ARC 05-12-2015Airport Relations Committee
Minutes
Joint Meeting with Eagan ARC
May 12, 2015
Eagan City Hall
1. Call To Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Eagan ARC Chair Chuck
Thorkildson
2. Mendota Heights Attendance: Chair David Sloan, Sally Lorberbaum, Bill Dunn, Gina
Norling, Arvind Sharma, Jim Neuharth, and Kevin Byrnes
3. Eagan Elections: The joint meeting was paused so that elections of chair and vice chair
could be made for the Eagan ARC. Chuck Thorkildson was elected Chair, and Carol
Whisnant was elected Vice-Chair.
4. Speaker: the ARCs heard from MAC Executive Director Jeff Hamiel.
Mr. Hamiel spoke about the history of the MAC since its creation in 1943 by the
State Legislature, and that it was one of the longest and most successful public-
private partnerships in the Twin Cities. He addressed MAC finances, and the
recognition that it has received for efficiencies in operations. It receives no tax
support, but instead relies solely on user fees.
It has annual operating revenues of more than $303 million, with 48% of that
coming from concession, and 36% from airline related charges.
He addressed the impact that Delta has as the major air carrier, with 74% of
traffic, amounting to 25 million passengers. It is one of 13 passenger air carriers
serving MSP. Passenger air traffic peaked in 2005, but has rebounded. Overall,
the number of flights has declined from a high of 525,000, to approximately
400,000 in 2014. He noted the projected number of passengers is to increase,
but that larger planes will mean fewer proportionate flights. Newer planes are
larger, 25% more fuel efficient, and 30% quieter than older aircraft.
He noted the following challenges for the MAC:
• Lack of queuing space at Terminal 1
• Lack of space at security checkpoints
• Parking shortages at Terminal 1, especially on Tuesday and Wednesday
mornings
• Retail leases will all expire and will need to be renegotiated in the next
two years.
• Capacity constraints (lack of gates) at Terminal 2.
He said that the MAC would be updating and improving baggage claim areas soon.
Mr. Hamiel answered questions from the ARC members relating to new air carriers; rates
of worker pay at the MAC; RNAV automated air directional systems; worldwide airline
expansions; and the possibility of additional runways. For the latter, he said there is no
room to add runways; the bigger issue was a lack of space in the terminal, and parking.
He invited the ARC members to take a “behind the scenes” tour of the MAC facilities.
Mr. Hamiel left the meeting.
5. Other Business: The two groups shared information: Mendota Heights does charting of
flight paths, which they said they would provide to Eagan. Eagan reported on its annual
open houses, and more recently electronic open houses to engage residents.
Both groups felt that more frequent joint meetings would be beneficial, and that
that would be helpful in attracting quality speakers. They also asked staff to follow-up on
the invitation from Mr. Hamiel to do the airport tour, and to do so in summer months
when the daylight is longest.
6. Adjournment: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:33 PM.
Minutes Taken By:
__________________________
Mark McNeill
Mendota Heights City Administrator