2009-03-11 Airport Relations Commission MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES
March 11, 2009
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on
Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1101
Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
The following Commissioners were present: Robin Ehrlich, Vice Chair; Bill Dunn, Joe
Hennessy, Lyle Odland, Sally Lorberbaum and Dave Sloan, Commissioners.
Also present were: Jake Sedlacek, Assistant to the City Administrator, and Mary Heintz,
Recorder.
Not Present: Liz Petschel, Chair; and Jim Danielson, City Administrator.
Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Commissioner Lorberbaum, seconded by Commission Odland, to
approve the minutes of the January 14, 2009, ARC meeting as previously amended at the
February 11, 2009, meeting. It was approved unanimously.
A motion was made by Commissioner Sloan, seconded by Commission Dunn, to approve
the minutes of the February 11, 2009, ARC meeting as submitted. It was approved, with
Vice Chair Ehrlich and Commissioners Hennessey, Odland and Lorberbaum abstaining
because they had been unable to attend.
Unfinished and New Business
A. Election of Officers
A motion was made by Commissioner Sloan, seconded by Commissioner Hennessey, to
nominate Liz Petschel as Chair of the ARC. There being no additional nominations, it
was approved unanimously.
A motion was made by Commissioner Dunn, seconded by Commissioner Sloan, to
nominate Robin Ehrlich as Vice Chair of the ARC. There being no additional
nominations, it was approved unanimously.
Commission Meeting – March 11, 2009 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission
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B. 2009 Plan of Action Brainstorming Ideas
As recommended by Chair Petschel at the previous meeting, Commissioners had an open
discussion about upcoming goals for the year and brainstormed ideas. Cited categories
for consideration included legislative issues and law, ARC’s relationship with MSP, NOC
and efforts to minimize aircraft noise over Mendota Heights.
Suggestions:
• Continued tracking of corridor and runway use
• Effective diplomatic process and closer relationship with MAC
• Continue to foster a good working relationship with the Tower, while keeping their
“feet to the fire” with regard to compliance, and attend NOC and MAC meetings.
• Build a friendly, good working relationship with Delta, which may bring improved
support to the Community. Analogy cited of Woodbury’s relationship with 3M.
• Keep City Council regularly informed of ARC’s work and include in ARC public
relations strategizing.
• Periodic televised ARC meetings
• Educate residents on ARC’s work in an easy-to-understand monthly format on the
web site and Highlights, including not only efforts to reduce noise but also use of
runways, RNAV updates, ARC goals and accomplishments, etc., with links provided
to Airport Noise Reports, and percentage comparisons of flights over the City from
last month/year to current month/year.
• Provide information to residents about scheduled meetings of MAC, NOC and ARC
meetings and MAC contact information in the ARC’s communication plan, as well as
explanation of what the various group names stand for.
• Work cooperatively with neighbors, such as Sunfish Lake, Eagan, etc., to establish
common ground.
• Get an outside view of what other communities are doing about airport noise by either
attending (Commissioners recommended Chair Petschel) a national conference of
municipalities or obtain a tape of its keynote address. Question arose whether
Mendota Heights has a “Sister City.”
• Assign Commissioners to attend neighboring ARC meetings, such as Minneapolis
and Eagan, etc., with no motive other than to share experiences. One e-mail from
ARC could be sent to the communities, with all cities being clearly identified,
informing them of ARC’s intention to attend their meetings periodically with a goal
to build bridges.
• Proactively solicit feedback from the Community: Do they know ARC exists, what
are their thoughts, what issues are important to them that ARC should be working on.
C. Updates for Introduction Book
None.
Commission Meeting – March 11, 2009 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission
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Acknowledge Receipt of Various Reports/Correspondence
Comments were that the corridor analysis was good for the month, runway 30R use over
Minneapolis and Richfield was at 51% last month due to prevailing winds, runway 4/22
was not used at all during the month and Delta plans to draw down its departures 10%
system-wide starting September 1, 2009, due to reduced demand.
A. 2009 MSP NOC Work Plan
B. January 2009 NOC Technical Advisor’s Report
C. January 2009 Eagan/Mendota Heights Departure Corridor Analysis
D. February 6, 2009, Airport Noise Report
E. February 13, 2009, Airport Noise Report
F. February 27, 2009, Airport Noise Report
Other Commission Comments or Concerns
None.
Upcoming Meetings
City Council Meeting – March 17, 2009 – 7:00 p.m.
Planning Commission – March 24, 2009 – 7:00 p.m.
NOC Meeting – March 25, 2009 – 1:30 p.m.
Public Comments
None.
Adjourn
A motion was made by Commissioner Sloan, seconded by Commissioner Odland, to
adjourn the meeting at 7:57 p.m. It was approved unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Heintz
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.