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09-09-1998 ARC MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on Wednesday, September 9, 1998 in the City Hall Large Conference Room, 1 10 1 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. The following members were present: Beaty, Roszak, Fitzer, Leuman, Stein and Des Roches. Commissioner May was excused. Also present were City Administrator Batchelder and Senior Secretary Kim Blaeser. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Roszak moved approval of the August 12, 1998 minutes. Commissioner Leuman seconded the motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 MISCELLANEOUS Mr. Dick Saunders and Mr. Dean Lindberg, MASAC Representatives for the City of Minneapolis and members of SMAAC, were present to discuss Air Noise priorities for both the Cities of Minneapolis and Mendota Heights. Mr. Lindberg stated that they are seeking areas of common agreement and that they intend to inquire with other communities surrounding the airport as well. Administrator Batchelder inquired about the City of Richfield and stated that the City is receiving special consideration with respect to the new north/south runway construction. He stated that it appears MAC is trying to prevent a lawsuit and he inquired if the construction process is being delayed. Mr. Saunders stated that he believes an agreement will be reached by the end of September. In response to a question from the Commissioner, Mr. Saunders stated that the Mayor of Minneapolis supports the construction of the north/south runway and that their Council voted 7-5 in favor of the construction. He stated that there is still a great deal of disagreement amongst city officials in AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 9, 9998 MINUTES 1 Minneapolis. Mr. Saunders stated that the airport traffic will increase as a result of the new runway. He stated that the FAA has explained that the new runway will relieve the traffic on the parallel runways and that he is not so sure this will be the case. Saunders stated that MSP does not have specific runways designated for only arrivals and departures: He stated that the north/south runway can be used for departures only and the north parallel runway can be used for landings. He stated that landings and departures will increase over Minneapolis. He stated that the residents of Minneapolis are against the north/south runway because it will increase traffic over Minneapolis. With respect to how the SMAAC organization works, Mr. Saunders explained that the organization is trying to place a stronger effort in dealing with the Minneapolis City Council. Administrator Batchelder explained the functions of the Airport Relations Commission and stated that the Commission serves as an advisory commission to the Mendota Heights City Council. He informed Mr. Lindberg and Mr. Saunders that the Commission has just updated their Plan of Action and that he would provide a copy of the plan to them. A brief discussion ensued regarding the third parallel runway contract and it was noted that the Mendota Heights City Council has signed off on an agreement through the year 2025. The Commission discussed how the north/south runway will benefit Mendota Heights in that currently Mendota Heights experiences 27 percent of departures and that with the new runway, the percentage should decrease to 8 percent. Mr. Lindberg stated that the terminal is operating at 80 percent of its capacity. He stated that the MAC will have to start looking at expanding the terminal in the near future. Mr. Saunders explained the City of Minneapolis' air noise priorities: 1 Closure on the Third Parallel Contract. He explained that the City is waiting on the sale of the Bureau of Mines. He explained that the City of Minneapolis is concerned with the MAC taking land and what their intentions are in developing the land. He stated that Minneapolis wants to see some of the land used for parks. Administrator Batchelder stated that Mendota Heights contract requires that MAC cannot purchase land for the purpose of construction a third parallel AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 9, 1998 MINUTES 2 runway. He stated that the City has sent notice reminding MAC of this agreement and that the City is still waiting for a response. Mr. Saunders continued with air noise priorities: 2. At the MASAC level, Saunders stated that the City of Minneapolis would like the nighttime noise study to include all communities surrounding MSP and not just Richfield. 3. Enforcement of property redistribution plan for Runway 4-22. Administrator Batchelder stated that the City of Mendota Heights has a similar priority, equitable air noise distribution. Batchelder discussed the preferential runway use system and how the preferred option is to use the Eagan/Mendota Heights corridor. He stated that Runway 4-22 is supposed to be used to relieve the burden of the corridor. He stated that this is not happening. Batchelder stated that Mendota Heights goal is to demand more equitable distribution of air noise and that all cities that surround MSP should share in the burden of air noise. Mr. Saunders continued with air noise priorities: 4. Long term standards of noise and toxic emission and how this affects human health. Saunders stated that there is a great deal of information on the Internet which indicates negative impact on human health. He noted that the City of Richfield has placed this concern within their long term plan. He noted that there are no regulations on toxic emissions. Chair Beaty stated that the Commission has expressed concerns regarding these issues as well. 5. Noise mitigation and Restriction on Nighttime Hours. Mr. Lindberg stated that there are roughly 300 people living within the 65 DBL. and 1,000's of people living within the 60 DBL. The Commission discussed departure procedures and the fact that there is a third departure procedure being utilized at other airports in the country. It was noted that this topic will be brought to the attention of MASAC. The Commission also discussed hushkitting air planes and that hushkitted aircraft are still too loud. Administrator Batchelder gave Mr. Lindberg a copy of the City's Action Plan. He thanked Mr. Lindberg and Mr. Saunders for attending the meeting. AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 9, 9998 MINUTES 3 PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION OF SOUND ATTENUATION ORDINANCE Administrator Batchelder explained that based on discussions held during the April Comprehensive Plan Workshop, and subsequent City Council workshops, the Councils would like the Commission to consider the usefulness of the current Sound Attenuation Ordinance. Batchelder reminded the Commission that recent changes by the Metropolitan Council to their Aviation Guide plan Air Noise Zones increased the size of the noise zones in Mendota Heights. He explained that the City's existing Sound Attenuation Ordinance was adopted at a time when the noise zones were smaller in area and closer to the airport. He stated that the increase in air