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2003-08-13 Airport Relations Commission Minutes2003-08-13 Airport Relations Commission Minutes.txt[1/25/2018 4:24:19 PM] CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES August 13, 2003 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on Wednesday, August 13, 2003, at 7:00 p.m., in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. The following Commissioners were present: Scott Beaty, Vern Edstrom, Gregg Fitzer, Liz Petschel, John Roszak, and Ellsworth Stein. Staff present: Cari Lindberg, City Administrator; Jack Vitelli, Council Member and NOC Representative; and Bonita Sullivan, Recorder. Ms. Sullivan took the minutes. Not Present: Commissioner Mike Polovny. Approval of Minutes Approval of the July 9, 2003 minutes. Commissioner Petschel stated she had two corrections. She referenced page 2, first sentence ‘He reviewed the past 13 months with the Commission to show how they look in the north corridor.’ She clarified that it should say ‘He reviewed the past 13 months with the Commission to show how they leak into the corridor’. She referenced page 3, third paragraph, second line from the bottom reads ‘that one cannot a lecture comfort level’. She clarified that it should read ‘that one cannot lecture a comfort level’. Commissioner Edstrom referenced the ‘Other Comments or Concerns’ section and clarified that what he was trying to say is that Runway 35 is for landing only and Runway 17 is for takeoffs only. He stated that the rest of the statement could be deleted. A motion was made by Commissioner Roszak, seconded by Commissioner Petschel to approve the minutes for July 9, 2003 as amended. Motion carried 6-0. Unfinished/New Business A. Review of Final Draft of Airport Noise Plan of Action Chair Beaty stated that he has reviewed the draft document and that it looks good. He noted an item that refers to information regarding possible leaks into the corridor and asked City Administrator Lindberg to request further information from Chad Leqve. Commissioner Stein asked for status on Item 4. City Administrator Lindberg stated that they met, discussed the issues and approved it in January. She stated that she would Commission Meeting – August 13, 2003 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission identify it within the document as completed. Commissioner Stein stated that Item 13 could also be marked as completed. Motion by Commissioner Petschel, seconded by Commissioner Fitzer to approve the Airport Relations Commission Plan of Action with redlines removed and modifications accepted. Motion carried 6-0. City Administrator Lindberg explained that the next move is to present the Action Plan to City Council. She reviewed the City Council schedule with the Commission. She suggested the second meeting of the month noting that the Council agenda is usually lighter. Chair Beaty suggested the second Council meeting in October meeting. The Commission agreed and City Administrator Lindberg stated that she would include the Action Plan on the agenda for the second Council meeting in October 2003. 2003-08-13 Airport Relations Commission Minutes.txt[1/25/2018 4:24:19 PM] B. Discussion of NOC Activity Council Member Vitelli stated that the NOC has met twice. He explained that the first meeting was procedural and the second meeting was their first review. He stated that the NOC is moving through an increasingly detailed set of assumptions that would be used to develop the next noise level concept and reviewed it with the Commission. He stated that they picked a number that would lean more towards the MAC and the Airlines and less towards the Residents. He provided the Commission with an overview and explained that each line represents data that analysis has been based upon and that if they did not choose from one of the three that they would have to develop their own noise analysis. Council Member Vitelli stated that the macro assumptions were approved 8-2 and reviewed with the Commission. He stated that he is very impressed with the members of the NOC from both the airlines and the community. He further stated that it is a very good group of people who are willing to listen to each other. Council Member Vitelli stated that so far he has three observations. First, the Airlines and the MAC are benefiting from the macro assumptions. Second, he stated that he has a tremendous respect for all of the people involved on the committee and Third, as he sat through the first two meetings it feels as if the NOC does not have much power at this point. Council Member Vitelli provided the Commission with an overview of the next set of assumptions. He stated that the consultant did a very good job noting that all of the data and history is necessary for future discussions. Commissioner Roszak noted that the NOC could develop into a group that could ask the question ‘Why?’ Commissioner Petschel reviewed the contract agreement that allowed the airport to stay in the area with Council Member Vitelli and provided him with a copy of Chad Leqve’s presentation from the last ARC meeting. She explained that the copy also includes her notes. She reviewed the 8% departure noise levels agreement that Mendota Heights Commission Meeting – August 13, 2003 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission agreed to accept noting that if it increases, even by 1%, over Mendota Heights that it would require a new environmental impact statement. Council Member Vitelli asked if an environmental impact statement is different from the Part 150. Chair Beaty confirmed that they are two different items and reviewed the difference with the Commission. Council Member Vitelli noted that the military prefer to use the north end runway. Commissioner Fitzer concurred and explained that it is the most convenient location. He stated that for the most part they all comply with the present procedure. Council Member Vitelli clarified with the Commission that they should be more concerned with the number of takeoffs versus the type of aircraft. Commissioner Fitzer noted that it would be a difficult item to track. Council Member Vitelli stated that the NOC has a half hour pre-meeting that does not include the public. He explained that it allows for discussion of the agenda noting that there is no polling for individual opinions. He stated that the NOC members, including representatives from the various Cities, unanimously agreed that public comments are not allowed during the meeting. He explained that a form was created for people who have questions or complaints. He further explained that the forms are forwarded to Chad Leqve’s office to be addressed. City Administrator Lindberg provided examples for the MSP Runway Use for 1994 vs. 2003-08-13 Airport Relations Commission Minutes.txt[1/25/2018 4:24:19 PM] 2005 and also the 2005 