11-13-2019 ARC Meeting PacketCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION
November 13, 2019
6:00 p.m.
City of Mendota Heights- 1101 Victoria Curve
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Minutes
a. Approval of Minutes of the September 18, 2019 Meeting
4. Public Comments
5. Unfinished and New Business
a. Guest Speaker-- MAC Commissioner Richard Ginsburg, District G
b. 12L Departure Proposal /Crossing in the Corridor Update
c. Review of Airport Operational Statistics (link: https://www.macenvironment.org/reports/)
i. Complaint Information
ii. Runway Use
iii. Turboprop Charts
iv. Noise Monitor Charts
5. Acknowledge Receipt of Various Reports/Correspondence
6. Upcoming Meetings
a. City Council Meeting 11/19/2019 7:00 pm
b. MAC NOC Meeting 11/20/2019 6:30 pm (MAC Offices)
c. Planning Commission 11/26/2019 7:00 pm
d. City Hall Closed—Thanksgiving Holiday 11/28 & 11/29/2019
7. Commissioner Comments
8. Adjourn
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CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES
September 18, 2019
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on
Wednesday, September 18, 2019, at Mendota Heights City Hall.
1. Call to Order
Chair Sloan called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
2. Roll Call
The following commissioners were present: David Sloan, Gina Norling, William Dunn, Sally
Lorberbaum, Jim Neuharth, and Arvind Sharma. Absent: Kevin Byrnes.
Also present: Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson, and City Administrator Mark
McNeill.
3. Approval of Minutes
a. Approval of Minutes of the August 21, 2019 Meeting
Commissioner Lorberbaum noted changes, which she agreed to relay on to staff to change.
Motion by Lorberbaum/Second by Neuharth to approve the minutes of the August 21, 2019
ARC meeting, as amended. Motion carried 5‐0. Sharma abstained.
4. Unfinished and New Business
a. Follow‐up to Resident Noise Complaint—Ms. Jacobson reported that she had
contacted Brad Juffer of MAC regarding the complaint registered by Mr. Roger
Grabowski, who had appeared at the August meeting. Mr. Grabowski had said that
airplane noise over his Friendly Hills neighborhood had increased significantly over
the past several months, and had wondered if it related to the Minnesota Vikings
development. Ms. Jacobson said that in checking the charts, the MAC Noise
Program Office determined that any perceived variances would likely be a result of
weather, and because of more people being outside during warm weather. While
he had no data to show, Mr. Juffer had said that he did not see anything that would
confirm changes as a result of the Vikings development. This information was
relayed to Mr. Grabowski, but there had been no response.
Commissioner Dunn did say that more C‐130’s were flying over now, as shown by
noise monitors.
Ms. Jacobson also reported that a resident of the Hidden Creek area had also
contacted her about an increase in noise in her area. Mr. Juffer had again been
contacted, and it was found that current charts showed no significant changes vs.
the previous year. Any changes might be from military planes. Commissioner
Airport Relations Commission Minutes
September 18, 2019
Page 2
Neuharth said that ARC should be concerned because the complaint is so far north in
the City.
The ARC also discussed the procedure to follow‐up on complaints. It was
determined that Ms. Jacobson would respond on behalf of the ARC so that there
would be one point of contact, but that Commissioners would be blind copied and a
copy of future responses placed in the ARC packet as information.
b. November Meeting Date—Ms. Jacobson noted that the normal ARC meeting date
will conflict with the November meeting of the Noise Oversight Committee. It was
decided to meet on November 13th, pending the availability of the MAC
Commissioner who has been invited to speak. Ms. Jacobson confirmed the ARC’s
desire to have the meeting televised. The meeting time will be 6 PM, unless the MAC
representative is unable to attend at that hour.
Regarding the MAC representative’s attendance at the November meeting, the
Commissioners asked that he be prepared to present for about 30 minutes, and that
the ARC will present a high level overview of what the ARC does. ARC will ask
questions of the MAC representative. There was further discussion as to how to
best publicize this meeting. It was determined that social media and website
postings, and information in the City’s electronic newsletter would be appropriate.
Ms. Jacobson would put together an outline of the agenda with questions, and
provide it in advance to the MAC representative, and to the ARC.
