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11-12-1997 ARC MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION NOVEMBER 12, 1997 - MINUTES The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on Wednesday, November 12, 1997 in the City Hall Large Conference Room, 1 10 1 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. The following members were present: Beaty, Des Roches, Fitzer, Leuman, Stein, Gross and May. Also present were City Administrator Kevin Batchelder and Senior Secretary Kim Blaeser. INTRODUCTIONS Chair Beaty acknowledged several residents present for the meeting. Mr. Pat Randall, of 902 Cheri Lane, informed the Commission that he has been a resident since February of 1991. He stated that the City's newsletter has indicated the City's positive progress related to air noise issues. He informed the Commission that he believes this past summer to be a terrible summer related to air noise. He further noted his concerns with the inequity of Part 150 Noise Attenuation procedures and he inquired how homes are picked to participate in the program. He stated that he does call the MAC Air Noise Hotline on a regular basis. Steve and Julie Hannig, of 909 Bluebill, informed the Commission that they have been residents for one year. They noted their concerns with the amount of air noise and they inquired about the Part 150 program. City Administrator Batchelder explained the Federal standards of the Part 150 Program and informed the residents how the FAA regulates the Part 150 program. Batchelder explained that Part 150 Contour Map, the boundary block additions and how the contours had originally been established. MASAC REPRESENTATION - PROPOSED BY-LAW CHANGES Administrator Batchelder explained that the MASAC Executive Committee has been discussing changes to the composition of the MASAC .board, at the urging of the 'communities on both ends of the parallel runways. He explained that the MASAC Executive Committee has made a AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES -NOVEMBER 12, 1997 1 recommendation to the MASAC board to consider a by-laws change that would increase the size of MASAC from 34 to 38 members. Batchelder stated that the change would give Minneapolis two additional representatives for a total of six and Mendota Heights representation would increase from one member to two, as would the City of Eagan. He stated the City of St. Paul would lose two of their three members and all other cities would keep their current levels of membership. The industry side of the table would increase by two members from certified airlines using MSP. Batchelder explained that the proposed amendments had been presented to the MASAC board at their October 28, 1997 meeting and that it will be voted on at their November/December meeting. Batchelder stated that because this meeting coincides with the City Council's regular meeting, our representative, Councilmember Jill Smith, and our alternates, Mayor Mertensotto and staff (City Administrator Batchelder) are not able to attend this meeting. Batchelder explained that the Commission should consider a recommendation to the City Council to vote on this by-law amendment. He informed the Commission that the Council can send a proxy vote by resolution or Chair Beaty or Vice Chair Leuman may attend the December 2 meeting as alternates. Chair Beaty stated that he would not be able to attend the meeting. Commissioner Leuman stated he would check his schedule and call staff on Thursday, December 13. The Commission discussed their concern for adding additional industry representation, especially if Northwest Airline adds more representation. Commissioner Gross suggested that since the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce have representation on the MASAC, maybe the City should recommend that the Northern Dakota County Chamber of Commerce be represented on the MASAC. Other Commission members concurred with this suggestion. Commissioner Gross moved to recommend that the City Council vote in favor of the MASAC By -Law Amendments. Commissioner May offered a friendly amendment to add representation from the Northern Dakota County Chamber of Commerce on the industry side of MASAC. Commissioner Stein seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES -NOVEMBER 12, 1997 2 The Commission noted that John Foggia is no longer the ANOMS Technical Advisor. It was noted that Mr. Roy Fuhrman has replaced Mr. Foggia. 10 • • 0 PRMU aWSICHAN M, Administrator Batchelder reported that on October 21, 1997, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 97-74, A RESOLUTION REQUESTING INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION GUIDELINES FOR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT OT FACILITATE A PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT. He noted that in approving this resolution, the City Council requested that the Metropolitan Council provide instructions and informational guidelines to Hoffman Homes regarding land use compatibility issues with residential housing in the air noise zones. Batchelder explained that at the October 14, 1997 workshop on the Comprehensive Plan, the issue of land use compatibility/air noise received the highest priority from the Council and Commissioners. He stated that Hoffman Homes has met with the Met Council and that