ARC 11 15 16 MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
AIRPORT RELATIONS COMMISSION MINUTES
November 15, 2016
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Commission was held on
Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at Mendota Heights City Hall.
The day and time was different that normal ARC meetings, so as to allow the Commissioners to
be part of a presentation by the FAA and MAC at the City Council meeting, which followed at 7
PM.
Call to Order
Acting Chair Bill Dunn called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
The following commissioners were present: William Dunn, Arvind Sharma, Kevin Byrnes, Jim
Neuharth, and Gina Norling. Also present was NOC alternate representative Jill Smith.
Absent: David Sloan, and Sally Lorberbaum (both excused)
Also present: City Administrator Mark McNeill
Approval of Minutes
Motion Neuharth/second Sharma, to approve the minutes of the September 14, 2016 joint ARC
meeting, with Eagan. Motion carried 5-0.
Unfinished and New Business
4.a MSP 2035 Long Term Comprehensive Plan Update. McNeill reviewed a letter in which the
MAC had requested a delay in completing the LTCP to the Metropolitan Council, so that the
effects of the Converging Runway Operations (CRO) could be considered.
4.b RNAV STAR Amendment Communication Preview McNeill said that MAC was reporting
that it was then delaying some communications in October, which would then be available at the
quarterly public meeting to be held October 26th.
4.c CRO Impacts at MSP. This issue would be the focus of a presentation to the City Council at
its meeting, which would be held later that evening.
4.d Review of Staff Support for ARC Meetings. McNeill said that recent staff vacancies had
created difficulties in preparing charts, and the packet for the ARC. Former Mendota Heights
Public Works Director John Mazzitello had offered to provide those services in his new role as a
consulting engineer. Byrnes indicated an interest in meeting with Mazzitello to see what would
be needed in order to produce the charts.
McNeill also said that this might be a time to look at what the mission of the Mendota Heights
ARC should be; it currently focuses on monitoring of data. He said that the Eagan ARC does
that, but it is also more involved with educating the community. He said that Mendota Heights
might be able to do more of that, once a part time communications person is hired which is in the
preliminary budget for 2017). Smith concurred that there could be more community outreach.
Neuharth said that communications in the past included Heights Highlights articles. Norling said
that the City should do more of a combination of charts, and communications. Dunn said that
the ARC could continue using Mazzitello for now, but that the issue should be discussed again in
January.
4.e Turboprop Operational Updates. McNeill discussed written information which has been
provided. That said that the FAA had considered alternatives for turboprops going over the City,
but determined that there were no safe alternatives—keeping them in the corridor created
spacing and scheduling problems at MSP, and having the planes turn over the Minnesota River
could potentially put them in conflict with air traffic from Holman Field in St. Paul. Byrnes
asked if they couldn’t vary their turns so that the planes weren’t all flying over the same
locations? Neuharth asked if the airport couldn’t determine different times, vectors, or noise
hush kits? Sharma asked what percentage the turboprops were as compared to all of the flights
from MSP?
4 f. Review of Airport Operational Charts Neuharth reviewed nighttime charts for 12R and
12L. He noted that we needed to be cognizant of the fact that both exceeded the upper limits for
one month. Turboprop charts were to be discussed in the Council meeting to follow.
4 g. Review of Past NOC/MSP meetings McNeill spoke about the issues at the September 21st
NOC meeting. He noted that he could include minutes from NOC meetings in future ARC
packets.
Acknowledge Receipt of Various Reports/Correspondence
The September Technical Advisors Report; Eagan/MH Departure Corridor Analysis; Runway 17
Departure Analysis Report; and Crossing in the Corridor Analysis reports were reviewed.
Norling reviewed her reports on noise monitors, and stated that sensors 12 and 15 were well over
the upper control limits. They have been trending upwards.
Byrnes presented articles which he had found, including one reporting that a disproportionate
amount of air noise complaints are generated by a very small number of people.
Public Comments
There were no members of the public present.
Commissioner Comments
Norling said that she had been tracking date which she will provide to the ARC in January, and
noted how little 12 R is used.
Next Meeting
Unless something significant warrants a meeting, the consensus of the members was that the
December 14th meeting should be canceled. Motion Norling/Second Neuharth to cancel the
December meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
Adjourn
Motion Neuharth/Second Sharma to adjourn at 6:46 PM. Motion carried 5-0
Minutes Taken By:
Mark McNeill,
City Administrator