noise zones has created a number of land use issues, as well as, legal issues relating to zoning and comprehensive plans. Batchelder reminded the Commission that the City of Mendota Heights was the only City to adopt a Sound Attenuation Ordinance. He stated that the Council is concerned that the Met Council has unilaterally changed the zones and has created conflicts with established land use patterns. Batchelder explained that the City Council is researching whether or not to repeal the current ordinance. He stated that City needs to determine the pros and cons of the ordinance and how effective it really is. He stated that the City is not currently seeing significant residential development. He stated that most commercial developments are developed using a developer's agreement where restrictions can be enforced by the City. Chair Beaty stated that without an ordinance in place, he is concerned that a developer will not adhere to City wishes. Commissioner Roszak inquired about the unilateral change made by the Met Council and what effect it will have in changing the City's Zoning Ordinance. Batchelder stated that only certain uses are allowed within Noise Zone 3 and 4 and that the City cannot leave zoning in a holding pattern. Batchelder reminded the Commission of Hoffman Homes proposal and that the proposal is now inconsistent with the new noise zones. Commissioner Roszak inquired if the City wants to avoid residential uses anywhere near these zones. He stated that the City is concerned with air noise equity. He stated that the new zones would not be as big if the air traffic has not increased. AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 9, 9998 MINUTES 4 Commissioner Des Roches suggested that the City consider sending correspondence to State Legislators. She inquired if there are any other avenues of communicating the City's concerns. Batchelder stated that other entities have pursued concerns relative to the noise zones changes, such as the Dakota County HRA. Chair Beaty stated that the City is reacting to the Met Council's decision and that the City should proceed with its overall goal in protecting its residents. Regarding Section 5 of the Sound Attenuation Ordinance (Scope and Effect), Administrator Batchelder stated that it would have to be rewritten to include the new noise zones. Batchelder briefly explained the City's Planned Unit Development process and how the City is able to impose conditions on a developer. Commissioner Roszak suggested that the City consider rezoning the affected areas to a PUD District and then the City has the ability to negotiate its position on a development. He inquired if a City can overlay a Planned Unit Development on an existing Zoning district. Administrator Batchelder responded yes. The Commission discussed the Met Council's rights to unilaterally change a zoning district. Commissioner Des Roches stated that the City should fight on factual issues and not jurisdictional issues. She stated that the City would best be suited to challenge the Met Council's methodology in changing the air noise zone districts. Administrator Batchelder stated that the Met Council's methodology is not that accurate and that they area using the 1996 contours despite the fact that MAC's 2005 contours are significantly smaller. The Commission noted that they will be discussing the issues further as it is a priority within its Action Plan. INTRODUCTION OF GROUND NOISE STUDY-REPOTT Administrator Batchelder explained at the August 14, 1998 MASAC Operations Committee meeting, MAC staff presented their Ground Noise Study and a preliminary discussion was held. He informed the Commission that the discussion was continued for one month to allow MAC staff to research sound attenuation technology for run-up pad enclosures. Batchelder passed out 7 copies of the study to the Commission. Batchelder explained that six ground noise monitoring locations were AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 9, 1998 MINUTES 5 selected for the study. He further described how data is collected and analyzed. Batchelder stated that the "C" weighted Noise Scale may be a better predictor of noise than A Weight which the FAA uses. Batchelder reviewed Page 16, Section 2.6.2 - Comparison of Airport Generated Noise Events at the Airport and Community Locations. He reviewed Page 22 which shows contours of different air planes types and their run up contours. He reviewed Page 35 - Conclusions and Recommendations. Chair Beaty suggested that the Commission should review this study further at their October meeting. LITU-107--Ilvml MASAC Handbook - Administrator Batchelder passed out the MAC 1998 Noise Programs Handbook. Airport Plan of Action - Administrator Batchelder stated that the final copy will be mailed with the Commission's Friday News Packet. He stated that the Planning and Parks and Recreation Commission will be mailed a copy of the plan as well. Commissioner Des Roches suggested that a copy of the City's priorities and focus issues should be sent to State Legislators. Letter to MASAC on Corridor Departures - Administrator Batchelder stated that the City Council discussed the letter and made a few minor changes. He stated that the letter has been mailed. ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF VARIOUS REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE The Commission acknowledged receipt of the Airport Noise Report for July 31, 1998. The Commission discussed an article regarding Stage 3 Aircraft and Operating Fees Increased at Amsterdam's International Airport. The Commission discussed how the airport has divided all Stage 3 aircraft into three categories, based on their noise emissions, and will impose increased landing fees on the two noisiest of these categories as well as on all nighttime operations. The Commission discussed how MSP could do the same as Amsterdam. It was noted that the Commission has inquired with Mr. Hamiel, MAC Director, about this issue and that Mr. Hamiel has never reported back to the AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 9, 9998 MINUTES 6 Commission. The Commission felt that this is an important topic and that it should be added to the Action Plan. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the MASAC Agenda for August 25, 1998 and July 28, 1998 Minutes. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the Technical Advisor's Report for July 1998. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the MASAC Corridor Gate penetration Analysis for July 1998. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the MASAC Monthly Complaint Summary for July 1998. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the Eagan ARC Agenda for September 8, 1998. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the City of Richfield Letter to MASAC dated August 24, 1998. There being no further business, the Commission adjourned its meeting at 9:03 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kimberlee K. Blaeser Senior Secretary AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION - SEPTEMBER 9, 9998 MINUTES 7 r