Hoffman Homes' attorney reports that the Metropolitan Council has indicated that they are not likely to be flexible with their newly adopted Aviation Guide Plan policies. Batchelder explained that on Monday, November 10, 1997, City staff met with representatives from the Metropolitan Council. He stated that at this meeting, staff informed Met Council representatives that the City has not benefitted from many years of cooperation on land use compatibility with the Metropolitan Council. Batchelder explained that staff pointed out that Mendota Heights was the only City to adopt a Noise Attenuation Ordinance and that our reward for zoning an commercial/industrial corridor has been ever increasing air traffic that has spilled out of the originally designed corridor into our residential neighborhoods. Batchelder explained that the Met Council was informed that acceptance of the corridor has been interpreted and used by MAC as acceptance of an unlimited volume of air traffic in our direction. Batchelder stated that the Preferential Runway Use System (PROS) is predicated on land use compatibility and indicates that the Eagan/Mendota Heights corridor will be used first and foremost for aircraft departures at MSP, given weather conditions. Batchelder explained that the Met Council realizes the significance of the property the City is concerned about and that they realize taking the parcel of land off of the City's tax roll would be a detriment- to the City. Batchelder stated the Met Council representatives inquired what the City of Mendota Heights desired to see this parcel, and other parcels in the noise zones, AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES - NOVEMBER 72, 1997 3 become. Batchelder stated it is becoming increasingly evident that the City needs to consider how this parcel of land can be used. Batchelder stated that the Mr. Tom McElveen, of the Met Council, had requested that the staff of Met Council visit the Resurrection Cemetery site, the Garron site, and the Wenzel site at Lexington and Wagon Wheel, to determine how the Aviation Guide Plan guidelines work on these particular sites and report back to Mendota Heights in early December. Chair Beaty stated that he has a difficult time seeing residential homes being constructed in this area. He stated that if homes are constructed, he knows that significant air noise complaints will be documented. Batchelder stated that the City Council has not judged, or ruled on, the merits of Hoffman Homes' townhouse proposal. Beaty stated that the City should pressure the MAC to move the corridor further south. Batchelder explained how the Community Stabilization Working Group should address these issues. LETTER TO MAC ON 3RD PARALLEL RUNWAY EXHIBITS Administrator. Batchelder explained that at the October 14 Airport Relations Commission meeting, he was asked to invite Mr. Nigel Finney to discuss graphics sent by the MAC regarding properties in Mendota Heights that would be impacted by a potential third parallel runway at MSP. Batchelder explained that at a recent Dakota County Mayors/Administrators Breakfast, he spoke with Mr. Jeffrey Hamiel who informed him that the MAC is very close to signing contracts with the Cities of Minneapolis and Eagan regarding the third parallel runway. Batchelder informed the Commission that as a result of this conversation, he suggested to Mr. Finney that it might be more appropriate for all three cities to decide on appropriate exhibits for defining affected property owners that would be attached to the contract. Batchelder informed the Commission that he had received a letter from Mr. Finney confirmed that they are continuing to discuss the terms of the contract with the City of Minneapolis and have done a preliminary analysis of the areas impacted by the runway. Batchelder stated that Mr. Finney agrees that a common approach to identifying the impacted areas in each community makes a great deal of sense and is the direction the MAC should follow. AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES - NOVEMBER 12, 1997 4 Commissioner May suggested that the Commission receive an update on the Minneapolis/Eagan negotiations with MAC. Commissioner Des Roches concurred. Commissioner May felt that the City of Mendota Heights would benefit by being informed of the progress of the negotiations. Commissioner Stein agreed and also suggested that the Commission consider inviting representatives from the Met Council to discuss noise zone contours. The Commission requested that staff contact Minneapolis, Eagan and MAC representatives about the progress on the Third Parallel Runway contract negotiations and to invite Mr. Nigel Finney to discuss the concepts and assumptions that would produce a map of affected property owners. LETTER TO MAC ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR PROPOSED EXTENSION OF RUNWAY 4/22 The Commission, was of the consensus that the letter sent by Administrator Batchelder to Ms. Kimberly C. Hughes, of HNTB Corporation, regarding the Environmental Assessment of the proposed 1,000 foot extension of Runway 4-22 at MSP Airport was a good summary of the City's sentiments. The Commission acknowledged the City Council's concerns regarding Hubbing Operation, Related Airport Development, Increase in Enplanements, Project Alternatives and Environmental Analysis. COMMUNITY STABILIZATION WORKING GROUP Administrator Batchelder informed the Commission that this group has been meeting once a month. He briefly reviewed an outline regarding topics the Commission will be discussing. