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2003-10-08 Airport Relations Commission Minutes2003-10-08 Airport Relations Commission Minutes.txt[1/25/2018 4:24:18 PM] CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES October 8, 2003 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on Wednesday, October 8, 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, Mike Polovny, and Ellsworth Stein. Staff present: Cari Lindberg, City Administrator; Sandra Krebsbach, Council Member and NOC Representative and Bonita Sullivan, Recorder. Ms. Sullivan took the minutes. Also present: Joe Carlile, District Office Representative, Fourth District; Guy Heide, Rogers Lake East Neighborhood Noise Reduction Committee; Mike Kosel, Rogers Lake East Neighborhood Noise Reduction Committee; Not Present: Commissioner John Roszak; Jack Vitelli, Council Member and NOC Representative Approval of Minutes Approval of the September 10, 2003 minutes. A motion was made by Commissioner Edstrom, seconded by Chair Beaty to approve the minutes for September 10, 2003 as presented. Motion carried 4-0. Unfinished/New Business A. Discussion with Joe Carlile - Representative from Congresswoman Betty McCollum’s Office City Administrator Lindberg provided the Commission and Mr. Carlile with copies of the current Airport Plan of Action for their review. She referenced several items noting that they are issues that are of interest to Congresswoman McCollum and that Mr. Carlile is present to address any questions the Commission might have. Chair Beaty explained that the Airport Relations Commission goals are to be sure that everyone understands the issues and how the issues relate or affect the residents of Mendota Heights. He stated that Mendota Heights takes a large percentage of the over flights from the airport noting that the majority are departure flights taking off from the parallel runways to the southeast. He stated that they do not fan out once they depart from the runway noting that the planes tend to head straight out over Mendota Heights. Commission Meeting – October 8, 2003 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission He stated that they would like to see more equitable control of the over flights adding that it is their hope that this would happen when Runway 17-35 is done. He noted that initially, when the Mendota Heights/Eagan corridor was first created, Mendota Heights had very little traffic adding that this has changed and that the corridor appears to have widened. Commissioner Fitzer reviewed the changes with respect to fanning noting that Eagan gets very little in comparison to Mendota Heights. Chair Beaty agreed and reviewed the history of changes with the Commission. He explained that the decision to keep airplanes from going south of the parallel runway dates back to 1976 and that it forces more air traffic to the north and east, over Mendota Heights. Joe Carlile, District Office Representative, provided the Commission with a brief history of his background and work with Congresswoman McCollum. He clarified his 2003-10-08 Airport Relations Commission Minutes.txt[1/25/2018 4:24:18 PM] understanding of the technical issues and concerns and agreed that the corridor has drastically changed. Council Member Krebsbach referenced a thesis that involved a study to determine what cities in the metro area benefit most by the location of the airport. She explained that the study and thesis were done by Joan Seidl noting that through her study she determined that Eden Prairie benefits most by it’s proximity and distance to the airport. She noted that Eden Prairie is home to several high-end corporate office complexes noting that Mendota Heights does not have the same high-end corporate scale that would provide the same economic benefits. She provided the Commission with a brief overview of the findings and suggested that they review the study. City Administrator Lindberg asked Mr. Carlile if he was aware that the Airport Relations Commission had put together an educational video regarding airport noise issues. She reviewed the context of the video with Mr. Carlile and provided him with a copy for further review. Mr. Carlile acknowledged the Commissions concerns regarding the changes in over flights and noise levels. He agreed that Mendota Heights does have a large amount of over flights in comparison to other Cities such as Eagan, Bloomington and Richfield. He noted that there has been a decrease in flights over Bloomington and Richfield adding that it appears to be at the expense of Mendota Heights. He noted that Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport is recognized as having one of the best noise reduction programs in the country and reviewed with the Commission. Commissioner Petschel agreed that Eagan has benefited more than Mendota Heights, economically, and reviewed the differences with the Commission. She explained that had they moved the airport when the opportunity was available to move it the noise levels would have been considerably lower. She expressed frustration stating that because they made the decision to keep the airport located inside the metro area there should also be a higher level of concern and awareness with respect to effective noise abatement. She Commission Meeting – October 8, 2003 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission expressed concerns stating that when the new runway opens noise levels will increase over areas that had never experienced this issue before noting that she is now hearing concerns about noise levels from as far away as Apple Valley, Minnesota, an area that has had no real exposure to airport noise. Mr. Carlile asked if a regional organization exists that would address airport issues for the