09-25-1996 ARC MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 25, 1996
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was
held on Wednesday, September 25, 1996 in the City Hall Large Conference Room,
1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 7:10 o'clock p.m. The
following members were present: Beaty, Fitzer, Leuman, Olsen and Stein.
Commissioner Gross was excused. Commissioner Surrisi was absent. Also
present were City Administrator Kevin Batchelder and Senior Secretary Kim
Blaeser. As a special guest speaker, Mayor Charles E. Mertensotto was present.
Commissioner Olsen moved approval of the August 14, 1996 minutes.
Commissioner Fitzer seconded the motion.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
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LETTER OF RESPONSE TO
RESIDENT'S PETITION ON
PART 150 SOUND INSULATION
City Administrator Batchelder reviewed an August 9, 1996 letter sent by the
City to residents explaining the FAA Part 150 Sound Insulation Program.
Batchelder explained that there were several City residents present at a
recent MSP Mitigation public meeting who expressed their displeasure in not
being included within the sound insulation program. He noted that several
residents appeared resentful that St. Thomas Academy and Visitation
Convent schools had been sound insulated and not their homes.
Batchelder stated that he is a little surprised that there are no residents
present at tonight's meeting to discuss this issue. He informed the
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Commission that numerous calls have been received at the City Hall and
that some calls have been referred to the MAC. He stated that he intends
to include an article in the Heights Highlites explaining this program in
further detail.
Commissioner Olsen stated that the City should continue informing its
residents that we are doing what we can and that we advocate adding more
homes to the program. Batchelder stated that the Mayor's Committee is in
the process of generating ideas to increase the funding process.
COUNCIL ACCEPTANCE OF
AIR NOISE PLAN OF ACTION
City Administrator Batchelder informed the Commission that the City Council
was very receptive and acknowledged the hard work the Commission put
forth in updating the Air Noise Plan of Action. He noted that
Councilmember Smith suggested that the Commission start making contacts
about MAC/MASAC representation. Chair Beaty stated that he believes
residents are beginning to understand the airport noise issue. The
Commission discussed educating the community further by including
specific information on issues directly impacting Mendota Heights, such as,
Part 150 Sound Insulation. Batchelder informed the Commission that he
welcomes additional newsletters ideas from them. Commissioner Fitzer
suggested that the Noise Hotline Number be included in the newsletter.
Mayor Mertensotto arrived at 7:25 p.m.
MISCELLANEOUS
Chair Beaty inquired about the status of implementing the non simultaneous
departure procedures. Administrator Batchelder informed the Commission
that he has placed several phone calls to the FAA Great Lakes
Environmental Department and that no one haig returned his phone calls. He
informed the Commission that he will send another letter and that this time
he will carbon copy federal legislators.
UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS
DISCUSS MSP MITIGATION COMMITTEE -
PUBLIC HEARING AND AIRPORT CONFIGURATION
Administrator Batchelder informed the Commission that Mayor Mertensotto
is present to update the Commission on the progress of the MSP
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Committee. He explained that on September 11, 1996, the MSP Mitigation
Committee held a four hour meeting to begin to bring recommendations on a
mitigation plan to conclusion.
Mayor Mertensotto informed the Commission that he has spoken with Nigel
Finney regarding the air noise contours. He discussed how the air noise
contours are formulated. Mertensotto stated that he informed Mr. Finney
that the Curley Addition receives a 90 decibels of air noise and is not a part
of the Ldn contour.
The Mayor stated that Mr. Finney is willing to work with the City to get
equitable noise distribution. He stated that Mr. Finney stated that another
runway needs to be constructed to achieve this goal. The Mayor stated
that while this sounds like a positive step forward for Mendota Heights, he
stated that it takes approximately four years to construct a new runway and
possibly longer if lawsuits are involved. The Mayor stated that he feels that
Mendota Heights can have immediate relief from air noise by pushing the
use of Runway 4-22. He stated that the construction of the north/south
runway needs to proceed immediately.
A discussion ensued regarding the City's of Eagan and Richfield concerns
for increased air noise with the construction of a north/south runway.
Mayor Mertensotto informed the Commission of a recent meeting between
Mendota Heights and the Mayor of Minneapolis. He stated that the Mayor
of Minneapolis agrees with Mendota Heights' stand on equitable air noise
distribution and that the construction of a new north/south runway would
benefit both cities. He informed the Commission that the Mayor of
Minneapolis has suggested that the construction of the Runway 4-22
taxiway be reconsidered. He stated that the City of Eagan supports this
concept. Mayor Mertensotto stated that he believes that eventually
Northwest Airlines will support the construction of a new terminal. He
further stated that the City of Richfield supports this concept.
The Commission discussed MAC's support in constructing the north/south
runway. He briefly discussed the process of approving the construction
through the legislature.
The Mayor discussed the Draft Third Parallel Runways contract and stated
that the Cities of Minneapolis and Mendota Heights will meet again to
discuss this further. The Commission disbuss6d placing specific terms
within the contract such as breach of contract and renewal terms.
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The Commission discussed the anticipated amount of runway use operations
by the year 2005. Mayor Mertensotto stated that the Mayor's committee is
currently discussing recommendations on future configurations and runway
use at the airport.
Mayor Mertensotto, stated that an optimistic schedule in completing the
north/south runway is by the year 2002. He stated that the legislature
needs to act immediately.
The Commission discussed how the completion of Runway 4-22 extension
has given some relief to Mendota Heights. The Commission discussed
stacking capability and how a taxiway needs to be constructed which would
allow the runway to run more efficiently.
DISCUSS METROPOLITAN COUNCIL'S
REVISIONS TO AVIATION GUIDE PLAN
AND NOISE ZONES
Mayor Mertensotto discussed the MSP Mitigation Committee and their
discussions on expanding the area of eligibility for air noise mitigation
programs. The Commission discussed how changes in the noise policy
contours will affect the City's Noise Attenuation Ordinance and the fact that
the Ordinance will have be revised to be consistent with any new noise
policy contours.
The Commission reviewed possible new boundaries and how the changes
will affect properties in the process of being considered for development.
Administrator Batchelder stated that the City's Planning Commission may
need to *become involved in this process. He explained that the City needs
to update its comprehensive plan and that the air noise contours may need
to be included within this process.
Mayor Mertensotto was excused at 9:21 p.m.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Commission acknowledged receipt of a West St. Paul/Mendota Heights
Sun Current news article regarding mayors of cities surrounding Mpls/St.
Paul International Airport September 11 meeting discussions on how to
redistribute aircraft noise equitably.
The Commission acknowledged receipt of the MASAC Complaint Summary
for July 1996.
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Chair Beaty. stated that the Commission should send a thank you letter to
Mayor Mertensotto.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the Airports Relations Commission moved
to adjourn its meeting at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kimberlee K. Blaeser
Senior Secretary
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