administrator Batchelder reported that an advertisement for new members was published a second time, as only one application was received. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. 5 Respectfully submitted, Deanne Gueblaoui Recording Secretary