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09-06-1995 ARC MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 6, 1995 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on Wednesday, September 6, 1995, in the City Hall Large Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 8:07 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Beaty, Fitzer, Leuman, Surrisi. Commissioner Olsen had informed the Commission that he would be late. Commissioners Olin and Stein were excused. Also present were City Administrator Tom Lawell and Senior Secretary Kim Blaeser. Commissioner Leuman moved approval of the July 12, 1995 minutes. Commissioner Fitzer seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 Commissioner Leuman moved approval of the August 9, 1995 minutes. Commissioner Fitzer seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 k 0 1 :1943i, 91, 0 A " 9 1 The Commission acknowledged receipt of the MASAC Agenda Packet from August 22, 1995. Chair Beaty pointed out that the MASAC Commission acknowledged receipt of a letter addressed to Mayor Tom Egan, City of Eagan, from Mark Salmen, of Northwest Airlines, responding to the Northern Dakota County Airport Relations Coalition's request to address the "distant" and "close -in" departure procedures as outlined in FAA Advisory Circular No. 91-53A. Beaty stated that Mr. Salmen responded that the MASAC Operations Committee will be evaluating the benefits of the NADPs, and that the final determination will be made by the MAC, not the air carriers. Beaty informed the Commission that the Coalition disagrees with Mr. Salmen's approach to: this issue. The first set of decisions related to establishing NADDs were made by the air carriers, and the Coalition would like NWA to reevaluate the decisions they have already made relative to this issue. Chair Beaty noted that the ANOMS report has not been submitted for r Commission review due to technical difficulties. Administrator Lawell submitted the Operations and Complaint Summary for July 1995. It was noted that 100 complaints were received from Mendota Heights citizens. The Commission pointed out that 114 calls were received from St. Paul citizens. Administrator Lawell reviewed a Complaint Summary map. It was noted that the area south of the Curley Addition registered over 10 complaints. The Commission felt that this summer's complaints were low due to weather conditions being hot and humid and that most people had their windows closed with their air conditioning on. The Commission also discussed the possibility of citizens getting tired of putting forth an effort in complaining about air noise. Administrator Lawell submitted a copy of the July 17, 1995 Special Meeting Minutes of the Metropolitan Airports Commission. The minutes noted that improvements of $300 million were made at Denver's Stapleton after the decision had been made to build a new airport and that these improvements were critical to the continued operation of Stapleton. The minutes also. summarized discussion about the new Denver airport and that 80 major contracts in the design area and 90 major contracts were involved in the construction management. The entire project experienced 14,000 change orders. It was noted that general airport revenue bonds were the major funding source with the first issue in 1989. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the July 13, 1995 MASAC Operations Committee minutes. The Commission discussed a letter of request from the City of Eagan's Airport Relations Commission asking for flight track analysis for operations southeast of MSP for the weekends of April 29-30 and May 6-7. It was noted that the first weekend had extremely loud aircraft noise while the second weekend was quiet. The City of Eagan is interested in an analysis of these two weekends in terms of compliance with current corridor boundaries and gate analysis. The City of Eagan asked the MAC to discuss conditions of those weekends with the FAA to determine operations or weather conditions which caused the 2 �� difference in noise on the eastern edge of the Eagan. The Commission discussed requesting from the MASAC Operations Committee a special report comparing huskitted and non huskitted aircraft flight paths over the City of Mendota Heights. Administrator Lawell stated that he would inquire with the Committee. r The Commission acknowledged receipt of the South Metro Airport Action Council letter dated August 17, 1995. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the NWA Letter to Inver Grove Heights dated August 4, 1995. Chair Beaty informed the Commission that the NDCARC will continue to send correspondence to the attention of Mr. Salmen at NWA. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the Metropolitan Airports Commission 1994 Report to the Public. DISCUSS DUAL TRACK AIRPORT PLANNING STATUS AND STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS Administrator Lawell explained that the Commission has been discussing the status of the Dual Track Airport Planning process and the fast approaching deadlines which will decide this important issue. Lawell explained that Mendota Heights' position is to not give an opinion on the Dual Track process until the result of the study are fully known. Lawell summarized that Dakota County Commissioner Bataglia had informed the Cities of Mendota Heights, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights and Sunfish Lake that an organized group known as SOAR would be making a presentation to the Dakota County Board of Commissioners on the status of their efforts to keep the new airport out of southern Dakota County. Lawell explained that SOAR's presentation concluded by having the County Commissioner who represents the Hastings area present a resolution which would formally declare that Dakota County is opposed to a new airport and the very idea of land banking for the future. Lawell explained that representatives from the northern Dakota County cities were able to convince the other commissioners that this topic requires further discussion prior to the County taking a formal position. Lawell explained that this matter was tabled unit the September 