area. Council Member Krebsbach explained that the MASAC used to address regional issues noting that they found the group to be ineffective. She reviewed the MASAC’s and the newly created NOC’s intent and history with Mr. Carlile and the Commission. Chair Beaty further clarified the role of NOC with respect to community and airport representation. Commissioner Fitzer noted that Chair Beaty had, at one time, organized a Northern Dakota County group to address similar issues. Chair Beaty acknowledged stating that the organization met for approximately two years noting that it had a lot of community involvement. He provided a brief history of the organization stating that through the course things fell to the wayside and they stopped meeting. Mr. Carlile explained that Congresswoman McCollum tends to think and review issues at a regional level. He further explained that she tries to determine the overall impact and is open to organizations that try to determine the best resolution for all involved. He suggested putting together a group that would include other City’s and residents within Dakota County that would address these concerns at a regional level. Council Member Krebsbach acknowledged Mr. Carlile’s suggestion stating that the 2003-10-08 Airport Relations Commission Minutes.txt[1/25/2018 4:24:18 PM] boundary over the corridor has crept to 110 and that there should be better management of the corridor. Commissioner Petschel agreed and explained that the take offs at the end of the parallel runway have increased, which is why the corridor has expanded. Commissioner Fitzer stated that there is actually less flights in the last two years adding that Mendota Heights is aware that changes to the corridor would bring a certain percentage of flights. He explained that their biggest complaint is that they can no longer do the fanning. He further explained that this is due to a letter of agreement with the City of Eagan that flights cannot go over the Eagan area. He stated that the southern end of the corridor is most affected. He stated that they have approached these issues and were told that this was not a concern for the FAA and that they were not part of the FAA, therefore they should not question or be involved in FAA issues. He stated that they have copies of this agreement and could provide for their review. Commissioner Petschel agreed stating that they have discussed these issues and concerns with the MAC and that representatives from the MAC explained that a new environmental impact study would have to be done before any changes would be addressed. Commission Meeting – October 8, 2003 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission Chair Beaty noted that there could also be concerns regarding potential lawsuits with respect to what is in the agreement and reviewed with the Commission. Mr. Carlile clarified his understanding that any agency participating in the Part 150 is immune to lawsuits. Commissioner Fitzer confirmed and reviewed with the Commission. Commissioner Stein further clarified that residents who participated in the insulation program were required to sign a document stating that they would not file a lawsuit. He further clarified that, to his knowledge, this applied to individuals adding that he is not sure how it would impact at a City level. Commissioner Petschel reviewed the fail-safe areas with the Commission. She stated that an environmental impact study was done and that Mendota Heights was given the percentages at the time of the study. She stated that the numbers are now changing from what was originally determined and that the changes have not been effectively communicated or explained. She stated that the trust level with the MAC is very low. Mr. Carlile acknowledged the Commission’s concerns stating that Congresswoman McCollum is very sympathetic to their issues. He stated that one way they could support their concerns is to write a letter to the FAA requesting an outline and detail of the Eagan agreement. City Administrator Lindberg provided Mr. Carlile with a copy of the Tower Order. Mr. Carlile stated that if the provide an unsatisfactory response that they would write a stronger letter and that they could also encourage further support through their allies. Commissioner Fitzer stated that they would also like to be sure that the numbers with the new north/south runway are kept within reason, as originally discussed. He stated that if they could stick with the numbers originally agreed upon that the rest would be very manageable adding that it would be a fair distribution of the noise levels over Mendota Heights. Mr. Carlile suggested that the Commission provide as much documentation as possible that shows and clarifies the changes in the numbers. He explained that the more documentation they have the better they can support the issues and concerns. He stated that he recently met with the Rogers Lake East group and that they have provided him with a considerable amount of information. 