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07-10-1996 ARC MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION JULY 10, 1996 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on Wednesday, July 10, 1996 in the City Hall Large Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting followed a special 7:00 o'clock P.M. City Council Airport Relations Commission meeting tour of air noise impacted areas of Mendota Heights and was called to order at 9:27 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Beaty, Fitzer, Gross, Leuman, Olsen, and Stein. The following member was excused: Surrisi. The following members were absent: None. Also present were City Administrator Kevin Batchelder and Recording Secretary Carla Wirth. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Leuman moved approval of the May 8, 1996 minutes. Commissioner Olsen seconded the motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 DISCUSS NOISE ABATEMENT DEPARTURE PROFILES Batchelder reviewed that at the June 25, 1996, MASAC Meeting, they again considered the recommendation from the MASAC Operations Committee that "Close -In" departure procedures be used only for departures off 29L and 29R over Minneapolis. All other runways would continue to use the "Distant" departure procedure. However, MASAC did not act on this recommendation at their May or June meetings and carried it forward for further consideration since there is concern over the data used for population and household counts, as well as other concerns by surrounding communities. Batchelder reviewed that at the June meeting, the Airport Relations Commission had directed staff to assist Councilmember Jill Smith in her meetings with MASAC. Tomorrow they will meet with MAC representatives to look, in detail, at population and household counts. It is hoped this will enable the determination of the accuracy of the data and result in being more precise t- -� about the affect of the proposed departure profiles. 1 Beaty commented on the different departure procedures and benefit received when planes get to a higher altitude more quickly. He inquired regarding why this has not been seriously discussed. Olsen stated it may be an issue where the airlines are concerned with cost. Fitzer stated he does not know how much additional fuel it would take, but maybe it has not been considered because the population towards Minneapolis is higher than over Mendota Heights. Beaty asked that this question be posed to MASAC. Batchelder stated he would do so and advised that Eagan considered a resolution in support of Close -In Departures. DISCUSS MENDOTA HEIGHTS AIRPORT PLAN OF ACTION Batchelder reviewed the prioritized Topics of Interest list and the two changes made since the last meeting to the Air Noise Plan of Action. He advised the follow up letter to the FAA was added and is almost ready but the FAA said they would not be able to address this issue for two months. This letter will also be copied to Mendota Heights' congressmen and legislators. Batchelder noted the second revision on page 7, a date was added to invite legislatures to attend a meeting in December/January. Batchelder advised that due to scheduling conflicts, the Airport Plan of Action will not be presented to the City Council until August 20,1996. Therefore, the Airport Relations Commission will have the opportunity to review it at their August meeting, prior to Council presentation. The Commission complemented staff on their preparation of this presentation. DISCUSS NOISE MITIGATION COMMITTEE AND CITY EFFORTS Batchelder reported the MSP Mitigation Committee met again on June 26,1996, at which time Inver Grove Heights, Eagan, Minneapolis, and St. Paul gave their presentations on Noise Mitigation. He noted their agenda, discussion outline, and chart detailing different city's positions expressed before the MSP Mitigation Committee. He pointed out under the operational column, that four to five cities have brought forward the issue of equitable distribution of air noise. He suggested that the Runway Use System is outdated and needs to be updated. Beaty urged members to read the Mendota Heights Position Statement which was presented in June to the MSP Mitigation Committee. He noted it does include the suggestion to modify runways but he supports adding, as Eagan did, to require four miles for landing to avoid "cut -ins" during non -busy time N periods. Beaty stated Mendota Heights may want to determine their position regarding that issue. Batchelder advised he met with Eagan staff to establish issues which all cities agree on. Hopefully at August meeting, a coalition list will be ready to discuss with Dakota County to seek their support. Gross inquired regarding the future impact of the global positioning satellite system (GPS). Batchelder explained that GPS is capable of pinpointing and getting airplanes to track. Currently, the airport utilizes a straight lineup for arrivals and Mendota Heights wants to avoid the need for a turning movement for arrivals. Gross questioned whether, if this is the way of the future, Mendota Heights should fight it or, perhaps, it would be better to compromise on that position to gain something else. Fitzer