2008-07-09 Airport Relations Commission Minutes2008-07-09 Airport Relations Commission Minutes.txt[1/25/2018 4:04:22 PM]
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES July 9, 2008
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on
Wednesday, July 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; Robin Ehrlich, Vice Chair; Sally Lorberbaum, Lyle Odland, Ken Reed, and Dave Sloan, Commissioners. Not Present: Bill Dunn, Commissioner. Also present were: Ultan Duggan, Councilmember; Jim Danielson, City Administrator;
Jake Sedlacek, Assistant to the City Administrator; and Mary Heintz, Recorder.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Commissioner Odland, seconded by Commissioner Ehrlich, to approve the minutes of the June 11, 2008, ARC meeting as submitted. The minutes were approved unanimously. Unfinished and New Business A. Non-Carrier Jet Discussion
Vice Chair Ehrlich commented that he is truly amazed at the non-monitoring of night-
time operation violations over the City, referencing eight off 12L that he witnessed within
a one-hour and 15-minute period, and suggested that the problem be brought before NOC. Commissioner Odland stated that Beach 89 and 90 turbo props are very loud and the subject flights are likely 15-20 departing Northwest Airlines cargoes that fly south 5:00-10:00 a.m. He said the excess noise is likely due to the pitch control on props, also adding that the pilot has discretion to change the pitch.
Chair Petschel commented that the destination was likely Duluth, going over Edgecomb,
and that problem refinement is needed. Commissioner Odland said there is need to find
out if the flight violations are coming from the same operator. Chair Petschel suggested
that more information be obtained before going to NOC for a response. Commissioner Lorberbaum asked about the delivery schedule, and Commissioner Reed stated that the flying schedule is set and the noted flights are a small percentage of the total but a lot of airplanes nonetheless scattered throughout the day. He said his question would be whether they are accountable to the Part 150 noise ordinance, which is unlikely, and that communities should be extra diligent to follow up on these airplanes. Commission Meeting – July 9, 2008 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission
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Vice Chair Ehrlich commented that the reports ARC is receiving are grossly inaccurate.
Chair Petschel said that is something that should be raised with Chad Leqve and she would like to query him on the questions raised, take some “temperature taking” before the NOC meeting, determine if other municipalities are submitting complaints, and then see what can be done. Commissioner Odland would like to know the count of flights 5:00-9:00 a.m. and Vice Chair Ehrlich added 8:00-11:00 p.m. Commissioner Sloan asked about night-time restrictions, and Chair Petschel said cargoes
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move at night and passenger carriers have been asked not to schedule arrivals after 10:00 p.m. or takeoffs before 6:00 a.m. or 7:00 a.m. She also said since 9/11, the request has been made for passenger flights not to take off before 7:00 a.m., which means the planes have to be at the gate before 6:00 a.m., resulting in those flights arriving around 4:30 a.m. Commissioner Reed commented that the corridor should be tied to the measure
being enforced.
Vice Chair Ehrlich suggested that Mr. Leqve be invited to an ARC meeting to provide an
update and address questions, and the Commission agreed. The City Administrator will find out if Mr. Leqve can attend an August meeting. B. Inver Grove Heights Letter to MAC Discussion Chair Petschel stated that MAC Chair Jack Lanners and Mr. Leqve will meet July 14 at Inver Grove Heights City Hall. The City Administrator provided background information
on the Inver Grove Heights letter and Chair Petschel on Will Eggington and John
Bergman’s deciding vote for the night-time move off 17 to the 12s.
Chair Petschel reported that she wrote Mr. Leqve about her approval of the sentiment of Inver Grove Height’s letter but not its content, said flights have flip-flopped the last month between Eagan and Mendota Heights, and stated that she would like to know why the numbers are drastically different over the past two years. Commissioner Odland said the result may be from a meeting of controllers changing the degree heading in response to Mendota Heights' complaints.
