Loading...
06-09-1999 ARC MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION JUNE % 1999 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on Wednesday, June 9, 1999, in the City Hall Large Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. The following members were present: Beaty, May and Stein. Commissioners Fitzer, Leuman and Roszak were absent. Also present were City Administrator Batchelder and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister. As a quorum was not present, no formal actions were taken. Approval of the minutes of the May 19, 1999 meeting was carried to the next meeting. Commissioners decided to hear updated reports of agenda: items. Review of the Comparisons of Technical Advisor's Reports and Comparisons of Corridor Gate Penetration Analysis were postponed to a future meeting. PART 150 UPDATE - ANALYSIS OF THE SOUTHEAST CORRIDOR Administrator Batchelder reported that included in the Part 150 Update Study MAC will provide an analysis of the southeast corridor, also known as the Mendota Heights/Eagan Corridor. A presentation of this analysis is scheduled for the next M[ASAC Operations Committee meeting, Friday, June 11, 1999. The analysis is not intended to set procedures but to evaluate operations. The City was asked to submit a letter to MASAC regarding issues to be reviewed in the study. The City's letter, dated April 8, 1999, requests analyses of the following: 1) equity of the existing runway system; 2) review of the southeast corridor; 3) airport operations; 4) noise measurement; and 5) land use opportunities. Administrator Batchelder noted that this discussion is to review the original assumptions of the t� - corridor. There has been a magnetic shift of 13 degrees of the center line since the 1970's. Commissioner May asked when the magnetic shift took place. Administrator Batchelder stated that it has occurred slowly over many years and showed the shift difference of the flight path on a map. One flight track procedure off Runway 12R/30Lwas set at 105 degrees based on the center line at 110. Now the center line is at'l 18 or 119. Flying at 105 degrees is actually flying eight degrees further north than the original tower order intent. Administrator Batchelder expressed his concern that the magneticshiftbe taken into account to address future flight patterns. Commissioner Beaty noted that if one flight path is adjusted for the magnetic field, it will affect all flight paths. He asked:how simultaneous take -offs are affected. Administrator Batchelder - explained that the simultaneous boundary of 090 on the north is not based on the center line of the runway. Commissioner May stated that there must be a shift in flight patterns throughout the country. It is important for the Commission to have basic knowledge of the impact of flight tracks or whatever is used as a reference line for take -offs, so that the Commission can interpret tower orders as they exist today. He suggested requesting further clarification and interpretation. Administrator Batchelder stated that an interpretation would have to come from the FAA. There may need to be an adjustment to the tower orders. His concern is that tower orders reflect the original intent of the FAA. Commissioner Beatty stated that the City is always working to keep flight patterns away from residential areas. No one knows exactly where a 95 -degree flight path would be located, but the flight path should be kept south of the water tower, which is easy for planes to see and keeps them over Highway 55 and away from residential neighborhoods. Administrator Batchelder responded that this concern is stated in the City's April 8, 1999 letter which requests a configuration of the corridor to keep planes over business districts and that land use compatibility drive the location of the corridor. An analysis needs to be done of the exact locations of commercial and industrial areas. In summary, Administrator Batchelder stated the City's August 18, 1998 and April 8, 1999 letters to MASAC lay out a guideline of what needs to be addressed for Mendota Heights in the Part 150 Update Study. The City is well prepared to state its position due to theAction Plan developed by the Commission. A land use analysis should be done to see where the most compatible land uses for flight.pattems are located. The City is in a -position to effect change for its benefit as a result of the Action Plan. MAC is scheduled to complete the Part 150 Update Study within the next year, and recommendations will be completed by July 2000. By March, the Commission should have a working paper to review from MAC. Mayor Mertensotto, Commissioner Beatty and Administrator Batchelder will attend the MASAC meeting Friday, June 11, 1999, at 10:00 a.m., at the MASAC trailer behind the general offices of the MAC building, 6040 28th Avenue South. He invited any of the Commissioners who would be available to attend the meeting on Friday. REVIEW OF AIRPORT ACTION PLAN Administrator Batchelder commended Commissioners for their work to develop an Action Plan. The Plan has been very effective, and almost every issue identified has been addressed. He outlined several areas that have been reviewed and/or addressed as a result of the Action Plan: Noise Abatement Departure Profiles MASAC did review noise abatement departure profiles and was able to establish, on average, that planes are 400 feet higher at the Minneapolis end of the runway. This analysis was based on the recently implemented close -in departures.This issue will be pursued in the 150 Update Study. MSP Mitigation Plan Administrator Batchelder further stated that the City will participate in the MASAC Action Plan to implement the MSP mitigation plan. