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2008-01-09 Airport Relations Commission Minutes2008-01-09 Airport Relations Commission Minutes.txt[1/25/2018 4:04:22 PM] CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES January 9, 2008 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, at 7:00 p.m., in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. The following Commissioners were present: Liz Petschel, Chair; Ellsworth Stein, Vice Chair; Bill Dunn, Robin Ehrlich, Sally Lorberbaum, and David Sloan, Commissioners. Also present were: Jim Danielson, City Administrator; Jake Sedlacek, Assistant to the City Administrator; and Mary Heintz, Recorder. Not Present: None. Approval of Minutes Chair Petschel requested the following corrections to the October 10, 2007, minutes: page three, paragraph eight, change “freightsers” to “freighters”; page four, paragraph 6, change “suppose” to “supposed”; Commissioner Lorberbaum requested the following correction: page four, paragraph 7, change second “D” to “E”; and Commissioner Sloan requested the following correction: page five, paragraph three, change “Commissioner Sloan” to “Vice Chair Stein.” A motion was made by Commissioner Dunn, seconded by Commissioner Sloan, to approve the October 10, 2007, as amended. The minutes were approved, with Commissioner Lorberbaum abstaining. A motion was made by Commissioner Sloan, seconded by Vice Chair Stein, to approve the November 15, 2007, Airport Relations Commission Meeting minutes as submitted. The minutes were approved, with Commissioners Dunn and Ehrlich abstaining. Agenda Chair Petschel requested the addition of two items to the agenda: ARC Commission Applications as “D” and Election of Officers for 2008 as “E.” She announced that this would be last meeting Vice Chair Stein would attend, due to City term limits now in effect, and expressed her regrets. Some discussion ensued regarding extending term limits, noting great value in keeping members on board who have experience and history with ARC and outside organizations. Commission Meeting – January 9, 2008 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission 2 Unfinished and New Business A. Discuss Meeting with MAC Commissioner Tom Foley Chair Petschel requested feedback regarding MAC Commissioner Tom Foley’s visit with ARC in November. Commissioner Ehrlich commented that it seems MAC Commissioners are out of touch with the cities they represent and wondered whether Commissioner Foley’s visit had made any difference. 2008-01-09 Airport Relations Commission Minutes.txt[1/25/2018 4:04:22 PM] Mr. Danielson reported that the City received a thank-you note from Commissioner Foley following the meeting and that was encouraging. He also reported that he and Mr. Sedlacek attended a meeting organized by Sara Erickson, an AMM lobbyist that pulled together representatives from cities bordering the Airport, the Airport attorney, and Jeff Hamel (MAC Director). At that meeting, an informative presentation was provided from MAC’s point of view on the result of the lawsuit by residents against the Airport, followed by discussion on relationships and how MAC staff and commissioners can work more closely with the cities. Mr. Sedlacek said there was discussion about the MAC appointment process, how it hasn’t allowed input from represented cities, and the need to make those cities aware whenever MAC Commissioners are stepping down (to be able to provide input to the Governor on new appointees). Mr. Danielson stated that Ms. Erickson informed them that she doesn’t think there is any legislation that is going to get passed and recommended working directly with MAC, as did Mr. Hamel and the attorney, who acknowledged shortfalls on their part to connect with the cities, created a list of 5-6 points denoting areas they could improve upon, and said they would take time to consider those points and call a meeting with the cities (including MAC staff and City staff only) to talk about their suggestions for improvement. Mr. Danielson commented that all were very encouraged. Chair Petschel reported that she’d received a call from Representative Rick Hansen, who is not convinced that passing legislation would be an impossibility and would like to continue to work towards this end. She also commented that MAC has never before extended this kind of offer. Commissioner Lorberbaum informed the Commissioners that Representative Hansen’s father had just recently passed away and requested that a letter of sympathy be sent. Chair Petschel said Representative Hansen is not pessimistic about the situation and had encouraged her to send a letter to Senator James Metzen and not let the issue die, but rather to schedule meetings and keep the pressure on. She said he would like to see candidates who are running for office in November listen to airport issues. Commission Meeting – January 9, 2008 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission 3 Chair Petschel said Commissioner Foley implied that there had only been a noise problem in Mendota Heights the last 1-2 years and was updated with correct information by ARC Commissioners. She was encouraged by his visit, said he offered his email address and cell phone number and requested that he be copied on the correspondence to Senator Metzen, but acknowledged that he didn’t have a handle on the agreements to insulate to the 60 NDL. Commissioner Dunn commented that cities want good MAC representation, which is not now occurring. Commissioner Ehrlich said that the MAC Commissioners need to be involved with their representative cities. Chair Petschel agreed and said they should be oriented. Mr. Danielson pointed out that MAC Commissioners aren’t currently oriented by MAC, are not told to meet with their represented cities, and are only provided with a packet. He said MAC will now provide educational instruction for their new commissioners and suggest they make contact with their cities. Mr. Danielson commented that he thought Commissioner Foley was easy to talk with and he would now feel comfortable contacting him if the need arose. Chair Petschel suggested a repeat visit from Commissioner Foley from time to time and said the goal is to massage relationships with elected representatives and the representing MAC Commissioner. Commissioner Ehrlich also suggested that ARC consider a good 2008-01-09 Airport Relations Commission Minutes.txt[1/25/2018 4:04:22 PM] issue that Commissioner Foley could bring to MAC and see if he is willing to do anything for the City. Chair Petschel commented that the Eagan issue would have been a perfect example of an issue to share with him.. B. Discuss Legislative Initiative Metro Cities was discussed. It is a group