02-14-1996 ARC MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 14, 1996
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was
held on Wednesday, February 14, 1996 in the City Hall Large Conference Room,
1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 8:06 o'clock P.M. The
following members were present: Beaty, Surrisi, Gross, Leuman, Stein and Olsen.
Commissioner Fitzer was excused. Also present were Interim City Administrator
Kevin Batchelder and Senior Secretary Kim Blaeser.
OFFICER ELECTION
Commissioner Surrisi moved to reappoint Scott Beaty as Chair and Joe
Leuman as Vice Chair for 1996.
Commissioner Stein seconded the motion.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Gross moved approval of the January 9, 1996 minutes.
Commissioner Leuman seconded the motion.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
Chair Beaty inquired if staff has clarified the change in magnetic heading
with Mr. Foggia. Interim Administrator Batchelder informed the Commission
that Mr. Foggia has not returned his phone calls. In response to a question
from Chair Beaty, Batchelder stated he will research the ground noise test
times and report back to the Commission at an upcoming meeting.
ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF VARIOUS
REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE
The Commission acknowledged receipt of the MASAC October 24, 1995
minutes.
The Commission acknowledged receipt of the MASAC December 5, 1995
minutes.
The Commission acknowledged receipt of the MASAC Operations
Committee minutes of January 17, 1996. The Commission noted that the
MASAC Operations Committee reviewed the City of Inver Grove Heights
request to change the current MSP Tower Order of turning aircraft as soon
as practical after the 3 -mile point. The MASAC Operations Committee has
accepted the change to the MSP Tower Order, as requested by Inver Grove
Heights, and has forwarded this recommendation to the MASAC, MAC
Planning & Environment Committee, MAC Full Commission and the FAA.
The Commission noted that Mr. Foggia informed the MASAC Operations
Committee that the wording change retains the spirit of the existing order,
but clarifies an important point to downstream communities. The FAA has
communicated that this change would not affect aircraft operations and that
aircraft already turn as soon as possible after passing the 3 -mile turn
restricted area. The Commission acknowledged that the City of Eagan is
opposed to this change.
Interim Administrator Batchelder reviewed a January 18, 1996 letter from
Mayor Mertensotto informing Nigel Finney, of MAC, that the City Council
has unanimously endorsed the MAC's Corridor Refinement Proposal #1 for
Non -Simultaneous Departure Conditions. Batchelder explained that the City
of Eagan supports a modification of the off-peak corridor procedures for the
north parallel runway, shifting the off-peak heading from 105 degrees to
110 degrees. Batchelder informed the Commission that the MAC and FAA
support the Non -Simultaneous Departure Conditions proposal and we are
waiting for FAA/Great Lakes office to approve its implementation.
Batchelder stated that staff would contact MAC inquiring about the status
of the non -simultaneous proposal.
DISCUSS NOISE ABATEMENT DEPARTURE PROFILES
Interim Administrator Batchelder explained that on January 17, 1996 the
MASAC Operations Committee reviewed the analysis on the Noise
Abatement Departure Profiles (NADP). He explained that Mr. Futterman,
HNTB Consulting, presented noise contour analysis of both a Distant
Procedure and .its alternative, the Close -in Procedure. Batchelder stated that
this analysis was incomplete because there was no cumulative noise
contours, only single event contour analysis. Batchelder explained that a
special MASAC Operations Committee meeting will be held on February 16,
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1996 to review cumulative contour analysis that will include population
counts within the contours. Batchelder stated that the intent of this
meeting is to allow cities time to react prior to the February 26, 1996
MASAC meeting. Chair Beaty asked that the Commission be given this
information.
The Commission reviewed several charts which indicated DC9 Close -In
Departures and DC9 Distant Departures. The Commission discussed which
NADP would most benefit the City of Mendota Heights. The Commission
asked for clarification on each procedure. The Commission discussed how
the City could best inform its residents of on-going airport issues that
directly impact the City of Mendota Heights.