2003-10-08 Airport Relations Commission Minutes.txt[1/25/2018 4:24:18 PM] Chair Beaty stated that the Commission would provide as much information as possible noting that the Rogers Lake East organization has an extensive amount of information documenting these concerns. Mr. Carlile encouraged the Commission to contact him with any issues or concerns noting that his main responsibility is to be available as a resource for municipal affairs for Dakota County. Commission Meeting – October 8, 2003 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission B. Update from Rogers Lake East Neighborhood Noise Reduction Committee Mr. Heide provided the Commission with a brief update and status report for the Rogers Lake East Neighborhood Group. The Commission held a general discussion regarding Mr. Heide’s update. C. Review of Presentation Materials for Council Chair Beaty stated that he would be providing the Council with a presentation of the Airport Noise Plan of Action at the next City Council meeting scheduled for October 21, 2003. He suggested that members of the Commission attend as a show of support to the Council. City Administrator Lindberg suggested that they provide the Council with a copy of the Airport Noise Plan for their review prior to the meeting. She asked if the fifteen-minute time frame would be enough time to present the entire plan. Chair Beaty agreed that they should provide copies of the plan to Council prior to the meeting. He asked that they also clarify the acronyms used and include definition of terms used. He stated that this would provide a good tool for the Council when reviewing the outlined items. Commissioner Edstrom referenced the residential land use and suggested that they further clarify ARC’s role with respect to land use. D. Discussion of Third Parallel Runway Contract Council Member Krebsbach asked if the contract content was ok with the Commission. Chair Beaty noted that there are concerns with respect to some content noting that a paragraph is missing in the new draft. He stated that the Commission would like further clarification regarding the omission before making a recommendation. City Administrator Lindberg stated that she could provide Council Member Krebsbach with an update. Chair Beaty suggested clarifying the Commission concerns with Commissioner Roszak. Commissioner Petschel suggested discussing their concerns with Mr. Leqve first and further clarify with Commissioner Roszak based on feedback from Mr. Leqve. City Administrator Lindberg stated that she would contact both Mr. Leqve and Commissioner Roszak and provide the Commission with an update. E. Review of Final Draft of Airport Noise Plan of Action Chair Beaty asked the Commission if there was any further feedback prior to presenting to the Council. The Commissioners held a general discussion and came to the consensus that the plan is ready to be presented to Council as is. Commission Meeting – October 8, 2003 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission Acknowledge Receipt of Various Reports/Correspondence: Commissioner Petschel referenced the Technical Advisor reports and reviewed with the nighttime operations with the Commission. 2003-10-08 Airport Relations Commission Minutes.txt[1/25/2018 4:24:18 PM] Chair Beaty noted that the nighttime operations took a real hit since the September 11th tragedy. Commissioner Petschel agreed noting that most Cities, except Mendota Heights, stayed the same. Chair Beaty asked if construction was going on during that timeframe. Commissioner Polovny stated that there was construction on the runway during that period of time. Commissioner Petschel suggested reviewing the numbers on a month-to-month basis to determine any specific patterns or changes. Commissioner Stein asked if the Commission should contribute comments to the Environmental Impact Statement for the Bluffs. City Administrator Lindberg explained that all comments are due by October 30, 2003. She stated that the Commission could include comments as a part of the public statement. She reviewed the scope with the Commission and clarified that the comments should address accuracy and completeness of the study. She stated that she could provide the Commission with copies via email if they are interested. Commissioner Edstrom stated that to be consistent the Commission should include comments to go on public record recommending that the area should not be developed as residential due to the noise levels. City Administrator Lindberg stated that Council has to make a decision by the end of November 2003 and reviewed with the Commission. The Commission briefly reviewed the following documents: a. Letter to Cari Lindberg from Robert Vorpahl Re: 2004-2010 Capital Improvements Program. b. NOISE fax regarding FAA Reauthorization 189. c. NOISE fax – Special Alert. d. What’s New at MAC Aviation Noise & Satellite Programs. e. Airport Noise Reports, Volume 15, Numbers 26-28. f. August 2003 Eagan/Mendota Heights Departure Corridor Analysis. g. August 2003 Technical Advisor’s Report. h. Colloquy Between Senators Regarding Section 189 of the FAA Conference Report HR 2115. i. Letter to John McCain from Andrew Steinberg regarding 189. j. Analysis of Section 189 of Conference Report on HR 2115. k. Letter from Jeff Hamiel to Senator Mark Dayton Re: HR 2115. l. Email and slides from Chad Leqve to NOC Committee. m. Letter to Cari Lindberg from Robert J. Vorpahl, MAC Re: Environmental Review Process, dated October 7, 2003. n. Letter to Cari Lindberg from Chad Leqve, MAC, Re: Land Use and Population Data for the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport Part 150 Update, dated October 3, 2003. Commission Meeting – October 8, 2003 Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission o. Letter to Cari Lindberg from Robert J. Vorpahl, MAC, Re: 2004-2010 Capital Improvement Program, dated October 2, 2003. OTHER COMMENTS OR CONCERNS City Administrator Lindberg announced that she would be leaving her position as City Administrator for Mendota Heights effective October 31, 2003. She stated that Administrative Assistant Hollister would sit in as her replacement until a new City Administrator is appointed. She stated that she has really enjoyed working with the Airport Relations Commission adding that she would miss everyone and wished them well moving forward. The Commission agreed, by consensus, to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bonita Sullivan TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.