Chair Petschel said that she will give a feedback report to ARC about what happened at
the NOC meeting.
C. Review Mendota Heights Noise Complaints Commissioner Lorberbaum said there doesn’t seem to be a huge trend in the Mendota Heights airport noise complaints. Commissioner Reed commented that the number of complaints isn’t necessarily in relation to how the airport is doing and said he doesn’t’ know how to measure the importance of the numbers. Chair Petschel added it should be noted that people give up on complaints over time and that only one out of 20 affected
residents actually complains.
Commission Meeting – July 9, 2008 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission
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D. Approval of 2008 Plan of Action Chair Petschel stated that ARC is looking for final approval of the Plan of Action and suggested that Commissioners review the past year’s accomplishments and forward to the City Council for questions or comment. A motion was made by Commissioner Lorberbaum, seconded by Commissioner Sloan, to
approve the Plan of Action. It was unanimously approved.
Councilmember Duggan acknowledged the great work of the ARC.
E. Updates for Introduction Book None. Acknowledge Receipt of Various Reports/Correspondence
The Technical Advisor’s Report was reviewed, with particular interest in inexplicable
arrivals and departures in the same direction. Chair Petschel reported that the RNAV
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over 494 and 35E begins September 24. Referencing departures off 12L and 12R, Commissioner Reed said violations can be determined using radio frequency recordings that identify clearance deliveries. After discussion, it was decided that some questions to pose to Mr. Leqve would concern
any protocol changes for destinations off 12L and 12R and whether there is a different
fleet mix of Northwest Airlines regional jets (referencing increased operations parked on
A Concourse). Commissioner Odland suggested another question: whether there have
been any additions to the published departures because the FAA supplies large airports with predetermined departure routes and a pilot or controller can chose, which could account for change of routes. Chair Petschel said the ARC should keep an “ear to the ground.” Commissioner Reed commented that he would like to see the same number of flights taking off 12L and 12R but noted that, even that were done, Mendota Heights would get
the brunt of the noise because of fanning.
Commissioner Sloan commented that Eagan is likely asking questions and that residents
from Mendota Heights may have an interest in reasons for their increased numbers; but if questions are asked, those residents may get actions that they don’t’ want, and Commissioner Sloan suggested that they remaining silent instead. Chair Petschel commented that she didn’t buy in to the letter because it was inappropriate, she didn’t’ like the tactics, and it was inaccurate, but that she was supportive of the sentiment and that it needed to be supported to have credibility, that
there is consistency in the message about noise. Commission Meeting – July 9, 2008 Mendota Heights
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Some discussion ensued and it was Commission consensus to provide no official comment now about the letter but raise the issue when Mr. Leqve attends an ARC meeting. Councilmember Duggan stated that the biggest concern is departures because they are noisier. Chair Petschel said the next regular ARC meeting is August 13 but another Wednesday could be selected if that date doesn’t fit with Mr. Leqve’s schedule. It was suggested by Chair Petschel that former ARC Chair Scott Biety also be invited to a
future ARC meeting so the current Commission can hear the history as to why planes
don’t fan off 12R, as he was a huge proponent of that and his group started the procedure
of crossing the corridor. The City Administrator will invite him to a future meeting.
A. Noise Regulation Report B. May 2008 ANOM Technical Advisor’s Report C. May 2008 (New Format) ANOM Eagan/Mendota Heights Departure Corridor Analysis D. Letter from NOC E. Airport Noise Report, June 6 2008
F. Airport Noise Report, June 27 2008
Other Commission Comments or Concerns
None. Upcoming Meetings • NOC Meeting- July 16, 2008 – 1:30 p.m. • City Council Meeting – July 17, 2008 – 7:00 p.m.
• MAC Meeting – July 21, 2008 – 1:00 p.m.
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Public Comments None. Adjourn
Commissioner Odland made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Reed, to adjourn the
meeting at 8:31 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Mary Heintz TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.