10-13-1999 ARC MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MP4NESOTA
Airport Relations Commission Minutes
October 13, 1999
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on Wednesday,
October 13, 1999, in the City Hall Large Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. Chair Beaty called
the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. The following members were present: Beaty, Leuman, May, and
Petschel. Also present was City Administrator Batchelder.
Commissioners Fitzer, Roszak and Stein were absent.
Newly appointed Commissioner Elizabeth Petschel was introduced. Commissioner Petschel stated that
she is pleased to be appointed to the Airport Relations Commission and stated that she has followed
airport issues since before moving to Mendota Heights in 1987.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: by Chair Beaty to approve the September 8, 1999 minutes as written.
Commissioner May seconded the motion. The minutes were approved
unanimously.
Administrator Batchelder reported that the draft copy before the Commission incorporates the changes
discussed at the last meeting. These changes include:
Topics of Interest No. 2: was changed to accelerate the conversion to manufactured stage III aircraft.
Focus Issues No. 2: was changed to advocate educating policy makers about the City's position and
Action Plan instead of pursuing an appointment of a City resident to the MAC Board. A brief
discussion followed about whether to use the word "position" or "policy". It was the
consensus of the Commission to keep the word "position."
Page 3: Under item No. 2, rather than requesting a regulatory rule, the Commission added language
advocating that MAC create incentives and disincentives that would encourage airlines to use only
Stage III aircraft during nighttime hours. Only Sun Country has agreed to pay a penalty for not using
Stage III during those hours. Chair Beaty suggested that the action step be further modified to indicate
"manufactured" Stage III aircraft because after January 1, 2000, Stage III aircraft will be required. It
was the consensus of the Commission to make this added change.
Page 4: No. 8 was added to consider hiring a consultant to assist with the corridor definition. No. 6
was modified to state, "Pursue proper location of corridor based on GIS analysis of existing
commercial/industrial uses and land use compatibility theories." Commissioner May asked if the
problem is that unless there are safety issues, the FAA will not mandate that the corridor be moved.
Administrator Batchelder explained that it is more of an environmental issue. If the corridor is moved,
the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) must be done again.
Page 5: The same recommendation to consider a consultant to help define the corridor was added as
No. 5.
Page 6: The goal was changed to educating policy makers about its Action Plan and City positions
with No. 3 changed to reflect that goal. No. 5 was added to educate federal representatives about the
FAA role in the runway use systems and federal funding.
Page 7: No. 4 was changed to produce a government access segment about the Airport Relations
Commission by the Spring of 2000. Chair Beaty requested that a portion of the January, February and
March meetings be designated to plan the video. No. 4.a. was added to develop a script, and 4.b. to
work with NDC producers. It is anticipated that the video would be completed by April 2000,
Page 8: As a part of the Commission's Annual Report, it was noted that an informational brochure is
to be done by fall of 1999. Administrator Batchelder stated that the brochure could highlight the
priorities of the Commission. Chair Beaty requested that this item be placed on the agenda of the next
meeting.
Page 14: It was the consensus of the Commission to add No. 4 for negotiations with the FAA on
head-to-head operations.
Page 16: It was the consensus of the Commission to add Action Step No. 4 that as technology
increases, it not be used to increase capacity in the corridor but be used for equitable distribution of
traffic on the runway system. City Administrator Batchelder noted that the new north/south runway
will ease traffic over Mendota Heights. The runway will be finished in 2003, and he summarized maps
showing new traffic patterns by 2005. The FAA has taken the position of adhering to this plan and not
making further changes to recommendations resulting from the EIS. The FAA does not want to make
substantive changes that would require a new EIS.
MOTION: by Commissioner Leuman, seconded by Commissioner Petschel that the
revised Airport Action Plan be submitted to the Council with a
recommendation for approval. The motion was approved unanimously.
MENDOTA HEIGHTS AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION 3
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Administrator Batchelder reported that the Airports and Aviation Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan
was revised significantly by the City Council.
Chair Beaty asked for clarification of the policy that establishes physical capacity of the corridor. Mr.
Batchelder explained that the Council would like to establish a finite level at which the Corridor is to be
used, sot that when that level is reached, reliever airports would have to be used.
He further noted that the revisions to the Comprehensive Plan addressed land use issues. The
Comprehensive Plan must be reviewed and approved by the Metropolitan Council which will require
consistency with the overall metro systems.
MSP Part 150 Study Update - Noise Abatement on Runway 17-35
Administrator Batchelder reported that the meeting of the October 8, 1999 MASAC Operations
Committee included discussion on: 1) noise abatement departure procedures for Runway 17; 2) track
definition and usage; and 3) preferred night time track use.
Flight tracks are being developed with the FAA. It is important to remember that a single noise event
count exposure was developed on all EIS tracks. In the current analysis, the single noise event is being
compressed into to one section with the affected population 14 miles out. People at a distance of 14
miles will experience a significantly smaller duration of noise time than those who live close in. People
close in experience 30 to 40 seconds, while those 14 miles out only are affected for two or three
seconds. The contour is based on the single noise event. The decision was to use distant departures as
a base line. The Part 150 Study will analyze close -in departure procedures for the 17-35 runway only.
Analysis based on single noise event contours is really not accurate because the intensity and duration
of the sound event is not being taken into account.
MAC CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIT) 2000-2006
Administrator Batchelder reported that under new legislation MAC is required to solicit comments
from affected municipalities on its CIP. This document is a formal notice to the City that they have
adopted a CIP plan. The City has until November 22, 1999 to submit comments. It was agreed that
the Commission will review the plan and discuss it at the November Commission meeting.
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Administrator Batchelder reported that in the MAC/Minneapolis contract agreement there were several
provisions of benefit that were not included in the City's contract. A new contract will be drafted
including the beneficial provisions in the Minneapolis contract for Commission review at the next
meeting. It will then be submitted to the Council for approval and sent to MAC for signature.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Commission acknowledged receipt of various correspondence and reports.
Administrator Batchelder noted that it is difficult to obtain the graphs and charts of the Technical
Advisors Report in color from MAC. He will find out whether color copies can be obtained for a small
fee or try to obtain a disk to run additional color copies for Commissioners. The graphs and charts are
difficult to read without the color designations.
The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Deanne Gueblaoui
Recording Secretary