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ARC 08-12-2015CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES August 12, 2015 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at Mendota Heights City Hall. The following commissioners were present: David Sloan, Gina Norling, Sally Lorberbaum, Jim Neuharth, and Arvind Sharma Absent: William Dunn (excused), Kevin Byrnes (excused) Also present: Public Works Director/City Engineer John R. Mazzitello, and City Administrator Mark McNeill Chair Sloan called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Approval of Minutes Neuharth moved, and Norling seconded that the minutes of the June 10, 2015 Airport Relations Commission meeting be approved, with a correction noted by Neuharth that one of the runways citations was incorrect. All voted in favor in favor of the amended minutes. Norling moved, and Sharma seconded that the minutes of the July 22, 2015 Airport Relations Commission meeting, which consisted of a tour of MSP, be approved. All voted in favor, with the exception of Lorberbaum, who abstained. Unfinished and New Business 4.a Guest Speaker--McNeill introduced the three airport staff members who were in attendance that night. They were Neil Ralston--Planner; Dana Nelson-Manager of Noise, Environment, and Planning; and Chad Leqve Director of Environment. Ralston presented the 2035 Long Term Comprehensive Plan for the airport, which updates the facilities needs for the next 20 years, and outlined the Airports Capital Improvements Plan for the upcoming seven years. He spoke about the number of aircraft operations having diminished over the preceding few years, but that the number of emplaned passengers has increased. This is due to the use of larger planes, and a phasing out of smaller regional jets. Projecting forward, he saw the number of takeoffs and landing increasing from 411,000 in 2015, to 511,000 in 2035, with a 15% increase in the number of passengers. He outlined facilities improvements, which will add gates to each terminal building, and make improvements in security, baggage handling, and curbside pick-ups. Nelson discussed noise issues. She noted a reduction in the forecasted 65 DNL, but potentially more nighttime flights. She said that the Noise Oversight Committee is discussing the recent FAA directive that will significantly reduce use on Runway 17/35. She also spoke about the significant improvement in the new generation of aircraft when it came to noise. In response to a question from Sharma, Ralston replied that the existing facility still had room to expand. 2 Ralston said that t he had done 20 of these public presentations on the Long Range Plan, and that an additional public presentation would be held on August 27h. After that, there would be a 45 day comment period. He said that he expected the MAC Board to act on the recommendation in late October or early November. Mazzitello said that the tracking charts showed nighttime departures were up significantly on 12L, but down on 30L, and asked why there was a switch. Nelson said that she would look at it; she said the reports were automatically generated, so it was not likely a mistake. Airport staffers left the meeting at this time. 4.b FAA operational notice on 17/35--The ARC discussed the fact that it will reduce the number of landings possible from 90 per hour, to 60-64 per hour. It would potentially increase more arrivals over 12L. The group discussed how to get the word out to educate Mendota Heights residents as to the potential impact of raising the amount of traffic over the city. 4.c Presentation of Annual Work Plan--The group discussed the need to make the annual Airport Relations Commission presentation of the Work Plan to the City Council. It was determined that ARC Chair Sloan could do that on October 20th. 4.d Review of Airport Operational Statistics--Mazzitello reviewed May and June statistics. It was shown that nighttime statistics were the highest that they had ever been, although they were still below the upper control limit. 12R did break the upper limits on April 13 and April 14. Commissioner Comments Sharma reported on the MAC Commission meeting. He said that the Commission was reviewing vendor and ATN contracts. He was going to attend the August 17th meeting. Lorberbaum sked for a synopsis of the July tour of MSP by the ARC. The concurrence was that it was a worthwhile event. Norling distributed and presented her noise analyses. She said that noise events were generally trending downward, but that there had been more noise events in 2013/14. Comments were made regarding how fewer and quieter planes could do that? Neuharth said that more analysis was needed, and asked if nighttime operations could be separated out. If no satisfactory explanation can be made, MAC should be questioned. Sloan reported on the NOC meeting of July 22nd. He said that they had seen the same presentation as MAC staff had presented to the ARC earlier that evening. He also said that Sunfish Lake was going to be monitored for noise for a week. He said that the NOC heard reports on RNAV and arrivals, and that complaints were at an all-time high. New Business None Adjourn Sharma made a motion to adjourn and Neuharth seconded at 8:32 PM. All voted in favor.