ARC 08-13-2014
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES
August 13, 2014
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on Wednesday, August 13,
2014 at 7:00 p.m. at Mendota Heights City Hall.
The following commissioners were present: David Sloan, William Dunn, Gina Norling, Jim Neuharth, Paul Portz,
Sally Lorberbaum, and Kevin Byrnes
Absent: None
Also present: City Administrator Justin Miller, Sun Country President and CEO John Fredericksen
Before the meeting was called to order, Chair Sloan called for a moment of silence in memory of Officer Scott
Patrick.
Approval of Minutes
Neuharth moved, and Lorberbaum seconded that the minutes of the June 11 and July 9, 2014 Airport Relations
Commission meetings be approved as submitted. All voted in favor.
Guest Speaker
Mendota Heights based Sun Country Airlines President and CEO John Fredericksen was in attendance and
provided an update on his company. He highlighted the airline’s history, current operations, future plans and
challenges facing the airline industry. The commission asked several questions relating to aircraft usage, how
destinations are decided upon, and how the city and Sun Country can work together in the future.
Reports on Areas of Focus
Norling noted that the number of noise events showed a very significant spike in the month of June and exceeded
all control limits. It was noted that this correlated to an increase in the use of runway 12L in the same period, and
the commission asked that staff follow up with MAC for a response. Lorberbaum noted that complaints were up
for the months of May and June, especially in Minneapolis. Neuharth noted that several statistical measures were
above the upper control limits and asked that staff look into this so an explanation could be denoted on the charts.
Sloan provided an update on the recent NOC meeting, and Portz discussed issues relating to protests at the latest
MAC meeting. Byrnes noted that he is re-evaluating how he searches for industry articles so more relevant topics
can be shared.
Follow up to MAC Public Input Meeting and FAA Tower Visit
The commissioners shared their thoughts on the recent MAC public input meeting (held at Mendota Heights city
hall) and the commission’s visit to the FAA control tower at MSP International Airport.
Adjourn
Neuharth made a motion, seconded by Dunn, to adjourn at 8:27. All voted in favor.