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2009-04-15 Airport Relations Commission MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES April 15, 2009 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at 7:00 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, Sally Lorberbaum and Dave Sloan, Commissioners. Also present were: John Bergman, Apple Valley Council and NOC at-large representative; Gretchen Koenen, Sunfish Lake; Jim Danielson, City Administrator; Jake Sedlacek, Assistant to the City Administrator; and Mary Heintz, Recorder. Not Present: Robin Ehrlich, Vice Chair; Joe Hennessy and Lyle Odland, Councilmembers. Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Commissioner Dunn, seconded by Commission Lorberbaum, to approve the minutes of the March 11, 2009, ARC meeting as submitted. It was approved by majority, with Chair Petschel abstaining. Unfinished and New Business A. Sunfish Lake Outreach Report – Gretchen Koenen In order to enhance Sunfish Lake’s participation on the NOC, Gretchen Koenan, the NOC liaison for Sunfish Lake, was invited to attend an ARC meeting and meet John Bergman, Sunfish Lake’s representative for NOC. Mr. Bergman and Chair Petschel provided background information for Ms. Koenen about Sunfish Lake’s NOC representation, challenges with Inver Grove Heights, upcoming election in June for the rotating NOC seat, and NOC issues that affect Mendota Heights, Sunfish Lake, and Inver Grove Heights. Chair Petschel stated that the NOC work plan includes: 1) runway shutdown of the north parallel during construction (to increase tolerance for weight and increased usage) from August 17 to October 30; 2) Chad Leqve’s annual review of night-time operations; 3) RNAV, used to decrease noise during night-time hours; and 4) equitable use of runways (February NOC Technical Advisor’s report cited arrivals: 25.3% 12L (increased due to decreased use of 17), 12.3% 12R and 4% 17). Night-time operations are up 5%, which is the most noise-sensitive time of day. Mr. Bergman suggested that the Gold Concourse be used more for night-time operations, rather than Green, and on weekends, to decrease use of 12L. Commission Meeting – April 15, 2009 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission 2 The February report identifying the number of MSP noise complaints by city was reviewed. Background was offered on the “secret agreement” in 1990 between MSP and Eagan regarding fanning, which became standard operating procedure, and the increased fanning now off runway 17 that has resulted in more planes going over Eagan and, consequently, more complaints from Eagan residents, who have not been exposed to significant aircraft noise. Mendota Heights would prefer the close-in versus distant departure but distant departure is now being used system-wide, likely because of the increased fuel needed for close-in departures. Chair Petschel commented that she was very pleased Ms. Koenen was able to attend this evening’s ARC meeting and invited her to attend any future meetings. Ms. Koenen asked that meeting notices be sent to her e-mail address, as she would like to attend, and said she anticipated a beneficial synergy between Sunfish Lake and Mendota Heights. It was noted that the MAC quarterly listening session will be held April 28 at 7 p.m. at St. Anne’s in Sunfish Lake, which will be conducted by Mr. Leqve. Mr. Bergman reported on residential buildings being built beneath current airport traffic in Inver Grove Heights, which representatives of that city are already aware of but continue to complain about. Chair Petschel said Mendota Heights' has strict guidelines for any homes constructed in the noise contours. John McDonald is the MAC Commissioner who has been appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty to represent part of Eagan, Mendota Heights, Mendota, Lilydale, Sunfish Lake, Inver Grove Heights and St. Paul. MAC concessions have been to conduct one meeting off site, increased number of face-to-face meetings and improved MAC Commission representation. As added background information for Ms. Koenen, the differentiation was explained between the ARC and the Rogers Lake East neighborhood group (identified as ANRC -- Airport Noise Reduction Committee) and their complaints. B. NOC Updates – Chair Liz Petschel Chair Petschel reported that Tim Buettel (former NWA chief pilot) had attended the NOC pre-meeting and said there are rumors circulating that Delta plans to cancel orders for the 787 phase one (stage five aircraft) and commit to ordering 787 phase two, which will be an improved version. The Airbus A350, which requires less cockpit training because the same instrumentation is used among its fleet, will challenge the 787. At the regular NOC meeting, an update was given on the 18 NWA, Delta and Pinnacle flights that had used RNAV on February 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Those aircraft were tracked through a radar gate and follow-up analysis revealed all were within 150 feet of each other and pilots and controllers had no problems utilizing RNAV. Commission Meeting – April 15, 2009 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission 3 The next 24-hour test was completed today at 7 a.m., and the final test will be conducted over a month’s time. N.O.I.S.E. will recommend that RNAV be used permanently and hopes to facilitate FAA approval, though wants to ensure the issue be addressed satisfactorily of those homes receiving repetitive flyovers (as a result of improved accuracy). It was noted that Mendota Heights is a member of N.O.I.S.E. MAC will be attending more city council meetings, conduct more open houses and provide a MAC noise website for daily reports on what runways will be used during runway reconstruction. During this time, there will be more landings on 17, which will result in an increased queue over Minneapolis and increased noise for the Metrodome from August through October. There will also be landings on 22, which is the cross runway that is rarely used because it was designed for “heavies” going to Tokyo and requires that all other runways be closed during its use. Taking off on 35 is normally not allowed but will occur during the construction period. 2008 forecasted operations were 582,366 for MSP but actual was 449,972, a reduction of almost 23%. Mr. Bergman commented that he didn’t expected increased Delta operations, except for perhaps June through August, and affected cities want to be rid of the noisier DC9 and MD80. Concern is that there will be a Delta shift of old aircraft being used here and more quiet planes used elsewhere. Mr. Bergman also reported that (FedEx, UPS and DHL) are seeing a decrease on freight business. ARC will follow what fleet mix results. Chair Petschel reported that Mr. Leqve said there were no surprises with the noise contour, except for the number of departures off 12L and landings over 12R, and that MAC is ahead of schedule on their sound mitigation of homes in the DNL 63-64. C. 2009 Plan of Action Commissioner Sloan made a recommendation that someone go through the brainstorming notes from the last ARC meeting and compare to the Action Plan, highlighting with symbols what is covered, what should be modified and propose a new version to be reviewed at the next ARC meeting. It was decided that Chair Petschel, the City Administrator and the Assistant to the City Administrator will do so but with further discussion among Commission members about televising meetings. Chair Petschel expressed strongly that the ARC requires a meeting format that allows opportunity for frank and open discussions on sensitive and proprietary issues. D. Update for Introduction Book None. Commission Meeting – April 15, 2009 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission 4 Acknowledge Receipt of Various Reports/Correspondence A. MSP Noise News B. Washington N.O.I.S.E. Watch C. February 2009 NOC Technical Advisor’s Report D. February 2009 Eagan/Mendota Heights Departure Corridor Analysis E. Airport Noise Report, March 13, 2009 F. Airport Noise Report, March 20, 2009 G. Airport Noise Report, March 27, 2009 H. Airport Noise Report, April 3, 2009 Other Commission Comments or Concerns None. Upcoming Meetings • City Council Meeting – April 21, 2009 – 7:00 p.m. • Planning Commission – April 28, 2009 – 7:00 p.m. • NOC Meeting – May 20, 2009 – 1:30 p.m. Public Comments None. Adjourn Commissioner Lorberbaum made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sloan, to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. It was approved unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Mary Heintz TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.