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2009-02-11 Airport Relations Commission MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES February 11, 2009 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on Wednesday, February 11, 2009, at 7:08 p.m., in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. The following Commissioners were present: Liz Petschel, Chair; Bill Dunn and Dave Sloan, Commissioners Also present were: Jake Sedlacek, Assistant to the City Administrator, and Mary Heintz, Recorder Not Present: Robin Ehrlich, Vice Chair; Joe Hennessy, Lyle Odland, Sally Lorberbaum, Commissioners; and Jim Danielson, City Administrator Chair Petschel reported that Vice Chair Ehrlich will chair the next meeting, as she will be unable to attend. Approval of Minutes Chair Petschel requested the following corrections to the ARC meeting minutes of January 14, 2009: page 5, first line, deleting the duplicated phrase "making improved," and first line under "ANRC Letter" correcting the group to read "Rogers Lake East." As a quorum was not obtained for a vote, the requested edits will be made and minutes will stand ready for approval at the March ARC meeting. Unfinished and New Business A. Election of Officers As a quorum was not obtained for a vote, action is delayed to the March ARC meeting. B. 2009 Plan of Action Discussion It was recommended by Chair Petschel, with attending commissioners agreeing, that the Commission have an open discussion at the March ARC meeting on the goals for the year, rather than referring to the current Plan of Action, in order to brainstorm and "think off the paper." After brainstorming the goals and objectives and how to meet them, ideas can be compared to the Plan of Action and a determination made as to whether additions should be considered. Commission Meeting — February 11, 2009 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission Chair Petschel would like to engage Sunfish Lake with the ARC, because they could be allies in the effort for an equitable use of runways, and invite Mayor Molly Park, or her representative, to an upcoming ARC meeting. It was Commission consensus that the invitation should come from Mayor John Huber. The meeting will provide an opportunity to lay things out on the table, address particular concerns about effects of runway use, and perhaps start dialogue between Sunfish Lake and NOC representative John Bergman. The Assistant to the City Administrator stated•that he would aim for the April meeting. Chair Petschel would like a pre- meeting with Mayor Park so she will be up to date before attending the ARC meeting on how the NOC and ARC work together. C. NOC Update Former NWA Chief Pilot Tim Buetell was appointed by Delta to continue as pilot representative to the NOC. Chair Petschel reported that she met Tom Fitzhenry, Richfield representative, and Mary Loeffelholz, new Delta representative and NOC co- chair, at the last NOC meeting. In addition, Chad Leqve provided an update at the same meeting on the RNAV (letter of application will be coming from MAC to FAA for RNAV trial in February, in an effort to expedite process) and overview of nighttime operations (NOC has sent letter to airlines re- emphasizing request not to schedule flights between 10:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. and runway 12L is taking 6% more departures than forecasted and runway 17 20% less). When asked about the discrepencies in planned runway use, Chad Leqve said the only people who can explain this are the controllers. Chair Petschel cited one reason for Mendota Heights' increase in nighttime operations is because of increased flights coming in between 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. and some of those are leaking into night -time operations. NWA, Mesaba, and Sun Country were cited as the current three main night- time carriers, and it was noted that MSP actual operations were 450,000 flights, significant decrease from the forecasted 582,000. Runway 12L /30R will close August 17, for repairs of a 3,008 foot section, and reopen October 30 if all goes well. Dates are fluid, with 55 good working days planned and seven allowed for bad weather. During this period, the cross runway will be used more frequently using a procedure called "land and hold ", impacting St. Paul. In a southeast flow, typical for that time of year, departures will come off 12R and arrivals land on 17 and 22 used for some landings. If weather is dramatically cooler, arrivals will be on 35 and 30L and departures will come off 17. These will provide the most capacity and highest safety. Mr. Leqve will make appearances at council meetings for the various cities to communicate the runway construction plan, and MAC's website will provide timely updates on weather and runways. Chair Petschel reported that the only RNAV test will be on runway 17 during the week of February 23 at four -hour intervals, followed by evaluation and, if satisfactory, a 30 -day trial. She reported that Mr. Legve asked cities to use their clout to speed approval. 2 Commission Meeting — February 11, 2009 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission D. Updates for Introduction Book None. Acknowledge Receipt of Various Reports /Correspondence The two noisiest aircraft in the fleet mix are the MD80 and the DC9, and the Commission's concern is the potential trade in the new Delta of the airbus for the MD80. The corridor analysis is around 3 %, which is fine. Chair Petschel noted in the Winter 2009 "Washington N.O.I.S.E. Watch" that proactive and effective communication will go a long way to mitigate satisfaction for residents being affected by noise. In the Airport Noise Report of January 16, 2009, Somerville, Massachusetts, residents are up in arms about inequitable runway use and the situation there has exploded into a huge problem. Discussion ensued regarding continuous descent approach, bird strike threats that increased due to quieter planes, and potential for planes utilizing RNAV to fly over the same houses repeatedly. A. December 2008 ANOM Technical Advisor's Report B. December 2008 ANOM Eagan/Mendota Heights Departure Corridor Analysis C. Letter from Jeff Hamiel of MAC D. Washington N.O.I.S.E. Watch E. Airport Noise Report, January 16, 2009 F. Airport Noise Report, January 23, 2009 G. Airport Noise Report, January 30, 2009 Other Commission Comments or Concerns None. Upcoming Meetings City Council Meeting — February 17, 2009 — 7:00 p.m. MAC Meeting — February 17, 2009 — 1:00 p.m. Planning Commission — February 24, 2009 — 7:00 p.m. Public Comments None. Adjourn Chair Petschel adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Mary Heintz TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 3