26th 3 Dakota County Physical Development Committee meeting. He stated that the Commission should spend time discussing:the City's pbsition before appearing before the County Board on September 26th. With respect to long term lobbying efforts, Chair Beaty stated that the Commission should consider taking a position on whether the airport should stay or be moved. He stated that Mendota Heights' real frustration is the air noise issue. Beaty suggested that the City consider being in favor of moving the airport unless specific terms are met such as narrowing the existing corridor and equitable distribution noise. The Commission discussed the County's concern for selective land banking and commercial land banking. Commissioner Surrisi inquired if the City is aware of the community's opinion on whether the airport should stay or be moved. She stated that a number of Mendota Heights residents have moved to this community due to the proximity of the airport. Commissioner Beaty stated that a survey could be conducted but that he is concerned about uninformed opinions and that the community needs to be educated more about the air noise problem. Administrator Lawell explained that the City has conducted surveys in the past on other non -airport related topics. Commissioners Surrisi and Olsen agreed that a survey may prove useful. Chair Beaty stated that if the airport stays in place, we need to know how the community of Mendota Heights be protected from air noise. Administrator Lawell reviewed biographical information on key legislators who are involved in transportation matters. Specifically, legislators who are involved on the House Transportation and Transit Committee, the Senate Transportation and Public Transit Committee and the Senate Transportation and Public Transit Finance Division Committee. Chair Beaty noted that there are several out state committee members. The Commission discussed the possibility of hiring a professional lobbyist. Chair Beaty suggested that the City Council consider pursuing a professional lobbyist who specializes in transportation issues. Commissioner Olsen suggested that the NDCARC should become involved and should be the organization to pursue a professional lobbyist. He stated that a common position amongst the Cities makes for a better stand. Commissioner Surrisi concurred. Chair Beaty stated that the Cities of Sunfish Lake and Inver Grove Heights may be close to Mendota Heights' stand on moving the airport. The Commission suggested that if the airport stays, then the following 4 \ should occur: 1. Shrink corridor as new technology permits. 2. Equitable distribution of noise 3. NAPD standards, better use of Stage III aircraft 4. Nighttime standards 5. Define corridor boundaries and implement fines for noise violation 6. Move general aircraft to reliever airport 7.- Not construct third parallel runway until 2015 Commissioner Surrisi wondered if the MAC is of the opinion that the airport will never be moved. She also stated that some people believe that in the future, people will be traveling less due to increased technology. Commissioner Surrisi stated that the airport will probably have to be moved and that if that airport does stay, then we will have to live with it. She stated that she is convinced that the MAC cannot meet our conditions. Chair Beaty stated that the City should try, its best to require that these conditions be met and that the media should be informed. The Commission discussed that by modifying the corridor departure procedures, overflights would be limited over populated areas. The Commission discussed including other surrounding' City interests and not just focusing on Mendota Heights interests. In response to a request from the Commission, Administrator Lawell stated he would get a progress report on the mediation process and expenses from Metropolitan Council staff member Nacho Dias. The Commission discussed how the City needs to be more assertive in dealing with the inequitable distribution of noise and that the City needs to be more specific in letting the MAC know that Mendota -Heights is receiving the brunt of the air noise. The Commission discussed better use of the corridor during non peak hours. Chair Beaty suggested that non peak hours be defined as 10:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. The Commission discussed day time operations and how Chair Beaty's suggestion would not include these operations. Commissioner Surrisi suggested that the corridor could best be defined and used when there is no potential conflict. Commissioner Surrisi was excused at 10:28 o'clock P.M. 5 The Commission discussed noise abatement departure procedures and how Stage 3 aircraft will help minimize the noise impact on populated areas. The Commission discussed implementing nighttime restrictions and how fines could be incorporated if the restrictions are not adhered to by the airlines. Commissioner Olsen stated that he does not want to see a growth in nighttime procedures. The Commission was of the consensus that Stage 2 aircraft should not be allowed to fly during nighttime operations. Commissioner Olsen stated that the airport should not stay if the north parallel runway is to someday be constructed. He stated that a north parallel runway should not be considered until the capacity on the north/south runway is maximized. DISCUSS UPDATE OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS AIRPORT NOISE PLAN OF ACTION The Commission was of the consensus to table this discussion until their October 11, 1995 meeting. VERBAL UPDATES Administrator Lawell discussed the status of implementing the non - simultaneous crossingprocedure. p cedure. Lawell stated that he has requested copies of the recently modeled contours from HNTB. Administrator Lawell stated the City Council will be reviewing the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport Area Community Protection Concept Package at their September 13 workshop. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Airport Relations Commission moved to adjourn its meeting at 10:50 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kimberlee K. Blaeser Senior Secretary 11_