MSP Runway Configuration Use Maps for the Commission’s review. The Commission held a general discussion of the Runway Use Configurations. Council Member Vitelli asked if they actually use the process to run the operations. Commissioner Fitzer stated that those working in the tower try to be as efficient as possible at the airport and that they are supposed to utilize the RUS procedure. Commissioner Petschel stated that they did ask Ms. Green about the use of the procedure. She stated that Ms. Green did acknowledge that this would be a huge challenge and that there would be a high level of training to ensure usage of the procedure. Chair Beaty reviewed the Eagan letter with Council Member Vitelli noting that they would like to have the letter signed and sent before the Legislature reconvenes. Council Member Vitelli agreed that it was a good idea. Chair Beaty reviewed the NOC items from the ARC Action Plan with Council Member Vitelli and the Commission. Council Member Vitelli suggested floating an item out to determine the level of attention from the NOC and reviewed with the Commission. Commission Meeting – August 13, 2003 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission Commissioner Roszak clarified that the function of the NOC is to make recommendations to the full MAC for approval. Council Member Vitelli confirmed that statement. Commissioner Roszak stated that the ARC’s position has always been to fairly distribute the noise levels across all communities affected. He stated that all communities affected should take an equal hit. Commissioner Petschel stated that Ms. Green did state that they were not sure how they would handle the night take-off process. She stated that it would be interesting to see if the flight track is still included for Runway 17-35. Council Member Vitelli stated that the next NOC meeting would be on August 21, 2003 from 1p – 5p and encouraged the Commission to attend a future NOC meeting. Acknowledge Receipt of Various Reports/Correspondence: Chair Beaty noted that the Rogers Lake East Committee is now including part of the Eagan area in their concerns. Commissioner Roszak noted that Congressman Sabo is pushing for noise mitigation at the local level. Commissioner Petschel explained that this is because there is legislation presently being considered that proposes this change and reviewed with the Commission. Commissioner Roszak suggested that the ARC review some of the issues presently being discussed in the Legislature. City Administrator Lindberg suggested inviting Congressman Sabo or Senator Oberstar to come talk to the Commission. Commissioner Roszak suggested including the City of Eagan. Commissioner Roszak suggested discussing possible tax cuts for installing the global positioning software/system and installing quieter engines. He stated that both come from public policy and are concerns that should be addressed. Commissioner Fitzer agreed and suggested creating a list of items for discussion and forward to both Congressman Sabo and Senator Oberstar for review prior to the meeting. City Administrator Lindberg stated that she would coordinate the schedules and update the Commission on possible dates for their attendance. 2003-08-13 Airport Relations Commission Minutes.txt[1/25/2018 4:24:19 PM] Commissioner Petschel provided the Commission with copies of a news article from the Pioneer Press dated August 13, 2003. She explained that it was a very interesting article that discussed Northwest Airlines wanting to delay contribution to the jet-noise insulation program. She reviewed the article with the Commission. City Administrator Lindberg stated that she had received a call from the Pioneer Press asking for comments from the City of Mendota Heights regarding the news article. She explained that they wanted to know how residents of Mendota Heights would be affected. Commission Meeting – August 13, 2003 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission City Administrator Lindberg stated that she received a letter from the City of Eagan on August 5, 2003. She reviewed the letter with the Commission stating that the City of Eagan is also asking the Mendota Heights City Council to send similar letter to their Senators and Representatives. Chair Beaty noted that paragraph five of the letter could help Mendota Heights noting that the 65 DNL is done. Commissioner Petschel agreed noting that homes located in the 64 DNL that were built in the 1950’s – 1960’s could use the assistance. The Commission agreed by consensus to send a similar letter and include it as a Consent Agenda Item for the next City Council meeting. Commissioner Roszak referenced Chad Levqe’s presentation and suggested challenging the validity of the 9.9%. He suggested recommending to City Council that a letter be sent to Mr. Leqve and the MAC that includes a copy of the contract that clarifies that they cannot assume the 9.9% and also express their objections in the letter. City Administrator Lindberg stated that she would follow up with Mr. Leqve to get a fully executed third parallel runway contract for reference. Commissioner Stein noted that the August 1, 2003 Airport Noise Report had a very interesting article regarding noise levels and DNL issues. The Commission briefly reviewed the following documents: a. Letter to Mayor Huber from Rogers Lake East Airport Noise Reduction Committee dated July 25, 2003. b. Power Point Presentation from Chad Leqve “Mendota Heights Specific Airport Noise Questions”. c. Pioneer Press Article “Proposed Restriction Threatens State’s Plans for lessening Jet Noise”. d. NOC – Noise Public Input Meeting – July 2003 memo from Chad Leqve and Public Comment Sheets. e. NOC Minutes – July 17, 2003. f. “Response to Fican Comments on Low Frequency Noise Expert Panel Report,” June 18, 2003. g. NOISE Report “Cities Denounce Backroom FAA Ban”. h. NOISE Report “FAA Reauthorization Bill Limits Noise Mitigation Past the 65 DNL”. i. June 2003 Technical Advisor’s Report. j. MAC Full Commission – Agenda – July 21, 2003. k. June 2003 Eagan/Mendota Heights Departure Corridor Analysis. l. MAC May 2002 vs. May 2003 Operations Comparison. m. Airport Noise Report – Volume 15, Numbers 21-23. n. MSP Noise News – June 2003. Commission Meeting – August 13, 2003 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission o. Letter from Chad Leqve regarding NOC Representation dated July 7, 2003. p. Pioneer Press Article “Chatter Over Airport Noise”, dated August 13, 2003. q. Letter from Rogers Lake East Airport Noise Reduction Committee to Mayor John 2003-08-13 Airport Relations Commission Minutes.txt[1/25/2018 4:24:19 PM] Huber, dated August 7, 2003. OTHER COMMENTS OR CONCERNS The Commission agreed, by consensus, to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bonita Sullivan TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.