of most area metropolitan cities (staffed by three) gathered for the purpose of finding out about and developing policies for legislation and lobbying for them at the State Capitol, for which Sara. Erickson lobbies. Vice Chair Stein provided background information and commented that Ms. Erickson had done an exceptional job pushing for a stronger policy statement about making changes at MAC. Discussion ensued regarding disclosure of properties residing within the 64-60 NDL, and Commissioner Lorberbaum inquired whether the City had a position. Mr. Danielson reported that the City does not, the Mayor was concerned about having a requirement that the City make notification, and said there is State legislation that it is incumbent on the current homeowner to do so. Mr. Danielson will add the subject to next month’s ARC meeting agenda: consider legal questions and pros/cons of disclosure and discuss whether a position can be recommended to Council. Chair Petschel said cities are trying to help homeowners and soon everything between 64 and 60 will be insulated, though now the burden is on the homeowner to disclose without an insulation package, but added that realtors are required to reveal whether or not a home is in the noise footprint. She recommends that homeowners go to the Dakota Commission Meeting – January 9, 2008 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission 4 County Courthouse and find their records to determine where their homes fall in the footprint. Chair Petschel also said that she felt uncomfortable at the October meeting having discussions with residents who were in litigation and said care will needed in the future when that occurs again. Commissioner Ehrlich encouraged fairness and recommended that the City be involved in disclosure. C. Update for Introduction Book None. D. Review of Applications for ARC Three applications (Lyle Odland, Ken Reed, and Jim Neuharth) were reviewed by the Commission, to fill the seats of Vice Chair Stein (vacancy due to term limit) and Commissioner Brian Linnihan (voluntary resignation due to relocation). Commissioners were pleased with the resumes, and the City Administrator reported that they would be interviewed on January 15 and an appointment likely determined that evening by Council. Chair Petschel requested that an orientation be arranged following the appointments, of which she would be happy to participate. Commissioner Ehrlich suggested that all ARC Commissioners be invited to attend the orientation, to introduce themselves to the new members. It was determined that the City Administrator will distribute an email to the Commission as to when orientation is, should any members wish to attend, and he will ask Linda Shipton to distribute orientation packets. E. Election of ARC Officers for 2009 2008-01-09 Airport Relations Commission Minutes.txt[1/25/2018 4:04:22 PM] Chair Petschel opened the floor regarding election of Chair for 2009 (Chair Petschel’s term expires in 2009) and Vice Chair (Vice Chair Stein’s term has now expired, and this will be his last meeting). Commissioner Sloan moved, seconded by Commissioner Dunn, to reappoint Chair Petschel as ARC Chair. It was approved unanimously, and Chair Petschel accepted. Commissioner Dunn moved, seconded by Commissioner Sloan, to nominate Commissioner Ehrlich as ARC Vice Chair. It was approved unanimously, and Commissioner Ehrlich accepted. Chair Petschel reported that she would be unable to attend the March 12, 2008, ARC meeting. Commission Meeting – January 9, 2008 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission 5 Acknowledge Receipt of Various Reports/Correspondence It was determined that font size should be considered when printing documents for review, as the reduction used for documents this month created difficulty in reading. Chair Petschel commented on the November figures showing 10.7% departures, compared to Eagan’s 4.2%, with the main difference being departures off 17; 8.9% complaint rate, with 340 generated by seven complainants; and total departures and night-time operations down from 36.2% to 25.4%, which is good but should be because of prevailing winds. She is interested in seeing December’s figures for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, which she described as being unbelievable. The Partner Study, reported on in the Airport Noise Report, was a huge disappointment because it used clinical testing for frequency noise instead of going into actual homes to test on site (and the few that were tested on site were made of brick). Questions that need to be addressed concern whether there are certain windows that stand up better to vibration and what else can be done structurally to mitigate vibration. Chair Petschel predicted that the subject will most certainly be on an upcoming NOC Meeting agenda and said the DNL modeling is no longer sufficient, if trends continue as in the Airport Noise Reports, as it doesn’t measure health and annoyance effects. She said there has to be a better way to manage noise. Some discussion ensued concerning increased hypertension for residents living near airports and freeways. Chair Petschel reported that Richfield has funded its own study and it was much more quantitative than the Partners Study. A. November 2007 ANOM Technical Advisor’s Report B. November 2007 (New Format) ANOM Eagan/Mendota Heights Departure Corridor Analysis C. Letter from FAA Carl Rydeen D. Airport Noise Report, November 16 2007 E. Airport Noise Report, November 23, 2007 F. Airport Noise Report, November 30, 2007 G. Airport Noise Report, December 7, 2007 H. Airport Noise Report, December 14, 2007 I. Airport Noise Report, December 21, 2007 Other Commission Comments or Concerns Mr. Danielson will distribute an email to ARC members regarding the specifics of the next ARC Commission orientation, for those who may be interested in attending and meet the new members. He will also create a letter of sympathy to Senator Hansen for Chair Petschel’s signature. 2008-01-09 Airport Relations Commission Minutes.txt[1/25/2018 4:04:22 PM] The following will be added to the February ARC Meeting agenda: • Infilling issue and airport noise building policy • Outcome of Council workshop Commission Meeting – January 9, 2008 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission 6 • ARC Commission term limits Upcoming Meetings • City Council Meeting – January 15, 2008 – 7:30 p.m. • NOC Meeting – January 16, 2008 • MAC Meeting – February 6, 2008 Public Comments None. Adjourn Commissioner Sloan made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Dunn, to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Mary Heintz TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.