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The Commission acknowledged receipt of a memorandum from Mr. John
Foggia to the MASAC Operations Committee regarding shoulder hour
considerations. Batchelder stated that Northwest Airlines is hesitant to
participate because they have only 1 or 2 flights that fly during the
proposed 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. restricted or quiet hours. Batchelder
stated that Northwest Airlines intends to survey other carriers.
Commissioner Gross suggested that other cities get together and support a
curfew. He stated that if noise is a problem during the late evening/early
morning hours, and a reasonable assumption would be that people are
sleeping between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., then quieter aircraft should be
flying during these times when lives are more affected. Batchelder stated
that the non -simultaneous departure procedure may provide some nighttime
relief by keeping planes to the center of the corridor.
The Commission acknowledged receipt of the MAC Part 150 Residential
Sound Insulation Program Information. The Commission noted that the
boundary block now includes Wagon -Wheel Trail.
The Commission acknowledged receipt of a 1994 to 1995 Comparison by
Air Carrier - Noise Management Methodology report.
The Commission acknowledged receipt of the MASAC Technical Advisor's
report for November.
The Commission acknowledged receipt of the Corridor Gate Penetration
Analysis for November.
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The Commission acknowledged receipt of the MASAC Technical Advisor's
report for December.
The Commission acknowledged receipt of the MSP Monthly Complaint
Summary.
The Commission acknowledged receipt of the SMAAC Newsletter.
The Commission acknowledged receipt of the Part 150 Buyout Update.
The Commission acknowledged receipt of a joint MAC/Metropolitan Council
meeting announcement.
DISCUSS MENDOTA HEIGHTS AIRPORT PLAN OF ACTION
The Commission reviewed the existing Mendota Heights Airport Noise Plan
of Action which consists of the following Air Noise Plan of Action Elements:
1. Noise Reduction through Modified Takeoff Procedures
a. Non -simultaneous takeoff procedures
b. Rate of climb procedures
C. Mandatory nighttime restrictions
2. Heighten Awareness of MH Air Noise Concerns
a. Distribution of refrigerator magnets
b. Expanded mailing list of ARC agenda
C. Appointment of City resident to the MAC
3. MSP Long Term Comprehensive Plan
a. Prevent construction of third north parallel runway
4. Conversion to Stage III Quieter Aircraft Fleet
a. Assure conversion by the year 2000
5. Noise Reduction through litigation
a. Possible legal challenge?
6. Noise Mitigation through Sound Insulation
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a. Assure school sound insulation
The Commission noted that the last time the Airport Plan of Action had been
revised was on August 2, 1994.
The following Issues were reviewed and determined either complete or
revised to pursue further action:
a. Issue: Noise Reduction Through Modified Takeoff Procedures
The Commission has completed the following Action Steps:
1. Review previous MAC representations on issue with City Council.
2. Draft letter to MAC requesting update on revised non -simultaneous
takeoff procedures - invite Mr. Hamiel to upcoming ARC meeting.
3. Depending upon response, chose appropriate means of advocating
rapid implementation of new procedures.
The Commission felt that additional follow-up with MAC and the FAA should
be pursued.
B. Issue: Noise Reduction Through Modified Takeoff Procedures
The Commission has completed the following Action Steps:
1. Review FAA requirements with City Council.
2. Continue participation on MASAC Operations Committee which is
currently reviewing issue.
The following should be completed/implemented:
1. City recommend what procedure should be tested - February 14,
1996
2. MASAC reports recommendation to MAC Planning and Environment
Committee - February 27
3. MAC Planning and Environment reports recommendation to MAC
4. MAC recommends to FAA procedure be tested.
5. FAA designs flight procedure be tested.
6. FAA begins flight test.
7. City to evaluate test results and make recommendation to MAC and
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C. Noise Reduction Through Modified Takeoff Procedures (Adoption of
Mandatory Nighttime Takeoff Regulations to Reduce Noise Generation
Over Mendota Heights)
The Commission has completed the following Action Steps:
1. Review previous MAC representations on issue with City Council.
2. Research nighttime flight restrictions imposed at other U.S. Airports.
3. Depending upon findings, prepare request to MAC for adoption of
more stringent requirements.