Ms. Jacobson reviewed a letter from the Eagan City Council regarding Runway 17
departures, which had been discussed by the NOC earlier that day. She reported
that several Eagan residents had spoken at the NOC meeting, and stated concerns
about noise, and asking that departing planes fly higher and further out before
turning. The FAA community representative in attendance then had stated that
there were specific procedures to be followed in consideration of Eagan’s
recommendations.
Commissioner Norling expressed her concerns that this might mean more noise over
Mendota Heights. Ms. Jacobson said that more information would be forthcoming,
and that this topic could be discussed at the November NOC meeting.
c. ARC Meeting Agenda Order and Public Comment Placement—So that members of
the public who wish to speak to the ARC can be handled expeditiously, the
consensus of the Commissioners was that the Public Comments section of the
meeting agenda would be moved ahead in the agenda order.
Airport Relations Commission Minutes
September 18, 2019
Page 3
d. Review of NOC Meeting—In addition to the previous items discussed regarding the
NOC meeting that afternoon, Ms. Jacobson said that MSP Executive Director Brian
Ryks made his annual State of the Airport presentation, and that Rebecca
McPherson of the FAA gave an update on Converging Runway Operations. She said
that CRO’s had been found to have had no significant impact on noise.
Ms. Jacobson said that the DNR is proposing to put 215 housing units on the Upper
Post of Ft. Snelling. This units would be rented to for moderate income families and
individuals, with a preference for military veterans and their families. While MAC
does not appear to be supportive, the location is not within any city jurisdiction, and
so there are no zoning restrictions.
Finally, she said that the MAC staff had also presented the 2020 NOC draft work
plan. They ask for comments by October 31st.
e. Review of Airport Operational Statistics
i. Complaint Information. Complaint charts were reviewed. Commissioner
Lorberbaum noted that July, 2019 had more flights than the previous year.
There were no changes seen in the August noise events.
ii. Turboprop Charts. Commissioner Neuharth said that he didn’t have
turboprop charts, but that he would work with Brad Juffer to get those.
Otherwise, there were no issues. He did say overall operations were down,
which meant some relief for 12R
iii. Noise Monitor Charts. Commissioner Dunn said that the readings from
monitors have been very consistent over the past several months.
Commissioner Norling discussed rolling wave average; sensor 13 confirmed
that 2019 was a noisy year, and monitors for May, June, and July showed
more noise events.
iv. MAC Meeting. Commissioner Sharma said that there were nothing to
update, as Labor Day had caused the MAC meeting to be cancelled.
Commissioner Lorberbaum asked if Monday holidays would also impact
Columbus Day and Veterans Day? Commissioner Sharma said that that will
need to be researched. He reported that they had announced at the August
meeting that 2019 was on track to beat 2018 as a record year for traffic at
MSP. There was also an announcement of new non‐stop service to Dublin.
5. Public Comments
No other public comments were received.
Airport Relations Commission Minutes
September 18, 2019
Page 4
6. Commissioner Comments
Commissioner Lorberbaum asked about the proposal from the City of Eagan regarding
traffic from Runway 17/35, and asked if the Mendota Heights ARC should plan a joint
meeting with them. Chair Sloan suggested waiting to see what will happen, as NOC was
scheduled to respond to the Eagan request in November. The ARC could look at it in
January or February.
7. Adjourn
Motion Neuharth/Second Sharma to adjourn at 7:13 pm. All voted in favor.
Minutes Taken By:
Mark McNeill
City Administrator
City of Mendota Heights
DATE: November 13, 2019
TO: Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission
FROM: Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator
SUBJECT: Guest Speaker-- MAC Commissioner Richard Ginsburg
The November 13 meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission will include a
presentation from Metropolitan Airports Commissioner Richard Ginsburg. Mr. Ginsburg
represents District G, which includes Mendota Heights.
ACTION REQUIRED
Informational only, no action required.
DATE: November 13, 2019
TO: Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission
FROM: Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator
SUBJECT: 12L Departure Proposal /Crossing in the Corridor Update
Brad Juffer with the MAC Stakeholder Engagement/Community Relations Office and Sean
Fortier with the FAA will be in attendance to provide the Commission with an update on
Crossing in the Corridor procedures including training and usage by Air Traffic Controllers.
The update is being provided as a follow-up to recommendations proposed in the Commission’s
2018 12L Departure modification request.
ACTION REQUIRED
Informational only, no action required.