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was finalized last fall. MASAC will hold corridor discussions on the 17-35 runway use system as part of the 150 Update Study. The mitigation plan was folded into the 150 Update. With. the update of the City's Action Plan, he would like corridor definition and compliance issues to be a high priority. The City alerted MAC about compliance issues last fall, and they will be addressed in the corridor review. City Policy The Action plan was a guiding blueprint for the City in writing the August 18, 1998 and April 8, 1999 letters to MASAC, and it also provided direction for recommendations to the Council on noise zone policies. - MAC Representation Commissioners asked about the composition of the MAC board. Administrator Batchelder stated it is the City's goal that a City resident will be appointed to MAC. There have been discussions with the Governor's office about MAC appointments and the fact that current representation from District Nos. 15 and 16 is not acceptable. Head -to -Head Operations Administrator Batchelder reported a letter sent to the FAA expressing concern about head-to-head operations and requiring more than two minutes between departures. FAA responded with a letter describing the constraints of tower personnel. This issue is now part of the corridor study. The City has been active on all the issues during;the past year that are in the City's Action Plan. In anticipation of updating the City's Action Plan, Commissioner Beatty stated that one high priority should be phasing out hushkit aircraft, which are classified as stage 3 in noise level. Use of hushkit aircraft is increasing, and sites need to be monitored. Commissioner May stated that he did not realize hushkits are stage 3 and asked if there is a maximum decibel level for stage 3 flights. Commissioner Beatty responded that to qualify as stage 3 is not just based on noise. In the last airport noise report on hushkits, there are at least 8 or 10 different kinds which all work differently. Administrator Batchelder referred to the May 14, 1999 Airport Noise Report noting that everyone is working toward stage 3 curfews. MASAC AGENDA Administrator Batchelder stated that communities are being encouraged to support the straight- out departure procedures report for Minneapolis. Adjustments have been made in departure headings so as not to affect traffic or capacity. The impact to those directly off the center line of runways will be less. Cities have until the end of June to comment. The City's position will be to support it. Administrator Batchelder further reported that at the last MASAC meeting, May 25, a crossing of the corridor report was presented. The Chair asked the Mendota Heights representative to make a motion to accept the report and thank the FAA for instituting these changes. The Eagan representative made the motion and added that the corridor be reaffirmed and endorsed. Administrator Batchelder stated that he stated that the City of Mendota Heights cannot accept endorsement of the corridor because there are still many inequities that need to be addressed. He offered a friendly amendment to delete that part of the motion, which was passed. The City will continue to oppose endorsement or reaffirmation of the current corridor. OTHER ISSUES Administrator Batchelder reported an issue that has arisen with the 1996 LDN 65 contour. Under Metropolitan Council Aviation Guidelines the contour applies to land uses within Mendota Heights. The Hoffman Homes townhomes proposed in, zone 3, as part of the City's attempt to comply .with the Livable Communities Act may be in conflict with the land use compatibility guidelines. Metropolitan Council planners have indicated that the development does not meet guidelines and ordinance standards, and, therefore, they do not have the authority to sign off on the Project. Metropolitan Council approval would be needed. A good solution may be to request a six- month extension until the new contours are established by Part 150 and land use compatibility decisions can be based on the new contours. COMMISSION MEMBER APPLICATIONS Administrator Batchelder reported that the deadline for Commission member applications is June 16, 1999. The position has been well advertised to encourage applicants. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Deanne Gueblaoui Recording Secretary