The following should be completed/implemented:
1. Between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., only Stage III
aircraft to fly during this time period.
2. Call NOISE and inquire about U.S. airport nighttime restriction.
D. Heighten Awareness of Mendota Heights Air Noise Concerns (Produce
and Distribute Informative Refrigerator Magnets Advertising the MAC
Air Noise Complaint Line)
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The Commission has completed the following Action Steps:
1. Investigate costs of magnet production and distribution
2. Commission to review design
3. Order delivered to City Hall
4. Magnets distributed to Council and Airport Relations Commission
5. Commission to review final letter and news release
6. Magnets distributed to residents
i. Additional magnets available at City Hall upon request
The following should be implemented:
1. Inform the community of ongoing ARC projects and concerns using
the City's newsletter and separate single page mailings.
E. Heighten Awareness of Mendota Heights Air Noise Concerns (Expand
Distribution of Air Noise Related Information)
The Commission has completed the following Action Steps:
1 Expand mailing list for ARC agenda to include State Senators and
Reps.
2. Mail letters to State Senators and Representatives introducing ARC.
3. Invite guests to monthly ARC meetings (i.e., Mr. Hamiel, Mr.
Wagoner, State elected officials)
4. Expand coverage of air noise issues.
The following issues will be pursued further:
1 Continue to inform State Senators and Representatives about the
ARC.
2. Invite, quarterly, guests to speak at ARC meetings.
3. Devote entire page of air noise issues in the City's newsletter.
4. Continue to send press releases to newspapers, State Senators and
Representatives.
F. Heighten Awareness of Mendota Heights Air Noise Concerns
(Appointment of City Resident to the Metropolitan Airports
Commission)
The Commission has completed the following Action Steps:
1 Review current distribution of MAC Commissioners with ARC.
2. Prepare letter to gubernatorial candidates asking for their position on
MSP expansion, corridor use, MAC representation.
3. Discuss City concerns with our current MAC representative.
4. Monitor gubernatorial election.
The following issues will be pursued further:
1. Discuss concerns with State Senators and Reps. Regarding
composition of MAC. Pursue legislation to amend MAC
Commissioner boundaries.
2. Compare cities affected by air noise to MAC representatives.
G. MSP Long Term Comprehensive Plan (Prevent Construction of Third
North Parallel Runway)
The Commission has completed the following Action Steps:
1. Update Commission on status of MSP LTCP Study.
The Commission discussed how the Long Term Comprehensive Planning of
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the airport should be discussed in conjunction with the Dual Track issue.
H. Conversion to Stage III Quieter Aircraft (Assure Conversion by Federal
Deadline of Year 2000)
The Commission has completed the following Action Steps:
1 Review NWA obligations to MAC regarding Stage If phaseout and
research fleet mix at various airports around the country
2. Prepare letter to MAC regarding ongoing contract talks with NWA to
request inclusion of language specifying phase out date.
3. Work with MAC commissioners who are supportive of effort to help
build consensus amongst MAC.
4. Letter to NWA asking for their cooperation in committing to Year
2000 phaseout.
5. Prepare media news releases and information letters explaining issue
and asking for letters and/or calls to MAC in support of contractual
language.
I. Assure Installation of Sound Insulation in Schools Affected by Air
Noise Exposure (Air Noise Mitigation Through Sound Insulation)
The Commission acknowledged that City Council has authorized the
issuance of building permits to St. Thomas and Visitation which would allow
the installation of sound insulation.
Commissioners Surrisi and Olsen were excused at 10:30 p.m.
The Commission was of the consensus to table discussion on the Dual
Track Planning Process until their April meeting.
Chair Beaty commended Mayor Mertensotto and City staff on their efforts in
producing a February 12, 1996 letter to the MAC regarding the City's
comments on the Dual Track Airport Planning Process Draft EIS.
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There being no further business, the Airport Relations Commission moved to
adjourn its meeting at 10:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kimberfee K. Blaeser
Senior Secretary
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