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION ON RUNWAYS AND OPERATIONS PROVIDED BY MR. JIM SERRIN, MINNEAPOLIS MASAC REPRESENTATIVES The Commission acknowledged receipt of information regarding runway use at MSP. The Commission noted that it appears that airlines are hushkitting aircraft as opposed to purchasing Stage III aircraft. Chair Beaty felt that incentives should be placed on airlines who fly Stage III aircraft as opposed to those who fly hushkitted aircraft: Commissioner Stein submitted an article regarding hushkitting in Europe and how they view hushkitting to not be effective in the reduction of noise. AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES -NOVEMBER 12, 1997 5 ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF VARIOUS REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE The Commission acknowledged receipt of the MASAC Agenda for October 28, 1997 and September 23, 1997 Minutes. Chair Beaty noted that the new shoulder hours will go into effect after the first of the year. It was noted that the ANOMS will be up and running in January 1998. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the MASAC Executive Committee Minutes of October 9, 1997. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the Airport Noise Report for October 24, 1997. Commissioner Stein discussed an article regarding O'Hare Airport being acknowledged by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency as one of the largest sources of toxic air pollution in the State of Illinois. Stein wondered if the City of Mendota Heights should be concerned. Chair Beaty inquired if St. Thomas Academy would be willing to conduct additional tests, when they conduct their annual testing in the spring, to determine if the lakes are polluted with chemicals from aircraft, ie., benzene and formaldehyde. The Commission directed Administrator Batchelder to inquire with St. Thomas Academy to find out if their annual lake testing could include testing for chemicals such a benzene. Ms. Hannig, 909 Bluebill Drive, inquired about Close -in procedures and why they have not be implemented. She stated that she had read about this procedure in the City's newsletter and has not seen much regarding this procedure recently. Administrator Batchelder explained that the MAC overruled the City's request to implement this procedure off our end of the parallel runways. He stated that this procedure will be used over the City of Minneapolis. He informed Ms. Hannig that the City Council feels very strongly about this issue and that the City intends to pursue this issue further. Mr. Randall, of 902 Cheri Lane, stated that he does not understand why the MAC will not allow this procedure to be implemented. He stated that this is not an unusual situation and that other airports implement this procedure (Orange County). Commissioner Fitzer stated that the ANOMS report could collect data about how effective this procedure will be when it is implemented on the Minneapolis side. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the MASAC Technical Advisor's Report (Abbreviated) for September 1997. AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES -NOVEMBER 12, 1997 6 Mr. Randall inquired about the effectiveness of the MAC Air Noise Hotline. Chair Beaty discussed the Commission's effort in informing the community about the hotline using refrigerator magnets. He stated that it is better to be vocal because if a community is silent, it is assumed there is no problem. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the MASAC Operations Committee Minutes of October 17, 1997. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the Eagan ARC Agenda for November 13, 1997. Commissioner Leuman inquired about an item under new business regarding Request for Variance - 15 Degree Parallel Runway Separations. Administrator Batchelder informed the Commission that this item was discussed at a recent Northern Dakota County Airport Relations Coalition meeting and that he believes Mr. Hohenstein to be updating his Commission regarding this issue. Batchelder briefly explained that the NDCARC believes that their respective City Council's should request this variance if it will allow the aircraft to fly more towards the center of the designated corridor. Chair Beaty explained that simultaneously departing aircraft must maintain a fifteen degree separation because the parallel runways are not far enough apart for safety standards to allow simultaneous runway headings. Batchelder stated that this item will be placed on an upcoming NDCARC meeting agenda and that our ARC and Council will consider this request in the near future. Commissioner Gross inquired if the City of Minneapolis would agree with this request. He felt that the City of Minneapolis should be involved and that it would help the effort. "TI-11TOW10TATUH There being no further business, the Airport Relations Commission moved to adjourn its meeting at 9:26 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kimberlee K. Blaeser Senior Secretary AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES - NOVEMBER 12, 1997 7