expressed concern with an air pattern so close that it results in a sharp arrival. He agreed that the GPS technology would allow this but he questions how the airline intends to utilize it. Fitzer pointed out the airlines will be able to have a tighter area of impact which may save them money. Gross questioned the strength of the community's position. Batchelder agreed this is why communities need to reach a coalition statement and gain assistance from Dakota County. He noted that Mendota Heights has not had this opportunity before, to submit information before the MSP Mitigation Committee and cautioned there may not be another such opportunity for some time. He emphasized the data on the chart and stated he is encouraged about the indication from MAC that operational changes can be beneficial. Since technology is available through GPS to have a five mile turn -in, Fitzer suggested it may be to Mendota Height's advantage to start discussions now so there will be no planes allowed to turn in within ten miles, or five mile final. Leuman questioned the issue of using north/south runway and suggested it be brought up. Batchelder noted Eagan's Noise Mitigation Program indicates there would be 100% federal PART 150 participation for noise abatement the within 60 DNL, then the next area would receive a 50/50 split, etc. He noted this plan incorporates a phased level of benefit, not such a severe cutoff line between areas. Beaty agreed it is more of a phase-out plan. 5a. REVIEW NON SIMULTANEOUS DEPARTURE PROCEDURES No comment. 91 5b. REVIEW BACKSLIDING AND NWA FLEET CONVERSION PLAN Batchelder explained that he was in the process of preparing a letter to MAC regarding backsliding but the Stage 111 Report, recently given to the MSP Committee, indicates the percentages are not as bad as thought. Batchelder advised that the agreement -NWA has with MAC is for no backsliding on a yearly basis, not month-to-month, and that their use of Stage III at this airport will be no less than their fleet mix nation-wide. However, this is difficult to calculate because of how their airplanes are used (long haul). Batchelder suggested sending a letter to Jennifer Sayers (who works with public information for NWA) requesting that this percentage data be "prepared separately for NWA since they are the only airlines which has agreed not to backslide. Also, this will put NWA on notice that Mendota Heights is watching their fleet mix. Once this information is known, the City can decide if a letter should be sent to MAC regarding backsliding. Consensus was reached to concur with Batchelder's suggestions. ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF VARIOUS REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE 6a. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the MASAC Agenda for June 25,1996 and May 28,1996 Minutes. 6b. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the MASAC Technical Advisor's report for May, 1996. 6c. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the MASAC Complaint Summary for May, 1996. 6d. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the MASAC Corridor Gate Penetration Analysis for May, 1996. 6e. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the Airport Noise Reportfor May 27,1996. Olsen commented on page 78 which shows the dollar amount that different cities spend for various noise mitigation features such as blast fencing, noise berms, vegetation and plantings, and questioned whether the Minneapolis Airport is "up to speed" on noise attenuation or if more could be done in that regard. Batchelder stated he will follow up on what has been done to abate ground noise. i 4 6f. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the Part 150 Buyout Update - Issue 30. 6g. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the City of Eagan - ARC Agenda for July 9, 1996. 6h. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the SunCurrent Article of June 19, 1996 on Sound Insulation. _ 6i. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the Eagan Corridor Resolution. 6j. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the Airport Fact Sheet 106 - Overview of MASAC. 6k. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the National Helicopter Noise Coalition Newsletter. OTHER COMMENTS OR CONCERNS Batchelder displayed a colored copy of the community survey which was prepared by a consultant for the MSP Committee. He reviewed the questions posed to residents and the responses given. It was noted that the most common response was the need for a free time period during the day when residents are not annoyed by airplanes. The second most common response was the desire for fewer planes. The Commissioners thanked Stein for obtaining the school bus which was used for the tour of air noise impacted areas. Batchelder indicated he will draft a letter of appreciation for the Mayor's signature which will be sent to Stein's supervisor. 9 _ •,_ ;ail 4Z Y1 There being no further comments, the Airport Relations Commission moved to adjourn its meeting at 10:07 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Carla M. Wirth Recording Secretary TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial 5